Best Left Buried

Darcy & Flora Cozy Mystery, Book 3

De: Blanche Day Manos

Narrado por: Michelle Babb

Darcy Campbell might have expected life in a small Oklahoma town nestled in the beautiful Ozark foothills to be as idyllic as the scenery. That, however, is not what she finds when she returns to her hometown of Levi after the death of her husband.

One autumn morning, Darcy and her mother, Flora Tucker, are enjoying a cup of coffee in their hundred-year old farmhouse when Darcy gets an urgent telephone call. The contractor who is digging the foundation for their new home insists that Darcy drop everything and come to the building site as quickly as she can. He has found a mysterious object deep in a hand-dug well and he needs Darcy's help in retrieving it.

The ancient, crumbling package pulled from the well contains two items that are as shocking as they are inscrutable. In trying to decipher the meaning of these long-buried objects, Darcy and Flora discover a dark secret from their family's past.

A kidnapping, a brush with death, and a stranger's greed add to the mix. The era of World War I becomes enmeshed with the present day as Darcy and Flora unravel a tangled web of deceit that has ensnared their family.

Volume 3 of the Darcy & Flora cozy mystery series.

©2014 Blanche Day Manos and Barbara Burgess (P)2016 Blanche Day Manos and Barbara Burgess

Great Mystery

I loved listening to this small town mystery. Michelle Babb's narrative talents kept me interested and entertained. I love the characters and how Darcy and her mom solve problems.

This mystery hits close to home for Darcy & Flora

I loved the suspense of Best Left Buried, written by Blanche Day Manos & Barbara Burgess and narrated by Michelle Babb. A chance discovery in an old well on Darcy and Flora's property plunged the mother daughter duo into a mystery from the past involving their own family. Add a woman trying to lay claim to land belonging to the pair and a budding romance between two of the principal characters, and this story keeps you hooked.
This is Book 3 of the Darcy & Flora Cozy Mystery series but it can be listened to as a standalone. This is a clean audiobook and the ladies work their way through the story with their faith, spunk and plenty of brainstorming over coffee.
Michelle Babb is very consistent with narrating the characters. Having previously listened to Grave Shift, Book 2, I could immediately recognize the different returning characters from voice alone. Her narration matches the main character well and really brings the townsfolk to life for me.
I thoroughly enjoyed the suspense of this story and would recommend it to other cozy mystery fans.
I was given a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Past and Present Brought Together

Any additional comments?

Flora and Darcy are excited about building their new home on Flora's mother's property. While covering up an abandoned well on the property a package containing old gun is found. Also inside the package appears to be some kind of writing. Darcy deciphers the writing to realize this was information about a secret marriage of her grandmother. Also suddenly there are multiple people interested in this property. Does this secret marriage and sudden interest in their property have a connection?

This mother and daughter duo have a wonderful relationship and work well together while investigating their family's history. I really like that Flora doesn't discourage Darcy even though she was clearly upset in finding out that her mother kept a really big secret from her. This is a very enjoyable storyline and mystery. There are several twists and turns throughout the story to keep the reader pondering what is really going on with the family property? I really loved how the past and present are brought together to create this wonderful mystery.

I listened to an audio version of this book. Narrator Michelle Babb allows us to experience Flora and Darcy's discoveries on another level. Babb has great diction, accents, pace, and adds an emotional voice to help bring the story to life.

I recommend this book to mystery lovers. If you have access to the audio version I definitely recommend this version of the book. I was provided with a copy of this book in hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way influenced by others.

Great Listen!

I so love these characters. This is the 3rd book in the series by Blanche Day Manos. It can be listened as a standalone, but has references to events from the previous stories and characters. Michelle Babb did a great job with the various voices and was able to get great emotion into the characters. I found the subtle humor a plus. This story was great, and I loved some of the unexpected twists. Also, I liked that the author kept the details consistent from previous stories. I was voluntarily provided with this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher.

Cozy Mystery

A Darcy & Flora Cozy Mystery, Best Left buried book 3 clever written story.

There a touch belief in God.
There is no course language, no sex, and violence is kept to the basics.

Story and characters well developed.

Narrated by Michelle Babb who gave each character having their own unique voice.

I suggest that you listen to Michelle‘s voice before getting the audio book. I listen to the audiobook on 1.4 speed.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher free of charge for a honest, unbiased review.