3.5 rounded up! I purchased the first book in the series to read before starting this one. I’m glad I did, but the author does a nice job giving background information. You could read it as a standalone, but I still recommend reading the first book before this one for a better understanding of the characters and their dynamics. This was a twisty crime thriller! I enjoyed the character development, and the plot is good. Some of the characters do make questionable decisions that I feel didn’t align with the knowledge and training they should have. Regardless, this was a fun psychological crime thriller with some close door spicy scenes. If that’s your jam, check this book out! I listened to the audiobook version, and the narrator was great. Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 rounded down

This book is a twisty crime thriller with a bit of romance mixed in. It’s actually the second in a series, which I didn’t know when I requested it but the author does a good job giving background so you can still follow the story. Sometimes it felt like there was too much explaining, and I think reading the first book would’ve helped me feel more connected.

Vera, the main character, works with her ex from 20 years ago, and she also has a steamy past with the town’s sheriff. There’s a lot going on in the plot: a killer in jail, a possible copycat, and a big secret that Vera and her sisters are keeping a BIG secret.

The writing is decent but I didn’t feel connected to the story and its characters. Not a super fan of audiobooks but the narration made the reading experience better.

Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ARC!

Thank you net galley and Debra for this arc copy! When I seen this was book 2 I rushed to read Deeper Than The Dead to really understand & connect with this one & I’m sooo happy I did!
Debra Webb is hands down an auto buy author for me now I completely was thrown off with the twist and unexpected turns. She’s a great writer & knows how to really reel you in & want you wanting for more. The connections to Deeper Then The Dead were great. I cannot wait for book #3 in the Vera series to be released 12/2025. Once again thank you and I’m huge Debra Webb fan now.

I read this book here through NetGalley. and loved it. My review for this book is already posted here, but I was given the chance to listen to the audio book and jumped on it!. Wow fantastic! This narrator really brought these characters to life and the story jumped off the pages.!

Liked this book! Such a good crime thriller.
Closed door spicy scenes.
Had me on the edge several times during the book.
The pace of the plot is done excellently!
Characters are developed for the most part.
I loved the history between Vera & Bent - the FMC & MMC.
Touch her and die trope vibes.
Heroine alert. Intelligent women alert.
I didn’t want the book to end - I needed to know more about The Messenger’s Grandson!
I have not read the first book, but plan to go back and read that now. I did fine reading as a standalone but having more of the background from book one would have made me even more invested.
Engaging. Plot twists. Investigative/Crime thriller.
I am now a big Debra Webb fan!
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Debra Webb for the opportunity to review this ARC

Another amazing suspenseful read by Debra Webb. Debra is a favorite of mine. But this book to me really shows her skill. This is a sequel to DEEPER THEN THE DEAD. however, it can be read as a standalone. And that’s because of Debra‘s amazing skill. She can weave in parts of book one so that you don’t feel as though you’ve missed anything in this book. But at the same time if you’ve read book one you don’t feel like there was any wasted words. She was able to inform new readers of the series in very few words.
Vera is being targeted by a serial killer. It seems like it may be The Messenger, but how is that possible when she arrested him and sent him to prison already. Is there a copycat killer out there? When Vera’s sister Eve gets taken, Vera vows that she will find out what is going on. This time she will end it!
Family dynamics, twisted, gruesome killings, a definite edge of your seat, thriller! I would love to be able to give this more than five stars. I definitely cannot wait for the next book in the series.