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Greene and Kennicott #7
What We Buried
A Toronto homicide detective is attacked at his doorstep when his investigation into possible links between the Nazi occupation of Italy and the murder of his brother decades later gets too close to the truth—in the new crime thriller from bestselling author Robert Rotenberg. Perfect for fans of Scott Turow and David Baldacci.
It’s been years since Daniel Kennicott’s brother, Michael, was shot and killed the night before he was about to depart for Gubbio, Italy. The case, never solved, has haunted Daniel ever since. Long suspecting the killing was tied to Michael’s planned trip but overwhelmed with grief, Daniel has put off going there—until now, the tenth anniversary of the murder.
As he’s about to leave, Daniel learns that his two mentors, detectives Ari Greene and Nora Bering, have been more involved in the investigation of Michael’s murder than he ever knew. And they’re concerned about Daniel’s safety. But why? Is Daniel risking his life—and those of others—by trying to uncover the truth?
When Daniel arrives in the bucolic Italian hill town, he learns the past has not been put to rest. Residents are still haunted by the brutal Nazi occupation, the brave acts of the local freedom fighters, and the swift savagery of German retribution.
And as Daniel delves into his family’s deadly connection to Gubbio, Ari Greene searches for a killer closer to home.
Inspired by the true story of the Forty Martyrs in Gubbio, Italy, during World War II, What We Buried is an extraordinary crime novel about troubled legacies, revenge, and the unbreakable bonds of family.
It’s been years since Daniel Kennicott’s brother, Michael, was shot and killed the night before he was about to depart for Gubbio, Italy. The case, never solved, has haunted Daniel ever since. Long suspecting the killing was tied to Michael’s planned trip but overwhelmed with grief, Daniel has put off going there—until now, the tenth anniversary of the murder.
As he’s about to leave, Daniel learns that his two mentors, detectives Ari Greene and Nora Bering, have been more involved in the investigation of Michael’s murder than he ever knew. And they’re concerned about Daniel’s safety. But why? Is Daniel risking his life—and those of others—by trying to uncover the truth?
When Daniel arrives in the bucolic Italian hill town, he learns the past has not been put to rest. Residents are still haunted by the brutal Nazi occupation, the brave acts of the local freedom fighters, and the swift savagery of German retribution.
And as Daniel delves into his family’s deadly connection to Gubbio, Ari Greene searches for a killer closer to home.
Inspired by the true story of the Forty Martyrs in Gubbio, Italy, during World War II, What We Buried is an extraordinary crime novel about troubled legacies, revenge, and the unbreakable bonds of family.
320 pages, Paperback
First published February 27, 2024
57 people are currently reading
1599 people want to read
About the author
Robert Rotenberg
23 books207 followersAfter graduating from law school in Toronto, Robert Rotenberg became the managing editor of Passion, the English-speaking magazine of Paris. He then returned to Canada to publish and edit his own magazine, T.O. The Magazine of Toronto. In 1991, he opened his own law practice and is today one of Toronto’s top criminal lawyers, defending, as he likes to say “everything from murder to shoplifting.” Rotenberg lives in Toronto and has three children.
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March 24, 2024
Nearly ten years ago, Toronto homicide detective Daniel Kennicott’s brother was shot and killed. The case was never solved—and the lack of answers has plagued Daniel ever since. Occurring just before he was set to travel to the small medieval town of Gubbio, Italy, Daniel has always suspected it had something to do with Michael’s death. But not wanting to face the truth, Daniel has refused to follow in his brother’s footsteps in the hopes of uncovering any clues. After all, he might not like what he finds.
Just like every year, Daniel is set to to meet with his police force mentor, Detective Ari Greene, about Michael’s case. Little does he know, however, that this year is going to be different. At their scheduled appointment, Greene brings with him Daniel’s first partner, Nora Bering, who has risen the ranks to the chief of police. Without his knowledge, they’ve both been investigating Michael’s death as well as the car accident that killed Daniel’s parents twelve years ago. And they’ve learned something new.
Bringing him up to date, Greene and Bering suggest Daniel take that long put off trip to the hillside Umbrian town. But they warn him that he must be careful as he sees the idyllic sights. Why? What is there to learn that he doesn’t already know? Just the same, he packs his bags and takes off for Italy, where he quickly sees that the stunning vistas disguise a horrifying past. One that brings up Nazis and the resistance as well as plenty of unforgotten wartime crimes. Does this history have something to do with Daniel and the losses he’s had? And if so, does it mean danger for his own life as well?
Right up until the end the very last page, What We Buried was the epitome of perfection. A genre crossing blend of historical fiction, thriller, and just a dash of police procedural, the slow burn first half quickly exploded into a flurry of action. Even better, it was thick with ever ratcheting suspense and deep foreboding. Trust me when I say, I simply raced through the pages, yearning to find out what happened to each of the characters.
The plot itself leaned heavily on its historical fiction elements. Telling the heartbreaking story of a very real event during World War II, it was overlaid with the dynamics of Nazis, Jews, the Holocaust, and other wartime atrocities. Poignant and gut-wrenching, it brought this Jewish descendent to tears. At the same time, there was no lack of action, especially once the second half stepped up the thrills and the chills, with a car chase, an abduction, and even a shooting.
Then there were the characters who brought the plot to life. Told from multiple POVs and two continents, they were refreshingly layered and complex. With intriguing peeks into both of the main characters backgrounds, I was stunned by their genuine natures and realistic reactions. Even better, however, the rest of the cast had diverse perspectives that transcended typical police type stereotypes, as rest joined forces into the best kind of crime fighting team.
