A crime analyst returns home to investigate the death of a step mom no one really seemed to like. A run of the mill cop thriller from the 1970s. Dramatic, elongated, sadly average.

* It was a pleasure to read the ARC for Deeper Than the Dead, thank you D. Webb and Thomas & Mercer

Have you ever felt like you had everything under control but all of a sudden you realize you never had any control? That’s what the main character experiences throughout this thrilling read. As you are introduced to new people and new motives, you begin to wonder if you truly know those around you. The characters are real and relatable. The story was good and kept me guessing till the end about who, why, where and when. Highly recommend.

Great beginning to a new series. Debra Webb has hit it out of the park again!. Love the characters and storyline. Vera is a great at character. Looking forward to more!

Mystery thriller with good plot, characters, and setting. Made me think whilst putting pieces together and trying to solve the whodunnit(s). Subtracted one star because denouement feels not fully finished, but I’m thinking there might be a sequel to come.

This is such a great thriller that will have you hooked from the first page. The main character returns home to a situation and things begin to unfold. I can’t wait for more books in this series. Debra is a talented author who plots her story very well.

**Thank you, Netgalley, the publishers, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**

Deeper Than the Dead follows 'disgraced' ex cop Vera Boyett and her internal struggle to hide family secrets while solving the mystery of human remains found in a cave at her childhood home..

As the reader, I enjoyed the fact that this book kept me guessing. Every time I thought I figured out who the killer was, I was thrown for a loop. I must've gone through about five different killers by the end of it. I was shocked at two of the revelations. I can't wait for book two to come out, and this one hasn't even been released yet. The wait is going to be rough.


This book is definitely worth the read. It'll keep you on your toes and will have you turning pages late into the night.

A new series in which Vera returns to her hometown, remains were found on the family's property..
She wants closure, while keeping her secrets.
I enjoyed reading this book. one gets hooked from the beginning with
plenty of twists and turns to a good ending. I recommend this book and
others by this author.
Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer for my voluntary review ...August 6,2024 releases

I love a mysterious thriller and this book definitely hit the spot.

I was hooked from the first plot twist (I certainly wasn’t expecting that) or the second or any others for that matter…

I read it all in hours since I couldn’t wait to find out what truly happened.

Kept me guessing till the very end.

It was my first read from this author and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from her.

I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I like this author. She writes a page turner. Imagine guessing the ending early...do not try because the red herrings and the secrets will prevent that. Webb is innovative in her stories...I wonder and wonder what will happen next. Realistic characters keep this story moving quickly...not dull moments or thinking, "Get on with it." There is none of that in this Webb novel. Even the title is intriguing. What could be deeper than dead??? Really???That title is enough to get me to read this book. This would make a good movie...don't miss it. However, some parts of the story are difficult to read. Thanks Netgalley.

Deeper Than the Dead is crafted perfectly. The twists and plot points are carefully placed making this a smooth read for any style of reader. This is book 1 of the Very Boyett series and I am already ready for book 2! I wouldn't call this just a police procedural story or just a thriller, the author has done a great job of layering the investigative aspect, suspense, romance, all taking the reader on an emotional journey through the eyes of a disgraced police chief whose own family pain and secrets have become her next case to solve. Five stars from this reader!

I found this book a little slow to get into, but by the second half of the book it was so hard to put down! I would definitely read the next book in the series!

Vera Boyett, a skilled crime analyst and recently disgraced deputy police chief, reluctantly confronts her familial history when the remains of her long-lost stepmother are uncovered. Vera is compelled to confront a threatening past that jeopardizes her very identity. She and her sister Eve had a fairy-tale childhood that was good until it turned tragic, with a stepmother they never found a bond with. At least they had each other, a baby half-sister, and a shared devotion that led them to commit unthinkable acts. Against the backdrop of a stifling summer in small-town Tennessee, saturated with suffocating humidity and concealed secrets, lurks a revelation – beneath the surface lie more bodies than one would imagine.
This novel is a must-read for fans of mysteries that offer a captivating blend of suspense and familial drama.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and author Debra Webb for the opportunity to review the advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

The book had me constantly guessing, skillfully introducing various suspects and gradually unveiling connections and revelations in each chapter. I particularly enjoyed the intricate family secrets and drama intertwined with the ongoing investigation. Small-town crime novels are my favorite due to the interconnectedness of the characters.

While the first half seemed a bit slow-paced with a focus on background information and introductions, it picked up significantly in the latter half with fast-paced clues and frequent plot twists. Learning that this is the start of a series, I realized the necessity for laying extensive groundwork.

I wished for more development of the character Vera, as delving into her past, particularly her experiences in Memphis, would have helped me relate to her choices and actions. Her sisters, on the other hand, came across as endearing and believable.

While some major questions seemed unanswered in the ending, it appears to be setting up for a sequel, which I found enjoyable and intriguing. The buildup to the end was satisfying and prompted me to revisit the story for missed clues.

Overall, it was an enjoyable and engaging read, especially in the latter half, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series to uncover the unresolved mysteries and follow Vera's next steps. Many thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing this book. The publication date is set for 8/6!

I had never heard of this author before but the description of the book sounded so intriguing and it did not disappoint! It was fast paced, funny, dripping with mystery, and had me questioning everyone. While there was really no twist, I still found this book to be incredibly fun and well done for a mystery/crime book. The characters were interesting and unique, but I found myself wishing for something more between Vee and Bent. Overall, I thought this was really well done and I enjoyed this book! I will definitely read more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-book in exchange for my honest review.

This is my first read by this author and I enjoyed it. I thought from the premise I would like this and it didnt disappoint.

When Vera receives a call from her sister saying remains have been found on their families land, she immediately returns home to her two sisters. I really like Vera, she is determined, fiesty, doesn't suffer fools and I think comes across as being very realistic and believeable. I think the authors writing style is good, engaging and easy to follow and moves from past to present times seamlessly. I felt the pacing in the first half of the story was a little to slow for my liking although it did pick up more in the second half, and the last quarter of the book was a very absorbing read where everything starts to tie up together nicely. The plot line is good and I liked the way the author drip fed information that had me second guessing again and again who the killer was. Did this book wow me or have me desperate to know more - initially no but towards the end yes. I'd definitely want to read the next book in the series and hope to see Bent appear again. If you're into crime, police procedurals then I'd recommend this.

3 stars

Deeper than the Dead, Vera Boyett book 1, by Debra Webb.

Vera's life is in shambles. Trouble with her hard earned career and long dead bodies showing up on her family's farm that she has mostly avoided her entire adult life. This book had me guessing and re-guessing everything multiple times. I enjoyed digging through Vera and her family's skeletons. This was a complete book but enough was left open at the end that has me craving book 2 already. Five stars.

#bookreview #2024 #murder #familysecrets #crimethriller #netgalley

A skeleton found in a cave on her old family property brings Vera Boyett back home to help and protect her two sisters, Eve and Luna. As the body count rises, the carefully built web that Vera and Eve have built to hide the truth of their stepmother’s disappearance starts to unravel. But is anything how she remembers, or is Vera just getting wound up further into the web?
An exciting beginning to a new series, full of twists and turns. Nothing is what you think.

I really enjoyed this, its was full of secrets lies, twists and turns it was a crazy ride. I found the characters to be interesting I’m hoping for more books to really get to know Vera her sisters and the sheriff. It’s good thriller with lots of mystery and suspense. It was gripping intriguing and intense

Review: I was excited to jump into this one due to the premise. A recently disgraced police chief heads home after the remains of her stepmother are found on her family’s property. At home, Vera needs to come to terms with the past, family secrets, and the political ties in her small town.

This book kept me guessing the whole time. I thought the author did a good job introducing different suspects, making connections, and revealing more and more each chapter. I enjoyed all the family secrets and drama and how those were intertwined with the current case being investigated. Small town crime books are always my favorite because of all the close connections.

I did think it was a little slower paced throughout the first half with a lot of background information and introductions. I didn’t realized this will be a series, so it makes sense that there had to be a lot of background to lay the groundwork for the series. It did really pick up the last half with a lot of new fact paced clues and twists in almost every chapter.

I do wish there was a little more development with Vera. I feel like it would have made sense to know more about what happened in Memphis so I could feel more connected to her. I wanted to know more about her to have a better understanding as to why she chose to do a few things. Some of the actions were questionable. I did find her sisters endearing and believable.

I did question the ending because it seems like some major questions weren’t all answered, but again, makes sense because it’s setting up the sequel. I did really enjoy the end and felt it was a good build up to it. I was able to go back and look at some smaller clues I missed while reading.

It was a fun read with a good build up to the end. I really enjoyed the second half of the book, and I would read the next book in the series to see what Vera is up to next and to figure out the mysteries that weren’t all resolved!

Special thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for this book. Book will be published on 8/6!

3⭐️

This was a good start to the new series!
It started a little slow for me but I guess we needed all the background to set the basics for the series.

I’m still not sure what happened with Vee and the work situation!🤷‍♀️

Looking forward to see what happens in the next book!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the Arc !