The Buried Hours

by R.S. Grant, Kathleen Early (Narrator), Tim Lounibos (Narrator)

11 hours, 23 minutes

Is she following a path of redemption or an enemy’s revenge? A crime reporter’s traumatic past comes back to haunt her in a twisting novel of lies, betrayals, and killer secrets.

Investigative crime journalist Signe Gates’s life became a nightmare the day she was kidnapped and drugged. After forty-eight missing hours, she woke to a blur of unsettling memories and a warning from her unknown abductors: tell anyone what happened and they’ll die. They’ve already proved they will deliver on that threat.

For two years, Signe has been haunted by what she knows she did and terrified of what else could be buried in her memories.

Then an informant tells her two men recently found dead in Yosemite are connected to her missing hours, and more answers await her in the park’s backwoods. But she must hurry. Desperate to know who targeted her and why, she has no choice but to embark on the dangerous journey.

With a seasoned hiker acting as her guide, Signe ventures into the wilderness to solve a crime, get justice for the crimes committed against her, and overcome her demons. If only she could trust the man leading her into the backwoods…

Because with each new suspicion, deliverance is starting to look more and more like a trap.

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

12 pages, Audible Audio

First published December 5, 2023

About the author

R. S. Grant also writes as Rachel Grant, the USA Today bestselling author of the Flashpoint series, the Evidence novels, and Dangerous Ground and Crash Site in the Fiona Carver series. She worked for more than a decade as a professional archaeologist and mines her experiences for story lines and settings as diverse as excavating a cemetery underneath a historic art museum in San Francisco, surveying an economically depressed coal mining town in Kentucky, and mapping a seventeenth-century Spanish and Dutch fort on the island of Sint Maarten in the Netherlands Antilles. In all her travels and adventures, Rachel has found many sites and artifacts, but she’s unearthed only one true treasure: her husband, David. Rachel lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and children. For more information visit www.rachel-grant.net.

Reviews

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Several of my favorite Romantic-Suspense authors have forsaken the genre to write just Suspense or Mystery books. I'm not a happy reader about this turn of events. I really like a good Romance to go with the Suspense. At least Rachel Grant has used a pen name, so you know going in that you are getting something different. This work is darker, grittier and rough to take in spots than anything Grant has previously written. This is a mystery/suspense with a touch of romance. I wasn't at all sure about Signe's relationship with Cole. I sure didn't trust him, and I could see why she didn't. I loved the Yosemite scenes, even the grueling hike to the site for a meet. Shades of my younger days. Signe's home in Redondo Beach is also close to my heart. Sitting on the Esplanade looking at the ocean is my favorite place in the world.

Signe Garts is a very successful crime journalist with her own docuseries about criminals and the criminal mind. She is just starting to put her life back together after she was kidnapped, drugged and brutalized losing 48-hours of her life with bruises and scars on her body and soul. And, losing the trust of the man she loved.

When an informant contacts her with a clue to what happened to her during those missing 48-hours and a lead to the disappearance of two men in Yosemite, there is no way she isn't going to make that meet. Desperately needing to find a guide and cameraman, Signe contacts the one man she would rather not get involved, her ex-husband Leo Starr. Leo arranges for the new star of his latest docuseries, Cole Brenner, to accompany her. Cole is uniquely qualified as he has an archeological background in Yosemite and backpacking experience. Cole also has his own secrets and reasons for going with Signe.

What they find in the backcountry of Yosemite is danger, murder and few answers. But it just makes Signe more determined to find the person behind her kidnapping and bring them to justice.

Possible triggers: rape and human trafficking.

4 1/2-Stars

My thanks to the Publisher and the Author for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Buried Hours is Rachel Grant's debut under the pen name R.S. Grant and I really hope we see more from her under it because this book was 🔥 It is a crazy dark storyline, so I highly recommend checking triggers before going into it, but man, it was expertly done, and I was glued to the pages. I didn't want to put this down, so I didn't, and the pace moves along quite quickly as Signe works to discover what happened during her missing hours. There are plenty of twists and turns as the story progresses and some made my jaw drop with how shocking they were.

