If you haven’t read The Secrets We Bury and The Lies We Tell, the first two books in The Undertaker’s Daughter series, you’ll want to go back and read them before you start this. This is an excellent story but it’s very much the conclusion to the trilogy and you’ll miss a great deal of context - and character building - if you try and pick up here.

Rowan DuPont’s family secrets are finally starting to be unearthed, and they’re much more horrifying than she could ever have imagined. The connection between her long-dead mother and serial killer Dr. Julian Addington is revealed, leaving not only Rowan but everyone she cares about in terrible danger… and the body count is once again mounting.

For a Harlequin, this isn’t all that heavy on the romance. Yes, Rowan and police chief Billy Brannigan are settling into something like domestic bliss together, but the knowledge that a serial killer is watching your every move puts a distinct damper on things, as well as the FBI wondering if maybe you’re up to no good. It is, however, very suspenseful, and threads which were opened in previous books are finally tied off here, answering all the questions while providing a satisfying conclusion.

Five stars for an excellent conclusion to a series I’ve thoroughly enjoyed.

This is the third book in The Undertaker’s Daughter series and can be read as a stand alone. Debra Webb offers up a fast paced romantic suspense. The story is tense and filled with surprise. Those that are familiar with the series will find a deep appreciation in the character arc developed for Rowan. A short read and thoroughly satisfying. 4 stars.

Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC of #TheDarknessWeHide

Oh boy, this one was full of twists and turns that I didn't expect. I had not read the other books in the series and kind of wish I had read them first. I may go back and read them even though I've already read this one, just so I can better understand all the nuances of the characters and story.

That being said, it was still a really enjoyable and thrilling story. There were a number of points where I was both scared to find out what was going to happen and also eagerly needing to know. I've only read a few of Debra Webb's books so far, but she is quickly becoming an author whose writing I really enjoy.

I would definitely say read the rest of the series first, but I would recommend picking them up for sure!

Within the first chapter, the author explains what happened in the prior two books in this series. It’s a humdinger! Rowan and her family’s lives have been intertwined with infamous serial killer, Julian Addington, and his family for literally decades. Her mother had a “relationship” with him. Not to mention a fascination with other local serial killers. Julian killed Rowan’s father. Julian’s daughter killed Rowan’s twin, Raven. Rowan wounded but failed to kill Julian, who then escaped. Clearly, there is a lot of Darkness We Hide in Rowan’s past. But what about her future?

Billy, the Police Chief, moved into Rowan’s house as they investigated their newfound love for one another. Rowan promoted her assistant Charlotte to partner to lift some of the burden of being the town’s sole undertaker from her shoulders. So why does Rowan have such a feeling of dread? When will Julian return to finish his evil plan?

Wow, this book has enough plot for ten books! There is even a serial killer that kills serial killers. And then makes books from their skin. The FBI “called them the books of the dead”.

Everyone knows I adore a twisty, curvy, and elusive storyline. If you do too, I recommend the Darkness We Hide. It’s a wild and engrossing ride. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars!

Thanks to MIRA, Harlequin Books, and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Darkness We Hide by Debra Webb is the third novel in The Undertaker’s Daughter series. The author does provide a summary of what occurred in the earlier books in this series, but I believe it is better to read The Undertaker’s Daughter series in order (it makes more sense that way). The beginning is a little slow, but the pace soon picks up. The Darkness We Hide is a suspenseful novel with twists, turns and surprising revelations. It is a dark tale with gruesome details that will have you cringing (that is a good thing). I was put off, though, by the foul language (I find it offensive). The Darkness We Hide is well written with developed, realistic characters. I could feel the suspense and emotion in this twisty story. The Darkness We Hide provides a thrilling conclusion to the series. All the loose threads (there were so many) are tied up in this action-packed book. You will find your mouth dropping open in disbelief during a certain scene. I was delighted with the satisfying epilogue. I was amazed at the evil, warped characters in this story (this author has a vivid imagination). There are also some truly kind individuals as well. The Darkness We Hide is a dark and twisty suspense with surprising secrets, a perverse predator, a traitorous turncoat, a repugnant agent, and an upset undertaker.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Netgalley, and Mira Books for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication.

So I was lucky enough that I was able to understand what the series was about – at least the gist of it – without having read the other books, but I recommend reading the first two books and the novella first! I missed out on a lot of the story and background by not reading it prior to this one, but I plan on eventually reading the full series in the future.

Ugh I’m so freaking glad that this terror that Doctor Rowan had to deal with ends up coming to an end because I couldn’t imagine having to go through what she did. It’s not enough that she’s surrounded by death on a regular basis because of the funeral home family business, but then to have a serial killer in the mix that is trying to punish her for whatever it is he feels like she did. I mean, when do they really need a reason to be cruel to people right?

This got intense, it got gritty, it got insane. Seriously this was one of those mystery-thriller novels that kept you up at night with its plot and how psychological the situation was for Rowan. Honestly there were some parts that were a little hard to digest because of the content, but I think that it made sense for the story and it was written well. Webb did an amazing job with this trilogy.

By now, most of you that read my reviews know that I’m a romantic suspense junkie. And you know that I’m always on the hunt for new-to-me authors that might become my next automatic 1-click author. I had never read a book by Debra Webb, but I will most certainly be reading more of her work from now on!

This book is the conclusion to Ms. Webb’s The Undertaker’s Daughter series. These books could be read as standalone titles, but my opinion is that you’re going to miss too much of the backstory if you don’t start from book one. And with the crazy twists and turns this story took, it’s worth your while to start with The Undertaker’s Daughter and go from there.

NICUnurse’s Rating: This story did NOT end like I thought it would. Based on clues from the previous books in the series, I was so confused (in a good way!!) that I honestly had no clue where the clues were going to lead the characters next. So needless to say, this book kept me up entirely too late because I just had to know how the author was going to wrap it all up! And it was definitely a jaw-dropping conclusion! The overall plot and character development were very well written. There were times where I felt that some things had been brought up before so those parts made me feel like I was reading the same things over and over again. Hopefully, that was addressed in later edits. Regardless, if you are looking for a book that is true suspense and one that will keep you on the edge of your seat and up way too late at night (and maybe checking that your doors are securely locked at 3 am!), this is definitely the book for you. And that is true for the entire series. Just go ahead and do yourself a favor and buy the whole darn thing!

I give The Darkness We Hide, as well as the entire series of The Undertaker’s Daughter 4.5 out of 5 stars!

OMG...the suspense in this book is totally on another level, it's like there's a serial killer in every corner....literally. I keep expecting bad things happen on the next page, I was scared to turn the page but too curious to know what will happen so I keep turning the page, my heart racing the whole time and thank God there's sweetness here and there that break all those crazy tensions, This book has a great mystery, great suspense, great characters the kind that make me root and pray for happy ending for them, so yeah this is the great book for suspense lovers out there and totally recommended and seriously...you really need to read this.

I did not like the first two books; therefore, I'll be skipping this one. The author's writing and I just didn't jive.
Thank you for the opportunity.

Conclusion of Roman's Search for Her Family Secrets

Doctor Rowan Dupont is now in charge of the family undertaking business and ably assisted by her friend Charlotte. Life is calm at the moment. She and Police Chief Billy Brannigan have established what she hopes will be a permanent relationship, but fears that her family background will never let her have a normal life because the serial killer Julian Addington is still out there. Much as she wants it, she feels she can’t lead a normal life and plan for the future until his menace is removed.

This is the third book in the Undertaker’s Daughter Series, and it wraps up Roman's search for her family secrets in an exciting conclusion. I loved the tension between Rowan and Billy’s blossoming romance and the darkness of Roman's family background.

The action is fast paced. I found it hard to put the book down. Although the book alternates between the darkness of the serial killer and the normality of family life, I found the ending very dark and chilling. The suspense is non-stop with deaths of people close to Rowan, threats, and warnings.

The conclusion was very satisfying. It pulled together all the threads in story and was quite a surprise. I admit the solution to the mystery that haunted Roman's mother was rather darker than I expected, but I thought the author did a good job making all the secrets and murders make sense.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

Cranking up the tension from the very first page you'll find your self racing through the pages to find out what's going on. Vibrant voice with a plot that flows seamlessly. Happy reading!

The tension cranks up full force in the newest installment of THE UNDERTAKER'S DAUGHTER Series. A year has passed since Rowan 's father's murder. She successfully became "the undertaker," rather than "the Undertaker 's Daughter," and her friendship with Billy Brannigan, Winchester, TN's Chief of Police and lifelong best friend.


But prolific, off-the-charts, serial killer Julian Addington, once Rowan's mentor and friend, is closer still and farther along on his plan to make Rowan regret living. Billy, and FBI Special Agent Dressler, are among his targets; so is anyone close to Rowan, personally or professionally. Is there no recourse, no end?

I recently read my first book by Debra Webb, and was thrilled to see that there was another book, THE DARKNESS WE HIDE, coming out soon. I went ahead and read the book, aware that it was the concluding book three of THE UNDERTAKER’S DAUGHTER series. While I was able to get pulled immediately into the story, and obtained enough previous information to not be lost, I definitely recommend reading the prequel and books one and two first. You won’t be sorry. This review is truly for the whole series, as opposed to just this final book.

Dr. Rowan Davenport has had a life filled with pain and trauma. Her twin sister was murdered at only thirteen, and shortly after that, her mother committed suicide. Rowan became a psychiatrist, working with the police department, eventually writing a successful book. When it turns out that her long time friend and colleague, Julian Addington, is in reality, a serial killer, and she was unable to detect it despite her training and experience, Rowan leaves her job and returns to her small home town. Julian has since murdered her father, resolving that he intends to bring so much pain to Rowan, that she will welcome her own death. Rowan takes up the family funeral business, and occasionally helps Sheriff Billy Brannigan with cases, though in an unofficial capacity.

Billy and Rowan were school friends, never romantically involved, though young Rowan had a crush on him. Currently they’re both unmarried, and while there is a simmering attraction between them now, neither has acted on it. The specter of Julian Addington is always lurking in the background. In the months since he killed Rowan’s father, he has periodically contacted her, taunting her to use her brain to find out the truth. Though the FBI is now involved in the hunt for Julian, he is clever enough to elude them while staying close to Rowan.

As a genuine romance finally develops between Rowan and Billy, one that is over two decades in the making, the body count climbs as Julian is determined to take every happiness away from them. I love this couple’s strength and commitment to each other while facing such a devious enemy. I couldn’t turn the virtual pages quickly enough to find out the answers to all the questions. THE DARKNESS WE HIDE is exciting, surprising, twisted, gruesome, and fascinating. In addition to the superbly written suspense, I loved that Rowan and Billy are around forty-ish, not youngsters, and I adore the respect he had for her talent. Another interesting (if somewhat morbid) facet was learning about the duties of an undertaker. I truly enjoyed this series and wholeheartedly recommend it for fans of romantic suspense.

The Darkness We Hide is the third (and final) novel in Debra Webb's The Undertaker's Daughter series, a thriller and mystery series of epic proportions. As the pull quote says, some secrets really are worth dying for.

Doctor Rowan Dupont has been through a lot the last ten months. Actually, that's a bit of an understatement. She's lost family members and loved ones, has been haunted by the ghosts of what has been done, and it is all far from over.

Julian Addington is still on the loose. As long as that serial killer is free, Rowan will never be able to let her guard down. She'll never stop looking over her shoulders. Or take the time to truly enjoy being with Billy Brannigan.
Luckily, Rowan is made of sterner stuff. She's investigated plenty of mysterious deaths in the past, and is prepared for the worst. She also determined to bring Julian's reign of terror to an end – before he can take anything (or anyone) else from her.

The Darkness We Hide was a thrilling – and exceptionally chilling – thriller. It was exactly what I was hoping for, providing an entertaining outlet full of strong characters and anxiety-inducing plots and schemes.

There's a lot to love about this novel (and series). Personally, I adore the characters and settings. There's this sense that the world Rowan lives in is real – real, vibrant, and so alive. The Southern charm rings true in Webb's writing...but it's also more than that. Her writing brings the whole atmosphere to life.

One thing I'll confess to being sad about: this is the conclusion to the trilogy. It was the right time to end it, so I respect that Webb isn't dragging the series on or anything like that. It's just that I've really come to like Rowan, so I don't really want to see the story end.

That being said, I really respected (and enjoyed) the conclusion. This is something that both the characters and fans deserved. So that made it all worth it. It was dramatic and suspenseful in all the best of ways. And then some.

The Darkness We Hide is a title that lives up to its name. The world, plot, and events that unfold are unflinchingly dark at times but described with precise and careful details. It's a blend that really allows you to dive right into the plot, without becoming overwhelmed.

I've noticed that with mysteries, in particular, people don't always read the series in order. I'm guilty of that. The Darkness We Hide is a novel that can be read as a standalone, but honestly? You'll enjoy it a lot more if you read the entire series in order. Otherwise, you're going to miss references, details, and waste a lot of time trying to piece the background together.

I'm very much looking forward to seeing what Debra Webb comes up with next. I have a good feeling that I'll end up enjoying anything else as much as The Undertaker's Daughter series. Can't wait to find out!

All the answers to your questions are in this book. Now getting those answers isn't easy. Julian is still a threat. All the answers Rowan wants and needs lie in her mother's past. Rowan with the help of Billy takes a trip to the past to figure out Julian. This book is emotional and intense. If you have read the first two books then you will enjoy this book. It was good to get answers, closure and a happily ever after.

*I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.*

Title: The Darkness We Hide
Author: Debra Webb
Genre: Suspense, thriller
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

For months, Doctor Rowan Dupont has been staring death in the face. It followed her back to her hometown of Winchester, Tennessee, ten months ago, cloaking the walls of her family’s Victorian funeral home like a shroud. In investigating the mysterious deaths of her loved ones, Rowan has unearthed enough family secrets to bury everything she’d previously thought true. But each shocking discovery has only led to more bodies and more questions; the rabbit hole is deeper than she ever imagined.

Despite settling into a comfortable life with Police Chief Billy Brannigan, Rowan knows dangerous serial killer Julian Addington is still out there. She can’t let her guard down now. Not when she’s this close to ending it once and for all. But with a storm brewing on the horizon, she’ll get only one shot before the impending darkness takes hold, threatening to wipe away every truth she’s uncovered—and everything she holds dear.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading the story of Rowan and the secrets she’s discovered about her life—and her family. In this novel, some of those secrets are finally revealed giving faithful readers a resolution. Rowan’s sometimes-blind loyalty drives her to take risks, but it’s for the right reasons, making her motivations understandable.

As always, I was drawn into the story from the very first page, and the action kept me reading straight through the entire novel, eager to find out how thing would play out. This book did not disappoint!

Debra Webb is the award-winning, USA Today bestselling author of more than 130 novels, including reader favorites the Faces of Evil, the Colby Agency, and the Shades of Death series. With more than four million books sold in numerous languages and countries, Debra's love of storytelling goes back to her childhood on a farm in Alabama.

(Galley courtesy of Harlequin/MIRA in exchange for an honest review.)

The Darkness We Hide is the rousing conclusion to The Undertaker's Daughter series. Believe it or not my first foray into Rowan Dupont's sinister world of serial killers was The Lies We Tell last summer. Although it is the third book in the series I felt drawn to Rowan's character. I found the mystery of her past to be as intriguing as her current dilemma. So much so that I jumped on the chance to get this book and have spent my time in quarantine curled up with this series. Yes I read them all within the last week. I did not want to miss a beat when it came to uncovering Norah's darkest secrets or discovering what made a psychopath like Julian Addington tick.

I must admit that I usually shy away from romance. However, Webb draws a connection between Rowan and Billy that is deep and abiding. It is a believable love story. One that is selfless and formed out of friendship. Although this is the last installment of this series, readers can look forward to more adventures set in Winchester with Webb's forthcoming novel Before He Vanished.

Special thanks to Lia Ferrone at Harlequin- MIRA Books for sending this galley my way.

https://carryabigbook.wordpress.com/2020/03/31/blog-tour-the-darkness-we-hide/

In this concluding chapter of the story the suspense builds up to a crescendo and the truths keep piling up as the mounting body count can't keep the secrets contained any longer.I really enjoy Ms. Webb's romantic thrillers but this one has been darker than most with its haunting and psychological triggers.
Things couldn't be better between Rowan and local sheriff Billy on a romantic level but everyone can sense that the waiting is almost done and the other shoe is going to drop.  With all the folks looking out for Rowan and the FBI hot on his trail it's amazing that Julian Addington can still stay one step ahead and find ways to haunt Rowan and make an end run around the combined presence of Billy and his team as well as the FBI.
It's such a relief when Rowan starts to finally put together the pieces of the puzzle that have haunted her since she came home from school to find her mom hanging from the balcony in her home. It's remarkable that she continues to live in the house which is also a funeral parlor. 
This is definitely not a series to pick up in the middle and run with it but even if you've been reading along and following along some of the revelations in this book will blow you away.I know I heaved a huge sigh of relief when all the clues were figured out so that Rowan and Billy can hopefully put her past behind them where it belongs and finally dream of a happily ever after. 
I continue to remain a fan but this one might have been a bit too much for me.

I can’t stress this enough. Read the other books in the series first. I didn’t, and I regret it because the author does a great job of bringing everything together…I just didn’t know what “everything” was. If you’ve read the others, you’ll love this one. Otherwise, you’ll be as lost as I was. I will still go back and read the first ones, but they won’t mean as much now that I know how it all wraps up. Still would recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for the opportunity to read this one.

Well, now that I know this was a trilogy, the continued focus on the relationship between Rowan and Julian makes a lot more sense! I wish I had known this when I read book 2. I probably would have had a bit more patience with it! That being said, I still think the writing (or maybe editing) needs a bit of attention. Thoughts are repeated multiple times. Two such points that won't spoil the book are Rowan not wanting to ruin her friendship with Billy and not being able to accept that her father would kill anyone. Ms. Webb did a good job of reminding readers what they might have missed if they hadn't read the first two books but then seems to get clogged down in repetition. A few times I wondered if I had accidentally jumped back pages and was re-reading something from earlier. But Ms. Webb did bring the series to a nice conclusion and I appreciated the subplots that gave the story some changes in intensity levels.