Deeper Than Dead by D. Webb, published by Thomas & Mercer, is the first book in the Vera Boyett Series and this new to me author had me right from the start.
I fell in love with story and characters, couldn't put the book down. A suspenseful read full of twists and unexpected turns that had me guessing til the last page. 5 stars.
Blurb:
Someone’s found the skeleton in the closet, and it’s not the only one. Wall Street Journal bestselling author Debra Webb presents an emotional new mystery. Crime analyst and newly disgraced deputy police chief Vera Boyett doesn’t visit home often, and she certainly doesn’t venture back into the cave on her family land. But when the remains of her long-missing stepmother are discovered, Vera will have to face a past that threatens all she is. She and her sister Eve had a fairy-tale good until it was tragic, with a stepmother they never found a bond with. At least they had each other, a baby half-sister, and a mutual devotion that would have them do the unthinkable. It’s a summer in small-town Tennessee, so thick with humidity it could drown you and so rife with secrets it could smother you. And deep beneath the surface, there are more bodies than you’d think.

I have read and enjoyed other books by Debra Webb and this one was no different, it drew me in and kept me captivated throughout.

Deeper Than the Dead by Debra Webb A good first novel in a new series with an impressive mystery that included cold cases, conspiracies and some wild twists and turns. There were several intriguing characters introduced including Vera, Eve, and Luna with interesting pasts who hopefully will be highlighted in future books. On a personal note there was more information on mortuary methods and practices than was comfortable to read.
Thank you to Ms Webb, Thomas & Mercer, publishers, and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

I love Debra Webb books and this was no exception. Vera comes home after being disgraced at her job as a police detective to find out her stepmother’s remains have been found. As the investigation continues more bodies are found. Lots of twists and turns to find out who was the murderer. I think there will be more books in this series and I can’t wait

This book was good in that I could figure out some of the ending but still kept me guessing in many areas. I liked the characters as they seemed true to life and not exaggerated.

The story line follows Vera who returns to her home town after human remains are found on her family’s property. With her own career in law enforcement, Vera brings a certain level of ‘go get em’ to the crime scene. She wants nothing more than to put this behind her and her family, all while hiding her own secrets…
I really appreciated how this book wrapped up in the end!

Webb writes very detailed stories, and while I do love that, it can get very confusing, very easily. I would still recommend this book and read the coming books of the series, I just fear that if I don’t take note on characters like who is related or connect to who, come the next book I won’t be able to recall relationship/family details that matter.

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer publishing along with Debra Webb for this eARC! Publishing in August 2024.

#DeeperThanTheDead #NetGalley
Awesome.
Crime analyst and newly disgraced deputy police chief Vera Boyett doesn’t visit home often, and she certainly doesn’t venture back into the cave on her family land. But when the remains of her long-missing stepmother are discovered, Vera will have to face a past that threatens all she is.
She and her sister Eve had a fairy-tale childhood: good until it was tragic, with a stepmother they never found a bond with. At least they had each other, a baby half-sister, and a mutual devotion that would have them do the unthinkable.
It’s a summer in small-town Tennessee, so thick with humidity it could drown you and so rife with secrets it could smother you. And deep beneath the surface, there are more bodies than you’d think…
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for giving me an advance copy.

I received an ARC of this novel courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A crime thriller that genuinely kept me guessing. Deeper Than the Dead follows Vera Boyett and her struggle to both hide and solve the mystery of the human remains found in a cave at her childhood home. As the reader we are thrust into the never ending family drama and politics with shocking revelations and profound lies that change everything.

I found Vera’s (Vee) work background slightly unnecessary, for me the fact that she was ‘disgraced’ as a police office did not add anything to her character. Especially as she receives high praise from everyone around her. I wonder if I missed something pivotal, or if this history of hers will be brought up in future books

I enjoyed being kept on my toes about who could be involved with the remains and the sense of “guess who” anticipation was built really well. The one part that was “unsolved” made me question the ending which further made me thing that there were too many elements added to the story. Unless the “unsolved” part is set up for a second story/future Vera Boyett novel. Personally it made me feel like the ending was rushed as something was missing.

Well done to Webb, I think there are a lot of people who enjoy mystery/thriller novels who will enjoy this read.

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I love Debra Webb books. She keeps you hanging on with every twist and turn. Deeper than Dead is no exception.

This is a good start to the new series about a character named Vera Boyett, who returns home to her small town in Tennessee after a national law enforcement scandal where she takes the fall as the disgraced deputy police chief concerned.

But what awaits Vera there is far from welcoming. Human remains have been found on their property and it seems likely that these are the remains of Vera and her sister Eve's hated stepmother, Sheree, also the mother of their beloved little sister, Luna.

Eve now runs a funeral home, after several years of alcoholism, and Vera is a police officer. But how, if at all, are their choices of career reflective of the death of their stepmother?

This is an interesting story - well written, and providing a lot of food for thought in terms of the family dynamics.

This book was a page turner, I couldn't put it down. If you enjoy crime investigations this is the book for you. The dynamics between the main characters were great. Had me trying to solve the case too!

Book 1 in a new series by Debra Webb. Once again, this author did not disappoint. Strong start with lots of twists and turns that kept me guessing almost to the end. Looking forward to seeing how these characters develop.

Thank you #netgalley and #thomasandmercer for the eARC.

DEEPER THAN DEAD is the first book in Debra Webb’s new Vera Boyett series. I’m assuming this series will be a trilogy as her other series have been. A disgraced deputy police chief, a small town in Tennessee, and a long dormant mystery to solve. Interesting characters, entertaining story, a good setup for reading the next book. Looking forward to reading more in the series.

Great book!! This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, Action packed, intrigue, mystery, murder, revenge, a great who done it, great plot twist, great police work, and some crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle!! I definitely recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

A good first novel to a new series. This story introduced some great characters with interesting backgrounds that have the potential to really unfold in future books.