Our Take

Allen Eskens delivers a stunning debut that seamlessly blends multiple genres—legal thriller, family drama, and coming-of-age story—into one compelling narrative. The novel's greatest strength lies in its authentic character development, particularly Joe's relationship with his autistic brother Jeremy, which Eskens handles with remarkable sensitivity and depth. The author's background as a criminal defense attorney brings credibility to the legal aspects while avoiding the trap of overwhelming readers with procedural details. What sets The Life We Bury apart from typical cold case mysteries is its focus on how past traumas ripple through generations and the moral complexity of seeking truth versus accepting convenient answers. The Minnesota winter setting becomes almost a character itself, adding atmospheric tension to an already gripping plot. Readers who enjoyed The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon or In the Woods by Tana French will appreciate Eskens' nuanced approach to mystery writing. The book earned multiple awards including the Barry Award and was a finalist for the Edgar Award, establishing Eskens as a major new voice in crime fiction. For those seeking intelligent mysteries that prioritize character development alongside plot twists, this award-winning debut offers both emotional resonance and page-turning suspense.