Halle Lane is trying to revitalize her career as investigative journalist back in her home town in a small city in Tennessee. She is back there after being gone for awhile and she is confronted by a tragedy that was far in her past. When she was a young girl, her neighbor and best friend of the same age, Andy Clark went missing, never to be found again. On an anniversary of his disappearance she writes an article that sets off a series of events that could change a lot of people's lives.

I absolutely loved this book. I felt as though it was a little short and could have used a few more pages to make the book feel a little more full and complete. The book's pacing was so good, the story moved so fast that I read it in two sittings. The author was able to keep a pace from chapter to chapter that kept me reading and reading.

The characters were fantastic. I loved the characters in this story, they didn't feel over the top or fake, they felt real and true. I love it when I can get invested in characters and really feel connected to them.

This was a great book, it makes me want to go back to the beginning and read some of the other previous books in the series.

BEFORE HE VANISHED (Winchester, Tennessee Book #6) by Debra Webb is a March 2020 Harlequin Intrigue romantic suspense that had me hooked from page one and that is why Debra Webb is an automatic buy for me when I see her name on a book cover. This book is a part of a series, but is easily read as a standalone novel.

What if your best friend disappeared 25 years ago and the feature article you write on the anniversary brings a man to your office who looks like the grown version of that friend, but goes by a different name and does not remember you?

When Halle Lane was seven years old, her best friend, Andy disappeared on his way home from school.
Now 25 years later, Halle has written a feature story for the paper she writes for about her missing friend. Halle is the only reporter to get an exclusive from Andy’s mother after all these years, but Halle feels she has not been told everything.

Liam Hart is a successful vineyard owner in California. He receives a copy of a newspaper article in the mail from Winchester, Tennessee about a missing boy from 25 years ago who looks just like his childhood photos. He feels compelled to go to Winchester.

Despite Liam’s belief he is not Halle’s friend, Andy, Halle is positive that he is her missing friend. As they search for the truth, people connected to Andy are being killed. Someone wants to keep this 25-year-old mystery a secret.

I could not put this book down! The mystery/suspense kept me turning the pages well into the night. You think you have it figured out and then Ms. Webb would throw in another surprise twist. The climax was a complete surprise and I did not even consider that scenario. I loved both Halle and Liam and how they worked through everything together. The slow unfolding of Liam’s memories and the increase in their mutual attraction was paced perfectly for a novel of this length.

I highly recommend this Intrigue for a great, fast-paced read that completely satisfies!

This was only my second title from Debra Webb and I'm swiftly discovering that I really enjoy her writing in general. I was sucked in from the beginning of the story and there weren't any points where I felt the story dragged.

The characters were very compelling and it really felt like their emotions and feelings were really well fleshed out. Plus the suspense and mystery was definitely not an afterthought and was full of so many surprises and twists. The romance didn't overshadow it and was balanced really well.

I really applaud Debra Webb on creating mysteries that are full of heart and keep you on your toes. I will be picking up more of her books in the future!

Once again, Debra Webb has woven a mesmerizing tale of romantic suspense that made me keep reading late into the night. Halle Lane is a reporter who has moved from Nashville to Winchester, Tennessee after a debacle in her career. There she is reminded of her loss of her childhood friend Andy Clark who disappeared on his way home from school one day when the friends were only seven years old. The way the author used two time periods, “now” and “then” was absolutely masterful, drawing me into the story quickly as I wanted to know what happened to Andy. When Halle writes a story about Andy, she draws the attention of Liam Hart, a winery owner who lives in California but who was mysteriously sent a copy of the article. The twists at the end of the book were totally unexpected, but the happy ending was a normal part of the Harlequin Intrigue series. I thoroughly enjoyed this book of kidnapping, subterfuge and investigative reporting, and I am convinced that fans of romantic suspense will not want to miss out on this one!

Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

I am a huge fan of romantic suspense, therefore when the chance came for me to read and review Before He Vanished, I didn’t hesitate. This is the sixth book in the Winchester, Tennessee series, but there is no need to read the previous books prior to reading this one.

Halle is an investigative reporter who has been down on her luck. She lost her cushy job in Nashville and was forced to return home to Tennessee. She secured a job with the local newspaper; however, it could not compare to what she lost in Nashville. However, change came when she got the opportunity to write an article relating to the disappearance/kidnapping of her best friend, Andy Clark, twenty-five years ago.

Liam Hart received a copy of Halle’s article along with pictures of seven-year-old Andy Clark from an anonymous source. This had him flying to Winchester to seek answers regarding his resemblance to the boy in the pictures. What followed was a series of events that would not only place him and Halle in danger, but have him questioning his true identity.

Liam and Halle were wonderful characters. I enjoyed seeing them work together to solve a twenty-five-year-old mystery.

