Buried Road: An Edge-of-Your-Seat Thriller of a Mother-Daughter Duo's Perilous Search for the Truth Against Sinister Small-Town Mysteries

Gus Monet #3

by Katie Tallo

“A fast-paced, exciting, missing persons thriller with a heart pounding twisty final third that I very much enjoyed. Katie Tallo is a big new talent.”—New York Times bestselling author Adrian McKinty

In this edge-of-your-seat thriller—the follow-up to the international bestselling Dark August and Poison Lilies—Gus Monet and her daughter embark on a perilous road trip to find a missing person.

When the love of her life disappeared on a camping trip, Gus Monet was devastated. Her daughter was only nine at the time, but young Bly still remembers the heartbreak vividly. Howard had been like a father to her. He was a journalist working on a story that took a dark and dangerous turn. The last time they saw him, he was going to meet a source he believed could blow the story wide open.

Three years later, shocked to see Howard’s obituary in the paper, Gus and Bly are drawn back to Prince Edward County where he was last seen and where the camper Howard was driving has been found. Sneaking into the camper, mother and daughter find what investigators missed. Hidden behind a secret panel are Howard’s notebook, cell phone, and a video message recorded right before he vanished, evidence that turns the cold case red hot. Searching for answers, Gus and Bly vow to follow the story Howard was pursuing and to expose whoever went to deadly lengths to stop him from revealing the truth.

Told in the compelling, thoughtful voice of young Bly, this edge-of-your-seat thriller ratchets up the tension, culminating in a heart-pounding, soul crushing, shocking finale. Infused with vivid summer imagery, set among eerie abandoned places, and steeped with sinister small-town secrets, Buried Road is the story of a young girl and a mother whose reckless resolve leads them ever closer to lethal danger—but ultimately might be what ensures their survival.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Crime, Audiobook

334 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 3, 2024

About the author

Katie grew up in Ottawa, studied English, Film and Television, married a bartender, and had a daughter. She spent several decades writing screenplays and making films and TV shows. In 2013, Katie won top prize in a UK writing competition. Her publishing debut came in 2020 with the thriller Dark August which became an international bestseller and inspired a trilogy which includes Poison Lilies and Buried Road. She still works in video production as a scriptwriter and director. Katie lives with her husband in the Wellington West neighbourhood of Ottawa.

Reviews

[Kate Cedras · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed buried road - it was easily a 4 star read! I definitely wish I had read books 1&2- not because I felt anything was missing or they aren’t capable of being standalone books but honestly because that’s just my preference of how to read books in a series.

I enjoyed the mother/daughter angle of this story. It felt well written but I did feel at times like it was a slow burn and I got a bit bored.

That didn’t keep me from enjoying it and thinking it was worthy of 4 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for my honest review.

[Hannah McKinnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

BURIED ROAD is a forget-everything-you’re-doing kind of book that pulls you in from the first page. With a protagonist you’ll cheer on and feel terrified for at the same time, you won’t be able to put it down. Smart, twisted, breathtakingly compelling—it’s everything you want from a fantastic mystery, and Tallo’s storytelling skills mean she’s an auto-read author for me. Hands down one of my favourite books of the year.

[The Bookish Elf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katie Tallo's "Buried Road" is a masterfully crafted thriller that weaves together the raw emotions of loss, the unbreakable bonds of family, and the relentless pursuit of truth. As the third installment following "Dark August" and "Poison Lilies," this novel demonstrates Tallo's growing confidence as a storyteller while maintaining her signature blend of atmospheric tension and deeply human characters.

The Heart of the Story

The narrative follows thirteen-year-old Bly Monet and her mother Gus as they embark on a dangerous journey to uncover the truth about Howard's disappearance three years ago. What begins as a response to an unexpected obituary transforms into a heart-racing investigation that peels back layers of small-town secrets, family loyalties, and criminal enterprises.

Narrative Style and Structure

Tallo's decision to tell the story through Bly's perspective proves to be a masterstroke. The young protagonist's voice is authentic, combining the wisdom that comes from early trauma with the natural curiosity and resilience of youth. Her observations are sharp, often cutting through adult pretenses with remarkable clarity.

Strengths:

- Immersive sense of place in Prince Edward County
- Complex, layered characters with believable motivations
- Masterful pacing that builds tension organically
- Rich atmospheric details that enhance the story
- Strong emotional core grounding the thriller elements

Character Development

The relationship between Gus and Bly stands out as the novel's beating heart. Their dynamic evolves beautifully throughout the story, shifting from a traditional mother-daughter relationship to something more complex as they face increasingly dangerous situations together.

Critical Analysis

Writing Quality

Tallo's prose is crisp and evocative, particularly in scenes describing the natural landscape. Her ability to capture the essence of Prince Edward County - from its tourist-filled beaches to its forgotten corners - creates a vivid backdrop for the unfolding drama.

Areas for Improvement:

- Some plot twists may strain credibility for more cynical readers
- A few secondary character arcs could have been more fully developed
- The pacing occasionally slows in the middle section

Thematic Depth

The novel explores several compelling themes:

- The nature of family bonds - both chosen and biological
- The weight of secrets in small communities
- The moral complexities of justice versus revenge
- The lasting impact of trauma on both individuals and relationships

Technical Elements

Plot Construction

The story's structure is meticulously crafted, with each revelation building naturally from the last. Tallo demonstrates considerable skill in maintaining suspense while delivering satisfying payoffs to earlier setups.

Dialogue

The conversations feel natural and serve multiple purposes - advancing the plot, revealing character, and providing necessary exposition without becoming heavy-handed.

Final Verdict

Strengths

- Compelling mother-daughter relationship
- Strong sense of place and atmosphere
- Well-constructed mystery elements
- Satisfying emotional payoff
- Authentic young narrator's voice

Weaknesses

- Some plot points require suspension of disbelief
- Pacing issues in middle section
- Secondary character development could be stronger

"Buried Road" is a gripping thriller that succeeds both as a mystery and as a character study. While it has some minor flaws, the strong emotional core, vivid setting, and compelling narrative voice make it a worthy addition to any thriller reader's library.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars — BURIED ROAD is a gripping, multi-layered missing persons mystery, told from the POV of a 12-year old girl. Bly and her mother, Gus, have returned to Prince Edward County after they see an obituary for Howard, Gus's boyfriend. Howard, a journalist, disappeared three years earlier on a family camping trip in the area. However, the mother/daughter duo aren't ready to say goodbye to him just yet, especially when new leads in his disappearance are discovered.

This is actually book three in a series (which I didn't realize), but it can be read standalone. I enjoyed hearing the story in Bly's voice, which added an extra layer of emotion to this thriller. Both mother and daughter are determined to find answers, even with forces working against them. The ending was wild, but fitting to the story. Lots of great twists. I enjoyed the writing style and descriptions of Prince Edward County too.

[Nurse Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publisher for this ARC!

Could it be because I didn’t realize this was book 3 in a series? Or was it just lack-luster? Buried Road by Katie Tallo is the third installment in series about a mom/daughter duo. I cannot speak on the first two books, but I didn’t find myself lost or missing information by not reading them first. I loved the premise of this story- mom and daughter working together to find a lost loved one, in the woods, thriller and suspense. I found the excitement fell flat for me. While I won’t say this is a “bad book”, it flowed smoothly, it’s not a fan favorite for me. Maybe I’ll go back and read the first two books, Dark August and Poison Lillies to see if that’s the missing link for me.

[John Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katie Tallo’s Buried Road is a gripping thriller that pulls you in with its quiet unease and keeps you hooked with its relentless pace and unexpected turns. When Gus Monet and her daughter, Bly, discover a hidden trove of evidence connected to the disappearance of Gus’s partner, Howard, their search for answers takes them deep into Prince Edward County—and into danger. The story unravels with a mix of personal stakes, chilling revelations, and edge-of-your-seat suspense.

I’ll admit, the book starts off a bit slow, almost as if it’s feeling its way through the shadows of its central mystery. But once it gets going, it’s unstoppable. Like a runaway train, the plot picks up speed, careening through twists and turns I didn’t see coming. Tallo builds tension masterfully, laying out clues and secrets that turn a cold case into a fiery pursuit of the truth.

The relationship between Gus and Bly plays a really important a role in the novel. It’s not just a story about uncovering a crime; it’s about the bond between a mother and daughter as they navigate grief, resilience, and danger together. Bly, especially, is a standout. Her perspective is insightful and authentic, and she adds a layer of vulnerability that makes the stakes feel even higher. Gus is equally compelling—flawed, determined, and deeply human.

The Prince Edward County setting deserves its own mention. Tallo paints it with eerie beauty, creating an atmosphere that feels both haunting and alive. Every detail, from the abandoned camper to the looming sense of danger, heightens the suspense and pulls you further into the story.

And that ending? Satisfying and surprising in equal measure. It ties up loose threads while leaving you with plenty to think about. Tallo doesn’t just resolve the mystery; she makes you feel the weight of it.

It’s early in the year, but Buried Road has already set a high bar for my favorite reads of 2025. If you’re looking for a thriller that blends intricate plotting with genuine heart, this one’s a must-read.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gus Monet and her daughter Bly are on the run, hunting down the truth about what happened to Howard. . .

It's a race to the end, and the secret of the book's title is in the very last sentence. A twisty turny tale to keep you guessing what's next.

*A sincere thank you to Katie Tallo, Harper Perennial and Paperbacks | Harper Paperbacks and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #TheBuriedRoad #NetGalley 25|52:2f

[Magdalena aka A Bookaholic Swede · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Buried Road to be a strong read, though not quite as powerful as Poison Lilies. I was really captivated by Poison Lilies. Gus solved a gripping mystery that pulled me in completely, and that’s why I wanted to read the continuation.

Buried Road is told through the perspective of Gus’s daughter, Bly, who I really like. The story follows them as they search for answers about a man named Howard, who one day just disappeared from their lives. It’s been several years since then, and now it seems they might finally get the answers to the mystery of what happened to Howard. The story is tense and emotional, and I enjoyed every minute of it.

It’s been many years since I read Dark August, the first book in the series. I thought it was okay but a bit slow for my taste at the time. However, after reading these two books, I’m really tempted to go back and reread the first one.

Lauren Ezzo is a fantastic narrator, one of my favorites. I’m never disappointed when I find a book narrated by her, so I was very happy with the choice for this audiobook.

Hopefully, there will be a fourth book in the series because I’d love to see more.

[Haley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This didn’t work for me at all, unfortunately.

This book was extremely cheesy, with boring one-dimensional characters. The story is told from the perspective of a pre-teen, named Bly, who was understandably naive and immature. Her mother puts her at risk and involves her in criminal activities many times throughout the book which bothered me. This felt like a chore to read and I only finished because I enjoyed the setting of Picton, ON🇨🇦

[Lizzy Brannan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a great thriller concept….but has an ABSOLUTELY BIZARRE ending and many randomly inserted… things.

Gus Monet and her daughter Bly are looking for Howard, Bly’s adoptive father and Gus’s boyfriend. Bly remembers Howard going to get ice cream, on their family beach vacation three years ago, and never returning. Since, Gus and Bly have been tracking the clues to find him. The police aren’t really doing their job. They will never give up the hope of finding Howard, even though Howard’s parents are moving ahead with his funeral. As Gus and Bly get closer to finding the answers, they begin to realize that there is a more intricate web of deception in the town where Howard disappeared.

The components that bother me about this book are 1. The ending was so strange and random. 2. There are too many random concepts or lines that make no sense to the plot. Insertions of randomly collected items that Bly hopes to use to find her Dad just had me sincerely confused. And the ending…while I can’t share it…was also random.
And yet….the concept of this book is creative!

Many thanks to Net Galley, Katie Tallo, and Harper for this eARC in exchange for my all too honest review.

[ReadThisAndSteep · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is part of a series, but it works as a stand-alone. While this was my first read by this author, it will not be my last, as I enjoyed her writing style. This starts as a slow burn, but the book's second half takes off and is high-stakes, suspenseful, and twisty. Although a few of the twists were surprising, there was one I was utterly shocked by! And by the last 25%, I just could not put this down. The character development is well done, and the mother/daughter dynamic at the center of the story is interesting.

[Jody Blanchette · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I thought this book was a standalone, until I finished it and actually looked at the back cover lol. I guess there are two books ahead of this one, but you would never know because this book really works as a standalone. But, now knowing there are more books with Gus & Bly, I will definitely be reading them.
This book is a nonstop hunt for a missing loved one. When the police have given up, and it’s on family to find out what happened, is my kind of mystery. No stuffy police procedural, just straight amateur sleuthing. Gus and Bly run into a lot of trouble, but never stop looking for answers.
I found this story incredibly thrilling and I enjoyed figuring out the mystery with the characters. The ending was quite shocking, but totally worked with the direction of the story. There were no holes or things left unfinished, totally satisfying. I recommend this book to those that don’t need a lot of murder in their mystery to get a thrill.

[Grace Spicer-Pilon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read Buried Road in the summer, when the setting in the book perfectly matched the outside world. This second time round, I read it in the winter, during a particularly frigid and snowstorm heavy December. This book was my little companion on bus rides and cold walks, and I always felt a bit warmer and safer having it with me.

What an exhilarating ride to read this book - although it is action-packed, stressful at times, and rife with the grief of losing a loved one, it was strangely comforting to read and get so wholly lost in the universe created by Katie Tallo. Mischief, wine, fairgrounds and campgrounds, hidden meanings and secret paths, this book is cemented as a perfect thriller mystery, yet with a healthy dose of familiarity and coziness due to the Ontario setting and my past experiences with the characters.

Knowing this is the last instalment in the series was a bittersweet feeling throughout my reading, as I have held these characters close to me since 2020 and enjoyed their company, their particularities, and everything that makes them so unique and fleshed out. In this novel, however, I got to meet the exceptional Bly, precocious and a bit obsessive, wary yet sweet and open-minded. I love her to bits, and her perspective being the main one in the novel made the book even more interesting and engaging. Everyone we meet in this novel is someone to remember, even side characters with only brief appearances. It’s a true gift to be able to write such unforgettable characters across the board.

There were so many twists and unexpected turns in the story, and I was constantly excited to find out what was going to happen next. The way Katie Tallo writes would carry over perfectly into a cinematic adaptation, and I know that one day this will make a phenomenal movie series as well as book series!

In short, I adored this book. In reading it, I can tell it was crafted with love, with incisive planning and creativity, and above all, with joy. I have a feeling I will return to this book frequently to re-immerse myself in the world of Bly and Gus, and experience the harrowing adventure that they embark on in the name of love and sheer faith. I would recommend it to anybody who wants to lose themselves in a narrative so unique and compelling, and disappear for a while.

5 frickin stars.

[Erin Clemence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic copy of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Three years ago, Augusta Monet’s partner, Howard, disappeared without a trace while investigating a news story. Everyone, even Howard’s parents, had given up hope that Howard would be found. But Gus and her preteen daughter, Bly, struggle for closure and won’t give up hope that Howard will be found alive. When Howard’s parents decide to finally hold a funeral for their son, even though a body was never recovered, Gus and Bly find themselves returning to the small town where Howard went missing. While there, Gus realizes it is the perfect oppourtunity to investigate what really happened to Howard all those years ago. But the truth is far more dangerous than Gus could’ve expected, putting both her and Bly’s life in danger.

Katie Tallo, author of “Poison Lilies”, is a Canadian born writer, and she brings the small community in Prince Edward County to the pages with her new novel, “Buried Road”.

Twelve-year-old Bly is the narrator for “Road”, as she is thrust into her mother’s investigation, just as desperate for answers to find the only father she has ever known. The naive protagonist is charming and thoughtful but she is also old enough to be observant and brave. It is easy to read Bly’s story and somehow forget that she is a young girl but also to be absurdly aware of her age at the same time. Tallo has created a powerful mother-daughter relationship built on trust and love, making it easy for readers to develop a quick rapport with both Bly and Gus.

“Buried Road” is a tale of a corrupt police force, a rich community member desperate for power and two mothers who aspire for the same thing- that their children have everything they could ever need. There is no shortage of drama in Tallo’s new novel and every twist and turn managed to converge in a seamless way, bringing the novel to its end with an edge-of-your-seat conclusion.

I am always proud to support Canadian authors and they get bonus points for including Canadian settings and environments. I loved the summer vibes brought on by the small cottage town and the perseverance and dedication displayed by both Gus and Bly had me cheering. I was introduced to Tallo with her second novel, “Poison Lilies”, so being asked to read this one was a no-brainer, and I am very glad I did. I can’t wait to see what Tallo does next.

[Stacy40pages · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buried Road by Katie Tallo. Thanks to @harperperennial for the gifted Arc #oliveinfluencer ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bly Money was only nine when her mother’s boyfriend, and by proxy father, disappeared. Now three years later they go back to the scene to investigate.

This has a strong mother/daughter component to it, which is compelling but makes for a slow beginning as it builds up and displays the relationship. It’s a creeping investigation that builds with time and becomes exciting about halfway through once the antagonist is revealed. While this is part of a series, I read it as a standalone. I didn’t feel that I missed anything but of course typically prefer to read series in order.

“There is no time for peace. This is war.”

Buried Road comes out 12/3.

[Mandy K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buried Road
4⭐️

Buried Road is told from Bly’s POV. Bly is a preteen who likes order, quiet, and following the rules. She’s quite the opposite of her mother, Gus, who is stubborn, unafraid, and will do whatever it takes when she’s on a mission. Together they are determined to find out what happened to Howard (Gus’s partner and Bly’s father figure) years ago when he disappeared. They are reunited with the camper van Howard was last seen driving before his disappearance and now they are following breadcrumbs in hopes that they will lead to answers.

I liked that this was told solely from Bly’s POV. It gave the story a sense of innocence coming from a child, even when the plot took turns into drugs, guns, and corruption. This felt a bit slow moving, but in an enjoyable way. I throughly enjoyed the ending. It’s been awhile since I had tears at the end of a book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.

[Chelsea (gofetchabook) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was very police procedurally for a non police procedural.

A man disappears and his longtime girlfriend and daughter set out to find him after three years when everyone else believes he’s dead.

The story is told from the POV of Bly, the daughter, who is supposed to be 11 or 12, but there’s really nothing the author does to make her seem her age. It could have been told from any POV and the writing would be the same. I just found it to be an odd choice with when there was zero effort to make it sound like it was from a child’s POV.

The major plot line got really convoluted, and the ending didn’t really connect to the direction the book was moving the whole time. It did tie back to an incident that made sense, but it made me wonder why we went down a false path with all that information for so long.

Overall, it was fine, but I wasn’t entirely into it.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This missing person cold case thriller is worth all the hype!! I loved that the story is told from Gus's daughter, Bly's perspective and that the mother-daughter duo refuse to give up hope of finding Howard, the father/husband figure in their family who mysteriously disappeared three years ago. Set in Ontario wine country, this was a fast-paced read that kept me guessing right to the end. The final third especially went in so many different directions my head spun but it all wrapped up in a satisfying conclusion and was good on audio too narrated by Lauren Ezzo. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review by this latest by a new to me Canadian author!

[Ranjini Shankar · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounding up. This was a slow burn mystery with a focus on a mother-daughter relationship. It was well done but felt overly contrived at times. The relationship does shine through and they’re a duo you root hard for.

Bly and her mother Gus are looking for Howard, the man Gus loves and the only father Bly knows. He disappeared one day and now three years later his parents have decided to hold a memorial for their missing son. Refusing to accept he’s dead Gus and Bly decide to head out again to find him and when they discover his old camper they realize there may yet be stones unturned.

There are plenty of twists and turns in this one and there were plenty of reveals that surprised me despite the big bad being obvious from the get go. I liked this one enough to add her previous works to MY TBR.

[NrsKelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

These characters were killing me. I think the premise of this novel sounds good, but the characters all seemed to blend together to me. None of them held my attention, or were remotely likeable……with the exception of Howard and Able.
All in all I did have to force myself to finish this. Not to say that a lot of people won’t enjoy it. I just did not find it to be a compelling read.
I recieved an ARC of this title, all opinions are my own.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well it didn’t live up to the hype on the cover, for me. It dragged too much! The promise of edge of your seat was more like languid meandering! Probably won’t review this on my channel. https://youtube.com/@bookreviewswithb...

[Carley Pringle · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Buried Roads" is easily a 4-star read for me! If I weren't required to be a productive member of my household, I could have easily started reading it and never stopped!

This book follows Gus and Bly’s journey to find Howard, who disappeared three years prior. Although there were some slow parts, the story still kept me engaged! I loved the twists, especially when all the breadcrumbs finally came together.

I am, however, upset with myself for not realizing that this was part of a series. I plan to go back and read the previous books to learn more about Gus and possibly Bly because I really love their story!

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Perennial, and Paperbacks for this ARC!

[Scott Garrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was SO good! This is my first Katie Tallo book, and it won't be my last. When I first picked it up, I didn't realize that it was the third book in the Gus Monet series, but I think it works really well as a standalone book. It had drama, intrigue, and so much excitement. I love a thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat--taking you on a wild ride. I think my only non-issue is that the narrator doesn't always sound like a 14 year old girl, but like I said, it was a non-issue because the story was so so good.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

[Jamele (BookswithJams) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you #partner @bibliolifestyle @harperperennial for having me on this tour.

I have read the first two books in this series and so I was very excited to read the third book. I was not expecting this to be told from Gus’ daughter’s POV, as the first two are from Gus Monet's POV, but it worked really well once I got into it. I liked the story and the case, and really enjoyed this third installment. I think this can be read as a standalone for sure, but your reading will be enhanced if you have read the first two books in this series, and they are quite good so it is worth it.

[Madelaine Breau · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Took a chance on buying a book because of the cover and I'm not mad.
This was a good story, but if I would have done my research, I would have read the first two books by this author since they follow one of the main characters.
This was based in Ontario and told from a child's point of view. It took me a bit to get into it but the story was really good.

[Abby O’Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good civilian gone detective novel and this one was great! Kept me guessing the whole time and had so many clues that all tied together in ways I did not expect. Though bringing a 12 year old on a missing persons/murder investigation isn’t smart it made the book more interesting that it was told from a child’s perspective.

[Jasmine Vary · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like 3.5, I think, but rounding up.

[Lis Durst · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good!! What a twisty mystery and paced perfectly.