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Joe Gunther #29
Bury the Lead
Joe Gunther and the VBI team are investigating a murder and an arson case--both potentially related to an outbreak of ebola.
When the body of a young woman is found near a trail at a popular ski mountain, the case falls to Joe Gunther and his team at the Vermont Bureau of Investigation (VBI). They quickly have a suspect, Mick Durocher, and a confession, but not everyone on the team is convinced. Despite Mick's ready admission, investigators quickly sense there might be more going on than is immediately apparent.
At the same time, a large local business is being targeted with escalating acts of vandalism--a warehouse fire, a vandalized truck, a massive cooling system destroyed--resulting in loss of life. And either by coincidence, or not, Mick Durocher, the self-confessed murderer, was once employed by this very company.
These two puzzling cases--now possibly connected--are further complicated by the sidelining of a key member of VBI, Willy Kunkle, who undergoes surgery at a hospital that appears to be having an unlikely--and suspiciously timed--outbreak of Ebola.
Joe and his team pursue these cases, uncovering motives that might link them, while proving that trust betrayed can be a toxic virus, turning love into murderous loathing. Indeed, behind the mayhem and murder, Joe must uncover a tragic history before another victim dies.
When the body of a young woman is found near a trail at a popular ski mountain, the case falls to Joe Gunther and his team at the Vermont Bureau of Investigation (VBI). They quickly have a suspect, Mick Durocher, and a confession, but not everyone on the team is convinced. Despite Mick's ready admission, investigators quickly sense there might be more going on than is immediately apparent.
At the same time, a large local business is being targeted with escalating acts of vandalism--a warehouse fire, a vandalized truck, a massive cooling system destroyed--resulting in loss of life. And either by coincidence, or not, Mick Durocher, the self-confessed murderer, was once employed by this very company.
These two puzzling cases--now possibly connected--are further complicated by the sidelining of a key member of VBI, Willy Kunkle, who undergoes surgery at a hospital that appears to be having an unlikely--and suspiciously timed--outbreak of Ebola.
Joe and his team pursue these cases, uncovering motives that might link them, while proving that trust betrayed can be a toxic virus, turning love into murderous loathing. Indeed, behind the mayhem and murder, Joe must uncover a tragic history before another victim dies.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published September 25, 2018
236 people are currently reading
354 people want to read
About the author
Archer Mayor
44 books735 followersOver the years, Archer Mayor has been photographer, teacher, historian, scholarly editor, feature writer, travel writer, lab technician, political advance man, medical illustrator, newspaper writer, history researcher, publications consultant, constable, and EMT/firefighter. He is also half Argentine, speaks two languages, and has lived in several countries on two continents.
All of which makes makes him restless, curious, unemployable, or all three. Whatever he is, it’s clearly not cured, since he’s currently a novelist, a death investigator for Vermont’s medical examiner, and a police officer.
Archer has been producing the Joe Gunther novels since 1988, some of which have made the “ten best” or “most notable” lists of the Los Angeles and the New York Times. In 2004 Mayor received the New England Booksellers Association book award for fiction.
Intriguing plots, complex characters, and a vivid landscape are the foundation of Archer Mayor's award-winning New England thrillers.
All of which makes makes him restless, curious, unemployable, or all three. Whatever he is, it’s clearly not cured, since he’s currently a novelist, a death investigator for Vermont’s medical examiner, and a police officer.
Archer has been producing the Joe Gunther novels since 1988, some of which have made the “ten best” or “most notable” lists of the Los Angeles and the New York Times. In 2004 Mayor received the New England Booksellers Association book award for fiction.
Intriguing plots, complex characters, and a vivid landscape are the foundation of Archer Mayor's award-winning New England thrillers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
January 5, 2019
This is another excellent entry in the long-running series by Archer Mayor featuring Joe Gunther of the Vermont Bureau of Investigation. The story opens when the body of a young woman is found at the top of a ski trail. Joe's team fairly quickly and easily identifies the man who dumped the body and they fairly quickly and easily secure his confession to the woman's murder. The problem is that this all happens almost too quickly and too easily, and Joe suspects that something is off about the whole business.
While Joe and his team investigate the killing, someone inaugurates a string of actions targeting a giant food distribution warehouse. The vandalism begins with a few small fires but quickly escalates to the point where people are dying. Investigating the crimes is a daunting task because there are so many potential suspects and so very few good leads. But then a connection appears linking the murder of the young woman to the crimes committed at the warehouse, and things get even more complicated--and much more dangerous--in a big hurry.
Both the original murder and the subsequent vandalism and murders are cleverly designed, and watching the VBI agents attempt to untangle the various threads of these problems is especially entertaining. By now this cast of characters is entirely familiar; readers of the series have watched them grow and develop over the course of twenty-nine books, beginning with Open Season in 1988. Returning to the series is like dropping in on a cast of intimate friends and acquaintances, and while the mysteries in this series are always first-rate, the real joy in reading these books is checking in to see how Joe and the extended cast are getting along. This has long been one of the best regional mystery series going and Bury the Lead continues that fine tradition.
While Joe and his team investigate the killing, someone inaugurates a string of actions targeting a giant food distribution warehouse. The vandalism begins with a few small fires but quickly escalates to the point where people are dying. Investigating the crimes is a daunting task because there are so many potential suspects and so very few good leads. But then a connection appears linking the murder of the young woman to the crimes committed at the warehouse, and things get even more complicated--and much more dangerous--in a big hurry.
Both the original murder and the subsequent vandalism and murders are cleverly designed, and watching the VBI agents attempt to untangle the various threads of these problems is especially entertaining. By now this cast of characters is entirely familiar; readers of the series have watched them grow and develop over the course of twenty-nine books, beginning with Open Season in 1988. Returning to the series is like dropping in on a cast of intimate friends and acquaintances, and while the mysteries in this series are always first-rate, the real joy in reading these books is checking in to see how Joe and the extended cast are getting along. This has long been one of the best regional mystery series going and Bury the Lead continues that fine tradition.
July 23, 2020
Thanks to audible, I’m finally playing catch up with the last Joe Gunther book I hadn’t read. Joe may be back home and closer to center stage, but this book really focuses on Willy. His damaged arm is causing him to be in constant, excruciating pain. And we also get to know Rachel, Beverly's daughter, as her new job as a news photographer puts her smack dab in the middle of things.
The team is investigating the murder of a young woman, whose body was found on a ski slope. Someone quickly confesses, but his story doesn’t add up. Then, another crime involving arson at a grocery distribution company.
As always, Mayor shines in providing a story that is easy to see playing out in real life. His attention to detail and realism really work for me.
This worked great as an audiobook. I really liked Tom Taylorson’s narration and his ability to differentiate the voices.
The team is investigating the murder of a young woman, whose body was found on a ski slope. Someone quickly confesses, but his story doesn’t add up. Then, another crime involving arson at a grocery distribution company.
As always, Mayor shines in providing a story that is easy to see playing out in real life. His attention to detail and realism really work for me.
This worked great as an audiobook. I really liked Tom Taylorson’s narration and his ability to differentiate the voices.
October 7, 2018
It is lovely to follow a series and realize that I like the characters. Not just as actors in the story but as individuals who I feel I have come to know over the years. In this entry, Willie finally gets a break. Joe might be on a path to personal happiness. All of the team is helping Beverly’s daughter begin her new life.
The underlying mystery has the usual Mayor twists and turns. These are terrific stories.
The underlying mystery has the usual Mayor twists and turns. These are terrific stories.
September 30, 2018
First Sentence: Joe entered the autopsy room unnoticed, stepped to one side of the broad door, and leaned against the wall to watch.
The body of a young woman is discovered and a confession quickly obtained, but it doesn't take much to determine the confession is false. However, the man who confessed once worked at a large local warehousing company experiencing serious acts of vandalism, the latest of which resulted in a death. Is there a connection? Willie Kunkle, a key member of Joe Gunther's team on the Vermont Bureau of Investigation, is hospitalized as there is a suspicious possible outbreak of Ebola. Are all these events linked? That's up to Joe and the VBI to find out.
It is hard for many to image witnessing a real autopsy. The opening achieves several things beyond taking one through the procedure; one is introduced to Joe, learns about his department and his past, and demonstrates Joe's humanity—"This was always an autopsy's watershed moment for Joe, making the divide between seeing a fellow human as someone's recently lost companion or child and simply discovering—piece by piece—what had one made it function." One also meets Beverly, the pathologist and Joe's lover. This is nicely done both for new readers, and as a reminder for those who have followed the series. However, it also provides initial information on the victim and the crime.
Although Joe is the protagonist, his team is an ensemble about whom series readers have come to care, and that's certainly true of Willie and Sammy. Each character is fully developed and plays a vital role. That this extends beyond Joe's team to their families creates a sense of reality, including talking about murder in front of the fridge as do Lester and his wife Sue. It is through his style that Mayor makes the reader feel invested in, and even part of, the team. What is especially nice is that the characters change and evolve over time.
One of the many things to be appreciated about Mayor is that he provides explanations, such as what is a Spellman entry, as he goes along. Even better that is the explanations never slow down the pace of the story. Something about policing which one rarely considers is well stated—"Joe found himself in the dreariest corner of human behavior in which his job so routinely deposited him, surrounded by the loss, waste, and malice of others."
It's nice to have a police procedural where the police actually follow procedure. No cutting corners, no bending the law, no working without notice in other jurisdictions. It is a credit to Mayor's character of Joe that one really starts to believe there are people such as him in law enforcement. If only they were much more visible.
As connections are made and a threat is issued, tension increases. Again, it's the details where Mayor shines; the explanations of what happened and what will happen. The plot is really well done, with enough twists and surprises to keep one thoroughly engaged. There is an excellent ending and an explanation which sums things up perfectly.
"Bury the Lead" is a very good police procedural with an ensemble cast of characters, a delightfully complicated crime. This is another well-done installment in a terrific series.
BURY THE LEAD (PolProc-Joe Gunther-Vermont-Contemp) – VG
Mayor, Archer – 29th in series
Minotaur Books – Sept 2018
The body of a young woman is discovered and a confession quickly obtained, but it doesn't take much to determine the confession is false. However, the man who confessed once worked at a large local warehousing company experiencing serious acts of vandalism, the latest of which resulted in a death. Is there a connection? Willie Kunkle, a key member of Joe Gunther's team on the Vermont Bureau of Investigation, is hospitalized as there is a suspicious possible outbreak of Ebola. Are all these events linked? That's up to Joe and the VBI to find out.
