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The Apostles #2
The Buried
Secrets from the past.
Voices from the grave.
Because nothing stays buried forever...
Cypress Bend, Florida, is a small southern bayou town filled with long-buried secrets. It's also the home of successful, fiercely independent state prosecutor Grace Courtemanche, who's pulled into a world of terror and self-doubt when she receives a phone call from a young woman buried alive.
In a race to stop a revenge-seeking killer, Grace unearths skeletons from her past along with feelings for the one man she swore she'd never need again, Theodore "Hatch" Hatcher, a rootless, smooth-talking FBI crisis negotiator who's back in Cypress Bend to deal with a secret of his own.
Voices from the grave.
Because nothing stays buried forever...
Cypress Bend, Florida, is a small southern bayou town filled with long-buried secrets. It's also the home of successful, fiercely independent state prosecutor Grace Courtemanche, who's pulled into a world of terror and self-doubt when she receives a phone call from a young woman buried alive.
In a race to stop a revenge-seeking killer, Grace unearths skeletons from her past along with feelings for the one man she swore she'd never need again, Theodore "Hatch" Hatcher, a rootless, smooth-talking FBI crisis negotiator who's back in Cypress Bend to deal with a secret of his own.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 28, 2014
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629 people want to read
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September 10, 2016
Grace Courtemanche is a state prosecutor in Cypress Bend, Florida, who just worked on a very tough case. Suddenly she starts to get a lot of phone calls one day, which she keeps putting on voicemail. (She thinks they could be unpleasant calls that may be related to her last case.) But finally, after so many phone calls, she answers one. It's a strange call in which a woman says her name is Lia Grant, and she's buried underground in a box, and she is having a hard time breathing. She says she called Grace so many times, why doesn't Grace answer her phone? (Grace has never heard of this woman and can't figure out why she keeps calling her.) Is this call for real or something else, maybe a crank, or to scare her??? She notifies some people to look into it. Eventually she discovers it is for real and Grace really wants to find this woman who seems to be depending on her and obviously has very little time left to live.
While in the middle of all of this Grace ends up running into her ex-husband, Theordore "Hatch" Hatcher who is an FBI Agent/Special Crime Investigative Unit. He's a crisis negotiator, and he is now working for an elite team called the Apostles. (She hasn't seen Hatch for ten years. They were married ten years ago for ten weeks, then they divorced.) Grace eventually asks Hatch for his help to locate the missing Lia---Lia's phone calls quit coming. So Hatch and some of his friends begin to help Grace out.
I don't want to give too much more of the story away. Just that Grace discovers whoever did this to Lia put a cell phone in the box they buried her in...the phone was altered to dial only one phone number...Grace Courtemanche's. Someone is playing a sick game with Grace and she has to find out who it is before this maniac does this to more innocent people.
I liked Grace, she was cool and classy, dedicated to her job. I also liked her old dog Allegheny Blue.
Hatch was friendly and charming, with his shaggy blond hair and blue eyes. He was easy to talk to and people seemed to trust him, except his son Alex. At the beginning of this book Hatch just found out he had a thirteen-year-old son he didn't know about. So now he's trying his best to help his son out---Alex has been in trouble with the law, is angry, rebellious and unpleasant...
Grace and Hatch had good chemistry, and they still cared for each other. Grace broke up with Hatch and filed for divorce because Hatch never wanted to put down roots or live in one place. He loved the sea/water and he loved sailing on his boat. When they married Grace saw some of the happiness leave him so she set him free. (He didn't know the reason why she divorced him.) Grace is now surprised at how much Hatch has changed. He's become very responsible, with his job, with his son, etc...
This was a very enjoyable and entertaining book that had a lot of interesting secondary characters. I was curious to see who the villain was and why they were doing what they were doing. I found the idea of burying the victims alive with cell phones, which they call Grace from, and then having Grace/the team try to find the buried victims creepy but original. A good read with some surprises at the end.
While in the middle of all of this Grace ends up running into her ex-husband, Theordore "Hatch" Hatcher who is an FBI Agent/Special Crime Investigative Unit. He's a crisis negotiator, and he is now working for an elite team called the Apostles. (She hasn't seen Hatch for ten years. They were married ten years ago for ten weeks, then they divorced.) Grace eventually asks Hatch for his help to locate the missing Lia---Lia's phone calls quit coming. So Hatch and some of his friends begin to help Grace out.
I don't want to give too much more of the story away. Just that Grace discovers whoever did this to Lia put a cell phone in the box they buried her in...the phone was altered to dial only one phone number...Grace Courtemanche's. Someone is playing a sick game with Grace and she has to find out who it is before this maniac does this to more innocent people.
I liked Grace, she was cool and classy, dedicated to her job. I also liked her old dog Allegheny Blue.
Hatch was friendly and charming, with his shaggy blond hair and blue eyes. He was easy to talk to and people seemed to trust him, except his son Alex. At the beginning of this book Hatch just found out he had a thirteen-year-old son he didn't know about. So now he's trying his best to help his son out---Alex has been in trouble with the law, is angry, rebellious and unpleasant...
Grace and Hatch had good chemistry, and they still cared for each other. Grace broke up with Hatch and filed for divorce because Hatch never wanted to put down roots or live in one place. He loved the sea/water and he loved sailing on his boat. When they married Grace saw some of the happiness leave him so she set him free. (He didn't know the reason why she divorced him.) Grace is now surprised at how much Hatch has changed. He's become very responsible, with his job, with his son, etc...
This was a very enjoyable and entertaining book that had a lot of interesting secondary characters. I was curious to see who the villain was and why they were doing what they were doing. I found the idea of burying the victims alive with cell phones, which they call Grace from, and then having Grace/the team try to find the buried victims creepy but original. A good read with some surprises at the end.
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October 27, 2014The Buried
Book #2 of The Apostles Series
Grace and Hatch's Story
The Story Behind the Story – The Buried
When I was child, I got out of bed one night to get a drink of water. As I walked by the living room where my mom and dad were watching TV, a woman on the screen was clawing her way out of an earthen grave. The sight of that mud-covered hand and sound of her choked breathing haunted me for years.
Most people have reoccurring nightmares about forgetting their locker combinations or showing up to work in just their underwear. I took it to a whole different level. I dreamed about being buried alive. I’d wake up cold and shaking and gasping for air. To this day, the idea of being trapped underground without air terrifies me.
So of course I wrote a book about it.
Perhaps because of my primal fear, The Buried was a tough story for me to write. I wrote the first draft, and then I set it aside for TWO years. It was simply too dark, and the villain’s back story was too disturbing and honestly...heartbreaking.
But the story wouldn’t let go. Technically, Hatch wouldn’t let go. A hero so full of light and love, he never left me, and he assured me in his charming southern drawl that he could handle the dark. (And of course strong, confident Grace let me know she could handle anything I sent her way!)
When my publisher asked for book #2 of the Apostles Series, I re-read the first draft of Buried and realized that the story wasn’t about victims being buried alive but about FAMILY. The minute I got my head around the theme, I knew exactly what the book needed: Alex, Hatch’s attitudinal thirteen-year-old son. As soon as Alex stepped onto the page, I had a sub-story that gave me a little break from the horror and a minor character who would help Hatch and Grace transform and finally love again.
I can’t wait for readers to join me for another dark and twisty but ultimately uplifting story of hope and the healing power of family.
Joy & Peace!
Shelley Coriell
Book #2 of The Apostles Series
Grace and Hatch's Story
The Story Behind the Story – The Buried
When I was child, I got out of bed one night to get a drink of water. As I walked by the living room where my mom and dad were watching TV, a woman on the screen was clawing her way out of an earthen grave. The sight of that mud-covered hand and sound of her choked breathing haunted me for years.
Most people have reoccurring nightmares about forgetting their locker combinations or showing up to work in just their underwear. I took it to a whole different level. I dreamed about being buried alive. I’d wake up cold and shaking and gasping for air. To this day, the idea of being trapped underground without air terrifies me.
So of course I wrote a book about it.
Perhaps because of my primal fear, The Buried was a tough story for me to write. I wrote the first draft, and then I set it aside for TWO years. It was simply too dark, and the villain’s back story was too disturbing and honestly...heartbreaking.
But the story wouldn’t let go. Technically, Hatch wouldn’t let go. A hero so full of light and love, he never left me, and he assured me in his charming southern drawl that he could handle the dark. (And of course strong, confident Grace let me know she could handle anything I sent her way!)
When my publisher asked for book #2 of the Apostles Series, I re-read the first draft of Buried and realized that the story wasn’t about victims being buried alive but about FAMILY. The minute I got my head around the theme, I knew exactly what the book needed: Alex, Hatch’s attitudinal thirteen-year-old son. As soon as Alex stepped onto the page, I had a sub-story that gave me a little break from the horror and a minor character who would help Hatch and Grace transform and finally love again.
I can’t wait for readers to join me for another dark and twisty but ultimately uplifting story of hope and the healing power of family.
Joy & Peace!
Shelley Coriell
December 19, 2014
This review first appeared at Romance at Random: http://romanceatrandom.com/the-buried...
Well, I have a new author and a new series I’m excited about. I loved this book; I need the first book, and I’ll be reading the following books. Also, holy cow is this a good book for this time of year; spooky and creepy! There are not a lot of gory details — Coriell spares us that — but the events and the way that she describes them, well, read with the light on.
Grace Courtemanche is a competitive lawyer, working as a prosecutor in a small town in Florida. She hates to lose, and has big plans for herself but she also wants a husband and children. She was married about a decade ago but it didn’t last; it was a summer fling that led to marriage and shortly afterwards to divorce. She still has feelings for him though they’ve had no contact since the divorce was final. On her way home from winning a case she gets what she thinks is a crank call. It turns out to be e girl, buried alive, calling for help. Grace and the local police race to find her before it’s too late.
Meanwhile, Grace runs into her ex in town. He’s now an agent with the FBI and part of a special unit colloquially known as the Apostles (I love the names that authors come up with for FBI teams.) She asks for help and soon the whole team is involved as there are more victims. Hatch, Theodore Hatcher, Grace’s ex, was easy going, care-free and wanted to spend all his time sailing when she knew him. He’s changed since then, become more focused and more intense while still loving the water.
Coriell gives us romance but it’s not the focus: The focus is on the case. More than halfway through the book, I still had not a clue who the killer was or what their motivation was. We the reader don’t know any more than Hatch and Grace do. We don’t get many scenes from the killer’s POV but I enjoyed the ones we got. I was completely blown away by the identity of the killer but when I looked back, there were subtle clues. Coriell plays things close, she’s stingy, but she plays fair. Still, it was one hell of a twist.
There’s also a secondary story about a dual murder in Kentucky that took its time to connect to the main story. I wasn’t sure for quite a while how it would tie but eventually does. I hope we see more of that detective; he was flawed but interesting. Additionally, there’s a subplot about Hatch’s son Alex, though he’s not Grace’s son, who ends up figuring prominently into the story. Yes, there’s a lot going on but all the threads come together. It’s a tightly woven story that kept me reading to see if the victims would be found in time, who was responsible, could Alex stay out of trouble, and would Grace and Hatch make a relationship work this time. There are some well-done themes involving bridges, stories, and connecting that tie the book together and show Coriell’s talent for telling stories.
I’m typically not a fan of second chance romances and I had my doubts at first but this worked for me. The reasons they split in the first place made sense to me and they didn’t rush to get back together. The intensity of the situation they found themselves in may have sped up the process a bit even so, they didn’t rush. They also talked about what had gone wrong before and what they wanted now. There was no big miscommunication, just learning to trust themselves and each other.
The Buried is a frightening thriller that gave me the creeps but is also full of family drama, small town life, and a sweet romance. I found it to be the perfect blend of mystery and romance.
Well, I have a new author and a new series I’m excited about. I loved this book; I need the first book, and I’ll be reading the following books. Also, holy cow is this a good book for this time of year; spooky and creepy! There are not a lot of gory details — Coriell spares us that — but the events and the way that she describes them, well, read with the light on.
Grace Courtemanche is a competitive lawyer, working as a prosecutor in a small town in Florida. She hates to lose, and has big plans for herself but she also wants a husband and children. She was married about a decade ago but it didn’t last; it was a summer fling that led to marriage and shortly afterwards to divorce. She still has feelings for him though they’ve had no contact since the divorce was final. On her way home from winning a case she gets what she thinks is a crank call. It turns out to be e girl, buried alive, calling for help. Grace and the local police race to find her before it’s too late.
Meanwhile, Grace runs into her ex in town. He’s now an agent with the FBI and part of a special unit colloquially known as the Apostles (I love the names that authors come up with for FBI teams.) She asks for help and soon the whole team is involved as there are more victims. Hatch, Theodore Hatcher, Grace’s ex, was easy going, care-free and wanted to spend all his time sailing when she knew him. He’s changed since then, become more focused and more intense while still loving the water.
Coriell gives us romance but it’s not the focus: The focus is on the case. More than halfway through the book, I still had not a clue who the killer was or what their motivation was. We the reader don’t know any more than Hatch and Grace do. We don’t get many scenes from the killer’s POV but I enjoyed the ones we got. I was completely blown away by the identity of the killer but when I looked back, there were subtle clues. Coriell plays things close, she’s stingy, but she plays fair. Still, it was one hell of a twist.
There’s also a secondary story about a dual murder in Kentucky that took its time to connect to the main story. I wasn’t sure for quite a while how it would tie but eventually does. I hope we see more of that detective; he was flawed but interesting. Additionally, there’s a subplot about Hatch’s son Alex, though he’s not Grace’s son, who ends up figuring prominently into the story. Yes, there’s a lot going on but all the threads come together. It’s a tightly woven story that kept me reading to see if the victims would be found in time, who was responsible, could Alex stay out of trouble, and would Grace and Hatch make a relationship work this time. There are some well-done themes involving bridges, stories, and connecting that tie the book together and show Coriell’s talent for telling stories.
I’m typically not a fan of second chance romances and I had my doubts at first but this worked for me. The reasons they split in the first place made sense to me and they didn’t rush to get back together. The intensity of the situation they found themselves in may have sped up the process a bit even so, they didn’t rush. They also talked about what had gone wrong before and what they wanted now. There was no big miscommunication, just learning to trust themselves and each other.
The Buried is a frightening thriller that gave me the creeps but is also full of family drama, small town life, and a sweet romance. I found it to be the perfect blend of mystery and romance.
October 28, 2014
The Buried is my first Shelley Coriell and of course my first foray into her The Apostles series. The Apostles is comprised of the very best in law enforcement, skilled at weeding out killers of the most heinous variety. Not having read The Broken, book 1 in the series didn’t affect me in any way when I was readingThe Buried, though I did feel the need to check out the former afterwards so it is quite safe to say that this can be read as a standalone.
Grace Courtemanche is a public prosecutor riding the high of having won one of the toughest cases of her career. Forced to go on vacation by her boss to take some time off, Grace however is plunged into the midst of a murder that is in the process of happening when the first victim aka Lia Grant calls her from a hole in the ground, where she has been buried to face her imminent death. From the minute Grace hears the desperation in Lia’s voice, she knows deep in her heart that life as she knows is never going to be the same again.
Theodore “Hatch” Hatcher is lured back to Cypress Bend by just one phone call. And what makes him stay is more than just the knowledge that he has a 13 year old son that he had never known up till now, but rather the fact that his ex-wife, the only woman that he had ever fallen head over heels in love with was being stalked by a meticulous killer playing a game in which only one can come out as the winner.
Grace is not at all prepared for Hatch to disrupt her life all over once again. But Grace is a woman who knows to play along with those that are on her team, especially given the circumstances. As the game surpasses level 1, the rules change leaving Grace, Hatch and the team scrambling to catch up in this deadly game of burial which somehow keeps coming back to Grace.
For a fan of romantic suspense like me, The Buried certainly did give me a page turner. Grace and Hatch were wonderful characters. Hatch is sexy, confident in his own skin and quite the charmer. The only problem Hatch has is with settling down and though Grace tempts him in ways no woman ever has or will, Hatch has a hard time making up his mind about doing the forever thing once again.
Grace turned out to be a surprisingly lovely heroine. Called the blonde bulldozer or justice seeking missile by those who know her work, Grace is one determined woman if ever there was one. Strong and confident in her abilities, Grace has a softer side to her that complements well with that edge of hers and I fell like a ton of bricks for that woman.
The twist at the end when it came was a definite shocker, one that rendered me into a place where I found it really difficult to see the villain in just black and white. The thought that kept crossing my mind was, if I had been subjected to the same would I have turned out any different. And I guess that is a question that would haunt me for a while yet and I always say this, books that makes you question your feelings and emotions, especially when it comes to villains, those are the ones that makes reading books such as this one worth seeking out!
Recommended.
Rating = 4/5
For more reviews & quotes, visit www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
Grace Courtemanche is a public prosecutor riding the high of having won one of the toughest cases of her career. Forced to go on vacation by her boss to take some time off, Grace however is plunged into the midst of a murder that is in the process of happening when the first victim aka Lia Grant calls her from a hole in the ground, where she has been buried to face her imminent death. From the minute Grace hears the desperation in Lia’s voice, she knows deep in her heart that life as she knows is never going to be the same again.
Theodore “Hatch” Hatcher is lured back to Cypress Bend by just one phone call. And what makes him stay is more than just the knowledge that he has a 13 year old son that he had never known up till now, but rather the fact that his ex-wife, the only woman that he had ever fallen head over heels in love with was being stalked by a meticulous killer playing a game in which only one can come out as the winner.
Grace is not at all prepared for Hatch to disrupt her life all over once again. But Grace is a woman who knows to play along with those that are on her team, especially given the circumstances. As the game surpasses level 1, the rules change leaving Grace, Hatch and the team scrambling to catch up in this deadly game of burial which somehow keeps coming back to Grace.
For a fan of romantic suspense like me, The Buried certainly did give me a page turner. Grace and Hatch were wonderful characters. Hatch is sexy, confident in his own skin and quite the charmer. The only problem Hatch has is with settling down and though Grace tempts him in ways no woman ever has or will, Hatch has a hard time making up his mind about doing the forever thing once again.
Grace turned out to be a surprisingly lovely heroine. Called the blonde bulldozer or justice seeking missile by those who know her work, Grace is one determined woman if ever there was one. Strong and confident in her abilities, Grace has a softer side to her that complements well with that edge of hers and I fell like a ton of bricks for that woman.
The twist at the end when it came was a definite shocker, one that rendered me into a place where I found it really difficult to see the villain in just black and white. The thought that kept crossing my mind was, if I had been subjected to the same would I have turned out any different. And I guess that is a question that would haunt me for a while yet and I always say this, books that makes you question your feelings and emotions, especially when it comes to villains, those are the ones that makes reading books such as this one worth seeking out!
Recommended.
Rating = 4/5
For more reviews & quotes, visit www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
Want to read
March 18, 2014WOOHOO Hatch's story! Can't wait!
November 2, 2014
Alone!���that worn-out word,
So idly spoken, and so coldly heard;
Yet all that poets sing and grief hath known
Of hopes laid waste, knells in that word - Alone! - Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton (1846) - The New Timon Part ii.
The knell, the shroud, the mattock, and the grave,
The deep damp vault, the darkness and the worm.
Edward Young – Night Thoughts. Night iv. Line 10.
All Grace Courtemanche really wants (well, besides her stellar career as a Florida State Prosecutor - Grace: 345 Bad Guys: 0) is a home. A family. A place to put down roots and feel secure. Daddy always told her, winners do, Gracie, and doers win. And so she has, over and over again. In her most recent win, the mafia don she put away has tried bribery, threats, and now putting money into an offshore account in her name, getting her placed on administrative leave. Sigh. It can sometimes suck to be perfect.
After multiple threatening calls, Grace simply sends all the restricted number calls to her voice mail, for later retrieval by the sheriff’s office. But today, after eight calls, she picks up the phone on the ninth. And drops straight into a horror story.
It's cold. And dark. I can't breathe."
Desperate to save the young girl trapped in a coffin below ground, Grace throws her must win personality into trying to find and rescue the victim whose terrified voice and heartrending tears call out to her for help. But, why is the girl calling her?
What follows is a race against time, and against a psychopath who apparently has a person grudge against Grace, and no compunction about murdering innocents to make a point.
Luckily, her ex-husband has literally sailed back into town, docking his sailboat, No Regrets, in the harbor. He has his own problems, in the form of a thirteen-year-old son he didn’t even know he had. All the care in the world can’t help when your lover sabotages the condoms. Now, Hatch must help the grandmother trying to raise Alex to save him from himself. A member of a specialized FBI team, The Apostles, under the leadership of the infamous Parker Lloyd, Hatch is more than happy to assist his ex in her search for the Gravedigger, desperately working along with his crack team to help find the victims, and the soulless killer who is terrorizing Cypress Bend.
As with The Broken, Shelley Coriell’s first Apostle novel, there are many and varied layers to the tale. Grace is a driven woman, driven to the point where, as much as she wants a ‘life’ she has none outside of her work, and the house on the hill she dreams of building. Well, there IS Allegheny Blue, the ancient blue tick hound who refuses to leave his previous home, literally hiking back home from his new home twice, from his owner’s new home over 100 miles away. Now that is dedication to the land he was born and raised on. But Allegheny Blue isn’t her dog – is he?
Agent “Hatch” Hatcher is also well written, a sailor with no ties, and a loose-and-easy way of life that destroyed his connection with his wife ten years ago.
You expected me to give up everything – my job, my family, my dreams and sail with you into the sunset.
Or, did he? Be that as it may, now he seems the same, but different, as Grace watches Hatch and his team work together in a race against time. The other characters are as well developed, and the tension and suspense keeps you turning pages well into the night, breathless for the next big reveal. Who is committing these atrocities, and how is the murder of an elderly couple, being investigated by Greenup, Kentucky State Police Detective Tucker Holt, tied into these brutal crimes? All shall be revealed, and the answers to all of your questions? Well, let’s just say I was shocked and horrified at the answers – answers that will rock the small town of Cypress Bend, Grace and even the vaunted Apostles.
Overall, I was truly happy to be asked by Shelley to review her second book, and I can’t recommend it highly enough for lovers of suspense.
I received this book from the author in return for a realistic review. All my comments are my own. Please see my website for my review of The Broken.
So idly spoken, and so coldly heard;
Yet all that poets sing and grief hath known
Of hopes laid waste, knells in that word - Alone! - Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton (1846) - The New Timon Part ii.
The knell, the shroud, the mattock, and the grave,
The deep damp vault, the darkness and the worm.
Edward Young – Night Thoughts. Night iv. Line 10.
All Grace Courtemanche really wants (well, besides her stellar career as a Florida State Prosecutor - Grace: 345 Bad Guys: 0) is a home. A family. A place to put down roots and feel secure. Daddy always told her, winners do, Gracie, and doers win. And so she has, over and over again. In her most recent win, the mafia don she put away has tried bribery, threats, and now putting money into an offshore account in her name, getting her placed on administrative leave. Sigh. It can sometimes suck to be perfect.
After multiple threatening calls, Grace simply sends all the restricted number calls to her voice mail, for later retrieval by the sheriff’s office. But today, after eight calls, she picks up the phone on the ninth. And drops straight into a horror story.
It's cold. And dark. I can't breathe."
Desperate to save the young girl trapped in a coffin below ground, Grace throws her must win personality into trying to find and rescue the victim whose terrified voice and heartrending tears call out to her for help. But, why is the girl calling her?
What follows is a race against time, and against a psychopath who apparently has a person grudge against Grace, and no compunction about murdering innocents to make a point.
Luckily, her ex-husband has literally sailed back into town, docking his sailboat, No Regrets, in the harbor. He has his own problems, in the form of a thirteen-year-old son he didn’t even know he had. All the care in the world can’t help when your lover sabotages the condoms. Now, Hatch must help the grandmother trying to raise Alex to save him from himself. A member of a specialized FBI team, The Apostles, under the leadership of the infamous Parker Lloyd, Hatch is more than happy to assist his ex in her search for the Gravedigger, desperately working along with his crack team to help find the victims, and the soulless killer who is terrorizing Cypress Bend.
As with The Broken, Shelley Coriell’s first Apostle novel, there are many and varied layers to the tale. Grace is a driven woman, driven to the point where, as much as she wants a ‘life’ she has none outside of her work, and the house on the hill she dreams of building. Well, there IS Allegheny Blue, the ancient blue tick hound who refuses to leave his previous home, literally hiking back home from his new home twice, from his owner’s new home over 100 miles away. Now that is dedication to the land he was born and raised on. But Allegheny Blue isn’t her dog – is he?
Agent “Hatch” Hatcher is also well written, a sailor with no ties, and a loose-and-easy way of life that destroyed his connection with his wife ten years ago.
You expected me to give up everything – my job, my family, my dreams and sail with you into the sunset.
Or, did he? Be that as it may, now he seems the same, but different, as Grace watches Hatch and his team work together in a race against time. The other characters are as well developed, and the tension and suspense keeps you turning pages well into the night, breathless for the next big reveal. Who is committing these atrocities, and how is the murder of an elderly couple, being investigated by Greenup, Kentucky State Police Detective Tucker Holt, tied into these brutal crimes? All shall be revealed, and the answers to all of your questions? Well, let’s just say I was shocked and horrified at the answers – answers that will rock the small town of Cypress Bend, Grace and even the vaunted Apostles.
Overall, I was truly happy to be asked by Shelley to review her second book, and I can’t recommend it highly enough for lovers of suspense.
I received this book from the author in return for a realistic review. All my comments are my own. Please see my website for my review of The Broken.
October 8, 2014
Posted on Les Romantiques - Le forum du site
Reviewed by Rinou
Review Copy from the Publisher
I discovered this author when I requested The Buried, which is the second volume in the Apostles series, and I took time to read first the previous volume, The Broken. Even if these novels follow a group of particular FBI agents, they can be read alone without trouble.
Grace, successful prosecutor, receives one day phone calls from a young woman telling her she’s been buried alive. As she desperately tries to save her, she receives the unexpected help from Hatch, her ex-husband, an FBI agent who has come back in town to meet the son he didn’t know he had.
I was less hooked by this story than to the one in the first volume, and it’s mostly because of the main characters. Grace is a workaholic, a fighter in her work, going for justice, and she really takes to heart the hazards of the investigation. Her habit to always finger her pearl necklace annoyed me, fortunately it has some importance later.
Hatch is a free electron, he’s described in the beginning as a womanizer who doesn’t want any attachments, but he’s honest and tries to do his best in everything he undertakes. His helplessness moments in front of a pre-teen in rebellion rang quite true.
Both are likeable, realistic, but I passed the all book thinking what separated them ten years earlier was always present: Grace want stability, a family, when Hatch doesn’t want any attachment to be able to sail when he wants and for how long he wants. We see them changing a little towards the end, when he realizes he cannot re-live without Grace, and she decides even a little part of him is better than nothing. But as the epilog takes place just after the investigation I had trouble believing in their HEA, let’s say it’s a HFN.
One word about Hatch’s son, he’s a 13 year old pre-teen who refuse authority in general and this father appearing from nowhere, but he is finally good at heart. It can be strange because he’s not Grace’s son, we are more used to the hero’s hidden child being from the heroine, but his presence isn’t detrimental to the couple’s story. They all three evolve through contact with the others, and their interactions once more ring true.
On the suspense side, nothing bad to say. As in The Broken, the rhythm is sustained, the plot is complex, the revelation of the bad guy surprised me and his past gave me shivers. And the secondary plot interlocks in the main one in a very well thought manner. There’s just a problem about a fictional account which came back to me after the end, even if it’s probably not linked to the investigation I’d have like explanations.
So yes, in the end, I had the impression that in The Buried the emphasis was more on the suspense than on the romance, probably because of the problem I mentioned earlier, but it’s a good addition to the series and I can’t wait to read the author again with the following volume next spring.
Reviewed by Rinou
Review Copy from the Publisher
I discovered this author when I requested The Buried, which is the second volume in the Apostles series, and I took time to read first the previous volume, The Broken. Even if these novels follow a group of particular FBI agents, they can be read alone without trouble.
Grace, successful prosecutor, receives one day phone calls from a young woman telling her she’s been buried alive. As she desperately tries to save her, she receives the unexpected help from Hatch, her ex-husband, an FBI agent who has come back in town to meet the son he didn’t know he had.
I was less hooked by this story than to the one in the first volume, and it’s mostly because of the main characters. Grace is a workaholic, a fighter in her work, going for justice, and she really takes to heart the hazards of the investigation. Her habit to always finger her pearl necklace annoyed me, fortunately it has some importance later.
Hatch is a free electron, he’s described in the beginning as a womanizer who doesn’t want any attachments, but he’s honest and tries to do his best in everything he undertakes. His helplessness moments in front of a pre-teen in rebellion rang quite true.
Both are likeable, realistic, but I passed the all book thinking what separated them ten years earlier was always present: Grace want stability, a family, when Hatch doesn’t want any attachment to be able to sail when he wants and for how long he wants. We see them changing a little towards the end, when he realizes he cannot re-live without Grace, and she decides even a little part of him is better than nothing. But as the epilog takes place just after the investigation I had trouble believing in their HEA, let’s say it’s a HFN.
One word about Hatch’s son, he’s a 13 year old pre-teen who refuse authority in general and this father appearing from nowhere, but he is finally good at heart. It can be strange because he’s not Grace’s son, we are more used to the hero’s hidden child being from the heroine, but his presence isn’t detrimental to the couple’s story. They all three evolve through contact with the others, and their interactions once more ring true.
On the suspense side, nothing bad to say. As in The Broken, the rhythm is sustained, the plot is complex, the revelation of the bad guy surprised me and his past gave me shivers. And the secondary plot interlocks in the main one in a very well thought manner. There’s just a problem about a fictional account which came back to me after the end, even if it’s probably not linked to the investigation I’d have like explanations.
So yes, in the end, I had the impression that in The Buried the emphasis was more on the suspense than on the romance, probably because of the problem I mentioned earlier, but it’s a good addition to the series and I can’t wait to read the author again with the following volume next spring.
July 4, 2015
Received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
I absolutely loved the first book in this series but I'll be honest, I spent most of the first couple of chapters wondering why on earth an author would start the book with one of the main characters finding out he had a son he never knew about whose mother is not the other main character (and the one he is obviously destined to get his HEA with,courtesy of the reconciliation trope).
Well, it turns out that Alex (the son in the above equation) is actually quite a likeable, and key, character once you get past his juvenile delinquency. I especially loved his relationship with Grace when he tries to make her laugh to get her mind off of the murders, and Hatch finding out about his son is a huge reason his outlook on life changes and he is able to give it another go with Grace.
And Alex isn't the only unknown, long hidden relative in the book.
Whilst the relationship between the Hatch/Grace is central to the book, most of the book is concentrated on the case rather than the romance. I liked the way we got introduced to a secondary case as worked by Detective Tucker and how that tied into the main case and the role he played at the climax.
Overall, this is a very strong follow-up to a cracking first book.
Full review @ Love's A State Of Mind
April 29, 2015
This was a really good read with so many twists and turns. Hatch was a member of the elite Apostles group of the FBI. They hunt down the worst of the worst, mainly serial killers. He is the negotiator, great at dealing with people. Except when it comes to Grace, his ex-wife. Knowing he was a free spirit and miserable in their marriage in spite of how much he loved Grace, she cut him loose. Now, ten years later, she's become the target of a killer and Hatch has discovered he has a twelve year old son by another woman. The two combine to bring Hatch and Grace back together again. Someone is burying people alive with only a cell phone dialed in to Grace' s number specifically. It's up to her to locate them before the die. In the meantime, an elderly couple is found slain and buried in Kentucky, having had acid thrown in their face and used on their hands to prevent police from learning their identity. The clever way the author weaves these two stories together to their satisfying conclusion is great. This book grabs your attention from the beginning and doesn't let go. New plot twists are constantly added, along with an interesting mix of characters, including Hatch' s Apostle teammates. The suspense had me on the edge of my seat a time or two. Great series. Can't wait for the next one.
November 2, 2014
I have not read anything by this author before. Wow. I read this book in one afternoon. I could not guess the Identity of the killer until the author wanted me to learn it. This I liked as this is one of my favorite genre's to read and so it is hard to keep stories like this fresh and keep me guessing until the end. Also, the relationship between Grace and Hatch was a really good one. It helped with the story. Another bonus as sometimes the romance can take away from the suspense. I like that they did not move too fast back into the relationship between each other. Of course, having not read the prior novel I don't know all of the details with Grace and Hatch but luckily the author did a good job of recapping their relationship. I could tell that they had both matured since they were first involved with each other. I can't wait to read book three. While I wait I will go back and check out book one. I have found myself a new author to add to my mystery/suspense list of favorite ones.
November 20, 2014
Grace Courtemanche is a state prosecutor and she is at the
height of her carrier winning a lot of cases. She receives a
phone call from a woman claiming to be buried alive. Grace
will do anything to find this woman even if it means digging
into her darkest secrets and bringing back one man she thought
she would never see again. FBI agent Theodore "Hatch" Hatcher
is a man without roots and this is the way he prefers it. A
brutal crime in Cypress Bend, Florida brings him back to the
small town and the one woman he hoped never to see again. Hatch
and Grace find that sometimes the deepest wounds leave the most
beautiful scars - and history repeating itself maybe just
what they need to stop a killer. This book was a little slow to
start but it picked up speed and turned out to be alright. I
gave it only a three because of one part near the end that I
found a little hard to believe even for fiction.
height of her carrier winning a lot of cases. She receives a
phone call from a woman claiming to be buried alive. Grace
will do anything to find this woman even if it means digging
into her darkest secrets and bringing back one man she thought
she would never see again. FBI agent Theodore "Hatch" Hatcher
is a man without roots and this is the way he prefers it. A
brutal crime in Cypress Bend, Florida brings him back to the
small town and the one woman he hoped never to see again. Hatch
and Grace find that sometimes the deepest wounds leave the most
beautiful scars - and history repeating itself maybe just
what they need to stop a killer. This book was a little slow to
start but it picked up speed and turned out to be alright. I
gave it only a three because of one part near the end that I
found a little hard to believe even for fiction.
October 29, 2014
The Buried. The second book to The Apostles series was better than the first! With on the edge suspenseful plot twists and more romance than ever it's hard to put down!!
Hatch is The Apostles finest and he suddenly gets hit with a few surprises: 1. He has a 13 year old son named Alex and 2. His ex, Grace is in town. They have a past but right now they need to worry about the present because somebody is burying people and time is running out. There are a lot of clues in place but nothing that connects until the very end! Can Grace and Hatch put differences aside and come together to find the killer before one of them ends up becoming the next buried victim??? Can Hatch step up to the plate and become a father to the son he never knew he had???
"I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for an honest review."
Hatch is The Apostles finest and he suddenly gets hit with a few surprises: 1. He has a 13 year old son named Alex and 2. His ex, Grace is in town. They have a past but right now they need to worry about the present because somebody is burying people and time is running out. There are a lot of clues in place but nothing that connects until the very end! Can Grace and Hatch put differences aside and come together to find the killer before one of them ends up becoming the next buried victim??? Can Hatch step up to the plate and become a father to the son he never knew he had???
"I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for an honest review."
May 27, 2017
Loved this book! The story was good and there were parts I could guess were going to happen but, there were parts that took me by surprise too. The female lead was strong and smart like the last book. The female characters from both books were a little similar to me but I still loved them anyway. The main male lead was in no way the same as the male lead from the first book. They were quite unique. This book is in the same world as the first but with different characters leading the story. I don't really like romance in books but when read shelley coriell's book seeing the characters slowly come together is exciting. I look forward to the next book!
May 6, 2017
Grace Courtemanche's goal in life has always been to win. She's head strong and goal oriented. She has 345 wins and 0 losses as a state prosecutor. She just purchased a large plot of land in Cypress Bend, Florida where she plans to build the dream house her father always wanted for them before he died. There is just one problem.... A killer is determined to play a deadly game with her where they are the winner and she is the loser. The killer is burying people and only giving Grace a short amount of time to find them before they run out of air.
As this series is about an elite group of the FBI called The Apostles, how they come into play in this book is when Theodore “Hatch” Hatcher returns to Cypress Bend at the request of the Grandmother of a 13 yr old son he didnt know he had. He never thought he would ever return to Cypress Bend after his heart was broken when his wife walked away and divorced him. Said wife being Grace. Not long after arriving in town and getting his son out of jail he runs into Grace and soon learns of her problem and doesnt hesitate to help her when she asks for The Apostles help in trying to find the killer before they bury another person alive.
I've read a few reviews that mention one of the things they liked least about this book was the romance. That there was no spark between Grace and Hatch. I even let this keep me from reading this book. I loved the first book and skipped this one then read the third which I also liked. Now after finally reading this book I shouldnt have let others influence me as I got the relationship between Grace and Hatch and didnt think it was lacking in anything. Yes these two couldnt have been more different – she needed stability and wanted the powerful job, a husband who supported her and nice house on the hill – he was a free spirit who only felt alive on the sea, never seeing himself land locked. Its been 10 years since they have seen each other but nothing has changed feeling wise between them – it wasnt lack of love that tore them apart. Grace chose on her own to sacrifice her happiness for Hatch's knowing he would come to resent her if she kept him landlocked. That was 10 years ago and where Grace is pretty much the same person she always was Hatch who is still more comfortable on his boat has learned the true meaning of family from his team which helps him in become a dad overnight to a very angry teenager and to also making a decision that Grace his worth any sacrifices.
Now the suspense and killer aspect of the story.. With this being a small Florida town it has part of the spookiness of the bayou's found in Louisiana. Little by little we are given clues and meet characters that hold secrets from long ago and these secrets change what Grace knew of her childhood which leads to a shocking showdown and reveal with the killer.
I've enjoyed The Apostles series and hope the author plans to continue it.
As this series is about an elite group of the FBI called The Apostles, how they come into play in this book is when Theodore “Hatch” Hatcher returns to Cypress Bend at the request of the Grandmother of a 13 yr old son he didnt know he had. He never thought he would ever return to Cypress Bend after his heart was broken when his wife walked away and divorced him. Said wife being Grace. Not long after arriving in town and getting his son out of jail he runs into Grace and soon learns of her problem and doesnt hesitate to help her when she asks for The Apostles help in trying to find the killer before they bury another person alive.
I've read a few reviews that mention one of the things they liked least about this book was the romance. That there was no spark between Grace and Hatch. I even let this keep me from reading this book. I loved the first book and skipped this one then read the third which I also liked. Now after finally reading this book I shouldnt have let others influence me as I got the relationship between Grace and Hatch and didnt think it was lacking in anything. Yes these two couldnt have been more different – she needed stability and wanted the powerful job, a husband who supported her and nice house on the hill – he was a free spirit who only felt alive on the sea, never seeing himself land locked. Its been 10 years since they have seen each other but nothing has changed feeling wise between them – it wasnt lack of love that tore them apart. Grace chose on her own to sacrifice her happiness for Hatch's knowing he would come to resent her if she kept him landlocked. That was 10 years ago and where Grace is pretty much the same person she always was Hatch who is still more comfortable on his boat has learned the true meaning of family from his team which helps him in become a dad overnight to a very angry teenager and to also making a decision that Grace his worth any sacrifices.
Now the suspense and killer aspect of the story.. With this being a small Florida town it has part of the spookiness of the bayou's found in Louisiana. Little by little we are given clues and meet characters that hold secrets from long ago and these secrets change what Grace knew of her childhood which leads to a shocking showdown and reveal with the killer.
I've enjoyed The Apostles series and hope the author plans to continue it.
March 3, 2024
i read the first book in this series many years ago and seeing some of the characters again (the few i remembered) was nostalgic. kinda makes me wanna reread the broken again but i feel like that one was more intense than this. although the buried was also super intense and had me at the edge of my bed (i read this in bed). i was especially hooked on the "side story" of detective holt, i got super invested in his pursuit of the identities of the murdered grandparents, and how the story eventually met with the main one was...epic. those last few chapters of the confrontation with the killer were probably unforgettable for me. so well written and exciting. anyway the way everything fell into place and finally made sense was so great.
despite being a divorced couple, grace and hatch worked well together as a team and complimented each other. i enjoyed their moments and hurt for the rift between them despite how the love was still mutual. alex was also an interesting element of the story although i was always fearing he would be one of the eventual victims.
holt still the mvp though, the way he was introduced didn't leave a good impression but turns out he was so underrated!! his story really got better and better throughout the book.
i'm glad i found this book, hopefully i can find the 3rd book although i need to take a break from serial killers first
despite being a divorced couple, grace and hatch worked well together as a team and complimented each other. i enjoyed their moments and hurt for the rift between them despite how the love was still mutual. alex was also an interesting element of the story although i was always fearing he would be one of the eventual victims.
holt still the mvp though, the way he was introduced didn't leave a good impression but turns out he was so underrated!! his story really got better and better throughout the book.
i'm glad i found this book, hopefully i can find the 3rd book although i need to take a break from serial killers first
October 11, 2017
I had a real hard time finding a copy of this book to read. Only two libraries in this part of the state had it. I am truly surprised because this is a good series about a group of specialized criminologists who go after tough cases. The main story is about a mysterious person who is playing a "game", which if the main character Grace, doesn't find the "pawn" in time, the "pawn" will die. There is story line about Grace and one of the members of the elite team having a history together, but the romance storyline is definitely not the focus of the book. I hope I don't have as hard a time finding the 3rd installment.
March 1, 2017
After I began reading, it was difficult to put the book down, which seems to be rare for me these days. Until I came to the reveal. Although parts of the book were too "wordy" (as another reviewer pointed out), at the climax, the ongoing discourse of the antagonist didn't ring true. With all that pent-up anger and rage, I would have thought the antagonist would make Grace suffer while carrying on the diatribe. That scenario would have felt more authentic. I also would have liked to see more foreshadowing.
But overall, a solid four stars for keeping me reading with a solid story.
But overall, a solid four stars for keeping me reading with a solid story.
June 14, 2017
Die Grundidee war gut, nur leider nicht so spannend umgesetzt wie ich es mir erhofft hatte.
August 31, 2018
Again I was on the edge of my seat throughout the book. I laughed, I cringed, I cried. This book was better than the first. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
July 31, 2019
Great book
November 2, 2014
4.5 stars.
The Buried is a chilling and suspense-laden addition to Shelley Coriell's outstanding The Apostles series. It is a riveting, complex mystery that is impossible to put down and I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of mystery/suspense novels. Although it is the second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone but you won't want to miss a single installment in this superb series.
The Buried opens with state prosecutor Grace Courtemanche receiving a distressing cry for help from Lia Grant, a young woman who claims she has been buried alive. At loose ends after her recent court case has wrapped up, Grace tenaciously begins an investigation into Lia's case and in the process, she runs smack dab into "Hatch" Hatcher, a man from her very distant past. Working together to catch a wily and vicious killer, Grace and Hatch discover the flames from their long ago relationship are still burning hot, but with so many of their past issues continuing to plague them, do they have a future? But most importantly, will Grace and Hatch catch the murderer before he claims another victim?
Grace is a strong, independent woman who lets nothing stand in her way and her determination to uncover the truth propels this case into local law enforcement hands. She has an overdeveloped since of responsibility and she gives the investigation 110% even if this means she has to work with Hatch, the one man she has been unable to forget. Grace has a bit of a rough edge to her but as the story progresses, her softer side comes out, which makes her that much more likable.
Hatch is a very charming, flirtatious man and while he comes across most of the time as fun-loving and easygoing, there is also a serious, focused aspect to his personality as well. Most of his issues stem from his dysfunctional childhood and although he is now in his 30s, most of his decisions, actions and reactions are a direct result of his past. But everything Hatch has always believed about himself, his desires and his plans are eventually challenged by Grace and another very unexpected person. Although the unfolding investigation is the most compelling aspect of the storyline, the evolution of Hatch's character runs an extremely close second.
The mystery element of the plot is top-notch and virtually impossible to figure out. The killer's identity remains closely under wraps for much of the story and it is only in retrospect that the significance of seemingly innocuous events and clues becomes clear. Equally intriguing is another murder investigation that takes place in another jurisdiction but it takes almost the entire novel before the two storylines converge together. All in all, it is a very perplexing and multifaceted mystery that concludes with very stunning and dramatic revelations.
Hatch and Grace's romance is very understated but it adds a great deal to character development and the overall storyline. Their relationship never overshadows the investigation but it provides a nice break from the somewhat darker aspects of the ongoing hunt for the murderer. For much of the novel, Hatch and Grace tiptoe around the reasons their relationship ended years earlier but they do finally discuss what went wrong with an amazing degree of honesty.
The Buried is a fascinating and captivating mystery that old and new fans of The Apostles series do not want to miss. With plenty of suspense and unexpected plot twists, Shelley Coriell brings the novel to a jaw dropping and action filled conclusion that will leave readers impatiently awaiting the next installment in this well written and incredibly spellbinding series.
The Buried is a chilling and suspense-laden addition to Shelley Coriell's outstanding The Apostles series. It is a riveting, complex mystery that is impossible to put down and I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of mystery/suspense novels. Although it is the second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone but you won't want to miss a single installment in this superb series.
The Buried opens with state prosecutor Grace Courtemanche receiving a distressing cry for help from Lia Grant, a young woman who claims she has been buried alive. At loose ends after her recent court case has wrapped up, Grace tenaciously begins an investigation into Lia's case and in the process, she runs smack dab into "Hatch" Hatcher, a man from her very distant past. Working together to catch a wily and vicious killer, Grace and Hatch discover the flames from their long ago relationship are still burning hot, but with so many of their past issues continuing to plague them, do they have a future? But most importantly, will Grace and Hatch catch the murderer before he claims another victim?
Grace is a strong, independent woman who lets nothing stand in her way and her determination to uncover the truth propels this case into local law enforcement hands. She has an overdeveloped since of responsibility and she gives the investigation 110% even if this means she has to work with Hatch, the one man she has been unable to forget. Grace has a bit of a rough edge to her but as the story progresses, her softer side comes out, which makes her that much more likable.
Hatch is a very charming, flirtatious man and while he comes across most of the time as fun-loving and easygoing, there is also a serious, focused aspect to his personality as well. Most of his issues stem from his dysfunctional childhood and although he is now in his 30s, most of his decisions, actions and reactions are a direct result of his past. But everything Hatch has always believed about himself, his desires and his plans are eventually challenged by Grace and another very unexpected person. Although the unfolding investigation is the most compelling aspect of the storyline, the evolution of Hatch's character runs an extremely close second.
The mystery element of the plot is top-notch and virtually impossible to figure out. The killer's identity remains closely under wraps for much of the story and it is only in retrospect that the significance of seemingly innocuous events and clues becomes clear. Equally intriguing is another murder investigation that takes place in another jurisdiction but it takes almost the entire novel before the two storylines converge together. All in all, it is a very perplexing and multifaceted mystery that concludes with very stunning and dramatic revelations.
Hatch and Grace's romance is very understated but it adds a great deal to character development and the overall storyline. Their relationship never overshadows the investigation but it provides a nice break from the somewhat darker aspects of the ongoing hunt for the murderer. For much of the novel, Hatch and Grace tiptoe around the reasons their relationship ended years earlier but they do finally discuss what went wrong with an amazing degree of honesty.
The Buried is a fascinating and captivating mystery that old and new fans of The Apostles series do not want to miss. With plenty of suspense and unexpected plot twists, Shelley Coriell brings the novel to a jaw dropping and action filled conclusion that will leave readers impatiently awaiting the next installment in this well written and incredibly spellbinding series.
November 12, 2014
http://openbooksociety.com/article/th...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Jerjen
*Beware of possible Spoilers*
Grace Courtemanche is a state prosecutor for Cypress Bend, Florida. She is a tough, no-nonsense woman who hates to lose but who has a big heart. She is on vacation but she really is not getting much of a rest. She receives a phone call from a young girl that says she is being buried alive and desperately needs Grace’s help. Grace is in a race against a crazy killer and the clock to save the young girl before times run out. And although Grace does not know it yet, this is only Level One. There are three Levels in the Game, and then the finale.
Hatch Is a FBI crisis negotiator who is in Cypress Bend to meet with a teenage son he never knew he had and to help straighten out his life. He knows how to do crisis intervention but he does not have a clue how to help his son. He is also Grace’s ex-husband. When he sees Grace and hears about the first abduction, he does not hesitate to offer his help and the help of his entire team to find the buried girl.
Besides finding the buried girl and the psycho that buried her, there are also two bodies that are discovered on Grace’s property during renovations. The remains are that of a woman and child. Grace has no idea how they ended up on her property or who they are.
There is also a murder in Kentucky of an elderly couple vacationing. When the detective follows the trail and clues to find the murderer, he ends up in Cypress Bend. Are all the murders related, and if they are, how are they related?
The suspense in this book is non-stop. There are so many twists and turns thrown in to keep the reader off-balance. At times, the suspense and tension feel palpable. I just had to keep reading to see what would happen next. The writing style is descriptive and lends itself to complete suspense. The storyline is well written and the plot is very complex but not complicated.
The romance aspect of this book is secondary to the suspense, but it is still present and well written. Grace and Hatch have a history, and they both still care about each other. But they each have different needs: Grace needs permanence and roots planted, Hatch needs the sea and freedom. That was the problem with their marriage, and nothing has changed. Or has it, now that Hatch has a son?
The characters are well-developed, well rounded and three dimensional. All of the characters feel realistic and could be people you would want to be friends with. Hatch and his son Alex’s relationship seemed very realistic and is one that readers with teenagers can relate to. Every character has an important part to play in the story and the way they were woven together was excellent.
I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone who enjoys suspense. It is very well written and full of tension, twists and turns. It has everything I look for in a suspense book, twists and turns, tension and surprises. The ending blew me away and I really enjoyed.
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Jerjen
*Beware of possible Spoilers*
Grace Courtemanche is a state prosecutor for Cypress Bend, Florida. She is a tough, no-nonsense woman who hates to lose but who has a big heart. She is on vacation but she really is not getting much of a rest. She receives a phone call from a young girl that says she is being buried alive and desperately needs Grace’s help. Grace is in a race against a crazy killer and the clock to save the young girl before times run out. And although Grace does not know it yet, this is only Level One. There are three Levels in the Game, and then the finale.
Hatch Is a FBI crisis negotiator who is in Cypress Bend to meet with a teenage son he never knew he had and to help straighten out his life. He knows how to do crisis intervention but he does not have a clue how to help his son. He is also Grace’s ex-husband. When he sees Grace and hears about the first abduction, he does not hesitate to offer his help and the help of his entire team to find the buried girl.
Besides finding the buried girl and the psycho that buried her, there are also two bodies that are discovered on Grace’s property during renovations. The remains are that of a woman and child. Grace has no idea how they ended up on her property or who they are.
There is also a murder in Kentucky of an elderly couple vacationing. When the detective follows the trail and clues to find the murderer, he ends up in Cypress Bend. Are all the murders related, and if they are, how are they related?
The suspense in this book is non-stop. There are so many twists and turns thrown in to keep the reader off-balance. At times, the suspense and tension feel palpable. I just had to keep reading to see what would happen next. The writing style is descriptive and lends itself to complete suspense. The storyline is well written and the plot is very complex but not complicated.
The romance aspect of this book is secondary to the suspense, but it is still present and well written. Grace and Hatch have a history, and they both still care about each other. But they each have different needs: Grace needs permanence and roots planted, Hatch needs the sea and freedom. That was the problem with their marriage, and nothing has changed. Or has it, now that Hatch has a son?
The characters are well-developed, well rounded and three dimensional. All of the characters feel realistic and could be people you would want to be friends with. Hatch and his son Alex’s relationship seemed very realistic and is one that readers with teenagers can relate to. Every character has an important part to play in the story and the way they were woven together was excellent.
I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone who enjoys suspense. It is very well written and full of tension, twists and turns. It has everything I look for in a suspense book, twists and turns, tension and surprises. The ending blew me away and I really enjoyed.
November 3, 2014
After reading The Buried I am convinced there is a distinct line between suspense and romantic suspense. Shelley Coriell seems to skirt that line but ultimately I think this one is more mystery/suspense than romantic suspense and that is why I can’t give it a higher rating. It just didn’t give me what I expected.
Grace and Hatch have quite the history together. Once married, now divorced, they would both prefer not to have a case that involves them both at the same time. Hatch is a negotiator for the FBI and a bachelor at heart, never sticking around in an area for very long. Grace, a state attorney, wants stability, roots and a home. These two start out as polar opposites and gradually work back to each other. Since they were married I expected them to have quite the connection, even if that connection was purely physical. Yet I felt nothing with these two. Sure, they work together well but there was no fire, no heat, nothing. At least for me. The Buried definitely centers more on the mystery than the romance.
The killer seems intent on getting attention by having the victims call Grace and beg for their lives as they are buried alive in a desolate swamp. Each call makes Grace more determined to get to the bottom of why the killer has fixated on her. Needing Hatch to help her, and his need to protect cement his involvement in the case. To make matters worse Hatch has just learned he has a teenage son who breaks the law as often as Hatch upholds it. Suddenly “no roots” Hatch has plenty to keep him tied to this small town.
I never really got a hint on what direction this book was going. I certainly didn’t see the killer along the way. I enjoyed the picture Coriell painted of the psyche and deterioration of the villain as the book progressed. Yet I was disappointed that Grace and Hatch didn’t have more interaction with this person along the way. I like the intensity to build throughout a novel and this just seemed a steady continuation from page one. If I’m being honest I’d have to admit that I got a bit bored with the story because of the lack of ramped up emotions or high tension scenes.
By the end both characters have decided that they will have to bend in order to stay together. I’m not sure where this revelation comes from since I never felt they really wanted to fight for each other in the first place. Hatch, now having more than one reason to stick around realizes that he’s much happier wherever Grace is. And Grace decides that while Hatch has the need to come and go from her life that she’s willing to take that exchange if it means they can be together. Not really a happy ever after in my opinion but perhaps that’s the authors intent to revisit these characters sometime in the future.
The Buried is book two of The Apostles series but readers don’t need to worry because it works well as a stand alone. If you’re looking for a mystery that is light on the romance then maybe this one is for you. Unfortunately I prefer a bit more heat to scorch my pages.
I give The Buried by Shelley Coriell 2.75 stars
Grace and Hatch have quite the history together. Once married, now divorced, they would both prefer not to have a case that involves them both at the same time. Hatch is a negotiator for the FBI and a bachelor at heart, never sticking around in an area for very long. Grace, a state attorney, wants stability, roots and a home. These two start out as polar opposites and gradually work back to each other. Since they were married I expected them to have quite the connection, even if that connection was purely physical. Yet I felt nothing with these two. Sure, they work together well but there was no fire, no heat, nothing. At least for me. The Buried definitely centers more on the mystery than the romance.
The killer seems intent on getting attention by having the victims call Grace and beg for their lives as they are buried alive in a desolate swamp. Each call makes Grace more determined to get to the bottom of why the killer has fixated on her. Needing Hatch to help her, and his need to protect cement his involvement in the case. To make matters worse Hatch has just learned he has a teenage son who breaks the law as often as Hatch upholds it. Suddenly “no roots” Hatch has plenty to keep him tied to this small town.
I never really got a hint on what direction this book was going. I certainly didn’t see the killer along the way. I enjoyed the picture Coriell painted of the psyche and deterioration of the villain as the book progressed. Yet I was disappointed that Grace and Hatch didn’t have more interaction with this person along the way. I like the intensity to build throughout a novel and this just seemed a steady continuation from page one. If I’m being honest I’d have to admit that I got a bit bored with the story because of the lack of ramped up emotions or high tension scenes.
By the end both characters have decided that they will have to bend in order to stay together. I’m not sure where this revelation comes from since I never felt they really wanted to fight for each other in the first place. Hatch, now having more than one reason to stick around realizes that he’s much happier wherever Grace is. And Grace decides that while Hatch has the need to come and go from her life that she’s willing to take that exchange if it means they can be together. Not really a happy ever after in my opinion but perhaps that’s the authors intent to revisit these characters sometime in the future.
The Buried is book two of The Apostles series but readers don’t need to worry because it works well as a stand alone. If you’re looking for a mystery that is light on the romance then maybe this one is for you. Unfortunately I prefer a bit more heat to scorch my pages.
I give The Buried by Shelley Coriell 2.75 stars
October 17, 2014
The Buried by Shelley Coriell is a fantastic suspense book. It is book two in The Apostles series. It pulled me in from page one and never let me go.
Grace is a state prosecutor for Cypress Bend, Florida. She receives a phone call from a girl that claims she is buried alive. Grace needs to find the girl before she dies. Withe the help of her ex-husband, Hatch, she follows every and all clues in the search. Hatch is a crisis expert with the FBI and with the help of his team, there are many people searching for the girl. This is only one of the mysteries in this book.
Two bodies are found where Grace is now living, and after being examined, it is determined that the bodies are a woman and child. In Kentucky, the bodies of an elderly couple are found. There is no way to identify the bodies because their faces and fingerprints have been burned off. Are these murders related at all or are they just a coincidence?
The relationship between Grace and Hatch is complicated but sweet. Another complicated relationship is the one between Hatch and his teenage son, a son he never knew existed. A completely sweet relationship is the one between Grace and an old dog. The dog has lived at the place that Grace now lives his whole life and has decided that that is where he belongs. Grace says he is NOT her dog and that she does not like him because he drools too much and stinks. But in reality, she loves the dog and does think of him as her dog. I really liked the relationship between the two.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick read. The writing is descriptive and at times I felt like I was right there in Florida, watching the investigation first hand. The tension and suspense continue to build throughout the entire book until the very end.
This is the first book that I have read by Shelley Coriell and I have already gotten the first book in the series to read. I would place this author on my list of favorite suspense authors, right there with other favorites of mine like Maggie Shayne, Lisa Jackson and Erica Spindler. In my opinion this was one of the best suspense books I have read this year. I highly recommend this book to suspense lovers, I do not think you will be disappointed. I would have rated it more than 5 stars if I could have.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. And I honestly loved this book. I would like to thank NetGalley and Forever Publishers for the opportunity to read this fantastic book.
Grace is a state prosecutor for Cypress Bend, Florida. She receives a phone call from a girl that claims she is buried alive. Grace needs to find the girl before she dies. Withe the help of her ex-husband, Hatch, she follows every and all clues in the search. Hatch is a crisis expert with the FBI and with the help of his team, there are many people searching for the girl. This is only one of the mysteries in this book.
Two bodies are found where Grace is now living, and after being examined, it is determined that the bodies are a woman and child. In Kentucky, the bodies of an elderly couple are found. There is no way to identify the bodies because their faces and fingerprints have been burned off. Are these murders related at all or are they just a coincidence?
The relationship between Grace and Hatch is complicated but sweet. Another complicated relationship is the one between Hatch and his teenage son, a son he never knew existed. A completely sweet relationship is the one between Grace and an old dog. The dog has lived at the place that Grace now lives his whole life and has decided that that is where he belongs. Grace says he is NOT her dog and that she does not like him because he drools too much and stinks. But in reality, she loves the dog and does think of him as her dog. I really liked the relationship between the two.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick read. The writing is descriptive and at times I felt like I was right there in Florida, watching the investigation first hand. The tension and suspense continue to build throughout the entire book until the very end.
This is the first book that I have read by Shelley Coriell and I have already gotten the first book in the series to read. I would place this author on my list of favorite suspense authors, right there with other favorites of mine like Maggie Shayne, Lisa Jackson and Erica Spindler. In my opinion this was one of the best suspense books I have read this year. I highly recommend this book to suspense lovers, I do not think you will be disappointed. I would have rated it more than 5 stars if I could have.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. And I honestly loved this book. I would like to thank NetGalley and Forever Publishers for the opportunity to read this fantastic book.
October 28, 2014
4.5 Stars~
It’s not often that I say the second book in a series is better than the first, but it happens from time to time, and this is one of those instances. This story never dragged. I was hooked from the start and kept plowing on through. Sleep deprivation was my only obstacle.
I connected quickly to the main characters, and even several of the minor characters. I’d have to admit that I even had a soft spot for Blue, and I’m not even a dog person. Grace seemed a little too concerned about pleasing her dead father in the very beginning, but that was the only odd characteristic I noticed throughout the whole story. I felt like the love story behind the mystery was so much better in this story than the first, and it was never bad in the first book. You could feel the chemistry between Grace and Hatch, but their relationship was so much more than lust, and I appreciated seeing that. But there were so many other great relationships in this book, too. Shelley’s good at throwing in quirky characters, too. Speaking of which, I enjoyed the little appearance of Smokey Joe from the first book.
It was really amazing to me that one moment I’d be swooning in the middle of a love scene, and the next I could feel the absolute intensity and seriousness of a situation the characters had found themselves in. The mystery was well-presented. About 70% of the way in I thought I had guessed how things were going to play out. I was mostly correct, but it was still a long shot and there were still many surprises. It definitely wasn’t easy to guess how things would play out, and I remained in suspense.
I’ll also have to point out that Shelley is very good at ugly. This is definitely not a story for the faint of heart. At one point I quickly covered my mouth with my hand trying to hold my stomach down. It was rough! However, I managed to trudge through the one very gruesome scene. You can expect some strong language, child abuse, and just a few briefs moments of horror.
I also appreciated that the story didn’t end too abruptly. I liked getting a little picture of what things looked like after all the dust settled.
I highly recommend this to mystery lovers, especially if you like a romance mixed in!
*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.*
It’s not often that I say the second book in a series is better than the first, but it happens from time to time, and this is one of those instances. This story never dragged. I was hooked from the start and kept plowing on through. Sleep deprivation was my only obstacle.
I connected quickly to the main characters, and even several of the minor characters. I’d have to admit that I even had a soft spot for Blue, and I’m not even a dog person. Grace seemed a little too concerned about pleasing her dead father in the very beginning, but that was the only odd characteristic I noticed throughout the whole story. I felt like the love story behind the mystery was so much better in this story than the first, and it was never bad in the first book. You could feel the chemistry between Grace and Hatch, but their relationship was so much more than lust, and I appreciated seeing that. But there were so many other great relationships in this book, too. Shelley’s good at throwing in quirky characters, too. Speaking of which, I enjoyed the little appearance of Smokey Joe from the first book.
It was really amazing to me that one moment I’d be swooning in the middle of a love scene, and the next I could feel the absolute intensity and seriousness of a situation the characters had found themselves in. The mystery was well-presented. About 70% of the way in I thought I had guessed how things were going to play out. I was mostly correct, but it was still a long shot and there were still many surprises. It definitely wasn’t easy to guess how things would play out, and I remained in suspense.
I’ll also have to point out that Shelley is very good at ugly. This is definitely not a story for the faint of heart. At one point I quickly covered my mouth with my hand trying to hold my stomach down. It was rough! However, I managed to trudge through the one very gruesome scene. You can expect some strong language, child abuse, and just a few briefs moments of horror.
I also appreciated that the story didn’t end too abruptly. I liked getting a little picture of what things looked like after all the dust settled.
I highly recommend this to mystery lovers, especially if you like a romance mixed in!
*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.*
October 30, 2014
FULL REVIEW & GIVEAWAY FOR A PRINT COPY IN US/CANADA (Just leave a comment on the post)!
click here.
“Keep breathing. Lia, Keep breathing.”
Those are the words Grace keeps repeating in her head like a mantra. Hoping that she’ll get lucky and find Lia who is buried alive. Most people might just tell the police after receiving a phone call claiming they were trapped/buried alive, but not Grace. After receiving a phone call from Lia, she tries to do everything in her power to save her before it is too late.
Grace Courtemanche is a rising up and coming state prosecutor with an amazing track record. Patience is definitely not her strong suit that’s for sure. But she is tough, tenacious, ambitious, and not afraid of a challenge. Especially one with deadly consequences such as this one.
Hatch is a semi-laid back guy who knows how to handle a tough situation. As an FBI Agent and crisis negotiator, he has been trained on how to develop connections with people in order to help save lives. He is great with making people feel comfortable and opening up to him.
I think them being thrown together in this type of situation was a good experience for the both of them. These two are opposites for sure, but I liked how their personalities sort of played off each other. Together they made a really great team. Not to mention their chemistry and feelings seemed to be just as strong as it had been years ago when they first met.
I really enjoyed the storyline, especially the mystery. It was laid out very well, and it had me guessing the whole time. The characters were both interesting and easy to get to know. Not only did I want to get to find out more about them, I loved discovering more and following them on their journey. There was a good amount of suspense and action with some romance thrown into the mix. Fans of romantic suspense should try out this series.
click here.
“Keep breathing. Lia, Keep breathing.”
Those are the words Grace keeps repeating in her head like a mantra. Hoping that she’ll get lucky and find Lia who is buried alive. Most people might just tell the police after receiving a phone call claiming they were trapped/buried alive, but not Grace. After receiving a phone call from Lia, she tries to do everything in her power to save her before it is too late.
Grace Courtemanche is a rising up and coming state prosecutor with an amazing track record. Patience is definitely not her strong suit that’s for sure. But she is tough, tenacious, ambitious, and not afraid of a challenge. Especially one with deadly consequences such as this one.
Hatch is a semi-laid back guy who knows how to handle a tough situation. As an FBI Agent and crisis negotiator, he has been trained on how to develop connections with people in order to help save lives. He is great with making people feel comfortable and opening up to him.
I think them being thrown together in this type of situation was a good experience for the both of them. These two are opposites for sure, but I liked how their personalities sort of played off each other. Together they made a really great team. Not to mention their chemistry and feelings seemed to be just as strong as it had been years ago when they first met.
I really enjoyed the storyline, especially the mystery. It was laid out very well, and it had me guessing the whole time. The characters were both interesting and easy to get to know. Not only did I want to get to find out more about them, I loved discovering more and following them on their journey. There was a good amount of suspense and action with some romance thrown into the mix. Fans of romantic suspense should try out this series.
January 23, 2015
I received this book to give an honest review.
I loved the first book in this series and this one was just as good. Especially the twist that I totally didn't even see coming. I was like WHAT!!!
Grace is a prosecutor and trying to forget her ex-husband and getting ready to build a house. But all that changes when she misses 9 calls but answers the 10th one. It is a woman who Grace doesn't know but the girl needs help. She is buried alive somewhere and Grace has to find her before it is too late.
A killer is playing a game with Grace by giving her three chances to save random people that have been kidnapped. What Grace uncovers is something she never thought of before.
While Grace is trying to save these people her ex-husband Hatcher comes back into town. He has his own problems to deal with especially after learning he has a son. His son Alex is a young boy who has too much time on his hands that he is falling into trouble and hanging with the wrong crowd. Grace attempts to fight her feelings for Hatcher and reminds us all that the dog that came with her property is not really her dog.
Now the serial killer is one that I honestly didn't even think about. I thought it was just some crazy random person. I love how the author leaves you on the edge of your seat trying to figure out who this person is and why are they doing this.
The scenes are not graphic at all just if you are claustrophobic just beware that people are trapped. This author does a great job describing places and you can imagine the scene playing right in front of you, or at least it did for me.
Grace and Hatcher divorced for a reason and we learn about that reason. But we also see them try to get back together and I am glad it was not rushed as I don't think that would have been good. We see self-control from both of them.
Great mystery, suspense, thriller book. I love this author's sense of writing style and plan on reading more by her.
May 10, 2015
Author Shelley Coriell's second 'Apostles' effort, "The Buried" was a far superior read than first book of series. Somewhat disappointed with Coriell's first Apostles, "The Broken", her second book, "The Buried", was sharper right to it's conclusion. Prosecutor Grace Courtemanche ( Difficult to read that last name for 350 pages !- "KISS"), wins every case she tries. Grace demands a win every time out from herself. Throughout the years she's created a lot of enemies with her style from both sides of the tables. Grace is horrified when a young girl trapped in a buried box keeps calling her cell phone. Is it a gag ? Is the girl really in trouble ? Too bad the authorities do not find out in time. Theodore "Hatch" Hatcher, special agent of the FBI enters the case. Hatch is also Grace's ex-husband from a quickie marriage ten years prior that fizzled quickly. Hatch also still has intense feelings for Grace which have never cooled. The killer has promised Grace two more victims will die similar fates . A much quicker reading and well scripted plot for this second Apostles book. Author Coriell actually does kind of explain "Apostles" somewhat early in this book. It was nice to be able to think back to first book and realize some odd and end loose ends finally made sense. Why this special team concept wasn't given to reader out of the box in first book is a mystery in itself. The characters were much better developed in this second book too. Interesting dialog helped this one along at a brisk pace. All in all an enjoyable read. I'd recommend "The Buried" highly. 4 stars out of a possible 5 stars this one far better than first. Actually this one can be read first. Makes no difference solving the plot. Give it a try it's actually pretty good.
October 28, 2014
Okay, so I have to admit I didn't really like Grace at the beginning of this novel. She really struck me the wrong way until more of the story was revealed; then her character began to shine. I loved her once I understood her. I liked Hatch from the start, especially his Sunshine Boy nickname. These two as a couple seemed totally opposite although their chemistry was obviously great and their affection for each other strong. I also enjoyed the relationship Hatch had with his team of Apostles and the way they pulled Grace into their family. I kind of hope to see Grace as an Apostle in the future.
As for the storyline, a killer is on the loose. This killer has started a game with Grace as the only player. The killer buries the victims alive but leaves them one lifeline...a phone which only calls Grace. The race is on to find them in time. With the help of Hatch, the Apostles, and "not (her) dog" Blue, Grace sets out to find the killer before she becomes the final victim. In the midst of all the stress of hunting the killer, relationship issues abound...between Hatch and Grace, Hatch and his newly discovered 13 year old son, and an old lady and the bees which she believes tell her of a ghost.
This was an interesting and suspenseful novel with a lot of action. It is part of a series. I have not read any of the other Apostle books and was not lost at all. I was interested in the background of a couple that must have formed in a previous story, so I plan too go back and read any other books in the series so I will be ready for the next one.
Net Galley provided a copy of this novel for honest review:-)
As for the storyline, a killer is on the loose. This killer has started a game with Grace as the only player. The killer buries the victims alive but leaves them one lifeline...a phone which only calls Grace. The race is on to find them in time. With the help of Hatch, the Apostles, and "not (her) dog" Blue, Grace sets out to find the killer before she becomes the final victim. In the midst of all the stress of hunting the killer, relationship issues abound...between Hatch and Grace, Hatch and his newly discovered 13 year old son, and an old lady and the bees which she believes tell her of a ghost.
This was an interesting and suspenseful novel with a lot of action. It is part of a series. I have not read any of the other Apostle books and was not lost at all. I was interested in the background of a couple that must have formed in a previous story, so I plan too go back and read any other books in the series so I will be ready for the next one.
Net Galley provided a copy of this novel for honest review:-)
October 16, 2014
"Quiet as a cat. Into the black."
I really enjoyed the first book of this series and was excited to dive into this one. While it is part of a series, this book can be read as a standalone and features a different couple from the first book.
I was intrigued from the first chapter. Grace is a tough and sassy heroine and I adored her. While she is take charge, she has a touch of vulnerability, especially in regards to Hatch. They are the prefect balance to one another. I loved that Hatch was never intimidated by Grace and they worked amazingly well together.
The story is told from third person point of view but the author does an outstanding job of conveying the heroine and hero's emotions and thoughts. I was never left wondering what either was truly thinking or feeling. While there is a romance element, the suspense piece was well told, as well. I was left guessing until the final chapters. There no way a reader can predict how all the events will unfold or connect to one another.
There is a complete ending to the story and I look forward to the next book in the series. I can't wait to meet another member of The Apostles. I would recommend this series to any Romantic/Suspense fan!
I really enjoyed the first book of this series and was excited to dive into this one. While it is part of a series, this book can be read as a standalone and features a different couple from the first book.
I was intrigued from the first chapter. Grace is a tough and sassy heroine and I adored her. While she is take charge, she has a touch of vulnerability, especially in regards to Hatch. They are the prefect balance to one another. I loved that Hatch was never intimidated by Grace and they worked amazingly well together.
The story is told from third person point of view but the author does an outstanding job of conveying the heroine and hero's emotions and thoughts. I was never left wondering what either was truly thinking or feeling. While there is a romance element, the suspense piece was well told, as well. I was left guessing until the final chapters. There no way a reader can predict how all the events will unfold or connect to one another.
There is a complete ending to the story and I look forward to the next book in the series. I can't wait to meet another member of The Apostles. I would recommend this series to any Romantic/Suspense fan!
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