This was a really great read! This was a real page-turner and kept me engaged the entire time. This was well written.

I would give this book 3.5 stars. This book could be read as a stand alone despite being the third book in a series. Buried Road is about a mother daughter duo who are piecing together what happened to their beloved Howard. Gus, the mother, is intense and eccentric. In contrast, her daughter, Bly, is more reserved and inquisitive. Buried Road is a small town mystery with some twists and turns you might not see coming. What really happened to Howard?

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for this eARC in exchange for an honest review! Buried Road is the third book in the Gus Monet series but can be read perfectly fine as a standalone (which is what I did.)
This is a fast paced thriller with incredible twists and turns! It follows Bly as she and her mother, Gus, search for her mother’s boyfriend that disappeared three years earlier. When his parents declare him dead and host a funeral, Bly and Gus find themselves back in town and caught up in a conspiracy where they don’t know who to trust. The characters are so well written, and are easy to connect to. The plot keeps you on your toes, needing to know what happens next, and the ending ties everything together perfectly.

This book is book number 3 out of a serious bug I read it as a stand-alone. This book is written in the perspective of the young daughter which I did find to be a fascinating pov to read from. Buried road was a quick and easy read but it did not keep my attention as well as I would have liked. Maybe if I read the other books first but I still really enjoyed it overall!

This book didn't really grab my attention. It is part of a series, but I felt like it was fine as a stand-alone. This is not really what I consider a thriller and that is probably why I didn't love this book.

This was a fun and quick read. Even tho this is the third book in a series it can also be read as a standalone. I enjoyed the book being from the daughter’s POV. Katie did a good job or portraying how unconditional children love and how trusting they can be. I thought the ending was good but it ended kind of abruptly. Overall enjoyed this book and would recommend it if you are looking for an easy and enjoyable thriller.

Unpopular opinion, but I love the POV being from the daughter. It shows just how much the parents actions impact the child in situations like this. Gus was a lot for Bly to handle. The twists were unexpected it the story ended too abruptly. Overall an enjoyable book!

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the complicated mother daughter relationship and how close Gus and Bly got towards the end. I felt for all the characters and did not predict the ending! I will definitely be checking out other books by Katie Tallo

3.8 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for this ARC!
Buried Road is the third book in the Gus Monet series, but you can read this as a stand alone. This was a pretty simple read for me but it did just enough to keep me entertained. We start out with our MC and her daughter finding their camper that has been missing for 3yrs, since the MCs boyfriend took it to meet with someone he was investigating with. They end up finding some things they can’t make sense of and they end up looking into it themselves. I will say I wasn’t this biggest fan of our MC Gus. She was a terrible mother in my opinion. How many times are you allowed to put your child in danger before we call it some form of neglect/reckless endangerment? I wasn’t really a fan of having Bly as a narrator. Something about it was just off for me, she was a child but just read as much older and I suppose with a mother like hers she was forced to kinda grow faster. Overall I enjoyed this story and would recommend.

As an advanced reader I was lucky enough to delve into Katie Tallo's latest thriller, "Buried Road," I can confidently say that it's an electrifying rollercoaster of suspense and emotion. From start to finish, she crafts a narrative that grips you tightly, refusing to let go until the very last page.

Following the heart-wrenching disappearance of Gus Monet's beloved partner, Howard, on a seemingly innocent camping trip, the story unfolds into a thrilling quest for truth and justice. What starts as a journey to unravel the mystery behind Howard's vanishing transforms into a dangerous pursuit for answers, filled with unexpected twists and turns.

Tallo's writing pulls you into the eerie atmosphere of Prince Edward County, setting the stage for a chilling exploration of abandoned places and sinister secrets. Through the eyes of young Bly, Gus's daughter, readers are taken on a gripping ride, experiencing the tension and fear alongside the characters.

The discovery of Howard's hidden notebook and cell phone ignites a fire within Gus and Bly, propelling them deeper into the investigation and closer to the perilous truth. As they uncover shocking revelations and face deadly threats, the stakes skyrocket, leading to a heart-pounding finale that will leave you breathless.

What sets "Buried Road" apart is Tallo's masterful ability to blend pulse-pounding suspense with poignant moments of familial love and resilience. Gus and Bly's unwavering determination to seek justice for Howard is both inspiring and deeply moving, making their journey one that resonates long after the final page is turned.

In conclusion, "Buried Road" is a must-read for fans of gripping thrillers and intricate mysteries. Katie Tallo proves herself to be a standout talent in the genre, delivering a riveting narrative that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. It was fantastic. Thank you

This was such a fun book! I devoured it in no time. It was impossible to tear myself away from it, and I found myself eagerly anticipating the next chance to dive back in.

The story follows our mom and daughter duo, Augusta "Gus" and her daughter Bly have been deeply affected by the disappearance of their loved one three years ago. Gus has been tirelessly searching for answers, determined to uncover the truth behind his vanishing, as his body was never recovered.

This story lingered in my mind long after I finished it. The characters are truly captivating. As they unravel the mystery, they encounter kind strangers who offer solace and support at just the right moments. Bly's quest to gather objects she believes will guide them back to Howard adds a touch of enchantment to the tale.

The conclusion of this book is both surprising and impactful. I wish the book was a bit longer but either LOVED it. You will fall in love with the story and its characters. The ending is beautifully crafted, and I am grateful to have experienced this book. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher fir the arc!

Two fiery redheads that cannot be stopped. This was an edge of your seat book, I could not put it down. I adored the characters, and felt connected to them. Loved the fast paced story and it kept me guessing until the very end.

Loved this book by Katie tallo. The story is quick moving and provides readers with plenty of twists and turns along the way. I enjoyed witnessing the growth of both Gus and her daughter along the way. This book had a perfect amount of mystery and thrill without being gory or giving me nightmares! Would definitely recommend

I did not realize that this was the third book in a series when I requested it from NetGalley, so I had to take a minute back up and read the other books and I am glad that I did. While this could be a stand alone, the characters and their relationships to each other and the conclusion is so much better with more background.
Told from the perspective of 13 year old Bly, the author does a great job and helping the reader to see things through her eyes. This girl LOVES her mom and LOVES Howard and has so much trust in them. I would describe it as a blind love or a blind trust which in thrillers is not something that we get to see often. Augustus aka Gus aka Mom is so broken after Howard goes missing and so headstrong in her will to find him and to never give up and so vulnerable to being hurt and let down and so protective over Bly. The authors ability to paint these locations and people so perfectly in the readers mind and their complex relationship to each other in the book is beautiful!

I have learned to love a good mystery, and going into this book, I wasn’t aware it was the third installment in a series but thankfully I didn’t feel like I missed a beat.

It was easy to get pulled into the story with the narration from 13 year old Bly. The author did a great job describing situations and experiences from a young teenagers eyes. In their quest to find her step father who’s like a dad to her - Bly and her mom (Gus) set off to finally discover what happened to him and boy what a twisted town they arrive in.

You’ll love characters, You’ll loathe characters and you won’t expect the ending when it unravels.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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.