I felt for Liam. His frustration and denial leapt off the pages. It could not have been easy for him to discover that the life he had been living may have been based on lies.

This book hit all the right spots as far as the suspense aspect of the story was concerned. Mystery, intrigue and suspense permeated the pages, and it held me captive from start to finish. There was no mystery regarding Liam’s identity, however I kept turning the pages as I needed to know what happened all those years ago and who was preventing them from discovering the truth. I had my suspicions, which were close, but the revelation of the motives behind it all was shocking. Greed, power and jealousy are great motivators for criminal acts.

The mystery wrapped up nicely but the romance fell flat for me. It played a minor role which was not a problem, however I had a hard time believing the authenticity of the relationship given the situation they found themselves in and the time frame in which the events transpired. Furthermore, they had zero chemistry.

Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, an enjoyable read and one I would recommend to fans of romantic suspense.

The author pulled me into this story from the first page, and kept my attention right to the end, and I loved the epilogue!
A family’s worse nightmare, I can’t even imagine, and I don’t want to! In the wake of devastation, a young woman, actually seven at the time of the loss, goes on with her life, but in reality, for twenty-five years she has grieved the loss of her best friend.
Putting the shoe on the other foot can you imagine Liam/Andy, now wondering, and unbelieving he could be the lost boy.
As we go through this journey for answers and horrible things begin happening, you will wonder and guess how things turn out, but will they be the answers you want?
There are so many bomb shells dropped here, and most I never saw coming, this one will keep you page turning!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Harlequin, and was not required to give a positive review.

A Search for a Lost Childhood Friend

Halle Lane is back in Winchester, Tennessee where she grew up. She’s trying to remake her career as a reporter after having to leave her job in Nashville. Being home, she is reminded of her friend and next door neighbor, Andy Clark, who disappeared when she was seven. Andy has never been found. One way to get her career back on track is to have an exclusive story. Maybe it’s time to revisit what happened to Andy.

Liam Hart owns a vineyard in California. When he receives a picture of an unknown boy and a newspaper article about his disappearance, he doesn’t know why he received them, but he’s drawn to finding out. He decides to go to Winchester to meet the reporter and find out why he was sent the article. He couldn’t be the lost boy, or could he?

This is quite a good mystery. Halle and Liam pursue clues that lead them closer and closer to the answer about the boy, but the ending is a twist that it’s hard to guess. The story is told from two time periods, the present and the time when Andy disappeared. I enjoyed the early interactions between Andy and Halle more that those in the present. I thought she was much more authentic as a child and Andy was a great friend. I didn’t like him as much in the present. He was heavily into denial and it made him a more difficult character to like.

If you enjoy mysteries with a romantic twist, this is a good one.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

Halle Lane has managed to have a decent life. However, she never got over the loss of her best friend when she was a child. It is now twenty-five years later and Halle wants to figure out what happened once and for all. Meanwhile, Liam Hart, a very successful man with a profitable vineyard gets a photo that all but shatters him.

When Liam goes to Winchester, Tennessee to ask questions about why he would receive a photo that eerily reminds him of himself, imagine Halle's reaction when she sees Liam. She is more than positive that this stranger in town, Liam, is not a stranger at all - he is Andy Clark, the missing boy.

Despite Liam's strong beliefs that this must be some type of mistake, he and Halle start working together to uncover the real truth. For starters, what were the circumstances behind Andy going missing? Why did Liam receive the photograph? Halle loved Andy Clark. Is it possible Liam is actually Andy Clark? If so, where does their future lie?

Before He Vanished delivered an excellent mystery. This book had some twists and turns that truly kept me guessing. As I have read a few of Debra Webb's books, I was sure that this one would be a good read. I definitely was not disappointed. This book is the sixth in the Winchester, Tennessee series. I only read the fifth book, Witness Protection Widow, but this did perfectly well as a standalone. If there are going to be future books in the series, I am more than eager to read them.

Many thanks to Harlequin Intrigue and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

As a child Halle's best friend went missing and hasn't seen him since - until now. After writing an article on his disappearance things start to get a bit complicated. First a guy shows up asking why she sent him an article with a photo that looks just like him in the past and a couple of mishaps makes both of them believe someone doesn't want them looking further into this case.

I love a good mystery suspense novel. I thought it was interesting seeing the pairs past friendship as children. Then there was getting to know them as adults was just as interesting. But what I really loved about this book was the whole mystery surrounding Liams disappearance. There was so many outcomes that could've taken place with a possible kidnapping and questioning the person behind it all and clearly someone wanting everything to stay in the past with a few things happen. You know what just read this book its really good!

This was a perfect romantic suspense with more emphasis on the suspense. Debra Webb has outdone herself. I loved this book more than the earlier one.

Andy had vanished 25 years ago while walking home from school. Halle was his best friend. Now she was a reporter and she wrote one article about her friend which reached Liam as an anonymous letter. The two got to investigatiing the truth.

The intrigue in the story could be felt from the first few pages. The curiosity got the better of me. And what was supposed to be only a few pages before work turned out to be the complete book before work. It was that addictive. The author had combined the mystery of the disappearance and the attraction between the two main characters so well that I couldn't stop reading.

There was a sense of familiarity and comfort in the words. There was enough suspense to pique my curiosity. There was enough romance and friendship without going overboard to keep my interest going in the book. Being not well for so many days, I felt this was the perfect book where the mystery with its twists soothed my thriller-y brain and the romance, my heart.

All in all, well worth being late to work.

A story so unbelievable that it will keep you on the edge of your seat as it's unfolding. A grieving mother finally ends her silence on her young son's disappearance unleashing a flood of events will leave bodies in it's wake before the dust settles.
When Halle's best friend and neighbor disappeared on his way home from school, she was devastated and has never quite gotten over the trauma. Now a seasoned reporter she approaches her neighbor and mother of the little boy to allow her to write the story. A copy of the story reaches Liam Hart in California who is surprised at the resemblance between the lost child and himself. Having recently lost his father, Liam heads off to Winchester, Tennessee in search of answers.
As he teams up with Halle who is convinced that he is her childhood friend now grown up and with a different name they go in search of answers when the woman who could have been his mother is murdered in cold blood. Is he truly Halle's child hood friend? why does he not remember but then flashes of memories seem to indicate that he does have memories of this town and of Halle.
I really enjoyed the twists and turns of this labyrinthic mystery that managed to surprise me as it unfolded. Of course Halle and Liam not only search for clues about what might have happened twenty plus years ago but also find themselves falling in lust. A nice thrill that I enjoyed very much.

I really really love this one, this one is a complete package of a suspense book.
This book is all about what it feels like fall in love at the young age but then someone took him away. It's a gut wrenching feeling, yet the journey to find the truth is wonderful because I can feel how deep their love is, so yeah this one definitely has a complex story and I love it.
I got the twisted suspense mystery story and there's also sweet love that got me a bit teary. Add wonderful characters in it, then everything is perfect for me.

If you're looking for a great suspense mystery read, this one definitely it.

Before He Vanished grabbed me immediately and didn’t let go until the last page. Normally, I'm all about trying to solve the mystery, but I was so wrapped up in the story that I didn't even try to guess what had happened. And I’m glad I didn’t, because I’d have been wrong. Very wrong.

This is a great read for when you’re in the mood for some plot twists, dark family secrets, and an investigative reporter who is still on the mission to find her missing childhood friend. Before He Vanished was such a fast paced read that I read it in one sitting in the time it took my boys to watch an action flick. Halle is struggling to get her writing back after a slump and returns home to the anniversary of her best friend Andy’s disappearance. Convinced she can finally get an interview with Andy’s mother, Halle hopes she can find justice and peace for Andy’s family. When Liam Hart, vineyard owner and a complete stranger walks into her office accusing her of sending him pictures from his childhood, the two strike an unlikely alliance to discover the truth behind Andy’s disappearance and Liam’s connection to the case. Just when you think you know the truth, Debra Webb drops in a jaw dropping twist that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own.

This had such an awesome plot that had me hooked from the beginning all the way through. Even when I thought the story was going to go one way, Webb threw a curveball in that I wasn’t expecting. Liam and Halle really shine when they are running around trying to solve the mystery together. I loved all the various layers of this book: solving the disappearance, the murder mystery aspect, Liam trying to come to terms with his past, and the bond that Halle and Liam have.

I really liked Liam and Halle’s friendship and growing feelings so I was disappointed when the author turned it suddenly into more. Obviously, this is a romance so I knew how it was going to end but I didn’t like how intense it got. However, it was a minor detail and it didn’t hamper my overall enjoyment of the story.

Before He Vanished by Debra Webb is filled with a mystery that was unpredictable until the last page. This novel will grip readers long past when they should put their books down.

Halle was a mostly likeable reporter. I liked her better when she was a child and reminiscing about her and Andy. She has moved back home after losing her job in Nashville as a reporter. I actually like how the author made that a very realistic situation. Halle decides to write a story about her best friend who went missing 25 years ago.

Someone sends Liam the article and he has an uncanny resemblance to the lost boy photos. Between her article and Liam’s appearance someone wants to shut them all down.

I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery. Recommended to readers of complicated mysteries with a sprinkling of romance.

Sexual content –2 one physical scene
Violence – 3 a couple deaths, and kidnappings.
Drinking-2 Liam runs a family winery
Language 2, D@mn 14 times, b@start used twice,

I received this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.

I will leave a review on Amazon or B&N on Feb 18, 2020

The Sixth book in her A Winchester, Tennessee Thriller series, once again Debra Webb gives us an incredible story. A 25-year disappearance is once again brought to the forefront as a journalist writes the story of Adam, whom was her best friend until he disappearred. This book is so well written, action packed with lots of twists and turns. If you enjoy romantic suspense you definitely will want to read this amazing book.

I received an Advanced Reader's Copy from NetGalley and Harlequin and this is my fair and honest review of the book.

Great mystery, irritating characters

Thank you to Lisa Wray for inviting me to participate in Harlequin blog tours, and thank you to Debra Webb, Harlequin, and Netgalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

SPOILERS

I see Debra Webb’s name often, but I think this is the first time I’ve read one of her books. As with Allison Brennan, I just never got around to it; but then I was invited to participate in the blog tour and decided it was the perfect opportunity to give her a try.

Unfortunately, I was not overly impressed. Maybe this was just a bad book to start with? Hopefully?

The only thing that I enjoyed about this book was the mystery. It earned that third star all by itself. I tried to put the clues together in my mind as I read, but for the life of me, I could not figure out what was going on. It was really, really nice to read a mystery I couldn’t predict. It’s almost like that was the only element of the story that Webb put effort into crafting.

I didn’t hate Halle and Liam, but I didn’t like them much, either. Liam was in denial too long and I grew exasperated with him. It’s realistic to doubt you could play a role in such a bizarre situation, I understand that, but there came a point when there was simply too much evidence to deny. Yet he refused to admit that it was even possible he was the lost boy. He was like a child sitting with his arms crossed and a mutinous pout on his face, having gotten to the point in an argument where he says no just to be contrary and irritating.

I almost kinda liked Halle—until she opened the door to Burke. It was an unbelievably STUPID move on her part, uncharacteristically so, and it was obvious the only reason she didn’t treat him with more wariness was to move the plot along to the climax. If she’d been smart about it, the end wouldn’t have been as easily staged.

There was also something about the writing that bothered me, both exposition and dialogue. It didn’t seem to flow. Didn’t feel natural. I’m not sure how else to describe it. It wasn’t disjointed or overly formal, just rather passionless. Businesslike, perhaps. Like Webb wrote the story because she was contracted to, not because she cared about it.

Somewhat related to that point—Halle and Liam’s romance was nonexistent. There was almost no sign of it in the first half, and in the second it was shoehorned in like Webb had nearly forgotten it was supposed to be a romance novel, not a mystery. I felt no passion between Halle and Liam. They had zero chemistry. The night they had sex was completely unearned, and watching them get married in the epilogue made me cringe. It felt mechanical, like boxes were being checked off.

I’ll give Webb the benefit of the doubt and read another of her books someday, but it’s definitely not very high on my priority list.

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I was taken in by the story presented in Before HE Vanished
Halle has moved home after leaving Nashville and her her mistakes behind. She settles in at the local newspaper and sees her chance to prove her mettle. It’s the 25 Anniversary of the The Lost Boy. Andy was Halle's best friend and she knew his mom would talk to her. This story was more just business it was truly persona to her. When a man arrives in town looking just like Andy, Halle must figure out what’s really going in this town and if this mysterious strange is who she thinks he is.
This is takes place in a series of books about Winchester Tennessee. I haven't ready anything before them, but it was not needed Debra Webb mentions past cases but makes sure the story stands on its own apart from the others. This makes it easy for new reads to join her in this series.
I really like the story created here. There are several levels at work and I enjoyed the twist (I almost didn't see it coming; so that’s come good work by the author). This wasn't just some love story with a mystery background. it is the mystery that moves the story forward. The set up even made the whirlwind romance fitting for the story. I have to say this is one of the best Harlequin books I have ever read whiter Intrigue or not.
The book is written simply, nothing over complex. This work well for the intended target audience and keeps the story moving.
Overall, I mostly enjoyed Before HE Vanished even if this isn't usually the type of books I typically read.

Halle Lane has been haunted by the disappearance of her best friend when they were seven-year-olds. Now, twenty-five years later, Halle is an investigative reporter. She writes an article about the unsolved case and that is the beginning of a new round of crimes connected to the story. Liam Hart, a California winemaker, receives a mysterious letter that contains a copy of Halle's article. He's intrigued enough to fly to Tennessee to look into the case. He didn't expect to find out that his life has possibly been a lie. Can Halle convince him to help her solve the case before more people are hurt? This is a fast-paced mystery seasoned lightly with romance (closed door). I enjoyed it and recommend to fans of Debra Webb and the Harlequin Intrigue imprint.