Buried in a Good Book
Book Review

This Buried in a Good Book book review explores a series starter that blends mountain-town isolation with sharp humor and character-driven mystery. Set in a rustic, off-grid community where neighbors are eccentric and rumors of Bigfoot swirl as freely as gossip, this story balances absurd moments with genuine emotional depth. With a bold opening, strong personality at the center, and a mystery that steadily builds toward a satisfying finish, it’s a cozy that feels both adventurous and unexpectedly layered.

Buried in a Good Book - Tamara Berry

Series: By the Book Mysteries
Vibes: Outdoorsy charm, snarky humor, small-town intrigue, lightly eerie, found-family vibes

Buried in a Good Book Book Review

If you’re looking for a cozy that blends sharp humor, outdoorsy isolation, and a slightly absurd edge, this Buried in a Good Book book review will help you decide if this series starter fits your reading mood. Tamara Berry delivers a mystery that is equal parts funny, dramatic, and surprisingly twisty — all set against a rugged mountain backdrop where Bigfoot rumors and flying fish guts somehow make perfect sense.

As the first installment in the By the Book Mysteries, this novel wastes absolutely no time pulling you in.

The Sleuth:
Funny, Dramatic, and Impulsive

Tess is funny, dramatic, and impulsive — and she knows it.

She’s a bestselling thriller writer going through a divorce, reluctantly relocating to her grandfather’s off-grid cabin with her teenage daughter. Tess isn’t a polished, seasoned amateur sleuth. Instead, she mostly stumbles into clues — and often into danger — through a mix of curiosity, writerly overthinking, and pure chaos.

What makes her especially compelling is her voice. The internal narration is sharp and self-aware, layered with dry humor and dramatic flair. She constantly analyzes situations through the lens of a crime novelist, which leads to some very darkly funny commentary about where bodies could be hidden — especially unsettling considering what happens in the opening scene.

Despite the impulsiveness, Tess feels grounded and real. Her reactions — particularly as a mother trying to reset her life — feel authentic rather than exaggerated. The humor may not be for everyone, but if it lands for you, it really lands.

The Setting:
Cozy… but Make It Slightly Unhinged

The rustic mountain town setting plays a central role in the story.

The cabin-in-the-woods atmosphere feels:

• Cozy
• Slightly creepy
• Peaceful
• Completely off-grid

No power. No running water. Spotty (or nonexistent) Wi-Fi. It’s the kind of peaceful isolation that sounds romantic in theory but might test your limits in reality.

The town itself is quirky but suspicious — outdoorsy and rugged, yet somehow light and humorous despite the growing body count. There’s an undercurrent of isolation that gives the mystery a sharper edge, but it never tips into grim or bleak territory. Instead, it walks that careful line between eerie and entertaining.

Bigfoot believers? Present.
Strange but friendly neighbors? Absolutely.
A mountain sheriff who looks suspiciously like the detective from Tess’s own books? Yes, and the chemistry there adds a fun layer of tension.

It’s outdoorsy cozy with a slightly absurd streak — and that combination works beautifully.

Side Characters:
Actively Elevate the Story

The side characters don’t just fill space — they actively elevate the story.

• The sheriff brings sparks and subtle tension, especially since Tess keeps comparing him to her fictional detective.
• The neighbors feel odd but believable within the town’s eccentric ecosystem.
• The Bigfoot believers are wild, yet somehow perfectly at home in this story.

But the true standout? Nicki, the librarian and bookmobile driver.

Without spoiling anything, her role toward the end is genuinely mind-blowing. It’s one of those moments that recontextualizes things in a satisfying way without feeling gimmicky.

There’s also strong community chemistry overall. Even in a town that feels isolated, you sense the beginnings of found-family dynamics forming — something that makes this series starter especially promising.

The Mystery:
NOT a Fluffy, Zero-Stakes Cozy

This is not a fluffy, zero-stakes cozy.

The book opens with an explosion and body parts — which is certainly a bold move. However, the tone remains controlled. It’s handled with a mix of shock, humor, and Tess’s writerly detachment, which keeps it from feeling graphic in a gritty way.

Still, the tension sits firmly at moderate cozy tension.

There’s ongoing discussion about where bodies might be hidden (again, Tess is a thriller writer), which adds a slightly macabre thread throughout the story. Yet the humor consistently offsets the darker elements.

The mystery itself is:

• Comfortably twisty
• Genuinely surprising
• Smoothly paced
• Strongly resolved

The pacing flows well from beginning to end, and the final stretch is especially effective. The surprise element lands in a way that feels earned rather than forced.

Vibes Check:
Humorous, Outdoorsy and Slightly Absurd

This book leans more humorous than mysterious — but it takes a certain kind of reader to appreciate the humor. It’s sharp, occasionally dark, and layered with situational absurdity.

Mood words that fit:

• Outdoor cozy
• Found family
• Bookish cozy
• Slightly absurd
• Small-town drama
• Snarky humor

It’s not warm-and-fuzzy in a traditional bake-shop sense. Instead, it’s witty, chaotic, and clever — with emotional depth tucked underneath.

Who Will Enjoy This Book Most?

This is perfect for readers who love:

• Humor-forward cozies
• Outdoorsy or mountain-town settings
• Slightly absurd mysteries
• Bookish heroines
• Strong character-driven stories
• Surprise endings that genuinely land

It’s also ideal for readers who enjoy a cozy that pushes the edge of the genre just a bit without fully leaving it.

However, it may not be ideal for:

• Readers who prefer ultra-gentle, low-stakes cozies
• Those sensitive to body-related imagery (even when handled lightly)
• Cozy newcomers expecting purely soft comfort vibes

This feels more tailored to established cozy readers who enjoy genre-blending elements.

My Final Thoughts:
Buried in a Good Book Book Review

What makes Buried in a Good Book shine is its characters — especially Tess. Her dramatic flair, impulsive tendencies, and sharp narration carry the story effortlessly. The mother-daughter dynamic feels realistic and layered rather than sentimental, adding emotional grounding to the chaos.

The mystery is strong. The ending is satisfying. The side characters are memorable. And the humor gives the book a distinct identity.

Most importantly, it feels like a true series starter — one that demands continuation. The foundation for long-term character growth and community dynamics is clearly set, and there’s plenty of room for the world to expand.

If you’re in the mood for a cozy that’s clever, outdoorsy, a little weird, and surprisingly sharp, this one delivers.

And yes — it’s absolutely a series worth continuing.

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Enjoyed My Buried in a Good Book Book Review? If so,
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