Cover Image: Buried

Buried

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Member Reviews

This bookwas ok for me I enjoyed it but it isn't as good as some of her books. It had bits of action on it but because it kept going to the past it confused me

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Buried, the thrilling new crime series from Lynda La Plante, introduces us to the enigmatic Detective Jack Warr.

Moving to London to start a new life with his girlfriend Maggie, Jack finds himself drawn into a case which has the potential to alter his future forever. When the charred body of a man and a fortune in stolen, untraceable bank notes are found in a fire at an isolated cottage, Jack begins to unravel a tangled web of criminal connections and is pulled into an underworld of danger and deceit.

Told in Lynda La Plante's typically vivid style, Buried follows Jack as he confronts moral dilemmas, pushes against the boundaries of the law, and makes life-threatening choices. This is a riveting crime drama full of gripping tension, strong characters and vivid settings, making it an exciting start to an absorbing new series.

If you’re a fan of gripping mysteries, then you should definitely give Buried a read – you won’t regret it.

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Another great crime book from this author.
The plot is mysterious and complex. The characters are well developed.
A great book and start to a series

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I really enjoyed Buried and loved the fact the fact that followed on slightly from the old Lynda la Plante series featuring Dolly Rawlings and her motley crew of train robbers.

Although some of the characters are long gone, we learn more of what happened following the fateful night Dolly was shot down and how this is linked to the current story investigated by DC Jack Warr and his colleagues.

Really enjoyable and a solid start to a new series!

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Even though I have watched numerous dramatisations of Lynda La Plante’s novels this is the first that I have read. And what an introduction it is! Even though it is the start of a series featuring a new team of detectives there are strong links to the book series Widows. I was pleased that I knew that storyline, even though I would have still enjoyed this novel without knowing anything about it.

My first reaction when reading this novel was that the author writes in away that reflects her enthusiasm and personality when she is being interviewed. At a very past pace and one that is very refreshing. Jack, her lead, wasn’t a saint and he often came to close to crossing the fine line in more than just criminal activity. He was probably one of the more convincing fictional detective I have met when reading crime fiction. You saw his strengths, his weaknesses and his frustration at having his efforts ignored or not being able to be proven. You also saw his devotion to his partner and his adoptive parents and the guilt he felt with his ongoing determination to find his birth father. With his team members I felt a combination of liking, annoyance and sympathy towards all three. None of these characters approached their jobs in the same way, again I felt this was a true reflection of detection.

The women that Jack was investigating were people that I struggled to judge. Some I had a lot of sympathy for, a couple I really liked and wanted to know more about. Some of them made me laugh and there were more poignant moments the more I read. I would definitely be interested in reading the Widows series and I’m looking forward to reading the second book in this series.

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Lynda La Plante can do no wrong in my opinion and this book did not disappoint. Well written, full of fascinating characters and an excellent storyline. I would thoroughly recommend.
Thank you Netgalley and Bonnier Books for giving me the opportunity to give my unbiased opinion.

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I very much enjoyed this book. It has a good story and excellent main characters. I would definately recommend this book.

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I always enjoy Lynda La Plante books and this didn’t disappoint, but I must admit that I enjoy the Jane Tennyson series better. This book is a follow on to the Widows and ties into the Great Train robbery and we are introduced to a new detective Jack Warr. I really warmed to him and look forward to reading more about him in the future. A highly recommended read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

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I just love this authors Books and I was so excited when Lynda La Plante had a new book out.
Buried is the new DC Jack Warr series and it was Brilliant. This new book is based in London and the new lead main character is Detective Constable Jack Warr of the Metropolitan Police Serious Crime Division.
Jack has recently relocated from Devon to London with girlfriend Maggie. Maggie works at the local hospital and is a trainee surgeon, she's moved here to gain more experience in this area. Jack was called in to investigate a fire. A pristine but isolated Rose Cottage near Aylesbury was burned to the ground and in the charred remains of an unknown person has been found inside the cottage along with a lot of old banknotes that is out of circulation laying in the fireplace.
Jack and his team need to find out who the burnt person is and where all this money has come from. Whilst investigating

Jack and his team come across a link from a old unsolved case where £27 million was stolen from a train robbery in 1995.

Is this related to the dead person found in the Rose Cottage and what is the Link to all this money!

Brilliant book with lots of twists and turns throughout. I loved it. I highly recommend this book and looking forward to the next one in the new series.

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Zaffre USA for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

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Buried is the first book in a brand new series featuring DC Jack Warr and what a fabulous introduction it is! Lynda La Plante isn’t known as the Queen of Crime for nothing and in this book she shows us exactly why she’s been a bestselling author at the top of her game for so many years.

I was drawn into the story from the very first page, with the link to the author’s previous novels Widows and Widows Revenge apparent from the outset. I loved the new characters that are introduced and was pleased to see so many strong female characters alongside charismatic young DC, Jack Warr. Jack has moved to London to help further the career of his girlfriend Maggie, but instead finds himself drawn into investigating a cold case from 1995.

A charred body has been found in a burnt and derelict cottage, alongside the remains of millions of stolen, untraceable bank notes – the hidden legacy of Dolly Rawlings and her gang of Widows. Jack soon finds himself embroiled in a murky underworld of corruption and crime and will stop at nothing to get to the truth. And as if this isn’t enough, Jack’s adoptive father shares that he has terminal cancer, leading to a personal investigation into the young DC’s past as he tries to uncover the truth about his own identity.

Lynda La Plante has written yet another gripping thriller that I’m sure will soon become a firm favourite. Full of the twists, turns and strong characterisation we’ve come to expect, Buried is a fast paced read that once started you will not want to put down.

A strong start to a fantastic new series that I would highly recommend.

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I grew up in a house where if Lynda La Plante's name was on a programme then we watched it. I was, in those days, star-struck as they always seemed so much more real than anything else that was on. When I found out that she was bringing a new book out that would be the start of a series I knew that I had to read it.
What begins as a mysterious fire in a disused country cottage ends with the discovery of charred remains of a body and buddles of burnt money which are no longer legal tender.
DCI Simon Ridley heads the investigation with DC Jack Warr the proverbial square peg in a round hole. Jack has never felt that drive that he knows others have. He and his girlfriend Maggie have moved to London recently so she can push the career which she has a passion for. When Jack hears that his mother and father are selling up and taking a cruise to make most of their remaining time together because of his father's terminal cancer, he is devasted. Jack had been adopted when he was little but never wanted to find his roots but his dad gives him his blessing and the push he needs to find out who he really is.
The story drops back into the past with a masterful collection of superb characters that you need to find out about yourself. While Jack begins on a journey of self-discovery of his own beginnings, but a bit like Pandora's box, once the truth is out he simply cannot unknow the facts. Both nature and nurture do their own dance in making him into the character that he ends up.
A brilliant start to a series that I shall keep on top of with every new addition. There is a new Jack Warr and I want to see how he plays out.
I wish to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.

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Detective Constable Jack Warr and his colleagues are investigating the discovery of a burnt body in an abandoned cottage and a potential link to a train robbery from 30 years ago. The case leads Jack along a more personal route as he learns more about the criminal underworld that his birth parents were involved in.
The plot of Buried is fast paced with flashbacks to old events to show their impact on the present day. A group of female criminals are living in a manor house in the 1990s but rivalries and arguments lead to murder. Could these women be linked to the train robbery? The police at the time thought not and were unable to trace the missing millions. Now, some of the money has been recovered alongside the unidentified corpse in a nearby cottage that once belonged to a police officer.
Unusually for a police series, Jack is at the beginning of his career and still a constable so there is plenty of potential for future books. I found Jack's character a bit strange at first; listless and going through the motions at work. Then Jack finally finds his passion, inspiration and ambition with this case, and his tenacious determination leads him to take less than professional interest in the investigation and his suspects. Could his birth parents be involved and is his father still alive...?
I admit that I found Buried a little confusing as there were so many peripheral characters in the past and present. However, I also felt that this led to the book being realistic as there must be multiple layers to any police investigation and many viewpoints that contribute to the resolution of a case.
The personal side of the story especially the imminent death of Jack's adoptive father is devastating and really pulls at the heartstrings. His guilt and mixed emotions as he explores his birth parents' past is raw and makes this book much more than simply a crime novel.
Lynda La Plante's narrative tone is equally sympathetic to the police and the criminals. There is a confidence and familiar feel to her writing even though it has been years since I last read one of her books. I believe that this is the first book in a new series and there is plenty of scope for further books featuring Jack Warr (no spoilers about the outcomes for his family and career!)

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Lynda La Plante writes the first in a new series featuring Detective Constable Jack Warr of the Metropolitan Police’s Serious Crime Division.

Jack has recently relocated from Devon to London with girlfriend Maggie. He investigates when a rural Victorian property, the isolated but well-kept Rose Cottage near Aylesbury, is destroyed by fire. The charred remains of a corpse are found, along with around £1.8 million of old banknotes just lying in the fireplace. Jack and his colleagues know how hard it will be to solve the case due to the lack of forensics as any evidence that could have existed will now be a pile of ashes. However, their enthusiasm is renewed when they realise there is a link to an unsolved cold case in which £27 million was stolen during a train robbery in 1995.

Though the principal character is Jack, the investigating team is led by DCI Simon Ridley and also on the team are DC Anik Joshi and DS Laura Wade. While the case is ongoing, Jack embarks on a journey of self-discovery and is stunned when he discovers his family are knee-deep in this assignment. As he learns the truth about his own identity, Jack finds himself becoming increasingly aggressive, stopping at nothing to root out the truth...

I'm really pleased I decided to take a chance with Buried as I really enjoyed it. There were many different threads to the plot creating a great multilayered tale and the narrative moved seamlessly between past and present. The plot was wonderfully executed with its swift pacing, plenty of drama, twists, turns and misdirection. The cast of characters were full of personality, intrepid and very engaging. Main protagonist Jack was a bit of an unwilling saviour, though I warmed to him as the story developed. There was never a dull moment in this cracking read, which was a gritty cocktail of mystery and danger. A thoroughly entertaining police procedural complete with an ambiguous denouement, this was a thrilling and all-round marvellous read. I am already looking forward to seeing what Lynda La Plante has in store for DC Jack Warr in future books.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel at my request from Zaffre via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

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With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

The story started with a fire at Rose Cottage, a derelict cottage previously owned by an ex mounted police woman. Inside the cottage the charred remains of a man were found and burnt banknotes were found in the fireplace.

The case was handed over to DC Jack Warr of the METS Serious Crime unit and his colleagues. Jack soon suspected the money came from.a train robbery committed in.1995 near Rose Cottage.

Early on in the story Jack discovered his adopted father Charlie was terminally ill. Before going on a dream cruise Charlie disclosed the name of Jack`s biological father if he wanted to trace him.

The infamous Dolly Rawlins from the Widows trilogy appeared in this story. Unfortunately I only read the first book so I.was unfamiliar with her other cohorts, because of this I found the plot a bit complicated at times.

Apart from that the plot was fast paced with never a dull moment. I enjoyed Jack`s journey to find his real father and how it paralleled with his current investigation.

I liked Jack.and his understanding girlfriend Maggie. I also liked his boss DCI Ridley and his jostle to power with DC Anik Joshi.

I think.Buried was an exciting introduction to DC Jack Warr. I look forward to see what happens next for Jack and Maggie.

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Well - this was my first taste of Lynda La Plante, but what a place to start. From very early on in this book I could tell I was going to enjoy the mystery and boy was I right. Murders, heists, old-time London Gangsters and a brand new Detective in DC Jack Warr who is floundering, trying to find his place in life and finally finding his long needed excitement in a tale which is as old as he is. Older even ...|

I don't want to say too much about the story itself as I think this is on that needs to be uncovered in stages, the many twisting and intricate threads of an undeniably complex story being drawn together in such a careful and yet satisfying manner that needs to be read to be appreciated. What can be said, and what is obvious from the blurb, is that the discovery of a body at the heart of a house fire leads the Detectives to a mystery that has remained unsolved in over twenty years, and to a group of criminals who have remained hidden in plain sight after pulling off one of the most daring and lucrative thefts the country had ever seen.

One of the things i enjoyed most about this story is the simple way in which the author sets the story up for readers. I found myself becoming so invested in the characters, in such a short space of time, that it was a pleasure to go on this journey with them. From the main team of Detectives, Jack and his Boss DCI Simon Ridley, and colleagues Laura and Anik, through to the supporting characters such as Jack's partner, Maggie, his parents and the people he comes into contact with during the investigation, each of them was unique, so three dimensional and believable that you felt like you knew them. I really did like Jack and as a new central character to carry the series he is absolutely fascinating. He is a complex soul, even if at first glance he seems a little shallow. the more you read the more you get to know him and there is just something about him, before we learned about his past and the events which are soon to shape him, that makes you want to see him come good. And knowing he's unlikely to play things entirely straight also adds to the charm - he's going to be a hit with readers and I think would translate well to screen too, something probably not unexpected given Lynda La Plante's pedigree.

He is a complete contrast to his boss, Ridley, who is more measured, more driven by process and perhaps a lot more focused than Jack. But they work well together and I think as the series progresses I am really looking forward to seeing how the play for and against each other. But perhaps the most fascinating characters we meet are the people who tie back to that original case from twenty odd years ago. A group of four ex-cons who all appear to be playing it straight having moved on from their pasts and learned from their past mistakes. They are a truly interesting group of people, all with their own personality traits that will make you smile, sometimes make you laugh, the oldest of the four in particular, but will also have you as a reader on guard. Now while I haven't read any of her books before, I have seen some of the TV series so certain things still felt familiar and to regular readers of the author you will probably figure out certain elements of the story quite early on. That said, to those of you coming afresh like I have, it works perfectly well as a standalone and this is very much Jack's story so you can dive right in.

I loved the way in the story just really pulled me in. There is just that surety of writing, of setting the scene and giving readers just enough to keep you on the hook but still create that undeniable tension and mystery when it is needed. And the carefully executed plotting that stays just the right side of plausible while still giving us the chance for that sense of satisfaction as the story play out. I know one thing - now that I have started I don't intend to miss the next instalment. I can't wait to see what Jack gets up to next. He has a new found sense of purpose by the end of the book, certainly a dramatic change in outlook, and I think the possibilities are endless.

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I was so thrilled to get the chance of reading the latest Lynda La Plante, and it was as superb as I expected. It’s a double-plot of a cold case and Jack searching for a relative. The main characters are solidly developed and likeable. You even find yourself sympathising and admiring the criminals involved. It didn’t lose momentum all the way through with an ingenious plot years ago and a further unbelievable follow-up plot decades later. It reminded me so much of the Great Train robbery in the 1960s (Ronnie Biggs) which fascinated me at the time it occurred, then the film made of it and ever since. Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK.

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Buried by Lynda La Plante is the debut novel of DC Jack Warr series. This is the author’s first new series in five years and Lynda La Plante is currently working on the script for Buried. I found Buried to be well-written with complex characters and an intriguing crime. DC Jack Warr and his partner, Maggie have moved to London. The made the move because Maggie will have more opportunities in London to further her career as an orthopedic surgeon. Jack’s career has been stagnant thanks to his lack of ambition and he has not found an area of police work that excites him. DCI Simon Ridley decides to give Jack a chance and gives him a place in his Serious Crime Squad. Then a case from Aylesbury is brought to the unit’s attention and Jack cannot wait to dive into the investigation. When investigators were able to enter the remains of Rose Cottage, they found a body along with over a million pounds in burnt currency that is now obsolete. The money was from the 1995 robbery of a train where over 30 million pounds were stolen. Police never identified the robbers nor had any solid leads. Jack is quick to dive into the case which takes him into the murky criminal world where a person can quickly find themselves breaking a few rules while searching for answers. Jack is also dealing with the death of his adopted father who provides him with a file of information that will help him find information on his biological father. Jack begins digging into the past and uncovers some surprising information. I found the case to be interesting, though, I was disappointed that the answers are revealed as the book progresses instead of at the end. One of the reasons I like to read mysteries is because I like solving the case. The story plays out with flashbacks into the past revealing key details of the crime and about Jack. Buried is a police procedural story involving the Serious Crime Squad which consists of DCI Ridley, DS Laura Wade, DC Anik Joshi, and DC Jack Warr. There is intrigue, tricky characters, gangs, stolen money and much more. It is a multifaceted novel with everything tying together into a cohesive whole. The ending was unresolved (cliffhanger). I wonder if the case will continue in the next DC Jack Warr novel. I did like the epilogue. I was confused, though, at times and felt I was missing something. I did not know that this series ties into the Widows series by this author. I believe it would have been beneficial if I had read Widows, Widow’s Revenge and She’s Out. I do want you to know that there is foul language and intimate innuendos (and comments) in this book. Buried is a fascinating mystery with a flaming fire, police procedures, a by-the-book boss, clever criminals, and a conflicted character.

