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illusie's review
3.0
This book has got two story lines; one about a newly wed couple who dig up a skelet in the garden and the other one about a convict. I liked the first storyline, but didn't really care about the second one. The book has got a strong start, but about halfway when the two story lines came together it all went down hill for me. I thought it was too chaotic and unrealistic.
allisonmaisch's review
2.0
i felt like this book was rushed… the beginning for me started off strong and i felt the lure of wanting to understand the mystery, but then it all came crashing down too quick and the craziness felt drawn out for me. like it was supposed to be more suspenseful and dramatic than it felt.
nannyf's review
3.0
Actual rating 3.5 Stars
This book confused me to start with. I couldn't figure out how each of the characters I was reading about would come together to form the story. When they finally did the story took a bit of a manic turn to say the least.
I must admit, I did enjoy reading about the character of James Russo the most. At the end the author admits that he was the one who popped into her head one day and she began to form the whole story around him. The journey he goes on during the course of the book is one which you can't begin to imagine. He finds himself pulled from pillar to post, literally.
The conclusion of the story is quite spectacular, but I felt that everything was finished off in a way I liked. I would love to read more about Russo in the future.
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy.
This book confused me to start with. I couldn't figure out how each of the characters I was reading about would come together to form the story. When they finally did the story took a bit of a manic turn to say the least.
I must admit, I did enjoy reading about the character of James Russo the most. At the end the author admits that he was the one who popped into her head one day and she began to form the whole story around him. The journey he goes on during the course of the book is one which you can't begin to imagine. He finds himself pulled from pillar to post, literally.
The conclusion of the story is quite spectacular, but I felt that everything was finished off in a way I liked. I would love to read more about Russo in the future.
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy.
nerdyrev's review
3.0
I will admit that I read semi-self published books with different eyes. This title is published by Bookouture, which seems to be a self submit publishing company that will help publish books. I write this because I found this to be a fun book for a semi-self published book, but if it were a major publishing company, I would pass on this like crazy.
This is really two stories. Story one is about a couple who while digging in their backyard find pieces of bones. What they realize is the bones are human and there is a piece of paper with a code on it.
The second story is about an inmate who is hired to do a job, while in jail. If he does the job without questions, he will be released, go back to his daughters, and his debt forgiven. He is driven to Upstate NY and dropped off in front of the couple's house and he is to unload a package, but must search the house for the package.
Things are going well until the wife returns. What will happen to all of their lives as the two stories intersect? What about the people who hired the criminal? How will they come into play?
This book starts with a great premise. We know the two lives will intersect. We know the job will involve the couple. We are expecting this. The problem begins as the story starts to unravel a bit. When a third party is added into the soup, it gets a little crazy at times. There are also odd interactions with the police that don't make much sense.
The book is advertised as having tons of twists and turns, but I would disagree with that statement. It is pretty straightforward and not very surprising. Characters will make some odd choices, which maybe are the twists, but it isn't a thriller.
I gave this one 3 stars, but that is with recognizing this is semi self published. I would say pass if it was a major printing. At the time of this writing, it is $.99 on Amazon.
I want to thank Netgalley for the advanced copy. I received it in exchange for an honest review.
This is really two stories. Story one is about a couple who while digging in their backyard find pieces of bones. What they realize is the bones are human and there is a piece of paper with a code on it.
The second story is about an inmate who is hired to do a job, while in jail. If he does the job without questions, he will be released, go back to his daughters, and his debt forgiven. He is driven to Upstate NY and dropped off in front of the couple's house and he is to unload a package, but must search the house for the package.
Things are going well until the wife returns. What will happen to all of their lives as the two stories intersect? What about the people who hired the criminal? How will they come into play?
This book starts with a great premise. We know the two lives will intersect. We know the job will involve the couple. We are expecting this. The problem begins as the story starts to unravel a bit. When a third party is added into the soup, it gets a little crazy at times. There are also odd interactions with the police that don't make much sense.
The book is advertised as having tons of twists and turns, but I would disagree with that statement. It is pretty straightforward and not very surprising. Characters will make some odd choices, which maybe are the twists, but it isn't a thriller.
I gave this one 3 stars, but that is with recognizing this is semi self published. I would say pass if it was a major printing. At the time of this writing, it is $.99 on Amazon.
I want to thank Netgalley for the advanced copy. I received it in exchange for an honest review.
duskvamp's review
4.0
Not my usual
I don't read a lot of mystery novels but I really enjoyed this one. I liked the story and the twist at the end I didn't expect.
I don't read a lot of mystery novels but I really enjoyed this one. I liked the story and the twist at the end I didn't expect.
noveldeelights's review
4.0
Newlyweds Brett and Emily have just moved to the countryside. But when Brett starts digging to prepare their new vegetable garden, he stumbles upon human bones and soon they find themselves in a whole heap of trouble. Meanwhile, Russo is sent to jail because he can’t afford to pay an outstanding fine. Someone makes him an offer he can’t quite refuse. How far will he go to protect his family?
As a bit of a gardener myself, remind me never to start digging. It’s quite a believable scenario in that you never know what you may find. Roman relics, treasure or hey presto, a skeleton. To have this young family find themselves in a situation that utterly spirals out of their control, was incredibly compelling and you can’t help but feel for them. For me though, I think Russo was the more interesting character. He’s desperately trying to do the right thing as he now has a wife and child he doesn’t want to lose but circumstances are against him and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep his family safe.
