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Kate Watterson continues Ellie MacIntosh's story in Buried.
Two cases vie for Detective Ellie MacIntosh's attention―a sudden rash of seemingly unrelated cop killings and the discovery of an old, hidden grave on her grandfather's property. The clues to the recent murders leave a confusing trail of corruption, drug running, and possible political intrigue. The hidden grave reveals a skeleton―literally―in Ellie's family closet. She attempts to juggle both cases with help from her temporary partner, Carl Grasso, and her former partner, Jason Santiago, who is restless on medical leave. Did Ellie's grandfather know the grave was out there? Could the ruthless killer of Milwaukee's finest be one of their own? Ellie doesn't know who she can trust, and she's just become the killer's next target.
Two cases vie for Detective Ellie MacIntosh's attention―a sudden rash of seemingly unrelated cop killings and the discovery of an old, hidden grave on her grandfather's property. The clues to the recent murders leave a confusing trail of corruption, drug running, and possible political intrigue. The hidden grave reveals a skeleton―literally―in Ellie's family closet. She attempts to juggle both cases with help from her temporary partner, Carl Grasso, and her former partner, Jason Santiago, who is restless on medical leave. Did Ellie's grandfather know the grave was out there? Could the ruthless killer of Milwaukee's finest be one of their own? Ellie doesn't know who she can trust, and she's just become the killer's next target.
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 31, 2013
12 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
About the author
Kate Watterson
34 books91 followersWriting as both Emma Wildes and Katherine Smith, Kate Watterson has over thirty published books to her credit, plus five Eppie nominations, one Eppie win for best historical erotic in 2007, a RWA Lories win, WisRWA 2005 final for best historical romance, and is a CAPA nominee. She loves suspense and to write erotic stories in the genre is a special treat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
February 28, 2016
A perfectly readable, if unexciting, crime novel. There are two cases - a long since cold case which preys on Detective Ellie MacIntosh's mind as a skeleton was discovered on her grandfather's property, and a rash of cop killings which might be interconnected. The former is probably the more interesting, the latter more perfunctory, but they offer some entertainment.
As a detective novel, it wasn't essentially to have read the first couple of volumes in the series to really get Buried - although there are a number of back-references, the only major influence on the plot is that Santiago is on sick leave because of being shot, presumably in the previous volume. Therefore the book will "spoil" the previous volumes in the sense that you'll pretty much know what happens in them if you read this one first. There's not a lot in this book to suggest that the others will be such towering spires of literature that there will be much enjoyment beyond the case.
There were three things I really disliked about the novel. The first was the fashbacks which start each chapter and illuminate the backstory of the skeleton in Ellie's grandfather's back yard. My preference in a mystery or crime novel is that the reader has no information about the investigation which the detective does not have, and that we experience the investigation from their perspective, making the same mistakes and thinking about what might have heppened. This leads into the second, which is that when the detectives found something out - or rather, were about to - the narrative tended to shift away from what they were doing, as if to creat dramatic cliff-hangers. All this meant was that rather than finiding out information with the detectives, it was instead reported to us later by the detectives thinking about it. The third was the descriptions of characters, particularly female characters, all of whom were "attractive" in some way, or would have been if X. There was some level to which this was used to create character, but mostly it seemed like casual misogyny.
I doubt I'll read the other novels in this series, but it was a perfectly servicable crime thriller, if that is the sort of thing a person is looking to read. If I did, I think I would go for the first one to see if it's a bit more interesting and less of a typical serial novel about solving some crime.
As a detective novel, it wasn't essentially to have read the first couple of volumes in the series to really get Buried - although there are a number of back-references, the only major influence on the plot is that Santiago is on sick leave because of being shot, presumably in the previous volume. Therefore the book will "spoil" the previous volumes in the sense that you'll pretty much know what happens in them if you read this one first. There's not a lot in this book to suggest that the others will be such towering spires of literature that there will be much enjoyment beyond the case.
There were three things I really disliked about the novel. The first was the fashbacks which start each chapter and illuminate the backstory of the skeleton in Ellie's grandfather's back yard. My preference in a mystery or crime novel is that the reader has no information about the investigation which the detective does not have, and that we experience the investigation from their perspective, making the same mistakes and thinking about what might have heppened. This leads into the second, which is that when the detectives found something out - or rather, were about to - the narrative tended to shift away from what they were doing, as if to creat dramatic cliff-hangers. All this meant was that rather than finiding out information with the detectives, it was instead reported to us later by the detectives thinking about it. The third was the descriptions of characters, particularly female characters, all of whom were "attractive" in some way, or would have been if X. There was some level to which this was used to create character, but mostly it seemed like casual misogyny.
I doubt I'll read the other novels in this series, but it was a perfectly servicable crime thriller, if that is the sort of thing a person is looking to read. If I did, I think I would go for the first one to see if it's a bit more interesting and less of a typical serial novel about solving some crime.
June 12, 2020
What a mess of a book.
I picked it up because when flipping through it I realized that it was based in Wisconsin, which is my home state, and it specifically mentioned Oneida County - which is where I currently live.
It started out interestingly enough - police officers investigating the murder of a fellow police officer - executed in his home, while his wife & child slept near by.
Unfortunately the storyline quickly deteriorated. Multiple characters were introduced and never really fleshed out. Additional plots and sub plots thrown in. Additional police are executed, and the storyline is so convoluted that I was unable to follow it - even though I never put the book down once I started it.
Save yourself the time & frustration and don't bother reading this one.
I picked it up because when flipping through it I realized that it was based in Wisconsin, which is my home state, and it specifically mentioned Oneida County - which is where I currently live.
It started out interestingly enough - police officers investigating the murder of a fellow police officer - executed in his home, while his wife & child slept near by.
Unfortunately the storyline quickly deteriorated. Multiple characters were introduced and never really fleshed out. Additional plots and sub plots thrown in. Additional police are executed, and the storyline is so convoluted that I was unable to follow it - even though I never put the book down once I started it.
Save yourself the time & frustration and don't bother reading this one.
May 6, 2014
Two different cases have you headed in two different directions :) Good read once again and once again love Kate Watterson's style. The chapters start out with the secondary case which takes place in northern Wisconsin in Ellie's old stomping grounds and involves her grandfather. We don't learn who is that particular "narrator" until close to the end.
The second and "primary" murder case involves a cop killer - good mystery, with some twists and finger pointing.
Yes a touch of romance and of course some angst and indecisions, but also some commitments.
Glad I found this series, well worth the read and highly recommended.
4 stars and 2 thumbs up!
The second and "primary" murder case involves a cop killer - good mystery, with some twists and finger pointing.
Yes a touch of romance and of course some angst and indecisions, but also some commitments.
Glad I found this series, well worth the read and highly recommended.
4 stars and 2 thumbs up!
February 7, 2025
This book was based in Wisconsin and focused on a number of cop killings. It also had the underplot of a body being found on the property of the protagonist's grandfather.
It was unsure how long the body had been there but lilely many years. I found it quite confusing to see how the cop killings and the long forgotten dead body was supposed to play into the plot. I also found it a bit confusing that dialogue would take place in the book without being adequately introduced by who was involved in the dialogue. This took a lot of the enjoyment away from the reading.
I found it very similar to the technique used by Mick Herron in his Slow Horses novels and for a similar reason that also spoiled it for me. The plot was excellent but the writing style resulted in my award of only three stars for this book. I don't think I will read anything else by Kate Watterson
It was unsure how long the body had been there but lilely many years. I found it quite confusing to see how the cop killings and the long forgotten dead body was supposed to play into the plot. I also found it a bit confusing that dialogue would take place in the book without being adequately introduced by who was involved in the dialogue. This took a lot of the enjoyment away from the reading.
I found it very similar to the technique used by Mick Herron in his Slow Horses novels and for a similar reason that also spoiled it for me. The plot was excellent but the writing style resulted in my award of only three stars for this book. I don't think I will read anything else by Kate Watterson
March 24, 2020
The plot here is... fine. The mystery doesn't play out in any way that really makes you feel like playing along. It just kinda happens. The characters are vague and mostly boring. The male characters consistently objectify the female characters in a way that feels mostly gross. And while nothing really jumped out as egregiously bad, I came to the realization with about 100 pages to go that a good book just doesn't have this many poorly written sentences.
August 7, 2017
Great tead
November 19, 2019
This is my first time reading anything by Kate Watterson and I found it a very good read and look forward to reading more from her in the future.
November 6, 2020
This series is not disappointing me. The personal side mystery was a great addition to bring some of Ellie’s background into the picture.
