Did not get to read - have way too many books on the shelf. Need to clear some out. Hope to get to this one in the future though.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Deeper Than the Dead in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Gist
Deeper Than the Dead by Debra Webb starts off strong. A young girl discovers a body in a graveyard, and just like that, a quiet town in Tennessee becomes the center of a chilling murder investigation. The setup grips immediately, pulling readers into a story where nothing stays buried for long.


The Details
Dr. Rowan Dupont, a forensic psychologist with a tragic history, takes center stage. She’s intelligent, guarded, and still haunted by the deaths of her mother and twin sister. Now back in her hometown of Winchester after decades away, Rowan runs a funeral home. But when a string of new murders ties back to her family’s past, she gets pulled into the investigation. Her search for truth isn’t just professional—it’s personal.



The novel’s greatest strength lies in Rowan herself. She’s not flashy or overly dramatic; instead, she’s grounded and quietly compelling. Her trauma receives thoughtful treatment, and Webb shows how it shapes Rowan’s decisions, relationships, and worldview. The inner conflict she carries—balancing logic with emotion, expertise with vulnerability—adds depth to what could have been a typical thriller protagonist.



The pacing moves at a measured, deliberate speed. Webb blends elements of procedural, psychological suspense, and small-town drama. The Southern setting deepens the eerie, almost claustrophobic mood, and the sense of isolation comes through clearly. Winchester feels like the kind of place where everyone knows each other—and where secrets fester beneath the surface.



However, not everything lands. While the mystery carries layers, some plot developments lack depth. A few red herrings distract more than they intrigue, and the final twist, though surprising, doesn’t fully earn its shock value. The resolution leaves a few threads hanging, which may frustrate readers looking for more closure.



The romantic subplot between Rowan and local detective Billy Brannigan also struggles to gain traction. Their dynamic has potential, but the emotional chemistry doesn’t quite spark. Their interactions often feel like brief updates rather than meaningful moments, and the dialogue leans too heavily on exposition over natural conversation.



On the technical side, Webb’s writing is clean and confident. She builds suspense effectively and maintains a strong sense of mood. The forensic details add interest without overwhelming, and the story avoids unnecessary gore. Still, the middle section drags, and some scenes grow repetitive—particularly Rowan’s reflections on the past, which could benefit from tighter editing.



Deeper Than the Dead isn’t a bad book by any means. It offers strong bones: a damaged but likable protagonist, a haunting setting, and a dark mystery. But the execution doesn’t always match the promise. It starts with a hook, simmers with intrigue, and ends with a mixed payoff. For readers who enjoy slow-burning, character-driven thrillers with a psychological bent, it’s still worth considering—just keep expectations in check.


The Verdict
Final Verdict: A solid but uneven thriller. If you’re in the mood for a moody mystery with personal stakes and Southern Gothic vibes, this one might scratch the itch—even if it doesn’t linger long after the final page.

Deeper Than the Dead is the first book in the Vera Boyett series and I can not wait to read the second book in this series. This was a suspenseful read from beginning to end and has so many good twists and turns. The author did such a great job writing this one and I'm looking foward to reading other books from this author. I enjoyed all of the characters in this one especially Vera. I loved this one a lot and would recommend it to any reader who likes mysteries or thrillers. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this read in exchange of my honest review of Deeper Than the Dead by Debra Webb.

This was such an entertaining read, I couldn't wait to finish it. This was a good solid read, and will read more in future. Recommended.

I felt like this one had so much potential. The mystery itself along with the twists were good and kept me interested, however, it was slow and a bit confusing at times. I never could connect with any of the characters and I’m not sure I would want to continue a series with Vera as the main character.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this eArc even though it really wasn’t for me.

Wow! So many twists. I absolutely loved Deeper Than the Dead. Definitely a series I will continue. The characters were great, the twists were great, and the ending was great. I guess what I’m saying is, it was great!
So ready for the next one.

I enjoyed this book and thought it was a good suspense book! Debra typically does it pretty well and I enjoy reading her books!

I've read some of Debra Webb's books before on Kindle Unlimited and have enjoyed them. This book was no different. I feel her writing is well-paced and gives the readers what they want, allowing for more to be desired, but in a good way. Anyone looking for family drama would surely enjoy this book.

My first book from this author! I really enjoyed this one! The story had a steady pace and kept me guessing as to who was guilty of the crimes from start to finish. There were a few loose ends that were not tied up but maybe they will be in the next book?

Thanks for the opportunity!

Deeper Than the Dead by Debra Webb delivers a suspenseful and engaging thriller with a well-crafted mystery at its core. The plot unfolds at a steady pace, keeping the reader intrigued, and the twists are effective without feeling overdone.

The characters are layered and complex, though some relationships felt underdeveloped. While it didn’t fully captivate me in every moment, it had enough tension and intrigue to make it an enjoyable read overall. Fans of psychological thrillers will likely appreciate this one.

Deeper Than The Dead is an engaging first book in a new series, a crime thriller that hooked me right from the start. The story builds with a medium pacing with some twists and turns that had me guessing till the end.
thank you to netgalley and the publishers

Deeper Than the Dead is the first book in the Vera Boyett series.

Vera gets a call that her missing stepmother has been found after all these years. She rushes home to be with her sisters. As more bodies are found in the cave Vera questions what she believes.

There were many twists and turns to the keep the reader interested. It is a little slow moving in the first half but picks up speed for a thrilling conclusion.

Having never read anything by Debra before, I went into this one with a open mind and enjoyed it - it was a good middle-range thriller

This was not slower paced thriller, than what I would usually read, however, the storyline was interesting and kept me engaged for the most part. Although it did seem a little long in sections

I would recommend it to others, I am under decided however if I will continue

I love Debra Webb's writing style. Deeper Than the Dead is the first in the Vera Boyett series and I can't wait to see what else is next.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Debra Webb has a new series out, and it is amazing! It is full of twists and turns, along with some woe is me attitude from the main character. The timing of some of the inner monologue can be awkward. The twists come together, but the way they do seems like a reach at time. At the heart of it this is a family thriller, will they come together or not?

The narrator was excellent, and helped keep the thriller aspect for listeners.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Brilliance Audio for an advanced reading and listening copies of this book.

Deeper Than the Dead was a roller coaster of surprises, mysteries, twists and turns. It was a pretty good read. It kept my interest. I highly recommend reading it!

That one was on me, I should've just stopped reading.
I like the author's writing so much, and so far, I've loved every book I've read by her.
This time, that wasn't the case.
The book had many problems that made it hard to like it.
First, Vera, the main character. She was, for a lack of a better word, pitiful. I get having your career end and your team broken, but a murder investigation involving your family isn't the time nor the place for a pity party.
It happened at the oddest times. One second we were reading how there was new updates, and the second Vera would be having a mental dialogue about how successful she once were, and occasionally, she would also muse on her past with the sheriff. Right in the middle of things. It was so awkward.
And even story wise, the plot was really weak. There are many books out there with similar plotlines that are way more intriguing than this one. A shame, considering how much I loved the author's previous books.
I'm still willing to read book 2 in the series, but I'm definitely stopped if there's no improvement from the first book.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Debra Webb has done it again! Deeper than the Dead is a well paced suspense that will keep you guessing until the end. True to form it simply kept me hooked.
This was one interesting family with some complicated characters. I genuinely appreciated all the little clues that pulled me in and made me feel like I had a stake in the outcome & the town. I hope there will be a sequel because there were a couple, tiny loose ends, that left me curious.

eeper than the dead ( Vera Boyet # 1)
by Debra Webb is a real page turner!
Family secrets and lies, mystery, dead bodies turning up, twists and turns and a small town with intriguing characters are the ingredients for a suspenseful read!
Deputy chief Vera Boyet is in the midst of trouble at work when she is called home by her sister because their since many years missing stepmother’s remains have been found in a cave. Vera goes back home to Tennessee and while protecting her family starts searching for answers while the towns new sheriff Bent, who happens to be Vera’s former love interest, does the same. More bodies turn up and more questions arise .
I was immediately drawn into the story, I couldn’t put it down!
I loved the small town atmosphere and the way the author describes the place .It really makes you feel like you are right there with the people in town.
Vera is an intriguing character, you really get to know her and her family ( secrets and all) and I’m looking forward to reading more about her in the next book.
And hopefully that will include some romance because I really like Bent !
I received this arc from the author and this review is my honest opinion.
Thank you Debra Webb for another excellent mystery!

Someone’s found the skeleton in the closet, and it’s not the only one. Wall Street Journal bestselling author Debra Webb presents an emotional new mystery. Crime analyst and newly disgraced deputy police chief Vera Boyett doesn’t visit home often, and she certainly doesn’t venture back into the cave on her family land. But when the remains of her long-missing stepmother are discovered, Vera will have to face a past that threatens all she is. She and her sister Eve had a fairy-tale childhood: good until it was tragic, with a stepmother they never found a bond with. At least they had each other, a baby half-sister, and a mutual devotion that would have them do the unthinkable. It’s a summer in small-town Tennessee, so thick with humidity it could drown you and so rife with secrets it could smother you. And deep beneath the surface, there are more bodies than you’d think…

I freaking loved this story. So many dynamic layers to it. It will keep you guessing until the very end. Cannot wait to read more from the author.