It is hard for many to image witnessing a real autopsy. The opening achieves several things beyond taking one through the procedure; one is introduced to Joe, learns about his department and his past, and demonstrates Joe's humanity—"This was always an autopsy's watershed moment for Joe, making the divide between seeing a fellow human as someone's recently lost companion or child and simply discovering—piece by piece—what had one made it function." One also meets Beverly, the pathologist and Joe's lover. This is nicely done both for new readers, and as a reminder for those who have followed the series. However, it also provides initial information on the victim and the crime.
Although Joe is the protagonist, his team is an ensemble about whom series readers have come to care, and that's certainly true of Willie and Sammy. Each character is fully developed and plays a vital role. That this extends beyond Joe's team to their families creates a sense of reality, including talking about murder in front of the fridge as do Lester and his wife Sue. It is through his style that Mayor makes the reader feel invested in, and even part of, the team. What is especially nice is that the characters change and evolve over time.
One of the many things to be appreciated about Mayor is that he provides explanations, such as what is a Spellman entry, as he goes along. Even better that is the explanations never slow down the pace of the story. Something about policing which one rarely considers is well stated—"Joe found himself in the dreariest corner of human behavior in which his job so routinely deposited him, surrounded by the loss, waste, and malice of others."
It's nice to have a police procedural where the police actually follow procedure. No cutting corners, no bending the law, no working without notice in other jurisdictions. It is a credit to Mayor's character of Joe that one really starts to believe there are people such as him in law enforcement. If only they were much more visible.
As connections are made and a threat is issued, tension increases. Again, it's the details where Mayor shines; the explanations of what happened and what will happen. The plot is really well done, with enough twists and surprises to keep one thoroughly engaged. There is an excellent ending and an explanation which sums things up perfectly.
"Bury the Lead" is a very good police procedural with an ensemble cast of characters, a delightfully complicated crime. This is another well-done installment in a terrific series.
BURY THE LEAD (PolProc-Joe Gunther-Vermont-Contemp) – VG
Mayor, Archer – 29th in series
Minotaur Books – Sept 2018
September 28, 2018
NetGalley
“Bury the Lead” by Archer Mayor is book twenty-nine in the Joe Gunther series, and the series is as compelling as ever. A new reader can enjoy this book because while the characters are the same, Mayor provides quick background comments within the context of the storyline to fill in anything from the previous books that a new reader might need.
Right from the start Mayor sets out to create mystery. In a note he admits that things are not what they seem, and implores readers to stay the course. “Appearances can be deceiving. My lead may indeed be buried, for good reason.” That suggests a complicated and intriguing mystery within a mystery.
The story opens as Joe Gunther of the V.B.I. enters the autopsy room; a young woman had been found dead through “unknown misadventure.” Her clothes are wrong for a mountainous hiking trail in the dark of night, and she was pregnant. The team tracks down a suspect, who, to everyone’s surprise, confesses. This is just too easy, and things just do not fit. The question remains, who really killed her?
Different crimes and several story lines run simultaneously, just as one would expect to find in real life. One conspicuous problem is finding the motive behind detailed, complex, but unrelated crimes that are inexplicably tied together. “We’re talking Shakespearean tragedy here. Love– hate, privilege run amok, zero impulse control.” Things are hidden, but little by little, clues come to the surface, and eventually a very different picture comes into focus. As Joe comments, “Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.”
Joe Gunther and all the familiar characters are here, working together. There is a small town feel to dialogue. Everyone is friends, everyone knows each other, and as they catch up with each other, readers catch up as well. They get first jobs; they get new jobs. We get to know them, and discern how they feel about jobs, life, crime, and each other.
Mayor develops a sense of place so accurate that when the team goes somewhere in Vermont, readers can follow along on Goggle maps. When the story takes someone down route 30, readers can go along. When Joe visits the Department of Transportation truck depot between Brattleboro and Putney on Route 5, there it is on Google Maps, the semicircle of truck-sized sheds and the Connecticut River.
Mayor constructs a story around people who are compelling, captivating, and charismatic. Joe simply loves what he does. Any of characters could change the world for the better, or have a lasting impact upon society’s behavior. They do good work, have a positive influence, and are of use to people in need. There is always a laugh or two along the way, even in dire circumstances.
I received a copy of “Bury the Lead” from Archer Mayor, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley. I loved this book as I have loved every book in the series. Mayor does not just drop familiar characters into a formula plot. Each character grows, changes, and develops in every book, just as if they were living right down the street. Get out your Google maps and visit Vermont along with Joe and the crew.
“Bury the Lead” by Archer Mayor is book twenty-nine in the Joe Gunther series, and the series is as compelling as ever. A new reader can enjoy this book because while the characters are the same, Mayor provides quick background comments within the context of the storyline to fill in anything from the previous books that a new reader might need.
Right from the start Mayor sets out to create mystery. In a note he admits that things are not what they seem, and implores readers to stay the course. “Appearances can be deceiving. My lead may indeed be buried, for good reason.” That suggests a complicated and intriguing mystery within a mystery.
