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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 (698 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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  • Overall
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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

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Thank you 🙌🏻

Thanks to the author for having taken my breath away, in an era where too many books are like fast food for the soul.

I won’t mention the plot, anyone can research that. I will say that this story took its time to be told, without ever being boring. It made me laugh and cheer, cry and curse. It made me love more of what I already love the most…reading. And this Audio version made it come alive, as if I was able to personally meet formidable Joe and his wonderful companions. The narrator, Zach Villa is the best I’ve ever listened to here on Audible. He delivers with such justness, both males and females, you never have to wonder who’s who, you don’t even think of it cause of the exceptional fluidity of his art. He could probably make a very average book sound way better than it is, but luckily for us here with this amazing sorry, we get to have both an excellent narration a story to remember. It’s just one of those tales that lingers with you afterwards. So glad the other books of the series are available, can’t wait to start the next one!
*I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND*

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Awesome

I love this book as my first book very well written and spoken fantastic quality

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Loved it.

Don’t listen to the haters. This is a great book that will touch on several levels.

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Pleasant surprise

This book was not at all what I had anticipated in the best way. The storyline was captivating, and I was plenty of action.

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Great Story!

I was surprised at how this book held my interest all the way through. It was included in my membership and was just as good, if not better, than some other books I had paid for.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Thoroughly entertaining.

Nice plot twists and the narrator is very talented. Looking toward to listening to another book by the author.

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Good book!

Excellent narration and story! Really enjoyed this book! Plot has lots of twists and turns!

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Great writing and knowledgeable

I generally choose female narrators but this guys voice was amazing. Super smooth and believable as the character.
I’m not a crime novel reader but the story of the brothers that interwove was sweet and special. Making it that much different.
Lots of little intellectual references and lessons hidden within. Intelligent writing!
The writing was so impressive and the plot edged along nicely.
Loved it.

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Riveting

A story that is riveting and draws you in from the first to the last word, an amazing well written story

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