This one was alright for me. Wasn’t crazy over it, I felt as though the story had more to give but we weren’t given that as the readers. It was also a slow start which lead to dread to get through the book. Usually I like most thrillers this type of writing just wasn’t for me.

This book reminds me if how I accidently fell in love with thrillers, it's a great curl up and get ready to be cornered... stressed and panicked over fictional charac5ers. My only gripe is most thrillers I pick up have a character named gus or August and that's my sons name lol it's such a stupid person gripe and it just makes the stories that much more stressful to me

I was really excited to read this book but it just wasn’t for me. I didn’t find myself wanting to pick it up and read. I just didn’t grab my attention the way I hoped it would. I found it to be a little slow and no real twists until the end. I had no idea this was part of the series. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the others. Thank you NetGalley , Katie and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for the ARC! #TheBuriedRoad

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.


Katie Tallo's "Buried Road" is a gripping mystery that digs deep into the human psyche, unearthing secrets and buried emotions. With vivid summer imagery and a relentless pace, this novel takes readers on a treacherous journey through abandoned places and sinister small-town secrets.

The story revolves around Gus Monet, a determined protagonist who refuses to let go of the past. When her longtime partner, Howard, a journalist, mysteriously disappears while pursuing a lead, Gus embarks on a perilous quest to uncover the truth. As she delves into Howard's last investigation, she discovers a web of deception, betrayal, and hidden agendas.

Tallo masterfully weaves together two timelines—the present-day search for Howard and the events leading up to his disappearance. The narrative alternates between Gus's relentless pursuit and Howard's cryptic notes, creating an intricate tapestry of suspense. The abandoned roads, overgrown forests, and decaying buildings serve as eerie backdrops, heightening the tension.

What sets "Buried Road" apart is its exploration of relationships. Gus's complex bond with Howard, her strained relationship with her mother, and the haunting memories of her childhood—all contribute to the emotional depth of the story. As Gus unearths buried secrets, she confronts her own demons, making her journey not only physical but also profoundly personal.

The character dynamics are richly drawn. Gus's determination clashes with her vulnerability, while her mother's flaws add layers of complexity. The supporting cast—a mysterious librarian, a reclusive artist, and a cryptic stranger—adds intrigue and keeps readers guessing.

Tallo's prose is evocative, painting vivid landscapes and evoking sensory experiences. The scent of pine needles, the crunch of gravel underfoot, and the oppressive heat of summer—all come alive on the page. The pacing is relentless, urging readers forward, and the unexpected twists keep the adrenaline pumping.

As the buried road unravels, secrets emerge—some darker than others. Tallo skillfully balances suspense and emotional resonance, leaving readers breathless until the final revelation. The ending, like a hidden treasure, awaits those who dare to follow the winding path.

In summary, "Buried Road" is a haunting and atmospheric mystery that lingers long after the last page. Katie Tallo's storytelling prowess shines, making this novel a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and intricate family dramas.

I LOVED this book! Particularly the confidence building closeness between the mother, the daughter and husband - the mother and daughter searched beyond reason, for their family patriarch (the "father" of the family, on every aspect except in the eyes of the law).

An eager ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ from this happy reader; going to purchase other books from this author after I post this review.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishing for this advance reader’s copy, in exchange for an honest review. “Buried Road” has an expected publication date of December 2024.
This review, along with all my regular reviews, can be seen on my book blog Raised on Reading (www.raisedonreading.com).
I knew when I asked to do an advance review of this book that it was the third in the Gus Moret series and I had not read either of the first two, but I decided to take a chance. Sometimes, authors are conscientious enough to bring first-time readers up-to-speed quickly. Thankfully, that was the case here.
The book starts quickly, plot line is clear, and reads as smooth as a stand-alone novel. Bly, Gus’s 13-year-old daughter, provides a unique and interesting narrative. We promptly learn that Howard Bayliss, Gus’s long-standing boyfriend and father-in-waiting to Bly, disappeared three years ago while doing research on a freelance story. His body was never found. But then Howard’s parents place his obituary in the newspaper. It re-ignites Gus’s batteries; angers her that they’ve given up hope. She and Bly spring into action, returning to the scene of the crime (Picton, Ontario, Canada), determined to get to the bottom of his disappearance.
The narrative pacing is excellent as Gus and Bly begin to peel back the layers of this mystery, aided by the discovery of the camper Howard had been driving, as well as his notebook and cell phone. As you might imagine, the more they uncover, the more feathers they ruffle among the local population. From flat tires to the torching of their car, they’ve clearly gotten someone’s attention.
The stakes are heightened when they realize Howard had stumbled onto more than his original bird migration/wind park controversy. The pieces to an elaborate, international drug operation begin to come together. And when it becomes clear that some of local law enforcement may be involved, they’re left with few options to turn to for assistance.
Tallo provides several plot twists of the “I didn’t see that coming” variety. But the credibility of the narrative feels too loose as it nears end. Granted, this is a work of fiction, but the narrative still needs to feel believable. Without giving away any spoilers, suffice to say there are a few too many unrealistic developments rounding out the story into an all-too-tidy package.
My rating shows 3 stars because there is no system for half points. But I would give “Buried Road” 3.5 stars.

Buried Road by Katie Tallo

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early.

This story follows Gus- Augusta and Bly , being told from a child’s POV, where they are trying to follow the path of what happened to Gus’ fiancé Howard.
The story is twisty and interesting as there are many investigation pieces to be put together by these two to find the answer

This book is the third in a series however it was a good standalone.

I enjoyed the story, especially the mother-daughter mystery-solving duo. I felt there could have been more set up and backstory for Howard and the relationship of the characters in the beginning.

Overall, I rated this 3.5 stars! Buried Road follows a mom and daughter duo (Gus and Bly) who are trying to find Howard, Gus’ fiance. Howard is a journalist who suddenly disappears while writing an investigative story that took a dark turn and was about to break wide open. After missing for three years, his camper suddenly appears and it contains clues to his disappearance. Gus and Bly return to the town to unravel what really happened to Howard, his investigation piece, and the townsfolk.

This twisty, small town mystery will make you question every character and I was not expecting the twist at the end! This is the third book in a series but it can read it as a standalone. The narrator is from the perspective of Bly, the child, and I was not a huge fan of that. Overall, it was a fun mystery!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC! #TheBuriedRoad #NetGalley

I found this to be an intriguing read. I adored the younger girl's point of view. Although it seemed to be going slowly at times, the character development was excellent. The tale started to take shape in the second half of the book, which is why I found it so much more engaging. I'm glad the finale caught me off guard because it was unexpected. All things considered, this book was excellent!

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for this ARC.

Buried Road started out fine. Mother, Gus, and daughter, Bly, are reunited with their camper van, last seen when Howard, Gus’ boyfriend took it to meet with someone connected to an investigation he was involved in. They enter the camper 3 years after Howard goes missing and find some evidence that compel them to investigate. The story is believable and interesting,so far.

Where it went off the rails for me is hard to say, but at about the half-way point, my eyes began to roll. Bly was supposedly only a pre-teen, yet she reads much more mature than a not quite teenager, making her actions and thought processes difficult for me to wrap my head around. Mother Gus will never be nominated for Mother of the Year, as she put herself and Bly in danger time and time again. She’s really just short of unhinged.
While their relationship reeked of wanna be Gilmore Girls, the foolish decisions and reckless actions of Mom would have social services knocking on her door at every turn. This is not the behavior of a Mother who should be a protector of her child. While she was touted as a hero, there was nothing heroic about dragging her daughter into her madness.

Now for the storyline:
Where do I begin?
The reader is drawn into a mystery surrounding Howard’s disappearance, and that story was believable.
There were so many Red Herrings in this one that my eyes are tired from rolling.
So many things thrown in that only achieved loose ends that were never revisited, let alone tied up.
The ending was just so contradictory to the other parts of the story that I was left just shaking my head.
Supposed caring adults making horrible decisions.
Strong men caving in to their circumstances.
Creepy man doing a 180.
A simple minded character overpowering not one, but two people who, coincidentally, cross his path. For 3 years. While adults in the know turn a blind eye with the excuse of “that’s just the way he is”.
An entire complex in the woods that locals surely should have known about.
I just couldn’t.

Finally, the main Red Herring being buttoned up all neat and tidy as an afterthought just sealed my final opinion of this one.
If a friend asked me if I would recommend this one I would have to say, “Hard pass”.
There are too many good books out there to spend time on this one.

I really wanted to like this book. From the beginning I really loved the characters and the overall mystery. As the story continued, it just became very meh and an average thriller to me. Overall, just not my favorite sadly.

Wow this was a doozy…in a good way. Having a 13 year old being the POV character is rarely well done in my opinion but it was perfect here. There was no weird blend of super knowledgeable and then young when it fits. The author was able to really give you a solid POV with a strong character. The mystery or thriller aspect was perfectly paced and insanely engaging. I couldn’t stop reading and was able to put a few pieces together but not all. Now that I know the ending (no spoilers!) I realize I could really have put it all together which I love in a book. Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC of this book- I LOVED it.

Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers, for the advanced copy of this book!

I was nervous when I first saw this was the third book in a series, but you can absolutely read as a stand alone.

I don't always love a child narrator, but the author wrote her perspective well. I was excited about the mother/daughter team taking on a mystery, but I really disliked the mother's character. She was largely unsympathetic to her daughter's struggles and put her in increasingly dangerous situations with no remorse.

Some of the metaphors were pretty heavy handed and I didn't think they added enough to the story. There is a great twist near the end that I never would have predicted! After the final twist, I did feel that the story wrapped up awfully quickly and a little too neatly for my taste.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. Publication date is December 3, 2024.

This was an interesting read for me. I loved the perspective of the younger girl. At times it felt like it was moving slowly but the character development was great. The second half of the book held my attention so much more because of the story beginning to take shape. The ending was a surprise that I did not see coming and I appreciate that. Overall, this was a very good book and I would recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for the opportunity to read the ARC of Buried Road. Buried Road by Katti Tallo was a quick read filled with determination and perseverance. In Buried Roads we meet Bly and her mother Gus as they are heading back to Prince Edward County for the funeral of Howard, their dad/ boyfriend who has been missing for the last 3 years. Only Gus doesn’t believe Howard is dead, so the trip becomes a mission to uncover what everyone has been hiding… Bly has no choice to go along with it. Every clue and piece of evidence found folds perfectly into the story. Every obstacle met only makes you love these characters more and will have you rooting for them all the way through the twisty ending you’ll never see coming. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and devoured it in a weekend. If you’re looking for a faced pace, edge-of-your-seat thriller – look no further than Buried Road! Absolutely 4/5 stars.

This was a faced-paced suspense filled with twists and turns. A mother and her teenage daughter go on the search for Howard (the mother's partner) after he randomly vanishes while following a lead on a story. When Howard's vehicle shows up the girls find something that was missed and follow the clues to the big question of, where did Howard disappear to? I loved that the main characters were independent strong women. It is a little unrealistic for the mother to put her teenage daughter in some of the dangerous situations they were presented with however still a good story line. The mother daughter bond was one of my favorite parts of this story. Katie Tallo did really great describing situations and experiences and painting them into a picture from a young teenager's perspective. There were so many twists and turns some of which really caught me off guard.
Definitely recommend this one.

I could not put this book down! Will definitely be reading more from this author. I did not realize it was the third book of a series but I think it’s okay to read it as a standalone as well.

This book was so good. I loved the storylines and did not expect the ending at all. It did keep me guessing. I loved the ending also

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. Along with others, I did not realize this was part of a series but agree that it reads well as a stand alone. I wouldn’t consider this a true thriller, but I applaud Tallo for her storytelling.

Publication date December 3, 2024

Unfortunately, I am going to have to DNF this book. I do not like to DNF books, however this book did not grab my attention like other mystery/thrillers I have read. The prologue at the beginning was sort of bland for me as well. Sort of lost interest in the book throughout reading. :(