The audiobook for The Buried Hours is top-notch and as of this writing available on Kindle Unlimited along with the eBook. Kathleen Early, Tim Lounibos, & Thor Knai narrate and believe me when I say they were all excellent. Despite what happened to her, or maybe because of it, Signe is an exceptionally strong FMC and will probably go down as one of my favorite non-reoccurring characters. Minus the triggers, I think it is good to go into this one blind if you can, and if you are a fan of authors like Karin Slaughter and Louisa Luna, I think you will enjoy this book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Kay Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impossible to put down. I read with held breath and a pounding heart. Intriguing from start to finish. Full of shocking twists and thrilling turns. I wasn't sure who I could trust. Brilliant book.

[Toni Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dark, gritty thriller with twists and turns you won't see coming!

[Victoria Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Buried Hours is packed full of so many sharp turns I could barely hold on! R.S. Grant puts the reader right on the trail in Yosemite with this dark thriller, and it’s a journey that will keep you reading all night. My favorite part (actually several parts) is that the heroine did NOT hesitate to defend herself, no doubts, no regrets!

[Tammy Moldovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, suspenseful and unputdownable

This book. The mystery. The danger. The suspicions. The questions. The darkness. The plot twists. The past pain. The big feels. I loved it all. I especially loved the slow and steady progressive ratcheting up of the tension and suspense, word by word, paragraph by paragraph, chapter by chapter. It was perfection. This suspenseful romance keeps you enthralled and is filled with smart funny and wildly appealing characters and an edge of your seat story. It grabbed me by throat from the very first word and kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last one. It is a rollercoaster ride of excitement with so many twists and turns it was hard to put down. Who were the bad guys? Who were the good guys? What happened in the missing 48 hours? What is going on now? Signe is an investigative journalist. Her show focuses on crime and she interviews criminals for in depth stories about how crime works. Two years ago she was the victim of a horrific crime. She cannot remember the 48 hours and she cannot tell anyone about it to avoid anyone being killed. Signe receives a cryptic text about two murders in Yosemite that she should look into for clues to her abduction. Cole is an archeologist about to star in his own docudrama being produced by Signe’s ex-husband. It was her ex who sends Cole to be Signe’s camping and climbing guide through Yosemite. The more time Signe and Cole spend together and the deeper they go into the park, the more uncomfortable and dangerous things become. The book has a little bit of everything just like you would expect from this genre - sweet moments, strong friendships, sexy times, real life issues, imperfect characters, dangerous moments, mystery, uber protective men, secrets, plot twists, painful pasts, evil actors, and love. The story included witty dialogue, three dimensional characters who grow, and an engaging storyline. I love when romantic suspense keeps me guessing the identities and motives of the bad guys. This book did that in spades.

[Sarah Aldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a twisty one! I thoroughly enjoyed this. I couldn’t wait to pick it back up. I was in a book slump, and the only reason I chose this one was because one of my favorite voice actors (shoutout to Kathleen Early 🎉🤩) shared that she was a part of it.
Give it a look! It was good!!!!!

[Marija · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, the suspense, emotions, twists, and turns kept me glued to this dark and gritty story until the end. The author is new to me, I love her writing style and I will be looking for her past and future books.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for access to this arc.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

This book was incredible. Unable to tell who to trust from the beginning on until the very end, this was full of suspense and intrigue, dark mystery, trauma, and just a touch of romance. I loved it.

Thank you R.S. Grant, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was right up my alley. I didn't think I would be finishing this book as quickly as I did, but I was hooked. Strong, smart female MC, although falling for a few of the same flawed thinking patterns a few times - not in an annoying way. A great male lead who very much showed off the authors' background in archaeology, which was really interesting and didn't feel forced. It also tackled a topic that isn't usually in books, not going to write what it is...spoiler. Very much looking forward to her next book.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an emotional read! So much going on, and so many twists and turns, I didn’t want to put the book down. It’s dark, full of suspense, lies, and a whole lot of questionable characters. Rachel Grant fans will be thrilled to add her new R.S. Grant books to their library! Loved this book!

[Jacquie Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this book is fabulous. Loved the plot, the storyline and the suspense! The characters are great. I highly recommend this one. Can the heroine find out what happened during the lost hours when she was abducted? Who was behind it?

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for access to this arc in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first time I read from this author and while I think it was quite slow and dragging for the first part of the book, it really picked up afterwards. Twists upon twists until everything came together ! I felt so sad for her, everything she went through. But in the end, I have to say i loved it !!

[Yvonne (It's All About Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished reading: December 5th 2023

"That she'd been betrayed by the very kind of person she gave voice to had been her impetus to stay in the game."

*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***



This was another title I couldn't resist adding to my shelves after reading the blurb, because I do love a good thriller with a survival/wilderness angle. The main character Signe's background also had me fully intrigued, and I've been looking forward to dive into this story partly set in Yosemite. I'm happy to announce that I most definitely hit the jackpot here, and I ended up having an absolute blast with The Buried Hours! Dark, shocking, gritty and simply impossible to put down: this thriller means business indeed.

There is a lot to unpack in The Buried Hours, but I've decided to keep this review on the short side to avoid spoilers. Trust me, this story will have even more impact if you don't exactly know what is coming! What I can say is that Yosemite plays a key role in the plot, and the descriptions of the park and the hike were both thorough and vivid. Add the suspense and things happening along the way, and I was literally on the edge of my seat the whole time. Oh yes, the wilderness/survival angle most definitely hit the mark for me!

The plot switches between Signe and Cole, and it's a great way to both add more suspense and give more insight into their characters and their growing connection. Both characters were quite easy to warm up to, although the whole mystery around Cole does make you doubt his true intentions. Signe is a complicated and without doubt flawed character, but the fact that she doesn't give up and is determined to discover the truth shows her resilience. It makes you root for her almost straight away, although certain actions also make you want to shake her to make her see sense... Either way, I was invested in her story until the very end.

Like I said before, there is a lot to unpack in The Buried Hours, and there are a lot of different subplots, twists and secrets to be revealed along the way. This story doesn't shy away from heavy topics or graphic scenes, so it might not be the best book if you have a weak stomach... If you don't mind your thrillers on the dark and twisted side, you will fully appreciate this wild and exhilarating ride though. The plot twists themselves were mainly successful, and there were a couple that hit me completely out of the blue. What I also didn't expect was the romance, and the sexy scenes were a bit too much for me, but I loved the rest of the story too much to be truly bothered by them.

There is a lot to love in The Buried Hours, and I ended up reading most of the book in one sitting. Once you get a glimpse of the full scope of this story, it will be hard to stop reading, that's for sure! I definitely want to read more of this author now.

P.S. Find more of my reviews here.

[alli · Rating 5 out of 5]

another perfect book by rachel grant, absolutely no notes.

[suze joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel does it again. Loved seeing the gang all together. Whodunnit and why will keep you guessing until the end. Absolutely loved it

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Thriller!

Ms. Grant,
Again, you riveted me from start to finish.
This truly was a mind game.
I never knew what was next or why, yet you kept me reading till the last word.
The ending, completely threw me!
Absolutely Stellar!

Karen

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is so exciting that I took every opportunity to listen to the audiobook some more. The story is really complex and full of twists and turns and you sympathise with the really likeable protagonist on her journey through false trails, lies and half-truths. However, the subject of the book is also a dark one, and the story contains a number of brutal elements that the author does not shy away from addressing but which her main character also has to deal with personally (triggers: rape, human trafficking). However, those who are not put off by this will find "Buried Hours" an exciting crime thriller focussing on the investigation of the main character, an investigative journalist, and with a dash of romance at the end.

[Betty Barr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need to sleep!!

I have read, I think all of Rachel's books, but I couldn't put this one down until I finished it. This was unputdownable. It was well written, with many twists and turns. A great read, with characters that had flaws but oh so real.

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who is it, who did it, who are the good guys, who are the bad guys, who to trust and who not to trust, why did it happen and will Signe figure out what happened to her and why before it’s too late. These questions and more was a constant and the twists and turns, surprises, and characters kept me on my toes and flipping the pages.
A great thriller and a roller coaster of a ride, when I thought I had it figured out, the author throws another curveball and has me second guessing my theory and who to trust.
WOW WOW WOW an amazing read with amazing characters and that is all I can say as I don’t want to spoil anything for a reader as this is a must read with no hints or clues to fully enjoy the superb writing and the story that flowed seamlessly with descriptions that were spot on.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*

[Karen E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read

Very well written. I learned a great deal about investigative reporting. The facts were real though written as fiction. Enjoy

[Nancy Walden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complex and compelling plot

I always enjoy Rachael Grant aka RS Grant books I'm looking forward to reading more books by R S Grant

[Carey Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this story! It may be an R.S. Grant first in series and a new style, but you can’t mistake Rachel Grant’s signature brilliant story-telling, meticulously researched settings and world, and relatable characters and dialogue. One of my favorite zingers is Cole’s simple but effective reply when Signe questions how he gets his information: “I do my homework and eat my vegetables.” Of course, there’s nothing simple about Cole or Signe or the obstacles they face. Signe is a fabulous mix of strength and vulnerability. Hers is a tale of struggle and survival wrapped in a mystery you can’t put down.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes! Yes! Yes! All of the yesses in fact. This book is fab. The right mix of romance and suspense, and I have come to expect from this author.

There is nothing about this book that I don't like. I love the characters, the story, the pacing, the emotions. Need I go on?

If you read this genre, you need this book in your library.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book

[Amy Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story! I am completely blown away. Grant has written something that will completely capture you and immerse you into a world that will shock and thrill you. The twists and turns will have you guessing until the very last second who you can actually trust and what is going to happen. Signe, what can I even say that will give her justice? She is a force to be reckoned with and is one of the strongest heriones I've ever read. I enjoyed every suspenseful second of reading this book and I can not say enough good things about it! Incredible!

[Geri Grinstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the best I’ve read!

I read a blurb about this book months ago and couldn’t get it out of my head. This highly anticipated book was all I anticipated and more. By about a third of the way through I knew my only miss was to read it through. It created so much tension and concern for Signe. You really wanted to cheer her on. And you just didn’t know if the other characters were who they said they were as secrets were slowly revealed. I was on the edge of my chair with this one. Kudos to R. S. Grant for making me want so many more of these books.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by RS Grant is a thrilling read from beginning to end. She takes on the difficult task of delving into human trafficking and rape all in a suspenseful mystery from the beginning to the actual end. I love Rachel’s books and have read them all. This one takes place in the beautiful Yosemite National Forest. Signe Gates is the main character whose life is missing 48 hours and is desperately trying to uncover the harsh possibilities. I immersed myself so thoroughly in this book, while also determining the actual mileage to Yosemite.
Make this a must read.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Buried Hours by R.S. Grant starts with a traumatic sequence of events. Signe Gates has been living a nightmare for two years haunted by 48 hours that she can not remember except for seeing the bruises and scars. She does not know who is behind it but they seem to know her every move.
Signe is told to investigate two deaths in Yosemite Park and that it is linked to her past. She needs to be there in two days and needs a guide.
Who can she trust?
This book truly lives up to the thriller genre. It was hard to put down. Will definitely look for more books by this author.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title alone should get your mind racing but what I didn’t expect was all the parts and twists. This story is amazing, well done. You expect a thriller, but not all the other components the author weaved in so magically that I literally couldn’t put this book down. This is actually not only what you expect but also a romantic suspense that includes topics like rape, human trafficking and everything else that you expect with that genre but it is also a page turning, compelling read. This is not one to be missed. Amazing!

[✨EJ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lot darker than any of Ms Grant's previous novels. I suppose, that's one reason to publish this story under RS Grant. I was very disappointed that the narrators consistently mispronounced tagalog. People, it's pronounced tuh-gaa-luhg. That's the only criticism I have. While this story was darker than I expected, it was gritty, filled with twists and betrayal... and a happy ending!
Part of the Kindle Unlimited catalog.