Good mystery with the main character as the focus in the investigation. Read like it was a sequel from another book but was able to piece it together while reading. With the added romance, sister and family mix to her career and past you will become glued to the story. Recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Debra Webb for this ARC in exchange my honest review.
Okay, so I just finished reading "Closer Than You Know" by Debra Webb, and let me tell you, it was a wild ride! I absolutely loved how she kept me guessing the entire time, twisting and turning the plot in ways I never saw coming. The characters were super engaging, and I found myself really rooting for them, even when they were making some seriously questionable choices. It's definitely a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, and I can't recommend it enough if you're a fan of suspenseful thrillers. Highly recommend.

Debra Webb's detective Vera Boyett is a mess, a brilliant mess. But in Closer Than You Know, the 2nd book of the Webb's new series, Vera brings a lot of unresolved "baggage" back home with her. Having not read the first book in the series, I struggled at times with all the references to her past that came into play in this story. But over time, Webb filled us in on her history as the stakes rose. Tense and exciting, I look forward to more books in the series.

This story follows the life of Vera Boyett. You will learn all about Vera’s family and her family secrets. It’s an exciting thriller with many twists and turns. This is my first story by Debra Webb and it won’t be my last. Once I got into the story, I was excited to keep reading to see what happened with Vera.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer Publishing for early access to read this book.

Closer than You Know, Vera Boyett book 2, by Debra Webb

This was a fantastic ending to this duet. It tied up all the loose ends from book one plus a completely new case that gets fully solved in this book. I feel like there are still more stories to be told for these characters but also that things concluded enough that the series could end here.
This was a very fast paced book. I flew through it and enjoyed trying to solve the case alongside Vera and Bent. Excellent book.

#bookreview #2024 #thriller #serialkiller #torturer #sisters #love #netgalley

This book felt repetitive as if we were covering old ground from the first book in the series. Unfortunately, I found it challenging to remain engaged.
Vera’s career as a deputy police chief ended badly.

Returning home to be closer to her sisters, she is soon asked by her ex, the local sheriff, Gray “Bent” Benton, for help on an urgent case. A serial killer is at large and they have set their sights on Vera. Now her family is in danger. The pacing and twists create a nice flow to the story however, I wanted more from the storyline and more from Vera (depth, romance, etc).

This was a very good suspense. It is the 2nd book of a series, but I did not feel like I was missing out, there was more than enough context to figure things out, so it definitely works as a standalone. That being said, I am going to read the first book, as I felt this was a very good read. Definitely plan to read more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this book. The characters are intriguing. The relationship between Vera and Eve is relatable. The case kept me reading and wondering what happens next. I’d highly recommend this book.

This is a police procedural involving Memphis detective, Vera Boyett. Though not yet 40 years old, she quits her job due to unfortunate circumstances, and returns to her small home town. Soon she’s faced with strange, threatening messages left inside her house. The messages seem to be from the serial killer she’s responsible for putting behind bars many years ago.

There are added threads to the story including family secrets Vera is trying to keep hidden, and a long lost love affair inching its way back into her life. As is typical of this genre, the majority of the story concentrates on solving the mystery until the ending thrill of a cat and mouse chase. Will she kill the bad guy, or will he kill her? Of course, we know how it will turn out, but that’s ok. That’s why they call it fiction. I think we sometimes wish real life endings could be more like fiction.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this offering.

Thanks to Netgalley for this book.
When I saw that this was from Debra Webb, I was beyond excited. She's been one of my favorite authors from when I first started reading.

Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this book. The plot was predictable and I saw the killer from miles away, probably when he was first mentioned around the 30% mark.

Everything dragged for me after that. Not a bad book, but nothing memorable about it either. Characters were a bit two dimensional for me.

This was a fast paced read. I’m very interested to see what is going to happen in the next book. Debra Webb always manages to suck you in and leave you wanting more.

This is the 2nd installment of the Vera Boyett series. This was just as good as the first. I loved revisit g the characters and diving deeper into Vera & Bent’s past. It is part family drama and thriller. The conclusion was satisfying and I’m hoping there is more to this series.

I loved it! I can't wait for another Vera Boyet novel to come out. Super engaging and addicting. I couldn't put it down!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Closer Than You Know by Debra Webb is a gripping thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The author skillfully unravels the story, creating a thrilling mystery with credible characters and an atmospheric locale. The determined characters who persevere through the suspense and tension made the book unputdownable and binge-worthy.

The plot was compelling, and it kept me guessing until the end. The book is part of the Vera Boyett series, and even though it can be read as a standalone, I found that reading the previous book helped me understand certain relationships and past events better.

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.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a thrilling mystery with a touch of suspense and a strong, determined protagonist.

I cannot wait to see what is next in this series with Vera and her family. I would recommend this book and this author.

#CloserThanYouKnowVeraBoyett #NetGalley @AmazonPub

Debra Webb has been a favorite author for many years. The second of this new series fleshes out Vera’s character. Her family history is full of murder and secrets. As with many modern series, this can be read as a standalone. You would really benefit from the background in the first though. The relationships with her sister and half-sister are not ordinary, too many things left unsaid as the past continues to haunt them. I’m always intrigued with sister relationships since I don’t have any. You’ll learn more about where Vera’s life is now that she’s no longer a Memphis detective. She’s moved back to her small hometown working as a PI. Her old flame, Bent, is the local sheriff and those memories cause the undercurrents to simmer. Vera’s not big on following rules now that she doesn’t answer to a boss or have to play politics. An old nemesis known as the Messenger is still in prison. Is it a coincidence, a copycat or him pulling strings as a new string of bodies are left with his signature? Be aware that if you’re averse to descriptive violence this might not be for you. There were plenty of twists and turns along with many plausible suspects. It didn’t take me long to guess, but the plot was still solid.
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer (via NetGalley) for providing an Advance Reader Copy of “Closer Than You Know” Vera Boyett #2, by Debra Webb, publication expected 05/06/2025. These honest, personal thoughts and opinions are my own given voluntarily without compensation.

This family man. Vee and Eve have some ISSUES. The first five or six chapters of this book don't flow that well for me, but once we got into the meat and bones of it I was hooked. I enjoyed that there were two mysteries and that I didn't solve either of them! Which is rare for me!

WOW!!! I could not put this down once I started... I love how it all tied together and I was not expecting that ending!

Twisty thriller that had me hooked to find out what happened next. Second book in the series but can be read as a stand alone with first book references. A little bit repetitive and at times had me thinking 'come on get to the point' but overall a good read.

Wow. I need to read the first book in the series! That's how good this book is!

Vera is a reliable character, I can relate to her in some ways and I feel like she's reading my thoughts all the time!

Also, the mystery is gripping. Betrayal, vengence and justice all rolled into one. I loved it.

Will definitely read the first book. I need to know more about Vera!

What a twisty thriller this was. I found myself holding my breath many times. Vera is an amazing character with so much depth to her. Her sister Eve is a fascinating character. She’s very unusual. Kind of a gray character. The writing is deep and incredible. I look forward to the next book in the series. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.