Vera is called in to help investigate a missing person case which may have some connection with one of her old cases where she has put a serial killer behind bars. Little does she know that she is the real target and she has to race against time and the predator that is out to get her.
Sadly, neither the writing style nor the interconnected relationships or building of the (in my opinion predictable) plot was up to my taste and my expectation of a thriller with a good cover like this.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for this book I had a hard time jumping into it. I would rate this a 3/5 I think it was good but something I wouldn’t pick up again.

This is an author who writes books that will continously have you wanting more. Each of her books are better than the last.

Closer Than You Know is the second book in the Vera Boyett series but I feel like it can be read as a stand alone. It was fast paced and I didn't want to put it down! Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to be an early reader!

A compelling, thrilling mystery. This book did not disappoint! I loved this rapidly moving investigative thriller. If you're looking for a thriller to immerse yourself in, this one might be for you!

Vera moved back to her hometown after she was laid off from her job as deputy chief of police, and subsequently assumed a role as a PI. Her old flame, Bent, is the local sheriff, and those memories ignite the undercurrents of their past relationship. Her family history is littered with murder and secrets... The relationships with her sister and half-sister are anything but ordinary, with too many things left unsaid as the past continues to haunt them. This book can be read as a standalone, but readers would benefit from having the background in the first book

As she looks for a missing reporter and the person behind it, who has ties to her past and seeks revenge, an old nemesis who is known as the Messenger is still in prison. Is it a coincidence, or is this one of his devious games as a new series of bodies start to emerge? Webb does an excellent job at making this a page-turner from the start... I was immediately hooked from the beginning...There are no dull moments, and there’s a lot of elements that develop that make the story gain momentum right up until the very end. The characters are well-developed and make the story more captivating, adding a significant amount of depth. A Must Read, I highly recommend it!

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the eARC.

Vera Boyett is a master at cracking a case.

After tragedy destroyed her career as deputy police chief, she felt lost. Moving back home near her sisters, she put her skills back to use as a crime analyst, and now her star is finally back on the rise. Vera’s work really begins to heat up after the local sheriff, Gray “Bent” Benton, calls to ask her for assistance with a pressing case.

Pushing aside their complicated past, Vera agrees to help Bent search for a missing reporter. But their investigation uncovers an improbable connection to the Messenger, a serial killer she put behind bars twelve years ago. The killer, who is dying of cancer, wants his final revenge. And the reporter is merely a distraction—Vera is his true target.

When the Messenger pulls her sister Eve into his twisted game, Vera vows to stop him for good. But can she find Eve and the reporter before it’s too late?

Loved it. will recommend to others.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the eARC.
No. 2 in the Vera Boyette series was disappointing after no. 1. It read like a generic mystery, predictable and frankly boring. It read like so many others I'd read before; the word 'anodyne' comes to mind.
I skipped to the end, which I had guessed. Sorry!

Debra Webb delivers a gripping, high-stakes mystery in Closer Than You Know, the second installment in the Vera Boyett series. While I hadn’t read the first book, I was pleased to find this novel worked seamlessly as a standalone, offering just enough background to make Vera’s character and relationships feel rich and complete.

Vera Boyett, a crime analyst with a razor-sharp mind, is a compelling lead. After personal tragedy derailed her career as deputy police chief, Vera’s return to her hometown to assist Sheriff Gray “Bent” Benton comes with layers of complexity—both professional and personal. The tension between them is subtly written, adding depth without detracting from the heart of the story: the mystery.

The plot is an intricate web, centered on the disappearance of a reporter and a chilling connection to the Messenger, a serial killer Vera captured twelve years prior. Webb masterfully balances the psychological thriller elements with a fast-paced investigation, keeping the reader hooked from start to finish. The stakes become personal when Vera’s sister, Eve, is drawn into the killer’s twisted game, creating a very real sense of urgency.

One of my favorite aspects of the book was how the relationship subplot took a backseat to the mystery. This decision allowed the story to focus on Vera’s determination and intelligence, which truly shine throughout the narrative. That said, the unresolved tension between Vera and Bent added a nice undercurrent without overshadowing the main storyline.

Webb’s writing is sharp, and her pacing is excellent, moving effortlessly between tense moments and quieter, reflective scenes that build Vera’s character. The story’s twists and turns are well-executed, culminating in a satisfying conclusion.

If you’re a fan of strong female leads, compelling mysteries, and tightly woven plots, Closer Than You Know is a must-read. I can’t wait to delve into the first book and fill in all those blanks that are mentioned in this book.

At first, the book was slow for me, and I found myself reading it slowly. But towards the fourth chapter, I must say, it got so interesting. I got alert and wanted to find out who was behind the kidnappings in town. The words used flowed seamlessly, the MC was definitely a tough and very fun person. I enjoyed reading the book in her POV. We get to see the struggles she has been through, her childhood, even her sad love life, haha!
The quest of finding the kidnapper was tense, and very eventful. I had many guesses and even suspected her friend the cop. Everyone is a suspect in this kind of setting. The chapters took me through different emotions but most of all, satisfaction when he was found. I must say, it was a good twist of event when the kidnapper turned out to be the monster that has haunted the MC all her life. It was surprising but a good shocker. I enjoyed the book and i would love to read more thrillers by Debra Webb.

