‘Bury Me Deep’ by Jane Adams is the beginning of a new series featuring Detective Rozelyn Priest. It is set in and around Threadingford Manor, an estate that is deep in a valley about two miles from Threading.
The story is set over two timelines, centuries apart. We see the present day with Detective Rozelyn Priest and the other being the year 878 New Lord Treven, accompanied by the king’s appointed Shire Reeve Hugh De Vries, has been granted the land by the grateful King Aelfred whom he fought beside and discovers that one of the old steward’s daughters Allis is missing, they think she has either run off with another man or has been killed. Cate, her sister knows what has happened but can’t say. When another woman is attacked and dies, Treven needs to learn the truth of his world as we see Rozlyn needing to do in her present-day world. Treven also begins to experience weird visions and he doesn’t know why.
In the present day, we see what is left of the estate being excavated by archaeologists and a body is found. Rozlyn is called to the scene where the victim, Charlie Higgins, has been killed with a single powerful and very accurate stab wound. The murder weapon, an ancient spear from the Dark Ages but definitely not from the dig site, is found nearby, more than likely dropped by the murderer as he was trying to get away fast. Rozlyn feels almost like it is her fault due to the fact Charlie was someone she had used for years to attempt to get information about criminal activities, but he wasn’t exceptionally good at it. Her feeling is cemented when she finds out that Charlie thought he was onto something “big” and was eager to find out more to please her. As she digs deeper, she realises that there was a lot she was unaware of about Charlie and it begins to dawn on her that this case is a whole lot bigger and more serious than she could have imagined. Will both Treven and Roz be able to solve their mysteries before other people are killed?
I love a dual timeline story and although this particular one is quite a unique one, going back so far, I really got into it. A riveting and immersive read. Jane Adams has skillfully woven a tale that is so rich in historical detail that I was there! I loved it! I can imagine for those who just enjoy a straight crime thriller it may be a bit heavy on the history side. I, personally, think it was a story that took us from way back in the Dark Ages and back to the present day so smoothly and every element was present to create a very interesting crime thriller also.
The twists, turns, blind alleys that had me guessing so incorrectly all kept me turning the pages! A highly original and intriguing tale with a new Detective to look forward to learning about in future books as well.
Thanks to Jill and Joffe Books for the copy of the book.
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