Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the chance to read an ARC of Closer than you know by Debra Webb. This is the 2nd book in the Vera Boyett series, and I couldn't put it down! While it can be read as a standalone, it does pick up right after the series premiere, Deeper than the dead. After Vera's career as a deputy police chief is destroyed she has come home, to be closer to her sisters. When her ex-boyfriend, now the Sherriff requests help in a serial kidnapping case, it brings Vera's past front and center. We find out more of Vera's past, and family secrets; and the tension, and twists are non-stop! I recommend both this book, and the author!

Closer than You Know is the story of Vera Boyett, crime analyst turned private eye, and her return to her hometown. Unfortunately her hometown has seen its share of crime. Since she is a good friend of the sheriff, she gets called in to assist on an investigation into multiple abductions. Suddenly she realizes it is someone trying to get her attention. I loved that there was a lot of action. But I predicted most of the twists. Also loved the romance thrown in to the mix.

This is the second in a series but will be totally fine as a standalone (although those who read the first one will see some growth in Vera's character). Vera is shocked to discover that a serial killer is back and that he's targeting her through her sister Eve. Luckily, she's got a good relationship with Bent and a sharp mind. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. It's a fast paced, slightly implausible but quite entertaining read.

Headline: Recommended!

Book Review: Closer Than You Know (Vera Boyett, Book 2) by Debra Webb
Published by Thomas & Mercer, May 6, 2025

★★★★★ (4.5 Stars, rounded up. Rave!)

// Flashback: ...That dreary night, more than twenty years ago, two young girls and a baby were fated to be tasked with a deed that would forever haunt them — the internment of their stepmom, buried shallow in a cave... - From: Vera Boyett, Book 1, "Deeper Than the Dead", (2024) by Debra Webb, A 5-Star read!//

YEARS HAVE PAST, yet the stigma of the Boyett Farm cave burials endures as less-than-flattering stories about the notorious Boyett sisters, Vera, Eve and Luna, still abound in whispers.

VERA BOYETTE thrives, notwithstanding. She remains a master at her craft —cracking criminal cases, lending key assistance in solving local crimes. The former detective and 15-year veteran of the Memphis PD is recognized as a reliable civilian crime analyst with a local profile heightened by consulting frequently and effecting with local law enforcement.

In Fayetteville, the county seat and the largest city in Lincoln County, TN, her main criminal consultation contact is Lincoln County Sheriff, Gray Benton, the same man who just so happened to be Vera's first love, also one of the main reasons she'd fled her hometown years ago to seek a law enforcement career in Memphis. Inevitably, this leads to complications.

The Mystery of the "Time Thief".
With a pretty clever twist in suspense writing (which readers don't see coming !), it doesn't take Vera much time to solve the shenanigans of the so-called "Time Thief", a local criminal responsible for three disappearances whose modus operandi consisted of sneaking up on victims, drugging them, holding them for 48 hrs before releasing them, generally unharmed, in some random areas.

// "Helping find the bad guys was her job.
And, she might not be a hero, but she was damned good at her job...!"
- From "Closer Than You Know" Vera Boyett, Book 2, by Debra Webb (2025) //

Nemesis: The "Messenger" Strikes Again.
15 years prior, Vera Boyett solved her first big case as a Memphis detective, putting a serial killer called the "Messenger" behind bars for life. Local doctor, Palmer Solomon, MD, now a lifer had been actively killing for ten years. He'd carved each of his victims up, — always women, inducing incredible pain, but never deeply enough to cause a quick death.

Now locked-up in the penitentiary, Dr. Solomon appears to be back from the dead, with county citizens brutally murdered in methods identical to his modus operandi.

Then, evidence of trespassing and tampering happens right in Vera's own backyard and abode...

// "...What fun I'm having with the Vera Boyett series!
Using my new hometown of Fayetteville, Tennessee, as the setting is just the best..."
— Debra Webb //

A suspense thriller with a strong female protagonist in a fabulous real life setting, by a best-selling suspense and romance author of 175 novels and recipient of numerous prestigious awards. What a treat for readers!

Recommended!

Review based on an advance review copy courtesy of Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley.