Now for the bad news, however, I was fully engaged and utterly spellbound to the pages until I realized that they were dwindling down without any resolutions in sight. Sadly for me, an ardent lover of all things tied up with a neat, little bow, this book was shockingly missing just that. While we know the who’s, the what’s, and the why’s, it was missing the payout of justice. Hopefully this will come in a future book, but, IYKYK, I don’t love waiting—not even a little.
All in all, I still loved this stellar trip into the past. Composed of short chapters and alternating perspectives, it kept me on the edge of my seat. Yet it was the cross-generational horrors and unresolved history that drew me in deep. Just the same, not having realized that this is book seven in a series, I’m now eager to get to know the two main characters better by diving into Rotenberg’s backlist ASAP. So be sure to look up his crime fiction books as well as giving this one a try. After all, I’m so very glad that I did. Rating of 4 stars (downgraded from 4.5 stars thanks to the lack of a conclusion).
Thank you to Robert Rotenberg and Simon & Schuster for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 27, 2024
Trigger list: death of parents and sibling, the Holocaust, a shooting, mention of: fatal car accident, war atrocities
Just like every year, Daniel is set to to meet with his police force mentor, Detective Ari Greene, about Michael’s case. Little does he know, however, that this year is going to be different. At their scheduled appointment, Greene brings with him Daniel’s first partner, Nora Bering, who has risen the ranks to the chief of police. Without his knowledge, they’ve both been investigating Michael’s death as well as the car accident that killed Daniel’s parents twelve years ago. And they’ve learned something new.
Bringing him up to date, Greene and Bering suggest Daniel take that long put off trip to the hillside Umbrian town. But they warn him that he must be careful as he sees the idyllic sights. Why? What is there to learn that he doesn’t already know? Just the same, he packs his bags and takes off for Italy, where he quickly sees that the stunning vistas disguise a horrifying past. One that brings up Nazis and the resistance as well as plenty of unforgotten wartime crimes. Does this history have something to do with Daniel and the losses he’s had? And if so, does it mean danger for his own life as well?
Right up until the end the very last page, What We Buried was the epitome of perfection. A genre crossing blend of historical fiction, thriller, and just a dash of police procedural, the slow burn first half quickly exploded into a flurry of action. Even better, it was thick with ever ratcheting suspense and deep foreboding. Trust me when I say, I simply raced through the pages, yearning to find out what happened to each of the characters.
The plot itself leaned heavily on its historical fiction elements. Telling the heartbreaking story of a very real event during World War II, it was overlaid with the dynamics of Nazis, Jews, the Holocaust, and other wartime atrocities. Poignant and gut-wrenching, it brought this Jewish descendent to tears. At the same time, there was no lack of action, especially once the second half stepped up the thrills and the chills, with a car chase, an abduction, and even a shooting.
Then there were the characters who brought the plot to life. Told from multiple POVs and two continents, they were refreshingly layered and complex. With intriguing peeks into both of the main characters backgrounds, I was stunned by their genuine natures and realistic reactions. Even better, however, the rest of the cast had diverse perspectives that transcended typical police type stereotypes, as rest joined forces into the best kind of crime fighting team.
Now for the bad news, however, I was fully engaged and utterly spellbound to the pages until I realized that they were dwindling down without any resolutions in sight. Sadly for me, an ardent lover of all things tied up with a neat, little bow, this book was shockingly missing just that. While we know the who’s, the what’s, and the why’s, it was missing the payout of justice. Hopefully this will come in a future book, but, IYKYK, I don’t love waiting—not even a little.
All in all, I still loved this stellar trip into the past. Composed of short chapters and alternating perspectives, it kept me on the edge of my seat. Yet it was the cross-generational horrors and unresolved history that drew me in deep. Just the same, not having realized that this is book seven in a series, I’m now eager to get to know the two main characters better by diving into Rotenberg’s backlist ASAP. So be sure to look up his crime fiction books as well as giving this one a try. After all, I’m so very glad that I did. Rating of 4 stars (downgraded from 4.5 stars thanks to the lack of a conclusion).
Thank you to Robert Rotenberg and Simon & Schuster for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: February 27, 2024
Trigger list: death of parents and sibling, the Holocaust, a shooting, mention of: fatal car accident, war atrocities
January 6, 2024
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Robert Rotenberg, and Simon & Schuster Canada for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Robert Rosenberg returns after a few year hiatus with another story set in the heart of Toronto. This piece actually branches outside of Canada’s busiest city, sharing its setting with a small community in Italy, where a strong second plot delves into the factual story of a small group of men who warded off the Nazis during the Second World War. Rosenberg expressed that he brought a great deal of research into the piece, which shows as the story has a heartier feel to it and keeps the reader in the middle of the action. With strong themes and a great cast of characters, Robert Rotenberg shows why he is a master of his trade once more.
Daniel Kennicott is an established detective with the Toronto Police Department, but has always had a cloud over his head. His brother, Michael, was murdered days before a trip to the small Italian community in Gubbio, for reasons unknown. While Kennicott has always held onto the grief, not once has he had the mental stability to take the trip to Italy. Michael’s murder remains unsolved, which is another pain for Daniel, who begs for answers.
Ready to face the demons, Daniel decides to take the trip to Europe for answers of his own. He discovers that two of his colleagues and mentors, Ari Greene and Nora Bering, have never stopped looking for Michael’s murderer, working through theories to uncover new evidence. They say it is because they worry for Daniel’s safety and peace of mind, though there are always other reasons. Two mysteries on opposite sides of the world fuel a great dive into investigative activities.
When Daniel arrives in Italy, he discovers a secret his family has kept for many years, buried in the hills of Gubbio. As Daniel explores the Nazi occupation and treatment of the locals, he learns that there are secrets that could ruin him if they got out to the wrong person. While Daniel pieces all this together, Ari Greene remains in Toronto, running his own investigation and re-opening the vehicular homicide case that took the lives of the Kennicott parents a few years before Michael was killed. What Greene discovers may open new pathways and provide answers where none were sought. When it all comes together, the truth may be more troubling than anyone thought. Rosenberg does well with this piece, juggling two strong cases in this great thriller.
The novels of Robert Rotenberg always keep me hooked until the final pages. While I am used to his legal and local crime-based thrillers, this foray into a partial historical account of events was refreshing and kept me on my toes. I found myself pleased with Rotenberg’s presentation and quite impressed with the final result. A strong narrative flow and well-developed characters offset the turn towards history as one mystery heats up on each side of the Atlantic. While not Rotenberg’s best, it does highlight strong themes and kept the pace going with short chapters that keep the reader wondering.
There were strong plot points throughout the piece, delving into two active murders—Michael’s and the elder Kennicotts—while Daniel sought answers about why his brother might need to go to Italy. Rotenberg juggled them all fairly well, though there was some flopping back and forth, all of which keeps the reader on edge and wondering what’s happening. The twists that emerge are useful to push things along, though I might have liked things portioned off in sections to deal with each of the Italian exploration and Toronto crime investigations. Rotenberg has been on my radar since I read his first book years ago and I have been a keen fan since. I continue to want to read more about these strong characters set in Canada. Nothing like reading about a Timmy’s double-double on the way to the crime scene, eh?
Kudos, Mr. Rotenberg, for your great work with yet another thriller.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Robert Rosenberg returns after a few year hiatus with another story set in the heart of Toronto. This piece actually branches outside of Canada’s busiest city, sharing its setting with a small community in Italy, where a strong second plot delves into the factual story of a small group of men who warded off the Nazis during the Second World War. Rosenberg expressed that he brought a great deal of research into the piece, which shows as the story has a heartier feel to it and keeps the reader in the middle of the action. With strong themes and a great cast of characters, Robert Rotenberg shows why he is a master of his trade once more.
Daniel Kennicott is an established detective with the Toronto Police Department, but has always had a cloud over his head. His brother, Michael, was murdered days before a trip to the small Italian community in Gubbio, for reasons unknown. While Kennicott has always held onto the grief, not once has he had the mental stability to take the trip to Italy. Michael’s murder remains unsolved, which is another pain for Daniel, who begs for answers.
Ready to face the demons, Daniel decides to take the trip to Europe for answers of his own. He discovers that two of his colleagues and mentors, Ari Greene and Nora Bering, have never stopped looking for Michael’s murderer, working through theories to uncover new evidence. They say it is because they worry for Daniel’s safety and peace of mind, though there are always other reasons. Two mysteries on opposite sides of the world fuel a great dive into investigative activities.
When Daniel arrives in Italy, he discovers a secret his family has kept for many years, buried in the hills of Gubbio. As Daniel explores the Nazi occupation and treatment of the locals, he learns that there are secrets that could ruin him if they got out to the wrong person. While Daniel pieces all this together, Ari Greene remains in Toronto, running his own investigation and re-opening the vehicular homicide case that took the lives of the Kennicott parents a few years before Michael was killed. What Greene discovers may open new pathways and provide answers where none were sought. When it all comes together, the truth may be more troubling than anyone thought. Rosenberg does well with this piece, juggling two strong cases in this great thriller.
The novels of Robert Rotenberg always keep me hooked until the final pages. While I am used to his legal and local crime-based thrillers, this foray into a partial historical account of events was refreshing and kept me on my toes. I found myself pleased with Rotenberg’s presentation and quite impressed with the final result. A strong narrative flow and well-developed characters offset the turn towards history as one mystery heats up on each side of the Atlantic. While not Rotenberg’s best, it does highlight strong themes and kept the pace going with short chapters that keep the reader wondering.
There were strong plot points throughout the piece, delving into two active murders—Michael’s and the elder Kennicotts—while Daniel sought answers about why his brother might need to go to Italy. Rotenberg juggled them all fairly well, though there was some flopping back and forth, all of which keeps the reader on edge and wondering what’s happening. The twists that emerge are useful to push things along, though I might have liked things portioned off in sections to deal with each of the Italian exploration and Toronto crime investigations. Rotenberg has been on my radar since I read his first book years ago and I have been a keen fan since. I continue to want to read more about these strong characters set in Canada. Nothing like reading about a Timmy’s double-double on the way to the crime scene, eh?
Kudos, Mr. Rotenberg, for your great work with yet another thriller.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
February 13, 2024
Wow! It's been a while since a book captivated me like Robert Rotenberg's upcoming book, What We Buried.
Part historical fiction, part mystery, part police procedural, this is a fast-paced, short chaptered and unputdownable book that has multiple timelines and settings in small-town Italy and here in Canada featuring recognizable Toronto neighbourhoods and beautiful Ontario cottage country.
This is a fantastic combination of well-researched history and suspense that benefits from an interesting and diverse cast of characters. Told using multiple POVs, a sinister plot unfolds as Toronto police detectives unearth how events that happened decades before in a small Italian town impact what was initially thought to be a simple yet tragic current day vehicular accident.
