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Graveyard Fields #2
Buried Lies
A former private detective with a penchant for trouble stumbles into a deadly conspiracy that puts him in a killer’s crosshairs, in this witty crime novel.
Former police officer turned private detective, Davis Reed is taking refuge in the mountains of Cruso, North Carolina. When respected real estate agent Prentiss Wells is killed by an errant golf ball, Davis has no reason to suspect it wasn’t an accident. But then a wealthy couple hires him to prove the death was murder and catch the killer. In desperate need of cash, Davis takes the job.
While Davis investigates who had the motive to kill Prentiss, Elizabeth Harper, an accountant who stirs butterflies in Davis’ stomach, uncovers a tangled mess of shady real estate deals linked to Prentiss’ firm. As the case garners media attention, Davis must carefully navigate a minefield of secrets and lies.
With the help of his friend Dale Johnson, a local deputy whose mood changes with the wind, and Dale’s cousin Floppy, a mad genius motor-mouthed mechanic, Davis sets out to uncover a mystery that runs much deeper than he thinks.
Former police officer turned private detective, Davis Reed is taking refuge in the mountains of Cruso, North Carolina. When respected real estate agent Prentiss Wells is killed by an errant golf ball, Davis has no reason to suspect it wasn’t an accident. But then a wealthy couple hires him to prove the death was murder and catch the killer. In desperate need of cash, Davis takes the job.
While Davis investigates who had the motive to kill Prentiss, Elizabeth Harper, an accountant who stirs butterflies in Davis’ stomach, uncovers a tangled mess of shady real estate deals linked to Prentiss’ firm. As the case garners media attention, Davis must carefully navigate a minefield of secrets and lies.
With the help of his friend Dale Johnson, a local deputy whose mood changes with the wind, and Dale’s cousin Floppy, a mad genius motor-mouthed mechanic, Davis sets out to uncover a mystery that runs much deeper than he thinks.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published October 15, 2024
11 people are currently reading
10914 people want to read
About the author
Steven Tingle
4 books115 followersSteven Tingle is a former Certified Golf Course Superintendent (CGCS) and the former general manager of the western North Carolina golf course that his parents built in the late 1960’s and operated for several decades. After leaving the golf industry in 2008 (not by choice; his mother fired him), Steven turned to writing, and his work has appeared in various national and regional magazines. Steven’s debut novel, Graveyard Fields, was published by Crooked Lane Books in 2021. He lives in Upstate South Carolina with his wife, Jess.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 17, 2024
Fun but Never Frivoous
It’s a procedural, it’s a cozy, it’s a Southern noir … and it’s also not quite any of those things because it’s so much its own thing. Wildly inventive, twisty beyond belief, somber in spots, pancreas-rupturing funny, and page-flipping fast, BURIED LIES is the crime novel that truly has something for everyone. Steven Tingle is a major talent.
It’s a procedural, it’s a cozy, it’s a Southern noir … and it’s also not quite any of those things because it’s so much its own thing. Wildly inventive, twisty beyond belief, somber in spots, pancreas-rupturing funny, and page-flipping fast, BURIED LIES is the crime novel that truly has something for everyone. Steven Tingle is a major talent.
October 25, 2024
Firstly I would like to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this amazing arc.
I have to say I absolutely love books based in small towns, and don’t include a huge information dump.
If you love books with a bit of comedy and a build up to a plot twist “Buried Lies” is the right book for you and is great for people who are getting into the mystery genre
I have to say I absolutely love books based in small towns, and don’t include a huge information dump.
If you love books with a bit of comedy and a build up to a plot twist “Buried Lies” is the right book for you and is great for people who are getting into the mystery genre
July 17, 2025
More like 4.5 based on the fact that so many characters left me constantly trying to remember who each person was. The ending was a bit unsatisfying but overall I LOVED IT. I really love the way Steven Tingle
Tells a story. I love the local places that I recognize.
Tells a story. I love the local places that I recognize.
May 9, 2025
I really enjoyed Graveyard Fields. This follow-up seemed a bit too by-the-numbers and a tad messy. I look forward to seeing what’s next from this promising young author.
October 9, 2024
My thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane books for an ARC of this novel.
Davis Reed is a sharp-edged, intrepid, rather dashing former cop-private detective who fits the mould of old-time noir fiction protagonists. He is not easily scared off, always happy to take up a challenge, and invariably ready with a quip. The author has managed to turn this into a very humorous ‘cosy mystery,’ notwithstanding the murder and mayhem. As he describes himself, I can’t help picturing Davis as Lieutenant Columbo, a rumpled, middle-aged man ‘who wears a constant five o’clock shadow,’ like the 1980s TV detective whom he resembles physically and otherwise. Except that the five feet ten inches Davis is taller than the diminutive screen cop. Davis Reed is just as dogged and persistent, however, as rigorous and undaunted, and ultimately as cuddly. Neither is afraid of bending the rules, providing that the outcome is a resolved case, justice for the victim, and rightful punishment for the culprit. Who can argue with those aims?
I found this book clever and compelling and I happily immersed myself in it, especially because of the way that Davis, who narrates, comes across, but also because the other characters are well-written and not just ‘there’ to move the plot along. The story begins with our man sitting on the deck of his cabin, drinking beer, eating junk food, and being bored, while staring at Cold Mountain. He is in a small town in western North Carolina, which, judging by not a few of the mysteries I’ve read this year, is a good place for bad things to happen. This includes what happens to be a funny murder. An unfortunate accident in which he was shot by his brother in law led Davis to leave the much livelier city of Charleston, South Carolina. He had wanted only to recuperate in solitude and write a book. After half a year in exile, his leg was improving, the solitude was and nature contemplation were,boring him, and he had done nothing about his literary pursuits. Nor did he particularly care.
That’s not to say that the tedium of his stay was entirely unbroken. He had bonded with his landlord/local deputy sheriff Dale in a scrape involving some ‘seriously nasty bad guys’ and 3 murders. Then, while sharing beer on the deck, Dale got called to check out a sudden death that had just happened at the town’s country club. Four well known elderly members were enjoying a round of golf when one of them collapsed, hit square in the temple by an errant golf ball. The three witnesses actually witnessed nothing, each preoccupied with their phones. The victim, Prentiss Hall, was a respected seventy-ish real estate attorney. The medical examiner and the other cops agreed that it was accidental. Dale and Davis disagreed. And so ends Davis Reed’s trial by tedium.
This novel is well written, fast paced, and notably humorous, with plenty of colourful characters such as Dale’s cousin Floppy, and his blustering police colleague Earl. There is a captivating young blonde reporter, who had covered the earlier nasty business , to add some romantic intrigue. And of course there is the mystery: who would want to see a nice old guy assassinated in a respectable, exclusive place in broad daylight? And why?
Davis Reed is a sharp-edged, intrepid, rather dashing former cop-private detective who fits the mould of old-time noir fiction protagonists. He is not easily scared off, always happy to take up a challenge, and invariably ready with a quip. The author has managed to turn this into a very humorous ‘cosy mystery,’ notwithstanding the murder and mayhem. As he describes himself, I can’t help picturing Davis as Lieutenant Columbo, a rumpled, middle-aged man ‘who wears a constant five o’clock shadow,’ like the 1980s TV detective whom he resembles physically and otherwise. Except that the five feet ten inches Davis is taller than the diminutive screen cop. Davis Reed is just as dogged and persistent, however, as rigorous and undaunted, and ultimately as cuddly. Neither is afraid of bending the rules, providing that the outcome is a resolved case, justice for the victim, and rightful punishment for the culprit. Who can argue with those aims?
I found this book clever and compelling and I happily immersed myself in it, especially because of the way that Davis, who narrates, comes across, but also because the other characters are well-written and not just ‘there’ to move the plot along. The story begins with our man sitting on the deck of his cabin, drinking beer, eating junk food, and being bored, while staring at Cold Mountain. He is in a small town in western North Carolina, which, judging by not a few of the mysteries I’ve read this year, is a good place for bad things to happen. This includes what happens to be a funny murder. An unfortunate accident in which he was shot by his brother in law led Davis to leave the much livelier city of Charleston, South Carolina. He had wanted only to recuperate in solitude and write a book. After half a year in exile, his leg was improving, the solitude was and nature contemplation were,boring him, and he had done nothing about his literary pursuits. Nor did he particularly care.
That’s not to say that the tedium of his stay was entirely unbroken. He had bonded with his landlord/local deputy sheriff Dale in a scrape involving some ‘seriously nasty bad guys’ and 3 murders. Then, while sharing beer on the deck, Dale got called to check out a sudden death that had just happened at the town’s country club. Four well known elderly members were enjoying a round of golf when one of them collapsed, hit square in the temple by an errant golf ball. The three witnesses actually witnessed nothing, each preoccupied with their phones. The victim, Prentiss Hall, was a respected seventy-ish real estate attorney. The medical examiner and the other cops agreed that it was accidental. Dale and Davis disagreed. And so ends Davis Reed’s trial by tedium.
This novel is well written, fast paced, and notably humorous, with plenty of colourful characters such as Dale’s cousin Floppy, and his blustering police colleague Earl. There is a captivating young blonde reporter, who had covered the earlier nasty business , to add some romantic intrigue. And of course there is the mystery: who would want to see a nice old guy assassinated in a respectable, exclusive place in broad daylight? And why?
September 8, 2024
Davis Reed is busy sitting on his porch, looking at the mountains, drinking beer, and not writing the book he said he was going to write when his friend Deputy Dale Johnson calls him to go look at a body. Prentiss Wells was playing golf with his buddies when he was apparently struck and killed by a golf ball. At first, everyone is willing to write it off as just a weird accident.
But when a local rich, eccentric couple who like to play detectives hires Davis to prove that the death was murder, Davis who badly needs the money since his settlement with the Charleston Police Force is tied up in legal wrangling decides to look into things.
There are a lot of questions. First, why was the foursome playing that course when they were members of a different country club? Second, does the death have anything to do with an accidental death from 1988 when Wells struck and killed a young burglar?
As Davis, a former private investigator, looks into things with the help of both Dale and Dale's eccentric cousin Floppy, he uncovers a lot of local secrets and connections between the characters. From what really happened in 1988 to a real estate scam being perpetrated by the other members of Wells' foursome, secrets are gradually revealed.
I enjoyed Davis's character. He is smart but also suffers from anxiety and maybe a bit of depression. He is still getting over the first case he solved when he came to Cruso, North Carolina, and is still concerned with being the target of a motorcycle gang whose illegal activities he, Dale and Floppy uncovered.
My favorite character was Floppy who is eccentric, a motormouth, and something of a mechanical genius.
But when a local rich, eccentric couple who like to play detectives hires Davis to prove that the death was murder, Davis who badly needs the money since his settlement with the Charleston Police Force is tied up in legal wrangling decides to look into things.
There are a lot of questions. First, why was the foursome playing that course when they were members of a different country club? Second, does the death have anything to do with an accidental death from 1988 when Wells struck and killed a young burglar?
As Davis, a former private investigator, looks into things with the help of both Dale and Dale's eccentric cousin Floppy, he uncovers a lot of local secrets and connections between the characters. From what really happened in 1988 to a real estate scam being perpetrated by the other members of Wells' foursome, secrets are gradually revealed.
I enjoyed Davis's character. He is smart but also suffers from anxiety and maybe a bit of depression. He is still getting over the first case he solved when he came to Cruso, North Carolina, and is still concerned with being the target of a motorcycle gang whose illegal activities he, Dale and Floppy uncovered.
My favorite character was Floppy who is eccentric, a motormouth, and something of a mechanical genius.
November 24, 2024
No preconceived notions. None whatsoever. This was a new author for me but the description sounded interesting and appealing. So, I took a chance and opened Buried Lies. And, I’m very glad I did. Along the way I was entertained and the plot and characters kept me engaged until the very last page.
Buried Lies is the second book in a series by Steven Tingle. In this book there are references to prior events, which helped give context to Buried Lies. As a result, I found it quite easy to follow along and understand the backstory.
In Buried Lies, Davis Reed, PI and former police officer, is recovering from his injuries and anxiously waiting for a settlement check. Meanwhile, somewhat short of funds, he agrees to investigate an accidental death that occurred on a local golf course. As Davis delves into the nuances of the case, he discovers there are a lot of things that demand explanations.
I liked so many things about this book. The humor, the characters (besides Davis, Floppy was one of my favorites) and the plot that just keeps going. In the end, there are a number of twists and revelations that gives the book a satisfying ending. I have a new favorite author and I hope he keeps writing. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.
Buried Lies is the second book in a series by Steven Tingle. In this book there are references to prior events, which helped give context to Buried Lies. As a result, I found it quite easy to follow along and understand the backstory.
In Buried Lies, Davis Reed, PI and former police officer, is recovering from his injuries and anxiously waiting for a settlement check. Meanwhile, somewhat short of funds, he agrees to investigate an accidental death that occurred on a local golf course. As Davis delves into the nuances of the case, he discovers there are a lot of things that demand explanations.
I liked so many things about this book. The humor, the characters (besides Davis, Floppy was one of my favorites) and the plot that just keeps going. In the end, there are a number of twists and revelations that gives the book a satisfying ending. I have a new favorite author and I hope he keeps writing. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.
March 28, 2025
Thank you to Steven Tingle and Crooked Lane Books for the advanced copy of Buried Lies that I received as my first Goodreads Giveaway wins! This was the first I am hearing of Tingle, and I am so glad I did! Buried Lies didn't sound like a book I would normally read as I am more into dark thrillers and psychological twisters, but I was hooked by this book from page one. I was immediately impressed by Tingle's prose, which is outstanding, blending his knack for vivid descriptions and clever turns of phrase. His writing style is a mix of sharp humor, a strong sense of place, and creative character development. I love when the setting of book adds to the story and Tingle crafts small town southern atmosphere with precision, immersing readers in the setting and its quirky inhabitants. The main theme of the novel kept me guessing while literally laughing out loud. Tingle crafted the perfect dynamic of humor and mystery that will no doubt keep any reader hungrily turning page after page. I highly recommend Buried Lies by Steven Tingle even if the synopsis doesn't sound like your usual cup of tea, you will not be disappointed.
February 13, 2025
This is the sequel to Graveyard Fields, which I also read, but sadly I don’t recall much of it. This book was a more lighthearted procedural with quite the cast of homegrown characters with very unforgettable nicknames. PI Davis Reed is chilling out in Cruso, NC, waiting for writing inspiration to hit him so that he can begin his novel. As he waits for said inspiration, he decides to accompany his local police friend on a call to a golf course where a dead body in a sand trap awaits them. Four local business men, one now deceased, were the last group on the course, yet their colleague has died from the impact of a golf ball to his temple from somebody behind them. An eccentric, bored, wealthy couple, when learning about this person’s demise, offer Davis much needed money to pursue the possibility that the man was murdered. At times whimsical, this book is still a compelling procedural with many clues and twists and turns toward the inevitable outcome that the man was indeed murdered.
April 1, 2025
“Buried Lies” was a little too goofy for my taste. It felt like Barney Fife teaming up with the Scooby-Doo gang to unravel whether a death was an accident or something more sinister—all while a wealthy couple indulged their pension for murder mystery novels. I didn’t realize this was the second book in a series, but it worked fine as a standalone. The humor was there, and it was a lighthearted caper, but with a character named Floppy, it was hard to take seriously. If you’re looking for a quirky, comedic mystery, this might be for you—but I prefer my whodunits with a bit more edge.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this free advance copy. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this free advance copy. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
April 15, 2025
Rating: 4 stars!
A fantastic continuation of the Graveyard Fields series. I hope that Steven Tingle continues the story with another adventure for Davis, our adventure loving ex-detective. I loved seeing more of Dale and his odd-ball cousin, Floppy in this saga of the trios adventure. I do feel like you could get away with skipping straight to this book and reading it as a stand along since Davis recaps how the first book in a couple lines right at the beginning of the book, BUT I do think its worth reading the series as a whole to get the background dynamics of all of the characters.
Ps. The narrator captured Floppy PERFECTLY.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A fantastic continuation of the Graveyard Fields series. I hope that Steven Tingle continues the story with another adventure for Davis, our adventure loving ex-detective. I loved seeing more of Dale and his odd-ball cousin, Floppy in this saga of the trios adventure. I do feel like you could get away with skipping straight to this book and reading it as a stand along since Davis recaps how the first book in a couple lines right at the beginning of the book, BUT I do think its worth reading the series as a whole to get the background dynamics of all of the characters.
Ps. The narrator captured Floppy PERFECTLY.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 17, 2024
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley, but now I have to wait to completely read the book because the one I got is NOT TTS enabled! I hopped around in the story as my vision allowed and know that I HAVE to get to read the whole thing. Hopefully this one will be made audio like the first in series. I can tell you that the characters make this book worth reading and that PI Davis Reed gets the Snark of the Year award. I am going to go ahead and give it a 5* because I feel that it has that much potential even if my vision disagrees.
#GraveyardFieldsBk2 Not TTS enabled
#GraveyardFieldsBk2 Not TTS enabled
December 29, 2024
I wish there were partial stars- this was a 3.5.
Davis Reed a former (for 5 minutes) cop from Charleston now lives in the mountains of NC. He is renting a cabin from a local deputy with whom he solved a murder in the last book.
This time, they're called to an "accidental" death on the golf course. A golfer hit in the head by a ball.
Soon however, a wealthy couple into true crime offers a low on cash Davis money to prove/disprove it was an accident and it leads him down a rabbit hole of real estate fraud and confirmation of the murder of golfer Prentiss Wells.
It's a lite mystery, especially with the comic relief of Deputy Dale's ninja cousin Floppy.
Davis Reed a former (for 5 minutes) cop from Charleston now lives in the mountains of NC. He is renting a cabin from a local deputy with whom he solved a murder in the last book.
This time, they're called to an "accidental" death on the golf course. A golfer hit in the head by a ball.
Soon however, a wealthy couple into true crime offers a low on cash Davis money to prove/disprove it was an accident and it leads him down a rabbit hole of real estate fraud and confirmation of the murder of golfer Prentiss Wells.
It's a lite mystery, especially with the comic relief of Deputy Dale's ninja cousin Floppy.
March 27, 2025
A Fun Read
I enjoyed Graveyard Fields but I think I enjoyed this one even more. It kept me guessing and literally laughing out loud. Well done. I hope there is a third one in the works.
I enjoyed Graveyard Fields but I think I enjoyed this one even more. It kept me guessing and literally laughing out loud. Well done. I hope there is a third one in the works.
August 7, 2025
Very good book! Not quite as good as the great first book in the series, but definitely still worth a read. I wrote Tingle a note congratulating him of the great start, and he wrote a nice note back to me. He has definitely earned a fan in me.
October 20, 2024
This murder mystery was a lot of fun. The main characters were people I would definitely hang out with. I enjoyed how the mystery unfolded, with the clues just falling into their laps.
December 5, 2024
I Need to read the first book, but i did enjoy this one. A new author for me.
December 18, 2024
A cute mystery story. Easy to read and well developed characters.
December 23, 2024
Entertaining. I enjoyed the variety of characters and the story telling process was very good. The whole loan fraud process got somewhat complicated but overall a good read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2024
Not great
June 30, 2025
A good one, but I liked graveyard fields a little better. I missed Dale in this one. I’m enjoying this authors work though and hope more is coming!
December 3, 2025
A great mystery thriller. Really enjoyed the plot
January 17, 2025
Although I didn't read the first book, this was a good one!!! Humor and mystery all in one!
Hooked from page one, I was curious on who did it and was not expecting the ending!
Hooked from page one, I was curious on who did it and was not expecting the ending!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews