3.75/5 stars

I don't believe I've ever read a novel by Debra Webb, so this is a first for me. I was invited by a contact from the publisher to read and review this book. I was hesitant at first, as the synopsis sounded intriguing but was the 2nd book in a series. Thankfully I had very few issues with finding my way through the book. It was fast-paced, suspenseful when it need to be, and was an overall enjoyable night-time read. We do get references from the previous book, but they were usually worked in seamlessly to help those who may have forgotten events. Sometimes they were a bit jarring to read, as it felt blunt or confusing, but for the most part it was easy to follow along. The story itself was good, but I did feel it lacking in terms of its "thriller" tag. While it is undoubtedly, a thriller, I did want a bit more than what I was given. It took a while to get to the root of things, so for me personally I would've like a faster pace. Characters are also well done, but I didn't get the full extent as i hadn't read the first book. Despite all this, I still did find the book enjoyable to read, thus the round up rating. I'd suggest going to the first book even though this does remarkably well on its own.

Second in the series another chilling read by Debra Webb well written tense hard to put down.will be reading more by this author.#netgalley #mirabooks

The Lies We Tell, by Debra Webb

Short Take: Is this how straight guys feel in strip clubs?

(*Note: I received an advance copy of this book for review.*)

Y’all it’s 86 degrees here, and it’s September. WHY is it 86 degrees in September? All my feeds are full of scarves and pumpkin spice, and while I am not into either of those, I am also not into 86 degrees in September. Everyone’s allergies are going nuts, which is just compounding the misery of the heat.

And speaking of misery, let’s talk about The Lies We Tell, shall we?

This is the second (correction - it’s book #2.5, there’s an introductory novella) book in The Undertaker’s Daughter series, and while I genuinely enjoyed the first one-point-five books, Ms. Webb jumped the shark with this blatant cash-grab.

Warning!!! The following contains spoilers for the previous books in the series, so if you haven’t read them yet, tread lightly!

Rowan DuPont’s life has been a rough one. From the drowning death of her twin sister when they were twelve, to her mother’s subsequent suicide, and her own failed suicide attempts, she has finally found a bit of peace when it’s all upended again. In her 40’s, she learns that her best friend and mentor, Julian Addington is in fact a prolific serial killer who has killed over 100 people, and he also was having an affair with Rowan’s mom, and he has just killed Rowan’s dad, leaving her the only surviving member of the family and thus the heir to the DuPont Funeral Home.

Of course her psychiatry background means that she can slide right into the undertaker role, presumably because things like licensing and certification aren’t things in Winchester, Tennessee, and it also qualifies her to jump into investigations with the coroner and chief of police, Billy, with whom she’s been exchanging goo-goo eyes (but nothing else) for over 30 years.

It also means that she somehow, over the course of DECADES, fails to figure out that her bestie is a serial killer who’s obsessed with her, her parents’ marriage was not a good one, her mother had a whole secret life that Rowan didn’t even bother looking at till thirty years after her death, and her most trusted employees are committing all manner of crimes right under her nose. We’re supposed to believe that she has no life because she’s so Committed To Her Investigation Work, but she’s really really terrible at it. She’s so preoccupied with her work that she fails to dress for the weather or buy or eat food ALL THE TIME. We’re told no less than five times at different points that Rowan wishes she had brought a coat or sweater or should probably eat lunch but oops too much more important brain stuff happening. But the brain stuff doesn’t happen. The original serial killer is still alive and well and obsessed, she never really digs into her parents’ stuff other than some journal-reading, other people have to point out the employees’ misdeeds to her.

But she DOES manage to do things like order inventory, and get her assistant’s printer moved, so there’s that, I guess.

In The Lies We Tell, a body brought to the funeral home for processing has a tattoo that seems to connect him to Rowan’s mother. Rowan’s subsequent discoveries somehow manage to be both completely, ridiculously, impossibly over-the-top, and completely pointless at the same time. There are a few juicy hints about Rowan’s mother’s past (again: it’s been 30 years, shouldn’t a brilliant person like Rowan have dissected at least SOME of that by now?), but no answers other than that every person involved in any investigation ever is super inept (SO MANY killers running around doing their thing for decades, like a whole network, it’s ridiculous even for Tennessee).

And in the end, there are no answers, the whole book is just an extended setup for another book, which we all know I hate, almost as much as I hate the Criminal Mastermind cliche. Seriously, if a dude is smart enough to kill dozens of people without getting caught, why is he borderline homeless? Shouldn’t he have figured out how to steal some money along the way?

The Nerd’s Rating: TWO HAPPY NEURONS (and a peanut butter sandwich, so I can also pretend to be a super-busy genius.)

Dr. Rowan DuPont knows a serial killer is after her. That however, is not stopping her from trying to find out the truth of her mothers suicide years before. Rowan is learning that the death of her twin might not be the only reason she took her life. From what she has learned so far her mother may have ties to people that kill. Police chief Billy Brannigan a long time friend of Rowan's, more than just a friend really, plans to keep Rowan safe from one of the worst serial killers alive, Jullian .Addington. A real monster who has been stalking Rowan and involved with her family for years it seems. A double murder has happened and Billy is worried. How to keep her safe when she wants her life as normal as possible. Rowan will not hide in fear nor will she allow round the clock protection. Billy must watch out for her as Jullian is close very close. Then Rowan dissapeares and fear grips Billy he must find her before it's too late.
Thank you NetGalley, Debra Webb and Harlequin Mira for allowing me to read this ARC. This is my honest opinion. Read the whole series leading up to this one it will give you a better understanding and they are all a very good read.

I will review this on Amazon Sept 17. 2019

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review.

This is the second book in the series, and although I didn't read the first book I didn't have any trouble following along with the storyline. Rowan Dupont has taken over the undertaker job in her hometown, after her fathers murder. She grew up surrounded by death, and it still surrounds her now in the form of series killers. The book was action packed, and full of twists and turns. I love thrillers and this one certainly fits that bill. I found it hard to put this book down, and look forward to reading more of the storys to follow. I would certainly recommend it to those that enjoy thrillers.

First of all I have to stress that while I hadn't read the first book of this series, it was quite easy to get the gist of what was going on and enjoy the sequel and its new events. I'm definitely curious about the first book now though! As the name of the series already suggests, the main character Rowan Dupont is the daughter of the local undertaker, and she has grown up helping her father with his job. Definitely not a normal childhood! And this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Rowan's past, because her family has a LOT of skeletons in the closet. Secrets revealed in the first book are hinted at, but there will be a lot more shocking reveals before you reach the final page of The Lies We Tell. Things can be said about the credibility as it might be just a tad too twisted and suspenseful to be fully believable, but it definitely makes for an entertaining ride. Prepare yourself for a cliffhanger ending and having a lot of questions left unanswered though! Because this sequel will give you no closure and will definitely leave you wanting for the next book to see how things will continue.

I think part of the reason this story worked so well for me were the characters. Not only is Rowan a fascinating and strong character on her own, but I loved just how big of a role her dog Freud played throughout the story. Billy is likewise a great character and I loved both their dynamics and the character developement in general. The plot is well developed, quite twisty and has a healthy dose of suspense and action included. I had The Lies We Tell wrongly identified as romantic suspense (I'm not sure why), but there is nothing mild or tranquil about this story. Oh no, this is a full blown serial killer thriller where things will get dark, disturbing and violent and some scenes are definitely not for those with a weak stomach. The fact that the main character is an undertaker and her connection to everything that is happening gives the story an unique touch. Fans of darker and fast-paced crime thrillers will have a great time with this series!

OMG I haven't read any of the books in this series but definitely plan on it now. This book was so dark and twisty with mystery thrown in and it made for an exciting thriller mystery.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
<i> Rowan DuPont is the new undertaker in her hometown, a town she was once desperate to escape from after the death of her family. Now she leads a relatively quiet existence, preserving the dead and occasionally helping her police officer best friend, Billy, with cases that require her psychological expertise. When her small town is rocked by the murders of two men, and clues are left behind for Rowan, both Rowan and Billy worry that Julian Addington is back. Julian, the killer who has been watching and waiting for Rowan for years, may finally have his chance. </i>
“The Lies We Tell” is the second novel in the series, “The Undertaker’s Daughter”, by Debra Webb. Ms. Webb is not a new author, having more than 100 novels under her belt, but this was the first novel of hers that I have had the chance to read. Although I was thoroughly intrigued by the idea of a serial killer and the daughter of an undertaker, I felt like I was missing something by not reading the first novel.
The novel itself was creative and entertaining but I felt that, with no experience of the first novel, there seemed to be a lot of characters that had previously existing storylines I was not privy to (which is obviously the case). This made it difficult for me to enjoy the story the way I should have, and the way that it likely deserves.
From the character development and creepy setting, it is apparent that Ms. Webb is an experienced storyteller. Rowan and Billy were easy characters to like and root for, and the plot definitely has the right “whodunit” mystery element. This novel ended with a hint toward another novel in the series, but it did provide a relatively satisfying conclusion.
I found the first half of this novel to be a difficult read, as I was trying to bond with characters that had already been developed, with half their stories already told. However, once I had acclimated to the new characters (to me), the second half of the novel took me on a murder mystery thrill ride, full of serial killers and mysterious circumstances.
From this novel alone, I can tell that I will enjoy Ms. Webb’s work, both past and present, and I’ll have to add them to my TBR list. That being said, I probably won’t read the third novel in this series, at least until I’ve caught up and read the first.

Rowan is an undertaker as was her father before her. A man called Julian has an obsession with her although I am unsure if this is the second book in a trilogy or a one off. Billy, the local chief of police, is in love with Rowan and wants to protect her. Following Rowan trying to solve her families uncertain history takes quite a few unforseen turns. I would like to know the outcome, too many unanswered questions for me!!!

This is the 2nd book in the series The Undertaker's Daughter. It can be read as a stand alone but I don't suggest it. The Secrets We Bury is the first book and you get so much of the backstory of the characters reading it first. In The Lies We Tell, we catch back up with Doctor Rowan Dupont while she is waiting for Julian Addington to come for her. This story has so many twists and turns and I could not put it down. I can not wait for the next book in the series! This series is a must read if you enjoy thrillers!

A fast paced book that grabbed me from the first page! It is book two in a series and even tho I hadn’t read the previous one I had no problems following the story. I definitely want to go back and read the first one now. I really enjoyed the story and look forward to story number three. Thanks for the early copy

This book was my first book and definitely not my last by this author. Although it was the second in a series , I slipped right into it without missing anything .
I recommend this book

This book had me from the blurb....Serial Killer on the loose? Yes please. I enjoyed this book overall (I didn't realize that this was the 2nd book in a series, when I requested it.) I'm not really sure that I missed anything by not reading the first book. Maybe a few things would be a little clearer if I read it but I don't really feel like I was missing out on much. Some places in the book I felt like it jumped around or left spaces/gaps in the story telling but again that could be because I didn't read the first book. Overall a good book. I would probably read the first book in the series.

This was a good mystery and very suspenseful like the others of hers I have read . She has a way with fast paced plots
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

And finally I get around to telling you about the book that the lovely people at MIRA sent me to review. <em>The Lies We Tell </em>is the second main book in the Undertaker's Daughter series. It COULD be read on its own as a standalone story as you do get a reprise of a lot of the salient points as the book moves along but it is much more satisfying to read them in order.

Rowan is now acutely aware that she is the main target for Julian Addington the serial killer. She knows that he is just watching and waiting for his chance to get close to her again. Under close scrutiny from both the FBI and local law enforcement Rowan hates knowing that she is putting other people's lives at risk while Addington is fixated on her.

Working closely with the local police chief Billy Brannigan a recent double homicide leads to an even more grisly discovery. Could there really be a second serial killer at work in the small town of Winchester?

In many ways I found this to be the more satisfying of the Undertaker books so far. Webb spends less time rehashing the stories of the dead Mom and the drowned sister and Rowan gets more time spent delving into new clues and working through the new information that she is discovering about her family. And of course it wouldn't be a Webb suspense thriller without a cliffhanger ending!

Supplied by MIRA and Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very interesting mystery. It was thrilling and suspenseful. I enjoyed it so much more than I thought I would! It kept me on the edge of my seat!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

What do you do if someone is watching you, someone you rightfully fear but can't find? Everyday essentials such as earning a living mean parts of you life have to continue, especially if you are responsible for burying the dead in your small home town. Doctor Rowan Dupont was always known as the undertaker's daughter until her father was murdered; now everything is down to her.

Thankfully, Rowan's main ally is the local chief of police, Billy Brannigan, who is not only determined to keep her safe but also to finally end the torment dispensed by a serial killer who has had her in his sights since she was a small child.  They both have vitally important work to do however, and as the number of unexplained deaths keeps rising their lives become evermore complicated and stressful.

This is a fast moving, exciting and, at times, heartstopping novel which was hard to put down. There are two previous books in this series,  one a novella the other I can only imagine is as spellbinding as the third instalment as I haven't read either. I could continue the series without backtracking but I don't think I want to as this was a book I thoroughly enjoyed and I would definitely read again in sequence before waiting anxiously for book four.

Very few books in this genre end on a cliffhanger but this one, although satisfyingly tying up quite  a few lose ends, leaves just as many still to be discovered, resolved or laid to rest. It is a very well written, intelligently planned, and beautifully drawn novel with characters you like and worry about. I want to know what happens next, and in many ways that is the highest of praise.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to the publishers and NetGalley in return for an unbiased review and would recommend it without hesitation to anyone already invested in this series or who doesn't mind arriving a little late to the party. If that isn't the case read the first two, as I definitely intend to do. This was my first Debra Webb book; it won't be my last.

I wish to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Publishers for the chance to read The Lies We Tell in return for an honest review. This is grim, intriguing story, which I should have enjoyed more, but I felt there were too many gaps detracting from my getting fully engaged and involved. Rowan DuPont returns to take over business in the family funeral home. Her character and outlook are influenced by tragic events in the past. Her mother committed suicide, and her twin sister and father have both died. Her mother left some cryptic journals which Rowan is puzzling over. There are references to a menacing serial killer from previous books, and I wanted to know more about that case. There are suggestions that her mother may have been involved with this man, and that Rowan has reason to fear him. What was her mother's relationship to this serial killer, and to a man whose body has just arrived at the funeral home bearing a tattoo of her mother's name?

Rowan has a longtime friendship with Billy Brannigan, who is now chief of police. He is very helpful and protective of her as she searches for answers about dark and disturbing family secrets. There are two previous books in the series, The Undertaker's Daughter and The Secrets We Bury. I felt these two novels were essential to fully flesh out the main characters and to understand past events which connect with the present story. This did not work for me as a stand-alone but is an introduction to an interesting series which I would like to read from the beginning.

Debra Webb is a prolific author who has written many best selling books. The Lies We Tell has an interesting premise but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the first book in the series, The Undertaker's Daughter. I felt I was missing something as I read the first part of the book. I liked the relationship between Rowan DuPont who returned to town to take over the 150 year old family business, DuPont Funeral Home, and her lifelong friend Billy Brannigan who is now Chief of Police in Winchester Tennessee. The two continued to care for each other as they grew up. Now there is a new feeling that Rowan is not sure she wants to acknowledge because she doesn't want to jeopardize their friendship.

There's plenty of murders, missing bodies and misdirection that kept me reading right up to the end. However, I was disappointed that the story ended with a cliffhanger.

I received an electronic copy of the book from Mira Books through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are completely my own.
#TheLiesWeTell #NetGalley

The Lies We Tell was an intense read! I have been a huge fan of Debra Webb for many years now, reading a abundance of her books. With each new book her storytelling gets deeper, more imaginative and wonderfully complex! Her newest series, is dark, twisty and captivating. The story had me captivated from the very beginning and had my full attention, I never wanted to put my kindle down. So many intriguing turn of events, lots of drama and heart wrenching events , I never wanted the book to end. It was a fantastic read, if you enjoy thrillers! Loving the series and wanting more of it!
#netgalley #thelieswetell