Layered and complex without being fussy or hard to follow, What We Buried is strong in its characterizations, intriguing plot and suspenseful storytelling, giving readers one helluva ride that will have them reading 'just one more chapter'.
I look forward to reading Rotenberg's backlist featuring Ari Greene, starting with Old City Hall.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada for the complimentary copy of this book that I received from the publisher at the Ontario Library Conference in Toronto.
February 21, 2024
Compelling, suspenseful, and fast-paced!
What We Buried is an intense, ominous tale that takes us into the life of Toronto detective Daniel Kennicott who, on the tenth anniversary of his brother’s murder, heads to Gubbio, Italy, to finally discover what his brother was working on before his death and uncover all the deep dark family secrets leading back to WWII that may have led to it.
The prose is meticulous and tight. The characters are persistent, troubled, and resourceful. And the plot, told from multiple perspectives, is an insightful, menacing tale about life, loss, tragedy, danger, desperation, secrets, survival, manipulation, betrayal, deception, deduction, violence, and wartime brutalities.
Overall, What We Buried is an absorbing, mysterious, well-written tale by Rotennberg inspired by real-life events that does a wonderful job of interweaving historical facts and compelling fiction into an insightful, sinister tale that is intriguing and highly entertaining.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
What We Buried is an intense, ominous tale that takes us into the life of Toronto detective Daniel Kennicott who, on the tenth anniversary of his brother’s murder, heads to Gubbio, Italy, to finally discover what his brother was working on before his death and uncover all the deep dark family secrets leading back to WWII that may have led to it.
The prose is meticulous and tight. The characters are persistent, troubled, and resourceful. And the plot, told from multiple perspectives, is an insightful, menacing tale about life, loss, tragedy, danger, desperation, secrets, survival, manipulation, betrayal, deception, deduction, violence, and wartime brutalities.
Overall, What We Buried is an absorbing, mysterious, well-written tale by Rotennberg inspired by real-life events that does a wonderful job of interweaving historical facts and compelling fiction into an insightful, sinister tale that is intriguing and highly entertaining.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 11, 2024
I’m always so pleased to discover a fantastic and new (to me) Canadian author, and particularly one in the legal/mystery space.
This intricate and haunting story, involves two contemporary murders, based in Toronto, Canada, as well as war-time atrocities and the wounds left behind on a global and historical scale. As decades are untangled and horrors revealed, the story crosses time periods and locations, reaching deep into Italy, Great Britain and a western Canada (both past and present), and the expanse of associated families forever devastated by their losses.
“We all have burdens. It’s how we carry them that makes the difference”.
On the ten year anniversary of the murder of his brother, Michael, Toronto Homicide Detective Daniel Kennicott finds himself revisiting the crime, along with the “accidental” traffic accident, two years earlier, that claimed the lives of both his parents. Looking for a new angle, Kennicott is aided by Detective Ari Greene, who, still disquieted by these, the only unsolved crimes in his portfolio, has introduced two new detectives to the cases - the bright and eager recruit Detective Abdul Darvesh and the recently promoted Detective Sadie Sheppard.
As each of the four detectives weighs in with their discoveries in their individual third-person POV voices, a dark and brutal tale unfolds, made all the more heartbreaking by its harrowing true-to-life historical detail.
With great skill, the author manages the seamless interweaving of Kennicott’s cross-generational story; the modern day crimes; WW2 and its horrific legacy; as well as the readers’ gradual exposure to the intersectional history of Greene’s own family - Holocaust survivors with their own terrible secrets and scars.
I loved this book, - its multi-layered complexity, thoughtfulness, characterization, and most of all, its unshrinking take on pure evil, once released on a mind-numbing scale, yet still in our midst, - an indelible reach far beyond the grave.
“We have buried the bodies, but not the memories“.
With a twisty ending that left this reader both satisfied and wanting more, this story is Book #7 in an ongoing series involving Detectives Kennicott and Greene. What a joy to realize there is more to enjoy of this terrific author (who is also a practicing Toronto criminal lawyer), and these beautifully drawn characters.
A great big thank you to the publisher, and the author for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.
** This book will be published on Feb 27, 2024
*** four and a half stars
June 16, 2024
3.5 rounded up
January 14, 2025
The premise of the story drew me to this book, found in my neighbourhood mini-library: WWII, and a war crime that still affects families today.
Unknown to me, the author had written books featuring characters with their backstories and relationships, causing me to feel somewhat left out of this narrative, like I should have known them already.
Some of the story, I found to hold too many coincidences and lucky breaks. But that said, I wanted to read it through to find out how it all turned out.
Some touching moments, especially between the grandfather and his granddaughter.
Unknown to me, the author had written books featuring characters with their backstories and relationships, causing me to feel somewhat left out of this narrative, like I should have known them already.
Some of the story, I found to hold too many coincidences and lucky breaks. But that said, I wanted to read it through to find out how it all turned out.
Some touching moments, especially between the grandfather and his granddaughter.
December 15, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review "What We Buried" by Robert Rotenberg.
I have been following the adventures/exploits/cases of Daniel Kennicott and Ari Greene since the first book in this series, "Old City Hall".
All I can say about this one is "wow"! I thought I knew what I was getting into when I started the book, but it was so, so much more.
What We Buried starts off with a murderous attack on Daniel Kennicott on his way home after returning from a trip to Italy, and then backs up to the preceding events that have led us to this point.
