Review

The Buried is a companion novel to The Craftsmen which acts as a prequel and sequel in one as it examines why Florence Lovelady returned to Sabden for the funeral of serial killer Larry Glassbrook and we learn it may not have been her choice. While the events of the first book have barely begun to settle, Florence remembers back to another case she became involved in soon after catching Larry. Even though Larry is in prison waiting to be sentenced, an atmosphere of evil still pervades the town and those sensitive to such things feel that Larry was not necessarily the cause.

In 1999, the skeletal remains of four children are discovered near Black Moss Manor, a children’s home that closed its doors in 1969 after the Glassbrook case. The results of the autopsy confirm that the skeletons have been there for decades but Florence is not so sure and gets an independent opinion that contradicts that report. The story then flashes back to 1969 just after Larry’s arrest when Florence is drawn into a case when a young woman, Marigold, who has Down’s syndrome is brought into the station with wild claims that someone means her harm. Heavily pregnant, Marigold gives birth in the station with the help of Sally Glassbrook who ends up taking Marigold and her baby son back home with her. Even though Marigold’s story keeps changing, Florence thinks there is definitely something going on at Black Moss Manor.

Sally and her daughters, Cassie and Luna, are being treated like pariahs in the town and it makes for uncomfortable reading as they try to get on with their lives. However, Sally is in for a nasty surprise when Larry’s business partner, Roy Greenwood, reveals he owns her house and plans to move in with his mother. Roy is a sinister character and his presence in the Glassbrook house leaves all the women in a vulnerable position when he makes it clear he is looking for more than companionship. When strange things start to happen around the house, Sally learns the painful truth that the local police have no interest in helping her.

Back in 1999, we also learn that Cassie has returned to Sabden to reclaim her old boyfriend, John Donnelly, and is using witchcraft to achieve her goal. As Cassie meddles with John’s family, old secrets rise to the surface and some unanswered questions are finally resolved but the revelations also put Cassie in grave danger. As the darkness grows around Sabden, the witches have to pull together to try to defeat it. The supernatural aspects are heightened in this novel along with the creepiness factor, however I don’t think this book matches the first one and I found it irritating in some respects as it retread a lot of old ground. Nevertheless, it is another winner from Sharon Bolton and it is satisfying to watch the women of the town pulling together.