February 17, 2023
Slower but solid
August 31, 2023
Enjoyable read with two stories in one.
February 16, 2014
This is the first book by this author. Gave it a 10/ 5th, since page 2 I was hooked. 2 cases for Detective Ellie MacIntosh. First there is a cop serial killer. The way the characters , scenarios were introduced I was glued to this book at night and Kevin O'Brien's make them cry during the day. The second case Ellie StumbleUpon courtesy of her Grandfather's property was an old grave. With a time frame of 20-60yrs it is a lose lose situation. Will Ellie ever find out the truth. Attempting 2 cases @ once. She asks her old partner, Santiago for help who is off leave for medical reasons. Having a new partner , Carl Grasso is challenging but figuring out a dead body from years prior and who is guilty of killing 3 police officers and shooting 1. is even more difficult. Who is the next cop being targeted, who can you trust and can you watch your back
August 19, 2015
A good mystery/ thriller set in Wisconsin. Actually the novel has two separate story line ( crimes) going throughout the book. I like mysteries not set in New York or LA. You get a real flavor of other parts f the country. Why only three stars? This is the third book in the Ellie MacIntosh series and I have not had the chance to read the previous books in the series. Kind of came in late to the development of the character. Perhaps if I can pick up the earlier books in the series I'll revisit the review. Other than this critique, I believe the author has put together a tight plot and story line.
February 8, 2014
I had to force myself to finish this one. There were multiple points of view and two different plot lines. I didn't feel that any of the main characters were developed enough for me to actually become invested in them. The main plot didn't have much oomph. Just not enough story to it. The secondary plot was much more interesting and what ultimately made me finish the book. It's too bad the author didn't put more effort into either plot as either of them might have been better on their own.
June 21, 2015
The story line was good but had some publishing or editing errors that occasionally made the flow of the story confusing. It would appear that you were continuing with one line of thought then the next sentence was a completely different point of view and character voice. Overall a quick read but needed better editing.
November 3, 2014
Better than book 2, this third installment in the life of Ellie MacIntosh keeps your reading and has more personal conflict in it which gives the characters depth. Seems that there will be a book 4 which I am ready to read. There is so much more that can happen in this series, I look forward to it.
February 1, 2016
The third book in an amazing trilogy.Watterson is an excellent writer who draws the reader in and keeps them hooked until the last page. Really hoping she writes more books featuring these characters!
July 6, 2016
Loved the first two books with Ellie MacIntosh but this one didn't sit right from the beginning. I look forward to trying to figure out the killer from the introductory in each chapter but this one left me completely confused. I can say that this one was not a favorite.
February 17, 2017
I was extremely disappointed in this one. I LOVED her first two books in this series but this one was dull. I pretty much had to force myself to finish it. I really hope the next one is better!
December 28, 2013
Decent writing ruined by poor plotting.
January 31, 2014
The two plots had nothing to do with each other, except that the same person was investigating both, and only one case had anyone buried. Seemed like a stretch to cram them both into one book.
April 3, 2014
Really enjoyed this book. Real page turner.
February 10, 2014
Love this author. Can't wait to read more of her books.
May 7, 2014
Pretty good for a first novel.
Read
June 5, 2014great book about 2 cases.
July 2, 2014
A really good read. I was hooked right from the start. Will definitely have to check out more from this author. I liked how the two stories mixed together.
November 21, 2014
I liked the beginning but found it got somewhat slow. Not a fan of the way it ending and was expecting more of a motive than what it needed up being.
July 1, 2015
Wonder character creation. Just enough geography to let you identify where you are without sounding like a travel log.
August 11, 2015
Two mysteries for the price of one. Good book, not anything spectacular.
Notes: Rated R for language and bedroom scenes
Notes: Rated R for language and bedroom scenes
August 21, 2015
Good
Unfortunately I read this out of sequence. All and all its a good read but I should have read Frozen first. I continually got confused about which character I was reading.
Unfortunately I read this out of sequence. All and all its a good read but I should have read Frozen first. I continually got confused about which character I was reading.
November 21, 2016
http://www.leslecturesdemylene.com/20...
17/20 - Un plaisir de retrouver Ellie et sa clique dans une nouvelle enquête !!
17/20 - Un plaisir de retrouver Ellie et sa clique dans une nouvelle enquête !!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews