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The Life We Bury: by Allen Eskins | Chapter Compilation
Joe Talbert is a college student who just wants to find a viable subject to write a biography on for an English class assignment. What was supposed to be a simple project became more than what it was supposed to be the moment Joe meets a peculiar dying elderly man named Carl Iverson who happened to be a convicted murderer and rapist. From just wanting to earn a passing grade, he ends up going out of his way to prove the innocence of the old man.
Amidst his desire for justice, he is also faced with the reality of his troubled family life which involved his highly irresponsible mother and his autistic younger brother. The evidences Joe discovers along the way, unravels a darker horror of the past occurrences that led to the untimely death of an unfortunate fourteen year old girl.
Amidst his desire for justice, he is also faced with the reality of his troubled family life which involved his highly irresponsible mother and his autistic younger brother. The evidences Joe discovers along the way, unravels a darker horror of the past occurrences that led to the untimely death of an unfortunate fourteen year old girl.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2016
49 people are currently reading
2259 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
May 12, 2022
Suspensful page turner. For stars
August 21, 2022
I gave this 5 stars for surprising the hell out of me. In the beginning it felt predictable and I was just waiting to be proven correct. Then the twists started the characters came to life. The memories of the past were the best parts - well written, and emotionally drew me in to the story and wanting to see what road to me on. Then more twists!! Taken off guard until the very end. The times when the story was suspenseful and needed to move fast I didn’t enjoy the overly details passages so I just skimmed them but overall fantastic book!!
May 16, 2016
3.5 would probably be more accurate just because much of the book was predictable or far fetched. HOWEVER, the meat of the story will keep you reading and enjoying the journey. I very much enjoyed the read!
March 30, 2016
I really enjoyed this novel. It's won prizes as a mystery and I'm not usually a mystery reader, but Eskins' characters are so endearing and so fascinating that I couldn't put it down. Yes, it's a twisting and excitingly suspenseful plot. It deals with important themes like justice, loyalty and setting boundaries. It's full of richly descriptive writing. But for me it was Joe and Lila that kept me going.
February 18, 2016
This is a good story
Good story that keeps you interested through the debate of innocence.
My only complaint is the amount of chapters. Some as short as 1 paragraph.
Good story worth having overall.
Good story that keeps you interested through the debate of innocence.
My only complaint is the amount of chapters. Some as short as 1 paragraph.
Good story worth having overall.
October 26, 2016
This is the first time I've read a book by Allen Eskins and I was pleasantly surprised. Joe Talbert, a college student, has an English paper to write and finds a dying man, Carl Iverson, in a nursing home who would be a good subject for his English assignment. The dying man was arrested, charged and tried for murder of a young teenage girl 30 years ago and he has been released to the nursing home for his last few weeks. Joe starts listening to his tale and realizes that Carl is not the murderer he was alleged to be. He sets out to solve the mystery. This book is easy reading and the narrator, Zach Villa, was good.
May 30, 2016
Really enjoyed this novel--not just because I have family connections to the Twin Cities and Iowa--it's simply a good story. Read it in one day, which for me is fast. Lots of twists and fun and some frustrations with "why don't they (the main characters) see what's happening?" Looks like Mr Eskens learned something in his creative writing classes.
August 30, 2016
Good quick read held my attention and would make a great book report for a high schooler
September 8, 2016
Great unique story
January 5, 2020
I enjoyed the theme, the characters, the mystery and the search. An agreeable who-dunnit with a human touch.
March 19, 2020
Great book. Love Allen’s writing style and the book was very suspenseful. Not a dull moment.
August 19, 2024
This book surprised the hell out of me. It was a so slow start but once it grabbed me I couldn’t stop, never judge a book by its cover.
June 28, 2025
liked a to ot
February 28, 2022
Excellent quick read. Very good writing . Excellent plot.
August 22, 2025
Set in Austin & Minneapolis, this (predictable) book was still very enjoyable.
January 19, 2026
Great story that kept my attention and liked the main character Joe.
February 5, 2026
I like this one! The ending has everything tied up but it felt good.
August 3, 2022
Joe, a college student, has to write a biography on an elderly person. He is paired with Carl, who was convicted of raping and killing a fourteen year old girl.
Carl is out of prison in a nursing home, because he is dying of cancer. Joe and Carl learn about each other and Joe believes Carl is innocent and wants to prove that before Carl dies.
I chose this book for a reading challenge, because I needed to read one set in Minnesota. I didn't expect to enjoy it a much as it did.
Carl is out of prison in a nursing home, because he is dying of cancer. Joe and Carl learn about each other and Joe believes Carl is innocent and wants to prove that before Carl dies.
I chose this book for a reading challenge, because I needed to read one set in Minnesota. I didn't expect to enjoy it a much as it did.
May 8, 2022
I enjoyed this story. The characters were three dimensional & believable. I thought it would have a stereotypical ending...it did but more drama erupted at the ending than I had anticipated. Outside of dragging a little in the middle, I liked it.
May 26, 2024
I did not expect to like this as much as I did. I thought it was going to be dark and depressing but this couldn’t be further than the truth. The autistic brother was a surprise and I loved the way this was addressed.
December 4, 2020
What an excellent journey that was. Just finished...with a smile on my face. I connected with the characters of this story, a mark of a truly good book.
November 3, 2020
How did you experience the book? Were you immediately drawn into the story—or did it take you a while? Did the book intrigue, amuse, disturb, alienate, irritate, or frighten you?
Quick read...captivating. The storyline was thin initially but grew more complex. I was anxious for the last part of the novel.
What aspects of the novel did the author draw from to come up with the title for The Life We Bury?
Both Carl and Joe had stories in their lives that they kept buried. Those incidents prevented them from living life to the fullest.
Which character, if any, did you identify with the most? Why?
Joe...as he struggled to escape his upbringing and future responsibility to his brother.
Was there a particular scene that resonated with you or stayed with you after you finished the novel?
The accidental death of the grandfather. The words of the grandfather that stay with Joe throughout his life.
How did you feel about the character of Carl Iverson when he was first introduced?
I was not drawn to him. I had a wait and see feeling.
Would you say that the story is plot driven or character driven? In other words, do events unfold quickly? Or is more time spent developing characters' inner lives? Does it make a difference to your enjoyment?
Plot driven with effective character development to pull me into the reality of the story.
How does guilt affect or influence the various characters?
Guilt hangs over Carl and Joe and Lila, not for current or the obvious things, but for their past and the perceptions of themselves.
What would you say are Joe's strongest character traits?
Genuine. Impetuous but has learned constraint from Jeremy’s autism characteristics.
If you could change the character of Joe Talbert, what would you change?
He is a bit polished for a person emerging from a chaotic childhood.
Quick read...captivating. The storyline was thin initially but grew more complex. I was anxious for the last part of the novel.
What aspects of the novel did the author draw from to come up with the title for The Life We Bury?
Both Carl and Joe had stories in their lives that they kept buried. Those incidents prevented them from living life to the fullest.
Which character, if any, did you identify with the most? Why?
Joe...as he struggled to escape his upbringing and future responsibility to his brother.
Was there a particular scene that resonated with you or stayed with you after you finished the novel?
The accidental death of the grandfather. The words of the grandfather that stay with Joe throughout his life.
How did you feel about the character of Carl Iverson when he was first introduced?
I was not drawn to him. I had a wait and see feeling.
Would you say that the story is plot driven or character driven? In other words, do events unfold quickly? Or is more time spent developing characters' inner lives? Does it make a difference to your enjoyment?
Plot driven with effective character development to pull me into the reality of the story.
How does guilt affect or influence the various characters?
Guilt hangs over Carl and Joe and Lila, not for current or the obvious things, but for their past and the perceptions of themselves.
What would you say are Joe's strongest character traits?
Genuine. Impetuous but has learned constraint from Jeremy’s autism characteristics.
If you could change the character of Joe Talbert, what would you change?
He is a bit polished for a person emerging from a chaotic childhood.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2023
Not my cup of tea. I don't want to spoil it for genre fans, it's probably what they expect and like. It felt like such a formula. A likeable everyman somehow morphs into a navy seal along the way of saving his little piece of the world while carrying his autistic brother and drunken mother along the way. All characters have a backstory which neatly explains their shortcomings (interestingly enough except mom), all are revealed, there's a plot twist, emotional breakthroughs etcetera etcetera. I think all would be entertaining if we didn't have to endure the customary heinous crime, gruesome details and drawn out run up to the climax. Spoiler alert here...I felt annoyed while ploughing through to the end thinking 'why do I have to go through this implausible nonsense just to get to the inevitable happy ending?' (this one with extra icing and a cherry on top and whipped cream for good measure) If the rest of his work is like this I'll give it a pass.
May 14, 2025
The story is about a college student who accidentally turned his biography assignment into a detective case. He worked side by side with the girl next door, someone he has a crush on, and managed to help exonerate a dying man who was convicted of rape and murder. By uncovering the injustice behind the case, he somehow redeemed his own past, repaired his troubled family, and won the heart of the girl he likes. The wronged veteran was able to clear his name before he died. Happy ending for everyone.
The story flows well and keeps the reader engaged. However, there was nothing particularly surprising or memorable that stayed with me. The narrator (I listened to the audiobook version) did a good job. He sounded a bit flat and overly plain at first, but I gradually realized that his low-key style actually helped me stay focused. I finished the book with ease and stayed interested the whole time. It's a great choice for someone like me who’s still getting used to audiobooks.
The story flows well and keeps the reader engaged. However, there was nothing particularly surprising or memorable that stayed with me. The narrator (I listened to the audiobook version) did a good job. He sounded a bit flat and overly plain at first, but I gradually realized that his low-key style actually helped me stay focused. I finished the book with ease and stayed interested the whole time. It's a great choice for someone like me who’s still getting used to audiobooks.
January 12, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars
The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens was a deeply moving and thoughtful read. What stood out to me most was the relationship between Joe and his autistic brother, Jeremy. Their bond felt incredibly real and relatable, and it added so much heart and emotional depth to the story beyond the mystery itself.
The investigation kept me engaged, but it was the character development that truly carried the book. The ending was especially satisfying and unexpectedly emotional — it wrapped up the story in a way that felt earned and genuine, and I’ll admit it brought tears to my eyes. A powerful, heartfelt novel that blends suspense with compassion beautifully.
The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens was a deeply moving and thoughtful read. What stood out to me most was the relationship between Joe and his autistic brother, Jeremy. Their bond felt incredibly real and relatable, and it added so much heart and emotional depth to the story beyond the mystery itself.
The investigation kept me engaged, but it was the character development that truly carried the book. The ending was especially satisfying and unexpectedly emotional — it wrapped up the story in a way that felt earned and genuine, and I’ll admit it brought tears to my eyes. A powerful, heartfelt novel that blends suspense with compassion beautifully.
January 4, 2026
Excellent story - read in Florida.
Joe is college student & needs to interview an older person. Carl Iverson was accused of raping and burning body of a teenager, is in a Senior Center, dying from cancer. Joe investigates the 30-year-old case and after some life-threatening car chases, hiding in a cabin during a snowstorm, etc. He proves him innocent a day before Carl dies. Joe falls in love with college neighbor; he has an autistic brother and a drunk mother. Ends up getting $120,000 reward so can continue college while also taking care of brother.
Joe is college student & needs to interview an older person. Carl Iverson was accused of raping and burning body of a teenager, is in a Senior Center, dying from cancer. Joe investigates the 30-year-old case and after some life-threatening car chases, hiding in a cabin during a snowstorm, etc. He proves him innocent a day before Carl dies. Joe falls in love with college neighbor; he has an autistic brother and a drunk mother. Ends up getting $120,000 reward so can continue college while also taking care of brother.
September 29, 2017
What a great novel. I enjoyed it because the characters were very real to me. I enjoyed the layers that evolved in the protagonists, and the clever ending. Joe Talbert, the main protagonist, has a life of Catch 22's, and he is anything but simple. I'd love to see other novels featuring Joe and his brother, Jeremy (who is autistic). An interesting murder mystery with shades of Gristham that I can see taking place on the big screen.
October 23, 2019
This book is suspenseful and chilling! The main character is a college student who has a paper to write for a class. He picks a convicted murderer who has been released to a nursing home, because he’s dying with cancer. When starting it seems like it’s going to be just about the mans life, but turns out to actually be a mystery that has a surprising ending. It’s a great story. Although, it’s sad at times, it’s does have a somewhat happier ending. I can’t wait to read more by this author!
December 23, 2025
Okay, first off, I didn't read the compilation. Just the Allen Eskins book. It was good and I'm tempted to read more by the author. The premise is that a university student is interviewing someone for a course assignment. The student has a challenging background and the interviewee is a convicted killer. Many elements are predictable, but the pace is good and you want to see what eventually happens.
July 31, 2024
The Life We Bury by Allen Eskins was a quick read but also a very engrossing read. I had an instant affinity for the lead character. He was well developed and a hero you could root for throughout the book. It was a positive upbeat story even though it was about murder and rape. This author walked a fine line to keep the story tense and very moving at the same time.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews