Cover Image: Buried Road

Buried Road

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Member Reviews

Thanks to netgalley and Harper Collins for this ARC read!! This is the third book in the Gus Money Series, mother daughter duo. I did not read number one or two and feel like this definitely could be read as a standalone.

This book is narrated by the daughter Bly, and follows her and her mother Gus . It has some flashbacks in it from 3 years earlier when Gus's fiance Howard disappears from their camping trip. He's an investigative journalist and the last time they saw him he was going to meet with a source. This story takes you on some twists and turns, and it's definitely a fast-paced thriller.

When Howard's parents declare him legally dead 3 years later Bly and Gus head back to Prince Edward County for the funeral. They find themselves back in a town that is filled with conspiracies and lots of people that they don't know who to trust.

They search through Howard's old camper and discover some information that investigators missed. This takes them on a journey to uncover the story that Howard had been working on

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Buried Road is a twisty story about a missing journalist for the past 3 years while researching a story. This story follows his girlfriend of many years and her daughter who will not give up until they uncover the truth of his disappearance. Meanwhile, they are met with many obstacles.
I found the mom Gus (Augusta) to be a bit hair-brained and sometimes I wondered when her mom instincts would kick in. I felt bad for the daughter, 13 year old Bly when she was tired or hungry or just wanted to stay put in one place. Yet with this being said, Bly loved Howard as much as her mother did and they both wanted the same outcome; to find out exactly what happened all those years ago.
I found this book to be very well written but there were many characters which I found a bit hard to keep track of.
Although this is a third installment of the mother/daughter duo, this can be read as a stand alone.
Thank you Harper Perennial and Paperbacks and Netgalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

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Buried Road is a beautifully written mystery with heart. It is a perfect thriller for the middle grade reader...exciting, full of heart-racing scenes, but gentle enough for younger readers. The story weaves together the political intrigues of a small town along with the determination of found family to uncover what happened to a missing man three years earlier. It is a great read with lots of twists and turns and leaves the reader constantly questioning. The ending left me on the edge of my seat but it was a bit difficult to believe. Full of heart and a narrator who is engaging and wise, I would recommend this to my students who want an age appropriate mystery and to those seeking stories about families walking through challenging times.

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“Buried Road” by Katie Tallo is a gripping story of a young girl and her mother trying to solve the mysterious disappearance of someone they love dearly.

The characters are strong and vibrant. The story is told from the perspective of 13 year-old Bly, so there is a unique combination of innocence and world-weariness from her as she and her mother investigate leads and as she reminisces about the past. Her mother Gus is headstrong and no-nonsense, which helps them get closer and closer to the truth, but also distances her somewhat from the people around her, including Bly. The supporting characters, like Able and Noble, are very likable and makes you happy they are there to help.

The plot is tight and flows easily, so there are really no spots where the story drags. If there is a slow spot, it’s because the characters have earned it. It also has twists and turns that keep you guessing throughout.

Overall, I really enjoyed “Buried Road” and I would recommend it to any mystery or thriller lovers!

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So I actually didn’t realize that this was the third book in a series it was really good but yeah I didn’t know that. I think I’ll read the other two books as well I didn’t mind this book at all and mother daughter book plot lines are amazing. I would have liked for maybe more back info from the other books so I could figure some stuff out.

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2 stars.

I found the plot and characters to be just okay. I wish I could say I've never heard this story before but sadly I have. I do think this would be a good beginner book for those who are new to this genre. Unfortunately I just wasn't a fan and I probably won't remember this story after a few weeks.

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Thank you netgalley for gifting me this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a thriller mystery that follows a mom and daughter (Gus & Bly) hoping they find Gus’s journalist boyfriend (Howard) after he goes missing while he’s working. The story is told from Blys perspective, and she’s 12 years old. I feel for Bly because she doesn’t seem to have too much of a childhood because of what’s happened to her family. The mom and daughter become their own investigators while the cops in the town can’t be trusted. Really, no one in the town can be trusted. Gus & Bly are the very definition of perseverance. This book was a slowish start for me, but definitely became hard to put down towards the middle and had a twist at the end I didn’t see coming. If you love mystery/thrillers you’ll like this book.

Publication date is December 3rd, 2024.

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Gus and Bly Monet (mother/daughter duo) are in search of Howard, Gus' boyfriend and the only father figure that Bly (nearly 13) has ever known. They'd been camping and he left to interview someone for an article he was working on, and he never returned. Fast forward to three years later, they see Howard's obituary in the newspaper.

Gus and Bly head back to the county where the celebration of life was to be held, and during the service, a tornado whips up and causes severe damage. Corruption, scheming and

There are some connections that are a bit of stretch, as well as some circumstances that I couldn't imagine a mother putting her child in - the reason for a 4 out of 5 stars. Third in a series, I read this without realizing it. I didn't feel as though I was missing anything.

Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Perennial and Paperbacks and Katie Tallo for the eARC.

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Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC! Slow start. Enjoyed the breadcrumbs! Don’t be afraid to trust your gut even if others are telling you differently. The past molds us into who we are today!

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I was excited to see that there was a third book in this series after reading the previous two. This time, the story is narrated by Gus Monet's daughter, Bly. She and Gus are still looking for Howard, Gus's boyfriend and father figure to Bly. He disappeared three years prior to the start of the book while investigating a story. Howard's parents are convinced he's dead but Gus refuses to give up looking for him. Gus and Bly eventually find out that Howard had stumbled upon a dangerous drug smuggling operation. They try to pick up where he left off while dodging shady characters who don't want their secrets revealed. Katie Tall once again makes Gus a fascinating character while making Bly the emotional center of the story. If this is the last book in the series I will miss these characters. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

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*SPOILER ALERT*

I really loved the development of Gus & Bly individually and their relationship as Bly figured out who she was and Gus became confident in the woman she is. A little more back story on Gus and why she is who she is would have been a good insight in the beginning. I did find it a bit of a slower start, but soon after I couldn’t stop and I had to know what happened and where Harold was! I was a little disappointed it came to a screeching halt once he was found and now I’m left wondering about all the dirty secrets and cops left in Picton. I was actually surprised/left wondering who did it and what had happened until Gus got the text and then Bly finished the puzzle. I really enjoyed the book overall.

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Buried Road by Katie Tallo takes readers on an emotional journey through the complexities of grief, love, and redemption. Tallo's writing draws readers into the secrets and shadows of the small town of Picton.

The story revolves around protagonist Bly, whose life is upended when her mom’s partner, Howard, goes missing. As Bly and her mom, Gus, delve deeper into the mystery surrounding Howard’s disappearance, they uncover buried secrets that threaten to shatter their world. Tallo masterfully weaves together multiple narrative threads, each layer adding depth to the story and keeping readers engaged until the very end.

The characters in "Buried Road" are beautifully drawn and utterly relatable. From Bly, whose youth, strength and vulnerability make her a compelling protagonist, to the quirky townsfolk who populate Picton, each character feels authentic and fully realized. Tallo's keen understanding of human nature shines through in her portrayal of these characters, making them feel relatable and recognizable.

At its heart, Buried Road is a story about love in all its forms. Whether it's the love between partners, the love of family, or the love of community, by the end of the novel, readers are left with the impression that love can be a powerful force for good or the motivation to do unspeakable things.

Buried Road is an excellent novel that will stay with readers long after they've turned the last page. Katie Tallo has crafted a masterpiece of storytelling that is sure to captivate readers from the very first page.

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This was the first novel I read of author Katie Tallo and was not disappointed. I was intrigued by the prologue, and it only kept getting better and better. I liked the mystery and twists at the end; I was not expecting them at all! I didn’t realize this was the third book in a series. It can definitely be read as a stand-alone. I will be reading more novels from this author.

Overall, I thought it was a great read with lots of action and mystery. A solid 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ for me! If you like mystery, suspense and lots of twists, then I recommend this book!


Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins Publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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This was such a good read. A true mystery / suspense novel where you follow a Mother-Daughter duo fighting to find the truth about what happened to their beloved Howard 3 years ago. This won't be a heart racing sort of pace but definitely one where you'll be itching to read more to solve the mystery. Going in I did not realize this was part of an ongoing series but I found it easy to read as a standalone. I would like to go back and read the previous two novels in order to gain more character insight.

I loved the daughter, Bly, being the main narrator. Due to Bly’s age you get to see everything with innocence and purity. You also get a sense of magical realism and serendipity as Bly collects her own “clues” and what they mean to the story. I do think I would have preferred to see Bly as a couple of years older for some of the parts to be more believable and also less terrifying as a mother.

In the end you solve the mystery alongside the characters and even when you have the majority of it figured out the big twist will likely still throw you for a loop.

Many thanks to Harper Collins Publishing, NetGalley, and K. Tallo for the opportunity to read this in advance.

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Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial and paperbacks for the ARC of Buried Road. This is the third book in a series about Gus and her daughter Bly. Although I have not read the other two books, I felt this one can be read as a stand alone. I have added the other two to my TBR and with definitely check those out. I found the characters in Buried Road interesting and somewhat relatable and the story line kept me interested and wanting to keep reading to find out what happens next. It was a bit slow moving in the beginning but then it took off and I didn't want to put it down. Gus and Bly set out to find Howard, who is Gus' significant other and Blys' "father." Howard disappeared three years earlier while on an annual camping trip. After Howard's can is found but not him, Gus and Bly follow Howard's "breadcrumbs" and what they find is not at all what they expected. This has twists and turns and I thought I had it figured out, but in the end I was wrong. I definitely recommend Buried Road by Katie Tallo and intend to read more of her books in the future.

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Buried Road was a great thriller to read! When Howard disappears from chasing a lead for his magazine, his long term girlfriend and her daughter on a mission to find him. When his van appears 3 years later without Howard, everyone assumes he is dead. His parents even have a funeral for him. But his girlfriend and her daughter are not so convinced, and they are on a mission to find him.

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Thank you Net Gallery and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for my free ebook in exchange for an honest review!

This story follows Bly and her mother, Gus, on a twisty adventure to find their lost loved one. I enjoyed the pacing, POV, and banter. Bly is a sweet kid that really needs more mothering than Gus can give her. Gus is definitely flawed, but I think her heart is always in the right place.

This was a three star read for me, so I did have some cons. We met A LOT of characters. It was almost hard (without a chart) to keep everyone straight. We were meeting new characters up until 80% finished. It seemed a little far fetched that in this small town setting Bly and Gus were able to go unnoticed and encounter so many people willing to help them.

I also didn’t realize this was the third book in the series. Definitely can be read as a stand alone. I might pick up the other two to see if it fills in some gaps for me.

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Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC.

I overall loved the story line to this book, I didn't realize that it was a third book in a series until I finished. It works great as a stand alone book, I don't believe I missed any vital info reading it without the other two.
In the beginning of the book, it went back and forth with the girl being mature and using words that I don't feel like a 11 year old would use, especially being paired with her then being seemingly immature with her vocabulary.
That honestly is my only thing about this book that threw me.
Wonderful book, and definitely will be tracking down the other two.

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Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this book. This book was from the perspective of Bly the daughter of Gus whose boyfriend went missing years before. I have to mention that I had to ignore how irresponsible of a Mom Gus is throughout this book. Once I started to overlook that I really enjoyed the book. The book is fast paced and has many twists and turns. I read this book in one day as I kept wanting to know what happens next This is the first time I have read anything from this author and I really enjoyed the book. I will be looking for more from this author.

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This book is the third in a series but I read it as a stand alone book and it was fine. The mom and daughter duo are quirky and leaves you wanting to follow more of their adventures. The mystery left you guessing until the end with a few twists. A good book that left me wanting to read more books by this author. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

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