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What She Saw
An investigative reporter returns to the scene of a decades-old crime to put her own unsettled past to rest in this chilling suspense novel by New York Times bestselling author Mary Burton.
Cold case reporter Sloane Grayson has come to a small mountain town in Virginia to solve a mystery.
Thirty years ago, her mother was one of four women who vanished during a music festival. The event’s promoter was eventually convicted of their murders, and Sheriff CJ Taggart closed the case. But for Sloane, it’s still open. Because the bodies were never found.
With Taggart now long dead, Sloane must make do with questioning the victims’ families and the few remaining witnesses once again. If they’re still willing to dredge up memories of a crime that made their town notorious. As for the incarcerated killer, he has always maintained his innocence. Sloane isn’t entirely convinced he’s lying.
Somewhere nearby, unmarked graves conceal the bones and secrets of the dead. Sloane will do anything to find them and unearth the truth, even if that means playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse with someone determined to stop her…
Cold case reporter Sloane Grayson has come to a small mountain town in Virginia to solve a mystery.
Thirty years ago, her mother was one of four women who vanished during a music festival. The event’s promoter was eventually convicted of their murders, and Sheriff CJ Taggart closed the case. But for Sloane, it’s still open. Because the bodies were never found.
With Taggart now long dead, Sloane must make do with questioning the victims’ families and the few remaining witnesses once again. If they’re still willing to dredge up memories of a crime that made their town notorious. As for the incarcerated killer, he has always maintained his innocence. Sloane isn’t entirely convinced he’s lying.
Somewhere nearby, unmarked graves conceal the bones and secrets of the dead. Sloane will do anything to find them and unearth the truth, even if that means playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse with someone determined to stop her…
347 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2025
16403 people are currently reading
22006 people want to read
About the author
Mary Burton
68 books4,033 followersMary Burton, whose latest novel is THE LIES I TOLD, loves writing suspense, getting to know her characters, keeping up with law enforcement and forensic procedure, morning walks, baking, and tiny dachshunds. She also enjoys hunting down serial killers, which she does in her New York Times and USA Today bestselling novels. Library Journal has compared her work to that of Lisa Jackson and Lisa Gardner, and Fresh Fiction likened her writing to that of James Patterson.
Mary is routinely featured among the top ten writers in Amazon’s Author Rankings for romantic suspense, thriller and mystery. Upon publication, her novels, including NEVER LOOK BACK and BURN YOU TWICE, consistently rank high on the Kindle eBooks Store Bestseller List. Her novels CUT AND RUN and YOU'RE NOT SAFE were nominated for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award for Romantic Suspense.
A Richmond native, Mary is the author of forty-five published novels and five novellas as Mary Burton and as Mary Ellen Taylor.
A member of International Thriller Writers, Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Novelists, Inc., and Romance Writers of America, Mary is known for creating multiple suspense stories connected by characters and/or place.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 941 reviews
October 6, 2025
Multiple murders happened at a music festival 30 years ago, but the bodies were never found. 30 years later, a true crime writer comes to town to dig up the truth. This book is told in multiple timelines.
I am familiar with the fictional area (based on real surrounding places) where this book was written, so it immediately drew me in. At times it felt a little slow, but other times so much was going on. I liked the dual timelines to piece together what happened. I felt this was well crafted, because I had no idea what really had happened until the end. There were a lot of twists and turns and it was not an easy guess as to who was bad vs who was good.
Even thought this is fictional, I think true crime lovers will love this too based on the way it is written.
Thank you to Amazon First Reads for this free advance copy.
I am familiar with the fictional area (based on real surrounding places) where this book was written, so it immediately drew me in. At times it felt a little slow, but other times so much was going on. I liked the dual timelines to piece together what happened. I felt this was well crafted, because I had no idea what really had happened until the end. There were a lot of twists and turns and it was not an easy guess as to who was bad vs who was good.
Even thought this is fictional, I think true crime lovers will love this too based on the way it is written.
Thank you to Amazon First Reads for this free advance copy.
October 15, 2025
DNF at 30%
How to kill a good premise by Mary Burton. There’s slow and there’s the book equivalent of old man river. LONG winded, extraneous detail and it makes me want to yell JUST GET ON WITH IT. Life’s too short. Onwards and upwards. Hopefully
How to kill a good premise by Mary Burton. There’s slow and there’s the book equivalent of old man river. LONG winded, extraneous detail and it makes me want to yell JUST GET ON WITH IT. Life’s too short. Onwards and upwards. Hopefully
November 6, 2025
6 Star Read
🔍 Bookish Thoughts
This was my first Mary Burton thriller, and it’s safe to say I’ll be reading everything she’s written. I listened to this in one sitting because it was just that good. I loved Sloane and how she views the world, and finding out her mother was one of the missing four immediately locked me in. I really enjoyed that it was a thriller with a small romance subplot.
I liked that we got POVs from both Sloane and Taggart. I usually don’t love dual timelines, but it worked so well here. The ending was solid. The audiobook was excellent, and I really liked the narrator for Sloane’s POV.
🖤 What to Expect
• Cold case mystery
• Small town setting
• Investigative reporter
• Family trauma
• Subtle romance subplot
_ _ _
🎧 Audio Score: 5 stars
🎙️ Narration Style: Multi-narrator (Samara Naeymi, James Anderson Foster, Andrew Eiden, Patrick Lawlor)
📅 Pub Date: November 1, 2025
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.
🔍 Bookish Thoughts
This was my first Mary Burton thriller, and it’s safe to say I’ll be reading everything she’s written. I listened to this in one sitting because it was just that good. I loved Sloane and how she views the world, and finding out her mother was one of the missing four immediately locked me in. I really enjoyed that it was a thriller with a small romance subplot.
I liked that we got POVs from both Sloane and Taggart. I usually don’t love dual timelines, but it worked so well here. The ending was solid. The audiobook was excellent, and I really liked the narrator for Sloane’s POV.
🖤 What to Expect
• Cold case mystery
• Small town setting
• Investigative reporter
• Family trauma
• Subtle romance subplot
_ _ _
🎧 Audio Score: 5 stars
🎙️ Narration Style: Multi-narrator (Samara Naeymi, James Anderson Foster, Andrew Eiden, Patrick Lawlor)
📅 Pub Date: November 1, 2025
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.
November 19, 2025
I listened to the audiobook for this one and I really liked the narrator. The main character was also very interesting. She was the daughter of a sweet woman murdered far too young and a sociopath who oddly had nothing to do with that murder. She is the perfect blend of them. She doesn’t like bully’s but also doesn’t have the normal range of emotions to hold her back from breaking the rules. She is a writer and is going back to the town her mother died in to try to find the bodies of the four women who went missing and were presumed murdered. Her methods are a bit unorthodox but I enjoyed her investigation, even if I wanted a little more speed and intrigue than I got. Overall this was an enjoyable audiobook and I would read more from this author for sure.
October 8, 2025
This is a well-written, entertaining, fast paced, dual timeline thriller. It has a likable, intelligent female protagonist, a touch of romance, murder, mystery, suspense, twists and turns, and a satisfying conclusion. I especially liked the reference to the movie, "Sole Survivor". Many thanks to Ms. Mary Burton, whose newsletter I subscribe to, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, from whom I received an advanced reader copy of this captivating novel. This is my honest opinion.
October 15, 2025
If you like ponytails, this is the book for you. Literally every female character introduced had her hair in a ponytail, and even the men with long hair had their hair in ponytails too. The author clearly has a thing for ponytails. The story was very slow and repetitive, and the ending seemed like the author just randomly chose someone to be the one behind it all, it didn’t make much sense. Also, spoiler warning but nobody thought to check a nearby mineshaft for 31 years? Really? Okay.
October 9, 2025
2.5 stars. Amazon first reads. Disappointing. While the story sounds intriguing the delivery was not. Chapters alternate in time between past and present from 4 characters, 2 of which are the most prominent. The story moved agonizingly slow.The characters not that special or likeable, well except for the dog. There are so many side characters that by the end I realized I should've made a list. The ending wasn't all that climactic.
November 7, 2025
What She Saw had all the ingredients for a gripping mystery — a missing mother, small-town secrets, and a journalist digging up old ghosts — but somehow it still managed to feel… flat. The story dragged in parts where it should’ve built tension, and the characters felt like they were reading from a script rather than living through the mystery. Sloane’s investigation had potential, but every time it got interesting, the pacing slowed to a crawl again.
The twists? Predictable. The reveals? Meh. I kept waiting for that “oh damn” moment that never really came. By the end, I just wanted someone — anyone — to tell Sloane what was going on so we could all move on with our lives.
It’s not terrible, but it’s definitely not memorable either. If you like slow-burn mysteries with lots of interviews and not much emotional depth, this might work for you. For me, though? Just two stars and a deep sigh.
The twists? Predictable. The reveals? Meh. I kept waiting for that “oh damn” moment that never really came. By the end, I just wanted someone — anyone — to tell Sloane what was going on so we could all move on with our lives.
It’s not terrible, but it’s definitely not memorable either. If you like slow-burn mysteries with lots of interviews and not much emotional depth, this might work for you. For me, though? Just two stars and a deep sigh.
May 2, 2025
This book was so good! If I had the time I could've read it in one setting but I had to read it over a week span. During the times I had put the book down I was playing detective and guessing all the wrong suspects, which is a pleasure truly, to not figure it out until the author tells you.
I loved our main character Sloane, she's bad ass but doesn't see herself that way, but the passion, the drive, the compassion that is within her to help victims of cold cases shows you that she's an exemplary human. Sloane is looking for the body of her mother, whom she doesn't remember, and the other three victims of the Mountain Music Festival 30 years ago. She meets a hot P.I. who champions her through her investigation and becomes a friend.
While the whole town is against her writing and digging up old trauma and truth she doesn't face an easy go at getting her answers. She sits up shop at the previous sheriff's residence in the middle of the woods and bravely puts each piece of the case back together while obstacles are thrown in her way.
I was thoroughly entertained by this book, I hope to read more of Sloane in the future. I was hooked until the ending and now I wish I had more Mary Burton books to read right now!
You'll keep guessing until the end and then you'll have your socks and shoes blown off. This is a perfect book for thriller lovers!
I loved our main character Sloane, she's bad ass but doesn't see herself that way, but the passion, the drive, the compassion that is within her to help victims of cold cases shows you that she's an exemplary human. Sloane is looking for the body of her mother, whom she doesn't remember, and the other three victims of the Mountain Music Festival 30 years ago. She meets a hot P.I. who champions her through her investigation and becomes a friend.
While the whole town is against her writing and digging up old trauma and truth she doesn't face an easy go at getting her answers. She sits up shop at the previous sheriff's residence in the middle of the woods and bravely puts each piece of the case back together while obstacles are thrown in her way.
I was thoroughly entertained by this book, I hope to read more of Sloane in the future. I was hooked until the ending and now I wish I had more Mary Burton books to read right now!
You'll keep guessing until the end and then you'll have your socks and shoes blown off. This is a perfect book for thriller lovers!
November 27, 2025
I need to say that I'm really pissed off, this story is pretty absurd because if a FUCKING STORY needs 98% of it to give you SOMETHING, to leave SOMETHING you can grab and continue reading, you are an absolute asshole for continuing the read. I was one of them, and I don't regret it, because, as always happens in this kind of genre, you want the fucking truth, wasn't it? But, please, in 97% of the book, NOTHING HAPPENS. Please, be a human and give us a fucking bone in the middle of the story. I think the Kindle algorithm is a fucking bastard, because I was trying to escape from these nonsense plots, but I fell again on this annoying path. One girl, with a troubled past, looking for redemption in her life, finds the truth decades later. I'm very fond of this sort of narrative. Kindle, I hate you...
November 6, 2025
A remarkably dull tale of an emotionally detached and amoral crime writer investigating a decades old disappearance of four young women from a local musical festival. The writer conducts many interviews, to little effect, then magically solves the mystery in the last pages. Awkward dialogue and choppy writing make the book feel irritating as well as interminable.
June 6, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The premise for this was interesting, and I was expecting a juicy police procedural type thriller. I usually really like following along with the investigation side of things, but unfortunately I found this book to be more dull than anything else 😬
The author introduced too many characters in the beginning, so it took a little bit of time to mentally unravel everybody. The time jumps were well done but I didn’t enjoy Sloane’s chapters all that much because I actually found her to be quite an unlikeable character. I also didn’t understand why the romantic subplot between her & Grant was included; this felt superfluous to the plot and the couple of light sex scenes were super unnecessary.
Overall, I don’t think that this author is one that I want to look out for.