The story opens as Joe Gunther of the V.B.I. enters the autopsy room; a young woman had been found dead through “unknown misadventure.” Her clothes are wrong for a mountainous hiking trail in the dark of night, and she was pregnant. The team tracks down a suspect, who, to everyone’s surprise, confesses. This is just too easy, and things just do not fit. The question remains, who really killed her?
Different crimes and several story lines run simultaneously, just as one would expect to find in real life. One conspicuous problem is finding the motive behind detailed, complex, but unrelated crimes that are inexplicably tied together. “We’re talking Shakespearean tragedy here. Love– hate, privilege run amok, zero impulse control.” Things are hidden, but little by little, clues come to the surface, and eventually a very different picture comes into focus. As Joe comments, “Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.”
Joe Gunther and all the familiar characters are here, working together. There is a small town feel to dialogue. Everyone is friends, everyone knows each other, and as they catch up with each other, readers catch up as well. They get first jobs; they get new jobs. We get to know them, and discern how they feel about jobs, life, crime, and each other.
Mayor develops a sense of place so accurate that when the team goes somewhere in Vermont, readers can follow along on Goggle maps. When the story takes someone down route 30, readers can go along. When Joe visits the Department of Transportation truck depot between Brattleboro and Putney on Route 5, there it is on Google Maps, the semicircle of truck-sized sheds and the Connecticut River.
Mayor constructs a story around people who are compelling, captivating, and charismatic. Joe simply loves what he does. Any of characters could change the world for the better, or have a lasting impact upon society’s behavior. They do good work, have a positive influence, and are of use to people in need. There is always a laugh or two along the way, even in dire circumstances.
I received a copy of “Bury the Lead” from Archer Mayor, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley. I loved this book as I have loved every book in the series. Mayor does not just drop familiar characters into a formula plot. Each character grows, changes, and develops in every book, just as if they were living right down the street. Get out your Google maps and visit Vermont along with Joe and the crew.
October 7, 2021
This story combined mystery, personal interactions and relationships to let the reader feel a part of the team. Joe's team is pretty diverse. A page turner for sure.
November 1, 2018
Gunther has done a really nice job of fleshing out these characters. He had me deeply concerned for Willie's health and neatly wove Sue Spinney and, again, Rachel, into the narrative. The plot combines a couple of disparate crimes.
September 28, 2018
In the new Joe Gunther novel by Archer Mayor, Gunther's VBI team finds their investigatory exploits split between the murder of a young woman and a series of vandalism crimes at a local grocery wholesaler.
The murder seems to be an easy solve as the killer is soon caught and confesses. But variations between the confession and the actual evidence leave the team trying to track down the inconsistencies to nail down the killer.
Meanwhile, the vandalism spree seems to escalate with each successive incident until there is soon a body count and more agencies are brought in to bring the killer to justice.
If that wasn't enough, there's a possible high contagion disease breakout at a local hospital.
What's worse is that all three of these individual plots might just be all tied together by a darkly sinister maniac's plan for revenge.
Mayor's procedurals are always top notch. His characters are always well drawn but even after all this time, they seem to grow and show new development which make learning more about them a treat in each book. The developments in this book surrounding Gunther's contrarian detective Willy Kunkle start off with the potential for tragic and sad endings but as that particular subplot develops over the course of the story, there is a sea change possibly on the horizon. The effect of this could ripple outward and while it won't change the fundamental nature of Willy's character in the long run, it does give hope of at least some brighter days ahead.
Joe's interactions with his girlfriend Dr. Beverly Hillstrom show progress as their relationship deepens. Her daughter Rachel is also a key figure in the story as a new job puts her in an oppositional position from Joe and his team.
Overall, each step of the investigation was a thrill to read. Whether it was a dead end or revealed a clue to further the investigations, you couldn't help but want to keep turning the pages to see what was going to happen next.
The thing about Archer Mayor's books is that they do a thorough job of entertaining the reader without relying on over the top theatrics. The story is told straight up and when the situation arises that some sort of action set piece is needed, it always fits the overall storytelling.
The cast of characters keeps me coming back because I want to see what they are up to with each new book. These books are just too damn good and the idea that I have to now wait another year for the next Joe Gunther adventure makes me wish for a method of time travel so I can get my greedy hands on the next book!
The murder seems to be an easy solve as the killer is soon caught and confesses. But variations between the confession and the actual evidence leave the team trying to track down the inconsistencies to nail down the killer.
Meanwhile, the vandalism spree seems to escalate with each successive incident until there is soon a body count and more agencies are brought in to bring the killer to justice.
If that wasn't enough, there's a possible high contagion disease breakout at a local hospital.
What's worse is that all three of these individual plots might just be all tied together by a darkly sinister maniac's plan for revenge.
Mayor's procedurals are always top notch. His characters are always well drawn but even after all this time, they seem to grow and show new development which make learning more about them a treat in each book. The developments in this book surrounding Gunther's contrarian detective Willy Kunkle start off with the potential for tragic and sad endings but as that particular subplot develops over the course of the story, there is a sea change possibly on the horizon. The effect of this could ripple outward and while it won't change the fundamental nature of Willy's character in the long run, it does give hope of at least some brighter days ahead.
Joe's interactions with his girlfriend Dr. Beverly Hillstrom show progress as their relationship deepens. Her daughter Rachel is also a key figure in the story as a new job puts her in an oppositional position from Joe and his team.
Overall, each step of the investigation was a thrill to read. Whether it was a dead end or revealed a clue to further the investigations, you couldn't help but want to keep turning the pages to see what was going to happen next.
The thing about Archer Mayor's books is that they do a thorough job of entertaining the reader without relying on over the top theatrics. The story is told straight up and when the situation arises that some sort of action set piece is needed, it always fits the overall storytelling.
The cast of characters keeps me coming back because I want to see what they are up to with each new book. These books are just too damn good and the idea that I have to now wait another year for the next Joe Gunther adventure makes me wish for a method of time travel so I can get my greedy hands on the next book!
November 23, 2018
This is a good mystery, but it is not Archer Mayor's best work. I can't quite put my finger on the exact root of my disappointment. There's lots of action. Strong characterization. And, an interesting plot. But the individual strengths simply don't mesh; the whole is less than the sum of the parts. That said, I'll continue to read this author and commend him for adding contemporary angles to a tightly focused series.
April 6, 2019
I usually enjoy the Joe Gunther novels and this one was no exception. Quite a lot of featured characters to keep track of but good read.
August 14, 2018
When a body is discovered near a popular ski trail, Joe Gunther and his team at the Vermont Bureau of Investigation quickly locate a prime suspect, Mick Durocher. Durocher confesses almost too quickly, with only partial details which cause many on the team to doubt him, yet they aren't sure since the facts do lead to him.
At the same time, a business is targeted with vandalism and Mick Durocher, the confessed murderer, was once employed by the company.
So as these two cases possibly tie together, there is yet one other concern. Willy Kunkle, a member of the Vermont Bureau of Investigation, undergoes surgery at a hospital that has a suspicious and perhaps timely outbreak of Ebola.
This is Archer Mayor's 29th Joe Gunther novel.
What Concerned Me: While this is a very good novel, my favorites are the ones that start a little faster. This one took a bit to draw me in.
What I Loved Most: Though this is the first book I've read by Archer Mayor, the characters are introduced in such a way that I didn't feel lost. As with any series, if you want the most out of it it's probably better to start at the beginning, but I was comfortable with quickly learning who was who.
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Archer Mayor for allowing me to give my honest review of this ARC.
https://debbieshakespearesmith.blogsp...
At the same time, a business is targeted with vandalism and Mick Durocher, the confessed murderer, was once employed by the company.
So as these two cases possibly tie together, there is yet one other concern. Willy Kunkle, a member of the Vermont Bureau of Investigation, undergoes surgery at a hospital that has a suspicious and perhaps timely outbreak of Ebola.
This is Archer Mayor's 29th Joe Gunther novel.
What Concerned Me: While this is a very good novel, my favorites are the ones that start a little faster. This one took a bit to draw me in.
What I Loved Most: Though this is the first book I've read by Archer Mayor, the characters are introduced in such a way that I didn't feel lost. As with any series, if you want the most out of it it's probably better to start at the beginning, but I was comfortable with quickly learning who was who.
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Archer Mayor for allowing me to give my honest review of this ARC.
https://debbieshakespearesmith.blogsp...
November 10, 2018
Joe Gunther is the sort of person I'd enjoy as a friend, a mentor and/or supervisor. He exudes patience and wisdom, gumption, and a sense of justice all in the right proportions. One of his team describes Gunther as an Obi Wan-type figure, something with which I agree.
An interesting plot along with a varied and interesting cast of characters keep this story moving forward at a steady pace.
This is a police procedural that is more focused on the characters and plot action than absolute accuracy in police thinking and detail, but it's easy enough to suspend belief for the sake of everything else that is going on in the book.
An interesting plot along with a varied and interesting cast of characters keep this story moving forward at a steady pace.
This is a police procedural that is more focused on the characters and plot action than absolute accuracy in police thinking and detail, but it's easy enough to suspend belief for the sake of everything else that is going on in the book.
October 22, 2018
#29 in the Joe Gunther series. This 2018 series entry by author Archer Mayor brings Joe Gunther, field commander of the Vermont Bureau of Investigation, and his team to a challenging mix of cases. Joe's ensemble team highlights two new members. Team member Lester Spinney's wife Sue is a nurse with a new job and she is drawn into caring for her friend Sam Martens' husband Joe Kunkle, both members of the VBI team. Meanwhile, Rachel, the daughter of Joe's lover, Vermont Chief Medical Examiner Beverly Hillstrom, has been employed as a staff photographer for several local newspapers in which position she manages to play a pivotal role in the VBI investigation of a series of sabotage actions towards a wholesale distributor. The annual visit to Joe's iconic Vermont is always welcome.
After an autopsy conducted by chief medical examiner Beverly Hillstrom, Joe Gunther's trusted associate for decades and, more recently, his lover, on the body of an unidentified young woman found near a resort on Bromley Mountain. Joe and his team at the Vermont Bureau of Investigation soon have a suspect, thanks to security camera footage that caught Mick Durocher, who's also a small-time crook, disposing of the woman's body. Mick readily confesses that he hit the victim. a woman named Teri Parker he picked up in a bar, with a two-by-four in a drunken quarrel, but his story doesn't hold up, and finding the real killer isn't easy. Meanwhile, arson strikes the GreenField Grocers, and further sabotage has fatal results. Beverly's daughter, Rachel Reiling, newly hired as a photographer for the Battleboro Reformer, does her own, predictably dangerous, investigating into the GreenField case.
