I keep getting introduced to new (to me) authors, and this one is definitely a winner. I wondered if the first book in the series gave more info about the beginnings of the case Vera is working on, that of The Messenger. At any rate, this book really fills in all the gaps and then picks up in the present day. I enjoyed all the characters, and I was pretty worried about Vera and her sister! What an evil nemesis this one is! This is a fast-paced story and it doesn’t let up before the end.

I recommend this one! 4.5 stars rounded up.

I received a copy of the digital ARC via the publisher and NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

This book is a slow and yet a thrilling chase. Vera's past made me want to delve more into the story! She's a fascinating character. This is the first book I have read from the author and it’s a good read.

Vera was a retired Memphis Police Officer and is now currently a consultant of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department. She wanted to start over her life in her hometown Fayetteville but it’s not that easy. Vera’s past about the bodies found in their farm still haunts her. People still know this and criticise Vera and her sisters. Though Vera is a police officer, her past made the story engaging and appealing.

The POV of this book is a third point of view which focuses on Vera and Bent. I love this since both Vera and Bent have a romantic past and it gives spice to the events. Though this is mystery/thriller but the hint of romance is a fresh perspective.

The plot of the story is a bit predictable. It starts unhurried but a lot of riveting hints are laid out especially Vera's past and the bodies that were discovered in their farm. It tells a story as to how this happened and it's engrossing. Vera's dark past made the story worth continuing. At 50% the book started getting intriguing. Since Vera analyses crime scene, there were points laid out as to who might be the killer and I feel like it's seeping out some of the fun. Though it's not the final verdict but it's not enjoyable to have this laid out.

As for the characters, I admire Vera's loyalty to her sisters. Her protectiveness and her sense of justice is admirable. Not only that, she is brave, attentive and clever which made her great at her job. Some of Gray's POV are cute and it made his character admirable. Though he seems tough on the outside but inside his thoughts are like fireworks towards Vera.

The ending is fast and intense. Overall this is a good read. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the advance reading copy.

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, and I wanted it to keep going forever. Vera is challenged this time with a former arch enemy. I kept guessing about who the real villain was until the big reveal, so that was a real bonus to me for the story. The red herrings were so good, and the clues were disguised so well that I got 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. 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.

The second installment of the Vera Boyett series, by bestselling author, Debra Webb, Closer Than You Know, is a dark thriller filled with intrigue and family secrets in a small Tennessee Town. Vera Boyett has been back in her home town for only seven months after leaving the Memphis police force after a tragedy. Her boyfriend who left her years ago when she was 17 is the Sheriff, and because she is a crime analyst, she has to work with him. Twelve years prior, Vera put a serial killer, who was known as the Messenger, in prison, but now she is getting messages and things are happening just like when the Messenger was active. She and Bent (the Sheriff), work toward finding the killer before he kills again.

Fans of the Vera Boyett series will want to pick up this excellent thriller. Webb has a way of telling her story in a way that keeps readers on the edge. The suspense starts immediately and builds throughout the entire novel. As family secrets come out, readers will wonder if Vera’s family is involved in murders and Vera’s sisters are not only in danger, but also suspects.

Webb does an excellent job of developing the characters, and they seem like real people. Readers will love both Vera and Bent, and will most likely wonder about her sisters and their relationships. Webb inserts a bit of light romance in the novel.

All told, this one will definitely keep readers on the edge. It is difficult to put down and will inspire readers to pick up the previous and subsequent novels in the Vera Boyett series.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

Thank you Netgalley & Debra Webb for a copy of this book. I enjoyed this story, it kept me engaged and interested

I am not sure this is an entirely fair review since I did not realize this was book 2 of the Vera Boyett series, but I felt disinterested throughout most of this book. Vera seems like an idiot and not a seasoned ex homicide detective. Her mistakes and behavior screamed amateur mall cop at best. Vera moved back to her hometown after she was laid off (receipt, please) from her job as deputy chief of police and subsequently assumes a role as a PI. Her old flame, Brent, is the local sheriff, and those memories ignite the undercurrents of their past relationship. I didn't like Vera and Bent is stupid for going along with her sleuthing but maybe there's a reason for the idiocy that was revealed in book 1 that I missed 🤷🏻‍♀️ Aside from everyone being crooked criminals in this storyline, I did finish it so the writing kept me engaged enough!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Released 5/6/2025

After leaving the Memphis PD under a cloud, following a stellar career as Deputy Chief, Vera Boyd is trying to settle back into life in her home town of Fayetteville Tennessee. Working as a crime analyst, she is enjoying living in her old family home and reconnecting with her two younger sisters Eve, a local mortician and Luna, the deputy librarian.

Vera is shocked to learn that her ex-high school sweetheart, Gray Benton (aka ‘Bent’), is now the Sherriff. He left her without an explanation 17 years ago to join the army, but she is gradually re-building a friendly working relationship with him. Although still keeping each other at arm’s length, there is a slow burning tension is building between them.

