I did not like this book. That is all. I slogged through and finished it because I was hoping there would be some redeeming quality to this story but it was just sad and depressing and I felt anxiety for this little boy all the way through. I'm beginning to think literary fiction is just not my genre. ( )

This book made me think of To Kill a Mockingbird. Perhaps not so much the story in itself, but, the fact that the narrator, Jasper, is only a child that abruptly has to face some serious issues when his mother leaves him at his uncle's farm. Just as Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird had to face racism and injustice Jasper comes face to face with the world where grown-ups are not always good. Jasper just can't understand why his mother has left him, and he tries the best he can to figure out why his mother left him and if she is coming back.

I have previously read another book, The Dead Key by Pulley, and it was an OK book. However, this book managed to really hook me from the start. I think having the past story of his mother growing up revealed through her diary was perfect for the story and throughout the story could one really feel how Jesper desperately tried to find out what happened to his mother. The life on the farm isn't bad, but it's not the world he is accustomed to and to make matters worse, the police seem to be looking for his mother as well. Could it be that she has done something bad?

I really felt for Jasper as I read the book. The grown-up world is dangerous and it's not always easy for him to understand things. He is only nine and he misses his mom. His father is searching for her, but he thinks it's best that Jasper is staying at the farm and there Jasper has a good new home, with his cousin and his family. But, finding his mother's diary gives him clues to her fast and perhaps even clues to how to find her. But, there seems to be danger lurking as well the more he investigates his mother's disappearance.

I really liked the book. I could hardly put it down and I recommend it warmly!

I want to thank for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review! ( )

*I was provided an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

D.M. Pulley has a clearly defined voice - the tone of The Buried Book was similar to her first novel, The Dead Key, and this book left me with the same mixed feelings as her first.

Her depiction of the era, of life on a farm, and her characterization of young Jasper was detailed and both wonderful (Jasper) and graphic (farm life isn't always pretty). Jasper was truly the winning element to this story - brave, spunky and determined.

Overall, I enjoyed the novel. The first half of the story built slowly, and I felt like it wandered at times. Near the end, however, I felt like a lot of information was thrown out in resolution, and not always clearly. I'm undecided if I was struggling more with the plot or with the haziness of the resolution.

I hung in there for young Jasper, because I wanted him to be safe in the end, but I really just felt sad. ( )

When Jasper was 9 years old, his mother dropped him off at his grandparents’ farm with only a change of clothes and a Bible and left. While he liked his grandparents and the farm, he wanted to find his mother and learn her story.

THE BURIED BOOK is the story of his search for her, his discovery of her story, and his search to find himself.

Too much self-pity without enough help from the adults who were responsible for him. Too much time on his own to wander and lack guidance. ( )

This book pulls you in from the beginning. It's the story of 9 year old Jasper, his mother takes him to visit Uncle Leo and leaves him there asking Uncle Leo to keep Jasper safe. The suspense begins with Jasper finding a doll and diary revealing shocking family secrets and keeping the suspense and intrigue going. This is a sad yet beautiful story told from 3 points in time. Ms. Pulley's writing style is excellent and in this book she keeps you hooked with a story shrouded in mystery. A great book to read if you don't mind the language. ( )