In Buried Road, Katie Tallo delivers a moody, character-driven thriller that blends small-town secrets with a powerful mother-daughter bond. The story follows thirteen-year-old Bly Monet and her mother, Gus, who have spent years in quiet survival mode after a man named Howard vanished from their lives. When his obituary appears in the paper it sets off a chain of events that forces them both to confront long-buried truths. Their quest for answers leads them into a dangerous spiral of hidden loyalties, criminal undercurrents, and family trauma that neither of them are prepared for.
While technically part of a series, Buried Road stands strongly on its own. I didn’t read the previous book and didn’t feel like I was missing any crucial backstory, though I imagine returning readers will enjoy the added context and this book does spoil the first one soooo.
The standout here is the relationship between Gus and Bly. It’s raw, realistic, and at times uncomfortable but always compelling. Tallo takes her time establishing their dynamic, and while that slower start may frustrate thriller fans looking for immediate suspense, it pays off emotionally in the end. Watching their bond evolve as the danger closes in gave this book more depth than your typical procedural.
The narrative voice, told through Bly’s eyes, is an absolute gem. She’s observant, sharp, and full of emotional nuance. Her perspective brings an honesty and intensity that grounds the more outrageous plot twists. Tallo nails that tricky balance between adolescent vulnerability and hard-earned wisdom. Definitely one of my more favorite juvenile character narrations.
The pacing overall is a bit uneven. The first third leans heavily into character development and atmosphere, while the second half accelerates into full-blown thriller mode. Once the antagonist is revealed and the pieces start falling into place, it becomes truly gripping.
Buried Road is less about cheap thrills and more about how deeply trauma and love can intertwine. If you’re in the mood for something dark, thoughtful, and a little off the beaten path of traditional thrillers, this one’s worth your time
AMAZON | GOODREADS | BOOKSHOP | ★★★★★
Buried Road is out now. Huge thank you to Harper for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my instagram @speakingof.books.
