What Lies Buried by Leslie Kain
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What Lies Buried by Leslie Kain – Review by Amanda Gray

Trigger warning at the beginning of the book:
– One of the characters in this story suffers from trauma experienced during childhood and early adulthood. He has now been diagnosed with Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) and exhibits reactions to flashbacks and triggers that some readers may find disturbing. If you or anyone you know is having difficulty managing their emotions, is a trauma survivor, has been diagnosed with PTSD, or is feeling suicidal, please reach out for help: PTSD Foundation of America: (877) 717-PTSD (7873) NAMI HelpLine | NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): https://www.nami.org › help
Call 1-800-950-6264, or chat, or text “Friend” to 62640, or email helpline@nami.org National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-TALK (8255) Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

I really appreciate the way this book and the first start out with trigger warnings, it shows the author really has an understanding of the subject matter. As someone who has loved ones struggling with C-PTSD, I found the book poignant and insightful. Another thing I really liked about the book was the quote added to the beginning of every chapter, and there were a lot of chapters. One that I highlighted is:

“We are all a little schizophrenic.
Each of us has three different people living
inside us every day—who you were,
who you are and who you will become.
The road to sanity is to recognize those identities,
in order to know who you are today.”
—Shannon L. Alder

Gavin, is all at one the protagonist and antagonist, that you cannot help rooting for, in spite of wanting to stop and shake him, at times. Katie, the wife of Gavin, is the woman I hope I am, she loves fiercely, she’s stronger than she knows and such a gentle, loving mother, as well as, a creative force to be reckoned with.
I felt like the first book wrapped up nicely and that I did not really need a second book. Boy, was I wrong!! This book sucked me in, it made me laugh and cry tears of sadness and joy. Now I REALLY want a third book!!!

What Lies Buried, Leslie Kain, Review, Itsy Bitsy Book Bits, Women’s Fiction, Thriller, Amanda Gray, June 2024

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“Family. The same people who destroyed Gavin’s self-esteem are the ones he must save.
In this multi-award-winning psychological drama about finding self in a dysfunctional family, Secrets In The Mirror grapples with the imperative to save others versus the struggle to save oneself. Gavin tries to salvage his self-esteem from Dad’s bullying and from narcissistic abuse by his identical mirror twin, while Mom resists spousal abuse to assert sanity into the clan. But when Devon gets into drugs and trouble with the Mob, people die. Gavin flees far away to protect himself and his new family, but he can’t escape his sociopathic brother, or the Mob. Yet inextricable bonds tie him to Devon, and Gavin vows to rescue his twin from his self-destructive path. But he is warned: You can’t save anyone until you save yourself.”
This book was suspenseful, thrilling, story definitely matches todays world with abuse and drugs and gangs. Like says in the blurb. You can try to save people but you cant save anyone until you save yourself.
This story kept me engaged throughout the whole book, had wtf moments, characters and storyline was great. I give this book 5 stars.