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There is always something satisfying about settling down to a new novel by Lynda La Plante, that feeling of anticipation and excitement. Once again I was instantly drawn in, the depth of characters, the continual snippets of new information sprinkled carefully through the narrative. DCI Jack Warr isn’t a typical police officer with burning ambition, keen to make sergeant and his apathy is beginning to grate on his superiors, that is until his new murder investigation is likely to link to the 1995 train heist, the biggest haul of unmarked bills ever to go missing and not to be recovered. Suddenly Jack realises that his hunt for his biological father might overlap their latest murder. Aylesbury police and fire investigation team have discovered a body in the burnt out remains of Rose cottage, once the home of mounted police officer Norma Walker. In the fire place are piles of old notes no longer legal tender, but definitely part of the money from the train robbery of 1995. As the tale unfolds Jack begins an investigation into the women of The Grange, all dismissed from the investigation previously, despite their criminal backgrounds and links to organised crime. Simultaneously, Jack is trying to locate his biological father’s whereabouts. Will they find the missing money? Will they locate the perpetrators and will Jack’s personal obsessions lead him astray?
Once again a beautifully woven story by this incredible writer, revisiting the wonderful widow Dolly Rawlins and her little gang do women, This fabulous read had me enthralled from start to finish and I can’t wait to read more of DCI Warr.

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It’s Buried’s publication day. Congratulations to Lynda La Plante and thanks to Tracy Fenton for the invite to take part in the tour and to the publisher for the Netgalley review copy.

Anyone who watched the TV series ‘Widows’ back in the 1980’s and who has read the earlier books by Lynda La Plante will be familiar with the name of Dolly Rawlins. Dolly was married to Harry Rawlins, the mastermind of many robberies. Buried is not exactly a sequel to the series and is the start of a new series in its own right, but there is a continuation of sorts from the storyline of the previous books with familiar names. Don’t worry if you haven’t read or heard of any of the previous stories, this can easily be read without prior knowledge as sufficient back histories are given.

This new series features Jack Warr, a DC with the Met’s Serious Crime Squad who, with his girlfriend Maggie has moved from Devon to London to further advance Maggie’s career as a doctor. Jack is a restless character; attractive and charming he is extremely good at his job when he puts his mind to it but he just seems to coast along.

However, when a burned body together with fragments of burnt bank notes known to be from an unsolved train robbery of over 20 years before are discovered at a cottage in the grounds of a property with connections to Rawlins, Jack is tasked with investigating both current and historic crimes and when his personal life is turned upside down, he unexpectedly ends up with a foot on either side of the law.

Never underestimate a woman! The group of women in this story bear witness to that – they are resourceful and clever and I enjoyed seeing how their story would unfold and what the conclusion would be.

Jack is very much someone who follows his instinct, unlike his DCI, Simon Ridley, a methodical man who does everything by the book. This leads to the two of them clashing with Jack wanting to follow certain leads whilst Ridley insisting that he should look elsewhere.

It took a while for me to warm to Jack and I did wonder at times why his partner Maggie put up him with him. At times he was arrogant and selfish and at others a lost soul however one thing he had going for him was his ability to think outside of the box, unlike his hapless colleague DC Anik Joshi who was probably one of the most useless DCs in crime fiction.

Buried has a fast pace, and although there are many characters which can be confusing to start with, I soon got to grips as to where everyone fitted in. The plot is twisted and complex with a conclusion that leads to an exciting premise to Jack’s character in book 2. An extremely good start to a new series.

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Buried by Lynda La Plante.
DC Jack Warr and his girlfriend Maggie have just moved to London to start a new life together. Though charming, Jack can't seem to find his place in the world - until he's drawn into an investigation that turns his life upside down.
A brilliant read. Lots of action and suspense. Had no idea who did it.
I liked Jack. He was my favourite. 5*.

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