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Detective Constable Jack Warr and his colleagues are investigating the discovery of a burnt body in an abandoned cottage and a potential link to a train robbery from 30 years ago. The case leads Jack along a more personal route as he learns more about the criminal underworld that his birth parents were involved in.

The plot of Buried is fast paced with flashbacks to old events to show their impact on the present day. A group of female criminals are living in a manor house in the 1990s but rivalries and arguments lead to murder. Could these women be linked to the train robbery? The police at the time thought not and were unable to trace the missing millions. Now, some of the money has been recovered alongside the unidentified corpse in a nearby cottage that once belonged to a police officer.

Unusually for a police series, Jack is at the beginning of his career and still a constable so there is plenty of potential for future books. I found Jack’s character a bit strange at first; listless and going through the motions at work. Then Jack finally finds his passion, inspiration and ambition with this case, and his tenacious determination leads him to take less than professional interest in the investigation and his suspects. Could his birth parents be involved and is his father still alive…?

I admit that I found Buried a little confusing as there were so many peripheral characters in the past and present. However, I also felt that this led to the book being realistic as there must be multiple layers to any police investigation and many viewpoints that contribute to the resolution of a case.

The personal side of the story especially the imminent death of Jack’s adoptive father is devastating and really pulls at the heartstrings. His guilt and mixed emotions as he explores his birth parents’ past is raw and makes this book much more than simply a crime novel.

Lynda La Plante’s narrative tone is equally sympathetic to the police and the criminals. There is a confidence and familiar feel to her writing even though it has been years since I last read one of her books. I believe that this is the first book in a new series and there is plenty of scope for further books featuring Jack Warr (no spoilers about the outcomes for his family and career!)

About Buried:

An exciting and action packed new thriller, with roots in La Plante’s bestselling novels, Widows and Widows’ Revenge.

Jack Warr is a young DC with the Metropolitan Police. Charming but aimless, Jack can’t seem to find his place in the world – until he’s drawn into an investigation that turns his life upside down.

In the aftermath of a fire at a derelict cottage, a badly charred body is discovered, along with the burnt remnants of millions of stolen, untraceable bank notes – the hidden legacy of Dolly Rawlins and her gang of Widows.

Jack’s assignment to the case coincides with an investigation into his own past. As he searches for the truth about his identity, Jack finds himself increasingly drawn into a murky underworld of corruption and crime. Those millions have not been forgotten – and Jack will stop at nothing to find the truth. ­

‘Lynda La Plante practically invented the thriller’ Karin Slaughter