Buried Legacy

by Mary Stone, Alex Gates

The past didn’t die in the bayou. It learned to hunt there.
In the Louisiana bayou, tales of the Rougarou, a werewolf-like creature that prowls the shrouded mist, drift like whispers through twisted, moss-draped trees. But when a local fisherman’s dog uncovers a woman’s arm and a man’s foot in a shallow grave, their IDs buried with their remains, Special Agent Claire Legacy knows this isn’t the Cajun boogeyman from campfire stories. It’s a cold-blooded murderer.

One who’s been hunting for decades.

The recent killings echo a string of eerily similar cases, cold files from forty years ago in Texas and Mississippi. Although the victims were found together, investigators never uncovered how they were connected. When another severed hand appears miles away, paired with a single earring, Claire is forced to consider the unthinkable.

Either the Bayou Butcher has expanded his hunt from the swamp to the city. Or worse, a copycat is on the prowl, and she’s tracking two predators.

The only thread tying the recent victims together is a private bayou tour each took before their deaths. Every lead drags Claire back to Bayou Dernier...where the water runs dark, the night runs deeper, and something far more sinister than fear lies buried in the shadows.

Buried Legacy, the eerie third book in the Claire Legacy FBI series by bestselling authors Mary Stone and Alex Gates, will make you afraid of the dark and what it conceals—the monsters of legend and the ones made of flesh and bone.

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 23, 2025

About the author

To download my FREE BOOK, click here: https://authormarystone.com/free-book...

Nestled in the tranquil Blue Ridge Mountains of East Tennessee, Mary Stone has transformed her peaceful home, once bustling with her sons, into a creative haven. As her family grew, so did her writing career, evolving from childhood fears to a deep understanding of real-life villains. Her stories, centered around strong, unconventional heroines, weave themes of courage and intrigue.

Mary's journey from a solitary writer to establishing her own publishing house marks a significant evolution, showcasing her commitment to the literary world. Through her writing and publishing endeavors, she continues to captivate and inspire, honoring her lifelong fascination with the mysterious and the courageous.

Reviews

[Carla Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special agents Claire and Nina are after a cross state serial killer. The press have deemed him the Bayou Butcher. The serial killer is leaving ritualistic burial sights all over the bayou. Leaving a severed Limb and an item from the victim that meant something to them plus the victims ID'S. This is all happening in a closed off backwater community that doesn't like strangers or police. This is a hard case to get through with all the walls thrown in their way. No cooperation, no steady MO, and all the gators in the way. The book moves along fast and gets you hooked right away. I highly recommend it.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buried Legacy delivers a chilling and atmospheric addition to the Agent Claire Legacy series. Set against the moody backdrop of New Orleans, this installment masterfully blends bayou folklore with the relentless hunt for a killer.

When bodies surface in gruesome fragments and whispers of something otherworldly begin to circulate, the FBI team must determine whether they’re tracking a calculating serial murderer… or confronting a legend brought to life. The tension between myth and method adds a uniquely eerie layer to the investigation.

The Louisiana setting feels alive — humid, shadowed, and steeped in history. The storyline is mysterious and gripping, with expertly paced revelations that keep the reader guessing. The characters remain strong and engaging, and Claire Legacy once again proves why she’s such a compelling lead.

Dark, suspenseful, and creatively crafted, this novel is an excellent addition to the Agent Claire Legacy series and a must-read for fans of intelligent, atmospheric thrillers.

[P J Van Benthusen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as part of an ARC team. It's downright creepy. If you've ever been to the swamps of Louisiana, it is a pretty accurate description of the area. There are people who live in the swamps that are almost a different breed of the human race. They share a lot of Creole language and beliefs. This is a story of an ancient villain that has come back to life and needs human sacrifice to go back to sleep. Is he real? Is he a figment of a sick and twisted mind? Claire Legacy is charged with finding which this legend is. Body parts in different locations are showing up with eerie similarities, so the FBI is on the case. One of the characters is so twisted because of childhood abuse and trauma that he quickly rises to the attention of Claire. But there may be another. And some folks in this small forgotten community are also catching the attention of the FBI. Keeps you involved and maybe even looking over your shoulder.

[Jacquetta Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are there Hain'ts in New Orleans? FBI SA Claire Legacy and SA Nina Adriano have been placed on the case of missing persons after body parts, ID's and jewelry are found in a shallow hole
by a local fisherman and his dog. How many body parts would they find, how many victims? Did this killer really kill in Texas and Mississippi too?
An older man running tours on a air boat may be the one giving haunted and scary off the record tours. Telling his patrons stories of the supposed haunted spirits taking lives out on the bayou. But ate the haunted spirits taking their lives or is he?
Will the FBI agents be placed in harms way by investigating it?
Read this second book in the 'Claire Legacy's Series by Mary Stone and Alex Gates.

[Becky Russo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Special Agent Claire Legacy and her FBI team are investigating a body part found in Bayou Dernier. Along with the foot is ID and a personal item. Then another body part is found, along with ID and personal item. The investigation reveals that similar cases were found in Mississippi and Texas. Is it the same killer? Only tie to the killings in Bayou Dernier is all victims took the a swamp boat tour through the same company. Then one of the tour guides is killed! The writing is so realistic I felt like I was in the bayou fighting off the mosquitoes and smelling the swamp. As I am from SE Louisiana, I am familiar with the The Rougarou story and really enjoyed reading about areas I am familiar with. Highly recommend this book and series!! I received this an ARC.

[Bonita Barbick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real “who done it”!
Mary Stone and Alex Gates have penned a thriller with plenty of creepy moments. Set in the bayou country of Louisiana the story is filled with folklore that can be downright terrifying to those who believe. The authors have done a great job incorporating these tales into Buried Legacy. The writing was so good I felt I was in the bayou along with SA Claire Legacy and SA Nina Adriano. The smelly swamp water, fighting off mosquitoes and keeping an eye out for the deadly Rougarou were very real to me. Lots of thrills and chills and I highly recommend!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is getting better and better. The case Claire and Nina are on now is twisty and crossing the state borders. So many murders, missing body parts and trauma, how Claire will deal with all of this while family “drama” complicates everything.
The plot is again unique and the reveal of buried legacy is shocking. Will you feel sorry for killer? And what will Claire do next? Find the father’s killer, join another team or will she stay and investigate the new case? I can only tell you it was really worth the time to read another masterpiece.

[Sue Palmer Crosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Claire Legacy series keeps getting better and better. Claire and Nina are called to head a task force out in the bayou. A dog has dug up bones. This will not be a simple case as more parts of victims are found along with mementos. Researching has led them to Mississippi & Texas where the same thing has happened. As bodies and or body parts are dropping they race to find the culprit before they can strike again. Keeps you on your toes.

[Sue Sandifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Claire is assigned to uncover what happened when a dog digs up single human foot in a grave in the Louisiana bayou. Where is the rest of the body is their first question. They discover several other body parts while digging, but only body parts. Research shows them Texas and Mississippi areas have had several similar finds. The hunt is on to verify who the parts belong to, name of the victim and what happened. The rush is on to locate a killer before someone else looses their life

[Darlene Mastin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claire and Nina

This series and Genevieve Steel series are my favorites so far since four of the new series have been released. With Claire series, not only being intelligent but also the love she shows toward her sister and grandmother. The stories are excellent and I will definitely keep buying the new releases .

[Carol Kraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claire and Nina are assigned to an eerie case where a dog has dug up buried body parts in the Louisiana bayou. During their investigation it is discovered that body parts have also been dug up in Texas and Mississippi.

There are several people who can be considered suspects in the gruesome murders and it is up to Claire and her team to solve the mystery.

[margaret waniska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of action that keeps you reading way past bedtime!

Clair and Nina head out to the swampy little town on this case. I've never been to New Oreans, but the author describes the places so well. I can picture it inside my head. Lots of action keeps you trying to solve the case along sides of the agents.

[Joyce Huffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

How can you not get stuck once you read that first book by Mary Stone.I have read almost all if her books and Wii continue till U finch them alli really enjoy each series with different characters as the hero and that it makes it extremely difficult to pick one you like over the others very entertaining series, just keep them coming.

[Robin E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received ARC


Aiiieee!! LOVED!!! the entire book. Mary & Alex are so good at burying the perp (sorry, pun intended 🫤) that I was mostly certain that it couldn’t be who it was!

Be ready to stay up until all hours because you won’t want to put this down until the very last page!

[Sammye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third contribution to the Claire Legacy series. The New Orleans setting is always intriguing for me. I enjoyed their engaging twists, turns and suspense in this story. It’s a great thriller.

[MsRoman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buried Legacy (Claire Legacy FBI Mystery Series) By: Mary Stone and Alex Gates. This series keep getting better and better. More body More Suspense. I just can’t get enough of. It’s a must read series ..

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

FBI agents Claire & Nina are sent to investigate a burial site & murders in the Bayou. As more bodies are found, they seem to be connected to murders in other states. Can they find the Bayou Butcher before more killings take place? A page turner for sure!

[Patricia Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Loved this book and the new series. The mystery grabs my attention and just keeps building. Body parts found but not the whole body, just trinkets and drivers licence. Old body's and new, A new killer to stop.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bayou mystery

A lot of unsolved deaths in the bayou. Are they caused by the bayou legend? Will Claire and Nina and their team figure out who the serial killer is before he kills again? I'm looking forward to the next book.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riviting

This book is a real page turner. It keeps you unsure of the culprit until the end,, The setting in the bayou is entrancing and unsettling. The characters are interesting and realistic. Another great book in the series.

[Barbara Kaake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an awesome story about Claire finding out what is going with the killings in the bayou and finding out who and why with lots of suspense and action. Thank you for this this great story

[Diane V. Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

good read

Enjoyed this book but like I do read first half and went to finish another book and came back for the second - read it!

[Audrey Holt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buried legacy

Too many characters too hard to follow for light reading. Didn't care for story. Didn't bother to finish the book