Vera is becoming one of my favorite cops and FMC. She is so complex, smart, and relatable. This book had just as many surprises as the first book and none were easy to guess. Secrets keep getting revealed and making the story better. I loved that the romantic tension is still growing and not moving too quickly. I hope there will be more in this series!

This is a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat all the way through. Vera has moved back to her hometown and is now a private investigator there. She is working with her high school heart throb and keeps trying to talk herself out of the feelings she has for him. This is the second book in this series but could easily be read as a stand alone. There are lots of tense moments while Vera is trying to figure out what could be a copycat murder she investigated in Memphis. I certainly didn’t see that end coming! There is a bit of romance but it is not the main thing of the book. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

Very good book, with excellent characters and a good plot. The pace is better than in the first of the series, and even if this book can be read as a stand-alone, it's better reading the first one first.

Closer Than You Know is book two in the series but can probably be read as a standalone with the understanding that things are mentioned from Vera’s past. Consulting for the police on a missing person’s case, Vera finds the past coming back to haunt her. The case links to a serial killer case from Vera’s past but the killer is behind bars. Vera must face down a killer coming for her as she solves this twisted and page turner of a case. The characters are interesting and the case keeps you guessing for nice little thriller in an ongoing, action packed series that will have you waiting for the next book. My voluntary, unbiased, and non mandatory is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

Just finished Closer Than You Know by Debra Webb, and wow—this one had me hooked from page one! Vera Boyett is a complex, layered protagonist who’s both a brilliant crime analyst and haunted by a painful past. After a career setback as deputy police chief, Vera returns home, only to get dragged into a dark, twisty investigation by none other than Sheriff Gray Benton—a man with whom she shares a tangled history. As they chase clues about a missing reporter, Vera realizes the case ties back to a serial killer she once put behind bars. The stakes skyrocket when her own sister, Eve, is caught in the killer’s sights, turning Vera’s pursuit into a heart-pounding race against time.

Debra Webb nails the suspense with twists that had me gasping and characters that feel hauntingly real. If you're into psychological thrillers where the past and present collide, Closer Than You Know is a must-read.











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Prior to reading this book, I had read the first book of the series, and I actually enjoyed this one more. For starters, I enjoyed that you got some of Bent’s (love interest) inner dialogue & perspective, as well as Vera’s (main character). I was quite surprised by the twists & turns throughout. I also really liked that the storyline was tied to someone from a former case of Vera’s, rather than just her family ties & history.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was well written and kept me engrossed the entire time. Would highly recommend this author. Thank you to net gallery for the early release to this book.

Vera Boyett (book 2) returns to crack a mysterious case, which might be closer to home than anyone realizes. Her hunt for the killer opens old wounds and puts her family, her relationships, and everything close to her at risk.

"It's the unexpected - the niggling worry haunting the edge of your thoughts - that is almost always closer than you know."

This is a great read if you like Debra Webb or enjoy a good crime-solving story. I thought the book was fast-paced, being both gripping and comedic at the best times.

An investigative thriller that me on the edge, I love the twists and turns with plausible suspects. It didn’t take me long to guess, I found some parts of the story quite predictable but the plot was still solid. The book though part of a Book series, I love that it is a stand alone.

It is my first time reading a book by this author and I will definitely read her other works.

It is a 7/10 for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for the Advance Reader Copy of “Closer Than You Know” Vera Boyett #2, by Debra Webb, publication expected 05/06/2025. These honest review and opinions are my own given voluntarily without compensation.

Closer Than You Know is the second book in the Vera Boyett Series, and while you can certainly read this as a stand-alone, reading the first book will give you more context about the characters and the things that are referenced in this book.

After tragedy strikes and ruins her career as deputy police chief in Memphis, Vera moves back homes to Tennessee and starts freelancing as a crime analyst. Vera’s work really begins to heat up after the local sheriff, Gray “Bent” Benton, calls to ask her for assistance in locating a missing reporter. Their investigation uncovers an improbable connection to the Messenger, a serial killer that Vera put behind bars twelve years ago. The killer, who is dying of cancer, wants his final revenge. And the reporter is merely a distraction—Vera is his true target. When the Messenger pulls her sister Eve into his twisted game, Vera vows to stop him for good.

I'm a huge fan of Debra Webb, and this book did not disappoint! I loved this fast-paced investigative thriller. My only complaint was the, what I felt to be, excessive use of the external monologue. I don't love the characters mumbling to themselves, but that's a personal preference. If you're looking for a thriller to get lost in, this one could be for you!

Crazy Good!!

This was one of those stories that you just can’t put down. So much going on in this suspenseful tale.

Vera Boyett is a consultant with the police. She and her sister have so many secrets it’s hard to keep up. Coming home has not been easy for her. This town has not welcomed her back with open arms that’s for sure.

When a local is kidnapped Bent the sheriff calls on her expertise. The twisted story unfolds and its way more than they bargained for.