This book will suck you into it from the beginning pages. It was a very dramatic and compelling book. Cue the creepy music as an unsuspecting man is drying off after his shower not knowing that he is about to be viciously attacked and killed. His wife, Ellen Winthorp, is not your flower on the wall, weak female. She is a financial guru who has built an empire with all women at the helm. Of course, the spouse is always the first suspect. So, she hires Finley O'Sullivan's godfather/uncle Jack's firm to represent her. Finley is the legal investigator for the firm, but she is so much more. She was an ADA before her own personal loss. Her husband was murdered in their own home, and she was viciously attacked. She knows who was responsible, but she cannot prove it... yet. Her story is also built into this mystery. You will find yourself cheering for her.

I love the character of Finley. She is an overcomer. Her strength in rising above her circumstances is impressive. I also loved the character of Matt. Matt is a very close friend of Finley, and he has been by her side from start to finish. He was a real friend.

The mystery is very complex with many moving parts as there are actually two mysteries being laid out in the puzzle. One is the hunt for the individual responsible for Finley's loss, and the other mystery is who killed Ellen Winthorp's husband, Jarrod. Finley is a bulldog investigator with a brilliant mind. As she digs further into the mystery that surrounds Ellen Winthorp, the mystery deepens further, and she finds more questions than answers. I really like the teaser on the book, "A widow or a widow-maker?" You will be seesawing back forth thinking you have it all figured out only to find another twist around the corner. There are some very mysterious and powerful women working in this book. Secrets, lies and deception are the name of game in this story. Oh what a tangled web we weave when we tell one lie after another.

This was a dramatic, tension-filled story by a very talented storyteller. I closed this book with a smile on my face as all was right in the world.

Thank you to Thomas Mercer, NetGalley and Debra Webb for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is the second installment in the Finley O’Sullivan series. Finley is struggling after her husband’s murder. Shes a nonacting lawyer and currently working as a lead investigator. When Ellen Winthrop, a high powered woman in the male-dominated financial world is accused of murdering her husband, Finlay and her firm are hired. Finley sets off to prove Ellen didn’t commit the murder, but the deeper Finlay digs, the more unsure she becomes that her client is innocent…and her husband might not have been the first victim.

This was a fast-paced book that kept me engaged the entire time. I really enjoyed the entire book but getting the backstory of Finley’s husband was a bonus. I enjoyed how Finley’s character was written, it showed her working through her grief and I felt so connected to her. There were plenty of twists and turns and I’m excited to read the next based on how this one ended.

This book can be read as a stand-alone but I recommend you read the first in the series so you have the additional context. It will come in handy at the end of this book.

Check out this wonderful thriller next week on March 14th!

Thank you to the publisher Thomas & Mercer, @amazonpublishing, and Netgalley @netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Nature of Secrets by Debra Webb is a fast-paced and thrilling suspense novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The story follows the investigation of a young woman's murder in a small town, and the secrets that are uncovered along the way. The characters are well-developed and the plot is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end. The author's writing style is engaging and atmospheric, with vivid descriptions that bring the setting and characters to life. Overall, The Nature of Secrets is a gripping and entertaining read that is sure to appeal to fans of suspense and mystery novels.

My Review
☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️

The nature of secrets.
Debra Webb.

This one has the perfect name the perfect cover
It's all about the secrets. The book cover is perfect The Book is full of Secrets. Some Secrets are worth killing for.

Finley O’Sullivan
Legal investigator. Works for jack.
What they do for clients well is to prove there Innocent..but so much more comes from there Investigation.. there was much more than anyone was expecting. This job was bigger than either Jack or Finley was expecting. One dead man.
Turns in to more than just a simple case.
It's bigger than anyone knew. But with Finley O’Sullivan on the case. Things will be solved.
She's fantastic at her job.

Finley,
Is still working on Solving the crime. Of Who killed who husband a year ago. She's definitely got her hands full. A best friend who's always there to help. Matt's a friend to end.

There's more secrets around each bend in the story. So just when you think you have it figured out. A new secret . The Ending was Fabulous.
Another wonderful book by Debra Webb
Thank you.

A solid thriller, fast paced and gripping. I liked the characters and the plot kept me guessing.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

I had not previously read a book by Debra Webb, and this one left me wondering why not? I found The Nature of Secrets to be gripping and full of suspense. The female protagonist is an extremely likeable character and I found myself rooting for her throughout the book, as her personal and professional life intertwined.
The storyline was compelling, and it kept me guessing as more information was revealed to the reader. This book is the second instalment of the Finley O'Sullivan trilogy but can easily be read as a stand-alone. I have, however, just purchased the first book and will most definitely be there for book three.

I actually came across this book a couple of months ago and wanted to read it. However, because I’m a fanatic about reading a series in order, I read the first installment and really liked it (4star rating) and looked forward to finally reading this one.

The gangs all back: Finley, Jack, Matt and The Judge (Finley’s mother). The book summary introduces the primary storyline, so I won’t repeat it here. What the book summary doesn’t mention is the secondary storyline, which was the lead in for this installment at the end of the previous installment, is Finley is still working her own investigation of the ones who were responsible for her husband’s murder and her rape. She knows who they are, there are four (one person who hired the other three people) and in the previous book, she saw to the end of the one who actually committed her husband’s murder. In this installment, she focuses on the rest of them.

Most of the story focuses on the investigation of the new client, Ellen, and her husband, Jarrod, and their marriage and background history. There is the introduction of several characters who work for, and are completely loyal to Ellen in her company run completely by women. From the get-go, Finley is convinced that there is something that these women are hiding. There is also the continuing investigation of the secondary storyline of the murder of the guy who killed Finley’s husband. After another murder, the investigators are trying to tie the two together and are looking at Finley. This is all revealed early in the story.

The second half of the story has Finley continuing her background investigation of Ellen and some major clues are revealed that adds a really weird twist to the story. Additionally, Finley’s investigation into the people who murdered her husband and raped her also takes a huge jump forward from some unlikely characters. The ending gets pretty scary for Finley and her loved ones. The final scene is a lead in to the next installment, that I look forward to reading it.

I want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer, for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

@NetGalley @Thomas&Mercer @TheNatureofSecrets

4 1/2 STARS!

Entertaining and highly addictive! The second book in Debra Webb’s Finley O’Sullivan series not only brings us a brand new case to sink our teeth into with her, but it also brings some answers to some of her questions regarding her husband’s murder a year ago. The story is complex and delves into the lives of the newest vic, his wife and all of her closest friends while on the side Finley is getting closer every day to uncovering who her own husband really was.

Even though there are two detailed stories going on at the same time throughout this book, the author does a great job of melding them into one cohesive unit and delivering concise resolutions to each.

I recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys a whodunnit mystery with high powered secrets and lies popping up around every corner.

4.25⭐

Legal investigator Finley O'Sullivan is back a year on from the attack that left her a widow. But she has no time to grieve and her search for answers has to be put on hold.

As she's needed to help defend her boss Jack's latest client Ellen Winthrop. Whose husband Jarrod has been found murdered in the family home. And Ellen is the police's number one suspect.

So it's up to Finley to find evidence that Ellen is innocent.

However, the more Finley digs into Ellen and the Winthrop marriage the more she starts to doubt her innocence. In fact, she starts to believe Jarrod may not be Ellen's first victim.

But it seems Ellen isn't the only one keeping secrets.

And with so many twists and turns. This was an engaging and fast-paced story. That easily kept me reading and even though this is the second in a series, I never felt like I was missing out having not read the first.

I would happily recommend this story and author to others.

The Nature of Secrets is the second book in the Finley O'Sullivan series. Finley is a former ADA and now a legal investigator working for Jack Finnegan, friend of the family and Finley's Godfather, has had a difficult year since her husband’s murder.

New client, Ellen Winthrop's husband of a few months has been murdered and trying to protect herself hires Jack and Finley to represent her if she is charged with his murder. Ellen is a strong woman in a male dominated field. She has surrounded herself with the best women she could find in their respective fields with work with her and they all fall into line when questioned.

Ellen reveals that her husband had been moving a lot of money out of her bank accounts. Throughout the investigation, Finley discovers that Ellen is full of secrets as was her husband, Jarrod. As Finley digs deep into the Winthrops’ marriage, the more she starts to doubt Ellen’s story. But it is Finley's job to discover issues before they become a problem.

Finley has secrets of her own as she secretly watches the three men who murdered her husband Derrick and raped her a year ago. Feeling she has nothing left she purposely puts herself in situations with them that turn dangerous. She believes Derrick was keeping secrets from her.

This second book in the series is a fantastic continuation of the first book. This is a very intense and fast paced thriller that I just couldn't put it down.

Okay==MIND BLOWN!!
Do not start this book unless you have nothing to do or anywhere to go for a few days. You will not be able to put it down until you have finished the read.
Finley is now investigating a murder of a very influential woman's husband, & things do not look good. Shares of Finley's husband's murder.
This story is simply phenomenal in it's ability to keep you buckled in for the stunning roller coaster ride that Finley has to take to figure out all the clues and piece them all together!
I don't know how, but Ms. Webb manages to top herself with each successive book!
This ARC was given to me for review.

The Nature of Secrets
By Debra Webb
Due out February 21, 2023

This is the second book in the Finely O’Sullivan series. But it can be read as a stand alone. But I do recommend you read the first one also.

This story is fast-paced, highly intense with just so much going on. It’s an edge of your seat read! Debra gets you involved in the characters right away.

Ellen Winthrop is a financial genius. She is accused of killing her husband Jarrod who was siphoning money from her bank accounts.

Ellen hires Finley and her godfather Jack to represent her.
This case brings up a lot of hurt and heartache for Finley because her husband Derrick was also murdered.

This story is very intense and emotional! A page turner and edge of your seat read. Debra Webb never disappoints!

I highly recommend this book!

I received this ARC and this is my honest review!

I will leave a review on Amazon and B&N on March 14th.

In this book we learn more of the back story about Finley and her husband Derrick that we didn't find out in the first book. Overall, I enjoyed this book more than the first one, as it did give me more background on what had happened in the past. This book had plenty of twists and turns and I would recommend it to others. I received an ARC from the author for free, and I am leaving my review voluntarily and the opinion expressed here are my own.

Such a fantastic read. Debra is such a great author and her books never let you down.

This is another great read. Great job.

Debra never disappoint in her books I always look forward to read them.

Thanks net galley.

Crisp dialogue, a fast-moving plot, and engaging characters, would recommend
Thank you to Debra Webb, NetGalley, and Thomas & Mercer for the arc of this book.

This is the second of a new series, featuring Finley O'Sullivan, a legal investigator with a fixation for the truth and a traumatic past. The Nature of Secrets by Debra Webb opens with a murder, as Finley’s boss calls her to the police station to begin the potential defence of the dead man’s wife. So begins a dispersed crime novel with Finley’s dead husband’s consequences and their client, Ellen Winthrop’s personal lives paralleling. Whilst the narrative is slow at times, the various strands come together at the end in a feel-good finale. Although not having read the first book, this was an enjoyable multi-layered tale, with a three and a half stars rating. No doubt there will be further Finley adventures and a potential new job. With thanks to Thomas & Mercer and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given.

Finley O’Sullivan is back in her second book investigating the murder of a wealthy billionaire’s husband. Along the way, she has to confront more villains from her past.

Another solid book. It felt somewhat like a conclusion to Finley, but if she does return, I feel like it’d be back to law more. I would recommend reading the first book first. The author did do a good job recapping past events so you won’t be lost, but it will reveal a lot of events from the first book that might be spoilers.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Yet another winner from author Debra Webb!
We get the second instalment in the Finley O'Sullivan series, where Finley digs deep into the murder of a wealthy woman's husband, all the while still struggling to come to terms with her own personal tragedy.
A book worth reading!

Finley is really struggling with some personal issues. Now, her and Jack have a client, whose husband was murdered. I love how smart and determined Finley is. She’s very likable. Love seeing how she interacts with everyone, especially the Judge. It was nice to see her relationships start to change and grow.
I thought this started a little slow, but it turned out to be a very good read. It hooked me and I really enjoyed it.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this one.

I really enjoyed this little book. It was well written, the characters were easy to fall in love with, and the plot wasn’t all that bad. I would definitely recommend it to fans of the genre.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this book. My review was left of my own free will, and it’s my honest opinion.