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Goth Girl Mystery #1
Buried
A new, darker paranormal mystery series from award-winning author Linda Joy Singleton—featuring popular goth girl Thorn from The Seer series
Thorn Matthews is a Finder, a person with the psychic ability to find things just by touching an object. The visions she gets from objects—events and memories—are what guide her to the things that need to be found.
When Thorn locates a mysterious locket, it leads to a shocking and grim discovery. Now she’s implicated in a crime and surrounded by people she’s just met at her new school, any one of whom could be hiding a terrible secret. To clear her name, Thorn reluctantly uses her music skills to enter a school talent competition, which she suspects is part of the killer’s cover. Could one of her new friends be a murderer?
Thorn Matthews is a Finder, a person with the psychic ability to find things just by touching an object. The visions she gets from objects—events and memories—are what guide her to the things that need to be found.
When Thorn locates a mysterious locket, it leads to a shocking and grim discovery. Now she’s implicated in a crime and surrounded by people she’s just met at her new school, any one of whom could be hiding a terrible secret. To clear her name, Thorn reluctantly uses her music skills to enter a school talent competition, which she suspects is part of the killer’s cover. Could one of her new friends be a murderer?
257 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2012
5 people are currently reading
1145 people want to read
About the author
Linda Joy Singleton
100 books471 followersI started writing at 8 years old and when I speak to kids at schools or libraries I show them the stories I wrote as a child. I loved mystery series like Judy Bolton and Nancy Drew, and my DREAM was to write a series of my own. This happened when My Sister the Ghost was published by Avon books in 1994.
Since then I’ve been fortunate to write other series like The Seer, Dead Girl trilogy, Strange Encounters, Regeneration and Curious Cat Spy Club. I recently added a mini mystery to the Curious Cat Spy Club series titled Dog Rescue Time Warp which has a surprise ending.
I love hearing from fans and always write back. And I’ll send a spy activity packet to anyone that asks. Email link at www.LindaJoySingleton.com
Since then I’ve been fortunate to write other series like The Seer, Dead Girl trilogy, Strange Encounters, Regeneration and Curious Cat Spy Club. I recently added a mini mystery to the Curious Cat Spy Club series titled Dog Rescue Time Warp which has a surprise ending.
I love hearing from fans and always write back. And I’ll send a spy activity packet to anyone that asks. Email link at www.LindaJoySingleton.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
March 8, 2012
Thorn's Finder ability pretty much says it all- she finds things. When one day, it leads her to an ugly necklace, she's soon thrown into a murder investigation. Buried is a light read with an enticing premise that, unfortunately, fell flat with unoriginality and lack of exciting twists.
Thorn's character is a goth, she wears black, spikes, piercings, and has an attitude to match. I actually really liked her even though she isn't terribly developed. She has an outgoing personality that makes this book a bit more interesting. However, I was disappointed that her Finder ability, which had a lot of potential, was never elaborated. We're simply told what it's called, and that is that.
The plot is what I had the most problems getting into. It starts with an intriguing murder mystery which has Thorn set to solve, but the abundance of unrelated subplots turns it into a mediocre story that simply lost its flair. The talent show, the town's vigilante, the visiting superstar, the judgmental father - it's simply too much in such a small book that it leaves the murder in the background until the latter gets accidentally solved without any real detective work. Don't get me wrong, each of these storylines are genuinely interesting, which is why I wish they had had a chance to flourish.
In a mystery, the twists are important; in a murder mystery, suspense is the key to make it memorable. Sadly, Buried lacks in both of these. The twists are easy to decipher, and I was never left with a feeling of excitement. Some of the developments I would even consider dull. Overall it's not an awful book as its a fairly quick read with a fun protagonist, but it could have been much better if the main plot had kept its priority where we could have gotten a more complex story.
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For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
Thorn's character is a goth, she wears black, spikes, piercings, and has an attitude to match. I actually really liked her even though she isn't terribly developed. She has an outgoing personality that makes this book a bit more interesting. However, I was disappointed that her Finder ability, which had a lot of potential, was never elaborated. We're simply told what it's called, and that is that.
The plot is what I had the most problems getting into. It starts with an intriguing murder mystery which has Thorn set to solve, but the abundance of unrelated subplots turns it into a mediocre story that simply lost its flair. The talent show, the town's vigilante, the visiting superstar, the judgmental father - it's simply too much in such a small book that it leaves the murder in the background until the latter gets accidentally solved without any real detective work. Don't get me wrong, each of these storylines are genuinely interesting, which is why I wish they had had a chance to flourish.
In a mystery, the twists are important; in a murder mystery, suspense is the key to make it memorable. Sadly, Buried lacks in both of these. The twists are easy to decipher, and I was never left with a feeling of excitement. Some of the developments I would even consider dull. Overall it's not an awful book as its a fairly quick read with a fun protagonist, but it could have been much better if the main plot had kept its priority where we could have gotten a more complex story.
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For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
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April 20, 2012A buried secret, a mysterious vigilante and ghostly danger for goth girl Thorn.
The spinoff from The Seer series is out!!!! This book stars goth girl Thorn as she solves a murder mystery and falls for a mysterious masked guy.
Sneak Preview from BURIED:
Up ahead, a wall of silver gleams. Not a wall, I realize, but a towering steel cage for gym equipment. Only instead of sports equipment—someone’s locked inside!
Before I can help, I sense movement from a side corridor. A tall shadowy figure swathed in black jeans, boots, a long dark coat and a black knit ski mask with eye-slits. He looks so surreal at first I think he’s a ghost who will float through me. But he radiates powerful confidence that’s totally human. A twig snaps like a fragile bone under his shiny black boots. He swivels, slowly, his piercing black eyes fixed on me like a hunter sighting his rifle on his prey.
I would have preferred a ghost.
Ask your local bookstore for BURIED if you want this series to continue.
Feb 2012 -- Read the opening of CHAPTER ONE of BURIED on Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/2...
The spinoff from The Seer series is out!!!! This book stars goth girl Thorn as she solves a murder mystery and falls for a mysterious masked guy.
Sneak Preview from BURIED:
Up ahead, a wall of silver gleams. Not a wall, I realize, but a towering steel cage for gym equipment. Only instead of sports equipment—someone’s locked inside!
Before I can help, I sense movement from a side corridor. A tall shadowy figure swathed in black jeans, boots, a long dark coat and a black knit ski mask with eye-slits. He looks so surreal at first I think he’s a ghost who will float through me. But he radiates powerful confidence that’s totally human. A twig snaps like a fragile bone under his shiny black boots. He swivels, slowly, his piercing black eyes fixed on me like a hunter sighting his rifle on his prey.
I would have preferred a ghost.
Ask your local bookstore for BURIED if you want this series to continue.
Feb 2012 -- Read the opening of CHAPTER ONE of BURIED on Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/2...
