What do you think?
Doctors of Darkness #6
Long Buried
The past always rises.
In 1997, the seniors of Sweetbriar High School buried a time capsule at their graduation ceremony. That same night, one of their own—Homecoming Queen Blair Lennox—disappeared without a trace.
Twenty years later, Juniper Pickett returns to Sweetbriar on a mission, driving all night from San Francisco with a world of trouble in her rearview. There’s no going back. Not after what she’s done. Tomorrow, they’ll exhume the time capsule and expose her darkest secret.
When Juniper accidentally unearths the body of her missing classmate, she finds herself with a target on her back in a race to clear her name. Because it’s not true what they say about small towns…
There are strangers.
There are secrets.
And you can go home again. But they’ll never let you leave.
About the Series...Straight from the mind of a forensic psychologist comes an addictive new series of betrayal, lust, revenge, and murder. These doctors earned their degrees from the dark side. And once you start reading, you won't be able to stop. Other books in the Doctors of Darkness series include Daddy Darkest, The Hanging Tree, The First Cut, Shadows Among Us, and Lucky Girl.
In 1997, the seniors of Sweetbriar High School buried a time capsule at their graduation ceremony. That same night, one of their own—Homecoming Queen Blair Lennox—disappeared without a trace.
Twenty years later, Juniper Pickett returns to Sweetbriar on a mission, driving all night from San Francisco with a world of trouble in her rearview. There’s no going back. Not after what she’s done. Tomorrow, they’ll exhume the time capsule and expose her darkest secret.
When Juniper accidentally unearths the body of her missing classmate, she finds herself with a target on her back in a race to clear her name. Because it’s not true what they say about small towns…
There are strangers.
There are secrets.
And you can go home again. But they’ll never let you leave.
About the Series...Straight from the mind of a forensic psychologist comes an addictive new series of betrayal, lust, revenge, and murder. These doctors earned their degrees from the dark side. And once you start reading, you won't be able to stop. Other books in the Doctors of Darkness series include Daddy Darkest, The Hanging Tree, The First Cut, Shadows Among Us, and Lucky Girl.
395 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 30, 2026
About the author
Ellery A. Kane
21 books470 followersForensic psychologist by day, novelist by night, Ellery Kane has been writing--professionally and creatively--for as long as she can remember. Just like many of her main characters, Ellery loves to ask why, which is the reason she became a psychologist in the first place. Real life really is stranger than fiction, and Ellery's writing is often inspired by her day job. Evaluating violent criminals and treating trauma victims, she has gained a unique perspective on the past and its indelible influence on the individual. And she's heard her fair share of real life thrillers.
Ellery lives in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, a picturesque setting that provides the backdrop for many of her novels. If you don't find Ellery interviewing murderers behind prison walls or pecking away at her latest novel, she is probably at the gym landing a solid jab-cross to a punching bag; riding bicycles with her special someone; or enjoying a movie the old-fashioned way--at the theater with popcorn and Milk Duds.
Ellery was previously selected as one of ten semifinalists in the MasterClass James Patterson Co-Author Competition and is the author of the Doctors of Darkness, Rockwell and Decker, and Legacy Series, with four standalone thrillers from Bookouture.
If you'd like to receive a notification when new books are released, please sign up for Ellery's newsletter at ellerykane.com. Ellery also signs e-books on authorgraph.com.
Ellery lives in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, a picturesque setting that provides the backdrop for many of her novels. If you don't find Ellery interviewing murderers behind prison walls or pecking away at her latest novel, she is probably at the gym landing a solid jab-cross to a punching bag; riding bicycles with her special someone; or enjoying a movie the old-fashioned way--at the theater with popcorn and Milk Duds.
Ellery was previously selected as one of ten semifinalists in the MasterClass James Patterson Co-Author Competition and is the author of the Doctors of Darkness, Rockwell and Decker, and Legacy Series, with four standalone thrillers from Bookouture.
If you'd like to receive a notification when new books are released, please sign up for Ellery's newsletter at ellerykane.com. Ellery also signs e-books on authorgraph.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
July 15, 2026
4,5/5
Este libro me recuerda muchísimo a la serie The Glory, y es lo poco que hablaré de la trama porque siento que es una experiencia inigualable. Mi recomendación: léelo a ciegas, como hice yo. Me llamaron la atención la portada y la sinopsis (que, por cierto, no hace ningún spoiler), pero todo lo que vino después fue brutal.
Si bien no es un thriller perfecto, es uno muy bueno y, sobre todo, una propuesta sólida. De hecho, tiene un comienzo tan visual y potente que lo recuerdo perfectamente, aunque lo haya leído hace ya unas semanas.
Lo que realmente eleva a Long Buried por encima de otros thrillers es su ejecución narrativa. Está contado a través de un narrador en primera persona limitado que resulta fascinante: una protagonista completamente sesgada por el acoso sistemático, el miedo, los celos y esa idealización obsesiva de su entorno.
Esto hace que el misterio sea mucho más envolvente, ya que no recibimos una verdad absoluta, sino fragmentos filtrados por la mente de Juniper. Es precisamente esta limitación lo que hace que la historia brille; nos encierra en su mente y nos obliga a cuestionar no solo quién fue el asesino, sino qué partes de la verdad nos está ocultando (o negando) ella misma. Es un nivel de profundidad que un narrador omnisciente nunca lograría, convirtiendo al lector en cómplice de sus silencios y sus dudas. Sin duda, una ejecución brillante que hace que la experiencia sea mucho más intensa.
Aunque el uso de la primera persona es casi un estándar en el thriller, la autora aquí eleva el recurso a otro nivel. Logra una voz tan compleja que, para mí, se posiciona como una de las mejores narraciones que he leído en el género; no se limita a contarte lo que pasó, sino que te hace habitar la mente y las contradicciones de Juniper.
Lo increíble es que se nota que la autora no dejó nada al azar. Cada personaje, visto a través de los ojos de Juniper, se siente real, tridimensional y con una función clara. Se nota que escribió esta historia con un mapa: sabía exactamente hacia dónde nos llevaba y cómo quería que llegáramos allí. Es una narración que te hace sentir que no estás solo leyendo un libro, sino recorriendo un rompecabezas donde cada pieza estaba destinada a encajar desde la primera página.
Más allá de la técnica, lo que realmente se me quedó grabado fue la sensación física de leerlo; ese vacío en el pecho que me acompañó durante toda la historia, tanto en las escenas del presente como en los saltos al pasado. Es una lectura que te hace sentir mucho.
Me resultó fascinante, y doloroso, el manejo de los personajes. Blair, por ejemplo, tiene una esencia que inevitablemente me trajo a la mente a Yeon-jin de The Glory fusionada con Regina George. Genuinamente, ¿Saben qué es lo más jodidamente triste? A pesar de todo, ella es la protagonista de la historia porque es la protagonista de la vida de Juniper.
Por otro lado, la dinámica con Wyatt me mantuvo en un conflicto constante. Sentí ese anhelo y el amor incondicional de Juniper con tanta fuerza que, a veces, me dejaba un vacío en el corazón. Aunque Wyatt es un personaje que me cae mal, la forma en que ella lo percibe te hace sentir tanta añoranza. Mención especial al capítulo 30: me dolió en el alma y fue el momento definitivo en el que terminé de conectar por completo con el dolor que carga Juniper.
Long Buried es un thriller excepcional del cual no esperaba nada, pero que me dio todo. Además, mantiene un ritmo increíblemente adictivo gracias a sus constantes saltos entre el presente y el pasado. De pana, Ellery Kane tiene un talento increíble y no dudaría en leer más de su trabajo.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Este libro me recuerda muchísimo a la serie The Glory, y es lo poco que hablaré de la trama porque siento que es una experiencia inigualable. Mi recomendación: léelo a ciegas, como hice yo. Me llamaron la atención la portada y la sinopsis (que, por cierto, no hace ningún spoiler), pero todo lo que vino después fue brutal.
Si bien no es un thriller perfecto, es uno muy bueno y, sobre todo, una propuesta sólida. De hecho, tiene un comienzo tan visual y potente que lo recuerdo perfectamente, aunque lo haya leído hace ya unas semanas.
Lo que realmente eleva a Long Buried por encima de otros thrillers es su ejecución narrativa. Está contado a través de un narrador en primera persona limitado que resulta fascinante: una protagonista completamente sesgada por el acoso sistemático, el miedo, los celos y esa idealización obsesiva de su entorno.
Esto hace que el misterio sea mucho más envolvente, ya que no recibimos una verdad absoluta, sino fragmentos filtrados por la mente de Juniper. Es precisamente esta limitación lo que hace que la historia brille; nos encierra en su mente y nos obliga a cuestionar no solo quién fue el asesino, sino qué partes de la verdad nos está ocultando (o negando) ella misma. Es un nivel de profundidad que un narrador omnisciente nunca lograría, convirtiendo al lector en cómplice de sus silencios y sus dudas. Sin duda, una ejecución brillante que hace que la experiencia sea mucho más intensa.
Aunque el uso de la primera persona es casi un estándar en el thriller, la autora aquí eleva el recurso a otro nivel. Logra una voz tan compleja que, para mí, se posiciona como una de las mejores narraciones que he leído en el género; no se limita a contarte lo que pasó, sino que te hace habitar la mente y las contradicciones de Juniper.
Lo increíble es que se nota que la autora no dejó nada al azar. Cada personaje, visto a través de los ojos de Juniper, se siente real, tridimensional y con una función clara. Se nota que escribió esta historia con un mapa: sabía exactamente hacia dónde nos llevaba y cómo quería que llegáramos allí. Es una narración que te hace sentir que no estás solo leyendo un libro, sino recorriendo un rompecabezas donde cada pieza estaba destinada a encajar desde la primera página.
Más allá de la técnica, lo que realmente se me quedó grabado fue la sensación física de leerlo; ese vacío en el pecho que me acompañó durante toda la historia, tanto en las escenas del presente como en los saltos al pasado. Es una lectura que te hace sentir mucho.
Me resultó fascinante, y doloroso, el manejo de los personajes. Blair, por ejemplo, tiene una esencia que inevitablemente me trajo a la mente a Yeon-jin de The Glory fusionada con Regina George. Genuinamente, ¿Saben qué es lo más jodidamente triste? A pesar de todo, ella es la protagonista de la historia porque es la protagonista de la vida de Juniper.
Por otro lado, la dinámica con Wyatt me mantuvo en un conflicto constante. Sentí ese anhelo y el amor incondicional de Juniper con tanta fuerza que, a veces, me dejaba un vacío en el corazón. Aunque Wyatt es un personaje que me cae mal, la forma en que ella lo percibe te hace sentir tanta añoranza. Mención especial al capítulo 30: me dolió en el alma y fue el momento definitivo en el que terminé de conectar por completo con el dolor que carga Juniper.
Long Buried es un thriller excepcional del cual no esperaba nada, pero que me dio todo. Además, mantiene un ritmo increíblemente adictivo gracias a sus constantes saltos entre el presente y el pasado. De pana, Ellery Kane tiene un talento increíble y no dudaría en leer más de su trabajo.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I came into this psychological thriller series late and had no problem enjoying the story. This is the 6th installment in the Doctors of Darkness series by Ellery Kane. It’s one of those types of books where once you discover that something sinister has happened, you need to keep reading. So my advice is to set aside time for this great psychological thriller!
Author Ellery Kane has built her story around the question: Can you ever go home again?
Twenty years ago, something terrible happened in Sweetbriar, Texas, and Juniper Pickett fled town. Now, she’s back and trying to clear her name and keep buried secrets from being exposed.
First of all, THOSE TWISTS! I didn’t see them coming.
Secondly, THOSE CHARACTERS! I really disliked Blair and almost took the bullying personally. I misjudged two male characters early on, and I loved the reveal later!
I liked the reminders that a life consumed by guilt is no life at all, and that ego and ambition can be costly if not bridled. I’ll remember this book for the revenge plot and the warning not to underestimate anyone.
If you like twisty plots and a race to unearth what really happened, this one’s for you! I highly recommend it.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Author Ellery Kane has built her story around the question: Can you ever go home again?
Twenty years ago, something terrible happened in Sweetbriar, Texas, and Juniper Pickett fled town. Now, she’s back and trying to clear her name and keep buried secrets from being exposed.
First of all, THOSE TWISTS! I didn’t see them coming.
Secondly, THOSE CHARACTERS! I really disliked Blair and almost took the bullying personally. I misjudged two male characters early on, and I loved the reveal later!
I liked the reminders that a life consumed by guilt is no life at all, and that ego and ambition can be costly if not bridled. I’ll remember this book for the revenge plot and the warning not to underestimate anyone.
If you like twisty plots and a race to unearth what really happened, this one’s for you! I highly recommend it.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
July 21, 2026
#CampNetgalleyReads
Back in 1997 the Sweetbriar prom queen disappeared. The same night the seniors graduated and a time capsule was buried.
Years later, Juniper Prickett is returning to Sweetbriar. Leaving behind San Franisco, her psychologist career, and shit storm of mess, shes heading right back to the town she was labeled a loser, a nobody and a murderer. The Sweetbriar High School time capsule is about to be opened, and Juniper must make sure her highschool secrets remain buried.
This was a fun, quick read! I cant remember the last time I was so in enthralled in a book that I read it all in one sitting. First book by this author and I definitely think I'll be looking into the other books in this series.
Full of mystery/suspense.
Lovable and equally loathable characters.
Well written.
All the stars!
Back in 1997 the Sweetbriar prom queen disappeared. The same night the seniors graduated and a time capsule was buried.
Years later, Juniper Prickett is returning to Sweetbriar. Leaving behind San Franisco, her psychologist career, and shit storm of mess, shes heading right back to the town she was labeled a loser, a nobody and a murderer. The Sweetbriar High School time capsule is about to be opened, and Juniper must make sure her highschool secrets remain buried.
This was a fun, quick read! I cant remember the last time I was so in enthralled in a book that I read it all in one sitting. First book by this author and I definitely think I'll be looking into the other books in this series.
Full of mystery/suspense.
Lovable and equally loathable characters.
Well written.
All the stars!
August 11, 2026
"some people are like that! They seem charmed, invincible. Like nothing bad could ever happen to them. But bad things do happen. To everyone. No one's immune"
First, a thank you to Netgalley and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review
And honestly, I did enjoy the psychological thriller element of the story. How childhood trauma does not disappear, but haunts our lives and the consequences catch up
After 20 years, Juniper Pickett returns to Sweetbriar not to attend the unearthing of the time capsule for her class reunion, but to dig up deep secrets.
Let me begin by saying that the book was very well written, the sentences were perfectly structured, and the prose kept you intrigued till the end.
I liked the non-linear storytelling, the back and forth between past and present, that gave little insights to what really happened
I was so angry and frustrated reading the extreme bullying and utter helplessness Juniper went through and was so disappointed she did not get retribution.
And probably, this is why I didn't like the "now" part.
I found Juniper, for a 38 year old Psychologist, frankly, stupid. I understood her situation and lack of action when she was 14 till 18 (though that also felt forced), but she kept allowing them to bully her even as a grown-up!
The relationship with Wayatt was very toxic. He is a walking talking red flag...you knew your first love was being bullied so you brilliantly date her bully!!!! ..didnt care for him one bit . In fact, i was hoping he'd been the one who did it so June would close that chapter!
The story moved in a very slow paced almost till the 65%. It felt like reading a lot but at the same time nothing was happening....the relationship between June and her father was not clear! Especially after that reveal!
For some reason, the author wanted me to feel sorry for the death of a horrible person! I didnt!
The last 30% were so rushed they gave me whiplash! And I had to reread paragraphs to understand what really happened.
The whole "Macy" storyline was unnecessary and felt like a filler
However, I am intrigued to read the other books cause calling the series "Doctors of Darkness" is next level.
First, a thank you to Netgalley and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review
And honestly, I did enjoy the psychological thriller element of the story. How childhood trauma does not disappear, but haunts our lives and the consequences catch up
After 20 years, Juniper Pickett returns to Sweetbriar not to attend the unearthing of the time capsule for her class reunion, but to dig up deep secrets.
Let me begin by saying that the book was very well written, the sentences were perfectly structured, and the prose kept you intrigued till the end.
I liked the non-linear storytelling, the back and forth between past and present, that gave little insights to what really happened
I was so angry and frustrated reading the extreme bullying and utter helplessness Juniper went through and was so disappointed she did not get retribution.
And probably, this is why I didn't like the "now" part.
I found Juniper, for a 38 year old Psychologist, frankly, stupid. I understood her situation and lack of action when she was 14 till 18 (though that also felt forced), but she kept allowing them to bully her even as a grown-up!
The relationship with Wayatt was very toxic. He is a walking talking red flag...you knew your first love was being bullied so you brilliantly date her bully!!!! ..didnt care for him one bit . In fact, i was hoping he'd been the one who did it so June would close that chapter!
The story moved in a very slow paced almost till the 65%. It felt like reading a lot but at the same time nothing was happening....the relationship between June and her father was not clear! Especially after that reveal!
For some reason, the author wanted me to feel sorry for the death of a horrible person! I didnt!
The last 30% were so rushed they gave me whiplash! And I had to reread paragraphs to understand what really happened.
The whole "Macy" storyline was unnecessary and felt like a filler
However, I am intrigued to read the other books cause calling the series "Doctors of Darkness" is next level.
August 1, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
This is the kind of mystery where the emotional scars of the past run deeper than the crime itself.
When Blair returns to her small town for a high school reunion, a decades-old tragedy begins to resurface, forcing her and her former classmates to confront long-buried secrets—and the lasting damage of the bullying that shaped who they all became.
The premise hooked me, and I was eager to see how the past would collide with the present.
That said, the pacing was a bit too slow for me, and I never fully connected with Blair, so some of the emotional moments didn’t land.
Ultimately, this is more than just a mystery. It’s about how the emotional scars of our teens can follow us well into adulthood. A thoughtful slow-burn for readers who enjoy character-driven mysteries.
This is the kind of mystery where the emotional scars of the past run deeper than the crime itself.
When Blair returns to her small town for a high school reunion, a decades-old tragedy begins to resurface, forcing her and her former classmates to confront long-buried secrets—and the lasting damage of the bullying that shaped who they all became.
The premise hooked me, and I was eager to see how the past would collide with the present.
That said, the pacing was a bit too slow for me, and I never fully connected with Blair, so some of the emotional moments didn’t land.
Ultimately, this is more than just a mystery. It’s about how the emotional scars of our teens can follow us well into adulthood. A thoughtful slow-burn for readers who enjoy character-driven mysteries.
July 17, 2026
I love when a, new to me, author surprises the heck out of me with just how much I enjoy their writing. The stories they weave. How captivated I can get with a new voice, a whole new set of characters and stories.
This really did capture my attention from chapter one and I sailed right through, because, I just couldn't get enough.
I had so much fun with this, and even better, I didn't expect it to bring on so much emotions. So many feels, in so many different ways. This truly was a delight, Fast paced, easy to read, weirdly easy to relate to on so many levels, and the mystery kept me guessing and re-guessing, the whole way through.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
This really did capture my attention from chapter one and I sailed right through, because, I just couldn't get enough.
I had so much fun with this, and even better, I didn't expect it to bring on so much emotions. So many feels, in so many different ways. This truly was a delight, Fast paced, easy to read, weirdly easy to relate to on so many levels, and the mystery kept me guessing and re-guessing, the whole way through.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
July 21, 2026
3.75 Stars ⭐️ #CampNetGalley
I chose this book as part of the NetGalley Camp Challenge. It was another "new to me" author. It was also the 6th book in a series (I didn't look close enough to realize that when I chose it) but to be fair, the book is touted as an inter-connected stand-alone - so I never felt like I was missing something or was lost on what was going on.
The story revolves around FMC Juniper Pickett and when we meet her, she has just driven back to her hometown after being away for 20 years. We are only told that she had FLED her hometown of Sweetbriar, Texas after some major event occurred on her graduation night. She is only coming back to try to get back a letter that she placed in the graduation class time capsule - and that is pretty much all we know at the beginning.
The story is told in alternating timelines. There is the "now" or the "present", and then there is the past, which goes back and forth during her childhood at various ages, as we try to understand what her life was like as she was growing up in this small town.
The story itself is a very easy read and pulls you in very quickly. The book consists of MANY short (and I do mean short) chapters that make it easy to think, "Just one more chapter" as you are in the middle of trying to figure things out.
Immediately though, I found myself becoming annoyed with Juniper's actions. This woman did so many things that made no sense. Starting from the moment she drove into town (in the middle of the night), her actions were unexpectedly crazy. The whole shovel situation at the school....just really odd and something that goes against any form of common sense (I mean....going back again? WHY??)
Another example of odd behavior is when she has finally gotten to her childhood home, and she hasn't even walked into the actual house yet, but she starts getting Google alerts for whatever disaster she left back in San Franscisco (that we are not given any details on but that she is also running from) and as she desperately tries to open the Google links to see what has been written about her (her phones battery is almost dead and the service is awful) she gets so frustrated that she throws her cell phone into the field surrounding the home. A field with a ton of acreage that is in the middle of nowhere. It is 3 o'clock in the morning and dark and once she throws it away, she realizes what she did and tries to find it and she can't. Who does that? These odd behaviors happen in the first hours of driving into Sweetbriar - and they continue to occur non-stop on a daily basis as she keeps incriminating herself over and over. With the town, with the police.....
Other than that, the story itself was interesting. The MMC is her childhood friend Wyatt Landry. It takes time to understand their relationship because I was VERY confused at the beginning. Wyatt is definitely a nice guy, and he is EXTREMELY patient with Juniper. Much more patient than I could ever be - seriously.
One thing that becomes immediately clear is that Juniper is a mess. Most of it is self-inflicted, but not all of it. As we go back in time, it is easier to understand some of her inner thoughts because she was bullied terribly growing up. And when I say bullied, I mean BULLIED. Some of that was difficult to read. At times I kept thinking, "Please stand up for yourself" but having never been exactly in that situation, I honestly do not know how I would have reacted.
Putting aside Juniper's crazy behavior, as we FINALLY start getting to the heart of what is going on, it is full of unexpected twists and turns. The actual reveal (well, there are a couple of them) actually surprised me and I love being surprised. Some of the characters were a bit over the top and more like caricatures, but somehow it just worked.
If you have a couple of hours and want and easy to read thriller, this might just be for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ellery Kane Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book. It was out for publication on March 30, 2026.
#CampNetGalley
I chose this book as part of the NetGalley Camp Challenge. It was another "new to me" author. It was also the 6th book in a series (I didn't look close enough to realize that when I chose it) but to be fair, the book is touted as an inter-connected stand-alone - so I never felt like I was missing something or was lost on what was going on.
The story revolves around FMC Juniper Pickett and when we meet her, she has just driven back to her hometown after being away for 20 years. We are only told that she had FLED her hometown of Sweetbriar, Texas after some major event occurred on her graduation night. She is only coming back to try to get back a letter that she placed in the graduation class time capsule - and that is pretty much all we know at the beginning.
The story is told in alternating timelines. There is the "now" or the "present", and then there is the past, which goes back and forth during her childhood at various ages, as we try to understand what her life was like as she was growing up in this small town.
The story itself is a very easy read and pulls you in very quickly. The book consists of MANY short (and I do mean short) chapters that make it easy to think, "Just one more chapter" as you are in the middle of trying to figure things out.
Immediately though, I found myself becoming annoyed with Juniper's actions. This woman did so many things that made no sense. Starting from the moment she drove into town (in the middle of the night), her actions were unexpectedly crazy. The whole shovel situation at the school....just really odd and something that goes against any form of common sense (I mean....going back again? WHY??)
Another example of odd behavior is when she has finally gotten to her childhood home, and she hasn't even walked into the actual house yet, but she starts getting Google alerts for whatever disaster she left back in San Franscisco (that we are not given any details on but that she is also running from) and as she desperately tries to open the Google links to see what has been written about her (her phones battery is almost dead and the service is awful) she gets so frustrated that she throws her cell phone into the field surrounding the home. A field with a ton of acreage that is in the middle of nowhere. It is 3 o'clock in the morning and dark and once she throws it away, she realizes what she did and tries to find it and she can't. Who does that? These odd behaviors happen in the first hours of driving into Sweetbriar - and they continue to occur non-stop on a daily basis as she keeps incriminating herself over and over. With the town, with the police.....
Other than that, the story itself was interesting. The MMC is her childhood friend Wyatt Landry. It takes time to understand their relationship because I was VERY confused at the beginning. Wyatt is definitely a nice guy, and he is EXTREMELY patient with Juniper. Much more patient than I could ever be - seriously.
One thing that becomes immediately clear is that Juniper is a mess. Most of it is self-inflicted, but not all of it. As we go back in time, it is easier to understand some of her inner thoughts because she was bullied terribly growing up. And when I say bullied, I mean BULLIED. Some of that was difficult to read. At times I kept thinking, "Please stand up for yourself" but having never been exactly in that situation, I honestly do not know how I would have reacted.
Putting aside Juniper's crazy behavior, as we FINALLY start getting to the heart of what is going on, it is full of unexpected twists and turns. The actual reveal (well, there are a couple of them) actually surprised me and I love being surprised. Some of the characters were a bit over the top and more like caricatures, but somehow it just worked.
If you have a couple of hours and want and easy to read thriller, this might just be for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ellery Kane Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book. It was out for publication on March 30, 2026.
#CampNetGalley
July 18, 2026
This was an entertaining quick read. I picked this up because of the NetGalley summer challenge and this one stood out to me. There really wasn't a dull moment throughout this whole book. It starts off pretty strong and interesting and actually managed to maintain that steady pace throughout the rest of the story.
Although I had the ebook from NetGalley, I also ended up getting the audiobook through Libby and I thought that really added to the experience. The narration was great and I loved all of the conflict within this book. It's a high school reunion, so there is always bound to be some juicy drama. Books like these always remind me how it's never a good idea to attend an event like this.
This was worth the read, and I would recommend the audio book if you have it.
Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc. All opinions are my own.
Although I had the ebook from NetGalley, I also ended up getting the audiobook through Libby and I thought that really added to the experience. The narration was great and I loved all of the conflict within this book. It's a high school reunion, so there is always bound to be some juicy drama. Books like these always remind me how it's never a good idea to attend an event like this.
This was worth the read, and I would recommend the audio book if you have it.
Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc. All opinions are my own.
April 16, 2026
Grabbed by the cover… only to realize I had jumped straight into Book 6 which wasn’t exactly the plan.
This was a complimentary eARC from the author via NetGalley, and thankfully, this series functions as interconnected standalones—so while I wasn’t completely lost, there was a slight disconnect at times from not having the full backstory.
That said, this was a well-written and engaging read. I really enjoyed the dual timeline and how everything gradually wove together. Even when I started to piece things together, it never felt overly predictable, and there moments that will catch folks off guard in the best way.
I found myself more drawn to the “Before” chapters than the “Now” timeline, something about the past just had a stronger pull for me, but I did appreciate how seamlessly the two timelines ultimately connected. The structure was thoughtfully done, and the payoff worked.
Overall, this is a well-plotted small-town psychological thriller that I’d definitely recommend. And next time, I might just start at Book 1… but I’m absolutely interested in exploring more from this series.
This was a complimentary eARC from the author via NetGalley, and thankfully, this series functions as interconnected standalones—so while I wasn’t completely lost, there was a slight disconnect at times from not having the full backstory.
That said, this was a well-written and engaging read. I really enjoyed the dual timeline and how everything gradually wove together. Even when I started to piece things together, it never felt overly predictable, and there moments that will catch folks off guard in the best way.
I found myself more drawn to the “Before” chapters than the “Now” timeline, something about the past just had a stronger pull for me, but I did appreciate how seamlessly the two timelines ultimately connected. The structure was thoughtfully done, and the payoff worked.
Overall, this is a well-plotted small-town psychological thriller that I’d definitely recommend. And next time, I might just start at Book 1… but I’m absolutely interested in exploring more from this series.
July 27, 2026
★★★★
”I saw you. I know what you did.”
Juniper "June" Pickett has had a rough few weeks. Her father has passed away, and she's just lost her job, or at least she might as well have. The worst part is the very public spectacle surrounding the events that ended her career, making it unlikely she'll find another position anytime soon in her chosen home, the Bay Area.
What's a girl to do?
Head back to Texas, of course, and finally deal with her father's estate now that she has plenty of unexpected free time. Oh, and there's also her 20-year high school reunion on the horizon. The long-awaited opening of the class time capsule is about to reveal something far darker than anyone ever imagined. Maybe June can stop one more disaster before it's too late…?
”I’m not the meek, helpless girl who goes gently into that good night. I want to rage. I want the last word. I want you all to pay. Twenty years from now, you will all still remember me. If you survive tonight.”
This was my first book by Ellery Kane, and I loved the small-town setting she created. It never felt overly romanticized. Instead, it captured the realities of a farming community, from its struggles and outcasts to the big dreams of life after graduation, college, football, and making it out.
The characters felt authentic and wonderfully layered. The dual timelines came together seamlessly, gradually revealing what shaped each character and the history that bound them together.
The mystery was cleverly plotted, and I changed my mind about the culprit with almost every shift in timeline as new details emerged and more secrets came to light. Bonus points for the second-chance romance, which never competed with the mystery but instead added another layer to the story. And really, who can resist a cowboy?
Thank you NetGalley and Ellery Kane for a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
”I saw you. I know what you did.”
Juniper "June" Pickett has had a rough few weeks. Her father has passed away, and she's just lost her job, or at least she might as well have. The worst part is the very public spectacle surrounding the events that ended her career, making it unlikely she'll find another position anytime soon in her chosen home, the Bay Area.
What's a girl to do?
Head back to Texas, of course, and finally deal with her father's estate now that she has plenty of unexpected free time. Oh, and there's also her 20-year high school reunion on the horizon. The long-awaited opening of the class time capsule is about to reveal something far darker than anyone ever imagined. Maybe June can stop one more disaster before it's too late…?
”I’m not the meek, helpless girl who goes gently into that good night. I want to rage. I want the last word. I want you all to pay. Twenty years from now, you will all still remember me. If you survive tonight.”
This was my first book by Ellery Kane, and I loved the small-town setting she created. It never felt overly romanticized. Instead, it captured the realities of a farming community, from its struggles and outcasts to the big dreams of life after graduation, college, football, and making it out.
The characters felt authentic and wonderfully layered. The dual timelines came together seamlessly, gradually revealing what shaped each character and the history that bound them together.
The mystery was cleverly plotted, and I changed my mind about the culprit with almost every shift in timeline as new details emerged and more secrets came to light. Bonus points for the second-chance romance, which never competed with the mystery but instead added another layer to the story. And really, who can resist a cowboy?
Thank you NetGalley and Ellery Kane for a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
July 24, 2026
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I had such a good time reading reading this book! I'm always a sucker for a small-town mystery where everyone seems to be hiding something, and this one absolutely scratched that itch.
The whole idea of a time capsule being dug up twenty years later, only for a body to be discovered instead, had me hooked straight away. I kept telling myself I had it all figured out but then something else would happen that made me question everything again.
I really liked Juniper. She wasn't perfect, and I found myself constantly wondering what she was hiding and if she actually did it, while also rooting for her to make it through everything that was being thrown at her.
What I enjoyed most was the atmosphere. Small-town thrillers just hit differently when everyone's lives are tangled together, old secrets refuse to stay buried, and the past keeps creeping back into the present. It kept me guessing right up until the end.
I did figure out a couple of things before they were revealed, but it honestly didn't take away from my enjoyment. I was still completely invested in seeing how everything would come together.
If you love twisty mysteries with plenty of secrets, suspicious characters, and that "everyone knows everyone" small-town vibe, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a go.
I had such a good time reading reading this book! I'm always a sucker for a small-town mystery where everyone seems to be hiding something, and this one absolutely scratched that itch.
The whole idea of a time capsule being dug up twenty years later, only for a body to be discovered instead, had me hooked straight away. I kept telling myself I had it all figured out but then something else would happen that made me question everything again.
I really liked Juniper. She wasn't perfect, and I found myself constantly wondering what she was hiding and if she actually did it, while also rooting for her to make it through everything that was being thrown at her.
What I enjoyed most was the atmosphere. Small-town thrillers just hit differently when everyone's lives are tangled together, old secrets refuse to stay buried, and the past keeps creeping back into the present. It kept me guessing right up until the end.
I did figure out a couple of things before they were revealed, but it honestly didn't take away from my enjoyment. I was still completely invested in seeing how everything would come together.
If you love twisty mysteries with plenty of secrets, suspicious characters, and that "everyone knows everyone" small-town vibe, I'd definitely recommend giving this one a go.
August 1, 2026
4.5 stars
Juniper “June” Pickett returns home for her 20th high school reunion after leaving for college with no intentions of ever returning. But June is fleeing a troubling situation with her current employer. Upon her return she gets caught up in the mystery of her classmate, Blair Lennox, who disappeared the night of graduation. Returning home also means facing memories of terrible bullying that she experienced in high school led by Blair.
An interesting mystery with a really surprising resolution. I really enjoyed this book and the writing style drew me in. I plan to read more by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review the book.
Juniper “June” Pickett returns home for her 20th high school reunion after leaving for college with no intentions of ever returning. But June is fleeing a troubling situation with her current employer. Upon her return she gets caught up in the mystery of her classmate, Blair Lennox, who disappeared the night of graduation. Returning home also means facing memories of terrible bullying that she experienced in high school led by Blair.
An interesting mystery with a really surprising resolution. I really enjoyed this book and the writing style drew me in. I plan to read more by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review the book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
By 20% into this novel, I knew I was in for a ride. The Doctors of Darkness series is comprised of standalones linked by theme. The novels in this series are dark and visceral; they remain under my skin long after reading. The fourth book, Shadows Among Us, remains one of my favorite novels.
Needless to say (though I'm going to say it anyway) I am so happy to see another edition of the Doctors of Darkness series in publication. And, to add a heap of "even better" to my excitement, I received an ARC so I don't have to wait for 3/30/26!
Long Buried is about a woman, Juniper, who grew up in a small town. High school was challenging for her. Her mother passed away in an awful tractor accident and she was picked on relentlessly at school. June worked very hard to get away from the small town life. She went to college and secured a position as a school psychologist in the City of San Francisco.
June was living the dream until her troubled past comes back to bite her in more ways than one. One of her student/patients commits a terrible act which causes June to lose her job. Yet, she cannot worry about that right now, because folks back in her hometown are going to unearth her high school time capsule. June needs to act fast and get to the time capsule before the ceremony or secrets long buried will come back to haunt her.
What I loved:
June - she is a well-developed character with thoughts and feelings that make her relatable and real. Her life now, even away from mean girls, helping children, living in a city with a good paying job, still comes with its share of problems. I think that may be partly because her experiences heavily shaped her life and goals.
Wyatt - he was the one person in high school that cared for her. Sadly, he also fell for one of the girls who made June's life difficult. He stuck up for June against many people, but he was blind to Blaire's cruelness.
Blair - Surprise, I know. Some mean girls don't have a nice bone in their body. I think Blair did, but she was acting out to disguise her own pain. Unfortunately, she was killed before getting a chance to make things right.
The plot - If you think June is going to run home, dig up whatever she's looking for and get out of dodge, HA! Things start going wrong for June the night she returns. Between local law enforcement throwing a wrench into her plans, unknown folks who don't want her home (why?), Wyatt, and a surprise guest halfway through, there is a lot going on in this mystery and I could not turn pages fast enough.
No gripes here.
I will note that the author, Ellery Kane, is also a forensic psychologist. She has written main stream books published through a publisher and she has gone the self publish route. I've read both (yep, I've read 9 of her books). I love unfiltered, self published Ellery best!
You can pre-order the ebook of this novel for .99 and many ebooks in this series are under $5. They are also currently available through Kindle Unlimited. And for those who love physical books, you can order those too.
Needless to say (though I'm going to say it anyway) I am so happy to see another edition of the Doctors of Darkness series in publication. And, to add a heap of "even better" to my excitement, I received an ARC so I don't have to wait for 3/30/26!
Long Buried is about a woman, Juniper, who grew up in a small town. High school was challenging for her. Her mother passed away in an awful tractor accident and she was picked on relentlessly at school. June worked very hard to get away from the small town life. She went to college and secured a position as a school psychologist in the City of San Francisco.
June was living the dream until her troubled past comes back to bite her in more ways than one. One of her student/patients commits a terrible act which causes June to lose her job. Yet, she cannot worry about that right now, because folks back in her hometown are going to unearth her high school time capsule. June needs to act fast and get to the time capsule before the ceremony or secrets long buried will come back to haunt her.
What I loved:
June - she is a well-developed character with thoughts and feelings that make her relatable and real. Her life now, even away from mean girls, helping children, living in a city with a good paying job, still comes with its share of problems. I think that may be partly because her experiences heavily shaped her life and goals.
Wyatt - he was the one person in high school that cared for her. Sadly, he also fell for one of the girls who made June's life difficult. He stuck up for June against many people, but he was blind to Blaire's cruelness.
Blair - Surprise, I know. Some mean girls don't have a nice bone in their body. I think Blair did, but she was acting out to disguise her own pain. Unfortunately, she was killed before getting a chance to make things right.
The plot - If you think June is going to run home, dig up whatever she's looking for and get out of dodge, HA! Things start going wrong for June the night she returns. Between local law enforcement throwing a wrench into her plans, unknown folks who don't want her home (why?), Wyatt, and a surprise guest halfway through, there is a lot going on in this mystery and I could not turn pages fast enough.
No gripes here.
I will note that the author, Ellery Kane, is also a forensic psychologist. She has written main stream books published through a publisher and she has gone the self publish route. I've read both (yep, I've read 9 of her books). I love unfiltered, self published Ellery best!
You can pre-order the ebook of this novel for .99 and many ebooks in this series are under $5. They are also currently available through Kindle Unlimited. And for those who love physical books, you can order those too.
August 14, 2026
Juniper Pickett had a brutal childhood full of trauma. When she comes back home for her high school reunion to Sweetbriar, Texas some twenty years later we understand why she left! She was brutally teased in school, by almost everyone. Blair, who died on graduation night was the biggest tormentor for Juniper. Juniper hated Blair. Everyone has always thought it was June that killed Blair. Her life-long, and only friend in her hometown begins to help her peel away the mystery of Blair’s murder and her own fathers’ death. Are they possibly related?
Although this story was entertaining, I found the climax pretty disappointing. Many of the characters had motive to kill the night of graduation, but I found the end of the story hard to follow and somewhat lackluster.
Thank you Net Galley, and Ellery Kane Publishing for this eARC read for #campnetgalley. I enjoyed it overall, and gave it a 3.5 rounded up.
Although this story was entertaining, I found the climax pretty disappointing. Many of the characters had motive to kill the night of graduation, but I found the end of the story hard to follow and somewhat lackluster.
Thank you Net Galley, and Ellery Kane Publishing for this eARC read for #campnetgalley. I enjoyed it overall, and gave it a 3.5 rounded up.
August 11, 2026
Home is not always where the heart is, and I think it is pretty safe to say that Juniper Pickett’s heart (awesome name by the way) was never at home in Sweetbriar, Texas. Her happy childhood was shattered after losing her mother, and when her father sticks his head in the sand of his scientific work, the only person Juniper has left is her childhood friend, Wyatt.
Although I must say Wyatt isn’t really what I was expecting when it comes to an MMC. Wyatt had his own struggles, primarily an abusive alcoholic father, but he doesn’t have the strength of character I was hoping for as the MMC. He dates Juniper’s tormentor all through high school. He has multiple opportunities to stand up and defend Juniper, and he never does. I don’t know if it’s because he was so tired from constantly being on the defense at home or what, but there is a reason Juniper made the decisions she made and got the hell out of Sweetbriar as soon as she could. I get the whole the girl saves herself thing, but honestly, Wyatt’s backbone could have used a rod.
Juniper’s dreaded return coincides with her twenty-year high school reunion and the time capsule opening. She doesn’t want her twenty-year-buried secret to ever see the light of day, but when she goes digging, she finds the missing Homecoming Queen and her personal tormentor instead.
Juniper was an unreliable narrator to start off with, but as the story went on, she became more and more believable. She was also extremely resilient, growing up and returning to a town filled with good ole boys and mean girls from hell. Macy and everything that happened in San Francisco were interesting twists. This was also the first time in a long time that I have read a book set in Texas where I could tell the author had actually been to Texas. The ending was a little disappointing; I was hoping for more fireworks between Wyatt and Juniper, but all in all, Long Buried was an enjoyable read.
*Thank you, NetGalley, for the copy of Long Buried in exchange for an honest review.
Although I must say Wyatt isn’t really what I was expecting when it comes to an MMC. Wyatt had his own struggles, primarily an abusive alcoholic father, but he doesn’t have the strength of character I was hoping for as the MMC. He dates Juniper’s tormentor all through high school. He has multiple opportunities to stand up and defend Juniper, and he never does. I don’t know if it’s because he was so tired from constantly being on the defense at home or what, but there is a reason Juniper made the decisions she made and got the hell out of Sweetbriar as soon as she could. I get the whole the girl saves herself thing, but honestly, Wyatt’s backbone could have used a rod.
Juniper’s dreaded return coincides with her twenty-year high school reunion and the time capsule opening. She doesn’t want her twenty-year-buried secret to ever see the light of day, but when she goes digging, she finds the missing Homecoming Queen and her personal tormentor instead.
Juniper was an unreliable narrator to start off with, but as the story went on, she became more and more believable. She was also extremely resilient, growing up and returning to a town filled with good ole boys and mean girls from hell. Macy and everything that happened in San Francisco were interesting twists. This was also the first time in a long time that I have read a book set in Texas where I could tell the author had actually been to Texas. The ending was a little disappointing; I was hoping for more fireworks between Wyatt and Juniper, but all in all, Long Buried was an enjoyable read.
*Thank you, NetGalley, for the copy of Long Buried in exchange for an honest review.
April 6, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Long Buried.
Long Buried follows Juniper Pickett, a former outcast and misfit, who returns to her hometown of Sweetbriar, Texas, after twenty years away. She carries a heavy load of secrets; from the mysterious events surrounding her graduation to the complications of her current role as a psychologist at a private school in San Francisco.
This novel is packed with twists and unexpected turns, and Ellery Kane does a great job of maintaining suspense. I was hooked from the very beginning and found myself flying through the pages, eager to uncover what really happened to Blair Lennox, the former “Queen Bee” who disappeared on graduation night. The dual timelines and gradual reveal of past events added to the tension and kept me fully engaged.
That said, a few elements didn’t fully land for me. Some plot points felt underdeveloped or insufficiently explained by the end. For example, the storyline involving Juniper’s father, the so-called “mad scientist”, raises questions that are never fully answered. I also would have liked more depth when it came to Juniper’s parents and their backstory.
Juniper’s relationship with Wyatt was another point of hesitation. While their present-day bond is portrayed as strong, their past dynamic, especially his relationship with her former bully and his lack of support during high school, creates a disconnect that isn’t fully addressed. Because of this, their closeness in the present feels a bit unearned.
Overall, though, this was a compelling and fast-paced read. With themes of trauma, small-town secrets, and revenge, it gave me slight Grady Hendrix vibes (without the satire).
LOVED the wink to My Favorite Murder podcast!
Rating: 4⭐
Long Buried follows Juniper Pickett, a former outcast and misfit, who returns to her hometown of Sweetbriar, Texas, after twenty years away. She carries a heavy load of secrets; from the mysterious events surrounding her graduation to the complications of her current role as a psychologist at a private school in San Francisco.
This novel is packed with twists and unexpected turns, and Ellery Kane does a great job of maintaining suspense. I was hooked from the very beginning and found myself flying through the pages, eager to uncover what really happened to Blair Lennox, the former “Queen Bee” who disappeared on graduation night. The dual timelines and gradual reveal of past events added to the tension and kept me fully engaged.
That said, a few elements didn’t fully land for me. Some plot points felt underdeveloped or insufficiently explained by the end. For example, the storyline involving Juniper’s father, the so-called “mad scientist”, raises questions that are never fully answered. I also would have liked more depth when it came to Juniper’s parents and their backstory.
Juniper’s relationship with Wyatt was another point of hesitation. While their present-day bond is portrayed as strong, their past dynamic, especially his relationship with her former bully and his lack of support during high school, creates a disconnect that isn’t fully addressed. Because of this, their closeness in the present feels a bit unearned.
Overall, though, this was a compelling and fast-paced read. With themes of trauma, small-town secrets, and revenge, it gave me slight Grady Hendrix vibes (without the satire).
LOVED the wink to My Favorite Murder podcast!
Rating: 4⭐
July 19, 2026
First, I want to thank Ellery Kane and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I can bring you this book.
Thank you Camp NetGalley for reuniting me with one of my favorite authors Ellery Kane! It has been a while since I have read twisted tales and forgot how much I have missed them. This time around I got to read Long Buried as part of her Doctors of Darkness Series. This book was fast paced, suspenseful, mysterious, had its share of heartbreak and heartfelt moments, as well as deep hidden secrets with exploding endings. It is a book that keeps you on your toes wanting to know the outcome of how the storyline will end.
I loved how Ellery dedicated this book to her Dad. He taught her to live by the cowboy code.
The first page of Chapter One caught my eye and had me chuckling right away. They say you can’t go home again. What they mean is you shouldn’t. I shouldn’t. And from there on out Ellery hooked me. I needed to find out why Junipher shouldn’t have gone back home.
One of the many things I really enjoyed and found relatable was Juniper and I both graduated high school in the 90’s. That being said I loved all the references to the 90’s as to this day I am still a 90’s girl at heart. I smiled as they were about to have their high school reunion and wondered how everyone changed or stayed the same. Oh and my favorite is the time capsule and what Junipher really put in it and what she had to dig up before anyone saw. The secrets she was keeping from everyone that would shock everyone once they were exposed.
There were so many wicked twists that makes Long Buried a must read.
Thank you Camp NetGalley for reuniting me with one of my favorite authors Ellery Kane! It has been a while since I have read twisted tales and forgot how much I have missed them. This time around I got to read Long Buried as part of her Doctors of Darkness Series. This book was fast paced, suspenseful, mysterious, had its share of heartbreak and heartfelt moments, as well as deep hidden secrets with exploding endings. It is a book that keeps you on your toes wanting to know the outcome of how the storyline will end.
I loved how Ellery dedicated this book to her Dad. He taught her to live by the cowboy code.
The first page of Chapter One caught my eye and had me chuckling right away. They say you can’t go home again. What they mean is you shouldn’t. I shouldn’t. And from there on out Ellery hooked me. I needed to find out why Junipher shouldn’t have gone back home.
One of the many things I really enjoyed and found relatable was Juniper and I both graduated high school in the 90’s. That being said I loved all the references to the 90’s as to this day I am still a 90’s girl at heart. I smiled as they were about to have their high school reunion and wondered how everyone changed or stayed the same. Oh and my favorite is the time capsule and what Junipher really put in it and what she had to dig up before anyone saw. The secrets she was keeping from everyone that would shock everyone once they were exposed.
There were so many wicked twists that makes Long Buried a must read.
August 6, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Ellery Kane Publishing for this ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Juniper returns back to her hometown after escaping twenty years ago. What lures her back? A time capsule reveal for her twentieth high school reunion. Juniper doesn’t want people to see what she snuck in that capsule all those years ago and decided to destruct school property while attempting to remove the evidence that will ruin her. Instead of digging up the time capsule, she digs up a human bone. All eyes are on Juniper now. Who are her only allies? Wyatt, a convicted murderer who was recently released from prison and her deceased father who died while on the verge of solving this small town’s devastating secret.
3.5 ⭐️ This was okay to me. A lot of science talk and periodic table references. The story felt slow at times and didn’t always hold my full attention. It wasn’t a bad story just not my favorite one I have read.
Juniper returns back to her hometown after escaping twenty years ago. What lures her back? A time capsule reveal for her twentieth high school reunion. Juniper doesn’t want people to see what she snuck in that capsule all those years ago and decided to destruct school property while attempting to remove the evidence that will ruin her. Instead of digging up the time capsule, she digs up a human bone. All eyes are on Juniper now. Who are her only allies? Wyatt, a convicted murderer who was recently released from prison and her deceased father who died while on the verge of solving this small town’s devastating secret.
3.5 ⭐️ This was okay to me. A lot of science talk and periodic table references. The story felt slow at times and didn’t always hold my full attention. It wasn’t a bad story just not my favorite one I have read.
August 6, 2026
2.5-3 stars
Grabbed this thriller/mystery for Camp Netgalley since it sounded the most interesting. I thought the premise was great and I really wanted to find out what happened after graduation, but the pacing made this a slog to get through. The lack of communication by everyone was frustrating and I found myself getting more and more annoyed by Juniper and Wyatt as the story continued. The writing was OK and I didn't feel compelled to DNF, but I also found myself repeatedly checking my percentage progress and hoping for it to be done. After so much build up, the ending wasn't fully satisfying to me, but at least I didn't guess the final twist. The romance subplot fell flat as a second chance romance thanks to all of Wyatt's poor decisions in the past (yes, he was a teenager, but he let her down so many times!), and I think Juniper had better chemistry with her poster of Luke Perry. Overall, an OK read, but I'm not sure I'll be reading any of the other books by the author.
*I voluntarily read a review copy of this book*
Grabbed this thriller/mystery for Camp Netgalley since it sounded the most interesting. I thought the premise was great and I really wanted to find out what happened after graduation, but the pacing made this a slog to get through. The lack of communication by everyone was frustrating and I found myself getting more and more annoyed by Juniper and Wyatt as the story continued. The writing was OK and I didn't feel compelled to DNF, but I also found myself repeatedly checking my percentage progress and hoping for it to be done. After so much build up, the ending wasn't fully satisfying to me, but at least I didn't guess the final twist. The romance subplot fell flat as a second chance romance thanks to all of Wyatt's poor decisions in the past (yes, he was a teenager, but he let her down so many times!), and I think Juniper had better chemistry with her poster of Luke Perry. Overall, an OK read, but I'm not sure I'll be reading any of the other books by the author.
*I voluntarily read a review copy of this book*
August 11, 2026
Thanks to Ellery Kane Publishing and NetGalley for providing this eARC!
This was really good. And dark. And sad. Great pace, kept me telling myself, one more chapter… 😂 I had a suspect in mind, but didn’t want it to be true, and I ended up being right. But there was so much other stuff going on, side stories, that it still kept me guessing and doubting myself. Small town secrets with a lack of communication trope and a 20 year old time capsule and I’m hooked! And oh my word, the horror. The bullying in this book is sickening, heartbreaking. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, it did. What makes it so sad is that it’s something that happens everyday. To kids, that don’t have any idea how to deal with it. I was so sad and angry for Juniper. I was pretty happy with the ending.
This was really good. And dark. And sad. Great pace, kept me telling myself, one more chapter… 😂 I had a suspect in mind, but didn’t want it to be true, and I ended up being right. But there was so much other stuff going on, side stories, that it still kept me guessing and doubting myself. Small town secrets with a lack of communication trope and a 20 year old time capsule and I’m hooked! And oh my word, the horror. The bullying in this book is sickening, heartbreaking. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, it did. What makes it so sad is that it’s something that happens everyday. To kids, that don’t have any idea how to deal with it. I was so sad and angry for Juniper. I was pretty happy with the ending.
August 13, 2026
Fabulous murder mystery thriller! The main characters are well-written and you really fall into their story as it unfolds in front of you. This is book 6 in a series of standalones and I'm invested in getting the other books now! Highschool drama as we read about the past, a prominent highschool girl's disappearance , and the discovery of her bones at the 20 year reunion/time capsule reveal. Juniper is such a great character, and her and Wyatt working together as all the ugly details are brought to light is so great. Juniper's father tinkering away with chemical compounds for agriculture enhancements is such a great story within the story. Definitely looking for the rest of the books!
Thank-you, Ellery Kane Publishing, for this complimentary copy. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Thank-you, Ellery Kane Publishing, for this complimentary copy. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
April 8, 2026
Not gonna lie. I mistakenly requested to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book believing it was by a different author. Well, if someone is nice enough to allow me a copy of their book, then I feel I should at least give it a chance. This book was SO cool and actually mostly right up my alley!! It is apparently Book 6 in a series. The Doctors of Darkness Series, to be exact. I didn't feel left out though while reading, so I think it can definitely be read as a standalone, but if you think I won't go back and read 1-5 then you're crazy! I was a teenager in the 80's and 90's and the story gave me a sort of 80's-90's horror movie kind of vibe, which I loved. In '97, Sweetbriar High School Seniors bury a time capsule on Graduation Night. That very night, Blair Lennox, the Homecoming Queen disappears, never to be heard from again. OOOOOHHHH! Creepy! 20 years later, Juniper Pickett returns to her old hometown that she fled and tomorrow they will unearth that old-time capsule. Juniper has a host of issues, some of which she fled from recently back to Sweetbriar and some in Sweetbriar. One of which will be brought to light with the unearthing. The story is told in both past and present and there are so many secrets and lies and drama afoot you will have a hard time putting this one down. Now, I read a LOT of thrillers, so I did see parts coming from a mile away, but it was so much fun getting there anyway, so who cares! This book was one happy accident!
Thank you to Ellery Kane, #NetGalley and Ellery Kane Publishing for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Ellery Kane, #NetGalley and Ellery Kane Publishing for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
August 2, 2026
I went into this one expecting a twisty small-town mystery, and it absolutely delivered. The premise alone hooked me: a twenty-year-old time capsule, a missing homecoming queen, and a woman returning home with secrets of her own.
The story is packed with buried secrets, old grudges, and the kind of tension that keeps you flipping pages late into the night. The discovery of Blair Lennox’s body turns an already intriguing mystery into a fast-paced race to uncover the truth before the past claims another victim.
If you love small-town thrillers where everyone seems suspicious and the past refuses to stay buried, this one deserves a spot on your TBR. Dark, atmospheric, and full of secrets, it kept me guessing until the end.
The story is packed with buried secrets, old grudges, and the kind of tension that keeps you flipping pages late into the night. The discovery of Blair Lennox’s body turns an already intriguing mystery into a fast-paced race to uncover the truth before the past claims another victim.
If you love small-town thrillers where everyone seems suspicious and the past refuses to stay buried, this one deserves a spot on your TBR. Dark, atmospheric, and full of secrets, it kept me guessing until the end.
August 14, 2026
The mysteries begin right away.
If bullying and suicide triggers you. Do not read.
You have to attention when you start each chapter. There are flash backs just about every other chapter.
While you have your main characters, there's quite a few additional characters for you to remember.
A simple plot that felt very predictable. Yet the ending chapter had me wondering if what was revealed was really the answer.
I was intrigued to know the who what and why but felt crestfallen everytime something happened. Just felt like more conflict and disturbance could've happened.
Every chapter I wanted to shake June and say Woman Up! In the end, she kind of did.
If bullying and suicide triggers you. Do not read.
You have to attention when you start each chapter. There are flash backs just about every other chapter.
While you have your main characters, there's quite a few additional characters for you to remember.
A simple plot that felt very predictable. Yet the ending chapter had me wondering if what was revealed was really the answer.
I was intrigued to know the who what and why but felt crestfallen everytime something happened. Just felt like more conflict and disturbance could've happened.
Every chapter I wanted to shake June and say Woman Up! In the end, she kind of did.
July 30, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and sellers Kane Publishing for the ability to read and review Long Buried for the Camp Badge!
Long Buried takes us on a trip to the past with a dual timeline leading up to present day and the day of the murder that occurred 20 years prior. As the narrator, FMC Juniper, tells readers the events leading up to the day Blair disappears while also providing us with the present day 20 year reunion, where she is found holding the buried bones of Blair. The character build up and plot are so good and the twists will keep you guessing and turning page late into the night.
Long Buried takes us on a trip to the past with a dual timeline leading up to present day and the day of the murder that occurred 20 years prior. As the narrator, FMC Juniper, tells readers the events leading up to the day Blair disappears while also providing us with the present day 20 year reunion, where she is found holding the buried bones of Blair. The character build up and plot are so good and the twists will keep you guessing and turning page late into the night.
July 20, 2026
Chose this as my selection for Camp NetGalley and I wasn’t disappointed! Even though I hadn’t read any of the earlier books in the series, I felt this worked perfectly on its own. A high school reunion/queen bee revenge plot will always hook me and I loved how the storylines and timelines all interwove, with so many layered and fascinating (if disturbing) characters. I would definitely read this author again, thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
August 8, 2026
I chose this book for Camp NetGalley based on the cover alone. Just looking at it gave off a good thriller vibe. This had so many small town secrets. Something is always going on. The characters were easy to love/hate. Enjoyed the twists & turns. Wasn’t my favorite thriller, but it was pretty good.
August 10, 2026
Very slow at times, so much so that I found it difficult to pick up, but when I did pick it up, I was enjoying it yano? Long Buried was a genuinely good book, with some hard hitting topics, and a plot twist, that, should have been shocking but i wasn't shocked if that makes sense 😭😭😭
August 7, 2026
Small towns and their many secrets. Told in dual timelines, the past unfolds to reveal all the events that led to our fearless MC digging up her past, literally, only to find a body. Now having to clear her name of any wrongdoing, she uncovers the lies and secrets that many desperately wanted to stay buried, while also having to face some truths of her own. If you are looking for non-stop suspense and throw you for a loop twists, look no further, this book definitely checks that box. This was my first book by Ms. Kane and you can bet I will adding more of hers to my TBR list.
Many thanks to Camp NetGalley and Ellery Kane Publishing for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Many thanks to Camp NetGalley and Ellery Kane Publishing for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 5, 2026
I got an advance copy on NetGallery, which thank you so much Ellery Kane.
First off, I didn’t know I had to play catch up to this psychology thriller. Oh my lanta all the books were great. I couldn’t wait to read book #6. Plot twists from book 1-5 and now 6.
The Plot twist, I didn’t see anything like that coming at all. Even the characters, I definitely liked some and did like another but overall they made the story the most interesting.
I found myself enjoying the book from the beginning to end. There wasn’t a time I wanted to put it down at all. I truly like how it was a small town revenge, with plenty of plot twist and secretive drama comes. Coming from a smaller town, I totally can see this.
This book is told from past to present. You seem to be left hanging off cliffs wanting to read more about Junipers life as a now child psychologist.
First off, I didn’t know I had to play catch up to this psychology thriller. Oh my lanta all the books were great. I couldn’t wait to read book #6. Plot twists from book 1-5 and now 6.
The Plot twist, I didn’t see anything like that coming at all. Even the characters, I definitely liked some and did like another but overall they made the story the most interesting.
I found myself enjoying the book from the beginning to end. There wasn’t a time I wanted to put it down at all. I truly like how it was a small town revenge, with plenty of plot twist and secretive drama comes. Coming from a smaller town, I totally can see this.
This book is told from past to present. You seem to be left hanging off cliffs wanting to read more about Junipers life as a now child psychologist.
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