The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens - A 15-Minute Summary & Analysis Preview: The Life We Bury, Allen Eskens' debut novel, received the 2015 Rosebud Award for Best First Mystery Novel. Additionally, the book was a finalist in five other competitions, including the Edgar(r) Award for Best First Novel. Eskens, a criminal defense lawyer, lives near Mankato, Minnesota, near the setting of his novel. In fact, he is also a graduate of the University of Minnesota,...