January 5, 2012
For those of you who enjoy a fun mystery, Linda Joy Singleton's latest, BURIED, is definitely a good one to pick up. Following preacher's daughter and social misfit Thorn as she navigates the rough waters at her new small-town high school, where she's only met one other Goth -- her new bff Rune -- which is way different from her old school back in California. Of course, back in Cali she also had a friend who knew about her psychic ability. Thorn doesn't trust anyone in this town enough to spill those details -- even when she gets a vibe off of an old, cheap locket on shoelace. A vibe that leads her to believe something very bad has happened to someone.
Determined to find out the mystery behind the locket, and hopefully the owner, Thorn gets herself wrapped up her friend Amerie's school talent contest -- a singing competition to be judged by superstar and former student Phillipe. She hopes she'll be able to figure out who left the locket on stage and drop out before she actually has to perform -- her love for playing guitar and singing is another secret she'd like to keep for herself. But, of course, things to don't go as planned, and Thorn is soon wrapped up in something far more sinister than a sad story and a missing locket. And if she wants to avoid the sheriff's inquisition, she's going to have to find the owner for a whole new reason: to prove that she's not a killer.
A fast-paced story in what will be a cool new series, BURIED is one to check out for girls who miss the days who still idolize Nancy Drew and are yearning for a bit of high school sleuthing. Thorn is a fun character to follow, and surely her upcoming exploits will fill a niche in the YA mystery section on your bookshelf.
Determined to find out the mystery behind the locket, and hopefully the owner, Thorn gets herself wrapped up her friend Amerie's school talent contest -- a singing competition to be judged by superstar and former student Phillipe. She hopes she'll be able to figure out who left the locket on stage and drop out before she actually has to perform -- her love for playing guitar and singing is another secret she'd like to keep for herself. But, of course, things to don't go as planned, and Thorn is soon wrapped up in something far more sinister than a sad story and a missing locket. And if she wants to avoid the sheriff's inquisition, she's going to have to find the owner for a whole new reason: to prove that she's not a killer.
A fast-paced story in what will be a cool new series, BURIED is one to check out for girls who miss the days who still idolize Nancy Drew and are yearning for a bit of high school sleuthing. Thorn is a fun character to follow, and surely her upcoming exploits will fill a niche in the YA mystery section on your bookshelf.
January 27, 2012
Buried was a quick, easy, but enjoyable read. The main character, Thorn (née Beth Ann), recently moved to a new town from California, where her mother now has a job as a preacher. The new school is very small town cowboy, and Thorn’s new best friend Rune is the only other goth in the entire school. What not even Rune knows about Thorn is that she’s psychic, something called a finder. She can find lost things, and just knows when something she’s come across is a lost item.
Thorn finds a mysterious locket with hair inside that keeps calling to her, despite her desire to ignore it. And then she finds the bones of a dead baby outside of town, and the Sheriff won’t leave her alone. She’s afraid of his suspicion, and afraid for her mother’s job.
To add to her stress, the school talent show being run by a famous alumni may be her only way to find the locket’s owner, and the Grin Reaper, the school’s unknown vigilante, has begun to strike with a vengeance...
I really liked Thorn as a character. She was easy to relate to, and strong. She was comfortable with who she was, although she did worry about how people saw her and her family, she didn’t get stuck feeling sorry for herself, and she didn’t need a guy to save her. She made decisions based on information available to her, and while she did sometimes do stupid things, they were realistic decisions based on her circumstances.
**Spoiler** There were two things that did bother me, but not enough to stop me from enjoying the book. First, after Thorn spent all that time with Skarla, and decided she really did like her, her reaction to Skarla’s anger and kicking her out was basically “oh well.” What she did to Skarla was pretty bad, but she didn’t seem to care that much, or do anything to let Skarla know she was sorry, even if they couldn’t be friends anymore. Based on Thorn’s personality, and how much she’s had to deal with people pre-judging her, I found this out of character.
Also, Thorn has a big family, and I understand that that’s part of her back story and why they’ve moved, but I knew so little about them that often, when a name other than her non-blood related brother KC’s was mentioned, I often had no idea who it was. I don’t think the siblings needed a ton of development, but enough to get a sense of them and their relationship with Thorn would’ve been nice. As is, there didn’t seem to be much point in them being a part of the book at all.
There were also things I really liked about the book. I liked that it didn’t follow strict stereotypes. Thorn is goth, but not depressed and angsty all the time. It is a part of who she is, not the one thing that defines her. I also was pleasantly surprised when the identity of the Grin Reaper was revealed. It made sense, but was not what I expected.
The end of the story is satisfying, and wraps up the plot well. The reader finds out about the baby and the locket, and while I wasn’t thrilled with the answer, it worked.
A good, entertaining read for people who like mysteries and off beat heroines.
Thorn finds a mysterious locket with hair inside that keeps calling to her, despite her desire to ignore it. And then she finds the bones of a dead baby outside of town, and the Sheriff won’t leave her alone. She’s afraid of his suspicion, and afraid for her mother’s job.
To add to her stress, the school talent show being run by a famous alumni may be her only way to find the locket’s owner, and the Grin Reaper, the school’s unknown vigilante, has begun to strike with a vengeance...
I really liked Thorn as a character. She was easy to relate to, and strong. She was comfortable with who she was, although she did worry about how people saw her and her family, she didn’t get stuck feeling sorry for herself, and she didn’t need a guy to save her. She made decisions based on information available to her, and while she did sometimes do stupid things, they were realistic decisions based on her circumstances.
**Spoiler** There were two things that did bother me, but not enough to stop me from enjoying the book. First, after Thorn spent all that time with Skarla, and decided she really did like her, her reaction to Skarla’s anger and kicking her out was basically “oh well.” What she did to Skarla was pretty bad, but she didn’t seem to care that much, or do anything to let Skarla know she was sorry, even if they couldn’t be friends anymore. Based on Thorn’s personality, and how much she’s had to deal with people pre-judging her, I found this out of character.
Also, Thorn has a big family, and I understand that that’s part of her back story and why they’ve moved, but I knew so little about them that often, when a name other than her non-blood related brother KC’s was mentioned, I often had no idea who it was. I don’t think the siblings needed a ton of development, but enough to get a sense of them and their relationship with Thorn would’ve been nice. As is, there didn’t seem to be much point in them being a part of the book at all.
There were also things I really liked about the book. I liked that it didn’t follow strict stereotypes. Thorn is goth, but not depressed and angsty all the time. It is a part of who she is, not the one thing that defines her. I also was pleasantly surprised when the identity of the Grin Reaper was revealed. It made sense, but was not what I expected.
The end of the story is satisfying, and wraps up the plot well. The reader finds out about the baby and the locket, and while I wasn’t thrilled with the answer, it worked.
A good, entertaining read for people who like mysteries and off beat heroines.
July 13, 2012
This review was originally posted on I Heart Reading.
Buried (A Goth Girl Mystery #1) features Thorn, one of the side characters in the Seer series, another series by Linda Joy Singleton. I’ve never read the Seer series, so it took some time before I got used to Thorn, but this novel can be read well enough as a stand-alone. Thorn is an intriguing character because she’s different from most of the main characters I’m used to reading about. She’s a Finder, which means that when she touches an object, she can find the owner of the object. One day this ability leads her to a heart-shaped locket hung on a shoelace, and that’s where the mystery starts. The necklace brings her to a remote area where she finds the body of a baby.
The murder mystery at the core of this book is great. I loved it from start to finish. What I didn’t enjoy that much however, were the countless subplots that sometimes did and sometimes didn’t have anything to do with the mystery. But that’s the only downside about this novel. There’s a lot going on – the over-crowded family with only scarcely present father figure, an upcoming talent show, Thorn’s new-found friendship with another local goth girl named Rune, and so on.
What I loved, was everything except the numerous subplots. Thorn isn’t your typical goth girl. In fact, if you throw away her spikes, black clothing and outrageous hair color, you find out that she’s just a regular girl who likes to define herself by being different. She is outspoken and easy-going, and surprisingly social. Her personality actually felt very real to me, and more easily to relate to than the stereotypes we usually see in YA novels. She felt like a real person, and that’s great. I also really liked Rune. Bonus points for being an awesome best friend. The mystery at the heart of this book was very intriguing as well, as were the many plot twists and turns that kept this book going and made me read it in one single sitting. Another something I enjoyed is that there’s definitely no missing parent syndrome in this book. Thorn has six brothers and sisters, and plenty of family life going on, and I thought that was awesome.
Buried is one of my favorite paranormal mystery books of the year. If you’re on a cheap budget and you have only one book to choose from, and you enjoy paranormal mysteries, go for this one. It won’t let you down. With an intriguing and unique main character, a well-developed storyline and some humorous and snarky comments that made me laugh out loud, this book ranks high on my favorites-list. This was the first book I read by Linda Joy Singleton, but it defintely won’t be my last.
Buried (A Goth Girl Mystery #1) features Thorn, one of the side characters in the Seer series, another series by Linda Joy Singleton. I’ve never read the Seer series, so it took some time before I got used to Thorn, but this novel can be read well enough as a stand-alone. Thorn is an intriguing character because she’s different from most of the main characters I’m used to reading about. She’s a Finder, which means that when she touches an object, she can find the owner of the object. One day this ability leads her to a heart-shaped locket hung on a shoelace, and that’s where the mystery starts. The necklace brings her to a remote area where she finds the body of a baby.
The murder mystery at the core of this book is great. I loved it from start to finish. What I didn’t enjoy that much however, were the countless subplots that sometimes did and sometimes didn’t have anything to do with the mystery. But that’s the only downside about this novel. There’s a lot going on – the over-crowded family with only scarcely present father figure, an upcoming talent show, Thorn’s new-found friendship with another local goth girl named Rune, and so on.
What I loved, was everything except the numerous subplots. Thorn isn’t your typical goth girl. In fact, if you throw away her spikes, black clothing and outrageous hair color, you find out that she’s just a regular girl who likes to define herself by being different. She is outspoken and easy-going, and surprisingly social. Her personality actually felt very real to me, and more easily to relate to than the stereotypes we usually see in YA novels. She felt like a real person, and that’s great. I also really liked Rune. Bonus points for being an awesome best friend. The mystery at the heart of this book was very intriguing as well, as were the many plot twists and turns that kept this book going and made me read it in one single sitting. Another something I enjoyed is that there’s definitely no missing parent syndrome in this book. Thorn has six brothers and sisters, and plenty of family life going on, and I thought that was awesome.
Buried is one of my favorite paranormal mystery books of the year. If you’re on a cheap budget and you have only one book to choose from, and you enjoy paranormal mysteries, go for this one. It won’t let you down. With an intriguing and unique main character, a well-developed storyline and some humorous and snarky comments that made me laugh out loud, this book ranks high on my favorites-list. This was the first book I read by Linda Joy Singleton, but it defintely won’t be my last.
February 27, 2012
"Buried: A Goth Girl Mystery) is the first decent YA mystery I've read in a while. Savvy heroine, check. Real murder mystery, check. Awesome boy vigilante with snarky attitude, check. Request to read next installment - yes please. :)
I think a part of my love for this particular book revolves around having a love for good mysteries that keep me guessing, while also featuring a cast of well-rounded, developing characters. This was my first read from Linda Joy Singleton, and it's the first installment in her new series. It revolves around a girl named Thorn (real name: Beth Ann), who manages to draw attention in more ways than one. She's not only the new girl at school and a certified goth girl, she's also a Finder - having the ability to spot odds and ends of objects - even sense their history. She ends up getting into more than she bargained for when she comes across a mysterious locket leading her to a surprising murder scene, causing a stir within her community and drawing suspicion from a few authority figures. This happens in the mix of a few events surrounding Thorn - the arrival of a highly popular singer (Phillipe), a music contest which Thorn reluctantly joins to get closer to the truth, and making inquiries surrounding a controversial vigilante at her school (the Grin Reaper).
The primary and secondary characters in this story are fun to watch in their interactions, and the story pulls you in to care about the discoveries and overarching mystery contained in the book. I think there's particularly a strong chemistry between Thorn and the Grin Reaper (sort of a push-pull dynamic that's charming with their savvy, witty retorts toward one another). But I also liked the friendship dynamic and group camraderie that occurs through the relationships in the novel, and more than a few dynamic, colorful characters (example: Amerie wears fairy wings on a regular basis). The gradual reveal of the mystery is well plotted and sound when the realizations that are made, with several trial and error situations on Thorn's part to keep the reader guessing. I particularly enjoyed the ending considering not only does it lead to a conclusion for the novel's theme, but it also provides a nice lead into the relationships for the next installment.
I enjoyed it very much and would recommend it for those who like YA mystery/contemporary stories with a bit of humor.
Overall score: 4.5/5
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Flux Books.
I think a part of my love for this particular book revolves around having a love for good mysteries that keep me guessing, while also featuring a cast of well-rounded, developing characters. This was my first read from Linda Joy Singleton, and it's the first installment in her new series. It revolves around a girl named Thorn (real name: Beth Ann), who manages to draw attention in more ways than one. She's not only the new girl at school and a certified goth girl, she's also a Finder - having the ability to spot odds and ends of objects - even sense their history. She ends up getting into more than she bargained for when she comes across a mysterious locket leading her to a surprising murder scene, causing a stir within her community and drawing suspicion from a few authority figures. This happens in the mix of a few events surrounding Thorn - the arrival of a highly popular singer (Phillipe), a music contest which Thorn reluctantly joins to get closer to the truth, and making inquiries surrounding a controversial vigilante at her school (the Grin Reaper).
The primary and secondary characters in this story are fun to watch in their interactions, and the story pulls you in to care about the discoveries and overarching mystery contained in the book. I think there's particularly a strong chemistry between Thorn and the Grin Reaper (sort of a push-pull dynamic that's charming with their savvy, witty retorts toward one another). But I also liked the friendship dynamic and group camraderie that occurs through the relationships in the novel, and more than a few dynamic, colorful characters (example: Amerie wears fairy wings on a regular basis). The gradual reveal of the mystery is well plotted and sound when the realizations that are made, with several trial and error situations on Thorn's part to keep the reader guessing. I particularly enjoyed the ending considering not only does it lead to a conclusion for the novel's theme, but it also provides a nice lead into the relationships for the next installment.
I enjoyed it very much and would recommend it for those who like YA mystery/contemporary stories with a bit of humor.
Overall score: 4.5/5
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Flux Books.
February 29, 2012
Buried: A Goth Girl Mystery is a spinoff series to Linda Joy Singleton's popular self-published The Seer series. I enjoyed (didn't love, didn't dislike) the first book of The Seer but was never very motivated to continue. So when I saw the e-galley for Buried I thought it was the perfect opportunity to give the author another try. Singleton has published many books since Don't Die Dragonfly and I always like to see how the author has improved.
Unfortunately this book started strong then slowly unravelled.
Thorn aka Beth Anne is actually one of the more likable goths in YA literature. Often I find them too stereotypical and just too overdone. Thorn is a little more self-aware and a little less self-righteous. She's a minister's daughter who loves her family, wants to please her parents but still wants to be different. As far as fictional goths, she's atypical because for the most part she's a good kid. But she isn't your typical minister's daughter. She's a Finder, pretty much a low level psychic who has an uncanny ability to find things.
The problem with this book isn't the character. It's the plot. Though the book is supposed to be a mystery, very little time is spent on actual detective work. Thorn finds a strange, rather ugly, locket that makes her Finder Senses start tingling. It quickly leads her a dead baby buried in a shallow grave. It's a solid idea for a mystery, believable and creepy.
But too much of this book is spent on subplots. There's a talent contest, with a guest judge famous popstar, that Thorn joins in order to investigate the participants. Aside from asking someone for pictures and emailing her friend (Manny from The Seer) to do some research, Thorn does very little detective work. Most of the book is spent on the Grinning Reaper, a high school prankster who seeks vengeance on bullies. It's a fun little plot, but the book seemed to lose track of it's priorities. Eventually the mystery is solved, though shoddily and more through mishap than any real detective work.
I can't say this book was terrible. It was a fairly pleasant, light reading experience. But I also can't say that it's very good. It felt like the author had quite a few interesting story ideas and had trouble choosing which plotline to follow.
Unfortunately this book started strong then slowly unravelled.
Thorn aka Beth Anne is actually one of the more likable goths in YA literature. Often I find them too stereotypical and just too overdone. Thorn is a little more self-aware and a little less self-righteous. She's a minister's daughter who loves her family, wants to please her parents but still wants to be different. As far as fictional goths, she's atypical because for the most part she's a good kid. But she isn't your typical minister's daughter. She's a Finder, pretty much a low level psychic who has an uncanny ability to find things.
The problem with this book isn't the character. It's the plot. Though the book is supposed to be a mystery, very little time is spent on actual detective work. Thorn finds a strange, rather ugly, locket that makes her Finder Senses start tingling. It quickly leads her a dead baby buried in a shallow grave. It's a solid idea for a mystery, believable and creepy.
But too much of this book is spent on subplots. There's a talent contest, with a guest judge famous popstar, that Thorn joins in order to investigate the participants. Aside from asking someone for pictures and emailing her friend (Manny from The Seer) to do some research, Thorn does very little detective work. Most of the book is spent on the Grinning Reaper, a high school prankster who seeks vengeance on bullies. It's a fun little plot, but the book seemed to lose track of it's priorities. Eventually the mystery is solved, though shoddily and more through mishap than any real detective work.
I can't say this book was terrible. It was a fairly pleasant, light reading experience. But I also can't say that it's very good. It felt like the author had quite a few interesting story ideas and had trouble choosing which plotline to follow.
March 7, 2012
Thorn (nee Beth Ann) is a recent transplant to Nevada Bluff. She comes from a family of six kids where her Mom is a minister and her Dad is looking for work. Thorn is a goth (which her Dad just hates), and she is a “finder”. She is drawn to objects and when she touches them she gets psychic visions from them. Which is what happens at school one day.
Thorn finds a gold locket on a shoelace and it transports her to a remote area. With the help of another psychic friend she finds the remote area and what appears to be the skeleton of a baby. So who’s locket is it? Whose baby is it? How did the baby die? All these mysteries and many more, like the “grin reaper” are addressed in “Buried”.
This was my first Linda Joy Singleton book. I’ve had my eye on her Seer series for a while, but just haven’t had a chance to read it yet. After “Buried”, it’s moved up on my “to-read” list. This was a fun, fast read, one whose ending I didn’t totally see coming which was nice. So many mysteries out there you can predict the outcome in the first few chapters, and while I was on the right path, Singleton was able to slip in another option that hadn’t occurred to me. Singleton’s writing is the right amount of description and dialog and her dialog is sharp and witty. Just what I enjoy most!
I liked Thorn a lot. She was smart and snarky! For all her Goth looks, she isn’t Goth inside. She’s just a normal girl from a big family trying to find her way. I loved that her minister mother was so accepting of her, even when they did miscommunicate. And I was frustrated with her Dad for seeing her at only face value. I would have loved to know more about KC, Rune and Amerie. I’m hoping there will be more Goth Girl Mysteries and I can get to know them better…but mostly I want to see if something will develop between Thorn and Jay. I definitely loved Jay and want to see more of him.
Thorn finds a gold locket on a shoelace and it transports her to a remote area. With the help of another psychic friend she finds the remote area and what appears to be the skeleton of a baby. So who’s locket is it? Whose baby is it? How did the baby die? All these mysteries and many more, like the “grin reaper” are addressed in “Buried”.
This was my first Linda Joy Singleton book. I’ve had my eye on her Seer series for a while, but just haven’t had a chance to read it yet. After “Buried”, it’s moved up on my “to-read” list. This was a fun, fast read, one whose ending I didn’t totally see coming which was nice. So many mysteries out there you can predict the outcome in the first few chapters, and while I was on the right path, Singleton was able to slip in another option that hadn’t occurred to me. Singleton’s writing is the right amount of description and dialog and her dialog is sharp and witty. Just what I enjoy most!
I liked Thorn a lot. She was smart and snarky! For all her Goth looks, she isn’t Goth inside. She’s just a normal girl from a big family trying to find her way. I loved that her minister mother was so accepting of her, even when they did miscommunicate. And I was frustrated with her Dad for seeing her at only face value. I would have loved to know more about KC, Rune and Amerie. I’m hoping there will be more Goth Girl Mysteries and I can get to know them better…but mostly I want to see if something will develop between Thorn and Jay. I definitely loved Jay and want to see more of him.
December 11, 2011
This book was fun yet had a very intense plot and totally fascinating sort of flawed quirky characters. Thorn, Rune, Amelie...friends albeit quirky friends...are sort of unique at their high school.
Thorn whose real name is really Beth Ann and Rune...whose real name is really Rune...bond together...along with Amelie at school. Amelie appears to always wear fairy wings. Rune and Thorn are ringed, pierced and very Goth. All of the major issues in their lives are discussed at the local donut shop with a baker who determines the exact donut to fit a mood...I loved this little quirky bit of the story.
Thorn gets involved in a mystery. She finds a locket with hairs on the inside that sort of leads her to a tiny grave. Although she is not the suspect in this crime...people believe that she knows more about it then she is telling. Thorn seems to have a sort of prediliction to find things...sort of her calling.
And she is determined to find out who is responsible for the bones and who really owns the locket.
She has some family issues, too...her father is out of work and they have just moved so she is missing her old life while trying to adjust to a new one.
Thorn learns about life and people and secrets by trying to solve this mystery that she is sort of right in the middle of.
There are friend issues and trust issues and family issues. There is a sort of avenger character called the Grin Reaper because he wears a smiley face hat. And all of these characters are interesting.
I thouroughly enjoyed this book.
I will explore more of this author's books in the future.
Thorn whose real name is really Beth Ann and Rune...whose real name is really Rune...bond together...along with Amelie at school. Amelie appears to always wear fairy wings. Rune and Thorn are ringed, pierced and very Goth. All of the major issues in their lives are discussed at the local donut shop with a baker who determines the exact donut to fit a mood...I loved this little quirky bit of the story.
Thorn gets involved in a mystery. She finds a locket with hairs on the inside that sort of leads her to a tiny grave. Although she is not the suspect in this crime...people believe that she knows more about it then she is telling. Thorn seems to have a sort of prediliction to find things...sort of her calling.
And she is determined to find out who is responsible for the bones and who really owns the locket.
She has some family issues, too...her father is out of work and they have just moved so she is missing her old life while trying to adjust to a new one.
Thorn learns about life and people and secrets by trying to solve this mystery that she is sort of right in the middle of.
There are friend issues and trust issues and family issues. There is a sort of avenger character called the Grin Reaper because he wears a smiley face hat. And all of these characters are interesting.
I thouroughly enjoyed this book.
I will explore more of this author's books in the future.
September 8, 2016
I had a great time reading this book, it was fun and had some great twists. I enjoyed that the main character is goth. She is not one of those over emo characters that is dark and brooding, but more upbeat and up for anything.
Her detective work and the people that she runs into during her investigation made for a really great and entertaining read. I enjoyed Thorn's attitude about things and she's funny.
In this story Thorn finds a locket, she is unsure but something about the locket is calling to her, she needs to find out who owned the locket, hoping it leads her to unravel the feelings she gets when holding/wearing it. Thorn is a "finder" she has a psychic ability that leads her to special objects, in turn those objects may lead her to something. The locket in this story leads her to bones, babies bones. By finding the owner she may be able to prove herself innocent of a mysterious murder.
During her adventures she gets wrapped up in the school's singing competition in which the famous Phillipe is going to help judge.
Great fun combinations of characters all witty and fun. Dress styles that set them off a little from the crowd.
I have not read any other books by Linda, but have heard that this story takes place in the same world setting as her other books. There is also some mention from others that the characters overlap a little and if you are familiar with her other books you will recognize them and understand some of their back stories a little more than what is introduced here.
I was very happy to have read this one and I will continue to find more books by this author, it was a fast fun read and I liked the darker mystery to it.
Her detective work and the people that she runs into during her investigation made for a really great and entertaining read. I enjoyed Thorn's attitude about things and she's funny.
In this story Thorn finds a locket, she is unsure but something about the locket is calling to her, she needs to find out who owned the locket, hoping it leads her to unravel the feelings she gets when holding/wearing it. Thorn is a "finder" she has a psychic ability that leads her to special objects, in turn those objects may lead her to something. The locket in this story leads her to bones, babies bones. By finding the owner she may be able to prove herself innocent of a mysterious murder.
During her adventures she gets wrapped up in the school's singing competition in which the famous Phillipe is going to help judge.
Great fun combinations of characters all witty and fun. Dress styles that set them off a little from the crowd.
I have not read any other books by Linda, but have heard that this story takes place in the same world setting as her other books. There is also some mention from others that the characters overlap a little and if you are familiar with her other books you will recognize them and understand some of their back stories a little more than what is introduced here.
I was very happy to have read this one and I will continue to find more books by this author, it was a fast fun read and I liked the darker mystery to it.
March 12, 2012
Fantastic! This new book features a major character from the author's SEER series: Non-conformist Thorn is "a finder". The Goth Girl, who prefers "Thorn" to her real name, Beth Ann Matthews, has only to touch an object to be psychically connected to a person, place, or event. Trying to keep a low profile at her new Nevada hills high school, Thorn finds a cheap metal locket on the school stage. The locket won't let her rest until she follows its trail into the hills and finds an unmarked grave- that of a baby. But danger is an ugly threat as she tries to find the locket's owner and link the baby to someone- and that someone doesn't want found.
A side mystery involves the identity of the guy known as the "Grin Reaper" because of the smiley face on his ski mask and because he always leaves a smiley sticker at the scene where someone has been the recipient in his crusade. Robin Hood-style he metes out justice to bullies. Thorn might admire what he does but she can't ignore her first run-in with him and his superior attitude.
The charismatic characters drew me in and the story line intrigued me from the first page until the end. Thorn certainly is an individual! I highly recommend this book and hope that there will be more stories about Thorn in the future.
A side mystery involves the identity of the guy known as the "Grin Reaper" because of the smiley face on his ski mask and because he always leaves a smiley sticker at the scene where someone has been the recipient in his crusade. Robin Hood-style he metes out justice to bullies. Thorn might admire what he does but she can't ignore her first run-in with him and his superior attitude.
The charismatic characters drew me in and the story line intrigued me from the first page until the end. Thorn certainly is an individual! I highly recommend this book and hope that there will be more stories about Thorn in the future.
December 13, 2011
I really liked this one. I didn't realise that it was a spinoff to another series, but now that I know, I'm definitely looking up the other books. There are some books that should stop at 1. This isn't one of them. While the story does end properly, there is potential for a series. Also, a really great cast of characters, some of the most interesting ones I've read about recently. It makes me wish I had friends like the goth-at-heart-but-occasionally-pink-cowboy-boots-wearing MC, her two best friends who are polar opposites - one goth and one fairy, mind you - and a swoonworthy love interest who lives a double life!
Thanks to NetGalley and the talented Miss Singleton!
Thanks to NetGalley and the talented Miss Singleton!
April 4, 2012
I love, love, love this story.. I hope there is more to come. I loved Thorn in The Seer series. It seems that in Buried Thorn has a little bit more than just finding abilities, it will be awesome to see where she takes us. I love that the story really shows that you can't judge someone by their appearance, background or social status. Great characters through out. A great introduction to hopefully a new series.
December 31, 2011
arc provided by publisher via Netgalley.
A good story with a paranormal element along with a whodunit that I did not guess. I liked the ending too -- it felt complete but at the same time the door is left open for more to come. I would definitely read more of this series
A good story with a paranormal element along with a whodunit that I did not guess. I liked the ending too -- it felt complete but at the same time the door is left open for more to come. I would definitely read more of this series
March 20, 2012
Love Thorn! Love the voice and premise. Crossing fingers for more Goth Girl mysteries!
Review coming soon!
Review coming soon!
March 19, 2012
Loved Goth girl Thorn and her friends Rune and Amerie. Also the Grin Reaper is cool.
May 6, 2012
I loved it! I used it as a mini-challenge for May (mother is featured in it) on A-Z Challenge. See my blog http://raesrumblings.blogspot.com/201...
June 4, 2012
Really awesome book it had me sitting on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading it!!!
September 17, 2012
I loved this book, and I cannot wait to read the next one!!!!!!!
August 5, 2012
Really cool mysterious book! Very Good!
February 16, 2019
Very nice start to a series, when is the next one to come out? I was a former goth in high school. Well, people would have called me Goth but only because some of the jewelry was of dragons (still MY thing) had a wicked viper earring, and a tarantula with an onyx stone..humm found out later onyx was supposed to soak up negative vibes. Anyway, this is a charming girl just being herself, Goth, and not only dealing with her psychic gift but also with the notions of fitting in and the price of that and having true acceptance with her father. I've had issues of that, my parents were always embarrassed with my clothing choices. I'm like 42 and don't always like teen books unless it's fantasy but I really liked this one because it did deal with real issues and had a realistic kid/parent relations. Well written, and would recommend it to any Goth girls out there.
May 3, 2019
The mystery itself was very good. There were some parts I had to read twice but it was a very easy read. There were some spelling and grammatical errors. And one part where they completely switched pronouns for the same person but I feel like that was the printer issue.
June 6, 2017
Couldn't put down! Love the psychic talk and creepy vibes the book gave me, definitely recommend!
August 24, 2018
While the characters aren’t always consistent and the story bounces around like a pinball, ultimately Buried a pretty fun read, and worth the short time investment it takes to read it.
December 13, 2021
I bought this five years ago and I finally read it. It was good!
February 5, 2012
Thorn is a Finder which is pretty much what it sounds like... she finds things and on occasion, has visions related to the object(s) she touches. When she comes across a heart shaped locket on a shoestring, she gets the feeling that it'll lead her on a wild hunt as she attempts to reunite it with its owner and well, she's right. But if the locket wasn't creepy enough on its own, there's also the fact that it leads her to the grave of a child and all these things are definitely connected.
If I'm being completely honest, I didn't connect with Thorn for quite some time; this may have something to do with the fact that she dresses like a goth and doesn't use her real name--which is Beth Ann, if you were wondering. But then the Grin Reaper enters the picture and so does the singing competition that will make one of Thorn's secrets a little less secret. At that point, Thorn becomes a lot more interesting.
But Thorn's dad? Not quite sure how to describe him. Passive aggressive? I spent more than half the book wanting to shake some sense into him and I think the ultimate lesson to take away from Buried is this: appearances can be deceiving. Oh! I also absolutely loved Sabine--Thorn's friend from California who happens to be a psychic. Seriously, she has a spirit guide named Opal and even a state away she helps out Thorn. This may be due to the fact that Sabine is the main character from "The Seer" series that Linda Joy Singleton also writes--actually, I think it's on my bookshelf somewhere. In that sense, it takes place in the same world.
Ultimately, I feel like Buried started off slow and it didn't real grab me until it was halfway through. Although I didn't feel like it was particularly my cup of tea, I think that there are definitely readers who will love Buried. I mean, how often do you have a main character that's a goth!? Also, I love the idea of a secondhand store that doubles as a doughnut shop (The Hole Truth) and seriously, who wouldn't want a shop like that!? That will make a lot more sense if you read the book, that much I promise. Did I mention that Thorn is a terrible detective? Because I probably should say that. I don't mean it in a bad way, I only mean to say that she seems to jump to conclusions and to be honest, I found it to be a little bit humorous.
To summarize, Buried is a unique read. The main character is definitely different and things definitely pickup as the book progresses. It does appear to be the first book in a series (The Goth Girl Mysteries) and I'm definitely curious to see how things will progress for Thorn and company. Overall a good book and one that I'd definitely recommend you form your own opinions about.
If I'm being completely honest, I didn't connect with Thorn for quite some time; this may have something to do with the fact that she dresses like a goth and doesn't use her real name--which is Beth Ann, if you were wondering. But then the Grin Reaper enters the picture and so does the singing competition that will make one of Thorn's secrets a little less secret. At that point, Thorn becomes a lot more interesting.
But Thorn's dad? Not quite sure how to describe him. Passive aggressive? I spent more than half the book wanting to shake some sense into him and I think the ultimate lesson to take away from Buried is this: appearances can be deceiving. Oh! I also absolutely loved Sabine--Thorn's friend from California who happens to be a psychic. Seriously, she has a spirit guide named Opal and even a state away she helps out Thorn. This may be due to the fact that Sabine is the main character from "The Seer" series that Linda Joy Singleton also writes--actually, I think it's on my bookshelf somewhere. In that sense, it takes place in the same world.
Ultimately, I feel like Buried started off slow and it didn't real grab me until it was halfway through. Although I didn't feel like it was particularly my cup of tea, I think that there are definitely readers who will love Buried. I mean, how often do you have a main character that's a goth!? Also, I love the idea of a secondhand store that doubles as a doughnut shop (The Hole Truth) and seriously, who wouldn't want a shop like that!? That will make a lot more sense if you read the book, that much I promise. Did I mention that Thorn is a terrible detective? Because I probably should say that. I don't mean it in a bad way, I only mean to say that she seems to jump to conclusions and to be honest, I found it to be a little bit humorous.
To summarize, Buried is a unique read. The main character is definitely different and things definitely pickup as the book progresses. It does appear to be the first book in a series (The Goth Girl Mysteries) and I'm definitely curious to see how things will progress for Thorn and company. Overall a good book and one that I'd definitely recommend you form your own opinions about.
April 21, 2012
Review: Thorn is the new girl in the school, and one of two Goths, she’s also able to find things, a fact she’d rather not share with her new classmates. So when she finds a locket, she ends up finding with it the grave of a newborn baby. Implicated in the whole mess, Thorn has to clear her name. The only way to do that is to ask around and see if one of her friends is a killer.
Happy thoughts, right? Murder mystery with a goth girl at the heart of it all should be right up my street. I really liked the idea. Didn’t really care about the “smoking hot musician” who also crops up in the summary. Oh well.
Rune and Thorn are your typical Goths, extremely individual and open for adventure. Thorn is resourceful and clever, but sometimes annoying.
My favourite character is the Grin Reaper. I won’t say who it is, but it’s someone you aren’t expecting it to be. The Grin Reaper is the person that goes around exacting revenge on school bullies in such a way that it’ll hit them where it hurts, and leaves a little smiley face at places of work. I was a little disappointed when we were told what it was they did (with a name like that and no description at first, I’d expect a very happy death god), but said person was the best person in this.
The mystery wasn’t creepy in any way, but I suppose, that’s not the point to this novel at all. The person responsible is also not the person that you’d expect it from, and all the people who you think it might be, while having fully legitimate reasons for being implicated, also have their own reasons as to why they also are not responsible.
The characters didn’t really change much throughout the novel, which was a bit disappointing. I also didn’t like Thorn’s reaction to almost anything that wasn’t towards her darker alternative interests. Such as her reaction to the Cotton Candy Cowgirls, a band that seems to be devoted to pink. Yes, I get that she dislikes them. But that kind of reaction is bordering rudeness.
The writing wasn’t stand out, but it’s not terrible either. You get a good sense of what’s happening and Thorn’s thoughts, but not much more than that.
Something I did like was the mix of characters. Ok, it was essentially the stereotypical American High school full of cliques, but the clichés meant it was easy to keep track of characters
.
Overall: Strength 2 tea to a short and sweet mystery that didn’t really capture me.
Happy thoughts, right? Murder mystery with a goth girl at the heart of it all should be right up my street. I really liked the idea. Didn’t really care about the “smoking hot musician” who also crops up in the summary. Oh well.
Rune and Thorn are your typical Goths, extremely individual and open for adventure. Thorn is resourceful and clever, but sometimes annoying.
My favourite character is the Grin Reaper. I won’t say who it is, but it’s someone you aren’t expecting it to be. The Grin Reaper is the person that goes around exacting revenge on school bullies in such a way that it’ll hit them where it hurts, and leaves a little smiley face at places of work. I was a little disappointed when we were told what it was they did (with a name like that and no description at first, I’d expect a very happy death god), but said person was the best person in this.
The mystery wasn’t creepy in any way, but I suppose, that’s not the point to this novel at all. The person responsible is also not the person that you’d expect it from, and all the people who you think it might be, while having fully legitimate reasons for being implicated, also have their own reasons as to why they also are not responsible.
The characters didn’t really change much throughout the novel, which was a bit disappointing. I also didn’t like Thorn’s reaction to almost anything that wasn’t towards her darker alternative interests. Such as her reaction to the Cotton Candy Cowgirls, a band that seems to be devoted to pink. Yes, I get that she dislikes them. But that kind of reaction is bordering rudeness.
The writing wasn’t stand out, but it’s not terrible either. You get a good sense of what’s happening and Thorn’s thoughts, but not much more than that.
Something I did like was the mix of characters. Ok, it was essentially the stereotypical American High school full of cliques, but the clichés meant it was easy to keep track of characters
.
Overall: Strength 2 tea to a short and sweet mystery that didn’t really capture me.
March 12, 2012
THE FAERYS VIEW
Buried: A Goth Girl Mystery by Linda Joy Singleton was a great addition to The Seer series, Thorn gets her own book to herself and its high time she did! As a fan of all things written by Ms. Singleton, The Seer series is no exception. Thorn aka Beth Ann is the ultimate Goth Chick but there’s more to her than appearances! This girl has mad skillz as a finder!
Thorn isn’t your ordinary Goth girl that you read about in some books, you know the type: angsty, defiant, smokes, drinks, tattoo’s a-go-go… Thorn is actually a reverends daughter who really loves her family, does well at school but wants to express herself through her choice of clothing, make-up, etc… She’s a character that quickly endeared herself to me. She’s spunky and completely aware of herself; I admire this as I’m sure many others will, too! In addition, Thorn is a Finder, meaning she ‘finds’ things that are lost.
In Buried: A Goth Girl Mystery, Thorn faces a mystery all while she and BFF Rune are trying to dodge friend Amelia whose persistence in trying to get them to join the Talent Show rivals that of a dog with a meaty bone. Whilst dodging Amelia, Thorn finds a locket with black hair in it and thus the mystery starts! Dead baby bones, ‘The Grin Reaper’, the Sheriffs suspicious looks and questions, threats to her family, the dreaded talent show-which may or may not play a big part in this story but that’s all I’ll say bout’ that! Let’s just say that poor Thorn gets a bit more then she bargained for upon finding that locket but that locket could just be the key---then again, maybe not! I suppose you’ll just have to read this paranormal thriller/mystery to find out all the gory details!
As always, I am never disappointed in anything that Ms. Singleton pens! Her characters are richly described and I always enjoy the sense of humor she manages to fit in. The school setting is all to realistic but of course we have to make time for Thorn to go on some chilling escapades. Ms. Singleton has a wonderful knack of keeping me (and I would guess any reader!) glued to the pages she writes, she’s just that good at delivering an amazing storyline Captivating the reader with thrills and chills, an uncanny skill at keeping the plot going at just the right pace and a completely satisfying ending to boot!
THE FAERY SAYS BURIED: A GOTH GIRL MYSTERY BY LINDA JOY SINGLETON MADE MY WINGS FLUTTER WITH HAPPINESS!
Buried: A Goth Girl Mystery by Linda Joy Singleton was a great addition to The Seer series, Thorn gets her own book to herself and its high time she did! As a fan of all things written by Ms. Singleton, The Seer series is no exception. Thorn aka Beth Ann is the ultimate Goth Chick but there’s more to her than appearances! This girl has mad skillz as a finder!
Thorn isn’t your ordinary Goth girl that you read about in some books, you know the type: angsty, defiant, smokes, drinks, tattoo’s a-go-go… Thorn is actually a reverends daughter who really loves her family, does well at school but wants to express herself through her choice of clothing, make-up, etc… She’s a character that quickly endeared herself to me. She’s spunky and completely aware of herself; I admire this as I’m sure many others will, too! In addition, Thorn is a Finder, meaning she ‘finds’ things that are lost.
In Buried: A Goth Girl Mystery, Thorn faces a mystery all while she and BFF Rune are trying to dodge friend Amelia whose persistence in trying to get them to join the Talent Show rivals that of a dog with a meaty bone. Whilst dodging Amelia, Thorn finds a locket with black hair in it and thus the mystery starts! Dead baby bones, ‘The Grin Reaper’, the Sheriffs suspicious looks and questions, threats to her family, the dreaded talent show-which may or may not play a big part in this story but that’s all I’ll say bout’ that! Let’s just say that poor Thorn gets a bit more then she bargained for upon finding that locket but that locket could just be the key---then again, maybe not! I suppose you’ll just have to read this paranormal thriller/mystery to find out all the gory details!
As always, I am never disappointed in anything that Ms. Singleton pens! Her characters are richly described and I always enjoy the sense of humor she manages to fit in. The school setting is all to realistic but of course we have to make time for Thorn to go on some chilling escapades. Ms. Singleton has a wonderful knack of keeping me (and I would guess any reader!) glued to the pages she writes, she’s just that good at delivering an amazing storyline Captivating the reader with thrills and chills, an uncanny skill at keeping the plot going at just the right pace and a completely satisfying ending to boot!
THE FAERY SAYS BURIED: A GOTH GIRL MYSTERY BY LINDA JOY SINGLETON MADE MY WINGS FLUTTER WITH HAPPINESS!
March 25, 2012
Thorn is having a little trouble adjusting to her new school in Nevada. As the goth daughter of the town's woman preacher, people give her strange looks and make a lot of assumptions about her. What none of them know is that Thorn has a psychic ability that helps her find things. When she finds a locket left on the stage after her school's talent show tryouts, it introduces a mystery to her, perhaps involving murder. Thorn feels compelled to find out what the locket means and who lost it, all while attempting to find her place within school and her family.
I'm not remotely goth, although I am into creepy things and Halloween. We had plenty of goth kids at my high school, and I never really interacted with them. After reading Buried, maybe I should have tried. Thorn and her friends shun all that is mainstream and love to paint themselves with Halloween makeup and wear Hot Topic-type clothing, but Thorn still has trouble because of how everybody else views her. She wants the ability to be herself, and to dress how she wants, but that same style colors the perception of those around her. Good things we have this story, told in first-person perspective, to draw us into Thorn's life and outlook.
There are a few red herrings thrown into the mystery, but I felt it was pretty obvious from the beginning who is involved; the test was to see how exactly. There were two major subplots that fleshed out the book nicely. The first was the tension with Thorn's parents, especially her dad. He can't understand why she chooses to dress the way she does, and says hurtful things because of it. The second subplot was somebody called the Grin Reaper. This mystery person doles out payback to the bullies at school, all while leaving a calling card of a smiley face.
While Buried didn't blow my mind, I really enjoyed spending time with it. I'd be happy to continue reading the series as it progresses to see what new mysteries Thorn will solve.
I'm not remotely goth, although I am into creepy things and Halloween. We had plenty of goth kids at my high school, and I never really interacted with them. After reading Buried, maybe I should have tried. Thorn and her friends shun all that is mainstream and love to paint themselves with Halloween makeup and wear Hot Topic-type clothing, but Thorn still has trouble because of how everybody else views her. She wants the ability to be herself, and to dress how she wants, but that same style colors the perception of those around her. Good things we have this story, told in first-person perspective, to draw us into Thorn's life and outlook.
There are a few red herrings thrown into the mystery, but I felt it was pretty obvious from the beginning who is involved; the test was to see how exactly. There were two major subplots that fleshed out the book nicely. The first was the tension with Thorn's parents, especially her dad. He can't understand why she chooses to dress the way she does, and says hurtful things because of it. The second subplot was somebody called the Grin Reaper. This mystery person doles out payback to the bullies at school, all while leaving a calling card of a smiley face.
While Buried didn't blow my mind, I really enjoyed spending time with it. I'd be happy to continue reading the series as it progresses to see what new mysteries Thorn will solve.
February 12, 2012
Thorn is a finder. She has a special ability where she gets visions when she touches an object and she can match the lost object with it's owner. She's basically a human lost and found. One day she comes across a heart-shaped locket hung on a shoelace, and the whole story is based upon this locket.
Although Thorn may not be my favorite character, mostly because she seemed idiotic at times with her notions of revenge on the Grin Reaper, Buried was a good mystery. Although at first it seemed like there were too many things going on at the same time and the plot was all over the place - the singing competition, Philippe, Grin Reaper, the locket and the letter - it all made sense and the story picked up a steady pace half way through the book.
Initially, I couldn't quite relate to Thorn, her thoughts got on my nerves and I didn't get the whole name thing (Thorn's real name is Beth by the way) but she got better. The surrounding characters - K.C., Rune, Grin Reaper and Amelie - were all likable except her dad, he was just frustrating. I didn't really see the whole goth element though. If not for how Thorn described herself or mentioned what others said about her, you wouldn't know that she was supposed to be 'goth'. She was a normal girl with family/friend and her own issues. Frankly, it wouldn't have made a difference whether she was Goth or not to me. And Amelie's fairy thing was cute but if we're speaking realistically, it's also a little weird.
Overall, Buried is a quick, unique and interesting read. While it's not a book I'd stay up nights reading, it's the kind I'd pick up when I'm looking for something to keep me absorbed for a few hours. It didn't bore me. I didn't know that this was a spin-off series but I wouldn't mind checking out Don't Die, Dragonfly , book one of The Seer series by Singleton.
Although Thorn may not be my favorite character, mostly because she seemed idiotic at times with her notions of revenge on the Grin Reaper, Buried was a good mystery. Although at first it seemed like there were too many things going on at the same time and the plot was all over the place - the singing competition, Philippe, Grin Reaper, the locket and the letter - it all made sense and the story picked up a steady pace half way through the book.
Initially, I couldn't quite relate to Thorn, her thoughts got on my nerves and I didn't get the whole name thing (Thorn's real name is Beth by the way) but she got better. The surrounding characters - K.C., Rune, Grin Reaper and Amelie - were all likable except her dad, he was just frustrating. I didn't really see the whole goth element though. If not for how Thorn described herself or mentioned what others said about her, you wouldn't know that she was supposed to be 'goth'. She was a normal girl with family/friend and her own issues. Frankly, it wouldn't have made a difference whether she was Goth or not to me. And Amelie's fairy thing was cute but if we're speaking realistically, it's also a little weird.
Overall, Buried is a quick, unique and interesting read. While it's not a book I'd stay up nights reading, it's the kind I'd pick up when I'm looking for something to keep me absorbed for a few hours. It didn't bore me. I didn't know that this was a spin-off series but I wouldn't mind checking out Don't Die, Dragonfly , book one of The Seer series by Singleton.
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