Allison Barton receives a call from her old university roommate, Jane Knudsen after she discovers her boss murdered at the office. As prime suspect, Allison helps defend Jane. Jane is a beautiful workaholic and plays down her looks, she is very secretive and no one knows any personal details about her. There is a reason for Jane’s secretiveness and would rather go to prison than reveal the past.
An enjoyable read but seemed to focus rather unrealistically on Jane’s beauty. I understand the reason for this but did seem to be over the top.

Thank you Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book before publication.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

THE PLOT: Jane Knudsen, described as beautiful, cold, and guarded like Fort Knox, finds her boss, Ray, shot in his office one morning. Although she maintains her innocence, Jane is suspect #1, and this is annoying because 1) who likes to be accused of murder and face life in prison? and 2) she has secrets she doesn't need the police nosing around in.

Jane hires Allison, her former UVA Law roommate, as her lawyer. As Allison digs into the case, and subsequently Jane's background, she starts to wonder if Jane is who she says she is, and what she's really capable of.

MY OPINION: Wow. Wow. WOW. I love legal thrillers, and this female-driven novel really hit the sweet spot for me. Kristin Webb's writing is fresh, balanced, and most of all... genuinely funny. Excerpts that made me laugh:

"As a motive for homicide, however, it was weak sauce."

"Go buck wild and replace all my plastic food storage containers."

"It helps that Karen is the most Karen of Karens."

Other excerpts I really enjoyed:

"No one would find me here, in the unmarked Honda Accord of law firms."

"I could feel my self-esteem going on vacation."

"He handed over money to his wife and daughter and thought it substituted for love." (Ouch)

"I had spent years reading psychology books and magazines to figure out why, when they've hurt us worse than anyone else can, we still so desperately crave lover and approval from our parents."

"Maybe men don't need romance. Maybe you all think of marriage as a way of organizing your lives. Making things more convenient. Cutting down on your commute, or something." (Topical/timely reference to that ongoing debate that men marry for convenience vs woman marry for love)

I also appreciated how Kristin tackled difficult subjects. And as someone who lived in Virginia for a brief amount of time, I felt more "connected" to the novel because I was familiar with Lynchburg and Charlottesville. I'll definitely be checking out her other books.

PROS AND CONS:
Pros: Great writing, fantastic sense of humour, great approach to sensitive/challenging topics
Cons: The "I'm so pretty, woe is me" "pretty privilege doesn't exist for me" comments were kinda annoying... Even though the author explains WHY... It's not like the horrid events are only reserved for society's most attractive. The ending was a bit rushed and one major component was left unexplored.

Big thanks to @Thomas and Mercer, as well as to @NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The Darkest Web.

I loved this book!! It tells the story of Jane Knudsen, who is an exceptionally private and intimidatingly beautiful workaholic attorney. Yet, she’s also the most likely suspect in the murder of a senior partner. It also tells the story of Allison Barton, her former law school roommate, whom she retains to represent her. I was equally fond of both Jane and Allison!

First of all, I want to thank the author for the way the book was set up. Each chapter listed the name of the person narrating it. Honestly, I don't know why more authors don't do that.

I was intrigued the entire time I was reading - never bored for a moment! I feel strongly that the issue it delved into isn't mentioned enough in the real world, even though it happens far more than it should. I loved the end of the book! Loved it!!

I didn't realize this was the second book of the series but in my opinion, it reads well as a stand-alone. I'm happy this is a series and I can't wait to read the next one! I definitely recommend The Darkest Web!

#TheDarkestWeb #NetGalley

The first 60 pages didn`t hook me and I was about to give up on reading. Not because it was badly written, the prose is good, but because it did not seem to me that the reasons for introducing the defense attorney were enough at that point. From there the book improved. There are several reflections on beauty, prejudice, and the objectification of women that are worthwhile.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.

The Darkest Web by Kristin Wright is a thriller about a young lawyer named Jane Knudsen. When she arrives at work early one morning and finds her boss dead in his office she becomes the prime suspect in the murder. But all is not what it seems. Jane is hiding a secret that threatens to unravel with the investigation of this murder.

I enjoyed this book, however there were themes about beauty and sexuality that I didn't enjoy. I don't want to spoil things but there was much too much of an emphasis on beauty when I felt that this wasn't necessary for the story to remain the same. Just my opinion.

Good thriller with several twists!

THE DARKEST FLOWER was such a great book with darkly comedic undertones that I was thrilled to find out a sequel was in the works. THE DARKEST WEB reprises Allison Barton, the whip-smart lawyer from the first book.

Jane Knudsen is a workaholic attorney--no kids, no husband; she's married to the job. But when she finds one of her firm's senior partners dead at his desk, she becomes the prime suspect. Allison is her former law school roommate, so she reaches out to her for representation. Allison takes the case out of an abundance of guilt for the way she treated Jane in law school. She fed the fuel to rumors that were going around about Jane, and she never showed her any support when one rumor in particular turned ugly.

Allison is relieved to find an abundance of other suspects with far greater motive than Jane, but Allison can't over the fact that Jane is hiding something...and boy, is Jane hiding something.

I hope book two turns into a series. I love both Allison's character and the two cases she has investigated, but I really love how her character has grown and evolved in just two books. I absolutely can't wait to see what else this author has up her sleeve. A big thank you to the author for sharing an early copy of this book with me. Releases April 12, 2022, from Thomas and Mercer/Amazon Publishing.

I just reviewed The Darkest Web by Kristin Wright. #TheDarkestWeb #NetGalley
This was a wonderful read! Such a wonderfully paced thriller! And the writing.....absolute chef's kiss!
To be honest, thriller is not my favourite genre, so it's even more special when I find one I like. This book wasn't, in my opinion, lacking for anything. A unique perspective, a daring heroine and a perfect array of characters with a storyline that keeps you on tenterhooks, surely make for a fast and vastly enjoyable read.
A murder....a suspect with a past to hide....and a lawyer not ready to lose.... isn't it perfect.....
I highly, highly recommend this book to everyone.
You will not be disappointed!!

Very interesting thriller, sort of a mashup between a police procedural (except a lawyer does the investigating) and a psychological thriller in terms of tone. I'd have liked more descriptions and more details in the writing. But the plot was very good. Read it on one sitting. It's a true page-turner. Also, the themes covered were dealt with sensitively and deserve to be more widely known about. Overall, a book worth picking up if you're looking for a book that'll move fast and keep your interest throughout.

Jane is a tax lawyer who obviously has a past she needs to hide. She arrives at work to find he boss murdered. Jane gets in touch with her old college room mate, Allison. Allison is the lawyer from the fist in the series although you could read this as a stand alone. The investigation that follows is mingled with discoveries about Jane’s past and Allison’s developing romantic relationship with Emmett. I enjoyed the twists and revelations (some of which were deeply tragic). There was a bit with Josh that seemed over the top. Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC. .

The Darkest Web is a legal thriller that keeps you turning the pages to find out who was behind the slaying of a prominent, although not well-liked attorney. Jane and Allison were once law school roommates, but their respective legal careers took them down different paths. Now Jane needs the criminal expertise of Allison. Their lives become even more entwined when old boyfriends become current lovers in this suspense. The story gives the reader a glimpse of the trauma that follows the victim of a sex crime and does get intense at times, however it is well told.
I enjoyed the book with the only issue being that I felt the real killer had a massive personality change that didn’t show up until the last moment. However, it is a good read and one I give 5 stars to.
]

I read this in two nights. I went into this story with high expectations, because I really enjoyed the twisty pacing and witty writing in the first book in the series, The Darkest Flower. The author has definitely changed gears for the second installment of this series, which tackles more serious and heavier issues ( not that poisoning/murder aren’t heavy issues, but I won’t digress!) What surprised me most ( besides the ending, which is great) was that I liked the second book better. I guess this was a surprise because so often authors put their best stuff in the first book of a series to get readers hooked, and the subsequent books often sputter out, but that is definitely not the case here.

The Darkest Web introduces us to attorney Jane Knudsen, whose early-bird routine makes her the prime suspect in the pre-dawn murder of her boss. Desperate, she calls her old roommate (but not friend) from law school, single mom Allison Barton. Allison struggles with whether she can believe Jane, partially because she seems like an obvious suspect but just as importantly because her judgement about Jane is clouded by previous assumptions. Jane was and still is beautiful and aloof. As the book unfolds, revealing more about Jane’s life, Allison learns things about her old roommate’s past, including secrets and trauma Jane has closely guarded. The author handles this difficult topic with sensitivity.

As for the novel, the writing is tight and at times snappy “she worked for the Honda Accord of law firms” and the plot and pacing are well executed.

I’ve been thinking about this book for the last few days, but not because of the plot or elements of the investigation. What stood out were the underlying themes. How quick we are to judge and dismiss others. And how little we are willing to probe into someone’s hardened exterior because we assume we know the entire story.

I’m looking forward to the next installment in this series.

My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for providing a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The Darkest Web is the second book of the Allison Barton series but is my first book of Kristen Wright. This is an outstanding legal thriller with innumerable twists and turns till the end. It qualifies as a standalone book as the references to book one are minor. The plot had me hooked, and I was compelled to finish this book in one sitting. Narrated from Jane and Allison's point of view, Jane is the primary suspect of the murder of one of her firm's senior partners. Jane is highly private and is known for her exceptional work ethic. However, the ghosts of her harrowing past become entwined with this case.

Jane and Allison had crossed paths before as they were roommates. The level of complexity, in this case, opens the door of the past. This results in both protagonists reevaluating their relationship as friends while exploring the attorney and client dynamic. The character growth for both female leads is commendable. Kristin Wright injects elements of insecurity, vulnerability and accountability exceptionally well. At the end of every chapter, the revelation keeps you going with concise writing. The sense of justice achieved at the end is highly satisfactory, with puzzle pieces coming together unpredictably. I cannot wait to read more from Kirstin Wright. I know I will be reading book one soon. A 5 star read!

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me a free review copy of this book. This honest review is left voluntarily.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

I wasn't too sure going into this novel because I had not read her first novel, however that did not matter much as I was able to fully enjoy the story. Jane stayed her life on her path, burying her past. One morning, as usual, she goes to her work place early and finds her boss shot dead in his office. All arrows indicate that she is the number one suspect. She hires Allison, whom she knew from law school as her old roommate, to represent her. Allison agrees, but she's always so quiet, so mysterious, and above all, absolutely breathtakingly beautiful in this story, so what she can know about Jane. I'm interested. Throughout this book, you will follow the usual steps to find out that there are others who may be guilty.
Having read this, I will most definitively read more from this author!

This was a very good murder mystery; a "whodunnit" with many possible perpetrators and motives that will definitely keep you guessing. This was the second book in a series by this author and I have not read the first, so I was new to the characters, but it worked well as a stand alone story.

Jane, an associate in a busy law practice becomes the primary suspect in the death of one of the law partners at the firm. She hires her law school roommate from ten years ago who is now a criminal justice attorney, Allison, to represent her. Jane fears that secrets from her dark past are about to be revealed. However, others in the law firm, as well as the victim's wife and daughter, have secrets of their own.

I would not categorize this as a legal thriller, but more of a murder mystery involving lawyers and not one that contains much courtroom drama. I liked the book and probably would have given it a higher rating if it hadn't contained so much disturbing content regarding child abuse and pornography.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Thomas & Mercer, for a digital ARC of this book. Publication date: April 12, 2022.

This was a twisted, thoughtful, feminist thriller with two intelligent, powerful, professional women at the center. Both lawyers. Both respected. Both insecure. Are men ever portrayed as insecure in the court, in parenting, in relationships. Do they ever feel it. Doubtful. Never in the way that women feel, regardless of their professional or social stature it seems. A murder mystery involving one attorney, Jane, has her calling an old law school roommate, Allison, when suspicion falls on her for the death of her boss, a throughly sleazy ale lawyer. Years old assumptions and hidden traumas cloud the relationship as Allison and Kate learn truth and trust, along with a decent helping of misdirection and omissions. Once I got into this story I couldn’t stop reading and thinking about it. The murder case itself is full of jealousy, betrayal and revenge. The relationship between the two women elevated the novel to a five star read.

I didn't feel like I needed to read the first book in order to understand this book and I appreciate that.

The Darkest Web was fast paced, dark and chilling. In this Thriller, Jane finds her boss has been murdered. Knowing that she will be a likely suspect since she was the first one to the office and found the body, she called an old friend from school. The viewpoints switch been Jane and Allison. Allison was Jane's roommate in school and is now a criminal defense attorney.

I enjoyed this novel and love that it featured two strong women protagonists. Jane is a very private person and throughout the story, it felt like she was always guilty of something. Is it really bad enough to go to prison for murder though?

Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC for an honest review.

First of all, I'd like to thank NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, Kristin Wright for the opportunity to read this ARC. Ever since, I've read The Darkest Flower, I've on the look out for the next bpok in the Allison Barton series.

The Darkest Web is in a way, for me, twistedly empowering; most especially for those who have lived a life full of darkness and misery. There's still faith in humanity as they say. It's a sharp contrast to The Darkest Flower, as that book makes you think about facades and the darker side of humanity.

I've always liked Allison and Emmet. Libby, though, her character sometimes acts like a pre-teen/tween than a 7-year-old.

I'll be waiting for the next book in this series!

I can't think of any other word to describe the book besides dry. I could not get into it. I dreaded picking it up every day. I didn't even finish it because I was not invested in whether or not Jane got convicted or who killed Ray. Allison was a slightly likeable character but there was just not enough there to get me to want to keep reading til the end.

I enjoyed Kristin Wright's debut novel in this series and so when I saw the second book come up on Netgalley, I knew I had to read it and it was just as good as the first book. The Darkest Web introduces us to lawyer Jane Knudsen who has come in and found her boss's body dead on his floor. She knows how it looks and is afraid she would be pinpointed as the number one suspect. Jane contacts one of her old roommates from law school, Allison Barton. Allison hasn't seen or heard from Jane since law school and the pair reunite. Allison will soon learn that Jane is still a beauty but that her beauty comes with a price and that it is this that makes her the prime suspect. At school, Jane was always private and now Allison is about to discover why as she delves into Jane's background. I felt for Jane and it now too has given me a different perspective on people that are "naturally beautiful" without effort and how they wish they could be known for more than just their looks. As the story goes on, we learn that Jane's boss had lots of enemies - far and wide and any one of them is more than capable of murder. I did enjoy this story as I love how the cases that Allison takes are more intricate and on a personal level. What I hated was freaking Karen and then Libby and her whining and playing the parents against each other and then when Allison's partner wanted to be together and include Libby, she acted like he was a weirdo. It's like I know you are only 6 years old Libby but make up your mind or Allison stop giving your daughter all the power - you are the parent/mother. I am now looking forward to Book #3 and seeing what other cases that author Kristin Wright can come up with in future books.

An outstanding legal thriller that intrigues your brain, shocks your senses and compels you to complete it in a single sitting.

When 32-year old insurance lawyer Jane Knudsen is implicated in the murder of her boss, Ray Corrigan, she retains her college roommate, Allison Barton, as her defense lawyer. While Jane has always been referred to as Ice Queen, untouchable, odd duck, cold fish, etc. Allison realizes that no one ever really knew her old roommate that well. But as she digs into her new client's past to help save her, Allison uncovers secrets so disturbing, that she is forced to rethink her first impressions about the beautiful enigma that is Jane.

I honestly can't decide what I loved more - the characters or the plot. Criminal defense lawyer and single mom Allison comes across as a very relatable and everyday woman - flawed, insecure and judgemental, but quick to accept her mistakes and make amends. Jane starts off as an ambiguous character, guarded in her interactions and thoughts, but once her explosive truth is out, you can't help but seethe in righteous indignation at the appalling injustice that has been meted out.

The first book in the series made me a fan of the author; the second one sealed her spot in my list of favourite authors. Though I greatly missed the snark and sarcasm of the previous book, the narrative remains just as taut and spellbinding as before. The author has dealt with a horrific crime in a very sensitive manner in the plot without getting too preachy or graphic, but ensuring that the repercussions of the crime on the victim remain imprinted in the minds of the reader.

Overall, a quick and engrossing read that explores an issue that is not talked about enough. Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for providing a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.