TITLE: WHAT LIES BURIED
AUTHOR: LESLIE KAIN
PUB DATE: 05.14.2024

I read Leslie Kain’s award winning novel, Secrets in the Mirror in 2022, a psychological suspense about twins Devon and Gavin and their mob connected father. Gavin’s story continues in What Lies Buried as his wife Katie tries to make the heart breaking decisions of trying to cope with her volatile relationships and with a toddler in tow.

Another winning read from Leslie Kain and though this book may be enjoyed as a stand alone I was glad to have read the first book that delved into the complexities of the family dynamics and getting to know the characters in-depth. 6 s Reader Views3,015 157

What Lies Buried” is thrilling psychological fiction by award-winning author Leslie Kain. Prepare to be captivated by this one – it’s a tale that stands out with every twist, every character, every moment crafted to challenge expectations.

Gavin is a man struggling with Complex PTSD triggered by a lifetime of mental abuse, as well as witnessing traumatic violence in his family of origin. When Gavin, his wife Katie, and daughter Maggie arrive in Boston to deal with his father’s passing and settle his affairs, dark family secrets involving the mob come to the surface, threatening to drag Gavin even deeper into the depths of instability.

As Katie stands by him with unwavering support, her own life becomes muted with the constant pressures of feeling the only adult in her family, walking on eggshells around Gavin and basically single-parenting their daughter. But even as Gavin becomes more entangled in his illness, Katie finds hope amidst the turbulence, rediscovering her passion for art. Will Katie be able to navigate the fine line between her dedication to her marriage with the urgent need to protect her child and salvage her sense of self?

As the continuing story of Kain’s debut novel, “Secrets in the Mirror,” return readers will ly devour “What Lies Buried” having already developed a deep emotional investment in the fates of these characters. The fitting level of backstory included ensures that new readers me will appreciate how the novel stands on its own. But trust me, you’ll want to go back and catch all the subtleties you missed from book one.

Kain is masterful in her craft, providing an expertly researched, well-informed narrative diving into the chilling realities of PTSD and the effects this illness has on the entire family. The author distinctively and seamlessly weaves in terms and conversations around PTSD to establish a clear understanding of this complex condition and does so while avoiding any sense of lecturing or information dumping. I was shocked at how Gavin was triggered and at the often seemingly innocent situations that affected him.

The characters are endearing and pull at the heartstrings. Gavin is acutely complex as he struggles for a sense of normalcy. Kain draws out strong emotions from her readers as many will vacillate between feeling sorry for Gavin to being outraged at his behavior, even knowing full well that he suffers from a severe mental illness. Katie is a saint. She handles Gavin’s episodes with grace as she strives to be a supportive force to both Gavin and their daughter. This is no easy feat and is often detrimental to her personal well-being. It’s interesting how naturally we step into the characters’ shoes; I found myself aligning more with Katie, instinctively adopting the role of the caregiver rather than the one battling illness in their dynamic.

I cannot give anything away except to say that the ending promises a continuation of this family’s saga. If you enjoy intense psychological thrillers “What Lies Buried” is a story you simply cannot miss. This book ticks all the boxes for me. 5-Stars – highly recommended reading!

Trigger Warning: Caution for Sensitive Content

This story confronts intense themes such as emotional abuse, trauma, and PTSD with unflinching honesty. It takes the reader through the turbulent aftermath of a troubled past, struggling with childhood distress and deep-rooted family issues. Please consider your personal experiences and potential emotional response to such content and prioritize your mental well-being when deciding whether to engage with this book.

2 s Sarahlyn BruckAuthor 3 books122

Suffering the effects of PTSD, Gavin is reeling from the loss of his twin and a lifetime of emotional abuse. But with a loving wife and young daughter by his side, as well as a thriving career running a restaurant, things are starting to look up. When Gavin finds himself returning to Boston to go over his family affairs, he begins to uncover his family’s past, which the Mob doesn’t seem so happy about. Can he learn the truth without losing everything he’s gained? Leslie Kain has written an emotional thriller that will leave readers breathless. 2 s David Morgan849 18

A gut-wrenching look into the struggles of living with complex PTSD.
In this, the follow-up to Secrets In The Mirror, Gavin and Katie are at a crossroads as Gavin fights to get past the trauma and loss in his life Katie is left to pick up the pieces while running multiple businesses and caring for their daughter, Maggie. Things were difficult on Kauai but when Gavin returns to Boston to take care of his father's estate there are triggers around every corner and the Mob is watching. When Katie and Maggie join him in Boston the stakes get even higher when the whole family's lives are threatened. Will Gavin get the help he needs to combat his C-PTSD? Will Katie be able to be the support he needs? Or will the disease and the past ruin everything for all of them?

Wow, what an emotional journey. The author does a great job of conveying what C-PTSD is about while telling a gripping story about trauma, loss and family dynamics. The writing is descriptive and concise, and the plot is well crafted with a leisurely pace. I loved getting both Gavin and Katie's side of things in this one. It made for a well rounded story to lose yourself in. While I'm sure it does well as a standalone I'm glad I read Secrets In The Mirror first as it added to the emotional depth of the characters. Even though Gavin's struggles are hard to read about, I do look forward to reading where the decisions made in this one take the family next.

Thank you to the author, Atmosphere Press and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy and including me on this tour.2 s Carla Damron2

Fasten your seatbelts, readers, because this novel is a tumultuous ride. In this psychological thriller, Gavin is a tortured soul, plagued by complex PTSD that exacerbates his flight and fight responses to the point of endangering others and himself. His wife, Katie, an artist and mother, must balance the well-being of herself and their child against the needs of her psychiatrically disabled husband. This searing look at how mental illness can impact a family is, at times, disturbing, but readers will root for Katie as she struggles to do what is right.

1 Booksandcoffeemx1,936 86

This is the second book in a series, we continue with Gavin and Katie’s story and their struggles with his PTSD. This story is so much more than just a thriller, it’s a complex and gripping family drama that explores abuse, trauma and family dynamics with a bit of mystery. It can be read as a standalone.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.


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