The death of Detective Kennicott's parents in a car crash years ago, and the murder of his brother Michael outside a cafe in Yorkville (yes, the series is set in my adopted hometown of Toronto, Ontario Canada) have never really been answered to Daniel's (and Ari's) satisfaction.
The cold cases are investigated on two fronts: Ari Greene, along with two new detectives - Sheppard and Darvesh - is investigating in the small town where the Kennicott's crash took their lives, having never been entirely certain that what occurred was, indeed, an accident. And they begin to uncover new evidence, which puts a whole new - and frankly terrifying - light on the event leading up to the crash and the crash itself.
In the meantime, Daniel Kennicott takes up his brother's quest and heads off to Gubbio, Italy (a place that his parents had also been to prior to their deaths) where he's given a history lesson about the Nazi occupation of Italy and the town's Forty Martyrs. A lesson that has reverberated right down through the years and may be a the heart of what occurs back in Toronto.
I was so not prepared for the emotional toll this one took - between the horrendous, true, historical events in Gubbio, Italy and the subsequent events back in Ontario - and I found myself teary eyed on more than one occasion.
Highly recommended. If you're a fan of David Baldacci, Scott Turow or any other legal/police thriller writers, Robert Rotenberg should be on your must-read list. Works just fine as a standalone, but the entire series is worth the read.
I have been following the adventures/exploits/cases of Daniel Kennicott and Ari Greene since the first book in this series, "Old City Hall".
All I can say about this one is "wow"! I thought I knew what I was getting into when I started the book, but it was so, so much more.
What We Buried starts off with a murderous attack on Daniel Kennicott on his way home after returning from a trip to Italy, and then backs up to the preceding events that have led us to this point.
The death of Detective Kennicott's parents in a car crash years ago, and the murder of his brother Michael outside a cafe in Yorkville (yes, the series is set in my adopted hometown of Toronto, Ontario Canada) have never really been answered to Daniel's (and Ari's) satisfaction.
The cold cases are investigated on two fronts: Ari Greene, along with two new detectives - Sheppard and Darvesh - is investigating in the small town where the Kennicott's crash took their lives, having never been entirely certain that what occurred was, indeed, an accident. And they begin to uncover new evidence, which puts a whole new - and frankly terrifying - light on the event leading up to the crash and the crash itself.
In the meantime, Daniel Kennicott takes up his brother's quest and heads off to Gubbio, Italy (a place that his parents had also been to prior to their deaths) where he's given a history lesson about the Nazi occupation of Italy and the town's Forty Martyrs. A lesson that has reverberated right down through the years and may be a the heart of what occurs back in Toronto.
I was so not prepared for the emotional toll this one took - between the horrendous, true, historical events in Gubbio, Italy and the subsequent events back in Ontario - and I found myself teary eyed on more than one occasion.
Highly recommended. If you're a fan of David Baldacci, Scott Turow or any other legal/police thriller writers, Robert Rotenberg should be on your must-read list. Works just fine as a standalone, but the entire series is worth the read.
May 7, 2024
A book with a great premise, but I had the hardest time getting into the story or connecting with the main character Daniel Kennicott.
I felt that the moving back and forth between Daniel being in Gubbio, Italy and detective Greene in Canada seemed to slow down the pace of the novel for me and I sludged through it.
I did like the background story of the I Quaranta (the Forty Martyrs) from WWII as I had never heard of this true piece of history before and how it was woven into the reason for Daniel’s family being murdered.
If you like a murder mystery with lots of depth and delves into a historical past, you would probably enjoy this book. The writing style is superb and has depth, I just think I may have not been in the right headspace for this one.
3⭐️⭐️⭐️stars
I felt that the moving back and forth between Daniel being in Gubbio, Italy and detective Greene in Canada seemed to slow down the pace of the novel for me and I sludged through it.
I did like the background story of the I Quaranta (the Forty Martyrs) from WWII as I had never heard of this true piece of history before and how it was woven into the reason for Daniel’s family being murdered.
If you like a murder mystery with lots of depth and delves into a historical past, you would probably enjoy this book. The writing style is superb and has depth, I just think I may have not been in the right headspace for this one.
3⭐️⭐️⭐️stars
December 29, 2023
I have read this series since the beginning. I love the characters and their adventures. This story is quite different from the others. The cold case deaths of Kennicott's parents and brother are revisited. We are taken back to Italy at end of WWII. Based on historical facts we learn about Kennicott's grandparents and the roles they played during WWII. Does this tie into the cold cases? Ari, Daniel and the crew along with a few new characters are working hard to solve them, can they do it before more people die? A fantastic read. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book!
April 26, 2024
I was compelled to check out What We Buried by Canadian author Robert Rotenberg after reading the blurb that mentioned how the author was inspired by the true story of the Forty Martyrs in Gubbio, Italy, during World War II.
For author bio and content warnings visit the blog post for this book: https://smittenforfiction.ca/2024/04/...
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For author bio and content warnings visit the blog post for this book: https://smittenforfiction.ca/2024/04/...
› At first glance I didn't think the cover for What We Buried was special, but the more I looked the more I realized its significance. This story is about secrets, and we can see that by the letters of the title that are partially covered by leaves. The door makes me curious to know what's on the other side. What happens if I knock? What happens if I open the door? Who is on the other side?
› This novel isn't your typical crime story. Rotenberg's What We Buried is a thrilling and suspenseful detective mystery with historical facts naturally woven throughout. I've never read anything by Rotenberg before. He is Jewish and in interviews, he says writing about the Holocaust is something that he's always felt was important. He learned of The Forty Martyrs while visiting Gubbio twenty-four years ago and knew he had to share their story somehow. He said this was the hardest of the seven books to write because he wanted to get it right.
› Rotenberg dedicates What We Buried to those who shared their stories with him. Holocaust survivors, and their families, WWII veterans, morse code experts and spies, and citizens in the town of Gubbio.
› "The locals will tell you that the stones that built this Italian hill town come from the ruins of the Roman amphitheatre down in the valley below. But the stones, upon which so many unknowing tourists now tread, what can they tell us?"
› What We Buried takes place in Italy and Canada and is told from the perspective of Kennicott, Greene, Alison, Darvesh, Sheppard and Opal. Daniel Kennicott is entering his seventh year as a homicide detective in Toronto. His parents were killed in a car crash twelve years ago. His brother was murdered almost ten years ago. He's been struggling with grief and now with the tenth anniversary approaching he's determined to find who killed his brother. He's convinced that the car crash was suspicious and is somehow linked to his brother's death. Daniel meets with the detective in charge of the cold case, Ari Greene. Ari tells Daniel they may have a lead on Arthur Rake, the drunk driver who was charged. He's out of jail and has disappeared. Alison Greene is Ari's daughter. She's become close with her grandfather Yitzhak who tells her things he's never told anyone - not even his own son. While Ari teams up with Detective Sadie Sheppard, Detective Abdul Darvesh, and Detective Pamela Opal to search for Arthur and investigate the car crash, Daniel travels to Italy to investigate his brother's murder, and Alison learns secrets that have been long buried.
› In Italy, Daniel learns about the Forty Martyrs. This is based on a true story. Hitler made a rule that if a German soldier was killed then twenty civilians would be executed. On June 22, 1944, a German officer was killed and a soldier was injured. The Nazis went door to door, taking people at random. Forty people from 17 to 61 years old were killed. The Forty Martyrs are named at the end of the book.
› I was surprised to learn about Canada's participation with German prisoners of war after WWII. I'm Canadian. I have a BA with a minor in History - you'd think I would have learned about this! I had no idea that 34,000 German prisoners of war lived in Canada.
› I enjoyed the comedic relief from Detective Opal. She had me laughing out loud. However, I wanted more character development and description. The short chapters make this a page-turner. The plot moves at a good pace and there are some twists I didn't see coming. Some scenes involving the car crash investigation were corny because Ari gave the other detectives credit for noticing obvious things. There were moments when I felt that I wasn't being treated like an intelligent reader. I would have preferred to have the story told from fewer perspectives. I enjoyed the conflict and suspense, particularly the car chase seen in the woods. The story is complex but easy to follow.
› I laughed. I cried. The pages turned.
› In the past I have given a rating out of ten and converted that to a star rating, but I'm no longer giving a star rating here on my blog. I will continue to do that on Goodreads and The Story Graph.
› Final Thoughts
• What We Buried is a mysterious, dark, informative, and thrilling novel about secrets, revenge, family, friends, resilience, courage and truth. It's about the impact of war and trauma that affects generations. It's a tense story with an important message, however, it's also surprisingly funny in parts. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more from Rotenberg.
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May 18, 2024
I think this was his best one yet, and that’s saying a lot! Riveting.
March 19, 2025
Ughhh...another letdown of a book where the back story is really interesting and needs to be told (martyrs of Gubbio) and yet the writing is SO bad!! First of all, WAY too many similes. For example, here's two in one sentence! "Clutching her drink like a child holding on to her security blanket, she plunged in like a reluctant swimmer in the spring when the lake is still cold". And Opal's character comes off as a disgusting, fat pig with all the descriptions of her "wolfing down" food. Also with Opal the constant, super cheesy lines!! "You look as if you just saw Casper the Friendly Ghost's Uncle" "Giddy up Nellie!" "Well, hot rod" 🙄it just goes on and on.
And the storyline itself is subpar. Why does Eagle kidnap Kennicott to protect him?? I get "checking him out" first, but then why doesn't he just tell him that he's in danger?
And Rake has been hiding from the law for what, 10 years? And then when they find him he's instantly buddy-buddy with Opal swapping stores from kindergarten about juice at naptime?
And also Berig-the cop who actually knows that there was someone besides Rake involved and about the whole Nazi background and yet she doesn't let the chief investigator (Greene) in on it until he figures it out himself? Like, come on!
Finally, essentially the ending is that these cops are just going to "throw the book away" and take matters into their own hands. Ok...so the author is a lawyer who promotes breaking the law to gain justice?
Nope, just bad and worse in this read.
And the storyline itself is subpar. Why does Eagle kidnap Kennicott to protect him?? I get "checking him out" first, but then why doesn't he just tell him that he's in danger?
And Rake has been hiding from the law for what, 10 years? And then when they find him he's instantly buddy-buddy with Opal swapping stores from kindergarten about juice at naptime?
And also Berig-the cop who actually knows that there was someone besides Rake involved and about the whole Nazi background and yet she doesn't let the chief investigator (Greene) in on it until he figures it out himself? Like, come on!
Finally, essentially the ending is that these cops are just going to "throw the book away" and take matters into their own hands. Ok...so the author is a lawyer who promotes breaking the law to gain justice?
Nope, just bad and worse in this read.
Read
October 26, 2024WHAT WE BURIED is a very tense thriller that grabs you from the very first page, becoming more chilling the further one gets into the book. Robert Rotenberg is a criminal lawyer in Toronto, and it would definitely be a crime to pass this book by.
Daniel Kennicott has seen much tragedy in his life. He is a Toronto homicide detective, who had to deal with the murder of his brother Michael, who was shot and killed the night before he was to go to Gubbio Italy. That was a decade ago. No one was ever arrested and convicted of the crime, leaving a huge void in Daniel’s life as he fought for closure to the case. As well, his parents were killed in an automobile accident that was thought to have been caused by an impaired driver. The driver did plead guilty to the crime, but Daniel thought there was more to the crash that met the eye.
Now that it is a decade since the murder of his brother, Daniel decides he wants to visit Italy, where his brother was heading to before that fateful night. But he learns something else, that two of his partners in the police department, Ari Greene and Nora Bering, have never given up on their quest to bring justice in the death and help officially the case. Ari is also investigating the death of his parents where the driver Arthur Rake is now out of jail, his whereabouts unknown. They have new theories about the accident that point to the fact it may have been a targeted event.
When Daniel heads back to Italy, he learns about the Forty Martyrs. This was an actual event during the Second World War, where Hitler declared that when a German soldier was killed, twenty Jews would be executed in response. The Germans went from one door to the next, and selected randomly forty people of all ages. They were taken, and then forced to dig their own graves before they were lined up and murdered. But now it appears that someone in Daniel’s family may have been connected to the Forty Martyrs, and it chillingly brings to light the sins of the past and perhaps it has a connection to the deaths of his family members.
The stories in the book are told through many perspectives from the characters, and that gives the book an added depth of intimacy and connections to the people, places, and events. There are many others in the police department who add insight and intrigue to the story, as we are shocked by some of the turn of events and what really happened in regard to the Kennicott family and why.
If you are seeking a book combining a police procedural and actual history, then WHAT WE BURIED, is a must-read.
Daniel Kennicott has seen much tragedy in his life. He is a Toronto homicide detective, who had to deal with the murder of his brother Michael, who was shot and killed the night before he was to go to Gubbio Italy. That was a decade ago. No one was ever arrested and convicted of the crime, leaving a huge void in Daniel’s life as he fought for closure to the case. As well, his parents were killed in an automobile accident that was thought to have been caused by an impaired driver. The driver did plead guilty to the crime, but Daniel thought there was more to the crash that met the eye.
Now that it is a decade since the murder of his brother, Daniel decides he wants to visit Italy, where his brother was heading to before that fateful night. But he learns something else, that two of his partners in the police department, Ari Greene and Nora Bering, have never given up on their quest to bring justice in the death and help officially the case. Ari is also investigating the death of his parents where the driver Arthur Rake is now out of jail, his whereabouts unknown. They have new theories about the accident that point to the fact it may have been a targeted event.
When Daniel heads back to Italy, he learns about the Forty Martyrs. This was an actual event during the Second World War, where Hitler declared that when a German soldier was killed, twenty Jews would be executed in response. The Germans went from one door to the next, and selected randomly forty people of all ages. They were taken, and then forced to dig their own graves before they were lined up and murdered. But now it appears that someone in Daniel’s family may have been connected to the Forty Martyrs, and it chillingly brings to light the sins of the past and perhaps it has a connection to the deaths of his family members.
The stories in the book are told through many perspectives from the characters, and that gives the book an added depth of intimacy and connections to the people, places, and events. There are many others in the police department who add insight and intrigue to the story, as we are shocked by some of the turn of events and what really happened in regard to the Kennicott family and why.
If you are seeking a book combining a police procedural and actual history, then WHAT WE BURIED, is a must-read.
July 7, 2024
This book was on my radar, but when Elin Besner of The Canadian Jewish News (Daily) discussed it on the podcast, (without listening to the podcast), I picked up What we Buried, by Toronto authorand criminal lawyer Robert Rotenberg
What we Buried, is the story of a cold case, in which a homicide detective’s parents were killed in a car crash 💥. Two years later, the detective’s brother was murdered (clean shot to the head). Ten years have passed, and the case remains unsolved.
Could something new be uncovered after 10 years?
Let’s say YES!!
A trip to an ancient village in Italy 🇮🇹… war crimes… Nazis …. are involved.
5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read.
Most importantly, I was drawn to tears to read the names of the innocent victims brutally killed in the the ancient Italian village. Their names should never be forgotten. Like the innocent hostages being held in Gaza. I try my best to know their names and their faces.
* I read The Cigar Factory of Issay Rottenberg (Robert Rotenberg wrote the forward to the book). Just a coincidence.
What we Buried, is the story of a cold case, in which a homicide detective’s parents were killed in a car crash 💥. Two years later, the detective’s brother was murdered (clean shot to the head). Ten years have passed, and the case remains unsolved.
Could something new be uncovered after 10 years?
Let’s say YES!!
A trip to an ancient village in Italy 🇮🇹… war crimes… Nazis …. are involved.
5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read.
Most importantly, I was drawn to tears to read the names of the innocent victims brutally killed in the the ancient Italian village. Their names should never be forgotten. Like the innocent hostages being held in Gaza. I try my best to know their names and their faces.
* I read The Cigar Factory of Issay Rottenberg (Robert Rotenberg wrote the forward to the book). Just a coincidence.
January 14, 2024
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for the ARC.
This is a new-to-me Canadian author, and the characters in this book are part of a series but this book works as a stand-alone read, too. I wasn't quite sure how the three plots would come together (a Toronto murder, a cottage country murder and Nazi war crimes in Italy), but they did in the most masterful way. I honestly was kept guessing until the final pages of the book. The author shares that he put a lot of research into the writing of this book (around the Nazi occupation of Italy and Gubbio's Forty Martyrs) and you can tell. It's a substantial read - the intertwined plots took me a while to get used to as the story switches between them but the historical content is the piece that ties them all together. I really enjoyed this and will look out for some of Rotenberg's other titles.