The premise for this was interesting, and I was expecting a juicy police procedural type thriller. I usually really like following along with the investigation side of things, but unfortunately I found this book to be more dull than anything else 😬
The author introduced too many characters in the beginning, so it took a little bit of time to mentally unravel everybody. The time jumps were well done but I didn’t enjoy Sloane’s chapters all that much because I actually found her to be quite an unlikeable character. I also didn’t understand why the romantic subplot between her & Grant was included; this felt superfluous to the plot and the couple of light sex scenes were super unnecessary.
Overall, I don’t think that this author is one that I want to look out for.
October 31, 2025
2 stars
I genuinely do not understand the reviews of people saying this was “fast-paced”. This was one of the most gruelingly slow paced books I’ve ever read. There were so many characters, none of them interesting. The main character had the personality of a potato, none. The book dragged on and on and then SUDDENLY, the mystery is miraculously uncovered in the final pages of the book. And just like our main character, Ms. Potato, it ends with no emotion.
Anti-climatic, very slow, and very boring.
Obviously I’m in an irritated mood after reading this as you can tell from the tone of my review 😂.
I genuinely do not understand the reviews of people saying this was “fast-paced”. This was one of the most gruelingly slow paced books I’ve ever read. There were so many characters, none of them interesting. The main character had the personality of a potato, none. The book dragged on and on and then SUDDENLY, the mystery is miraculously uncovered in the final pages of the book. And just like our main character, Ms. Potato, it ends with no emotion.
Anti-climatic, very slow, and very boring.
Obviously I’m in an irritated mood after reading this as you can tell from the tone of my review 😂.
November 8, 2025
Cold Case mystery
A 31 year old mystery with Live music, small town secrets, writers, family, and closure needed.
This book kept me hooked, it had interesting if a bit unbelievable turns and the reason the main character wants this solved works well. Most of the characters are multi faceted and the style of going back and forth from the past to the present works well.
That being said, I prefer mysteries you have a chance to solve and there really wasn't enough here to figure it out without some hindsight. Also Grant while a good guy, isn't really fleshed out and the relationship with Slone feels flat to me.
Minor issues overall as it was a fun read. First time I have read anything by Mary Burton.
A 31 year old mystery with Live music, small town secrets, writers, family, and closure needed.
This book kept me hooked, it had interesting if a bit unbelievable turns and the reason the main character wants this solved works well. Most of the characters are multi faceted and the style of going back and forth from the past to the present works well.
That being said, I prefer mysteries you have a chance to solve and there really wasn't enough here to figure it out without some hindsight. Also Grant while a good guy, isn't really fleshed out and the relationship with Slone feels flat to me.
Minor issues overall as it was a fun read. First time I have read anything by Mary Burton.
November 6, 2025
The premise was good enough to keep me reading, but in hindsight, I should have DNF'd early on.
This book could easily lose 150-200 pages and not lose anything significant to the story. The protagonist isn't that interesting and tells you time and again how she has no emotions. So if she doesn't feel anything about this story, why should we?
There is a romantic subplot which is pointless and adds nothing except a few awkwardly written sex scenes that felt shoehorned in because the author felt like she had some quota of dirty words she had to hit.
No spoilers but the big "twist" is that a random character is eventually exposed as the perp -- even though there is actually no evidence against them. The protagonist just kind of has a hunch and magically gets this person to confess. Sure. Right. Happens all the time.
Also, the author clearly has never interviewed anyone nor has any understanding of how freelance writers work. Probably not something most readers would care about, but for me as a freelance writer it took me right out of the story.
Finally, there is some SUPER sloppy writing in here. For example, in one scene a woman finishes off her drink leaving an empty glass. Two sentences later, she takes a sip of the same drink from the same glass. During this paragraph, the container she's using also changes form.
The entire book really just felt like the author asked ChatGPT to do a rough outline and then she filled it out a bit.
Avoid.
This book could easily lose 150-200 pages and not lose anything significant to the story. The protagonist isn't that interesting and tells you time and again how she has no emotions. So if she doesn't feel anything about this story, why should we?
There is a romantic subplot which is pointless and adds nothing except a few awkwardly written sex scenes that felt shoehorned in because the author felt like she had some quota of dirty words she had to hit.
No spoilers but the big "twist" is that a random character is eventually exposed as the perp -- even though there is actually no evidence against them. The protagonist just kind of has a hunch and magically gets this person to confess. Sure. Right. Happens all the time.
Also, the author clearly has never interviewed anyone nor has any understanding of how freelance writers work. Probably not something most readers would care about, but for me as a freelance writer it took me right out of the story.
Finally, there is some SUPER sloppy writing in here. For example, in one scene a woman finishes off her drink leaving an empty glass. Two sentences later, she takes a sip of the same drink from the same glass. During this paragraph, the container she's using also changes form.
The entire book really just felt like the author asked ChatGPT to do a rough outline and then she filled it out a bit.
Avoid.
October 10, 2025
A rock music festival in a mountain town in the 1990’s is the scene of a series of ghastly crimes, a brilliant setting for mystery and mayhem. Someone was quickly apprehended and convicted of the murders even though bodies of four young women were never found. One of the victim’s daughters is a writer who teams up with a retired cop to find the missing bodies. It becomes apparent that all is not what it seems, even with the murderer locked up in jail, and the writer is at risk. So why oh why do we need our heroine to stay all alone for two weeks in a cabin deep in the woods without any cell service or WiFi? The same cabin where the police officer who investigated the murders was found dead several years earlier? She says she wants peace and quiet to do her work but… C’mon now.
October 2, 2025
This gifted storyteller is my go-to for riveting romantic suspense. She never disappoints, but she's really raised the bar with this one. It's captivating and intriguing and impossible to put down.
Our heroine, Sloane Grayson, is a true crime writer investigating the Mountain Music Festival murders from 30 years ago. She goes to small-town Dawson, VA, where the festival took place and women disappeared. While people in town are reluctant to talk and would rather leave the past alone, Sloane is determined to find out what really happened in 1994.
Told in dual timelines, from the POV of current-day Sloane and then town sheriff, CJ Taggart, this one is the perfect mix of suspense, drama, and thriller. Switching from past to present day kept things interesting and engaging, and the twists and turns kept me turning pages late into the night. This hypnotic, adrenaline-fueled read is guaranteed to please any reader of the genre, so make sure you don’t miss it.
Our heroine, Sloane Grayson, is a true crime writer investigating the Mountain Music Festival murders from 30 years ago. She goes to small-town Dawson, VA, where the festival took place and women disappeared. While people in town are reluctant to talk and would rather leave the past alone, Sloane is determined to find out what really happened in 1994.
Told in dual timelines, from the POV of current-day Sloane and then town sheriff, CJ Taggart, this one is the perfect mix of suspense, drama, and thriller. Switching from past to present day kept things interesting and engaging, and the twists and turns kept me turning pages late into the night. This hypnotic, adrenaline-fueled read is guaranteed to please any reader of the genre, so make sure you don’t miss it.
October 8, 2025
I didn’t finish it
October 12, 2025
Just not a very good story
Really very little to recommend this book. I don’t understand why I even finished it. Characters are pretty much one dimensional and our protagonist does not have really anything to recommend her. Except maybe a serious eating disorder.
Really very little to recommend this book. I don’t understand why I even finished it. Characters are pretty much one dimensional and our protagonist does not have really anything to recommend her. Except maybe a serious eating disorder.
November 17, 2025
5/5 stars ⭐️
Author: Mary Burton
Publisher: Brilliance Publishing
Audiobook Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Narrators: Samara Naeymi; James Anderson Foster; Andrew Eiden; Patrick Lawlor
🙏🏻Thank you @netgalley and @brilliancepublishing for the #gifted copy of the ALC for this book by @maryburtonbooks
You HAVE to check out the audiobook for What She Saw. The story is an edge-of-your-seat thriller with a mystery that I legitimately couldn’t figure out before the end! It is filled with gripping twists and turns throughout.
The audiobook consists of a multi-voiced cast that brings the story to life. I’m blown away by Samara’s portrayal of the determined female investigative reporter, Sloane Grayson. Sloane has a sociopathic personality that is the only one tough enough to get to the bottom of the mystery of the 4 missing women - one of which is her mother. Samara’s ability to capture Sloane’s dry-pan personality was extremely impressive.
I cannot recommend this book enough if you haven’t read it yet!
From the publisher:
Cold case reporter Sloane Grayson has come to a small mountain town in Virginia to solve a mystery.
Thirty years ago, her mother was one of four women who vanished during a music festival. The event’s promoter was eventually convicted of their murders, and Sheriff CJ Taggart closed the case. But for Sloane, it’s still open. Because the bodies were never found.
Author: Mary Burton
Publisher: Brilliance Publishing
Audiobook Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Narrators: Samara Naeymi; James Anderson Foster; Andrew Eiden; Patrick Lawlor
🙏🏻Thank you @netgalley and @brilliancepublishing for the #gifted copy of the ALC for this book by @maryburtonbooks
You HAVE to check out the audiobook for What She Saw. The story is an edge-of-your-seat thriller with a mystery that I legitimately couldn’t figure out before the end! It is filled with gripping twists and turns throughout.
The audiobook consists of a multi-voiced cast that brings the story to life. I’m blown away by Samara’s portrayal of the determined female investigative reporter, Sloane Grayson. Sloane has a sociopathic personality that is the only one tough enough to get to the bottom of the mystery of the 4 missing women - one of which is her mother. Samara’s ability to capture Sloane’s dry-pan personality was extremely impressive.
I cannot recommend this book enough if you haven’t read it yet!
From the publisher:
Cold case reporter Sloane Grayson has come to a small mountain town in Virginia to solve a mystery.
Thirty years ago, her mother was one of four women who vanished during a music festival. The event’s promoter was eventually convicted of their murders, and Sheriff CJ Taggart closed the case. But for Sloane, it’s still open. Because the bodies were never found.
October 15, 2025
Cold case reporter Sloane Grayson has come to a small mountain town in Virginia to solve a mystery.
Thirty years ago, her mother was one of four women who vanished during a music festival. The event’s promoter was eventually convicted of their murders, and Sheriff CJ Taggart closed the case. But for Sloane, it’s still open. Because the bodies were never found.
This is a fairly interesting suspense thriller that pretty much kept my interest from beginning to end. In addition to the mystery of where the bodies are there is also the haunting aspect of who was the accomplice as it is accepted by Sloane that the convicted killer did not do this by himself.
However, there were a few things that brought my rating down. First, aside from Grant, these were unlikeable characters. Secondly, the book bogged down midway with a lot of going over the same scenes over and over again. Lastly, there should have been some better clues along the way that would have pointed to whom the accomplice was. I feel the identity of that person was dropped out of the sky at the end.
Overall, worthy of reading.
Thirty years ago, her mother was one of four women who vanished during a music festival. The event’s promoter was eventually convicted of their murders, and Sheriff CJ Taggart closed the case. But for Sloane, it’s still open. Because the bodies were never found.
This is a fairly interesting suspense thriller that pretty much kept my interest from beginning to end. In addition to the mystery of where the bodies are there is also the haunting aspect of who was the accomplice as it is accepted by Sloane that the convicted killer did not do this by himself.
However, there were a few things that brought my rating down. First, aside from Grant, these were unlikeable characters. Secondly, the book bogged down midway with a lot of going over the same scenes over and over again. Lastly, there should have been some better clues along the way that would have pointed to whom the accomplice was. I feel the identity of that person was dropped out of the sky at the end.
Overall, worthy of reading.
November 30, 2025
This book opens with a slow simmer; honestly, the first half feels a bit underwhelming in terms of plot movement. But even then, I was strangely hooked. The whole thing has this gritty “true crime” energy, like you’re watching a really good documentary where the tension builds even when the story wanders. That vibe alone kept me turning pages.
And then the SECOND HALF. It absolutely takes off! The pacing kicks into high gear, the tension tightens, the characters deepen, and suddenly every breadcrumb from earlier snaps together in the most satisfying way. It goes from “hmmm interesting?” to “I cannot put this down” in a heartbeat. The suspense spikes, and the whole thing becomes a full on thrill ride.
And can we talk about the little romance sprinkled in there? For a classic crime thriller, it has a surprising bit of spice. Not a romance novel level flame, but definitely enough heat to make things fun: consider that your friendly warning.
My first Mary Burton novel and I’m officially a fan. I’m already excited to dive into another.
A solid 4 stars 🌟
And then the SECOND HALF. It absolutely takes off! The pacing kicks into high gear, the tension tightens, the characters deepen, and suddenly every breadcrumb from earlier snaps together in the most satisfying way. It goes from “hmmm interesting?” to “I cannot put this down” in a heartbeat. The suspense spikes, and the whole thing becomes a full on thrill ride.
And can we talk about the little romance sprinkled in there? For a classic crime thriller, it has a surprising bit of spice. Not a romance novel level flame, but definitely enough heat to make things fun: consider that your friendly warning.
My first Mary Burton novel and I’m officially a fan. I’m already excited to dive into another.
A solid 4 stars 🌟
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November 14, 2025
Eeeehhh. I expected more from it.
November 12, 2025
Intriguing
This story didn't have me gripping the edge of my seat, but it did catch my interest and keep me reading to see how it played out. The characters are well developed, plot is believable, the time line and point of view changes are easy to follow, and the writing is good and properly edited.
This story didn't have me gripping the edge of my seat, but it did catch my interest and keep me reading to see how it played out. The characters are well developed, plot is believable, the time line and point of view changes are easy to follow, and the writing is good and properly edited.
October 3, 2025
I'm thoroughly enjoying this mystery set in rural Virginia about the disappearance of four women from a music festival some 30 years ago. Author Helen Burton has given us a well-written tale. Her prose and dialogue are straightforward, clear, and believable, causing the pages to fly by. Her characters are interesting (especially her main character, Sloan Grayson, an intense investigative reporter whose mother was one of the victims and who won’t rest until the bodies of the missing are found). The settings Ms. Burton chooses, including a small town in Virginia's mountain country and the music festival itself, are well described. (Clearly, she’s done her homework researching rock concerts.) The plot, which proceeds along two timelines, is designed to keep readers guessing. I can't wait to see how it ends.
March 24, 2025
Thank you netgally and montlake for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review.
The beginning of the book had me a little bit confused. I thought we would start off with Sloane, it took me half of the first chapter to realize it was the killers pov. There were so many names that I had a little bit of trouble following the story the first 30 procent.
After that it got interesting, I really wanted to know what had happened to the four women after the festival. I didn’t like the switching time lines at first, it got me a little bit confused. But after a while I liked how the puzzle pieces started get together in the multiple time lines.
I wasn’t a big fan of the writing style. I know that’s more of a me issue because it was written very well but eventually it started reading a little boring to me. I really wanted to know what had happened to the women but I didn’t feel like we were getting closer to the answer.
I also could have done without the romance (if you can even call it that) between Sloane and Grant. I did really like her getting a dog.
The ending was very good. I finally got the tention I was waiting for for most of the book. Very glad everything worked out the way it did.
The beginning of the book had me a little bit confused. I thought we would start off with Sloane, it took me half of the first chapter to realize it was the killers pov. There were so many names that I had a little bit of trouble following the story the first 30 procent.
After that it got interesting, I really wanted to know what had happened to the four women after the festival. I didn’t like the switching time lines at first, it got me a little bit confused. But after a while I liked how the puzzle pieces started get together in the multiple time lines.
I wasn’t a big fan of the writing style. I know that’s more of a me issue because it was written very well but eventually it started reading a little boring to me. I really wanted to know what had happened to the women but I didn’t feel like we were getting closer to the answer.
I also could have done without the romance (if you can even call it that) between Sloane and Grant. I did really like her getting a dog.
The ending was very good. I finally got the tention I was waiting for for most of the book. Very glad everything worked out the way it did.
October 24, 2025
DNF at 52%
Boring beyond belief
Boring beyond belief
July 1, 2025
A dual timeline story, partly set in the present day when writer, Sloane, is left case notes by a detective who worked on a missing persons case in which four women disappeared at a festival and were never found, one of them being Sloane's mother. The story also takes us back to the past, from the lead up to the festival, during the event and after the women were reported missing.
I'm afraid I'm an outlier here. This book has had amazing reviews so far, but I didn't find I could connect with any of the characters. So much so, that when I read other reviews, I was certain I had missed something and so I read it again! I was still underwhelmed. Sloane was likeable enough, but fairly two dimensional and came across as proud to be a cold person with no emotions - strange! There was minimal character development around the four missing women, so it was hard to care what had happened to them.
When the truth was revealed, it was an unexpected turn, but I wasn't blown away. Disappointing for me, but I am definitely in the minority, so give it a go and let me know what you think?
2 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
I'm afraid I'm an outlier here. This book has had amazing reviews so far, but I didn't find I could connect with any of the characters. So much so, that when I read other reviews, I was certain I had missed something and so I read it again! I was still underwhelmed. Sloane was likeable enough, but fairly two dimensional and came across as proud to be a cold person with no emotions - strange! There was minimal character development around the four missing women, so it was hard to care what had happened to them.
When the truth was revealed, it was an unexpected turn, but I wasn't blown away. Disappointing for me, but I am definitely in the minority, so give it a go and let me know what you think?
2 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
November 11, 2025
Reading Journal Details
Book: What She Saw by Mary Burton
Format Read: Audiobook (10 hours, 1 minute)
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
Quick Take
A decades old disappearance, a journalist with a personal connection, and a town still shrouded insecrets. Mary Burton crafts a quietly gripping thriller that exposes what small towns bury, the costs of truth, and what refuses to stay hidden.
Full Review
What She Saw unfolds patiently, peeling back each layer until the truth finally surfaces. It's not just a story about what happened, but also about why it stayed hidden for so long.
Sloane Grayson, a cold case reporter, returns home to investigate her mother's disappearance thirty years earlier. From the first chapter, the novel carries that familiar Appalachian stillness that feels almost alive and watchful. The dual timelines—one set during the music festival, the other told in the present—work in harmony to reveal connections between both past and present without ever feeling cluttered or disorganized.
The first half moves with intentional pacing, but once the pieces start clicking into place, the tension builds naturally. The danger feels close, grounded, and personal rather than overblown. What impressed me most was how the suspense stemmed from quiet persistence instead of chaos.
The conclusion lands with a brick of emotional weight. The mother-daughter thread gives the mystery its heart, and the audiobook narration enhances the atmosphere eloquently. The performances add dimension and texture to each perspective, which keeps the transitions smooth and the tension consistent in equal measure.
If anything, I would have appreciated a touch more complexity from a few side characters and perhaps a slightly quicker starting build-up. But those are small things, neither of which detracted from how much the story held me. It's steady, purposeful, and emotionally aware from beginning to end.
Features & Vibes
🕰️ Years old mystery
🎧 Voice that matches the mood
💔 Daughter's search for closure
✍️ Measured pacing, earned tension
👁️ Seen versus remembered
Advance Copy Provided By
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen early. I enjoyed how Burton tied Sloane's professional determination to her personal grief, giving the story an extra layer of emotional depth.
Book: What She Saw by Mary Burton
Format Read: Audiobook (10 hours, 1 minute)
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
Quick Take
A decades old disappearance, a journalist with a personal connection, and a town still shrouded insecrets. Mary Burton crafts a quietly gripping thriller that exposes what small towns bury, the costs of truth, and what refuses to stay hidden.
Full Review
What She Saw unfolds patiently, peeling back each layer until the truth finally surfaces. It's not just a story about what happened, but also about why it stayed hidden for so long.
Sloane Grayson, a cold case reporter, returns home to investigate her mother's disappearance thirty years earlier. From the first chapter, the novel carries that familiar Appalachian stillness that feels almost alive and watchful. The dual timelines—one set during the music festival, the other told in the present—work in harmony to reveal connections between both past and present without ever feeling cluttered or disorganized.
The first half moves with intentional pacing, but once the pieces start clicking into place, the tension builds naturally. The danger feels close, grounded, and personal rather than overblown. What impressed me most was how the suspense stemmed from quiet persistence instead of chaos.
The conclusion lands with a brick of emotional weight. The mother-daughter thread gives the mystery its heart, and the audiobook narration enhances the atmosphere eloquently. The performances add dimension and texture to each perspective, which keeps the transitions smooth and the tension consistent in equal measure.
If anything, I would have appreciated a touch more complexity from a few side characters and perhaps a slightly quicker starting build-up. But those are small things, neither of which detracted from how much the story held me. It's steady, purposeful, and emotionally aware from beginning to end.
Features & Vibes
🕰️ Years old mystery
🎧 Voice that matches the mood
💔 Daughter's search for closure
✍️ Measured pacing, earned tension
👁️ Seen versus remembered
Advance Copy Provided By
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen early. I enjoyed how Burton tied Sloane's professional determination to her personal grief, giving the story an extra layer of emotional depth.
October 30, 2025
Such a different type of thriller with a great plot! It was hard to say how it would play out with such a difference in time between crime and now, so it keeps you guessing as to who could have done it.
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