Reviews

I love a good Scottish crime novel, especially when it is set in a small town in the Scottish Highlands! Unburied by @heather.critchlow is not only set in the Highlands but is also a terrific crime novel! It follows two families who have been touched by the tragic events surrounding the death of a loved one. Cal’s sister’s death has led to him hosting a true crime podcast and his most recent season will focus on the murder of a beloved wife and mother. The story is as well written, surprisingly emotional, and has a shocking ending that I did not see coming.

I highly recommend this book if you enjoy police procedurals and true crime podcasts.

Thank you @canelo_co for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

emmareadscrime's review

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mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

nikkisbooknook's review

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emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Cal never realised what a storm his last podcast would kick up. Margot is still a cold case, even with all the information he passed to the police. But he haunts the place he believes his sister is buried and he begins to feel morbid. He needs a distraction and the ever-pushy Sarah is determined to get him to start a new series.

His marriage is over but he hopes that they can at least remain friends, if only for their daughters sake. Living with his mum is worse than he thought, he feels like a stranger in his childhood home. His new relationship with Shona is growing and they travel to Wester Ross for a break.

But they get a visitor in the shape of Robbie Campbell. Robbie is a bag of nerves and needs answers as to what happened to his mum, Bryony fifteen years ago. She was shot in the garden, Robbie and his brother near by.

Bryony causes some real conflict of emotions. You can feel her isolation in a small, rural village. Essentially a single mother during the week. Little in common with the other local mothers. Post Partum depression would not be far wrong as a diagnosis. But she doesn't really try to make friends either. Robbie and his brother have been affected badly by their mothers death and Cal can't help but see the similarities between them and his own trauma. Cal is so personable. He has no ulterior motives for his podcast and his love for his daughter shines through. Chrissie may be a teenager but she is a caring wee soul and I love meeting her. We also get to know Shona a lot better and she and Cal are great together.

There are tense relationships in both time periods of the book and layers of disinterest, lies and subterfuge. The spectacular scenery depicted in the book really adds to the atmosphere. There are a couple of real "whoa" moments and while I had a couple of suspects in my head, one was a real left-field-answer and I didn't really suss them out in time! There is another wee cliff-hanger so book 3 hopefully won't be long!

whatlexysaid's review

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challenging mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

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