The Ones They Buried

This book is a Wow! You have a missing person whose body is found a year later. You have a criminal claiming her as his victim and offering information about the crime in order to get a reduced sentence. Although the investigation is really just to determine if the criminal is actually the perpetrator of the crime, this is a very involved mystery. It is clear that a client of the missing woman knows something about the crime, but this woman's memories are locked inside her head as her mind is ravaged by Alzheimer's. As you delve into the dynamics of the individuals in this household (including staff), you see that each has motive and opportunity. This mystery is so well written and is so complex that the actual perp comes around a corner and smacks you in the face at the end - where did that come from? Fantastic!

I read this in ONE SITTING!!!

Phoebe Watson was a rising star in the fitness world. Then she disappeared.

Wow - first thank you NetGalley, Books Go Social & Jenifer Ruff for this e-ARC.

This is my first time reading Jenifer Ruff & a book from this series. I am now completely hooked & will have to read the others. FBI Agent Victoria Heslin has to be a new favorite character for me & her many dogs & veterinary partner - I want to know more about them!

Great suspense - I kept attempting to put it down down found myself needing one more chapter all the way through finishing. Bravo.

#netgalley #theonestheyburied

Jenifer Ruff’s latest crime book is my very first book I’ve read of hers and I don’t know how I have missed all her others. This kept me up way too late reading and I really enjoyed this thriller. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release and for introducing her to me. I will definitely be looking for her other books now. This is to be published October 13, 2023.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. Jennifer Ruff has quickly become an automatic read for me in the past year! Her character Victoria in this series is awesome! Each book in this series is better than the last and I cannot wait for another one! Twists, rich characters, and an underlying sense of needing to look over your shoulder will keep you turning the pages well into the night!

"The Ones They Buried," the eighth installment in Jennifer Ruff's Agent Victoria Heslin series, offers readers another intriguing mystery to unravel. While it maintains the series' signature suspense and intricate plotlines, it falls short of reaching the heights of some of its predecessors. I think there as too much POV from the other characters and what happened in the past. This slowed the pace a little.

The novel opens with the mysterious disappearance of fitness star Phoebe Watson and quickly draws readers into the web of intrigue surrounding her case. Ruff excels at creating a palpable sense of tension and keeps the narrative moving at a brisk pace, making it difficult to put the book down. The premise of linking Phoebe's murder to the life-altering accident of multi-millionaire Catherine Bower is promising and adds depth to the storyline.

Special Agent Victoria Heslin continues to be a compelling protagonist, with her determination and sharp investigative skills driving the narrative forward. Ruff's writing style remains engaging, and her ability to craft complex characters and intricate mysteries is evident.

However, "The Ones They Buried" doesn't quite reach the heights of its predecessors in the series. While the plot is gripping, it occasionally becomes convoluted, making it challenging to keep track of all the threads and characters involved. Additionally, some readers might find the resolution of the mystery somewhat predictable, and the shock value falls short of expectations set by earlier books in the series.

Despite these shortcomings, Jennifer Ruff's storytelling prowess shines through, and fans of the Agent Victoria Heslin series will still find much to enjoy in this installment. "The Ones They Buried" is a solid addition to the series, offering a decent mystery with engaging characters. While it may not be the standout installment, it's a worthwhile read for those who have followed Victoria Heslin's investigative adventures. It can also be read as a standalone, as there wasn’t much of a look at Victoria’s personal life.

Thanks to Ms Ruff, Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Oh, dear! A possibly evil gardener in the first chapter! That’s all I needed to become addicted to this story!

The author, Jenifer Ruff, goes through great lengths to construct incredible legal thrillers that can be read as standalones (which really takes talent by the 8th installment) and, again, she doesn’t disappoint with this twisty tale starring London Fog latte drinker and FBI Agent Victoria Heslin, who has become one of my favorite characters. Victoria has become a better and better investigator, and you’ll never doubt for a moment that this is a competent, intelligent, and caring main character (she goes out of her way to leave positive feedback for people who assist her). I started in the middle of the series, so I am very invested series-wise in “Will she ever marry Ned the veterinarian?” “How many animals will they end up with?” “Is Ned aware that the only meals that Victoria cooks are crockpot meals for her goofy greyhounds?”

In this book, Victoria and her long time partner Dante Rivera are investigating possible ties to an out-of-state serial killer when a Jane Doe is unburied in the local woods. A tip from a caregiver of a mostly silent, brain damaged patient tells Victoria that the lady in the wheelchair saw the TV report of the body discovery and gasped out the victim’s name before it was publicly known. Catherine, the assisted living client, apparently knows something that she can’t communicate, but it’s quickly revealed that the victim was her personal trainer and a top suspect was her landscaper. This may or may not be part of the serial killer case, but Victoria realizes that there’s still a crime to be solved. The novel also contemplates the consequences of early-onset Alzheimer’s and what might happen if you can’t trust your memory.

I love these kinds of police procedurals with plots that unravel as the trusted lead investigator discovers clues and connections, and through sheer intelligence and persistence, the bigger picture emerges and she solves the mystery. In this case, the plot is aided by flashbacks that tell Catherine’s backstory, slowly revealing how she ended up in the nursing home and her involvement with the missing personal trainer. 5 stars for another terrific thriller!

Thank you to Greyt Companion Press and NetGalley for a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO At through the last three Victoria Heslin books (when I started looking), author Ruff has never had a character with green eyes which is sort of flabbergasting. Green tea, green smoothies, green lawns, green veggies, but no green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO Catherine’s home was previously owned by certified gardeners who even labeled their plants. The wisteria is blooming at the right time of year, but there is a mysterious unnamed vine with white flowers — white clematis? Sweet pea? Morning glory? But since this is a thriller, I’d suggest the very poisonous Angel Trumpet Datura.

Having read her other books, this is another winner that readers will enjoy.
The author has given us another powerful thriller, along with secrets and motives in
this prominent family. A killer wanting a reduced sentence if he talks.
Deja as care giver of the mother, alert Victoria of her patient's.reaction to a news bulletin.
Her books are deep in details, and how the killing was covered up
Given arc by Net Galley and bookouter for my voluntary review.

I READ IT ON A BREATH, I COULDN’T PUT IT DOWN, I HAD TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED NEXT. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT IF YOU LOVE A GOOD THRILLER WITH A LOT OF TWISTS.

This thriller follows the disappearance and murder of Phoebe, a young woman who has a passion for fitness. After a year, her body is discovered and an old trainee, Catherine, utters her name…but, Catherine suffered from a brain injury and has early dementia. With the help from FBI Agent Victoria, can Phoebes family get closure in this case and find the right killer.
Y’ALL THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD. I will say that i did in fact guess the ending on this one, HOWEVER, I truly loved the writing in this one. I know this will not be my last time tagging along on Agent Victoria’s missions. The twists were great and the story made sense. The author added just the right amount of detail to keep you wanting more. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good thriller but also wants a little bit of Olivia Benson energy added to the story.
I want to thank Jenifer Ruff & Books Go Social for my ARC from Netgalley. I can’t wait to read some more.

Absolutely loved this! The writing style just flowed so well and the plot constantly moved forward. I loved that it was descriptive enough to set the scene but wasn't bogged down with the minutae that doesn't add anything to the plot. The characters are well written and well developed and although it wasn't the most twisty of thrillers, i still loved the story!!

I had not previously read any of lie books in this series about FBI agent Victoria Heslin, so I went into this one without any specific expectations, but simply with the hope of reading a good book. My hope was validated by Jenifer Ruff's storytelling.

Phoebe Watson is a young fitness influencer who mysteriously disappears, and is found murdered a year or two later. The means and motive for her death are unclear, but there are suspicions regarding, of all things, a landscape gardener.

After the body of a Jane Doe is discovered in the woods, FBI agent Victoria gets involved in the case. She and her partner Dante Rivera are already involved in tracking down a possible serial killer, and while it is not clear whether the dead woman is connected to that case, Victoria wants to check out any possible links, in the hope of heading off further killings of this kind.

Meanwhile, there has been a curious development. One of Phoebe's previous clients, a wealthy older woman named Catherine, who has had a serious accident in the interim, apparently recognises her from TV news footage, before her body is formally identified.

One of Catherine's carers at the home tips off the authorities about it, and Victoria follows up this unexpected lead. The problem is, Victoria is limited in terms of the information she can get from Catherine because the accident has left the latter with diminished faculties, and she is dealing with the onset of dementia.

This is a well written and interesting story. There are plenty of twists, though it is not impossible to guess who the killer is. But that turns out to be not so important, even if you are one of the people who guess, because the story is so absorbing and such a good read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC.

Special agent Victoria Heslin is back and how!! This is a great murder/ mystery thriller that will keep you engaged all the way through. Although this is the 8th book in the series, it can perfectly read as a standalone. If you, however, like a lot of character building and backstory, I would suggest to read the other books first.

Let's catch a killer!! The story is told in multiple POVs. I absolutely love Victoria and it is very easy to like her as is Dante, her partner. The plot is intriguing and I like the writing style of Jennifer Ruff. I loved how she takes you on this investigation and let you actually be part of the puzzle and I just love to connect clues to unravel the killer. The story has plenty of tension and suspense and if you love Thrillers this book is definitely one you want to read. The whole series is great so give it a shot.

First time reader of the author and she didn’t disappoint. A young woman’s body has been found and the case heats up for FBI agent Victoria Heslin as everyone seems to be a suspect. But she will able find the real killer as everyone seems to be hiding something? A family has some secrets that they can’t allow to come out but what happens with everything starts to unravel?
An interesting read with many twists that I didn’t see coming. Great characters that each added something to the storyline.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the copy. This is my voluntary review.

This book has an excellent plot and characters, but I really don't like a story that's jumping back and forth in time. However, it's not that difficult to follow, it's entertaining, and it's a good standalone.

When a rising fitness star mysteriously vanishes from the public eye, the nation is left in suspense. But what happens when the truth finally surfaces, buried deep in the woods? In Jenifer Ruff's latest crime fiction masterpiece, "The Ones They Buried," FBI Special Agent Victoria Heslin leads readers on a dark and twisted journey into the heart of a captivating mystery.

Phoebe Watson's disappearance is just the beginning of this chilling tale. A year later, her lifeless body is unearthed in a remote, wooded area, shrouded in secrets. But the real intrigue lies with multi-millionaire Catherine Bower, one of Phoebe's former clients. Her life takes a devastating turn following Phoebe's disappearance, and it becomes clear that her accident is inexplicably linked to the young fitness star.

Victoria Heslin, a tenacious FBI agent, senses the connection between Phoebe's murder and Catherine's accident. As she digs deeper into the shadows, a tangled web of secrets and lies unfurls before her. Each revelation takes her one step closer to a shocking truth that will leave readers breathless.

Jenifer Ruff's storytelling prowess shines through in "The Ones They Buried." This crime fiction novel is a rollercoaster of suspense, with every chapter unveiling a new layer of mystery. Ruff's writing keeps you on the edge of your seat, eagerly turning pages as you follow Victoria Heslin's relentless pursuit of justice.

"The Ones They Buried" is the eighth installment in the award-winning Agent Victoria Heslin crime fiction mystery series. While part of a series, this book stands strong on its own, offering a unique and enthralling investigation that can be picked-up without prior knowledge of the series.

If you're a fan of spine-tingling mysteries and psychological thrillers like "Flicker in the Dark" and "The Housemaid," Jenifer Ruff's "The Ones They Buried" deserves a top spot on your reading list. This gripping tale of intrigue, secrets, and relentless determination will leave you craving more from Agent Victoria Heslin's world of crime-solving.

“A pulse-pounding journey into the depths of a chilling mystery. Jenifer Ruff keeps readers guessing until the very end."

"With 'The Ones They Buried,' Ruff cements her reputation as a master of suspense. A must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery."

"Jenifer Ruff's latest installment in the Agent Victoria Heslin series is a tour de force of psychological intrigue. Prepare to be gripped from start to finish."

"Ruff's storytelling prowess shines once again. 'The Ones They Buried' is a gripping addition to the genre, filled with twists that will leave you breathless."

"Agent Victoria Heslin is a character you won't forget. Jenifer Ruff crafts a world of secrets and deception that will keep you turning pages long into the night."

"A web of secrets and lies that will leave you guessing until the final revelation. Ruff's writing is as sharp as ever in this riveting thriller."

"If you love mysteries with complex characters and heart-pounding suspense, 'The Ones They Buried' is your next must-read."

"Jenifer Ruff knows how to keep readers hooked. 'The Ones They Buried' is a rollercoaster of a thriller, perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn and Tana French."

"A compelling standalone novel in the Agent Victoria Heslin series that proves Ruff's talent for crafting gripping mysteries."

"Prepare for a wild ride of secrets, lies, and shocking revelations. Jenifer Ruff's 'The Ones They Buried' is a crime fiction gem."

Agent Victoria Heslin is back for another investigation! This time a prisoner leads the FBI to the discovery of skeletal remains. Is he the one who killed them or was it someone else?! This story is told from multiple POVs from dual timelines. I really enjoyed this book and love this entire series! In this book, I especially loved the character, Deja, who is a care worker that becomes involved in the investigation. She was kind yet spunky.

I highly recommend reading The Ones They Buried, along with the entire Agent Heslin series. These books can be read as standalone novels or in whatever order since the investigations are unique to each book.

Thank you @netgalley for allowing me to read this book ahead of publication in exchange for my honest review.

(This same review was shared on the Barnes & Noble website.)

My first Jenifer Ruff book and I am already a big fan of her writing.

A fantastically crafted plot which hooked me in very quickly. I was intrigued by Catherine, trapped in her own mind with Alzheimer’s, and clearly with knowledge relating to the disappearance of Phoebe Watson, her former personal trainer.

All of the characters were really well developed and I enjoyed the combination of domestic thriller and police procedural.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Jenifer Ruff and BooksGoSocial for an ARC in return for an honest review.

This was a terrific book and will definitely look out for more books by Jenifer Duff first one I have read by this author.
Catherine a very wealthy woman with the onset of Alzheimer’s employed Phoebe as a fitness coach she wanted to do everything to keep healthy and strong but that was not to be and she had an accident and was left unable to walk talk or speak.
She heard on the tv that Phoebe had gone missing and somehow she remembered something but could not say anything.
Her husband she thought at the time was having an affair with Phoebe but she had no proof this book then turned into a grear murder mystery.Thanks net galley for giving me an early copy of thus grear book I loved it and hope to read more from thus brilliant author.

Wow! This book is a very fast paced page turner that will completely hook you from the very beginning with its mystery and suspense. I did not figure it out until she told us and I'm normally pretty good at figuring out the "who did it" Such a great ride of a book. 5 stars.
I just reviewed The Ones They Buried by Jenifer Ruff. #TheOnesTheyBuried #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

One year ago, fitness trainer Phoebe Watson suddenly disappeared. Now, a killer‘s tip leads the FBI to her bones. One of Phoebe‘s former clients, Catherine Bower, seems to know more than she previously let on, but Catherine is suffering from early onset Alzheimer‘s, and has been unable to speak or communicate since suffering a severe brain injury a year earlier. As FBI Special Agent Victoria Heslin starts to investigate, she soon finds hints that Catherine‘s accident and Phoebe‘s murder might be connected, leading her down the path of dysfunctional family secrets to unveil the truth about what happened in both women’s lives one year earlier.

I blew through this thriller in a day and thoroughly enjoyed it. Sure, I guess all the revelations correctly, but I have to give the author credit for very clever red herrings that made everyone seem suspect. I also cannot believe this is my first novel involving FBI Agent Victoria Heslin, who seems a capable, likeable investigator with good instincts. I just wish she‘d been given a bit more to do in this book - the story was told mostly from the POVs of Phoebe and Catherine, and the investigation itself took a back seat.

Now excuse me while I‘m off to locate the earlier books in this series.

Thank you to the author, Greyt Companion Press, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

It's very hard to find a good thriller / mystery these days and honestly this was a needle in the haystack !! Not to give away to too many spoilers I'll just say this, pick it up NOW!

I must say, Ms. Ruff added a few problems for Victoria Hesin to overcome to solve this case. I had no clue who the guilty party was until it was revealed in the story. Kudos! I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

Victoria was a determined and effective FBI agent who didn’t know what it meant to give up. She had a puzzler on her hands that had elapsed over time into something unthinkable. Her investigations started down a twisted road with many curves and crooked corners. Not one for leaving things undone, she delved as far back as the clues took her, and what she found was astounding.

Another stellar offering from Jenifer Ruff, who is fast becoming one of my favorite thriller/suspense authors. The latest in the Victoria Heslin series, The Ones They Buried, follows Agent Heslin as she delves into the mystery surrounding a young woman whose remains were found in the woods. I love that the series are designed as standalones, and you can start anywhere and be perfectly up to speed, but the whole series is fantastic and should be read.

FBI Agent Victoria Heslin is back with another challenging case. A national story of a missing female has an sad ending with the discovery of her body. It's a mystery that has everyone's attention but few leads or clues. Agent Heslin believes that the key to solving the crime lies with a multi-millionaire who suffered a terrible accident on the same day the deceased disappeared. As she works through the case, her determination propels her to find the answers she needs. It's an intriguing mystery with a surprising conclusion!

This was great and had me staying up late reading because I needed to know what would happen. The book had me guessing throughout it all, but it was impossble to figure it out. I have not read anything by this author earlier, but definitely will in the future. Would really recommend this book for people who enjoy thrillers!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

In the eighth installment of the Agent Victoria Heslin Series, “The Ones They Buried,” Jenifer Ruff delivers a masterclass in suspense and intrigue. The novel opens with the mysterious disappearance of Phoebe Watson, a fitness industry luminary whose absence leaves a void that captivates the nation. The plot thickens when, a year later, her remains are unearthed in a secluded woodland, setting the stage for an investigation that is as complex as it is chilling.

Special Agent Victoria Heslin, a character that has grown increasingly compelling over the series, finds herself at the heart of this enigma. Her tenacity and keen investigative skills are put to the test as she delves into a labyrinth of secrets and lies. The connection between Phoebe’s murder and the life-altering accident of Catherine Bower, a millionaire and one of Phoebe’s former clients, forms the crux of the narrative.

Ruff’s storytelling is taut and fast-paced, ensuring that readers are glued to the pages. Each chapter peels back layers of the mystery, revealing dark family secrets and unexpected twists that keep the reader guessing. The author’s skillful handling of tension and character development is commendable, making “The Ones They Buried” a standout in the thriller genre.

The book is a testament to Ruff’s ability to craft a narrative that is both intricate and accessible, allowing newcomers to the series to dive right in without feeling lost. Long-time fans will appreciate the depth and growth of Agent Heslin’s character, as well as the consistent quality that Ruff brings to her work.

“The Ones They Buried” is a gripping addition to the Agent Victoria Heslin Series. It’s a thrilling ride that combines a keen psychological edge with a deep understanding of the human psyche.