What do you think?
Rate this book
The Secrets They Buried
Who killed Faith Dillenger?
When NYPD Lt. Kerri Pope is asked to consult on an FBI case involving a 13-year-old student enrolled in an elite reform school, she knows she ought to walk away. The case triggers too many memories that she’s trying to keep buried. The biggest win of her career, the closing of the human trafficking network, simply known as The Avalon, may have won her accolades but cost her pieces of her soul.
But Kerri can't shake the feeling that the secrets hiding behind school doors bear too close a resemblance to the network she nearly died trying to shut down and she can't stop until she gets answers.
Thrust into the dangerous world of the ultra-rich where innocence fetches the highest price and someone is always willing to pay, Kerri realizes solving this case might just cost her everything she has left to give.
From the author of The Auction series, a gripping spin-off novel that will leave readers shaken and emotionally raw.
When NYPD Lt. Kerri Pope is asked to consult on an FBI case involving a 13-year-old student enrolled in an elite reform school, she knows she ought to walk away. The case triggers too many memories that she’s trying to keep buried. The biggest win of her career, the closing of the human trafficking network, simply known as The Avalon, may have won her accolades but cost her pieces of her soul.
But Kerri can't shake the feeling that the secrets hiding behind school doors bear too close a resemblance to the network she nearly died trying to shut down and she can't stop until she gets answers.
Thrust into the dangerous world of the ultra-rich where innocence fetches the highest price and someone is always willing to pay, Kerri realizes solving this case might just cost her everything she has left to give.
From the author of The Auction series, a gripping spin-off novel that will leave readers shaken and emotionally raw.
- GenresFictionThriller Suspense
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2021
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 27, 2021
A solid detective thriller
After taking down one of the biggest trafficking networks in history, called The Avalon, Lt. Kerri Pope has taken on the care of the only survivor. When another young girl turns up dead, the FBI ask Pope for her help in identifying whether anyone from The Avalon could’ve been involved.
A twisty thriller, this book had me turning page after page until I got to the end, which I did not see coming. It’s not very often that a book is able to keep me guessing to the very end, but this one definitely did!
After taking down one of the biggest trafficking networks in history, called The Avalon, Lt. Kerri Pope has taken on the care of the only survivor. When another young girl turns up dead, the FBI ask Pope for her help in identifying whether anyone from The Avalon could’ve been involved.
A twisty thriller, this book had me turning page after page until I got to the end, which I did not see coming. It’s not very often that a book is able to keep me guessing to the very end, but this one definitely did!
December 26, 2021
This book was truly excellent! I did not expect the storyline to go the way it had. My eyes about popped out of my head when it was revealed that Caroline was the one behind it all. I look forward to reading more of this author's work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2021
Nice addition to the genre. Enjoyed it and recommend to fellow readers.
May 23, 2025
READ THIS ENTIRE SERIES!!
"Nicole was the wild rose who fought for the sun and grew thorns only to protect herself but blossomed despite her harsh surroundings...."
This is an absolutely beautiful mental description of one character, Nicole, by another, Kerri.
I read the first two books in this series in one week, and with my busy schedule, I've still managed to nearly finish this 3rd one in the same amount of time; however, as emotionally unsettling as this whole series has been, I didn't cry... until now! This paragraph, and the few before it, brought me to tears, and "the floodgates opened." I immediately had to write down my thoughts, and use them to review this book (before I've even finished reading it), and in my review of this entire series.
The raw truth in these three fictional books really hit me hard just now! It felt like I had just experienced one of those "my entire life just flashed before my eyes" moments, except it was the character, Nicole's life, that did the "flashing." I have reached what the reader would describe as the climax in a story, except, in my opinion, I feel like this particular section, in this chapter, of this individual novel, is the climax of all three books put together....
Even though they are just characters in a book, the author has done an amazing job at making the reader feel as if they are real human beings, currently facing head-on, one of the most evil, disgusting, vile, and powerful networks of child sex trafficking, known to man! I have found myself completely immersed in Nicole and Kerri's lives, and now two others, Valeria and Brianna, as well! I am 110%, rooting for these four "underdogs," to not only do what's absolutely physically necessary, to face head-on, capture, and then conquer the worst form of evil out there, but I also hope that the four of them survive, to continue telling their stories.
Hint to author: If possible, please do what you can, to keep this series going! I love it, and I feel like the characters' stories/lives, have only just begun, and have so much future potential! While this is absolutely amazing writing, there is sooo much truth in these fictional stories! I also love to read "True Crime" stories, but not everybody does, so if you love criminal genre fiction, read this book/series! Leigh does an amazing job relaying to the reader the harsh realities of sex/human/child trafficking occurring EVERYWHERE in the modern world.
The author provides phenomenal examples of hard truths, in addition to the many, many ways, these secret networks are able to function in today's world. She also reveals the sad reality of how human beings consistently "turn a blind eye" to the truth, and/or feel, as individuals, he/she is just "too small" to take on such a huge display of deviance, but ultimately gives the reader confidence that he/she CAN do something about it, as she had/has done for me! I've been inspired and now myself believe, I too CAN do something, and I WILL make a difference!
Thank you for the amazing writing!!
"Nicole was the wild rose who fought for the sun and grew thorns only to protect herself but blossomed despite her harsh surroundings...."
This is an absolutely beautiful mental description of one character, Nicole, by another, Kerri.
I read the first two books in this series in one week, and with my busy schedule, I've still managed to nearly finish this 3rd one in the same amount of time; however, as emotionally unsettling as this whole series has been, I didn't cry... until now! This paragraph, and the few before it, brought me to tears, and "the floodgates opened." I immediately had to write down my thoughts, and use them to review this book (before I've even finished reading it), and in my review of this entire series.
The raw truth in these three fictional books really hit me hard just now! It felt like I had just experienced one of those "my entire life just flashed before my eyes" moments, except it was the character, Nicole's life, that did the "flashing." I have reached what the reader would describe as the climax in a story, except, in my opinion, I feel like this particular section, in this chapter, of this individual novel, is the climax of all three books put together....
Even though they are just characters in a book, the author has done an amazing job at making the reader feel as if they are real human beings, currently facing head-on, one of the most evil, disgusting, vile, and powerful networks of child sex trafficking, known to man! I have found myself completely immersed in Nicole and Kerri's lives, and now two others, Valeria and Brianna, as well! I am 110%, rooting for these four "underdogs," to not only do what's absolutely physically necessary, to face head-on, capture, and then conquer the worst form of evil out there, but I also hope that the four of them survive, to continue telling their stories.
Hint to author: If possible, please do what you can, to keep this series going! I love it, and I feel like the characters' stories/lives, have only just begun, and have so much future potential! While this is absolutely amazing writing, there is sooo much truth in these fictional stories! I also love to read "True Crime" stories, but not everybody does, so if you love criminal genre fiction, read this book/series! Leigh does an amazing job relaying to the reader the harsh realities of sex/human/child trafficking occurring EVERYWHERE in the modern world.
The author provides phenomenal examples of hard truths, in addition to the many, many ways, these secret networks are able to function in today's world. She also reveals the sad reality of how human beings consistently "turn a blind eye" to the truth, and/or feel, as individuals, he/she is just "too small" to take on such a huge display of deviance, but ultimately gives the reader confidence that he/she CAN do something about it, as she had/has done for me! I've been inspired and now myself believe, I too CAN do something, and I WILL make a difference!
Thank you for the amazing writing!!
September 25, 2022
Not bad
An interesting look at trafficking in young children. It's a sad look a byt just how easy it is to make unwanted children disappear and all in the name of money. Expected there would have been some more influential people involved but didn't expect there to be a crisis of life choices included.
An interesting look at trafficking in young children. It's a sad look a byt just how easy it is to make unwanted children disappear and all in the name of money. Expected there would have been some more influential people involved but didn't expect there to be a crisis of life choices included.
September 16, 2022
Amazing ending to the auction trilogy
I literally could not put any of the four books down - the author mentioned hopes for a movie or series - I hope so and have great ideas on who would play the characters
I literally could not put any of the four books down - the author mentioned hopes for a movie or series - I hope so and have great ideas on who would play the characters
August 9, 2023
fantastic
my new favorite book series. 10/10! the suspense was wonderful. the description was great. i really felt part of the book which left me feeling heavy but man, wonderfully done!
my new favorite book series. 10/10! the suspense was wonderful. the description was great. i really felt part of the book which left me feeling heavy but man, wonderfully done!
August 24, 2023
Ok. Not as Good As The Other Two
The beginning of the book had promise but fell flat. The storyline wasn't as developed. It didn't have the twists and turns as previous stories. The ending felt rushed.
The beginning of the book had promise but fell flat. The storyline wasn't as developed. It didn't have the twists and turns as previous stories. The ending felt rushed.
March 10, 2022
Great follow up to the Auction Trilogy. Hope more is coming about Nicole, she is a fascinating chatacter
May 8, 2022
Repeat Information
The story line was good, just good. Over read slot of pages. Too much repeating from the previous books. The character s were very whiney.
The story line was good, just good. Over read slot of pages. Too much repeating from the previous books. The character s were very whiney.
September 25, 2022
ok
The first book in the series was the best this one was ok but rather read from the first person experience than the law and order side of things
The first book in the series was the best this one was ok but rather read from the first person experience than the law and order side of things
October 27, 2024
Good story
I enjoyed this book highly recommend the entire series if you like action mysteries with suspense it was very entertaining
I enjoyed this book highly recommend the entire series if you like action mysteries with suspense it was very entertaining
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews