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  • The Life We Bury

  • Written by: Allen Eskens
  • Narrated by: Zach Villa
  • Length: 8 hrs and 23 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (689 ratings)

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The Life We Bury cover art

The Life We Bury

Written by: Allen Eskens
Narrated by: Zach Villa
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Publisher's Summary

College student Joe Talbert has the modest goal of completing a writing assignment for an English class. His task is to interview a stranger and write a brief biography of the person. With deadlines looming, Joe heads to a nearby nursing home to find a willing subject. There he meets Carl Iverson, and soon nothing in Joe's life is ever the same. Carl is a dying Vietnam veteran-and a convicted murderer. With only a few months to live, he has been medically paroled to a nursing home after spending thirty years in prison for the crimes of rape and murder.

As Joe writes about Carl's life, especially Carl's valor in Vietnam, he cannot reconcile the heroism of the soldier with the despicable acts of the convict. Aided by his skeptical neighbor, Lila, Joe throws himself into uncovering the truth. Thread by thread, he begins to unravel the tapestry of Carl's conviction. But as he and Lila dig deeper into the circumstances of the crime, the stakes grow higher. Will Joe discover the truth before it's too late to escape the fallout?

©2014 Allen Eskens (P)2015 Tantor

What the critics say

"More complications ensue, until the novel's satisfying resolution." ( Publishers Weekly Starred Review)

What listeners say about The Life We Bury

Average Customer Ratings
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excellent

bought this book as it was on sale while I waited for my monthly credit. It is one of my favorites so far. I highly recommend it.

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15 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Well written story, very well narrated,

Good book, one of the best narratives I've listened to. A good mystery novel. Enjoy.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Good read

Had a bit of depth to it; albeit seems like it is geared towards a mature young reader, rather than an adult. The protagonist is in his first year at college, so the tone is fitting. I liked that it had a bit of everything; mystery, history, psychology, thriller, social issues and romance (although I could have done without the latter). The narrator was just right for the book as his narration allowed the story to flow without being overly dramatic.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing narration.

Excellent book. The performance is the best I've ever heard! I will definitely read look for more by this author and narrator.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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An unexpected pleasure.

I enjoyed every minute of this propulsive thriller. A well written novel, set in Minneapolis, The Life We Bury has an original plot, solid character development and excellent timing. I do love a thriller that's set in a snowy winter landscape. The narration by Zach Villa is outstanding.

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2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Pretty Good Story

The book had me listening intently, I liked the story line. However, The book could have ended 10 chapters sooner. I found it dragged at the end. I ended up fast forwarding thru it.
The narrator was ok, I found him to be monotone.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

FANTASTIC

A very good book! I enjoyed every moment of this story and will certainly look for more from the author!

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Edge of your seat!

The twists and turns were amazing. I actually stayed up listening, couldn’t let it go. I wasn’t initially impressed with narrator- very flat and seeming monotone however he was perfect for this read. Highly recommend!

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Loved this audiobook!

The story was interesting and it was well-narrated. I couldn’t stop listening. I really enjoyed this book!

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great story!

Believable characters, twisty premise, plus the narration was spot on. I enjiyed it from beginning to end mostly becausrethe protagonist was so likeable and relateable.

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1 person found this helpful