Member Reviews

Katie Tallo's latest novel "Buried Road" is an absolutely riveting read that had me completely engrossed from the very first page. The story follows Gus and her tween daughter Bly as they embark on a relentless search for Howard, who mysteriously vanished 3 years ago. Howard is not only a dedicated partner to Gus but also a beloved father figure to Bly. With Howard being so important to them, the two women are steadfast in their determination to uncover the truth surrounding his disappearance.

The novel is a rollercoaster of emotions, intricately weaving a fast-paced plot full of unexpected twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. Tallo's masterful storytelling and skillful character development surpassed my already high expectations, solidifying her as an automatic go-to author. I wholeheartedly recommend this gripping and thrilling 5-star novel to anyone who appreciates a compelling and suspenseful narrative.

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I did not realize Buried Road, was part of a series however, I did not find myself being lost because of this. It was a slow burn and Gus was something else but other than that, I enjoyed the book. Thank you NetGalley and Harper for this advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

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Every so often I enjoy reading some thrillers. This was such a great read and I am so glad I was able to add it to my thriller list! It was so good! I cant wait to recommend it to my thriller loving friends!

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“Buried Road* is a thrilling and emotionally charged novel, narrated by young Bly, that masterfully blends suspense and a relentless quest for truth. The story follows Gus Monet and her daughter Bly, who are drawn back to Prince Edward County three years after Howard, the love of Gus’s life and Bly's father figure, vanished during a camping trip. Howard, a journalist, disappeared while investigating a dangerous story.

Upon discovering Howard's obituary, Gus and Bly return to where he was last seen. In his abandoned camper, they find hidden evidence that reignites the cold case. As they delve into Howard's investigation, they uncover dark secrets and face life-threatening dangers. The novel's setting, characterized by eerie, abandoned places, enhances the suspense and mystery.

The characters are richly developed, with Bly’s perspective providing a unique emotional depth. Gus and Bly's bond and their determination to uncover the truth drive the narrative, highlighting themes of love, loss, and resilience. The writing is immersive and evocative, steadily building tension to a shocking finale.

*Buried Road* is a must-read for thriller and mystery enthusiasts, offering a gripping, heart-pounding experience that underscores the power of familial bonds and the pursuit of truth.

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Bly's mother's boyfriend Howard went missing 3 years prior. When they get news of his parents having a funeral for him without knowing if he's really dead, they decide to go back to where it all started and search for him. Gus is convinced he's still out there somewhere. This is a fast-paced story that keeps you engaged. I didn't see the ending coming for sure and really enjoyed this. The characters were likeable and you really felt compassion for them and their convictions. I wasn't aware this was part of a 3-book series, so I would like to read the others as well.

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I don’t always like a child narrator for an adult book, but this was really well done, and Bly (the narrator of the story) had enough maturity, due to the unusual way she’s been raised, to make it really interesting. I could NOT believe how it all turned out (I mean, I guessed who the bad guy was, but I didn’t guess WHY), and I do feel like it was a little too well-wrapped-up at the end, but honestly sometimes it’s nice to see all the loose ends get tied. This is weird and unsettling and thrilling and quite sad, though the end is happy enough, and it was a great read.

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Buried Road, by Katie Tallo is about Bly and her mom, Augustus (Gus). Gus has a great man in her life who loves Bly like his own. One day, Howard gets a call from someone with a lead on story he was working on. He leaves to meet the person and doesn’t return. Three years later, Howard’s parents have given up hope that he will be found and decide to have a celebration of life for him. Gus and Bly go on the hunt for him after the camper van is found. From the beginning, the story kept me engaged wanting to find out what happened to Howard. It was a wild ride!

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I received an arc copy of this book from NetGalley and Harper Perennial. After I received this book, I realized that it was the third in a series. With that being said I do not feel I was missing any information by not reading the first two books although, after reading this book, I would like to read the first two books..

The story starts off with Gus and her daughter Bly going to a funeral for Gus’s missing boyfriend. The story is told in the perspective of the 13-year-old daughter, which I really enjoyed. The story follows along on their adventure to find out what happened to him. The character building was great, and I think added a lot to the story. The beginning was a little slow, however it picked up pretty quickly with lots of twist and turns that I did not see coming. The ending was also a big surprise, although as I look back on it, there was foreshadowing that I missed. All in all, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this new to me author.

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*** I received an e-ARC of this book from Harper Perennial and Paperbacks through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review***

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Summary: One morning, Augusta (Gus) and her daughter Bly, read an obituary in the newspaper for Howard Baylis. Howard was the love of Gus’s life and a father figure to Bly. He was a journalist who disappeared three years earlier while working on a story. New evidence had been found in his case and his parents presumed him dead. Gus and Bly return to Prince Edward County where he was last seen to look for what investigators may have missed.

Thoughts: After receiving this e-book I realized it was part of a series. I had not read the previous books, but I do not feel like I was missing any information. I was not a fan of Augusta (Gus). I found her irresponsible. My opinion may have been different if I had read the previous books and had more background information on her. This story is told from the POV of Bly, her daughter. Bly was older than her years to make up for her mom’s flighty ways. That said, the story was a little slow to start but picked up pace quickly. The small town secrets led to a shocking ending I would not have guessed. Don’t be afraid to pick this one up if you haven’t read the previous books.

✨ Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley.

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Gus and her daughter Bly search for Gus's missing boyfriend Howard for three years before giving up. When a funeral is held for Howard, they return to the place he vanished from, kicking off a thrilling search. The book is filled with action, adventure, and danger, creating an engaging story.

My only concern was how Gus exposed her young daughter Bly to constant danger during the search. Despite Gus's fierce protectiveness, she puts Bly at risk. The twists in the story were unexpected, making it an excellent read. I look forward to more books from this author.

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I usually love missing persons thrillers, but this one was not my favorite. It was a little hard for me to follow along for some reason, possibly because I just couldn't keep my attention on the story. I would not be opposed to reading other titles from this author, this one just wasn't for me.

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This mystery is a gentle hug on a chilly night. It follows a mother and daughter, Bly and her mom, searching for answers three years after their beloved Howard vanishes. Don't expect a breakneck chase, but the steady hum of suspense will keep you glued to the page, piecing together the puzzle with them.

The book is part of a series, but it works perfectly on its own. Bly, the young narrator, brings a fresh perspective with a touch of whimsy as she collects her own special "clues." While her youth adds charm, there were times I wished she were a bit older for believability. The story unfolds at a relaxed pace, leading to a satisfying conclusion with a surprising twist that will knock you for a loop. Curl up with a cup of tea and this heartwarming mystery, and prepare to be swept away by a story that lingers long after the last page.

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This book was a great read!! Once i started reading it, I could not put it down. I really enjoyed the character development in the book and I loved the dynamic of Bly and Gus. This was a real page turner.

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story of a Mother and Daughter adventure to find a missing person, told from a young teenagers perspective. It’s the third book in a series but I was able to read as a stand alone. The ending was a little fantastical, reaching a bit and making connections that didn’t read entirely authentic. But overall, kept my interest and kept me guessing.

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I went into this one without knowing it was the third in a series. I’m not sure I could have gotten through three books with the mother character. Im personally not a fan of the distant, unqualified mother trope.

It follows the mother daughter duo as they go back to a small town, three years later, to try and find out what happened to their partner/step dad after he vanishes during a camping trip.

There was a great twist at the end that I didn’t guess. Over all it was an enjoyable story that kept me entertained.
Thank you NetGalley for this eARC!

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I didn't read the first two and i didn't realize this was the third book while reading so I don't know if that affected my experience, but i didn't feel behind reading just this one. I didn't connect with the characters or storyline but i think I am going to go back to the first two and then re-review this later... 3,5 Stars rounded up!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

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I received this book as an ARC from HarperCollins and NetGalley. Augusta “Gus” Monet and her daughter, Bly, are hurting from the disappearance three years earlier of Gus’s partner, Howard Baylis. Howard disappeared while they were camping, after leaving for the day to meet with a source for a big story that he was writing. Gus and Bly never believed that Howard was dead, and when their campervan turns up after three years, they begin to unravel the truth about Howard’s disappearance and the story that destroyed their family. A solid mystery novel with well-written characters and an interesting puzzle.

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I received this as an e-ARC from Harper Perennial and Paperbacks via NetGalley.

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The premise of this book had me hooked but I was extremely confused whether it was supposed to be a YA or Adult book. The main character is 13 and written from her childish perspective but the whole book was riddled with adult themes. It felt very far fetched for any 13 year old to be dealing with.

All this to say, the twist definitely was received well and unpredictable in my mind! Tons of foreshadowing that I didn’t catch on to but looking back was extremely satisfying to see.

Overall, an easy read and a decent mystery!

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Well well well call this my new favorite thriller and slap a bow on the front because this was freaking wild. a wild wild ride. I get the hype and can't wait to read more by this author.

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Really great read! At first, I felt it was a little slow to get into, but then I couldn’t put it down. I think I read the last half of the book in one day because I had to know how it ended. I loved all the action that took place for Gus and Bly, while they searched for Howard, a man well loved by them both, who disappeared 3 years earlier following a lead for an article he was writing. The book is also told from Bly’s perspective, a young teen, but it didn’t ever feel juvenile to me. I believe I will check out this author’s other books, now that I have enjoyed this one so much.

As always, I thank #NetGalley for allowing me to read this #ARC of #BuriedRoad.

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