*https://mrsbbook.wordpress.com

Freelance copywriter and editor Matthew Ryan Davies has delved into the world of general fiction with his domestic suspense novel, Things We Bury. A story of secrets, family ties, tragedy, trauma and relationships, this is a poignant modern fiction tale.

Things We Bury follows three siblings who come together after time apart when a tragedy strikes at the heart of their family fold. When the patriarch of their family is involved in a horrific car accident, the aftershocks ripple through this already fragile group. Josh is a man experiencing difficultly in proving his innocence following a sexual harassment claim. Meanwhile Jac is finally walking down the isle after years as a single woman. Jac is faced with some issues that may impact her decision to become a married woman. Finally, Dane is the rock of the family, helping to prop up his siblings as the weight of their father’s terrible accident takes hold. But Dane knows the family business is not running as it should, corners are being cut and it may get this family in hot water. What will happen when a life altering secret is revealed while their father clings on for dear life? Will locked truths finally be revealed?

With a glowing front cover endorsement from Australian contemporary fiction powerhouse Sally Hepworth, Things We Bury soon lured me in. I do gravitate towards domestic fiction books that focus on secrets, family tensions, and old scars, so I was eager to delve into the first domestic fiction release from Matthew Ryan Davies. I am pleased to report that Things We Bury is an impressive slice of general fiction.

Matthew Ryan Davies takes a slow burn approach to his novel. With ample time devoted to setting the scene and introducing the characters, the reader is fully immersed in the emotions surrounding a devastating accident that seriously injures a father. Davies teases out the raw feelings, emotions and general anxiety surrounding this situation. Davies also allows the reader to place themselves in the shoes of the various family members touched by this tragedy, gradually unveiling the varied responses to this trying situation. I’m not sure how I would react to such a terrible car accident, but the responses of the family members appeared to be authentic. I could sympathise with each protagonist thanks to the emotive prose. I also appreciated the focus on family dynamics, sibling relationships and parental connections. I gained an insight into a family and the individuals of that family fold placed under duress.

Things We Bury is an inspective and conflict filled novel. With themes of tragedy, shock, secrets, mistakes, mental illness, abuse, seclusion, the past, time and community relations, Davies has produced a moving family drama. Grief has a significant role to play in the direction of this story, which allows the reader to take away some important sentiments regarding depression and male healthcare. Davies treats the darker themes in his novel with care and sensitivity, which ensures that this powerful story is respectfully acknowledged. With community support linking connecting to both the narrative and the characters, Things We Bury is a novel with a strong line of hope, despite the pressing themes.

A novel that I hold a great deal of respect for due to the issues raised, Things We Bury is a dexterous modern fiction production from Matthew Ryan Davies.

*Thanks extended to Pan Macmillan for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
2022-books first-reads review-book8 s Karen GinnaneAuthor 8 books16

This is such a cleverly plotted, richly characterised story, full of suspense and gradual reveals. Davies brilliantly evokes small town and family dynamics - and the claustrophobia that can occur - and balances this with utterly believable character development for all. A beautifully written page turner with characters that leap off the page - it has both pace and depth and I highly recommend. 3 s Lahra12

What a great read, I could feel myself walking down the streets of Pent. I emphasised with ask the characters, each were flawed but perfect just how they were. A detailed story of modern rural Australia, with not a cliche in sight. I highly recommend this book.2 s Laura357 21

Three siblings, reunited in their home town, are struggling to deal with the fallout of a car crash that almost killed their father. This, on top of everything else life is throwing at them.

There’s Josh, trying to save his marriage and TV career in the wake of a public sexual harassment scandal.

Jac, who has always been single, is suddenly, unbeknownst to her family, getting married.

And Dane, ever honest and dependable, is running the family business while their father is in hospital. But not everything is above board.

A mysterious list of names. Long-buried family secrets. Old, festering wounds.

An interesting story with lots to unpack and go through. On the surface you have a dysfunctional family who clearly find it challenging to spend so much time in close proximity to each other.

Then there are family secrets that have been hidden deep below the surface that the siblings must unpack to find the reason their father almost died.

The family is an addiction that you need to get into, but at the same time I didn’t really enjoy any of them or their stories. It was another one of those - I can’t put it down but I also don’t love it stories. 1 Craig / Phil1,645 86

A fresh voice in the contemporary fiction genre has emerged with a compelling sib squad family drama, fuelled with grief and emotion.
A small town setting hosts the reunion under sad and trying circumstances.
An accident has put their father in a coma, a hasty reunion will see them reminisce, reflect on their lives and deal with grief as individuals.
It’s a time where hopes and regrets can become clearer.
Dane is running the family business whilst his dad is absent and discovers discrepancies and secrets that can rock the integrity of the firm.
Josh is a TV personality who is dealing with his own scandal.
Jac is in the police force and has to confront her own truth, letting her past and future align emotionally.
Unearthed revelations and a turn of events will rock their world.
I thank Mrs B for bringing this book to my attention in her review, it was a story that resonated immediately and I just had to read it.
A well written plot coupled with a great cast had me drawn in from the beginning.
The essence of sibling relationships and the strains in-laws and potential partners captured so well.
A read I would recommend.

1 Shyler Marie28 3

TW: Suicide

This one took me a bit to get into. It was good but it was a struggle and I quite honestly nearly DNF'd it.

But I can't quite remember what point it was that made me go ahhh! But it happened, and then it was a struggle to stop reading.

It was a well written book about the family dynamics after a tragic loss. The way the author has depicted everyone's grief in various ways is incredible. It is true that we all deal differently when it comes to grief and loss.

One of my favourite moments in this book is one where Dane makes a speech talking about Depression, and mental health and how the town (and everywhere else) is quick to make accommodations to aid those with physical limits - ie ramps for wheelchairs, in the case of this story speedhumps, etc. But when it comes to mental health we are left to deal with it on our own and often alone. He makes a compelling case about how that is the time we do need to stick together and this rings true for "real life" too and not just this story.

Overall, this was a good book, it was slow to pick up but then got deep and had some very hard hitting points. 1 Michele (michelethebookdragon)248 4

Things we Bury is a poignant and unflinching look at a dysfunctional family, and how they deal with a tragic accident.

We meet siblings Dane, Jac and Josh - all together for the first time in a while, back in their home town of Pent in country Victoria, after their father's serious car accident.

Dane who stayed in Pent working for the family construction business and marrying the girl he got pregnant. Does he really want to take the reins at Harding Construction? Is everything about their latest project above board?

Jac who moved away when she got her heart broken and joined the police force in Sydney. Jac is planning on marrying the much older Gil, but what will she do when she bumps into Amy, her first love?

Josh who had a career in TV, but who may have thrown it all away if the social media buzz is correct. Josh has a chance to repair his relationship with Jordan but may have to tell the truth for once.

This story was compelling and had scenarios we would all be familiar with, sibling rivalry, parents with favourite children, family secrets and people wanting to blame everyone but themselves for their circumstances.

I really enjoyed this book and after reading the author's other novel, The Broken Wave, will recommend his books readily.1 Ricci Mishel2

This book was a great read. A few very different characters but all entwined through a common theme.
We read this for our book club and the discussions it brought up were thought provoking and interesting. We were also lucky enough to sit and chat with the author which brought a whole new element to how I felt about this book. Can not wait for his next one :) 1 Jade29

The things we bury should include this book. Seriously, don’t waste your time. Literally nothing happened in this book. 1 Eleni247 4

Don't bother...a total bore.1 Leanne Cramond181

There is very little out in the world of fiction that deals with men’s themes surrounding the struggle with isolation and depression. Matt’s debut novel entwines these extremely well within a page-turning story about very real people we meet every day and it certainly made me look at these concerns in a new light. Of course, these important issues don’t just affect men, but as we know they are much more ly to be kept hidden or glossed over with men whereas women are much more inclined to talk about problems. This book also shows just how these things can subtly influence the whole family and their individual relationships over time. But it is also a novel about hope and the power of a community to come together when it is needed the most.

Jac, Josh and Dane are three siblings who are reunited in their small Victorian country home town after their father ends up in hospital in a coma after a car accident which the police suspect was a suicide attempt. All three of them struggle with their own relationship failures and are now questioning everything they thought they knew about their father. Did he really want to kill himself and if so, why? He is well respected in town, has a good business, many friends and a supportive wife, so why would he suddenly want to end it all? But all is not what it seems not only in this family but in the business and town itself...

The story itself is set over a period of about 10 days but is told from all 3 children’s perspectives as the reader gradually discovers the secrets and regrets that are always bubbling just below the surface in all of us.
A very good first novel.



1 Pan Macmillan Australia115 41 Read

There is very little out in the world of fiction that deals with men’s themes surrounding the struggle with isolation and depression. Matt’s debut novel entwines these extremely well within a page-turning story about very real people we meet every day and it certainly made me look at these concerns in a new light.

Of course, these important issues don’t just affect men, but as we know they are much more ly to be kept hidden or glossed over with men whereas women are much more inclined to talk about problems. This book also shows just how these things can subtly influence the whole family and their individual relationships over time. But it is also a novel about hope and the power of a community to come together when it is needed the most.

Jac, Josh and Dane are three siblings who are reunited in their small Victorian country home town after their father ends up in hospital in a coma following a car accident which the police suspect was a suicide attempt. All three of them struggle with their own relationship failures and are now questioning everything they thought they knew about their father. Did he really want to kill himself and if so, why? He is well respected in town, has a good business, many friends and a supportive wife, so why would he suddenly want to end it all? But all is not what it seems not only in this family but in the business and town itself….

The story itself is set over a short period of time but is told from all 3 children’s perspectives as the reader gradually discovers the secrets and regrets that are always bubbling just below the surface in all of us.

An excellent first novel.

- Leanne Courts211 review1 follower

Things we bury is a great read. On the surface it is a typical family drama but it explores generational trauma and the search for meaning in our lives.

It will speak well to Generation Y/Melennials with boomer parents who grew up in the turn of the 21st century. They talk about a loss of opportunity for Gen Ys as they grew up in the midst of a huge cultural change (internet, social media, change/down turn of economics) and the confusion and feelings of loss amounts the protagonists reflect this. We are often portrayed as wasteful, avocado smashing hipsters who lack direction and change jobs every five seconds. Approaching middle age the characters are reflecting on the direction of their lives and who they originally aspire drove. The book talks a lot about disconnect amongst the family and the wider community and prevalence of depression.

The main characters grate a bit at first but as you uncover the layers of their personalities and as they do grow on you even Ma/Blaise who can be both cold and warm to her children. An example of this is how she babies and keeps his room the same yet growing up never attended his events or took him away for holidays.

I felt there was a lot to unpack, would recommend to a book club.
Gavan510 11

A reasonably good "family drama" that sensitively addresses some key issues depression, men's health, rural environment, planning corruption & #metoo. The characters are well drawn & the plot well paced, but for me the the best aspect of the book is that the dialogue is very well written & natural. Good closure on the plot, with enough uncertainty about what's next. Corinne Johnston782

Cleverly plotted book that would connect to anyone with siblings and parents with lots of unresolved life issues stemming back years - that is most of us! The town was interesting, all the characters were quite believable, especially as a few of them kept making the same mistakes in life and love over and over again. Some dark themes, but some lighthearted moments as well. Faye Weston119

A family drama that starts off slowly as you get to know the three siblings. They are complicated and annoying but as I delved deeper I forgave their inadequacies and plodded along as if I was their mother. Eventually, the plot unfolds and a sensitive approach to the subject of depression is exposed. The book is clever, honest and ambitious but not very able. R.W.R. McDonaldAuthor 4 books89

Loved this, for so many reasons – the writing was excellent with vivid, fully realised characters, capturing of family dynamics and sibling relationships, the intergenerational dealing with grief, mental health, regional Australia. But above all for me it was the exploration of the impact of legacy. Sharon J491 33

A compelling family drama set in small Victorian town in a fictional town in the Wangaratta area. The characters were well developed and the story was full of sorrow but also hope and even joy. Excellent title as it encapsulates many aspects of the story. Highly recommended read!library-book Christine788

Contrary to some of the other , I struggled to stay engaged with this novel. I didn’t particularly warm to the characters and I wasn’t intrigued to find out what was behind the family turmoil. I fast forwarded to the end and found it to be fairly predictable.echuca-library-audio Mary Roland318 1 follower

A good story about a family who come together following the father’s car accident. Each of them come to some realizations in their grief which will in turn lead on to some closure and meaningful direction. Well worth a read. Amy18

An interesting look into familial relationships, inherited trauma and social connection.

What do we wilfully ignore? Why? What effect does this have?

How do we move forward when we have blinkers on? Shane268 4

Wasn’t completely happy with the neat ending, but I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the book. I was hoping for a twist or two and was coming up with some pretty crazy theories as it all came to a head. Jennifer610

What a tangled family! They all have their secrets, some worse than others, but they are all very able characters. Some lives worked out OK, others didn't, but I enjoyed reading all about the Harding family.
Megg Ross22

It was a well written book with a very good message, but I did feel not a great happened until the last 100 pages or so, and even the I wasn’t on the edge of my seat. Denise Tannock484 1 follower

Slow start and I didn't feel the issues regarding the business, nor Jac were resolved satisfactorily. Christine Davie263

Listened on audio and the narrator wasn't one of the better ones .. didn't help.

Book was ok . I feel parts of the plot dragged on and the more interesting parts didn't get enough attention. Gigi18

It wasn’t bad, it wasn’t good, it was just so-so. I didn’t really connect with the siblings or believe their dynamic. Gita1 review

Unexpected. An interesting perspective on families. Smay Moore240 24

TW: mental health, mentions of SA and self harm/ suicide.

None of the characters in this book felt overly warm, and then the ending felt too happy in comparison to the rest of the dark book. Kylea47

Autor del comentario:
=================================