Bent has requested Vera’s help in searching for a missing local reporter, Nolan Baker. He was working on a story involving a kidnapper nicknamed the ‘Time Thief’, who had previously abducted three people, who he held sedated for two days before releasing them unharmed. Baker may now have become the Time Thief’s fourth victim. However, when he isn’t released after two days, Bent and Vera become concerned, especially when their investigation discovers clues linked to a serial killer Vera put behind bars twelve years before.

The serial killer nicknamed the ‘Messenger’ would leave his victims a message before abducting them and slowly torturing them to death. However, he is still in jail, so although it seems unlikely, Vera is concerned that they could be dealing with either a copycat or perhaps an accomplice they never found. Whoever they are, Vera will soon find herself firmly in their sights as she is drawn in to playing a game of cat and mouse with them.

This is a complex, well plotted thriller that draws the reader in with a plot that build steadily towards a gripping end. The characters are well written and there are some twisty red herrings along the way. It’s not essential to have read the first book in the series, as sufficient background to Vera and her family is given. The family dynamics between the three sisters once again plays an important role, especially after Vera discovers they have been keeping an important secret from her that endangers them all. It all makes for a fast paced immersive read with a terrific conclusion.

Closer Than You Know by Debra Webb
I really enjoyed this page turner! It was a fast paced, a riveting mystery involving a serial killer.
Vera and Bent are a formidable team as they potentially face a former monster that Vera put behind bars, The Messenger.
The dying man wants his revenge.
This gets complicated with family secrets and some serious mental health issues.
Vera’s sister Eve gets pulled into the plot to draw Vera in further and distract the investigation. There are twists everywhere.
The character building was well done and the book, although second in a series, works great as a stand-alone novel.
I applaud the author for her writing style and creative ability to draw a reader in, even without reding the first in the series. This was a great story! I really enjoyed it! 4/5⭐
I would like to Thank NetGalley for the opportunity to review an ARC of this title.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are mine.

This is a book about second chances that folls Vera who's personal tragedy was her career being destroyed but her redemption is in the form of a new case that is linked to something sinister. Well written ,thrilling and definely will keep you reading.

This was a really good read. When I started it, I actually decided to go back to the 1st Vera Boyett book (which I luckily already had on my Kindle) because I felt like I was missing a lot of Vera's backstory, and I'm so glad I did! This book was twisty and mysterious, an overall suspenseful ride through family secrets, small-town drama, and crime. I really enjoyed the investigative aspect, and how Vera kept getting pulled in different directions, but always knew something was amiss throughout the book.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

Thank you to the author, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My apologies for the delay in posting, I have had continuing familial health challenges to contend with in the past months.

This is the seond book in a new series by this author - I read the first and so was interested to read the second. The author does a great job of setting the scene and making it atmospheric, and I love the strong female main character. However, there are some problems with the pacing, it often felt as though the plot was moving at a crawl, and the characters did not feel properly fleshed out, which made it hard to care about what happened to them. And the romance subplot was so lovesick-teenageresque that I couldn't take it seriously. As with the first book in the series, I would say it was an okay read, not bad - but not gripping enough to get me excited about it.

I didn't love Deeper Than The Dead - the first book in this series - but thought I would give this one a chance anyway. I really enjoyed Debra Webb's Finlay O'Sullivan series, but I won't be reading any more of the Vera Boyett books. This book was also slow and it was way too easy to put it down. It took me almost a month to get through it. Crime analyst Vera Boyett has become an expert at cracking tough cases. She's now moved back to Tennessee and her high school boyfriend Bent, the local sheriff, asks her to help him with the case of a missing reporter. Vera soon discovers that this case has a connection to a serial killer she put in prison 12 years ago when she was a deputy police chief. Vera puts herself and her family in grave danger as she solves this mystery. I don't know if Debra Webb is finished with the Vera Boyett series, but I definitely am. Thanks to #netgalley and #Thomas&Mercer for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first book by this author, and easily read on its own. She easily weaves the web of Vera's past and family dynamic wonderfully as she returns to her hometown in this book. From the very beginning this book drew be right in, from her relationship to her sister, her history with the small town sheriff, and everyone else in the town. I hated to put this book down. There were twists I didn't see coming, some I did, but with some surprises. I loved it!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Debra Webb’s "Closer Than You Know" is an enthralling psychological thriller that operates on multiple levels—intimate, investigative, and relentlessly unpredictable. It’s a novel that takes the familiar tropes of domestic suspense and breathes new life into them through emotionally charged storytelling and deeply layered character dynamics.

From its opening pages, "Closer Than You Know" grips the reader with an overwhelming sense of unease. Webb masterfully crafts a world in which secrets are buried deep, and the past refuses to stay forgotten. The pacing is razor-sharp, threading moments of escalating tension with quieter, introspective beats that allow the reader to form an emotional bond with the characters. She expertly avoids the pitfall of overly telegraphed twists; even the most seasoned thriller aficionados will find themselves second-guessing as the plot unfolds.

What elevates "Closer Than You Know" beyond a standard thriller is Webb’s ability to create characters whose inner turmoil feels wholly organic. The protagonist wrestles with personal demons, and her journey is one of resilience amidst unraveling uncertainty. Relationships—both fractured and flourishing—are explored with nuance, making every interaction feel weighted and significant. Webb does not rely on archetypal "damaged detective" or "haunted protagonist" formulas; instead, she crafts figures that are refreshingly complex and startlingly real.

Webb has a keen ability to turn setting into an active force within the novel. The environment—whether physical or psychological—is steeped in tension, amplifying the stakes at every turn. Shadows seem to stretch longer, silence feels heavier, and even moments of reprieve are laced with an undercurrent of unease. This immersive sense of atmosphere is integral to the novel’s success, placing the reader directly in the protagonist’s shoes.

"Closer Than You Know" isn’t just a story about uncovering truth—it’s a meditation on the cost of secrets, the fragility of trust, and the resilience required to confront one’s past. Debra Webb has crafted an electrifying thriller that pulses with emotional depth while delivering all the high-stakes suspense expected from the genre. It’s a novel that lingers, not just for its twists and revelations, but for its profound exploration of fear, memory, and survival.

Whether you’re a fan of psychological thrillers or just looking for a read that balances compelling storytelling with genuine emotional weight, "Closer Than You Know" is well worth diving into.

This was outrageously good. Vera Boyett, a former homicide detective who has transitioned to a criminal analyst, has to bring all her knowledge, expertise and cunning to this game to catch a serial killer who is coming for her and her family. In this second installment Debra Webb has raised the intensity bar to nail biting thriller gone crazy. Building on past history and relationships, having read the first installment was a definite plus. Many of the characters from Deader Than The Dead (Vera Boyett #1) make an appearance and their roles and behavior are solidified. Members of the press are presented in less that a positive light with heavy pressure on getting the story at all costs. There are also some stereotypical characteristics attributed to old acquaintances that are easy to identify. You remember that girl who was always out to belittle you whenever she could, yeah, she’s in the mix loud and clear. The plot is evil incarnate with some of the most horribly depraved bad guys in motion. The story moved forward and then slid sideways and twisted and turned which kept me guessing what was going to happen next and what the ultimate resolution would be.

I have read and enjoyed most of Debra Webb’s books and admit to being a fan. I will be on the lookout for the next installment in this series. My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for a copy.

This book was hard for me to get into, but the second half rolled out so easily for me! For fans of the show Psych, this book gave me Yin and Yang vibes.

Vera consults for the police and is known to have stopped a pretty despicable serial killer, over 12 years prior. She is returning to work on a case in which victims have been kidnapped, but continue to be released unharmed a few days later—until that all changes. With the MO changing, it becomes clear that the killer she caught is either sending her a message that he’s back and ready for revenge, or a copycat killer is here to play games of their own. With complicated romantic histories and layers upon layers of family secrets, this case takes twists and turns that can only lead in bloodshed.

This book was probably one of the best at keeping me on the edge of my seat, making me feel the creepiness that emanated from the story’s cracked windows and secret death threats. The mood was well created and the plot well developed, too. The connections between backstory and present day served well to create an unhinged detective story that left me scrambling to uncover the truth.

Immensely intriguing and rapidly developing in the latter half, but overall interesting and a good read!

I normally don’t read books that scare me a bit. But this book I couldn’t put down. It is the first book I read of Debra Webb. I am defenitly reading more of her in the future.

Closer Than You Know is the second book in the Vera Boyett series. Vera moved back home in the 1st book and helped solve a crime. She is back at it in this book. An old case that has haunted her appears to have resurfaced even though the killer is in prison.

Vera is a take no prisoners, smart woman. I’m glad to see she is starting to open up on her personal life and an excited to read more about this in the next book. I loved the pace of this book and the characters. There are quite a few characters that help the story along and I can’t wait to read more about them as well. Let me tell you one thing, you don’t want to be the bad person Vera is trying to catch as it won’t end well for you!

The second installment in the Vera Boyett series is even better than the first, with ties back to Vera's past -- not only to a serial murderer but also to her personal life -- Closer than You Know is a true page turner that I couldn't put down. While this tale ended with a satisfactory ending, I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series to find out happens next!

Debra Webb has quickly become one of my favorite mystery thriller authors, so I was excited to dive into the second book of the Vera Boyett series—and it didn’t disappoint!

I really enjoy reading about Vera and her sisters, and of course, the hot sheriff Bent adds extra fun to the story. This book is full of suspense, twists, and emotional moments. Vera is such a strong character, and I love following her journey as she faces both personal challenges and dangerous cases.

The plot kept me hooked, especially with the return of a serial killer Vera thought was gone for good. The stakes are high, and I couldn’t stop reading to find out what would happen next.

If you like strong female leads, family drama, and thrilling mysteries, this is a great series to get into!