When the body of a man is found in a burnt-out cottage, the police are astounded to also find the remains of millions of pounds worth of bank notes. It is not long before a connection is made to unsolved crimes of the past, and to an infamous group of criminals. DC Jack Warr, struggling with events in his personal life, suddenly finds himself embroiled in the criminal underworld of the 1980s and 1990s, making shocking revelations about his past along the way. Just how far will he allow himself to become involved?

I have been a fan of Lynda La Plante's books and TV shows ever since watching the original Prime Suspect and so I jumped at the chance to be one of the blogs on the tour for her latest book, Buried. For those who have read the Widows books or seen the TV series/film, then this book is definitely for you as it follows on from the story of Dolly Rawlins and her gang. The beauty of Buried, however, is that although it will bring back a touch of nostalgia for Widows fans, you do not need to know any previous plot as backstory is explained in the book.

I loved how the story developed, the body of the charred man being linked to a train robbery of twenty years ago. This gave us an opportunity to meet some brilliant characters, each of them knowing more than they were willing to let on. These women, over the years, had become very adept at hiding in plain sight and I couldn't wait to see what the results of them playing the long game would be.

Jack Warr is a great character who becomes more complex as the book progresses. As we (and him) discover more about his life, we see a change in his character as he comes to terms with his past. This led to some great interactions between the detective and the people he is tasked with interviewing and created lots of internal conflict. At the same time, we also see the softer side of his personality as he struggles to come to terms with the impending death of his adoptive father.

In a book with numerous twists and turns, we were treated to a proper 'gasp' moment at the end, which, although shocking, was in-keeping with what we had read about Jack. This set up the next book nicely and I can't wait to read where Lynda La Plante takes DC Warr next. Buried is a book that I can definitely imagine on the small screen, so I have my fingers crossed that it will be optioned for TV. This promises to be another huge hit for the author.

This is the first Lynda La Plante book that I have read. I promised myself this year that I would try lots of new authors and not just stick to the same ones over and over. However, that isn’t serving me very well as I’m not always enjoying the books that I am taking the chances on. I’m afraid this is one of those. I had high hopes for this book as it is being raved about on Twitter from other authors that have read it already and with her being a bestselling author herself I expected great things.
I felt, however, that I just struggled with it as a whole. Sometimes sections were over-described, such as the scenery, the people or just general objects. Then other times we jumped from scene to scene not really knowing what was going on. I felt like the use of words could have been better placed. A little less description and a bit more segue scene building.
A couple of other reviewers have mentioned that they felt that this was written for TV rather than it being a novel. I certainly picked up on this as well. It was as if we were supposed to be visualising what was going on rather than having it described to us to then visualise. This again is when the segues between scenes would have been useful.
I didn’t think the main character of DC Jack Warr was that interesting and he just seemed a bit too ploddy for my liking. I am reading this book off the back of another fantastic crime series where the DCI was very proactive and ambitious, so maybe that didn’t help.
So, overall I was very disappointed, and even though I slogged through the book, I’m not sure it was worth it as it just dragged.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

I’ve read some of Lynda La Plante’s books previously and had high expectations with her latest novel. I wasn’t disappointed. Initially I felt the book started off slowly and it took time for me to get used to the characters and how they related to each another. The book got better the further I read and I became hooked, and eager to know what happened next. I really liked the characters of DC Warr, his partner and family. DC Warr and his colleagues investigate a murder when a body is found in a burnt out cottage, and as this investigation progresses links are found to a previous crime. After the slow start I thought this book really picked up it’s pace and was a thrilling read that grabbed and held my attention to the end. There were lots of twists and turns in the plot and the story moved from past to present times easily. I would definitely want to read a second book featuring Jack Warr and look forward to seeing how his character develops. 4 stars

DC Jack Warr has moved from Devon to London and is part of the investigating team after a body is found in a burnt out building but Warr has some family secrets.

Buried is not part of a series but the characters are all well fleshed out and identifiable which is a skill the author has used throughout her career.

