I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the Vera Boyette series. It was fast paced and murdery just like I like ‘em.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this advanced e-copy in exchange for my honest review.

Closer Than You Know by Debra Webb is a thrilling, heart-pounding suspense novel that grips you from the first page. Vera Boyett, a skilled crime analyst with a tragic past, is pulled back into a world she thought she’d left behind when Sheriff Gray "Bent" Benton requests her help with a missing persons case. Despite their complicated history, Vera agrees, only to uncover a chilling connection to the Messenger, a notorious serial killer she once helped imprison.

The stakes escalate quickly as Vera discovers that the missing reporter is just a pawn in the Messenger’s twisted plan for revenge. As the killer’s obsession with Vera deepens, she is thrust into a high-stakes race against time to save her sister, Eve, and stop the killer before it's too late.

Webb expertly builds tension throughout the novel, balancing thrilling twists with complex character dynamics. Vera is a compelling protagonist, driven by both her desire for redemption and her protective love for her family. The added complexity of her relationship with Bent adds emotional depth to the story, making their partnership even more engaging. Closer Than You Know is a well-paced, high-stakes thriller filled with suspense, intrigue, and emotional stakes. Fans of dark, fast-paced crime dramas will find this book impossible to put down.

Debra Webb's character Vera Boyett is one of her best. Boyett is a sharp crime analyst with strong ties to her childhood home in the South, where she returns after a career ending event in another town. When Sheriff Benton convinces her to team up with him to solve a missing person's case, he has no idea Vera has a dark and complicated backstory. Her past would destroy her and the sisters she protects if exposed. The attraction between Boyett and Benton adds another layer of tension to this well-written and constructed story. The author is working on book three in the Vera Boyett series, which is good news for her fans. Recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for providing an advance copy of the book to read and review. This review will post to Bayside Book Reviews.com at https://baysidebookreviews.com and its Instagram page on release day. Follow us! *NetGalley Top Reviewer*

Book two in the series and a strong follow up! It was fun to catch up with the characters and follow along on their newest case. The case was fast paced and compelling from the beginning! I look forward to more in this series.

This book was one that I hated to put down, but I also really didn’t want it to end. I got totally invested in the story and the characters that I wanted it to keep going forever. Vera is challenged this time with a former arch enemy, The Messenger, a serial killer whom she arrested and happily got him in prison previously. Now, his signature method of killing has followed her to her small town of Fayetteville, TN, and she doesn’t understand how he can be in prison and still killing. Protege or copy cat are both possibilities. I kept guessing about who was the real villain until the big reveal, so that was a real bonus to me for the story. I love it when the red herrings are so good and the clues are disguised so well that I get fooled. The characters were well-developed and I found out more about Vera’s sister Eve and her past relationship with Bent, all of which made the plot more absorbing. I was captivated by the family dynamics as well as Vera’s relationships with former colleagues like Eric and her current relationship with Bent. Everything just flowed together in a way that kept me reading and guessing and reading some more. This novel offers a fast-paced thrill ride, with some gruesome descriptions of what the killer does to his victims, but not distasteful, just realistic. The gripping plot and the dynamic characters made this story one of the best that I have ever read and I am already looking forward to the next book in the series. That being said, this novel can be read and thoroughly enjoyed as a standalone. Just don’t miss this one because it is an immersive read with a rich story and a terrifyingly brilliant conclusion!
Disclaimer
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. (In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

In the First part I've had some difficult to focus on the storyline. Altough, when It becomes more personal for the Maine character, i really appreciated the Reading. The style Is good for this type of book, the author makes the suspence at the right Moment.

Debra Webb delivers another edge-of-your-seat thriller in Closer Than You Know, the second installment in the Vera Boyett series. Vera finds herself assisting the local sheriff’s office—and her ex—on a case that takes a series of unexpected twists and turns. But just as the investigation heats up, a chilling case from her past resurfaces, pulling her into a personal nightmare.

With time running out, Vera must rely on her sharp instincts and unwavering determination to protect both herself and someone she holds dear. Webb masterfully weaves suspense, emotional stakes, and complex characters into a story that will keep you guessing until the very end.

This is a gripping follow-up that fans of the series and newcomers alike will thoroughly enjoy. If you’re a fan of fast-paced mysteries with strong female leads, don’t miss this one!

I enjoyed this book by Debra Webb. I will have to go back and read the first book in the series. This read fine as a stand-alone, but I think it would be even better by reading the previous book.

Vera Boyett, a former deputy police chief, moved back home and is working as a crime analyst. She is enlisted to help Bent, the local sheriff, find a missing reporter. Strange things have been happening, and they must find out what’s going on.

There are some interesting twists that keep you on the edge of your seat.

Twisted Games!!!

Thank you NetGallary for an early review copy of Closer Than You Know!

Debra Webb took me by surprise!
This is my first book by Debra and I am impressed! This book is full of twisted moments that kept me guessing! This book is unforgettable!

I absolutely loved Vera and Bent! This book is a little frightening and mysterious and you are drawn into this story line from page one!

This was a page turner with lots of twists and turns!

I could not turn the pages fast enough!

Well done Debra Webb!

I gave this book 5 stars!

No spoilers with my review!

Closer Than You Know is an intricately woven tale of crime, mystery, and dark family secrets. Vera moves home after her career spirals. Her ex-boyfriend, Bent, asks her to assist with a possible serial kidnapper case. Through the efforts of trying to determine facts associated with the case, Vera’s checkered past comes back to haunt her and her sisters. She definitely has her work cut out for her unraveling the mystery. The book is packed with sordid family secrets and has several twists and turns to keep the mind of the reader engaged and wondering what will happen next. The last half of the book flies by as the story really ramps up.

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!