After an autopsy conducted by chief medical examiner Beverly Hillstrom, Joe Gunther's trusted associate for decades and, more recently, his lover, on the body of an unidentified young woman found near a resort on Bromley Mountain. Joe and his team at the Vermont Bureau of Investigation soon have a suspect, thanks to security camera footage that caught Mick Durocher, who's also a small-time crook, disposing of the woman's body. Mick readily confesses that he hit the victim. a woman named Teri Parker he picked up in a bar, with a two-by-four in a drunken quarrel, but his story doesn't hold up, and finding the real killer isn't easy. Meanwhile, arson strikes the GreenField Grocers, and further sabotage has fatal results. Beverly's daughter, Rachel Reiling, newly hired as a photographer for the Battleboro Reformer, does her own, predictably dangerous, investigating into the GreenField case.
January 3, 2019
Archer Mayor's Bury the Lead, is another great trip around Vermont solving crimes. He gets a bit more detailed about Willy and his arm as well as the autopsies. But it’s all good. Joe is kept busy in both solving crimes and his love life. Always a great read.
October 16, 2018
I’ve been a fan of Archer Mayor for quite some time. I’ve always found his books enjoyable, his dialogue rings true and characters that are real. His last couple novels, however, left me flat.
Maybe my taste has changed since I seem to be in the minority but I found ‘Bury the Lead’ very slow moving and boring. It was a relatively short novel, only 291 pages. Yet, it seemed much longer. The story never pulled me in. Parts of it dragged and sadly, the characters I used to feel a connection with I know feel nothing for. Every time I was sure the story would pick up, it didn’t.
I might take a break from Mr. Mayor’s books because this one was a struggle to get through. It really deserves a 1 but since I’ve been a fan of his books for years, I’m rating this a very generous 2
Maybe my taste has changed since I seem to be in the minority but I found ‘Bury the Lead’ very slow moving and boring. It was a relatively short novel, only 291 pages. Yet, it seemed much longer. The story never pulled me in. Parts of it dragged and sadly, the characters I used to feel a connection with I know feel nothing for. Every time I was sure the story would pick up, it didn’t.
I might take a break from Mr. Mayor’s books because this one was a struggle to get through. It really deserves a 1 but since I’ve been a fan of his books for years, I’m rating this a very generous 2
August 13, 2018
Joe Gunther and his team, once again become embroiled in a mysterious murder and weave their way to a dysfunctional family secret ending in murder. The cast of regulars are all involved in one aspect or another. Having read this series from the beginning. I know I can always expect a great mystery as well as finding out what's happening in the lives of some of my favorite characters. Another great installment!
October 30, 2018
Bury the Lead is an apt title for this latest installment in the world of Joe Gunther and the VBI. Logic and happenstance both play a part in the unravelling of the mystery. The story is well plotted with enough buried surprises to keep me engaged until the end. The character development is reasonably well integrated into the whole. The language geek in me appreciated the author note regarding the use of Lead/Lede.
October 4, 2018
More Murder in Vermont
Faithfully continues the characters we have become so attached to in his previous novels, and gives us another good read as we try to figure out the ending before it is revealed. Again Mr. Mayor's knowledge of actual police work gives us a feeling we are looking at what a real investigation must be like. His usual "Well done".
Faithfully continues the characters we have become so attached to in his previous novels, and gives us another good read as we try to figure out the ending before it is revealed. Again Mr. Mayor's knowledge of actual police work gives us a feeling we are looking at what a real investigation must be like. His usual "Well done".
September 28, 2018
I've been reading the Joe Gunther series since the beginning. This is mos def one if the better entries as of late. Loved it.
February 4, 2019
This was my first Joe Gunther mystery and also my first novel by Archer Mayor. I had no problem, at all, following the characters. I see that other reviewers suggest you read through the whole series rather than jumping in at this #29, but for me this book was entirely self contained or maybe self explanatory.
I enjoyed it very much up until the last quarter or so. It was well written, moved in a straight line (always a plus for this senior citizen!) and brought new cast members in gently (also a plus at my age!). The writing was concise and the mysteries were well designed. I loved watching dogged police work – step by step with no supermen and no techno-wonders.
The finale seemed a bit of a stretch in plausibility and also in credibility. Also I was hoping to find more of a connection with the second (or third?) mystery. Jealousy is a power motivator, but this did seem a bit contrived and overdone – twice (or thrice)!
I enjoyed it very much up until the last quarter or so. It was well written, moved in a straight line (always a plus for this senior citizen!) and brought new cast members in gently (also a plus at my age!). The writing was concise and the mysteries were well designed. I loved watching dogged police work – step by step with no supermen and no techno-wonders.
The finale seemed a bit of a stretch in plausibility and also in credibility. Also I was hoping to find more of a connection with the second (or third?) mystery. Jealousy is a power motivator, but this did seem a bit contrived and overdone – twice (or thrice)!
November 5, 2018
Took this reader longer to read as I was having trouble getting through the beginning it as I did not find it too exciting a story line. But being a Archer Mayor fan... will carry on. By the middle of the book it had been tied all together and turned out to be a really good read in the Joe Gunther series. Archer Mayor is one of my favorite writers as his books are always thought out and well written and bring enjoyment to this reader. My favorite paragraphs are in the last paragraphs of the book which I will save for others to enjoy and ponder on. Bravo on the reflections..right on the money and my feelings exactly whether they are corny or not too!
February 11, 2019
I have loved most of the books in this series, and I gave the one immediately preceding this, "Trace," a 5-star rating. For some reason, however, this one felt flat and predictable. The dialog also seemed a stale and forced. I hope this is just a rare exception to what otherwise is one of my very favorite police procedurals set in the US.
September 2, 2019
I stumbled upon this series a couple of years ago and realized that I need to read them all. It took me almost six month to get the first 20 books together so I could read them in order but it was worth it. I think there was a little slow period in some of the later ones but this and the novella he wrote recently shows that Mayor and Gunther is back on top. Soon there will be a new book release and I look forward to it. I seldom feel the urge to visit someplace when I read books but this series really makes me want to visit Vermont. Great book, stongly recommended.
January 5, 2019
This is a very good addition to the Joe Gunther novels. The plot is twisty and the unraveling takes teamwork. I especially enjoyed the way the characters interacted with each other and I appreciate the way they've all deepened over the years. As always I appreciated the setting details which are familiar to me.
July 14, 2022
I discovered a Joe Gunther that I had not read, so, when my lovely wife grabbed a copy from the library to read for herself, I borrowed it and read it before she did.
What can one say about a Joe Gunther novel? They are well plotted, with the familiar characters doing their particular things. The various plot threads are woven together as we progress -- Archer Mayor always does that well -- and the denouement is well done, if a little predictable.
I always enjoy an Archer Mayor book, and this is a good one...
What can one say about a Joe Gunther novel? They are well plotted, with the familiar characters doing their particular things. The various plot threads are woven together as we progress -- Archer Mayor always does that well -- and the denouement is well done, if a little predictable.
I always enjoy an Archer Mayor book, and this is a good one...
October 22, 2018
Joe Gunther's 29th outing is as solid as its predecessors. Its Vermont setting, investigative detail, humane central character, and sympathetic treatment of people makes it a very good read. The books aren't jet-propelled, but they are steady, and some of the secondary characters are interesting in their own right.
January 26, 2019
Wanted to take one star away from an otherwise excellent book because the back cover blurb gave away too much of the story. The first two sentences are more than enough. Couldn't not give 5 stars. Still hoping, since 1988, that Mayor will locate a Gunther tale at Marlboro college.
December 13, 2018
Joe Gunther has never disappointed and he delivered again. I have high hopes for his relationship with Dr Hillstrom, and I like her better than the others. Hopefully they will make it and he will finally settle down with her. Glad to finally see a change in ole Willy and to see hope there also. I loved how the disfunction of the family was displayed. It's real and showed that money is not the cure foe everything. Now eagerly awaiting the next book. Please keep cranking them out Mr Archer Mayor.
November 18, 2018
Early summer in Vermont should be a time of beauty. For the most part it is all across the state including the area that surrounds the local ski resort at Bromley Mountain. The natural landscape beauty is marred by the body of a young woman as Bury The Lead: A Joe Gunther Novel by Archer Mayor begins.
The murder, and that is exactly what it was and there is no doubt, will be handled by the Vermont Bureau of Investigation. In particular, the team led by Joe Gunther. A team that works well together despite, and quite possibly because of, their differences. It does not take Joe and his team long to identify a suspect by the name of Mick Durocher. Once in custody, he quickly confesses to killing and disposing of the body in the dead of night. While he is obviously guilty of dumping her, did he actually do it?
And what is his connection if any, to the recent attacks against the operations of a local business owner? And what the heck is up with Willy Kunkle who seems increasingly strange?
These questions and many more are explored and ultimately answered in the latest installment of this ongoing very good series. As happens again in this book, this is less a series about Joe Gunther and more of a series about the ensemble cast. As such readers are again treated to multiple points of view detailing the personal and professional lives of the characters as they do their jobs. As in real life, these characters are not robots and work goes home with them.
Bury The Lead: A Joe Gunther Novel also illustrates a more reflective Joe Gunther who has some lifestyle choices to make going forward. At the same time he seems to have an appreciation of all he has accomplished. The reader is left with the impression that this is one of those “fork in the road” type books. The kind where the book bridges the gap between what was and what is coming down the pipeline regarding a major change in the series. That impression could also be your humble reviewer intermingling his own personal life with things in the book that are not there as the reviewer seeks his own purpose going forward.
A series that began long ago with Open Season continues strongly with Bury The Lead: A Joe Gunther Novel and is very much recommended.
Bury The Lead: A Joe Gunther Novel
Archer Mayor
http://archermayor.com/
Minotaur Books
https://us.macmillan.com/minotaurbooks/
September 2018
ISBN# 978-1-250-11328-3
Hardback (also available in eBook format)
292 Pages
$27.99
Material supplied by the good people of the Dallas Public Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2018
The murder, and that is exactly what it was and there is no doubt, will be handled by the Vermont Bureau of Investigation. In particular, the team led by Joe Gunther. A team that works well together despite, and quite possibly because of, their differences. It does not take Joe and his team long to identify a suspect by the name of Mick Durocher. Once in custody, he quickly confesses to killing and disposing of the body in the dead of night. While he is obviously guilty of dumping her, did he actually do it?
And what is his connection if any, to the recent attacks against the operations of a local business owner? And what the heck is up with Willy Kunkle who seems increasingly strange?
These questions and many more are explored and ultimately answered in the latest installment of this ongoing very good series. As happens again in this book, this is less a series about Joe Gunther and more of a series about the ensemble cast. As such readers are again treated to multiple points of view detailing the personal and professional lives of the characters as they do their jobs. As in real life, these characters are not robots and work goes home with them.
Bury The Lead: A Joe Gunther Novel also illustrates a more reflective Joe Gunther who has some lifestyle choices to make going forward. At the same time he seems to have an appreciation of all he has accomplished. The reader is left with the impression that this is one of those “fork in the road” type books. The kind where the book bridges the gap between what was and what is coming down the pipeline regarding a major change in the series. That impression could also be your humble reviewer intermingling his own personal life with things in the book that are not there as the reviewer seeks his own purpose going forward.
A series that began long ago with Open Season continues strongly with Bury The Lead: A Joe Gunther Novel and is very much recommended.
Bury The Lead: A Joe Gunther Novel
Archer Mayor
http://archermayor.com/
Minotaur Books
https://us.macmillan.com/minotaurbooks/
September 2018
ISBN# 978-1-250-11328-3
Hardback (also available in eBook format)
292 Pages
$27.99
Material supplied by the good people of the Dallas Public Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2018
May 14, 2023
I wasn’t sure I was going to like this one from the synopsis. However, this was one of my favorites in this series. Granted, I wish these books were longer...and I also want more (now that I’ve almost read the whole series)! Mr. Mayor needs to write faster! 🤪
As I get these from the library and have to wait until November 1 before my checkout quota is renewed, I’ll have to finish my other library books via the other audiobook app that limits me by how many at once instead of how many books per month. I also wish my library system would stop saying I have 10, then mysteriously changing that number overnight to 7 or 8. That’s just meanness!
Anyway, this one really showed the VBI “family” growing more tightly knit. With the addition of Sue (Lester’s wife) and Rachel (Beverly’s daughter) as more prominent characters than previously shown (aside from the book before this, Trace, where Rachel was involved slightly more), this is making for better plots with more depth of feeling. The Beverly/Joe thing is totally fantastic. Oddly, Gail has vanished from the picture completely. What happened? Did she keep getting re-elected? No idea since the big “reveal” a few books back.
Anyway, I totally want to go to Vermont. I’ve been looking at maps to be able to follow the plot...been doing that for awhile now. That’s how I know about the Super WalMart in NH that’s visible from VT. I’ve never visited that state ans now I’m intrigued. I’m not a huge fan of snow, or maybe I’ve just not had enough exposure to it as an adult. Where I live, the whole place shuts down if there’s a half inch of snow. They don’t have the equipment and budget in place because sometimes we may only get a few flurries. We haven’t had snow since I got my current vehicle...so I’ve still never tested the AWD and all those abilities...and it’s been almost 3 years.
Maybe a trip to Vermont is in the future for me. Maybe not...but I love visiting with the VBI gang via these books. Willy is my favorite...because I always champion the underdog and the misunderstood. Those that are hardest to love need it the most.
First read 10/22/2020. Second read 5/14/2023. Same as above review.
As I get these from the library and have to wait until November 1 before my checkout quota is renewed, I’ll have to finish my other library books via the other audiobook app that limits me by how many at once instead of how many books per month. I also wish my library system would stop saying I have 10, then mysteriously changing that number overnight to 7 or 8. That’s just meanness!
Anyway, this one really showed the VBI “family” growing more tightly knit. With the addition of Sue (Lester’s wife) and Rachel (Beverly’s daughter) as more prominent characters than previously shown (aside from the book before this, Trace, where Rachel was involved slightly more), this is making for better plots with more depth of feeling. The Beverly/Joe thing is totally fantastic. Oddly, Gail has vanished from the picture completely. What happened? Did she keep getting re-elected? No idea since the big “reveal” a few books back.
Anyway, I totally want to go to Vermont. I’ve been looking at maps to be able to follow the plot...been doing that for awhile now. That’s how I know about the Super WalMart in NH that’s visible from VT. I’ve never visited that state ans now I’m intrigued. I’m not a huge fan of snow, or maybe I’ve just not had enough exposure to it as an adult. Where I live, the whole place shuts down if there’s a half inch of snow. They don’t have the equipment and budget in place because sometimes we may only get a few flurries. We haven’t had snow since I got my current vehicle...so I’ve still never tested the AWD and all those abilities...and it’s been almost 3 years.
Maybe a trip to Vermont is in the future for me. Maybe not...but I love visiting with the VBI gang via these books. Willy is my favorite...because I always champion the underdog and the misunderstood. Those that are hardest to love need it the most.
First read 10/22/2020. Second read 5/14/2023. Same as above review.
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