Buried Secrets is a fast-paced and action-packed thriller. It sort of reminded me of the good old fashioned cops and robbers stories with a dash of mafia thrown in. There are a few good guys and a whole lot of bad guys. The first part of the book is a little slow going as the scene is set and the characters are introduced but the second half will blow you away. There’s quite a lot going on to keep track of but it’s all insanely engrossing. This is quite an intense ride with plenty of twists, some I saw coming but one in particular was positively brilliant and took me completely by surprise! T.J. Brearton is one to watch!
As a bit of a gardener myself, remind me never to start digging. It’s quite a believable scenario in that you never know what you may find. Roman relics, treasure or hey presto, a skeleton. To have this young family find themselves in a situation that utterly spirals out of their control, was incredibly compelling and you can’t help but feel for them. For me though, I think Russo was the more interesting character. He’s desperately trying to do the right thing as he now has a wife and child he doesn’t want to lose but circumstances are against him and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep his family safe.
Buried Secrets is a fast-paced and action-packed thriller. It sort of reminded me of the good old fashioned cops and robbers stories with a dash of mafia thrown in. There are a few good guys and a whole lot of bad guys. The first part of the book is a little slow going as the scene is set and the characters are introduced but the second half will blow you away. There’s quite a lot going on to keep track of but it’s all insanely engrossing. This is quite an intense ride with plenty of twists, some I saw coming but one in particular was positively brilliant and took me completely by surprise! T.J. Brearton is one to watch!
cheryl59's review
3.0
I enjoyed this book, it had an unusual story and there were a lot of twists that I didn't see coming, and just when you thought you had it all worked out there was a final twist at the end.
clair_82's review
4.0
Brett and his new wife Emily have moved into a idyllic yellow farmhouse and are enjoying the rural lifestyle, tending to their gardens. That is until Brett unearths a bone, and then another….and finally a tin box with a written note inside.
Obviously, Brett gets the police involved but he cannot resist doing a bit of investigation of his own when he discovers that the remains are recent and have been put there for a reason, as a message.
We also meet Russo, a family man who is trying to stay on the straight and narrow. However he finds himself arrested for non-payment of a fine. Russo has a colourful past but now being on the straight and narrow has left him pretty much penniless so he’s been unable to pay the fine and therefore ends up behind bars….where he meets Nate and things start to get a little bit complicated to say the least!
T.J. Brearton has created 2 distinct storylines but seamlessly combines them into a rollercoaster of a book. The first half is fast paced, setting the scene for both the stories and the second half ramps up this pace even further with tons of action, chases and violence. This is predominately a crime thriller but with a bit of gangster style action thrown in which does wonders for the plot as it gives this book edge and builds the tension wonderfully.
I felt so much for Brett and Emily as their dream home was disappearing before their eyes into a police investigation and poor Russo was trying so hard to be a good man to Felicia and their daughter, Zoe.
This is a fast paced book which ticks all the boxes for an action-packed thriller which crosses over between a crime investigation and gangsters – highly recommended.
Obviously, Brett gets the police involved but he cannot resist doing a bit of investigation of his own when he discovers that the remains are recent and have been put there for a reason, as a message.
We also meet Russo, a family man who is trying to stay on the straight and narrow. However he finds himself arrested for non-payment of a fine. Russo has a colourful past but now being on the straight and narrow has left him pretty much penniless so he’s been unable to pay the fine and therefore ends up behind bars….where he meets Nate and things start to get a little bit complicated to say the least!
T.J. Brearton has created 2 distinct storylines but seamlessly combines them into a rollercoaster of a book. The first half is fast paced, setting the scene for both the stories and the second half ramps up this pace even further with tons of action, chases and violence. This is predominately a crime thriller but with a bit of gangster style action thrown in which does wonders for the plot as it gives this book edge and builds the tension wonderfully.
I felt so much for Brett and Emily as their dream home was disappearing before their eyes into a police investigation and poor Russo was trying so hard to be a good man to Felicia and their daughter, Zoe.
This is a fast paced book which ticks all the boxes for an action-packed thriller which crosses over between a crime investigation and gangsters – highly recommended.
yetanothersusan's review
4.0
Two story lines: A man, Russo, being picked up for a bench warrant and sent to Ruckers for driving without a license, and Brett and Emily, newlyweds who find bones in the yard of their new home. All three are reasonably innocent people who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. This whole story happens to them through no fault of their own! For a majority of the book, the reader is getting to know the main characters, their histories, etc. The story lines take a long time to finally start to come together, too long in my opinion. So for much of the book the reader is enjoying two mild action stories, good action stories, but there is always that wonder about how they will merge. Mr. Brearton makes the reader wait for this and the answers to a lot of things. This made for a solid read as long as you don't mind the wait.
A copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review.
A copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review.
rainnbooks's review
3.0
Buried Secrets had good potential. There is a newly married couple settling down in their new home and then a convict who is been trying to get into the straight and narrow path from a life of crime. Both stories get interlinked leaving destruction and chaos in its wake. The basic plot of the story was interesting but somehow I couldn't connect to the characters. It all becomes one big drama at the end with bodies falling at an alarming rate.