This is a new-to-me Canadian author, and the characters in this book are part of a series but this book works as a stand-alone read, too. I wasn't quite sure how the three plots would come together (a Toronto murder, a cottage country murder and Nazi war crimes in Italy), but they did in the most masterful way. I honestly was kept guessing until the final pages of the book. The author shares that he put a lot of research into the writing of this book (around the Nazi occupation of Italy and Gubbio's Forty Martyrs) and you can tell. It's a substantial read - the intertwined plots took me a while to get used to as the story switches between them but the historical content is the piece that ties them all together. I really enjoyed this and will look out for some of Rotenberg's other titles.
March 24, 2024
Actually 3.5
July 22, 2024
Book 15/52 for 2024. Part one was a simmering slow burn with a rich and complex buildup. Once you were past that it was a race car out of the chute. Finished part two to the end in a few hours.
Interesting take on blending historical non-fiction tragedy with a modern fiction murder mystery.
Interesting take on blending historical non-fiction tragedy with a modern fiction murder mystery.
November 5, 2024
This was so, so good!!!
December 18, 2024
I found this book a little too far-fetched to be genuinely enjoyable, but it was a fast, easy read!
May 1, 2025
Detective Daniel Kennicott is pursuing the murder of his brother. His search takes him to a small town in Italy, and he finds out that atrocities committed by Nazis in WWII are connected. Simultaneous investigations in Canada and Italy advance the story. However, I was unsatisfied with the way the author ended the mystery in this book.
May 15, 2024
What we Buried exposes secrets of the past. Homicide Detective, Daniel begins learning his family secrets following the death of his brother and parents. He has a trip to Italy and learns of the horrible executions of the Forty Martyrs in Gubbio, Italy and he pieces together his family's experiences in the war.
The past is a horrible reminder of the depravity of humans and important for us to learn and ensure it does not happen again. This is another novel that delves into real life history through fiction and makes a reader start googling to learn more.
I am looking forward to meeting this author at the amazing Grimsby Author Series at the end of the month. Not only is it an amazing book series, but it helps me find books that I might not have picked up on my own!!
The past is a horrible reminder of the depravity of humans and important for us to learn and ensure it does not happen again. This is another novel that delves into real life history through fiction and makes a reader start googling to learn more.
I am looking forward to meeting this author at the amazing Grimsby Author Series at the end of the month. Not only is it an amazing book series, but it helps me find books that I might not have picked up on my own!!
May 22, 2024
Look, I like a tight story. It's especially good when dealing with clues in a mystery that's meant to be solved by the reader. This, though, is just too much. Plus it relies on Nazis and Neo Nazis who somehow have enough intel to track Kennicott's entire family but not enough common sense to figure out which branch had the actual connections to them.
https://pussreboots.com/blog/2024/com...
https://pussreboots.com/blog/2024/com...
June 18, 2024
The 7th in the Greene and Kennicott series of crime novels based in Toronto. In this one, I learned of a war event I had never come across about The Forty Martyrs in Gubbio, Italy, whose lives were taken by the Nazi soldiers because two of their own were, one killed and another injured while having coffee in the square. This event connects to the murder of Kennicot's parents and brother and the secrets that pull it all together. It is a true thrilling page turner.
December 16, 2023
Thank you NetGalley for the ArC of Robert Rotenberg’s latest book What we buried. I always like to escape with some of my favourite characters: Ari and Daniel. A solid 4 stars. It was interesting to learn a little bit of history along the way. I guess the story will continue. This novel works as a stand alone, but I really recommend Rotenberg’s past novels. They are great crime novels set in Toronto, and always deal with other important topics.
June 7, 2024
This book was exceptional as the story tied into the previous books as well as brought some true historical information to life. Before reading this book I had never heard of the town of Gubbio Italy. Now I feel it will be so important to visit this town and pay my respects to the I Quaranta - The Forty Martyrs
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2023
Thank you NetGalley for the ArC of Robert Rotenberg’s latest book What we buried. I always like to escape with some of my favourite characters: Ari and Daniel. A solid 4 stars. It was interesting to learn a little bit of history along the way. I guess the story will continue. This novel works as a stand alone, but I really recommend Rotenberg’s past novels. They are great crime novels set in Toronto, and always deal with other important topics.
September 8, 2024
I had a long travel day and this book was the perfect companion.
Good: A modern day mystery with roots in Nazi atrocities from WWII, with richly drawn characters (especially Pam, but many, many others) told in a smooth, elegant prose.
Bad: Not much. The ending may not satisfy all.
Good: Really effective and creative writing. I'd love to take a writing course from this guy!
Good: A modern day mystery with roots in Nazi atrocities from WWII, with richly drawn characters (especially Pam, but many, many others) told in a smooth, elegant prose.
Bad: Not much. The ending may not satisfy all.
Good: Really effective and creative writing. I'd love to take a writing course from this guy!
April 9, 2024
A difficult book to finish. The characters and dialogue were either vapid or cartoonish, the plot line was very thin, and the conclusion was lacking.
This book, by a Canadian author, channels some of the hokey Canadian TV shows of the past: you see what they're trying to do but something's off.
This book, by a Canadian author, channels some of the hokey Canadian TV shows of the past: you see what they're trying to do but something's off.
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