What do you think?
Rate this book
Detective Matt Jones #3
The Girl Buried in the Woods
With Detective Matt Jones on medical leave after hunting down a brutal serial killer on the East Coast in THE LOVE KILLINGS, his supervisor from Hollywood Homicide makes a late-night visit. A body has been found buried in a remote park high above Los Angeles. Because LAPD resources are stretched thin, Jones is asked to take the case and makes a grim discovery. The murder victim is a fifteen-year-old girl.
Driven by the horror of the crime, Jones and his partner, Denny Cabrera, burn through the investigation like a wildfire. As they turn over clue after clue, nothing adds up until they make an even more gruesome discovery. There’s another dead body out there, and now, no one is safe—especially Jones, who uncovers evidence that the murders may be linked to a turf war over drugs between an infamous mob figure and the power of Wall Street. But even worse, the big shots in city government are in on it, too. One suspect after the next shares the same goal—to pin the murders on Matt Jones and watch him run for his life.
With THE GIRL BURIED IN THE WOODS, Robert Ellis delivers his most terrifying thriller yet. Filled with fully realized characters, and a story inspired by a real-life murder Ellis experienced as a ten-year-old boy, this spine-tingling read feels like a ride on a roller coaster plunging through the void with no brakes. Once again Robert Ellis demonstrates his masterful touch as a storyteller in THE GIRL BURIED IN THE WOODS.
Driven by the horror of the crime, Jones and his partner, Denny Cabrera, burn through the investigation like a wildfire. As they turn over clue after clue, nothing adds up until they make an even more gruesome discovery. There’s another dead body out there, and now, no one is safe—especially Jones, who uncovers evidence that the murders may be linked to a turf war over drugs between an infamous mob figure and the power of Wall Street. But even worse, the big shots in city government are in on it, too. One suspect after the next shares the same goal—to pin the murders on Matt Jones and watch him run for his life.
With THE GIRL BURIED IN THE WOODS, Robert Ellis delivers his most terrifying thriller yet. Filled with fully realized characters, and a story inspired by a real-life murder Ellis experienced as a ten-year-old boy, this spine-tingling read feels like a ride on a roller coaster plunging through the void with no brakes. Once again Robert Ellis demonstrates his masterful touch as a storyteller in THE GIRL BURIED IN THE WOODS.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2019
284 people are currently reading
819 people want to read
About the author
Robert Ellis
14 books200 followersRobert Ellis is the bestselling author of Access to Power and The Dead Room, as well as two critically acclaimed series--the Lena Gamble novels, City of Fire, The Lost Witness, and Murder Season, and the Detective Matt Jones Thriller Series, City of Echoes, The Love Killings, The Girl Buried in the Woods, and City of Stones.
Born in Philadelphia, Robert moved to Los Angeles and worked as a writer, producer, and director in film, television, and advertising. After ghostwriting the final draft of Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, Robert wrote his first novel, Access to Power, a national bestseller. His books have been translated into more than ten languages and won praise from authors as diverse as Janet Evanovich and Michael Connelly.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
April 16, 2022
I thought the first two books were all right, but this one took a lot of suspension of belief. I’m beginning to wonder if Matt Jones isn’t Clark Kent in disguise. I think sometimes when Freeman tries to wrap stuff up he just pulls rabbits out of his hat. I still would recommend it, I’m looking forward to reading the fourth book in the series to see if maybe he backs off that a little bit. Jones is a little out there for a police officer. He seems to be making up his own rules which I guess maybe in fact maybe a lot of police officers do I don’t know.
Read
October 28, 2019Extremely well-written and well-researched. Rosie is a bad-ass former Marine and cop. As good a heroine as as any you'll find. Nail-biting suspense in some scenes.
February 9, 2023
WHAT A. VERY SUSPENSEFUL THRILLER!!
Just when you think you have it all figured out- another twist happens. Detective Matt Jones has his in demons and is on medical leave. However a young girl is missing and he has been asked to help on the case. She was a very loving and caring girl with her whole life in front of her, so why would she be missing? Who is responsible? Why would he be called back in active duty? The suspense continues to grow throughout the entire book until the very end. The authors research, plot, and character development was superb. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Just when you think you have it all figured out- another twist happens. Detective Matt Jones has his in demons and is on medical leave. However a young girl is missing and he has been asked to help on the case. She was a very loving and caring girl with her whole life in front of her, so why would she be missing? Who is responsible? Why would he be called back in active duty? The suspense continues to grow throughout the entire book until the very end. The authors research, plot, and character development was superb. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
August 31, 2020
Really murderous
This book was riveting as the story unfolded. Every time that I thought that I'd identified the murderers, or worked out what was happening, then something very different occurred. The characters were so well crafted that they felt authentic and fooled me time after time. I was dizzy from all the twists and turns, but really enthralled by the story. A very good read
This book was riveting as the story unfolded. Every time that I thought that I'd identified the murderers, or worked out what was happening, then something very different occurred. The characters were so well crafted that they felt authentic and fooled me time after time. I was dizzy from all the twists and turns, but really enthralled by the story. A very good read
December 7, 2021
A Trail of Corruption
A detective returns from medical leave to investigate the troubling homicide of a young girl. He lives in the shadow of his uncle a serial killer. But this murder leads to a web of corruption and organized crime, one with tentacles that reach into law enforcement.
This was an okay read. The uncle, who plays a very small role, is far more interesting than any of the characters or the rather tired collateral damage plot. Not my fave.
A detective returns from medical leave to investigate the troubling homicide of a young girl. He lives in the shadow of his uncle a serial killer. But this murder leads to a web of corruption and organized crime, one with tentacles that reach into law enforcement.
This was an okay read. The uncle, who plays a very small role, is far more interesting than any of the characters or the rather tired collateral damage plot. Not my fave.
February 11, 2020
This was a GoodReads giveaway of a Kindle ebook.
This is book #3. It is complete on its own, but does make references to previous books. I would recommend you read the previous books in this series in order. This is my first Matt Jones adventure and I have likely downgraded my rating based upon missing some of the references to other books.
An excellent book. I really enjoyed reading Ellis. I felt his frustration as the case developed. At times I was sympathetic to just shooting the bad guys without discovery of the evidence, just because I knew they needed to die. I will be getting a hold of the other Matt Jones books and reading from the start.
Have a GoodReads.
This is book #3. It is complete on its own, but does make references to previous books. I would recommend you read the previous books in this series in order. This is my first Matt Jones adventure and I have likely downgraded my rating based upon missing some of the references to other books.
An excellent book. I really enjoyed reading Ellis. I felt his frustration as the case developed. At times I was sympathetic to just shooting the bad guys without discovery of the evidence, just because I knew they needed to die. I will be getting a hold of the other Matt Jones books and reading from the start.
Have a GoodReads.
September 29, 2020
I really enjoy Ellis's crime novels. This one was compelling, a real page-turner once I settled in. It loses one star because I actually figured out an important aspect about midway through. It wasn't solving the whole thing, but still, it wasn't a surprise when it was revealed.
I received a free copy from a Goodreads giveaway.
I received a free copy from a Goodreads giveaway.
December 25, 2020
I am enthralled with Robert Ellis' writing style and story telling craft. This installment (#3) in the Matt Jones series is intriguing, fast-paced, action-packed, and contains plot twists/turns along the way. The characters are interesting, well-developed, and the dialogue is believable. I am now looking forward to the Lena Gamble series by this author...
August 29, 2021
Wow what a story!
I loved this story, it has everything you want in a murder mystery story, the players were written with great details . It became clear who the murderer was about halfway through the story. But as Matt said, cops are blindsided by what they think happened, not what actually happened.
I loved this story, it has everything you want in a murder mystery story, the players were written with great details . It became clear who the murderer was about halfway through the story. But as Matt said, cops are blindsided by what they think happened, not what actually happened.
February 18, 2022
It had been several yrs since I read the first two in this series....and boy I'm glad there are more now. Matt Jones is back in LA this time solving the murders of a 15 yr old girl & a mob connected nobody...but every turn he takes seems someone is there to stop him with the investigation with corruption running up higher than Matt knows. This is just a great crime mystery series!
March 21, 2020
Some Interesting Facts
It was a fairly good read, to my tastes. I learned about lots of things I didn’t know and he wove a pretty tight spider’s web around everyone. But I drifted from it and skimmed through some. Fans of his character will probably like the book a lot.
It was a fairly good read, to my tastes. I learned about lots of things I didn’t know and he wove a pretty tight spider’s web around everyone. But I drifted from it and skimmed through some. Fans of his character will probably like the book a lot.
March 30, 2020
Good gracious, what a tumultuous ride!! It started out a bit slow and took me a long time to come back to it, but, boy, am I glad I stuck with it. Super thrilling, super twisty, super turny. Absolutely entertaining!
July 29, 2020
I hope he writes another one
I good read, hard to put down. Matt Jones manages to get himself in hot water...again. Looking forward to the next installment in this series. Hey Robert Ellis, maybe you could team up Lena Gamble and Matt Jones in the next book?
I good read, hard to put down. Matt Jones manages to get himself in hot water...again. Looking forward to the next installment in this series. Hey Robert Ellis, maybe you could team up Lena Gamble and Matt Jones in the next book?
July 16, 2021
Excellent!
Captivating!! Another brilliant read and a real page turner once again! Looking forward to book number 4, and hoping there will be more books to come in the Matt Jones series.
Captivating!! Another brilliant read and a real page turner once again! Looking forward to book number 4, and hoping there will be more books to come in the Matt Jones series.
May 16, 2022
Another well written book.
The whole story was so much more than a small murder. It kept getting more involved in the reasons for the murder. Robert kept going on about how everything was much more than convenience.
The whole story was so much more than a small murder. It kept getting more involved in the reasons for the murder. Robert kept going on about how everything was much more than convenience.
December 15, 2022
Exciting and Suspenseful
The young woman was found dead in the forest and then another body was found under hers. The story that follows wild characters and unusual actions. The story is so engrossing it couldn't put the book done. I loved the book.
The young woman was found dead in the forest and then another body was found under hers. The story that follows wild characters and unusual actions. The story is so engrossing it couldn't put the book done. I loved the book.
January 27, 2020
Slightly too clever for it's own good to rate a 5 star. Time to bring back Lena!
March 11, 2020
Excellent!
The best yet! Love Robert Ellis. Hope you’re busy writing a 4th Matt Jones. While I wait I’ll read the Lena Gamble series.
The best yet! Love Robert Ellis. Hope you’re busy writing a 4th Matt Jones. While I wait I’ll read the Lena Gamble series.
August 5, 2020
This is the third book of the series. I’m not really sure that I liked it it took me a really long time to read it. I’ve enjoyed many of Robert Ellis’s books but I’m not sure I like this one.
August 26, 2020
Loved it
Just when I thought I figured it out, I didn’t!
The twist at the end, I couldn’t have ask for a better surprise.
Just when I thought I figured it out, I didn’t!
The twist at the end, I couldn’t have ask for a better surprise.
September 18, 2020
Another good one from Robert Ellis; lots of twists and turns in the plot.
November 9, 2020
Good in parts
The ending seemed too implausible and definitely seemed rushed. I will say that the action scenes were pretty darn good.
The ending seemed too implausible and definitely seemed rushed. I will say that the action scenes were pretty darn good.
January 8, 2021
It was ok. Rambled a little, but ok.
March 12, 2021
Great read
I love this character in all aspects. I enjoyed each book so much I reread all three. Please keep Matt around a long time!
I love this character in all aspects. I enjoyed each book so much I reread all three. Please keep Matt around a long time!
June 23, 2021
I didn't like this book
I was bored halfway through and then it wouldn't end. By the time it ended I didn't care anymore.
I don't recommend this book.
I was bored halfway through and then it wouldn't end. By the time it ended I didn't care anymore.
I don't recommend this book.
October 13, 2021
Fair
Plot is very good .but not too a y killings PLUS TOO MANY CLOSE ones.to many start of day at
Plot is very good .but not too a y killings PLUS TOO MANY CLOSE ones.to many start of day at
February 9, 2022
This book had be going from chapter 1, page 1 and never let go ... Robert Ellis is the best storyteller I know!
January 16, 2026
So good!
February 6, 2020
A good book with lots of things on each page to make it interesting. A cop who was on medical leave was ask to take a case of a teenage girl who was found buried in the ground. A lot of corrupt policeman , mayors and such in this story. It was hard to figure out the real bad guys in the story. What a shock it will be when you find out who one of the bad guys was and why. Was it for drugs or money?
October 5, 2019
Convoluted crime fiction/police procedural with too many subplots
This plot-driven book has a labyrinthine murder storyline—with numerous subplots involving two crime bosses, drug smuggling, political corruption, contrived media circuses, scapegoated cops, possible money laundering, a Wall Street connection, etc. It is a well-paced story, which advances from plot-twist to plot-twist, but it would have been stronger overall if some subplots were shortened or eliminated.
I pushed to suspend disbelief about LAPD policies and procedures as depicted in this book. A police lieutenant has a new case, but his detectives are otherwise occupied. Said lieutenant calls on still-a-rookie Detective Matt Jones, who is on medical leave with serious physical and psychological health issues. He knows Matt isn’t ready to work, but needs must always wins.
Matt and his partner—both rookie detectives—have a double-murder, most likely committed by someone CSI-savvy enough to leave no forensic evidence. Even as the case goes sideways, rookies remain in charge. Obviously this “radioactive” case should be passed to Robbery-Homicide Division. Nope.
As in his earlier books, this author sets in motion too many crime fiction elements, so he seems to lose control of characters and events. I almost quit at 35% due to believability issues. How does Matt Jones keep on going—let alone escape hospitalization—after car crashes and violent beatings? $900 million in cash? How does an overseas bank get that much cash? I finished this book by skimming whilst turning off part of my brain. Happily the denouement sees most threads tied off, unlike the cliffhangers of first two books. But the author just couldn’t resist adding a lead-in to his next novel.
Please keep in mind that I’m in the minority of Goodread book raters, so if you’re a Detective Matt Jones fan, you’ll probably like this book. That said, I couldn’t decide on whether to rate this 2 or 3 stars. I was able to finish this book, and I didn’t dislike it. But I had believability problems.
2.5 stars.
This plot-driven book has a labyrinthine murder storyline—with numerous subplots involving two crime bosses, drug smuggling, political corruption, contrived media circuses, scapegoated cops, possible money laundering, a Wall Street connection, etc. It is a well-paced story, which advances from plot-twist to plot-twist, but it would have been stronger overall if some subplots were shortened or eliminated.
I pushed to suspend disbelief about LAPD policies and procedures as depicted in this book. A police lieutenant has a new case, but his detectives are otherwise occupied. Said lieutenant calls on still-a-rookie Detective Matt Jones, who is on medical leave with serious physical and psychological health issues. He knows Matt isn’t ready to work, but needs must always wins.
Matt and his partner—both rookie detectives—have a double-murder, most likely committed by someone CSI-savvy enough to leave no forensic evidence. Even as the case goes sideways, rookies remain in charge. Obviously this “radioactive” case should be passed to Robbery-Homicide Division. Nope.
As in his earlier books, this author sets in motion too many crime fiction elements, so he seems to lose control of characters and events. I almost quit at 35% due to believability issues. How does Matt Jones keep on going—let alone escape hospitalization—after car crashes and violent beatings? $900 million in cash? How does an overseas bank get that much cash? I finished this book by skimming whilst turning off part of my brain. Happily the denouement sees most threads tied off, unlike the cliffhangers of first two books. But the author just couldn’t resist adding a lead-in to his next novel.
Please keep in mind that I’m in the minority of Goodread book raters, so if you’re a Detective Matt Jones fan, you’ll probably like this book. That said, I couldn’t decide on whether to rate this 2 or 3 stars. I was able to finish this book, and I didn’t dislike it. But I had believability problems.
2.5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews