
Member Reviews

A twisty-turny thriller that follows a mother-daughter due into a small Canadian town full of secrets as they search for a loved one who has been missing for three years. I loved the narrator Bly who is only 13 years old. Her young perspective provides an empathetic depth and gives an unreliable view of the story which adds to the mystery. The ending is tied up a little too neatly for me and feels a bit forced. Overall, a very entertaining suspense story!

Buried Road is written from the point of view of young Bly who travels with her mother, Gus, looking for their loved one who disappeared three years ago. Gus isn’t the best mother, she has some issues, but she loves Bly and treats her as an equal in their endeavors. As they head towards danger, the story picks up pace and the twists keep coming.
There are quite a few characters to keep track of but the plotting is binge-worthy and the ending really comes together. I recommend this book to thriller lovers and give it 4 stars. Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks.

This book was a little hard to follow the first 5 or so chapters. Mainly from the past and present storyline mix. I enjoyed the main characters and the way the twists and turns kept twisting and turning and at some points I felt I was going backwards!
The confusion at the beginning discouraged me but I decided to keep going. I'm glad I did!
The last half of the book had me glued to the pages thinking about every move the characters made and questioning everything!
The main character, Bly, seemed so focused on her mom I often forgot her name.
I loved the ending so much and had tears pricking the edges of my vision on the last page.
Thank you to HaperCollinsPublishers for the ARC of this book for an honest review. I look forward to reading other books from this author.

I’m just going to start out by saying that I really enjoyed the overall story and the mystery aspect to this book. The book had many twists that I did not see coming. Weirdly enough, a lot of the twists were not super surprising. The boom was well written enough that you did not necessarily guess what was going to happen, but there were enough hints dropped that you weren’t shocked. Someone who is more of a detective than me might have fun trying to figure it out. I am more of a “read and see what happens” type rather than trying to solve the mystery before the author reveals it.
A lot of the characters seemed typical, but were well crafted versions of their stereotypes.
I do have some issues:
I’m not sure how I feel about the age of the narrator. She at times feels too young or too old, like the author couldn’t settle on her exact age.
I also struggled to believe that Howard was kept alive in an open air cage in the woods for three years.
Sometimes it felt like the author couldn’t decide what was happening. Like the scene where the narrator poisons dogs (also, I’m a millennial. If you hurt dogs you are immediately on my bad list). They flip back and forth in the description between dead and passed out. This could be because of the age of the narrator and her not being sure what is real, but it came across very confusingly.
The ending also felt unrelated. I don’t see the point of the “buried road inside all of us” and the “bad blood” connection to the larger story.
Overall, I enjoyed this read, but I’m not going to be running out and recommending it to all my friends.

Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this arc -
Set against the backdrop of a seemingly tranquil small town, "Buried Road" unravels the dark secrets hidden beneath its serene surface. Tallo’s protagonist, Gus and her daughter, are a compelling mix of vulnerability and strength, drawing readers into her quest to uncover the truth about Howard’s mysterious disappearance. Tallo excels in crafting a narrative that is both richly atmospheric and deeply emotional, making their journey feel intensely personal.
The pacing of "Buried Road" is impeccable, with each chapter escalating the tension and intrigue. Tallo’s ability to weave intricate plot twists and turns is nothing short of genius, ensuring that every revelation feels both surprising and inevitable. Her writing is crisp and evocative, painting scenes that immerse readers fully in the story's world.
What sets "Buried Road" apart from other thrillers is its profound exploration of human resilience and the complexities of family dynamics. Tallo delves into themes of grief, loyalty, and redemption with a deft touch, making the story resonate on a deeper level. The emotional depth of the characters, combined with the relentless suspense, creates a powerful reading experience that lingers long after the final page.
In "Buried Road," Katie Tallo has crafted a masterpiece that not only entertains but also challenges and moves its readers. It’s a thrilling mystery that fans of the genre will undoubtedly cherish. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a book that delivers both heart-pounding excitement and heartfelt emotion.
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Katie Tallo’s "Buried Road" deserves all the accolades it receives and more. An absolute must-read!

This book follows Gus and Bly, mother daughter duo, on their search for Gus’ long time partner Howard, who has abruptly gone missing. This book was confusing at first with the long list of characters introduced but slowly I became sucked in. I am so impressed with Gus’ persistence even when it seems everyone is against her. She is so resourceful, fearless, and strong. Bly is so wise beyond her years, it’s sometimes hard to remember she’s just a kid. Read this is you like twisted stories!! Thank you to Harper Paperbacks and NetGalley for the ARC.

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.

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.

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!

“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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

*** 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.