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The Life We Bury: A Novel by Allen Eskens | Conversation Starters
The Life We by Allen Eskens | Conversation Starters
A Brief Look
EVERY GOOD BOOK CONTAINS A WORLD FAR DEEPER
than the surface of its pages. The characters and their world come alive,
and the characters and its world still live on.
Conversation Starters is peppered with questions designed to
bring us beneath the surface of the page
and invite us into the world that lives on.
These questions can be used to...
Create Hours of
Foster a deeper understanding of the book
Promote an atmosphere of discussion for groups
Assist in the study of the book, either individually or corporately
Explore unseen realms of the book as never seen before
This book you are about to enjoy is an independent resource to supplement the original book, enhancing your experience of The Life We Bury. If you have not yet purchased a copy of the original book, please do before purchasing this unofficial Conversation Starters.
A Brief Look
EVERY GOOD BOOK CONTAINS A WORLD FAR DEEPER
than the surface of its pages. The characters and their world come alive,
and the characters and its world still live on.
Conversation Starters is peppered with questions designed to
bring us beneath the surface of the page
and invite us into the world that lives on.
These questions can be used to...
Create Hours of
Foster a deeper understanding of the book
Promote an atmosphere of discussion for groups
Assist in the study of the book, either individually or corporately
Explore unseen realms of the book as never seen before
This book you are about to enjoy is an independent resource to supplement the original book, enhancing your experience of The Life We Bury. If you have not yet purchased a copy of the original book, please do before purchasing this unofficial Conversation Starters.
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Published August 16, 2016
13 people are currently reading
661 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 4, 2022
I've found a new favorite author & mystery series.
November 25, 2019
Very good book. 3rd year College student has a writing assignment he can put off no longer. He must interview and write about the life of an elderly person, highlighting the turning point in that Person’s life. Refusing to go to his family for the subject, he goes to an elderly care facility to find someone willing to let him learn about their life. He’s given a convicted murderer who is enduring the end of his life, dying of cancer. Through this adventure he deals with caring for his autistic brother because his drunk mother is herself jailed for bad behavior. His determination is remarkable, as he juggles all; there’s whit and humor, mystery and anxiety-edge-of-my-seat moments and twists to keep me intrigued.
I listened through Audiobooks, and it was a great distraction getting through a few days of a terrible cold. I recommend this book.
I listened through Audiobooks, and it was a great distraction getting through a few days of a terrible cold. I recommend this book.
August 12, 2024
A book that made me sensitive: How many times do we give up things we deserve because we feel guilty? A love, a job, a trip.
In this book the protagonist had 30 years of giving up freedom, accepting a trial and a guilty verdict, when he was innocent.
One of those books that are so fluid that you don't stop until you finish.
In this book the protagonist had 30 years of giving up freedom, accepting a trial and a guilty verdict, when he was innocent.
One of those books that are so fluid that you don't stop until you finish.
February 4, 2021
This book was riveting until the very end! I recommend this book to all my friends!
July 10, 2025
College student, Joe Talbert, must complete a writing assignment for an English class. Joe's task is to interview a stranger and write a brief biography of that person. With the deadline looming Joe heads to a nearby nursing home to find a willing subject. There he meets Carl Iverson who has an interesting background including some secrets. He is a Vietnam veteran who was convicted of the rape and murder of a fourteen year old girl. After spending thirty years in prison he is paroled to a nursing home because he is dying of cancer.
As Joe writes about Carl's life, he has a hard time come to terms with the heroism of the soldier with the despicable acts of the convict. Joe finds himself wondering if Carl is truly guilty of the crimes he's accused of or is he innocent.
Joe and his neighbor Lila are determined to uncovering the truth. But time isn’t on their side. Will Joe and Lila discover the truth before it's to late? There’s so much happening with Carl’s story but Joe’s search for information is often jeopardized. He regularly has to deal with his dysfunctional, alcoholic mother along with the guilt he carries for having to leave his autistic brother vulnerable.
“The Life We Bury” is a very good debut mystery novel with likeable, well-written characters, an interesting plot and storyline that makes it feel realistic. The author primarily focuses the story on the two main characters, Joe and Carl. I found the budding romance between Lila and Joe endearing. The suspense, the twists, and turns along with an awesome narrator made this an enjoyable book to listen to.
As Joe writes about Carl's life, he has a hard time come to terms with the heroism of the soldier with the despicable acts of the convict. Joe finds himself wondering if Carl is truly guilty of the crimes he's accused of or is he innocent.
Joe and his neighbor Lila are determined to uncovering the truth. But time isn’t on their side. Will Joe and Lila discover the truth before it's to late? There’s so much happening with Carl’s story but Joe’s search for information is often jeopardized. He regularly has to deal with his dysfunctional, alcoholic mother along with the guilt he carries for having to leave his autistic brother vulnerable.
“The Life We Bury” is a very good debut mystery novel with likeable, well-written characters, an interesting plot and storyline that makes it feel realistic. The author primarily focuses the story on the two main characters, Joe and Carl. I found the budding romance between Lila and Joe endearing. The suspense, the twists, and turns along with an awesome narrator made this an enjoyable book to listen to.
February 14, 2025
Audiobook
I’m not usually into mystery/crime but I needed an audiobook and this was available. Good plot, though somewhat far fetched and often unbelievable. I didn’t love the writing but it kept me engaged overall.
I’m not usually into mystery/crime but I needed an audiobook and this was available. Good plot, though somewhat far fetched and often unbelievable. I didn’t love the writing but it kept me engaged overall.
February 11, 2026
This was an interesting listen for me. A story about a convicted child murderer and a college student, Joe, who writes a school assignment having to interview the murderer. We learn the accused’s life story as well as Joe’s current situation while the interviews take place.
April 3, 2024
Third year college student does a report on an older person. He went to a nursing home and was given Carl. Carlis a Vietnam vet, convicted of rape and murder of a 14 year old girl.
April 6, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I'll definitely read the series.
May 6, 2024
Definitely a who done it that kept me guessing. Enjoyed the story of his brother and of Lila. Would recommend to others
May 14, 2024
This was a surprise to read. I enjoyed the character development and story lines also thought the ending was good!
July 17, 2024
page turner!
October 26, 2024
Love love love ! Psychological. Wonderful .
March 24, 2025
I read this when it first published I remember that I thought it was excellent. After reading several more books by this author and loving his writing style, I wanted to revisit the original.
This time I listened to audiobook and loved it even more, mostly because the characters came alive in a way they don’t in written format.
I would love to read a follow-up with these exact same characters.
This time I listened to audiobook and loved it even more, mostly because the characters came alive in a way they don’t in written format.
I would love to read a follow-up with these exact same characters.
April 21, 2025
Absolutely loved this book-a real page turner!
May 19, 2025
Super interesting the way the story unfolds
June 22, 2025
It was very good, kept my interest . Joe hoping to help a convicted killer get asylum after 30 years very intense
June 28, 2025
Very well written, excellent narration.
July 31, 2025
Good murder mystery that I enjoyed listening to! 4 1/2 stars!
August 7, 2025
I like this book. It slowed down a bit in the middle and i lost interest… however, i pushed through and glad I did! I likes the main characters
November 18, 2025
A book that I couldn’t put down!
March 6, 2024
EXCELLENT!!!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews