The Burial Place: A Rob Soliz and Frank Pierce Mystery

Rob Soliz and Frank Pierce #1

by Larry Enmon

When the mayor's daughter goes missing in Dallas, maverick police detectives Rob Soliz and Frank Pierce must race to find her alive in this thrilling procedural debut from a seasoned law enforcement officer.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Crime

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 20, 2017

About the author

Larry Enmon is retired from the U.S. Secret Service, where he acted as liaison between the USSS and FBI, working in the Joint Terrorism Task Force. He also received training from the CIA in the investigation and production of weapons of mass destruction.

In addition to his political thrillers, he is the author of the Rob and Frank mystery series.
Larry lives in North Texas with his wife, and they both enjoy getting away from it all at their East Texas ranch and North Carolina mountain cabin.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just found my new favourite crime writing duo!

I’m sorry but OMG! Where have Rob and Frank been all my life? I absolutely love them!

The chemistry between these two guys is hard not to get wrapped up into. Total opposites but yet they are the absolute dream team. Think Starsky and Hutch, Crockett and Tubbs. Basically the best of the best.

There was the perfect amount of humour to off set a dark and tense read. Being brought in to investigate the disappearance of the mayors daughter, the pressure is very much on for the two detectives to solve the disappearance and deliver Katrina safely back into the arms of her parents.

The story flicks between the detectives whilst they try to find clues into what has happened and Katarina and the ordeal that she is going through.

The pace picks up the further into the story the reader gets. I love how the author lets us get to know the two main characters over the course of the novel and I have to say it really humanised them for me and I felt a real connection. So much so that I am desperate for more.

It’s very rare I give five stars to the first book in a crime series as usually there is a lot of background and getting to know the characters that it detracts from the main story line. This isn’t the case with this book. I fell easily into the story while instantly being drawn to Rob and Frank as the author gets the perfect balance.

Wormwood is a brilliant start to a brand new crimes series. Dark and gripping from the off, this is one edge of you seat read that has you cheering on the sidelines for the good guys to win. My only issue is how long do I have to wait for the next one?

[Books 'n' All Promotions · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely brilliant book. If you like adrenaline pumping psychological thrillers this is one book you won’t want to miss. The reader is thrown right in to the action from the first page and from there it just gets better and better.

The Mayor’s daughter goes missing but nobody is sure whether she has gone off in a sulk or something more sinister has happened to her. 2 detectives are given the task of investigating. Frank and Rob are very interesting characters and fit together really well. Frank has a unique skill that he keeps hidden but the pair get results and that is what is needed.

As we get into the nitty gritty of the case we learn more about the characters and they develop well into complex people we really know by the end of the book. There are characters that I don’t like and some I do and that is just the way Larry planned it.

The story is very unique and the reader is constantly on edge throughout the twists and turns of this roller coaster ride of a book. I am unable to say too much about the story without putting in spoilers so just go and buy the book you won’t be disappointed.

A gripping story and unique complex characters a 5star read. Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the advance copy.

[Susan Hampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit that I have a bit of a fascination about religion and cults, especially in countries like the USA where they have surfaced in the news quite spectacularly in the past. Now this story although similar is on a much smaller scale with the cult members being more selected, using this term loosely here, rather than welcomed in. Don’t get me wrong it definitely doesn’t take the edge off them being totally twisted and extremely unstable as far as dangerous goes, just a little more focused on the grand scheme of things.
From the start this story was pure reading pleasure as I got to know the two leading detectives Rob Soliz and Frank Pierce. These two just bounced off each other, had boys will be boys moments, jaw dropping deep soul-searching confessions and an edge to them that kept my heart not far from my boots. An absolutely brilliant coupling of complex characters that weren’t short of spirit.
When Katrina Wallace, the wealthy daughter of the Mayor of Texas goes AWOL nothing is really thought of it, sulky solitary Katrina is known for her disappearing acts when she doesn’t get her own way but this time her abandoned car has been found with a Bible left in her place. Something is very wrong. Soliz and Pierce are put on the case.
When I wasn’t riveted to the all action story line I was totally enthralled with the fascinating background story of Wormwood as told by Frank. This really is an all round page after page reading gem. If you want something that is a little different but still very realistic then this makes a perfect book to read. I didn’t want it to end. Very excited about this author. Definitely one to watch out for.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast paced,interesting race to find a missing girl,one which I enjoyed but felt was missing an essential ingredient....hence my rating.

[Mark Tilbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wormwood is an excellent debut crime thriller from Larry. Featuring missing young women, a major police investigation and a religious cult, it grabs your attention immediately.

Lead investigators Frank and Rob work together trying to find clues as to the whereabouts of missing woman, Katrina. They make a good team, and Larry has done a great job avoiding cliches sometimes found with police duos. Each has issues they are dealing with, but they are dealt with in original ways.

The cult and their religious beliefs make for interesting and disturbing reading. How people can become so brainwashed and believe in nothing but cult life fascinates me. I would have liked a little more information about Karen and Ruth, and how they became such integral parts of the group.

Katrina is a character with guts and determination. Even though in a terrible situation, she sees how events are changing her attitudes from the spoilt rich girl she once was, to someone who appreciates life and doesn’t give up trying to find a way out of the cult.

The pace of the story is maintained throughout, and builds up to a tension filled ending which had me wondering how the hell is anyone going to survive? I really like the original angles that Larry brought to the genre, and I’ll certainly be keeping an eye out for more of his excellent work.

[Lesley Handel · Rating 5 out of 5]

No spoilers. Amidst the shine and grit of pavement-level Dallas, Enmon probes what's at stake for a victim when cops doubt whether they can trust each other. Or themselves. If you're not familiar with the nuance of working in law enforcement you might miss some of the intricacies of Burial Place and his next book in the series, City of Fear. I have to say, this one knocked my socks off.

[Melissa Embry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 19-year-old daughter of the Dallas mayor is missing. But when she’s white, rich, willful and pouting over her parents’ disapproval of her Hispanic boyfriend, is her disappearance a spoiled daughter’s snit or something more serious?

Either way, it’s not good news for the mayor’s upcoming political campaign. Get her back, he tells Dallas police, but keep it quiet. Which is how a pair of detectives with reputations for unconventional investigations find the case dumped on them in Larry Enmon’s mystery/thriller, The Burial Place.

But with every day that passes since the girl’s disappearance, detectives Rob Soliz and Frank Pierce know the longer the case goes unsolved, the worse their chance of finding her alive. Their only clues—a Bible with the word Wormwood highlighted, and a homeless addict who has the same word tattooed across his back, courtesy of a stint in a mysterious religious cult.

Bound by their chief’s promise of secrecy to the mayor, Soliz and Pierce can’t seek help from other department members. Meanwhile, other law enforcement agencies are muscling in on the case, as clues that the victim and criminals have moved beyond the bounds of Dallas police jurisdiction. In a state as big as Texas, what are the chances that Soliz and Pierce will find the mayor’s daughter before Texas Rangers or FBI? Or before her kidnappers turn to greater violence?

The clock ticks, political pressure builds. And each detective battles personal traumas that push them to the verge of giving up their careers.

Although The Burial Place is subtitled A Mystery, it reads like a thriller, with multiple viewpoints, including that of kidnap victim Katrina Wallace, who faces a timetable of her own as she threads her way through the deadly secrets of the cult members who have imprisoned her.

Author Larry Enmon knows crime—and policing. A veteran of the Houston Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service, he brings his inside knowledge of the gritty side of police work, from interdepartmental politics to the tedium of stakeouts, to the bond between partners willing to bend rules to protect each other.

His way with language in The Burial Place can’t always match his grasp of tension and thrilling plot. But with a likeably quirky pair of detectives, a spunky female lead, and a keen eye and ear for his Texas setting, Enmon gives promise of great things to come.

[Adrian Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling crime mystery

Superb storyline and excellent characterisation. The author has done a wonderful job with the two main protagonists. A pair of detectives with totally opposite personalities. Their interaction and banter with each other felt like it was derived directly from the author's previous career in law enforcement; serious but often humorous. Coupled with a strong plot this was a pleasure to read and has left me hoping it's the first book in a series for these crime-busters.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do like a good crime / thriller / murder / mystery read, and always like to find that something that makes the book stand out, this is one of those. When Katrina disappears it is the duo of Detectives Rob Soliz and Frank Pierce that are specifically requested to lead the investigation. They have a unique outlook regarding rules, they believe they are there as a suggestion, but don’t think that they are dirty cops, they are straight up, wise cracking and cheeky. You will soon realise they have a great working relationship and a skill for thinking and linking details as their investigation takes them into the depths of East Texas.

I really enjoed this book, it has a good solid plot that has been developed well. At first it appears that it is a girl goes missing case and a bible left as a clue, but from that basic premise the author has managed to weave some very deep and twisted plots and angles. These I really enjoyed, he has managed to entwine religious fanaticism as well as other religious views into the story and they are all part of the investigation. As I journeyed through the story, I discovered the detectives history, a little of what made them tick. The story is told from the perspective of Rob, Frank and Katrina. This is where the dynamics of Rob and Frank really shine. Also the viewpoint of the victim, her thoughts, actions and reactions.

This is set at a good pace and feels right for the theme of a missing person case. The descriptions of the settings have been well described, and I was able build up a reasonable mental picture. There a number of other characters with their various parts to play, and I also liked Sarge and Edna. I found there was a good number of twists to keep me guessing, by the conclusion all the loose ends had been tied up.

I would recommend this book to readers of Crime/ Mystery/ Thriller. With memorable characters, good plot, plenty of twists and well written. I am hoping there will be a follow on to this book as I really liked this duo.

[Gram · Rating 3 out of 5]

A police procedural with a religious twist. Dallas Police detectives Franklin Pierce and Roberto Soliz are put on the case of finding Katrina, the mayor's daughter. The only clue is a Bible found on the seat of her car. It turns out Katrina has been kidnapped by a religious cult led by a man calling himself Brother John, a man who proves hard to find as he and his disciples seem to have disappeared. Throughout the book we meet a range of colourful characters including police officers and ordinary folk trying to help the detectives with their inquiries.
The action switches between the investigation by Pierce and Soliz and Katrina's imprisonment in a house owned by the cult which has kidnapped other girls for the purpose of breeding and, ultimately, a doomsday scenario title "Wormwood".
But, about three quarters of the way through the book, Pierce launches into a rant about origins of Christianity and various differences in the Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
That part I found very interesting but otherwise, this is a straightforward tale with the story centred on whether the cops will ever find Katrina. A decent thriller and the 1st in a series featuring
Pierce and Soliz.

[Alexina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dynamic duo we find in Rob and Frank, I absolutely loved the chemistry between these two characters, they really did bring the story to life. They had an interesting back story, and banter...they really were a highlight, while still being professional. 
Wormwood, is dark, devilish and brilliant. I thought the concept from page one to the last was clever, and really immersed myself in Katrina's situation. 
Finding out about Wormwood and what it entailed, was extremely interesting. 
Katrina finds herself in a dilemma with little hope. I loved reading about her devious ways to escape. She has had a fantastic life, up until this point, but does she have the strength to leave her captivity? It isn't going to be as easy as she first thought....
A brilliantly written novel, with  storylines that keep you hooked all the way through.
An excellent read which kept me on tender hooks, I do love getting to know the twisted minds of characters especially if they are linked with religion and or cults. It is simply fascinating. 

[Chris Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another new author to me and another fine novel from the wonderful Bloodhound Books, to whom I am indebted for this advance copy. The story is set in Dallas and when the Mayor's daughter goes missing, the top tecs are entrusted to find her before she is killed. Frank and Rob work well together but their methods are unconventional and there are elements of their life which affect their modus operandi. Links are soon discovered to other disappearances and the duo must find out who Wormwood is. Religious references abound and the story grips from start to finish.

[L.K. Simonds · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was approaching the halfway mark of this novel, I planned to give it what I felt was a generous four stars. Then Mr. Enmon began to introduce subtle little accelerators that quickened the pace. I found myself looking forward to getting back to the story, and I read the second half in much less time than the first.

This is one of those thrillers where you have an idea how everything is going to turn out, but the fun is how you'll get there. It's a good ride, and Mr. Enmon's characters have their own secrets that add to the tension. He left a few things unresolved, including some spiritual themes, that make me look forward to the next novel in this series. Okay, I even teared up a little at the end, which surprised me. I felt that pointed to something special about the characterization and the prose.

If you read this, Mr. Enmon, I hope you're already hard at work on the next one in the series!

[Randal White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot understand why this author is not recognized as a star!
I was fortunate enough to be selected to read “City of Fear”, (the author’s second book), by NetGalley. And I thought that one blew me away! I managed to track down this, the author’s first book. And am I glad that I did!
The story revolves around the kidnapping of the Dallas mayor’s daughter, and of the two detectives assigned the task of finding her. Add in the politics, the Texas Rangers, the FBI, and a crazy religious cult, and you have a winner!
And the two main characters, Detectives Soliz and Pierce. What great character development! You are left feeling like you have known them for a long time.
The author definitely knows the in’s and out’s of police work. And how to write a fascinating story. And he has set up the characters for a long line of sequels. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!

[Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a special treat when a new author exceeds all expectations and Larry Enmon does just that. Not only is The Burial Place full of interesting characters, plot twists and snappy dialogue, the pacing is fine-tuned to build until at the end you can’t turn the pages face enough. I look forward to more great books.

[Marla Bradeen · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE BURIAL PLACE is an interesting police novel. The book focuses on the detectives' relationship and their personal lives as much as the case they're working. I never really felt any sense of urgency in solving the case, perhaps because the case timeline is interspersed with scenes where the detectives are off-duty. But I did find this to be an enjoyable read. Those looking for a realistic police novel will likely appreciate this book.

Disclosure: I won a free copy of this book in a giveaway.

[Zetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like reading stories of various genres, especially if they take place in Texas since that's where I'm from. Lots of authors ignore the importance of setting in their stories, but not Enmon, and whether or not you're familiar with Dallas or Texas, you'll appreciate the sense of setting and how it impacts the story.

"The Burial Place" has suspense and even a little gore. Like many detective partners, Soliz and Pierce are a bit of an odd couple but their differences don't come across like any tired Hollywood cliche.

Larry Enmon's books are now on my list of must reads.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is Wormwood? That's what Rob Soliz and Frank Pierce must find out as they look for Katrina, the daughter of the Mayor of Dallas who has gone missing. This is a fast paced buddy-cop procedural that has twists and turns but never goes too dark even as the fate of young women who have disappeared becomes clear. THere's good dialogue between Rob and Frank- I'm looking forward to seeing more of them- and the plot is equally nicely done. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

[Claire O'Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

No spoilers here. New author, book is 1000% outstanding. A kidnapping, two unconventional cops, great characters. Secrets that slowly unfold for the team, a surprise ending. I can't wait to read the next crime fiction involving these two characters.

Larry Enmon

[Christie Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author’s first hand knowledge of law enforcement affords him the luxury of creating endearing characters the reader will want to return to again and again. The author’s impressive writing style makes this novel fast pace the reader will have trouble putting down. I could hardly believe I was not reading a NY Times bestseller! I can hardly wait for the next novel to reach the printers.

[Amy Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had such a lovely time reading this book. Mr. Enmon's details and the relationships he builds with the characters really made it challenging for me to put this book down. Looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

[Don Eggspuehler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. I love mysteries and this one hooked me right away. The characters are real and obviously very experienced in their work. It had just enough twists and turns to keep it moving and keep the reader guessing. A real page turner.

[BJ Sloan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great ride the author provides for the reader. The reality of police work really comes across from a knowledgeable author and the relationship between detectives Rob and Frank is well thought out and honest. The ending was dynamite! I'm ready to start the next one.
BJ Sloan

[J. Alston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well paced mystery. I liked the jumping between perspectives, although at certain points it was so rapid I was confused. I immediately put the next book in the series on hold as soon as I finished this one.

[Elvira Millar · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of what I read was pretty far fetched; A Dallas police officer feeling the next missing person is his dead wife's double. Some parts had me excited to read but mostly I didn't find it interesting enough.

[Mary Nee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and I am going to look for more books from this author.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Started this book yesterday and finished today. Great crime story about two detectives trying to find an abducted girl who happens to be the Mayor's daughter.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great buddy-cop mystery written with wry cop humor (by a guy with the chops to pull it off). It’s Lethal Weapon meets Deliverance and I could not put it down.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

good first novel, especially relationship between the mcs.

[Jan Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I couldn’t put it down until the end!