Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

In the eighth installment of the Agent Victoria Heslin Series, “The Ones They Buried,” Jenifer Ruff delivers a masterclass in suspense and intrigue. The novel opens with the mysterious disappearance of Phoebe Watson, a fitness industry luminary whose absence leaves a void that captivates the nation. The plot thickens when, a year later, her remains are unearthed in a secluded woodland, setting the stage for an investigation that is as complex as it is chilling.

Special Agent Victoria Heslin, a character that has grown increasingly compelling over the series, finds herself at the heart of this enigma. Her tenacity and keen investigative skills are put to the test as she delves into a labyrinth of secrets and lies. The connection between Phoebe’s murder and the life-altering accident of Catherine Bower, a millionaire and one of Phoebe’s former clients, forms the crux of the narrative.

Ruff’s storytelling is taut and fast-paced, ensuring that readers are glued to the pages. Each chapter peels back layers of the mystery, revealing dark family secrets and unexpected twists that keep the reader guessing. The author’s skillful handling of tension and character development is commendable, making “The Ones They Buried” a standout in the thriller genre.

The book is a testament to Ruff’s ability to craft a narrative that is both intricate and accessible, allowing newcomers to the series to dive right in without feeling lost. Long-time fans will appreciate the depth and growth of Agent Heslin’s character, as well as the consistent quality that Ruff brings to her work.

“The Ones They Buried” is a gripping addition to the Agent Victoria Heslin Series. It’s a thrilling ride that combines a keen psychological edge with a deep understanding of the human psyche.

I have some mixed feelings about this book. It’s all based around a Jane Doe whose body is found, Catherine (a women who had some mysterious incident and also had Alzheimer’s) having a random clear cognitive moment saying the name Phoebe to her caregiver Deja when seeing the news of said body being found, and Victoria an FBI agent investigating. It had multiple POV’s which was slightly confusing at first but allowed for the timeline of events to eventually come together in the end revealing what happened. We get Catherine in the past (1 year ago) leading to some of what happened to Phoebe, and then Deja and Victoria in the present dealing with Catherine and her family/doing digging into the mystery. There were some times I forgot Victoria was an FBI agent as it didn’t seem that complex of a crime and wasn’t a whole lot else involved in investigative measures.

This was definitely a fast paced and easy to understand book. It cut from one scene to the next which made it intriguing. The flip side of this was parts did seem pretty juvenile and not as complex of a mystery as I first thought. Certain hints are laid out that allude to the ending. There were some good little twists I hadn’t completely figured out having to do with other people. I did like the fact that even though this is part of a series, I didn’t feel like I missed out on anything or as if it couldn’t be read as a stand-alone. In the end it was a pretty decent thriller and probably best for people trying to get into the thriller genre who want some mystery but don’t want to put in a lot of brain power!

I received a digital copy from NetGalley & the author of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Jenifer Ruff for this novel!

This story is not something that I usually read nor will I be reading this due to the fact of it being a murder mystery.

This was great and had me staying up late reading because I needed to know what would happen. The book had me guessing throughout it all, but it was impossble to figure it out. I have not read anything by this author earlier, but definitely will in the future. Would really recommend this book for people who enjoy thrillers!

FBI Agent Victoria Heslin is back with another challenging case. A national story of a missing female has an sad ending with the discovery of her body. It's a mystery that has everyone's attention but few leads or clues. Agent Heslin believes that the key to solving the crime lies with a multi-millionaire who suffered a terrible accident on the same day the deceased disappeared. As she works through the case, her determination propels her to find the answers she needs. It's an intriguing mystery with a surprising conclusion!

Another stellar offering from Jenifer Ruff, who is fast becoming one of my favorite thriller/suspense authors. The latest in the Victoria Heslin series, The Ones They Buried, follows Agent Heslin as she delves into the mystery surrounding a young woman whose remains were found in the woods. I love that the series are designed as standalones, and you can start anywhere and be perfectly up to speed, but the whole series is fantastic and should be read.

I must say, Ms. Ruff added a few problems for Victoria Hesin to overcome to solve this case. I had no clue who the guilty party was until it was revealed in the story. Kudos! I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

Victoria was a determined and effective FBI agent who didn’t know what it meant to give up. She had a puzzler on her hands that had elapsed over time into something unthinkable. Her investigations started down a twisted road with many curves and crooked corners. Not one for leaving things undone, she delved as far back as the clues took her, and what she found was astounding.

It's very hard to find a good thriller / mystery these days and honestly this was a needle in the haystack !! Not to give away to too many spoilers I'll just say this, pick it up NOW!

One year ago, fitness trainer Phoebe Watson suddenly disappeared. Now, a killer‘s tip leads the FBI to her bones. One of Phoebe‘s former clients, Catherine Bower, seems to know more than she previously let on, but Catherine is suffering from early onset Alzheimer‘s, and has been unable to speak or communicate since suffering a severe brain injury a year earlier. As FBI Special Agent Victoria Heslin starts to investigate, she soon finds hints that Catherine‘s accident and Phoebe‘s murder might be connected, leading her down the path of dysfunctional family secrets to unveil the truth about what happened in both women’s lives one year earlier.

I blew through this thriller in a day and thoroughly enjoyed it. Sure, I guess all the revelations correctly, but I have to give the author credit for very clever red herrings that made everyone seem suspect. I also cannot believe this is my first novel involving FBI Agent Victoria Heslin, who seems a capable, likeable investigator with good instincts. I just wish she‘d been given a bit more to do in this book - the story was told mostly from the POVs of Phoebe and Catherine, and the investigation itself took a back seat.

Now excuse me while I‘m off to locate the earlier books in this series.

Thank you to the author, Greyt Companion Press, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Wow! This book is a very fast paced page turner that will completely hook you from the very beginning with its mystery and suspense. I did not figure it out until she told us and I'm normally pretty good at figuring out the "who did it" Such a great ride of a book. 5 stars.
I just reviewed The Ones They Buried by Jenifer Ruff. #TheOnesTheyBuried #NetGalley
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Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. I was not a fan of the writing style and couldn’t get invested in the story. This one just didn’t work out for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free arc in exchange for an honest review

Right out of the gate I think it is worth mentioning that I did not realize this was book number eight in a series when I requested it. However, this book (and I later found all of the books in this series) are written in such a way that they don't overlap and therefore can be enjoyed no matter which one you are reading. I enjoyed being able to jump right in and immediately understand who was who when it came to Victoria and the people she was close to (or worked with).

When it comes to this story as a stand-alone however? It was a little... weird. Catherine has been unable to speak or really do anything for herself since her accident, yet she somehow miraculously is able to say Phoebe's name? The more the story progressed, it seemed a little obvious (to me at least) just who was responsible for Phoebe's murder, although I was surprised to learn of a few other details both having to do with the present day murder, and having to do with a years earlier accident.

There were moments where some chapters seemed to drag on, but I felt that the way Catherine's advancing Alzheimer's disease was portrayed made it easier for the reader to feel more on her side when certain pieces of information were revealed.

That being said, when I found out that all of this series is available on Kindle Unlimited, I have added them to my ever-growing to be read pile as I'm curious to read more from this author.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

This was a terrific book and will definitely look out for more books by Jenifer Duff first one I have read by this author.
Catherine a very wealthy woman with the onset of Alzheimer’s employed Phoebe as a fitness coach she wanted to do everything to keep healthy and strong but that was not to be and she had an accident and was left unable to walk talk or speak.
She heard on the tv that Phoebe had gone missing and somehow she remembered something but could not say anything.
Her husband she thought at the time was having an affair with Phoebe but she had no proof this book then turned into a grear murder mystery.Thanks net galley for giving me an early copy of thus grear book I loved it and hope to read more from thus brilliant author.

My first Jenifer Ruff book and I am already a big fan of her writing.

A fantastically crafted plot which hooked me in very quickly. I was intrigued by Catherine, trapped in her own mind with Alzheimer’s, and clearly with knowledge relating to the disappearance of Phoebe Watson, her former personal trainer.

All of the characters were really well developed and I enjoyed the combination of domestic thriller and police procedural.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Jenifer Ruff and BooksGoSocial for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Agent Victoria Heslin is back for another investigation! This time a prisoner leads the FBI to the discovery of skeletal remains. Is he the one who killed them or was it someone else?! This story is told from multiple POVs from dual timelines. I really enjoyed this book and love this entire series! In this book, I especially loved the character, Deja, who is a care worker that becomes involved in the investigation. She was kind yet spunky.

I highly recommend reading The Ones They Buried, along with the entire Agent Heslin series. These books can be read as standalone novels or in whatever order since the investigations are unique to each book.

Thank you @netgalley for allowing me to read this book ahead of publication in exchange for my honest review.

(This same review was shared on the Barnes & Noble website.)

When a rising fitness star mysteriously vanishes from the public eye, the nation is left in suspense. But what happens when the truth finally surfaces, buried deep in the woods? In Jenifer Ruff's latest crime fiction masterpiece, "The Ones They Buried," FBI Special Agent Victoria Heslin leads readers on a dark and twisted journey into the heart of a captivating mystery.

Phoebe Watson's disappearance is just the beginning of this chilling tale. A year later, her lifeless body is unearthed in a remote, wooded area, shrouded in secrets. But the real intrigue lies with multi-millionaire Catherine Bower, one of Phoebe's former clients. Her life takes a devastating turn following Phoebe's disappearance, and it becomes clear that her accident is inexplicably linked to the young fitness star.

Victoria Heslin, a tenacious FBI agent, senses the connection between Phoebe's murder and Catherine's accident. As she digs deeper into the shadows, a tangled web of secrets and lies unfurls before her. Each revelation takes her one step closer to a shocking truth that will leave readers breathless.

Jenifer Ruff's storytelling prowess shines through in "The Ones They Buried." This crime fiction novel is a rollercoaster of suspense, with every chapter unveiling a new layer of mystery. Ruff's writing keeps you on the edge of your seat, eagerly turning pages as you follow Victoria Heslin's relentless pursuit of justice.

"The Ones They Buried" is the eighth installment in the award-winning Agent Victoria Heslin crime fiction mystery series. While part of a series, this book stands strong on its own, offering a unique and enthralling investigation that can be picked-up without prior knowledge of the series.

If you're a fan of spine-tingling mysteries and psychological thrillers like "Flicker in the Dark" and "The Housemaid," Jenifer Ruff's "The Ones They Buried" deserves a top spot on your reading list. This gripping tale of intrigue, secrets, and relentless determination will leave you craving more from Agent Victoria Heslin's world of crime-solving.

“A pulse-pounding journey into the depths of a chilling mystery. Jenifer Ruff keeps readers guessing until the very end."

"With 'The Ones They Buried,' Ruff cements her reputation as a master of suspense. A must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery."

"Jenifer Ruff's latest installment in the Agent Victoria Heslin series is a tour de force of psychological intrigue. Prepare to be gripped from start to finish."

"Ruff's storytelling prowess shines once again. 'The Ones They Buried' is a gripping addition to the genre, filled with twists that will leave you breathless."

"Agent Victoria Heslin is a character you won't forget. Jenifer Ruff crafts a world of secrets and deception that will keep you turning pages long into the night."

"A web of secrets and lies that will leave you guessing until the final revelation. Ruff's writing is as sharp as ever in this riveting thriller."

"If you love mysteries with complex characters and heart-pounding suspense, 'The Ones They Buried' is your next must-read."

"Jenifer Ruff knows how to keep readers hooked. 'The Ones They Buried' is a rollercoaster of a thriller, perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn and Tana French."

"A compelling standalone novel in the Agent Victoria Heslin series that proves Ruff's talent for crafting gripping mysteries."

"Prepare for a wild ride of secrets, lies, and shocking revelations. Jenifer Ruff's 'The Ones They Buried' is a crime fiction gem."

Jenifer Ruff’s latest crime book is my very first book I’ve read of hers and I don’t know how I have missed all her others. This kept me up way too late reading and I really enjoyed this thriller. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release and for introducing her to me. I will definitely be looking for her other books now. This is to be published October 13, 2023.

This book has an excellent plot and characters, but I really don't like a story that's jumping back and forth in time. However, it's not that difficult to follow, it's entertaining, and it's a good standalone.

This is book#8 in the Agent Victoria Heslin book series. It was an intriguing read and I truly could not put the book down. I recommend it highly!

FBI Special Agent Victoria Heslin is called to investigate the discovery of a body in a remote wooded area. The victim, Phoebe Watson, was a fitness instructor to some wealthy clients and was just rising to fame when she disappeared.

One of Phoebe’s clients was Catherine Bower, an affluent woman who suffers from a life-altering medical condition. Victoria thinks Catherine holds the keys to Phoebe’s last days but can she find a way to communicate with Catherine?

Soon, a deep web of secrets comes to light and Victoria may be able to solve more than one mystery if she finds this killer.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.