This is book 2 of the Vera Boyett series and I feel you should have a read of book 1 in the series first in order to fully understand the characters and settings in ‘Closer Than You Know’.
In ‘Closer Than You Know’ Vera, who made the decision to stay in her hometown at the end of book 1 ‘Deeper Than The Dead’, now has a new job as a crime analyst and is working on her relationship with her sisters. When the police get called in on a missing persons case for a journalist, the local sheriff asks Vera for her assistance and expertise. It turns out involving Vera in the investigation is a good idea as the case begins to have links to Vera’s past and her present.
For the most part I liked this book, but I wouldn’t say I loved it. Just like book 1, I again struggled with the first half of the book. And I think it’s because I don’t really like Vera. I just feel she was a bit one dimensional, a bit standoffish. Which made this a slow read for me. But I do like Debra Webb’s writing style. I’m a big fan of her books. ‘Closer Than You Know’ is solid work from a great writer.
3.5 stars from me.
** I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher**

Another amazing suspenseful read by Debra Webb. Debra is a favorite of mine. But this book to me really shows her skill. This is a sequel to DEEPER THEN THE DEAD. however, it can be read as a standalone. And that’s because of Debra‘s amazing skill. She can weave in parts of book one so that you don’t feel as though you’ve missed anything in this book. But at the same time if you’ve read book one you don’t feel like there was any wasted words. She was able to inform new readers of the series in very few words.
Vera is being targeted by a serial killer. It seems like it may be The Messenger, but how is that possible when she arrested him and sent him to prison already. Is there a copycat killer out there? When Vera’s sister Eve gets taken, Vera vows that she will find out what is going on. This time she will end it!
Family dynamics, twisted, gruesome killings, a definite edge of your seat, thriller! I would love to be able to give this more than five stars. I definitely cannot wait for the next book in the series.
I was given this book by the author herself for a contest that she was holding. In no way did that sway my opinion or my review.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

I love a good mystery, thriller, and a little romance thrown in. Add in a serial killer and some forensics and I am good to go. This book kept me captivated and on the edge of my seat. Definitely one I would recommend.

Vera Boyett is a crime analyst in Fayetteville, Tennessee. She often works with sheriff "Bent" Benton, her ex-boyfriend from twenty years ago. An old case of Vera's surfaces, maybe a copycat, and now they're after Vera and her family.

This is the second book in the series. There's a lot of history there, and I would have benefited from reading the first book. This book worked well on it's own, though. The mystery is great and the tension stays up until the very last page. This is an edge of your seat thriller with lots of action and violence. I did not really like Vera, or her family for that matter, but she sure was tenacious and determined.

Vera moved home after her career was destroyed. She is working on her own as a crime analyst. The local sheriff reaches out for her help on an active case. She decides to help him look for a missing reporter. Then she notices links back to a serial killer named the Messenger. Vera’s sister Eve is kidnapped, but the Messenger is out for Vera.

I tried to guess who was behind the crimes. I kept guessing but the answer was well disguised. It was well paced thriller. This is the second book in the series but you can read it as a standalone.

Thank you to Debra Webb, Thomas Mercer, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Debra Webb brings crime analyst Vera Boyett back in a high-stakes, emotionally charged thriller that’s packed with twists and non-stop action.

After tragedy derails her law enforcement career, Vera returns to her Tennessee roots, rebuilding her life as a crime analyst. When Sheriff Gray “Bent” Benton—an old flame—asks for her help with a missing reporter, Vera agrees, only to discover the case is tied to a serial killer she put behind bars years ago.

Now dying, the killer wants one final act of revenge—and Vera is his true target. When he pulls her sister into the twisted game, the stakes skyrocket. Vera must outsmart a killer and save her family before time runs out.

This story is a thrill ride, with strong characters, emotional depth, and heart-pounding suspense. Debra Webb is a master of keeping you on the edge of your seat! Highly recommended!

If you're a fan of Criminal Minds, you'll love this book! I felt like I was watching an episode from start to finish. Despite being the second book in the series, Debra Webb did a wonderful job outlining what happened in the previous story so you don't feel like you're missing big pieces of the puzzle. This could definitely be read as a stand-alone if the first one doesn't interest you. With that being said, I am definitely adding the first book to my TBR list!

Pulse pounding suspense with complex, fascinating characters. This one kept me guessing. I love this author and am excited whenever there is a new book. Vera is unique and I felt like I was right there with her unraveling the mystery. And I adore Bent. This author writes stories that keep you coming back for more.

Closer Than You Know is the 2nd book in the Vera Boyett series. As with most of Debra Webb's books once started its hard to put down until you finish. Vera is back home after many years working in the big city, helping out the local sheriff whom happens to be her first love until he leaves her heartbroken. A missing reporter, brings out a search for him and what follows is a twisted story line. You will find some romance in this book, but its more a suspense thriller. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. I received and ARC from NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer the publisher, I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Vera Boyette is living in Fayetteville settling into her life as a criminal analyst. Asked by the sheriff to help with a case of kidnappings, Vera agrees, realizing that being in close proximity to her first love, Benton, just might not be a good idea.
But what seems like perplexing kidnappings soon take a turn when they become personal and lead to a killer that Vera put in prison. Stalking, murder and a ruthless psychotic killer turn up the heat for Vera and she needs to find the killer before he finds her. Great characters and high tension makes this one of the author’s best books. I voluntarily read this arc from Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer Publishers. This review is my honest opinion of this very enjoyable book.

I read the ARC on Netgalley.

Wow what a book. I am surprised that there isn't a Netflix series on this one. The main character is a really strong, intelligent woman, for that matter all main characters are really well fleshed out. The plot is also really great.

The ghosts of her past catch up to vera as a serial killer whom she had caught 15yrs ago reappears.

Outstanding book!

This latest book by Debra Webb offered a decent suspenseful read. The premise was interesting and kept me somewhat engaged. While the story had its moments, it didn't fully grab me and I had a hard time connecting with the characters. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

★★★★★

“I see you.
I'm intrigued by you.
I'm going to enjoy killing you."

It’s been seven months since Vera’s return to Fayetteville, TN, and she’s enjoying her role as a consultant. Bent, the local sheriff, requests her help with a missing person case. It appears to be connected to a string of unsolved disappearances in the area—and the most recent victim is the local reporter who had been investigating the case. Suddenly, Vera uncovers evidence suggesting a serial killer might be behind it all: The Messenger, whom she put behind bars twelve years ago...

Oooh, this one was twisty—I couldn’t put it down! This was my second book by Debra Webb, and I really enjoy her writing. The character development is phenomenal. I feel like I am right there in Fayetteville, solving crimes alongside Vera and Bent.

Their personal history is a big part of the series, but it’s never overly dramatic and doesn’t take away from the investigation. When Vera’s former partner, Eric, joins the case, the three work together well and don’t let personal feelings get in the way. Let’s leave the drama to the serial killer—and what an unhinged character he turned out to be!

It’s great to hear how much fun Debra Webb is having with the Vera Boyett series, because I am having a lot of fun reading it and I am hoping for many more installments! Thank you NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Debra Webb for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This was such a fun, intense read. I got pulled in right away and kept flipping pages because I had to know what was going on. Vera is a really interesting main character, as she’s dealing with a lot, There were some genuinely surprising twists, and I was guessing right up until the end.

I didn’t read the first book, and while this one stands on its own, I think I would’ve enjoyed it even more with that extra backstory. It was overall a solid thriller I would recommend to others.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read the ARC

Loved this book! I’m grateful that I was given the chance to read an ARC copy of this, beautifully written !

4 stars!!!

Closer Than You Know is the second book in the Vera Boyett series. This can be a stand-alone read, but I believe it is best to read the first book since there is quite a bit of history which sets the stage for this one.

Vera gets a call from 'Bent' about a new case. She is feeling a bit lost after her career was destroyed by tragedy. She jumps at the chance to use her skills. It soon becomes clear that the killer has his sights set on Vera he begins a game of cat and mouse. When Vera's sister Eve goes missing, Vera will have to dig deep and use all here talents to find the Messenger and stop him before it is too late.

The story is a wonderful addition to the first book. The characters are wonderfully written as well as dynamically three dimensional. It is fascinating to watch the story unfold as if you had a front row seat.