This is a very good police procedural novel from the pen of the prolific Lynda La Plante which keeps the pages turning and the reader interested as the storyline leaves a number of options open throughout the book

My only reservation is that I did not feel the ending did full justice to the story although it does leave it nicely open to future books.

Still recommended

I liked the Prime Suspect series and even the TV shows, and have read many of her other books, so when I saw Buried, I was thrilled. However, I found it confusing, maybe because I hadn't read any of the Widows books before, but I could not connect with the characters. I was just so disappointed

A fantastic start to a new series. I can see this series doing so well, not only because I thoroughly enjoyed it, but because LLP is a first class writer. She knows what her readers want and what they need from a book, something they can get their teeth into and this is certainly one of those books.
Believable characters and storyline. These books we read may be fiction, but we certainly read them like real life, the author has a wonderful way with her writing that makes you believe in what you are reading.

I feel that Jack Warr is going to be a character we all grow with, I can see this going a long way.
I also enjoyed the references to other characters from previous books and feel this was done brilliantly.

#Buried #NetGalley A great introduction to a new crime series from Lynda La Plante. As expected, plenty of action and a great twist to include some investigations into older crimes. Loved the gang of ladies. A lot going on and at some points, particularly early on in the book, I found myself having to re-read and go back a few chapters to get my head round the who, what and where. Although billed as a DC Jack Warr thriller it was as much about DCI Ridley and DI Prescott, at least in the early stages. We are led to believe that Jack goes down a certain path at the end of the book but I will be keen to see how he actually progresses in any future novels!

Buried is the story of Police and Criminals; of both walking the thin line between Right and Wrong. I quite enjoyed the story especially the clever criminals.

Another great book from Lynda La Plante and the introduction of a new character DC Jack Warr. Jack is complex and interesting and who doesn't love a cold case where the crooks robbed a train and grabbed millions.

A rip rollicking read, with a fast paced storyline and characters you want to know more about. Jack, finding his place in the world with the lovely Maggie. And Ridley, who you think has seen it all before but has he...

Great writing as usual from Lynda La Plante. Looking forward to the second in the series.

What a great read love this book. This is the first time I have read a book by this author and will definitely read more. This author knows how to tell a story. Really liked the characters especially Jack Warr who life entwined through the characters of this story. Could not put this book down.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bonnier Zaffre for an advance copy of Buried, the first novel in a projected series to feature DC Jack Warr of The Met’s Serious Crime division.

When a cottage in Aylesbury is burned down the Serious Crime detectives are brought in because the cottage holds not only a dead body but the charred remains of millions of pounds of obsolete banknotes.

I thoroughly enjoyed Buried which has an interesting plot with plenty of twists and turns and a likeable, at times, protagonist. It starts off being told from the investigative point of view but as the story widens there are scenes from the other side and from the historical crimes associated with it. I liked this as it sets up the mystery of what happened and really holds the interest, then once the reader has their teeth into all the angles and potential ramifications the switch to the other side fills in many of the details and answers some questions while raising more. I found this to be a real page turner and, so, found it easy to ignore the parts that don’t quite gel or jar, notably Jack’s character.

Jack Warr is a restless character with a strong love for his parents and, especially, his partner Maggie. They have moved from Devon to London for her career, not his as he isn’t overly enthusiastic about being a detective or being anything except with Maggie. A revelation from his dying father sets him on a journey of self revelation and reconciliation. Not to put too fine a point on it this is a weird and unconvincing story, not so much in the bones of it but in Jack’s reaction. Slacker Jack transformed into brilliant, outside the box thinker in a couple of weeks. Mmm. Still I will be very interested to see where he goes next.

Buried is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Not read a Lynda La Plant book for ages
Loved all her previous books widows, Trial and retribution the Jane Tennison series to name a few
So having the chance to be introduced to a new detective
I think it would have been rude not to

Lynda La Plant has the gift of writing so your not only drawn into the storyline, but you feel you are there in it
each character is so defined that they feel real..

I really like the characters, enjoyed the plot and how it intertwined the past and present
Looking forward to the second DC Jack Ward story


Thank you netgalley, Lynda La Plant and Bonnier Books UK for allowing me to read and review this book.

Don't underestimate your gut instinct of that which is hidden in plain sight.. compelling reading...

Buried is the first of a new series for Lynda La Plante in that their are new characters introduced, the storyline will take you from a present case, back to the Widows series.
Prologue starts in 1994 when Dolly Rawlins was released from Holloway Prison, to present day, when a case where charred remains are found at an isolated cottage.

Whilst you could read Buried if you've not read any of the Widows series as a stand-alone book, as I had the third/final book in the Widows sitting on my pile of books, I felt I needed to read this first, as I feel like it would spoil She's Out for me, if I didn't.

Buried focuses mainly on the life and work of DC Jack Warr, who gets some information that changes his view to the job. Jack was not motivated in his job, until these particulars were received, changed his work ethic.
It's difficult writing too much about this book, without needing *spoiler alerts*. This is a great read, a definite should for you're reading list.

Buried is a wonderful new book from this author, introducing the reader to D.C. Jack Warr. Having just transferred to London from Devon so his partner Maggie a trainee surgeon can gain more experience, he is thrown into the case of an unknown corpse found in a burnt out cottage with over a million pounds in ashes in the fireplace.
Jack appears to be an apathetic police officer with little ambition or drive, but when this case is linked to a £27 million train robbery in the past he starts realising his potential and has a real gut instinct for things. The connection to the past takes us back to the era of Dolly and Harry Rawlings of ‘Widows’ fame and the story moves seamlessly from past to present.
Jack was adopted at the age of 5 and his adoptive father is now terminally ill, as Jack discovers some links in this case to his as yet unknown biological father he investigates his own past as well as the present case.
There are many threads weaving their way through both cases, lots of twists and turns and a cast of great characters, well described and full of personality.
Gradually Jack gains motivation and starts enjoying his work finally impressing his boss DCI Ridley who had begin to think he’d made a mistake bringing Jack onto his team.
This is a story full of surprises with a reveal I never saw coming. This will be a cracking series, I can’t wait to see how Jack progresses it can go one way or the other!
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

Another brilliant crime book loved this authors previous series. You really feel like you are involved in the storyline

This is Lynda La Plante at her best i have really enjoyed reading this and to see some old favourites making an appearance.I can and will highly recommend this book excellent 5*

Lynda is back Ms LaPlante at her very best. A great story line continuing the stories of the women from the past. Finally laying ghosts to rest. Looking forward to more novels involving the enigmatic Jack Warr.

A serious fire at Rose Cottage near Aylesbury in which a body is found starts a chain of events that encompasses a 1995 cold case in which £35 million is stolen in an audacious train robbery. The team which investigates the death is led by DCI Simon Ridley who is head of a Divisional Serious Crime Team. The principal character though is DC Jack Warr and the rest of the team are DS Laura Wade who is more than a bit in lust with Jack and DC Anik Joshi. The case takes Jack on a fascinating journey of self discovery during which he becomes irrevocably different to his old self in many ways. The intriguing story is told in different timelines- in the present day and some backtracking to the days before and around the train robbery.

One of the standout aspects of the book are the characters, Jack is especially interesting because he is so conflicted about his job and is luke warm in his efforts. He is adopted and the search for his birth father and the case are intertwined and when he learns the truth it leaves him with a foot in two worlds which he is determined to use to his advantage. Ridley is a great character too and nothing gets past him! Jack’s partner Maggie and his adoptive parents are very likeable too and Jack is a warmer person with them. The female gang are really interesting and it’s hard not to admire their audacious and clever planning. The plot initially seems complicated and you do have to concentrate (no bad thing!) but it all falls into place. The pace is quite fast although I think there’s a dip in the middle but I guess that mirrors the case stalling. There is plenty of twisty intrigue and mystery especially as part of the investigation leads to the old dastardly world of East End gangs and gangsters with all their brutality and this makes the story gritty and grisly on occasion. I like the ending as it’s surprising and it sets the reader up well to see where Jacks story goes next. Sign me up for Book 2!!

Overall, an entertaining read from one of the queens of the British Crime Fiction genre.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Books, Zaffre UK.