One year after she vanished, a body is found, sparking an investigation by the police that centres on a wealthy, paranoid mother and wife.
Some of it was difficult for me to comprehend, and knowing who committed the crime, the conclusion is not a surprise.
With many time lines switching back and forth, I find the chapters tedious.
However, the writing about Alzheimer's disease throughout the piece was insightful and deserving of praise for increasing our knowledge.

First time reader of the author and she didn’t disappoint. A young woman’s body has been found and the case heats up for FBI agent Victoria Heslin as everyone seems to be a suspect. But she will able find the real killer as everyone seems to be hiding something? A family has some secrets that they can’t allow to come out but what happens with everything starts to unravel?
An interesting read with many twists that I didn’t see coming. Great characters that each added something to the storyline.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the copy. This is my voluntary review.

I have mixed feelings about this book. It started really well. It drew me in from the first page, so I had high hopes. The Ones They Buried is about a woman who goes missing and the secrets that are uncovered while trying to solve the case. This book has many different character POVs and covers lots of family drama.

My interest started to dwindle about halfway through. It took me double the time it usually takes me to finish a book, to finish this book. I felt like there were some unnecessary plotlines and certain aspects that felt redundant and didn’t overall contribute to the story. Towards the end, it felt like something really exciting could happen, but then it just… didn’t.

This book is a part of a series but you do not have to read the books in order. There were only a couple of references to the other books, but it was meant to just solidify how good of a detective the main character is. I felt like that aspect was well done because it does make me want to read the other ones.

This book didn’t click for me but if you like police procedural mysteries that have a crime television show vibe, then you will probably like this book!

This is a 2-star read for me. 2.5 being average, I felt like it was below average. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to NetGalley and Books Go Social for kindly giving me an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review. The publication date is October 13, 2023.

I had not previously read any of lie books in this series about FBI agent Victoria Heslin, so I went into this one without any specific expectations, but simply with the hope of reading a good book. My hope was validated by Jenifer Ruff's storytelling.

Phoebe Watson is a young fitness influencer who mysteriously disappears, and is found murdered a year or two later. The means and motive for her death are unclear, but there are suspicions regarding, of all things, a landscape gardener.

After the body of a Jane Doe is discovered in the woods, FBI agent Victoria gets involved in the case. She and her partner Dante Rivera are already involved in tracking down a possible serial killer, and while it is not clear whether the dead woman is connected to that case, Victoria wants to check out any possible links, in the hope of heading off further killings of this kind.

Meanwhile, there has been a curious development. One of Phoebe's previous clients, a wealthy older woman named Catherine, who has had a serious accident in the interim, apparently recognises her from TV news footage, before her body is formally identified.

One of Catherine's carers at the home tips off the authorities about it, and Victoria follows up this unexpected lead. The problem is, Victoria is limited in terms of the information she can get from Catherine because the accident has left the latter with diminished faculties, and she is dealing with the onset of dementia.

This is a well written and interesting story. There are plenty of twists, though it is not impossible to guess who the killer is. But that turns out to be not so important, even if you are one of the people who guess, because the story is so absorbing and such a good read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC.

Special agent Victoria Heslin is back and how!! This is a great murder/ mystery thriller that will keep you engaged all the way through. Although this is the 8th book in the series, it can perfectly read as a standalone. If you, however, like a lot of character building and backstory, I would suggest to read the other books first.

Let's catch a killer!! The story is told in multiple POVs. I absolutely love Victoria and it is very easy to like her as is Dante, her partner. The plot is intriguing and I like the writing style of Jennifer Ruff. I loved how she takes you on this investigation and let you actually be part of the puzzle and I just love to connect clues to unravel the killer. The story has plenty of tension and suspense and if you love Thrillers this book is definitely one you want to read. The whole series is great so give it a shot.

I liked this book but I just couldn't get into the story. I didn't like the writing style but overall the story was good.

This thriller follows the disappearance and murder of Phoebe, a young woman who has a passion for fitness. After a year, her body is discovered and an old trainee, Catherine, utters her name…but, Catherine suffered from a brain injury and has early dementia. With the help from FBI Agent Victoria, can Phoebes family get closure in this case and find the right killer.
Y’ALL THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD. I will say that i did in fact guess the ending on this one, HOWEVER, I truly loved the writing in this one. I know this will not be my last time tagging along on Agent Victoria’s missions. The twists were great and the story made sense. The author added just the right amount of detail to keep you wanting more. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good thriller but also wants a little bit of Olivia Benson energy added to the story.
I want to thank Jenifer Ruff & Books Go Social for my ARC from Netgalley. I can’t wait to read some more.

Absolutely loved this! The writing style just flowed so well and the plot constantly moved forward. I loved that it was descriptive enough to set the scene but wasn't bogged down with the minutae that doesn't add anything to the plot. The characters are well written and well developed and although it wasn't the most twisty of thrillers, i still loved the story!!

When a rising social media health instructor, Phoebe, goes missing and one of her best clients, Catherine, has a debilitating accident so close together no one thinks anything of it. About one year later Phoebe’s body is discovered and Agent Victoria Heslin starts to uncover a tangle of secrets and lies as she tries to uncover what happened to Phoebe Watson.

THE ONES THEY BURIED is the eighth book in the Agent Victoria Heslin Series. This is the first book I have read from this series and it is true that they can be read as stand alone books. Since I did not read any of the previous books I did feel a disconnect from the main character. It felt like I did not really know much about her and I was not truly invested in her. I prefer a lot of character development, especially of the main character. Reading a book from the middle of the series may not be the best for my preferences. This book had deception, secrets, lies, and a whole bunch of mystery. If you are looking for a quick entertaining read with a great female FBI agent I recommend this book!

Thank you NetGalley, Books Go Social, and Jenifer Ruff for the opportunity to read this digital ARC for my honest review.

The Ones They Buried by Jenifer Ruff is the 8th book in the Agent Victoria Heslin thriller series.

Phoebe Watson was a rising star in the fitness world. Then she disappeared. The investigation takes a dark turn when her body is discovered a year later, buried deep in a remote, wooded area.

Only one person seems to know something about those remains—Catherine Bower, one of Phoebe’s former clients. But soon after Phoebe disappeared, Catherine suffered a life-altering accident.

FBI Special Agent Victoria Heslin believes there’s a connection between Phoebe’s murder and Catherine’s accident. As Victoria digs deeper, she uncovers a thick web of secrets and lies, and every thread she untangles points toward a shocking truth.

There were some very good plot twists throughout the story. I liked getting to know Agent Heslin and her team. The story held my interest, and the outcome was satisfying. I had the culprit figured out about halfway through, but I still enjoyed the story and how the plot was unraveled.

This is a standalone book, and as the author stated, each book features a unique crime investigation, which resolves at the end.

I will read more books by this author as I liked the writing style, how the story unfolded with strong characters and good storytelling.

#TheOnesTheyBuried #NetGalley @booksgosocial

It was my first book from this author although I knew it was part of a series I still went ahead and read it because I wanted to see how good the thriller elements are.

The story itself was good, we have a Jane Doe who went missing a year ago and now the discovery of her remains pushes FBI agents to investigate this case. The best part of this story was the writing. I liked how it was neither too descriptive to bore you, nor too brief to leave things hanging abruptly.

Catherine’s character, her struggles and how her motivation shows up throughout the entirety of the book was very interesting for me to witness. Her struggle with Alzheimer’s and how vulnerable she felt at times, I don’t know why but it made me feel somewhat sorry for her. But we get to see how she isn’t weak, she’s willing to fight. And that’s what kept me reading further into the storyline.

The investigative aspects, although lacking in some scenes, still conveyed a sense of police procedural element. But maybe I expected more ahh action? Thriller? Idk

The culprit… well once we get to see Catherine’s family I think it was pretty evident who the killer was. It wasn’t shocking, or surprising. I think the red herrings didn’t really play the part they were supposed to. Maybe if majority of the characters we were introduced weren’t shown to be super suspicious we would have at least had a hard time figuring out who done it. Once the author throws a lot of accusations and circumstantial evidences against red herrings you pretty much know they didn’t do it.

Overall it was a good read, the writing like I mentioned earlier was good. Catherine’s character was the most intriguing one for me. Maybe I’ll try some other books from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an arc.

Having read her other books, this is another winner that readers will enjoy.
The author has given us another powerful thriller, along with secrets and motives in
this prominent family. A killer wanting a reduced sentence if he talks.
Deja as care giver of the mother, alert Victoria of her patient's.reaction to a news bulletin.
Her books are deep in details, and how the killing was covered up
Given arc by Net Galley and bookouter for my voluntary review.

I READ IT ON A BREATH, I COULDN’T PUT IT DOWN, I HAD TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED NEXT. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT IF YOU LOVE A GOOD THRILLER WITH A LOT OF TWISTS.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. Jennifer Ruff has quickly become an automatic read for me in the past year! Her character Victoria in this series is awesome! Each book in this series is better than the last and I cannot wait for another one! Twists, rich characters, and an underlying sense of needing to look over your shoulder will keep you turning the pages well into the night!

I read this in ONE SITTING!!!

Phoebe Watson was a rising star in the fitness world. Then she disappeared.

Wow - first thank you NetGalley, Books Go Social & Jenifer Ruff for this e-ARC.

This is my first time reading Jenifer Ruff & a book from this series. I am now completely hooked & will have to read the others. FBI Agent Victoria Heslin has to be a new favorite character for me & her many dogs & veterinary partner - I want to know more about them!

Great suspense - I kept attempting to put it down down found myself needing one more chapter all the way through finishing. Bravo.

#netgalley #theonestheyburied

This book is a Wow! You have a missing person whose body is found a year later. You have a criminal claiming her as his victim and offering information about the crime in order to get a reduced sentence. Although the investigation is really just to determine if the criminal is actually the perpetrator of the crime, this is a very involved mystery. It is clear that a client of the missing woman knows something about the crime, but this woman's memories are locked inside her head as her mind is ravaged by Alzheimer's. As you delve into the dynamics of the individuals in this household (including staff), you see that each has motive and opportunity. This mystery is so well written and is so complex that the actual perp comes around a corner and smacks you in the face at the end - where did that come from? Fantastic!

"The Ones They Buried," the eighth installment in Jennifer Ruff's Agent Victoria Heslin series, offers readers another intriguing mystery to unravel. While it maintains the series' signature suspense and intricate plotlines, it falls short of reaching the heights of some of its predecessors. I think there as too much POV from the other characters and what happened in the past. This slowed the pace a little.

The novel opens with the mysterious disappearance of fitness star Phoebe Watson and quickly draws readers into the web of intrigue surrounding her case. Ruff excels at creating a palpable sense of tension and keeps the narrative moving at a brisk pace, making it difficult to put the book down. The premise of linking Phoebe's murder to the life-altering accident of multi-millionaire Catherine Bower is promising and adds depth to the storyline.

Special Agent Victoria Heslin continues to be a compelling protagonist, with her determination and sharp investigative skills driving the narrative forward. Ruff's writing style remains engaging, and her ability to craft complex characters and intricate mysteries is evident.

However, "The Ones They Buried" doesn't quite reach the heights of its predecessors in the series. While the plot is gripping, it occasionally becomes convoluted, making it challenging to keep track of all the threads and characters involved. Additionally, some readers might find the resolution of the mystery somewhat predictable, and the shock value falls short of expectations set by earlier books in the series.

Despite these shortcomings, Jennifer Ruff's storytelling prowess shines through, and fans of the Agent Victoria Heslin series will still find much to enjoy in this installment. "The Ones They Buried" is a solid addition to the series, offering a decent mystery with engaging characters. While it may not be the standout installment, it's a worthwhile read for those who have followed Victoria Heslin's investigative adventures. It can also be read as a standalone, as there wasn’t much of a look at Victoria’s personal life.

Thanks to Ms Ruff, Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

I have read all the books in this series. Love the characters of Victoria and Dante.
This book was very good but could have used more of them. The back story Was important overall but i felt like it took over. Definitely recommend but more Victoria and Dante please

Oh, dear! A possibly evil gardener in the first chapter! That’s all I needed to become addicted to this story!

The author, Jenifer Ruff, goes through great lengths to construct incredible legal thrillers that can be read as standalones (which really takes talent by the 8th installment) and, again, she doesn’t disappoint with this twisty tale starring London Fog latte drinker and FBI Agent Victoria Heslin, who has become one of my favorite characters. Victoria has become a better and better investigator, and you’ll never doubt for a moment that this is a competent, intelligent, and caring main character (she goes out of her way to leave positive feedback for people who assist her). I started in the middle of the series, so I am very invested series-wise in “Will she ever marry Ned the veterinarian?” “How many animals will they end up with?” “Is Ned aware that the only meals that Victoria cooks are crockpot meals for her goofy greyhounds?”

In this book, Victoria and her long time partner Dante Rivera are investigating possible ties to an out-of-state serial killer when a Jane Doe is unburied in the local woods. A tip from a caregiver of a mostly silent, brain damaged patient tells Victoria that the lady in the wheelchair saw the TV report of the body discovery and gasped out the victim’s name before it was publicly known. Catherine, the assisted living client, apparently knows something that she can’t communicate, but it’s quickly revealed that the victim was her personal trainer and a top suspect was her landscaper. This may or may not be part of the serial killer case, but Victoria realizes that there’s still a crime to be solved. The novel also contemplates the consequences of early-onset Alzheimer’s and what might happen if you can’t trust your memory.

I love these kinds of police procedurals with plots that unravel as the trusted lead investigator discovers clues and connections, and through sheer intelligence and persistence, the bigger picture emerges and she solves the mystery. In this case, the plot is aided by flashbacks that tell Catherine’s backstory, slowly revealing how she ended up in the nursing home and her involvement with the missing personal trainer. 5 stars for another terrific thriller!

Thank you to Greyt Companion Press and NetGalley for a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO At through the last three Victoria Heslin books (when I started looking), author Ruff has never had a character with green eyes which is sort of flabbergasting. Green tea, green smoothies, green lawns, green veggies, but no green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO Catherine’s home was previously owned by certified gardeners who even labeled their plants. The wisteria is blooming at the right time of year, but there is a mysterious unnamed vine with white flowers — white clematis? Sweet pea? Morning glory? But since this is a thriller, I’d suggest the very poisonous Angel Trumpet Datura.