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Chesapeake Valley Mystery #3
The Secrets We Bury
Judgement is inescapable.
Only a fool would try to evade it.
Chesapeake Valley is a charming town hiding many secrets. Sheriff Eve Wicker has spent years trying to unearth one of its dark mysteries. The truth behind her mother’s death. After moving back to her hometown, she found herself ensnared in a web of conspiracies, from serial killers to child trafficking networks.
When a beloved member of the community, Martha Hawthorne is found dead in her home, the case is quickly ruled as one of natural causes. Months later, Amy Hawthorne, her granddaughter, inherits the Hawthorne home. Not long after her move, she is found dead in a gruesome manner.
Prior to Amy’s death, she was being stalked and harassed by the town’s “witch”. She even reached out to the town pastor to exorcise the home, after multiple "supernatural" occurrences. Hoping to get to the bottom of the Hawthorne case, before the wild theories surrounding their death spread like wildfire, Eve begins to unravel a thread, leading to a great scandal.
Generations of secrets and lives built upon lies. The sins of the past have cast a shadow over the present.
Only a fool would try to evade it.
Chesapeake Valley is a charming town hiding many secrets. Sheriff Eve Wicker has spent years trying to unearth one of its dark mysteries. The truth behind her mother’s death. After moving back to her hometown, she found herself ensnared in a web of conspiracies, from serial killers to child trafficking networks.
When a beloved member of the community, Martha Hawthorne is found dead in her home, the case is quickly ruled as one of natural causes. Months later, Amy Hawthorne, her granddaughter, inherits the Hawthorne home. Not long after her move, she is found dead in a gruesome manner.
Prior to Amy’s death, she was being stalked and harassed by the town’s “witch”. She even reached out to the town pastor to exorcise the home, after multiple "supernatural" occurrences. Hoping to get to the bottom of the Hawthorne case, before the wild theories surrounding their death spread like wildfire, Eve begins to unravel a thread, leading to a great scandal.
Generations of secrets and lives built upon lies. The sins of the past have cast a shadow over the present.
- GenresMystery
325 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 13, 2025
940 people are currently reading
255 people want to read
About the author
Elle Gray
125 books665 followersElle Gray lives in a small town with her 2 cats, and her handsome husky.
As a girl, she was obsessed with crime novels and thrillers.
Today, she loves writing and creating thrilling novels with courageous, strong heroes/heroines and dangerous psychopaths. She invites you to join her exciting world of detectives and FBI agents that take down killers and kick butt.
As a girl, she was obsessed with crime novels and thrillers.
Today, she loves writing and creating thrilling novels with courageous, strong heroes/heroines and dangerous psychopaths. She invites you to join her exciting world of detectives and FBI agents that take down killers and kick butt.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 15, 2024
The Secrets We Bury
This book will not disappoint you. It has everything. The riveting plot, characters that are so real, they begin to feel like old friends. Last of all it leaves you wanting more.
This book will not disappoint you. It has everything. The riveting plot, characters that are so real, they begin to feel like old friends. Last of all it leaves you wanting more.
December 31, 2025
Unfortunately, I didn’t find the book catching my attention and begging me to keep reading it until the last 4 chapters. I had a difficult time following along. Maybe it’s because I read this book not realizing it was a series and didn’t read the two books before it first or maybe it’s because I was reading it during the holidays while there were other things occupying my mind and my ADHD brain kept wandering and trying to focus on other things. Maybe I’ll buy the first two books in the series and read them and then re-read this book at a later date.
January 19, 2025
What a disappointment!!! Book four isn't out yet.
This is a great story, and it goes so smoothly from one book to the next. I love that the sheriff is competent and caring, human enough to know when she has made a mistake, and sure enough of her values to accept that as part of life. And the romance is like frosting on a cake. Thank you Elle for all the hard work you have put in to give people like me so many hours of enjoyment.
This is a great story, and it goes so smoothly from one book to the next. I love that the sheriff is competent and caring, human enough to know when she has made a mistake, and sure enough of her values to accept that as part of life. And the romance is like frosting on a cake. Thank you Elle for all the hard work you have put in to give people like me so many hours of enjoyment.
December 17, 2024
tightly written and satisfactorily wrapped up
Georgia Turnbull remains missing; the matriarch of a line of long-time residents dies, leaving the estate to an unexpected member of the family.
Between the continuing undercurrents from Eve’s past and the family drama with the Hawthornes, very little sleep was had by all the law enforcement personnel.
Georgia Turnbull remains missing; the matriarch of a line of long-time residents dies, leaving the estate to an unexpected member of the family.
Between the continuing undercurrents from Eve’s past and the family drama with the Hawthornes, very little sleep was had by all the law enforcement personnel.
December 22, 2024
Eve loves being sheriff but it is hard trying to keep everyone safe in a dangerous town.
Eve and her deputy have a real hard time trying to find the newest murderer. Whoever it is is trying to kill off a whole family and there are so many possibilities that she is drowning in possibilities.
Eve and her deputy have a real hard time trying to find the newest murderer. Whoever it is is trying to kill off a whole family and there are so many possibilities that she is drowning in possibilities.
January 1, 2025
Excellent Read
I couldn’t put this story down!! From the first moment I met Eve I was hooked. This was the best book yet. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of a book for to see where Eve takes us next.
Elle Gray is a superb writer and can we have a story that hold your attention to the last page.
Thanks so much for this adventure
I couldn’t put this story down!! From the first moment I met Eve I was hooked. This was the best book yet. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of a book for to see where Eve takes us next.
Elle Gray is a superb writer and can we have a story that hold your attention to the last page.
Thanks so much for this adventure
December 24, 2024
Mysterious deaths
A good mystery that makes you wonder how all the clues go together. The potential suspects are many but the motives are few. Good character development. Looking forward to the next in the series
A good mystery that makes you wonder how all the clues go together. The potential suspects are many but the motives are few. Good character development. Looking forward to the next in the series
February 9, 2025
Eve does it again….but
My only question is why did it take so long for Eve to search the basement. It didn’t make sense. A murder in a home….every square inch is search immediately. But it was days before they went down there!
My only question is why did it take so long for Eve to search the basement. It didn’t make sense. A murder in a home….every square inch is search immediately. But it was days before they went down there!
February 24, 2025
I had not read anything by this author until now. I would have given it 2 1/2 stars, but I can't figure out how to do that.
Not a bad story but maybe I should have read the first two to better understand the story line, it skipped around a lot and many of the characters were undeveloped here.
Not a bad story but maybe I should have read the first two to better understand the story line, it skipped around a lot and many of the characters were undeveloped here.
March 7, 2025
Another great
Elle is such a great writer. She makes you feel like you are part of the story. The suspense in this book is on-going. I always know that when I pick up a book by Elle, that it's going to be great.
Elle is such a great writer. She makes you feel like you are part of the story. The suspense in this book is on-going. I always know that when I pick up a book by Elle, that it's going to be great.
July 2, 2025
Spirits?
Interesting story. I sometimes wonder if there are spirits around especially when something happens when there is on explanation to solve the happening. Anyone liking mysteries should read this book.
Interesting story. I sometimes wonder if there are spirits around especially when something happens when there is on explanation to solve the happening. Anyone liking mysteries should read this book.
December 26, 2024
This was a great story about Eve trying to find answers who is killing people and why and finding out. This story had lots of suspense and action . Thank you for this excellent story.
December 31, 2024
Closure on a couple things, still don't have all the answers. Scary to think some people are going to take things into their own hands.
February 8, 2025
Brilliant read
fantastic read took me into the story A great way to relax and understand the character and more Just brill
fantastic read took me into the story A great way to relax and understand the character and more Just brill
February 20, 2025
Awesome series
My first time reading something from thus author and so far I'm in love why the series. I will definitely keep reading books by this author ❤
My first time reading something from thus author and so far I'm in love why the series. I will definitely keep reading books by this author ❤
August 1, 2025
Good series!
Good series and fun interesting character! If I hope the next book in the series will be just as good!
Good series and fun interesting character! If I hope the next book in the series will be just as good!
October 14, 2025
Interesting circumstances in a town that can’t seem to catch a break. Murder mayhem and a little romance.
January 11, 2026
Ms. Gray needs to know Wiccans are not evil nor do they worship the devil. Also, not all Witches are Wiccan. A little research and knowledge goes a long way.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews