The Truth We Bury: A Novel

Review “Once again, Barbara Taylor Sissel has kept me up into the wee hours of the night with an unputdownable masterpiece that explores family, love, and the ramifications of the decisions we make. The perfect blend of mystery, danger, and the type of secrets people kill for, The Truth We Bury will keep you reading furiously until you reach the perfectly executed end.” ―Kristin Harmel, international bestselling author of The Sweetness of Forgetting and When We Meet Again “What would you do if your grown child was implicated in a brutal murder? As evidence mounts against a missing decorated marine, his mother and future mother-in-law, two women who share nothing but the need to protect their adult children, become unlikely allies. Both women have already lost so much, but in the race to uncover the truth and catch a killer, they find courage and compassion. As family secrets, lies, and betrayals are revealed, they also find the strength to take ownership of their own mistakes. A gripping book club read!” ―Barbara Claypole White, bestselling author of Echoes of Family “In this engrossing murder mystery, Barbara Taylor Sissel examines questions of parental protection and control, set against the backdrop of a traditional Texas wedding that devolves into a family tragedy of epic proportions. Sissel’s characters are all too real, their harrowing devotion and blind love for their children not far from what every parent feels. As their choices play out, and the consequences and truth unspool, you will be riveted until the very last page.” ―Emily Carpenter, author of The Weight of Lies and Burying the Honeysuckle Girls “In The Truth We Bury , Barbara Taylor Sissel ratchets up the suspense as she immerses readers in the lives of two women pushed to the limits in the days before their respective children are due to marry. Rich with beautiful prose, compelling characters, and questions about the imperfect nature of family relationships, this is one of those books that will stay with me for a very long time.” ―Colleen Thompson, author of The Off Season “Beautifully written, Sissel’s latest work is the perfect emotional storm of family secrets, regret, and revenge. The Truth We Bury will keep you guessing until the final shocking reveal, all while making you wonder which of your own little buried truths could come back to haunt you.” ―Jenna Patrick, author of The Rules of Half “Compulsively readable and gorgeously written, Barbara Taylor Sissel’s The Truth We Bury had me enthralled from the first page to its stunning conclusion. Readers will love the blend of suspense, mystery, and family drama, and book clubs will find much to discuss. This is a novel you won’t want to miss.” ―Karen McQuestion, bestselling author of The Long Way Home and Hello Love “Part riveting mystery, part moral dilemma, The Truth We Bury is a beautifully written exploration of the depths of a mother’s love.” ―Robyn Harding, author of The Party About the Author Barbara Taylor Sissel writes issue-driven women’s fiction threaded with elements of suspense, which particularly explores how families respond to the tragedy of crime. She is the author of seven previous novels: The Last Innocent Hour , The Ninth Step , The Volunteer , Evidence of Life , Safekeeping , Crooked Little Lies , and Faultlines . Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Barbara was raised in various locations across the Midwest and once lived on the grounds of a first-offender prison facility, where she interacted with the inmates, their families, and the people who worked with them. The experience made a profound impression on her and provided her with a unique insight into the circumstances of the crimes that were committed and the often-surprising ways the justice system moved to deal with them. An avid gardener, Barbara has two sons and lives on a farm in the Texas Hill Country outside Austin. You can find her online at www.barbarataylorsissel.com.