Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the copy of The Buried Hours by R.S. Grant. I liked the premise of the book and it started out really well, but the writing style never really kept my interest. I didn’t find it very suspenseful because I had a good idea about who was good and who wasn't. I thought the story was good and liked how it shed light on an issue going on today that doesn’t get a lot of press. If you like a complex book with a lot going on, or if you already love this author, this book is for you. I wasn’t a fan of the romance storyline and some of the scenes about what had happened to Signe were too graphic for me, but in general I liked the book.

Fantastic and intense, loved it all! Absolutely unputdownable read with darker overtones, suspense, mystery, deceit, secrets, and many shocking twists and turns. Good guys, bad guys…who’s really who, and how does everything connect? It’s an adrenaline rush full of questions and shocking discoveries with heartbreaking and terrifying outcomes with a dash of romance and a happy ending.

*I received an ARC from NetGalley via the publisher and/or author and I voluntarily reviewed the book. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own. Thank you for the amazing read!

I loved this new series by Rachel Grant under a new pseudo name . It has all the ingredients that I love in her books . I good mystery and romance .
Some parts of it were difficult to read , I hope the book has content warning when it comes out .

This adventure pits Signe an investigative docuseries crime journalist against human trafficking and drug mobsters in Southern California. Writing as R S Grant, Rachel has written a non stop action mystery which takes a few turns reaching the climax in the famous Yosemite back country. She meets up with Cole a mysterious handsome wannabe TV host as well as FBI agents, trafficking victims, co-workers and an ex husband woven into this tale which finishes with a happy ending.
I can’t wait for the next R S Grant adventure or a Rachel Grant romantic novel!

Thank you to NetGalley for a review copy.

Rachel Grant is an automatic buy author or mine and I was curious to see why she used a different name for publication of this book. And that becomes clear with the first page - this is much darker than her usual. The romanace also takes a back seat though it is not gone. Grant's writing has been moving in this direction over the past few years and I think the different branding is likely wise. R. S. Grant will also be on my automatic read list.

Signe and Cal are the two main POV characters. Signe is the main POV. With Cal's POV we learn enough that Signe does not know to not be overwhelmed as the main plot is resolved withou learning all of the details.

It really does explore some dark aspects of human behaviour- there is a lot of off-page violence (the on-page violence is what I consider a normal level). There are some unexpected twists and everything does get resolved.

Recommended.

I really did enjoy this book, being a big fan of Rachel Grants work.

The novel had all the elements that you would expect, the quality of the writing, the depth of the plot, the pacing and the characterisations, the humanitarian aspect and the ecology element which feature so prominently in her books.

However, I didn’t warm to any of the characters as you normally do in her novels, even the heroine, Signe

Wow! What an absolutely fantastic book.
This book had me gripped from the 1st chapter and was filled with suspense and twists and turns, which began almost immediately. It's difficult to know who the villains are and who are not. The story is a wonderful merry go round of suspicion and intrigue into each character real intentions and motives.

The book is written in an easy to follow format with chapters, which are neither too long nor too short. The author manages to keep pulling you further and further into the story, taking you through a whole plethora of emotions and keeping you guessing until the very end.

OMG this book is fabulous. Loved the plot, the storyline and the suspense! The characters are great. I highly recommend this one. Can the heroine find out what happened during the lost hours when she was abducted? Who was behind it?

Wow! What an emotional read! So much going on, and so many twists and turns, I didn’t want to put the book down. It’s dark, full of suspense, lies, and a whole lot of questionable characters. Rachel Grant fans will be thrilled to add her new R.S. Grant books to their library! Loved this book!

As Rachel Grant's first novel under her new pen name R.S Grant, I think she knocked it out of the park.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy for my honest review.

It's not the usual romantic suspense genre that I'm used to with this author as it's a little light on the romance but the twists and turns throughout this novel even had me wondering if I was on the right track. I felt along side Signe - not sure if Cole was a good guy or bad guy (no spoilers here as readers can find out for themselves).

I was also surprised at Leo's trajectory. Again, no spoilers but despite reading a lot of suspense novels, I didn't see his storyline going the way it did.

I give this novel 4.5 stars. I would have liked a bit more romance and there were a few parts that had me a little confused with regards to who was doing what and when. But otherwise, this was a great novel!

Signe Gates is an investigative crime reporter who is now working a highly personal story. A mysterious informant has set up a meet in Yosemite National Park, which Signe has to hike to with the help of Cole Banner who is sent by her ex-husband, Leo Starr. Signe will experience a roller coaster of emotions while she is physically put to the test while questioning the truth of the past several years. I enjoyed how it felt like I was also on this thrilling journey through Yosemite due to the author's descriptions.

Signe hosts a show called Crime Lords for TWN. She is now divorced from Leo, the producer of her show. She is also being blackmailed over what some would call a 'sex tape' where she is the star. But that isn't the truth. She needs to meet up with who is texting her at a certain location. She needs a camera man and Roman can't do it. Little did she know that Cole, the host to Leo's new show would be the one to help her out. But what was uncovered wasn't what she thought it would be. A very good thriller story. I voluntarily read a copy of this book.

Another excellent book from Grant! It really kept me on the edge of my seat, I just couldn't put it down and get off the emotional roller-coaster.

The book is so well written that I couldn't help putting myself in her shoes. I could really understand her dilemmas and her torment, the dizzying upturn of her world not just once, but twice - first losing herself through forcefully having stolen from her everything she believed about herself and then losing everything else but the thirst for justice at any risks and any price. And by seeking the truth at the core of her heart, which pushed her to salvage whatever could be redeemed, she found herself again. It's so much harder when, having lost all that's important, you loose everyone you can trust and those supposed to keep you up let you fall... or worse, they puch you under...

Strong, complex, unbelievably unique characters and a story to match.

Truly enjoyed this book. Excellent story that made it hard to put down. I love when I can’t figure out who the villain is until the end. Well written with great characters.

If you are an avid fan of Rachel Grant, then you will thoroughly enjoy this debut book by her new pseudonym, R.S. Grant. This story is incredibly intense, with realistic and in-depth characters, and dramatic scenes that are fabulously detailed. The primary character, Signe, is a well-seasoned journalist who is focusing on human trafficking, and investigating and interviewing the harshest of the harsh criminals. Her world has been upended after a tragic violent rape occurred to her two years ago. She is now on a dire mission to discover what happened to her for 48 missing hours. As she navigates through meeting new colleagues helping her on her mission, attempting to meet up with a source in Yosemite, and hiding out from a gang intent on silencing her, she is faced with gut wrenching betrayals and revelations, and at times more questions than answers. With Ms Grant’s talent of keeping the reader guessing, she weaves in several characters that makes you wonder, whose side are they on? “Who can be trusted” is a constant dilemma for Signe as the challenges she faces become surreal. When will it end? Will she ever get her life back? Those questions, and Signer’s brutal revelations is what kept me reading. The skillful plot building kept me immersed in the book that I wasn’t even aware of time passing. A must read! I received a complimentary ARC from NetGalley, but I am voluntarily offering my personal opinion.

Signe is going to Yosemite with hopes of finding answers to the “Missing Hours” she experienced. Her regular camera guy is unavailable and her ex-husband Leo has found a replacement to accompany her. As her and Cole get to know each other they find each has hidden information. Lots of twists, turns and excitement to keep you reading. I highly recommend this story.

Dark, suspenseful and unputdownable

This book. The mystery. The danger. The suspicions. The questions. The darkness. The plot twists. The past pain. The big feels. I loved it all. I especially loved the slow and steady progressive ratcheting up of the tension and suspense, word by word, paragraph by paragraph, chapter by chapter. It was perfection. This suspenseful romance keeps you enthralled and is filled with smart funny and wildly appealing characters and an edge of your seat story. It grabbed me by throat from the very first word and kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last one. It is a rollercoaster ride of excitement with so many twists and turns it was hard to put down. Who were the bad guys? Who were the good guys? What happened in the missing 48 hours? What is going on now? Signe is an investigative journalist. Her show focuses on crime and she interviews criminals for in depth stories about how crime works. Two years ago she was the victim of a horrific crime. She cannot remember the 48 hours and she cannot tell anyone about it to avoid anyone being killed. Signe receives a cryptic text about two murders in Yosemite that she should look into for clues to her abduction. Cole is an archeologist about to star in his own docudrama being produced by Signe’s ex-husband. It was her ex who sends Cole to be Signe’s camping and climbing guide through Yosemite. The more time Signe and Cole spend together and the deeper they go into the park, the more uncomfortable and dangerous things become. The book has a little bit of everything just like you would expect from this genre - sweet moments, strong friendships, sexy times, real life issues, imperfect characters, dangerous moments, mystery, uber protective men, secrets, plot twists, painful pasts, evil actors, and love. The story included witty dialogue, three dimensional characters who grow, and an engaging storyline. I love when romantic suspense keeps me guessing the identities and motives of the bad guys. This book did that in spades.

What a thrilling ride this book took me on. I was curious how much I'd enjoy this new series by Rachel Grant written under a pen name and it did not disappoint. The suspense didn't let up and I felt like I read this with an elevated heart rate. There's so much I like about this book, but which I can't discuss without spoiling anything 🤐

It's distinctly darker than her usual fare, but highly enjoyable. I rooted for Signe from page one, invested in her quest for answers and justice. The layers of deception and betrayal uncovered chapter by chapter and the uncertainty of who to trust had me glued to the pages.

The cruel and punishing hike through Yosemite is fitting for the emotional wringer the book puts you through. I was anxious, horrified, sad and angry at turns. But like the spots of sunshine through the forest canopy, there is humour, hope and warmth, too. A fascinating, engaging read and another piece of stellar work from one of my fave authors.

"The Buried Hours" is an enjoyable suspense read with great atmosphere in that it takes place in Yosemite. I would recommend this for readers who enjoy true crime and grittier stories. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I liked the book. There was suspense, shock, and lots of twists and turns. I felt the story did repeat the same information on trafficking several times which took away from the overall movement of the story, which is why I gave it 4 stars. Overall it was a very good book.

I received this book for free and wished to leave a review.