"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

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.

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