3.5 ⭐️ (rounded up)

I quite enjoyed this thriller. It was fast-paced and with so many twists, turns, characters, and puzzle pieces, it was easy to stay engaged with every page.

I thought the characters were well developed and particularly liked the mother-daughter dynamics between Gus and Bly. I also loved how a few other characters played out (and that's all I'll say so I remain, as always, spoiler-free in my reviews) as the mysteries unraveled.

I will say that I had a lot figured out pretty easily and there was a level of predictability to this. I don't feel like it took away from it though, because there were enough small details to the big picture that I didn't guess!

I didn't realize this was part of a series until I finished it, which I think speaks to the ability of this to be a standalone. At no point was I confused or lost, so the author did a great job providing the right amount of background information without making it seem like I missed something.

Big thanks to the author, Katie Tallo & the publisher, Harper Perennial for providing me with an eArc of Buried Road! 💖

This book simply just didn’t catch my attention. I think a lot of it had to do with the age of the narrator. An adult novel being told from the POV of a 13 year old just isn’t working for me.

the plot isn’t entirely original, but Tallo’s execution—especially through Bly’s voice—makes it feel fresh and emotionally rich. If you enjoy thrillers with strong female leads, small-town secrets, and a touch of melancholy.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Paperbacks for the arc

I really liked this book I'm not sure how it got so far down on my list but it was really good. I thought narration by the 12 year old was really well done and something new. I liked how she wasn't all brave or infallible but ultimately it was still a little far fetched the way she acted. But it's a book after all. I think this would make a great movie or mini series actually. I want the mansion to be real and I want to visit it, just maybe not almost die there. The setting was original for me and I really liked that. I read this book in like 6 hours it was great. Fast paced but not hard to keep up with. I would definitely recommend this book and I'd love to read more from the author.

At 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4), I can say I did enjoy this book. I had not read the previous 2 books in the series, but I do feel that this one was fine as a stand-alone book. I enjoyed the suspense/mystery in this book, but did feel that some parts were a little choppy/disorganized and felt random at times. I don't want to throw any spoilers out there, it's just how some of the plot felt to me. Overall, it's a good read - I may also go back and read the other 2 in the series to see if this one comes together more for me.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've been on a mystery/thriller kick lately and the summary and premise of this book sounded intriguing enough. Unfortunately, I found this book poorly written and it had very, very little in the way to redeem it.

The plot was awfully slow, boring, and convoluted. None of the characters were interesting or felt realistic, all the dialogue and descriptions felt very cartoonish. The major plotlines didn't really tie together nicely, and most of the action felt like it was happening just for the sake of happening- rather than adding to the plot. This author, in my opinion, also writes action very poorly.

The POV is from a twelve-year-old perspective, but it doesn't really add anything to the story, and she never really feels her age. Somehow no one ever mentions how much danger our main character has put her daughter in throughout this book, and is just okay with it in the end? The ending iteself is very unbelievable, and gave no satisfying payoff to such a boring story. This was a short book that normally I could read in one sitting, but it was so painful it took mutliple days to get through.

Highly enjoyed this suspenseful thriller!

Told from the perspective of 13-year-old Bly, she and mom Gus are on a quest to discover what happened to Howard, Gus’s long term partner who disappeared 3 years ago. With very few answers they go back to Picton, the place he disappeared, to attend a celebration of life Howard’s parents are holding for him. Gus refuses to believe that he is gone, and she and Bly start following every single clue and lead they can in order to get answers.

Reading from Bly’s perspective was so great, and I think it gave this book something a little different than other fast-paced thrillers have. I also love how the pieces in this book come together like a puzzle, but the ending is still surprising.

I listened to the audiobook of this, which I highly recommend. If you’re a thriller reader, this one is absolutely worth picking up!

I was thinking the bad ‘guys’ were someone else. The author definitely gets that in your head from the beginning. I did figure somethings out. Good read overall.

In Buried Road, Katie Tallo delivers a moody, character-driven thriller that blends small-town secrets with a powerful mother-daughter bond. The story follows thirteen-year-old Bly Monet and her mother, Gus, who have spent years in quiet survival mode after a man named Howard vanished from their lives. When his obituary appears in the paperit sets off a chain of events that forces them both to confront long-buried truths. Their quest for answers leads them into a dangerous spiral of hidden loyalties, criminal undercurrents, and family trauma that neither of them are prepared for.

While technically part of a series, Buried Road stands strongly on its own. I didn’t read the previous book and didn’t feel like I was missing any crucial backstory, though I imagine returning readers will enjoy the added context and this book does spoil the first one soooo.

The standout here is the relationship between Gus and Bly. It’s raw, realistic, and at times uncomfortable but always compelling. Tallo takes her time establishing their dynamic, and while that slower start may frustrate thriller fans looking for immediate suspense, it pays off emotionally in the end. Watching their bond evolve as the danger closes in gave this book more depth than your typical procedural.

The narrative voice, told through Bly’s eyes, is an absolute gem. She’s observant, sharp, and full of emotional nuance. Her perspective brings an honesty and intensity that grounds the more outrageous plot twists. Tallo nails that tricky balance between adolescent vulnerability and hard-earned wisdom. Definitely one of my more favorite juvenile character narrations.

The pacing overall is a bit uneven. The first third leans heavily into character development and atmosphere, while the second half accelerates into full-blown thriller mode. Once the antagonist is revealed and the pieces start falling into place, it becomes truly gripping.


Buried Road is less about cheap thrills and more about how deeply trauma and love can intertwine. If you’re in the mood for something dark, thoughtful, and a little off the beaten path of traditional thrillers, this one’s worth your time

Buried Road is out now. Huge thank you to Harper for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.
Tiktok @speakingof.books
Website: SPEAKINGOF.ORG

DNF- I had a hard time getting into the story and finding a connection to the characters. This cause me to start skimming through the rest of the storyline.

The premise of this book really interested me. I attempted to read it several times and it wasnt for me, unfortunately.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for giving me the wonderful chance to read this book!

Exactly what i expected and also so much more! I was not expecting the twists and turns. It is really well done. Highly recommend yall to check it out! What a ride.

I did not realize initially going into this that it was a part of a series but the first books are necessarily needed to understand what is going on. The twists and turns were perfect for those just beginning their thriller journey but as someone who likes to be bamboozled a little more this one fell flat while still being entertaining. I would definitely recommend it to other readers who are looking for a mystery they can help solve along the way.

Lock all the doors and windows and then settle in for an all-night read. This book is so dark and scary, this is a must-read that you won't want to put down.

One may think a book about a man missing for 3 years would have a slowly moving plot, where not much of anything is happening. Tallo definitely defies this expectation with twists and turns at every page. I had no idea of which way the story was going to go; I was constantly surprised until the very end.

I'll admit that it took me a bit to get into the book but it quickly picks up from there. While some of the plot may seem a little out there, it never goes over the top. I've actually heard less complicated true crime stories than this, so it's definitely not outside the realm of possibility. The second half of the book is a wild ride and many of the characters not who they appear to be when they are first introduced.

Tallo does an excellent job writing the story so that as Gus and Bly figure out clues, we the reader arrive at the conclusion at the same time. I never felt like I knew more or less than them, but more like I was investigating right along with them.

This is the first book I've read by Katie Tallo, and I'll be adding her other books to my TBR.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Buried Road is a thrilling, emotionally charged novel that expertly blends suspense with deep emotional undertones. The story is one of heartache, mystery, and fierce determination, centered around the mysterious disappearance of Gus’s partner, Howard, who was last seen on a camping trip years ago. When his obituary appears three years later, it reignites the painful memories and unanswered questions surrounding his disappearance, propelling Gus and Bly on a harrowing journey back to Prince Edward County, the last place Howard was seen.

The narrative is skillfully told through the perspective of Bly, whose voice brings both innocence and surprising wisdom to the story. Her reflections on her mother’s grief and her own experience of loss are poignant, and as a young girl, her involvement in the mystery feels both believable and compelling. The close mother-daughter dynamic adds emotional depth to the plot, making their actions and the dangers they face all the more gripping.

What truly elevates Buried Road is its atmosphere. The author masterfully creates an eerie, small-town setting, rich with abandoned places, dark secrets, and unsettling imagery. The tension in the narrative builds steadily, and as Gus and Bly uncover hidden clues in Howard’s abandoned camper, the plot accelerates to a pulse-pounding, edge-of-your-seat climax. The slow unraveling of the mystery surrounding Howard’s story, his death, and the forces that wanted him silenced, keeps the reader guessing until the very end.

The finale is nothing short of shocking, delivering a heart-stopping conclusion that lingers long after the last page is turned. What starts as a cold case investigation slowly transforms into a life-or-death pursuit of truth, and the mother-daughter duo’s resolve is both reckless and inspiring. Their relentless drive to uncover the truth and the sacrifices they make in the process are at the heart of the book’s emotional weight.

In terms of pacing, the novel strikes a fine balance between tension-filled action and emotional depth. The stakes are high, and the author doesn’t shy away from depicting the perilous consequences of Gus and Bly’s decisions. Buried Road isn’t just a thriller—it’s a poignant exploration of grief, love, and the lengths people will go to for the truth.

If you're a fan of thrillers with deeply human elements and a story that lingers in your mind, Buried Road is a must-read. The compelling voice of Bly, the atmospheric setting, and the relentless pursuit of justice make this an unforgettable page-turner.

I love a good, fast paced thriller, and this one did it for me! I didn't realize this was book three in a series, I wish I would have caught that before I read it. I enjoyed the mom daughter duo, and will go back and read book one and two!

I loved this writing style and the suspense to this book. Would enjoy more books by Katie Tallo. Quite literally would forget everything i was doing while reading this book. It is definitely bingeable. I wish I had read her prior books before reading this one though.

🚍Book Review:
Title: Buried Road
Author: Katie Tallo
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/3 stars

It took a bit for me to really get engaged in this book. It's fairly slow for the first half, but it does turn itself around in the second half. The twist and the ending were really good!

Howard Baylis goes missing while writing a story on what is to be believed about birds. But what he was hunting down was much more dangerous and sinister. His partner, "Gus," Augusta Monet, and her daughter Bly are awaiting the return of Howard on a camping trip to realize he is not coming back. But he left clues in the event of something potentially going awry.

Three years later, Gus sees an obituary in the newspaper for Howard. He has yet to be found. Questioning why his parents have declared him dead, Gus and Bly return to Prince Edward County for answers. Their camper van has been found, but no Howard. Not wanting to believe he's truly gone, Gus and Bly set out to find Howard or at least the truth of his disappearance. But somebody or someone's are not going to just let that happen because finding Howard means finding some dark, shady secrets. Just follow the clues......

Published: December 3rd, 2023

Thank you, @netgalley and @harperperennial, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

3.5 stars
This was an interesting story where a mom and daughter are looking for her step dad. Chasing down sources to find him and hopefully bring him home safely.