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Detective Elliot #2
Beneath a Buried House
Things aren’t always what they seem. Tulsa Police Detective, Kenny Elliot’s quest to uncover the truth behind the death of a transient makes him a target – from whom or what he isn’t sure. When he brushes the dirt from the surface of an apparent John Doe overdose case, he finds a labyrinth of misdirection and deception beneath, and a trail, which leads him to an encounter with an aberration in human nature, the likes of which he’s not prepared to deal with. Drawing on his strength of character, and sense of right and wrong, he wrestles with deep personal feelings to solve the case.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2008
268 people are currently reading
684 people want to read
About the author
Bob Avey
10 books47 followersBob Avey is an award-recognized mystery author and crime fiction writer, best known for the Kenny Elliot mystery series, a collection of dark psychological mysteries that blend police procedural, literary mystery, and psychological thriller elements.
His novels, including Twisted Perception, Beneath a Buried House, Footprints of a Dancer, and Identity Theft, follow Detective Kenny Elliot, a Tulsa police detective drawn into ritualistic murders, cold cases, and small-town secrets that refuse to stay buried.
Set primarily in Oklahoma, Bob Avey’s work appeals to readers who enjoy detective mystery novels, suspense crime fiction, and stories that explore the dark side of human nature, faith, and fear. His writing is frequently described as a fusion of literary mystery and psychological suspense, delivering tension from the first page.
When he’s not writing, Bob researches mystery writing techniques, explores antique shops for forgotten artifacts, and visits ghost towns in search of history’s hidden echoes. He is a member of Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, the Oklahoma Writers Federation, and Tulsa NightWriters.
His novels, including Twisted Perception, Beneath a Buried House, Footprints of a Dancer, and Identity Theft, follow Detective Kenny Elliot, a Tulsa police detective drawn into ritualistic murders, cold cases, and small-town secrets that refuse to stay buried.
Set primarily in Oklahoma, Bob Avey’s work appeals to readers who enjoy detective mystery novels, suspense crime fiction, and stories that explore the dark side of human nature, faith, and fear. His writing is frequently described as a fusion of literary mystery and psychological suspense, delivering tension from the first page.
When he’s not writing, Bob researches mystery writing techniques, explores antique shops for forgotten artifacts, and visits ghost towns in search of history’s hidden echoes. He is a member of Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, the Oklahoma Writers Federation, and Tulsa NightWriters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
August 22, 2014
OMG. I read some of the other reviews of this book and I have no idea how people could give this book 3, 4 and 5 stars. The most I could sqeeze out would be 1 1/2. The plot is all over the place and I figured out most of it about half way through the book. There are so many holes in the plot and unanswered questions that I don't know where to begin. For example, the main character's love interest is missing and he is lured to the woods by someone who claims to have taken her. The bad guys attack and Kenny is injured but kills the "bad" character..........maybe. Next scene he is on leave and recuperating and being congratulated for solving the crime but no mention of the missing love interest. He goes to the park and she shows up. No mention of the bad guys that said they took her??? And off he goes to meet her parents............what?? I think I read the whole book hoping it would get better. It didn't.
July 15, 2014
Just a warning, this is titled as the second book in the "Detective Elliot Mystery" series, for Amazon Kindle anyway, and is actually the first. Pretty good detective story, a little convoluted, that makes it more interesting however. Some inconsistencies as well, but if that kind of thing doesn't bother you, then you'll probably like it. If you read a lot of detective stories, you might figure out the ending, I did. I was pretty far into it though. Characters were interesting as well.
August 13, 2014
This was a seriously fast-paced book to read, a real page-turner. I loved it. The story centers on possible pagan/satan worshipping bad guys. It ends up not about them at all, although they are certainly bad and certainly involved in other evil deeds. This story is about the past meeting the present in the form of a twisted individual who is hidden behind a different identity from the beginning. There are innocents murdered, and there are bad people murdered. Who survives is important.
September 1, 2008
Awesome book. Glad to have a fellow Oklahoma step up! I loved the twist at the end. I have never heard of this author. I went to the local Hastings yesterday to pick up some reading material for the weekend and he was having a book signing, I picked it up out of curiosity. Will definitely be grabbing Twisted Perception on the next trip.
October 20, 2015
Detective Kenny Elliot is called to deal with a sudden death. He suspects it is not what it seems, and the ensuing investigation drags him down to somewhere dark.
July 18, 2021
Review of eBook
Kenny Elliot’s search for answers in the death of a vagrant leads the Tulsa police detective into a labyrinthine investigation. Although warned away from his investigation, Detective Elliot continues to dig for answers, finding himself investigating several connected deaths and facing something that he is completely unprepared to handle. At the same time, his chance encounter with a young woman has him a considering significant change in his life.
Despite having impediments tossed into his investigation, will Kenny find the answers he seeks?
Second in the Kenny Elliot series, this tale of good versus evil ratchets up the suspense while plot twists keep readers guessing. Largely a police procedural, the swiftly-moving narrative keeps readers guessing as the body count mounts and surprising reveals add to the puzzle. There are elements of paganism, child abuse, and cults in the unfolding story, all of which add to the perplexity of Elliot’s case.
Reasonably well-developed characters keep the story moving along, bringing a few unforeseen elements into the case while keeping an undercurrent of tension flowing over the pages. Astute readers may identify the culprit before the denouement that ties up the main plot points; however, with some segments of the story left dangling, they may find themselves wishing that there was just a bit more to the telling of this tale.
Recommended.
Kenny Elliot’s search for answers in the death of a vagrant leads the Tulsa police detective into a labyrinthine investigation. Although warned away from his investigation, Detective Elliot continues to dig for answers, finding himself investigating several connected deaths and facing something that he is completely unprepared to handle. At the same time, his chance encounter with a young woman has him a considering significant change in his life.
Despite having impediments tossed into his investigation, will Kenny find the answers he seeks?
Second in the Kenny Elliot series, this tale of good versus evil ratchets up the suspense while plot twists keep readers guessing. Largely a police procedural, the swiftly-moving narrative keeps readers guessing as the body count mounts and surprising reveals add to the puzzle. There are elements of paganism, child abuse, and cults in the unfolding story, all of which add to the perplexity of Elliot’s case.
Reasonably well-developed characters keep the story moving along, bringing a few unforeseen elements into the case while keeping an undercurrent of tension flowing over the pages. Astute readers may identify the culprit before the denouement that ties up the main plot points; however, with some segments of the story left dangling, they may find themselves wishing that there was just a bit more to the telling of this tale.
Recommended.
October 3, 2023
Whoa
Not at all what I was expecting. This will have some strange things in it and might not be everyone's cup of tea. You might imagine it being featured on a certain series on television.
Not at all what I was expecting. This will have some strange things in it and might not be everyone's cup of tea. You might imagine it being featured on a certain series on television.
June 9, 2018
A good read
The reader is held by the suspense of the story to the very end. I would have liked a bit more development of the chsracters, but overall it did read well.
The reader is held by the suspense of the story to the very end. I would have liked a bit more development of the chsracters, but overall it did read well.
December 28, 2018
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
January 19, 2019
Took me until the end to figure it out. Good story.
January 25, 2019
Good book. Will be reading more books by Bob Avey.
July 17, 2019
Good but
Didn't Conley die in the first book? Is he a ghost? That's not clear at all. This was confusing as were other aspects. Too many people and some playing multiple parts.
Didn't Conley die in the first book? Is he a ghost? That's not clear at all. This was confusing as were other aspects. Too many people and some playing multiple parts.
September 7, 2021
This is a murder mystery with a hint of paranormal. I have read better.
January 6, 2017
This was a good, but not great read. Many plot twists, lots of characters, but also subplots that went no where. I found some of the dialog at the end trite.
Bodies begin to pile up for Tulsa, OK police Detective Kenny Elliott as he begins to investigate a John Doe murder. The trail leads to more murders, an old unsolved mystery with 2 more bodies, love, a mentally challenged neighbor, pagan/ Satan worship and cults, conflict and confrontation with a fellow officer-- you name it-- it's all thrown in. Things and people are not what they seem to be.
Bodies begin to pile up for Tulsa, OK police Detective Kenny Elliott as he begins to investigate a John Doe murder. The trail leads to more murders, an old unsolved mystery with 2 more bodies, love, a mentally challenged neighbor, pagan/ Satan worship and cults, conflict and confrontation with a fellow officer-- you name it-- it's all thrown in. Things and people are not what they seem to be.
August 12, 2014
I like this book. It's a fun, if grim, police detective mystery set in and around Tulsa, Oklahoma. It's all over the place, and you can really see the author trying to find his feet with both this character and with the notions of telling a mystery story. Characters come and go, there's a supernatural element that really doesn't get explained or even discussed, there are references to past events that make little or no sense, and other mistakes that are too numerous to count, really. However, I can't help but applaud Avey's skill and ambition. He writes well, and he takes on for himself a very complex story that unfolds in a decent fashion. Like other reviewers, I saw the ending coming from a mile away. However, it's Avey's skill as a storyteller that kept me reading even though I already knew whodunnit.
September 9, 2014
Detective Kenny Eliot is a member of the Tulsa Police Dept. He becomes unsettled when a supposed transient dies of what is thought to be a drug overdose but Eliot thinks differently. As he searches for the truth he uncovers information about a cult that may be involved but why? He digs deeper while trying to maintain a normal life, helping a neighbor with her disabled son, falling in love with a woman he barely knows and things begin to fall apart from there.
There are twists and turns that lead Eliot in all kinds of directions. The biggest twist comes at the very end when he finally realizes who he is dealing with and how he must deal with a very sick mind.
Eliot is a very believable, likeable character who has flaws that show. I will definitely put Bob Avey on my "must read more" list.
There are twists and turns that lead Eliot in all kinds of directions. The biggest twist comes at the very end when he finally realizes who he is dealing with and how he must deal with a very sick mind.
Eliot is a very believable, likeable character who has flaws that show. I will definitely put Bob Avey on my "must read more" list.
August 3, 2011
Beneath a Buried House is a read you will not put down, in fact it's one that will keep you turning page after page until the end. Bob Avery hooks you from the start with characters that can only grow in your mind, he wastes no time in weaving a tale of murder mystery and suspense. Main man Elliot is determined to crack a case even though it looks impossible to others. His gut instincts serve him well as he finds himself up against some strange folk in weird situations. Can't spoil it for anyone out there, and can only advise them to grab a copy, stick their nose in it and get lost in the read.
Annie Frame. Author of Imprint and TQR.
Annie Frame. Author of Imprint and TQR.
September 8, 2014
I liked this book; it took some truthful elements of paganism, which is refreshing, as the author didn't try to say that paganism is "evil"- it all depends on the person(s) involved and it also got into how dangerous cults can be. It showed how nasty even so-called Christian cults can be and I liked the lead character, Elliot. I will admit there were a few areas throughout the book that had me thinking "what in the world?" because a few areas of the book didn't seem to mesh too well, as story telling goes but all in all it was a good mystery and I think most mystery lovers will enjoy reading it.
April 18, 2016
Muddled and befuddled...bet you can't guess who done it!
This book is good enough that I downloaded two more of his books as soon as I finished this one. Elliot is a rookie cop who finds himself in a complicated case that doesn't have any easy answers and now that he's eyebrow deep in the case, his superior wants to pull him off the case. As he follows the clues, he continually ends up at a dead end....and another dead body. The author doesn't believe much in transitions, but that just adds to the readers confusion...which is the author's intention. He foreshadows several times.....but don't be fooled. Oh, there's a love story too! Happy sleuthing.
This book is good enough that I downloaded two more of his books as soon as I finished this one. Elliot is a rookie cop who finds himself in a complicated case that doesn't have any easy answers and now that he's eyebrow deep in the case, his superior wants to pull him off the case. As he follows the clues, he continually ends up at a dead end....and another dead body. The author doesn't believe much in transitions, but that just adds to the readers confusion...which is the author's intention. He foreshadows several times.....but don't be fooled. Oh, there's a love story too! Happy sleuthing.
July 1, 2015
HAUNTING -but maybe it's not a stand-alone.
This book seems written in a style the author hopes to remind the reader of a 1950s mystery with. As a result, it seems disjointed, and slow moving. Under the hand of a different author, this would, I suspect, have led to greater suspense, and indeed once the story got rolling, it did become fairly spooky.
None of the characters are particularly deep, but this is the type of story that doesn't need deep characters. Elliott is the most defined character, but I think previous exposure to him is assumed.
This book seems written in a style the author hopes to remind the reader of a 1950s mystery with. As a result, it seems disjointed, and slow moving. Under the hand of a different author, this would, I suspect, have led to greater suspense, and indeed once the story got rolling, it did become fairly spooky.
None of the characters are particularly deep, but this is the type of story that doesn't need deep characters. Elliott is the most defined character, but I think previous exposure to him is assumed.
May 28, 2016
Murder and Mystery at it's Finest
An enjoyable who done it steeped in alternative religion right in Bible Belt country. A well written murder mystery with three dimensional characters, some likeable, some not. A well written story. I look forward to reading more stories starring Detective Elliott.
An enjoyable who done it steeped in alternative religion right in Bible Belt country. A well written murder mystery with three dimensional characters, some likeable, some not. A well written story. I look forward to reading more stories starring Detective Elliott.
December 2, 2019
True to Tulsa
It was a good read. As an area native, I was familiar with the settings; except for Donegal. There were some gaps in some characters backgrounds, and not all of the loose ends were tied up with the close of the story. It did keep me engaged. I would read another of Mr. Avey’s book.
It was a good read. As an area native, I was familiar with the settings; except for Donegal. There were some gaps in some characters backgrounds, and not all of the loose ends were tied up with the close of the story. It did keep me engaged. I would read another of Mr. Avey’s book.
October 31, 2012
This wasn't really the book for me. I found it unnecessarily complicated and confusing, as well as a bit slow and hard to get into.
There were some loose ends that weren't quite tied up enough for me as well.
There were some loose ends that weren't quite tied up enough for me as well.
July 14, 2014
Beneath a Buried House
Beneath a Buried House
Not what I usually read. There were times when I almost gave up on it. Not one of the best I've ever read, but not one of the worst either.
Beneath a Buried House
Not what I usually read. There were times when I almost gave up on it. Not one of the best I've ever read, but not one of the worst either.
August 10, 2014
Well written mystery
I was drawn in from the first page and found it hard to put down until the last. I strongly recommend for readers of mysteries expecting unforseen twists along the way. I am looking forward to reading more of Bob Avey.
I was drawn in from the first page and found it hard to put down until the last. I strongly recommend for readers of mysteries expecting unforseen twists along the way. I am looking forward to reading more of Bob Avey.
January 15, 2015
Starts with an apparent drug overdose, then a murder, which leads us to Pagans, Satanists, and a very secret religious cult. Mix in a 20 year old missing family case and a cop who follows his instincts through this rather twisty mystery.
January 15, 2015
It starts with an apparent drug overdose, then a murder, which ties in with a 20 year old missing family. Which leads us to a strange, very inclusive, cult. Mix in some Pagans, Satanists, a cop who follows his instincts, and we get a rather twisty story.
January 30, 2016
Get the shovel
This was an amazing story. It had so many twists and turns in it that it will keep your attention right up till the end. I would recommend this book to any one. It was wonderful.
This was an amazing story. It had so many twists and turns in it that it will keep your attention right up till the end. I would recommend this book to any one. It was wonderful.
April 13, 2012
Ok story but not very well fleshed out. The plot was predictable and there were some extraneous characters that you never really could figure out why the hell they were even in the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews