Zara has spent years trying to pretend she’s in control. Strong. Unbreakable.
However, when a violent crime brings her innermost fears to the surface, her vulnerabilities start to emerge, and cracks in her facade start to show. The past she thought she outran is clawing its way back, softly reminding her of things she was never meant to forget.
A mind-twisting dark psychological thriller about buried secrets and the terrifying power of the past—Truths We Bury will keep you questioning everything, even yourself.
Thank you to Booksirens for the ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of Truths We Bury by Hiliary Amanda. Wow! What a ride that one was. I gave this one 4 stars and it would have been 5 except that I got quite confused three quarters of the way through. It did sort itself out so keep reading if you're like me! This book could have a few triggers, child neglect, loss, mental health, murder, violent crimes, women's mental health in particular. Outstanding psychological thriller! Give it a try if you like thrillers! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Add 5 more stars to this rating and THAT would be the accurate rating for this read. My book bestie convinced me to read this and her recommendation is great
Profound plot twist!!! It’s the kind of shock to the reader that lingers … the kind that makes you want to talk about…. But I won’t… it will just LIVE rent free next to the other AWESOME reads I have in there.
Character (s)/ story style written with brilliance, it seem like every moment in the story you were eager jaw dropped or gasping.
One day read. The words were flying off the pages! And the outbursts were flying out my mouth…
Treat yourself right and put this on your TBR .. hell bump it to the next priority read I swear it’s worth it.
A chilling psychological thriller about missing mothers and children, where the only clue is a plush toy left behind—no bodies, no traces, just haunting absence. I genuinely didn’t see the last twist coming.
This book had me gasping for air! I’m desperate to talk about everything, my brain is spinning right now! Feel like I need to sit in silence with a cuppa and let myself process what I just read! .. but I won’t spoil it! What I will say though is this NEEDS to be on your tbr list asap! 100% recommend if you enjoy dark psychological thrillers ~ check trigger warnings as does involve child neglect/mental health and violent crimes, to name a few.
This book snatches you from the 1st page! fast passed and intense you’ll struggle to put this one down! With complex characters and brilliant storylines it’s hard not to sit there with your jaw open gasping at 3am because the twists be twisting!😱
I did have some struggles with the Multi-Timeline, it started to get a little ‘choppy’ in the middle which did make it hard to for me keep up, I found myself having to keep checking the dates on each chapter to understand. But the rewards when everything clicks into place is priceless✨
The beginning of this book was incredibly strong—it hooked me right away and had me completely invested. That opening scene? Now that’s how you grab a reader’s attention! While the momentum slowed a bit in the middle, it eventually picked back up, and the ending left me scratching my head—in a good, thought-provoking way.
The story revolves around missing mothers and their children—or rather, mothers who are considered “bad” in the eyes of some—and their mysterious disappearances. Zara, who has a one-year-old daughter, survives a car accident and finds herself in a quiet town where she begins meeting new people, though she remains extremely protective of her child. Meanwhile, Detective Brooks is assigned to investigate the string of missing mothers and children. As the story unfolds, their paths inevitably cross.
This is a suspenseful and layered read with just the right amount of mystery and emotional tension. I enjoyed the journey, even if the pacing dipped in the middle.
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
“Breaking News, we have just received reports of another mother and child that have gone missing.”
Missing mothers and children. The only clues being reported are a plush toy left on the child’s bed. No bodies. As if they didn’t exist.
How far would you go to find the truth?
Truths We Bury is a multi-POV, multi-timeline psychological thriller that demands close attention from the very first page. The narrative jumps between perspectives and timelines, so readers need to remain alert to avoid losing track of the shifting threads.
The prologue opens setting a tense scene, plunging us into a harrowing escape as Zara (FMC) manages to escape a fiery car crash with her one-year-old daughter, Ella. With an unknown threat looming, Zara seeks refuge in a quiet town where she cautiously attempts to live a simple life, remaining alert to her surroundings. Wandering into a local bookstore, Zara forms a bond with Delilah, bookstore clerk and fellow mother. Despite this new connection, Zara remains wary and protective, keeping her walls high for the sake of Ella.
In tandem to Zara’s story timeline, mothers and their children are mysteriously disappearing – no witnesses, no clues, only news reports of a plush toy left behind on each missing child’s bed. Detective Brooks has been assigned to the baffling cases no one else has been able to solve dating back years. Detective Brooks is convinced there is a hidden clue amongst the chaos – she just needs one small break in the case to pick up on what others have missed.
As the storylines begin to intersect and unravel, both Zara and Detective Brooks find themselves in increasing danger. Could their fates be entwined? Will the truth heal the past? Can they stop what’s coming before it’s too late? Or will the truth prove fatal?
Truths We Bury is a compelling thriller grounded in emotional depth. Amanda has carefully curated a cast of characters that are layered and human – flawed, vulnerable, authentic. Exploring themes of mental health issues, murder, abuse, trauma, manipulation and healing are handled with sensitivity and nuance. Bit by bit, Amanda peels back the layers, drawing readers deeper into the mystery with every carefully placed reveal.
Amanda is a master at the slow-burn to full-blown inferno narrative. The atmospheric descriptions create a vivid sense of place, heightening tension and evoking real emotional stakes. Fear, anxiety and suspense pulse through the pages. Amanda is truly skilled at creating high-stake, emotionally charged scenes that feel as if you are right there, in the book.
The one and only critique I have, is the multiple perspectives and timelines feel slightly choppy at times. However, this is a minor issue given the strength of the storytelling and character development. Once it all clicks though, the payoff is worth the moments of slight confusion I experienced.
This part is going to be slightly difficult for me to really get into without providing details that could ruin the storyline for some, so I will approach this as gently as I can.
First, and foremost, if at ANY time you feel yourself slipping into a mental health crisis PLEASE reach out for help. You are important and matter more than a book – YOUR story is what matters. You are NOT alone!
Truths We Bury touches on many sensitive subjects, and while none are handled without grace, they should be acknowledged. Child neglect, loss and harm. It’s in there. While not graphic, it is a major one I feel needs to be addressed first. Additional trigger warnings include: mental and physical abuse (particularly focused on women), mental health struggles, murder and manipulation. While these subjects can be sensitive, Amanda treats these issues with the respect and seriousness they deserve, using them to fuel awareness and empathy while serving the narrative.
That said, Truths We Bury is a standout psychological thriller. I can honestly say, I did NOT see the first major twist which had me hollering out loud – it was that unexpected, so rest assured, it will keep you on the edge of your seat. The slow build is purposeful, and once the momentum picks up, it’s a full-throttle ride. This story will keep you guessing, second-guessing and staying up WAY too late to find out what happens next.
Amanda has delivered a dark, twisted, emotionally charged thriller that will stick with you long after you read the final page. I highly recommend adding Truths We Bury to your TBR – you won’t regret it.
Thank you Hiliary Amanda for the opportunity to ARC for Truths We Bury. As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation by the author, present or future, for my review.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and if you enjoyed it, give me a like and a follow. I can be found on all social media as The Tx Lit Chic.
Truths We Bury by Hiliary Amanda is a twisty, gritty psychological thriller that grabs you by the collar and whispers secrets you didn’t ask for but can’t stop listening to. Zara—tough, polished, control freak Zara—has been living like the past is a ghost she can just outrun. (Spoiler alert: ghosts have great cardio.)
When a violent crime hits close to home, her whole perfectly curated world starts to unravel, thread by jagged thread. What follows is a chilling spiral through buried trauma, emotional whiplash, and oh yes—some seriously dark secrets clawing their way back to the surface like they’ve got something to prove.
The pacing? Chef’s kiss. Quick and sharp, with just enough room to breathe before another “what just happened?” moment smacks you in the face. The writing style is immersive and razor-edged—like sitting inside Zara’s head while it slowly breaks apart. And the character development? Let’s just say Zara goes from “I’ve got this” to “I don’t know who I am anymore” in the most riveting way.
If you love thrillers that mess with your head and make you yell “NOPE” at your Kindle at midnight—this is your next read. Just remember: the truth always finds a way out… usually when you least expect it.
This was a crazy read. You think you're reading one story, but then you get to the plot twist and the whole story changes. Everything you think you know is wrong. Genuinely didn’t see that whole last part coming. This was so intense, and I was gutted when it ended. Check the TWs for this one.
Let me just start out with OMG!!!! 😳 We are always taught not to judge a book by its cover but, that is exactly what I did. I picked this book simply based on the cover and the genre and I am so glad I did!!!
The start of the book has an amazing dedication, “to all the readers who dare to uncover the darkness, where every page turn brings you closer to the edge… for the thrill seekers who crave the truth, even when it hides in the shadows.” Just like that I was hooked and had to keep going not knowing anything else just the title, the cover, and the dedication.
The Truths We Bury, is an amazing psychological thriller that was a quick easy read that had me at the edge of my seat. I found myself needing to turn the pages quicker to find out exactly what was going to happen next!
I found Hiliary Amand’s writing style to be very comparable to Freida McFadden (Who is my favorite author). I am very picky about the writing styles and how engaging they can be and Hiliary nailed it!
I highly recommend you read this book if you love psychological thrillers with great twists and turns.
Thank you to BookSirens for allowing me an opportunity to read and ARC copy of this book. Thank you Hiliary Amanda for allowing BookSirens to share your ARC’s with book lovers! I am reviewing this book voluntarily and all opinions are my own personal thoughts and feelings about this book! Hiliary, I cannot wait to read more of your books!
This book starts out with an intense scene and I was hooked immediately! What follows is the story of mysterious disappearances of single mothers with their child.
I thought I knew who was doing what but PLOT TWIST…things aren’t what they seem! The who and the what will leave your jaw dropping! I didn’t predict a single thing! It was written so well and kept me entertained the entire time! This story had me yelling out loud!!
Reading this absolutely blew my mind. I love the unexpected and Hiliary delivered on a shocking, gruesome, tragic storyline with graphic details! I ate this up!
Please get your hands on this! If you love psychological thrillers with some disturbing events that will shock you, Truths We Bury will be a top read!!
Thank you Hillary Amanda for allowing me the opportunity to ARC this! I will own a copy and look forward to more books by this author! I’m so glad I found another amazing indie author that writes thrillers!
From the very start, Hillary Amanda pulls readers into a shadowy world where innocence is corrupted and nothing is as it seems. The cryptic tagline, “The truth isn’t just shocking… it’s deadly,” rings true as layers of a buried past are peeled away, revealing a core of raw, emotional horror.
Thank you to the Author for the book
4.5 stars I really enjoyed The Truths We Bury by Hillary Amanda! The characters were complex and felt so real, and the twists kept me on my toes the whole time. It’s the kind of story that pulls you in emotionally while still delivering plenty of suspense. Definitely recommend if you like character-driven mysteries with heart..
DEFINITELY WORTH READING TO UNCOVER THE “Truths we bury”
This is the first time I’ve ever read one of this authors books. Lately, I have been reading Indie authors books because I wanted to try “new” books that weren’t mainstream books that everyone is reading or everyone has read. TikTok’s algorithm found this book for me and I was let’s go. I’m a little ( a lot ) unhinged I’m here for a psychological thriller so let’s do it.
At first, I thought this was giving a very criminal minds episode vibe but hey I was here for it because it kept me engaged. You were being shown the crimes this guy had committing in the past, up to the current day crimes. Then it would go to the present day with Zara but you didn’t really know her backstory. It was just her and her baby so it left me questioning where does she fit into this story. Because something is up with her you just don’t know what exactly it is, but you just know there’s something not right with her. Then there is the Detective looking into the crimes that have been ongoing over the years. She is trying to see if there is any connection between the crimes and if there is, how are they connected? Like I said at first i thought the writer’s writing a criminal minds episode that would have been an amazing episode. A criminal minds episode could scare me more than a horror movie. So I’m going along thinking this is where the book is going that the cop catches bad guy because that’s how TV shows work. The guy committing the crimes is definitely a psychopath so totally get the psychological thriller. Then I got to the last 100 pages which now had me rethinking my ability to read. Also I didn’t think this book was supposed to have me questioning my own psyche because………..
I wish I could tell you why but I am not someone who will go into too much detail especially with a book like this. The way this book twists and turns then how the book ends will leave you shaking your head absolutely shocked. I would be doing you an injustice if I said anything more. So if you’re looking for a book that will make you stop and question your own mind and ability to comprehend things this book is for you.
I don’t know if this is a spoiler kind of thing, but if I would have seen someone reference a particular book before I read truths we bury, it would’ve been a spoiler to me. If you don’t care about a spoiler scroll all the way down
Please understand these are just my thoughts and opinions—you don’t have to agree. Some people love books I don’t, and that’s okay. Opinions are like assholes—everybody has one. This is mine. Agree or don’t, but at the end of the day, read the book and form your own. Love you so big. ❤️
*************spoiler comment *********** HOLY SHUTTER FUCKEN ISLAND
This is literally the first book of 2025 that I disregarded other work/chores to read. Oh. My. Goodness.
Buckle yourselves in real good when reading this because: 1️⃣ the plot - twisty AF 🔀 2️⃣ the twists themselves? Straight out of left field. You THINK you know where it's going, but you're sorely mistaken every time. 3️⃣ the ending - did NOT see it coming.
This book is a wild ride that bucks you around but the payout is so worth it in the end. There is a bunch of back and forth with this, but keep reading! I'm pretty good at picking up context clues and figuring out where a plot will go. Yeah....I was wrong. Every time.
There are very heavy elements touched here, so some TWs to be aware of: - child neglect - murder/serial unalivers - violence against women - behavioral health disorders (DID in particular) - child loss
Overall, I am so glad I was able to read this book and will most likely be picking up more from this author!
I am so thankful to have been given an advance reader copy of this book by Hiliary Amanda. This is a dark psychological thriller and from the moment I started it I could barely put it down. I love how it’s written with chapters alternating from past to present day to tell the complete story from different character points of view. There were really interesting plot twists and surprises I did not see coming! There were times in the book, as more of the past story was told that I almost felt sympathy for the killer, almost. This was a page turner and I didn’t want to put it down, I was so hooked from the start all the way to the end. I will definitely be buying Hiliary’s other books because she is a fantastic descriptive storyteller.
Wow what a read! I just finished reading Hiliary Amanda’s book, ‘Truths We Bury’. I only intended to settle down for a quick read with my morning coffee.
A warning! You will get completely engrossed as the story unfolds that you will lose track of time.
Don’t try and guess the plot… everything changes, nothing is as it seems. I felt so sorry for poor Zara and her baby, running from someone wanting to take the baby. Lots of empathy, for poor downtrodden Annie, with her bully of a father Joel. The plot has more twists and turns than a hairpin bend.
I read this book in one sitting, absolutely couldn’t put it down.
This book was exciting from the very first page. It drew me in and kept me in a hold. It was exciting from cover to cover. It had a few twists but one was crazy! And crazy twists are what keep me going. I love a twist that I don’t expect and this book delivered that several times.
There are a few errors with quotation marks where they should have been, but that was easily overlooked by the story.
This is a fairly new author and I think her books are worth the read. Let’s make her a New York Times best seller author!
This book has a great hook. You are instantly intrigued and trying to make sense of what is happening. It’s a psychological thriller, so even though the story that’s unfolding is has happend and the characters are real, there’s a twist you won’t see coming. Zara is running away but not just from a dark past. Meanwhile Detective Brooks is trying to investigate the cases of missing women and their children. A case that extends more than a decade. Joel and Annie has surely caused some mayhem. What roles do they play in all of this? Intrigued yet?
Wow this book is just wow!! We are following multiple characters along multiple timelines and when the twist hits for the love of all WOW
I read this book in about 12 hours completely addicted turning the pages from the start
How everything ties up in the end is mind boggling genius…..I could of never guessed it all, although one part I did, but it absolutely took nothing from the book because the twists be twisting
Some family traditions are meant to stay in the past
this book had my mind spinning. i mean the twists it took me on were just wow!!! i was neglecting house chores to get to the end of this book because i just had to know what was going on. the author did a great job keeping me on my toes. i liked that it was several characters through several time lines. it hopped around and it never failed to keep my interest. it was genius and i cant wait to see what else comes from this mastermind of an author
This was my first read by Hilary, and OMG!! Why have I not found her before now! This story had me gripped at the first 2 pages. Just when you think you have the story and plot down, the twist comes and then comes again. Bravo, I can’t wait to add the Published copy to my library and I look forward to reading more from this author!!
If you’re a fan of gripping thrillers, you won’t want to miss this one by indie author Hiliary Amanda! This fast-paced psychological thriller is packed with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. I was hooked from the very first page and couldn’t put it down—finished it in just a few hours!
Truths We Bury is an intense psychological thriller. This story will keep you guessing, second-guessing and staying up WAY too late to find out what happens next. I highly recommend.
some TWs to be aware of: - child neglect - murder/serial unalivers - violence against women - behavioral health disorders - child loss
WOW! What's to say other than round of applause Hiliary! This was a WILD ride that kept me guessing the entire book through! Finished in 4 hours. COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. I will mention that folks should check their triggers as the content does pull at the heart strings in regards to references of child abuse/neglect.
Such a great book that grabs you in from the start. Twist and turns of details and how the characters get to the points in the book. if you like criminal minds or books like kiss the girls then this boom is for you.
I devoured this book!! I must admit that I DID NOT see the twist at the end. I was getting a bit confused & lost @ times & thinking, “What is going on!?” But in a good way & when it all pulled together it was GENIUS!!
I love a good psychological thrillers and this one did not disappoint. Absolutely loved every twist and turn and the plot 10/10. This is a must read, definitely buying the physical copy for my library
This book was amazing! I received this ARC from Hillary. This psychological thriller has so many twists and turns! I did not see the ending coming. It does have triggers, mental health, child loss, child neglect. But a great read!
This book definitely took you on a ride with twists and turns. It took a little at the beginning to keep up with timelines,but then quickly fell into place. I do have to say that this was a very good read and had an unexpected turn of events.