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Traceless
Win a free kindle copy of this book!
5 days and 06:16:26
100 copies available
U.S. only
She's in search of JUSTICE.
Emily Wallace has no doubt about who killed her best friend ten years Clint Austin, her then boyfriend. The key witness in his trial, Emily put Clint behind bars with her tearful testimony. But when Emily learns that Clint has been released on parole, she returns to her Alabama hometown to confront him--and make sure he never forgets the damage he has done.
He is dead-set on revenge…
After serving ten years for a crime he didn't commit, Clint knows only the truth can set him free. Ignoring warnings from his old friend, now the chief of police, Clint will let no one stand in his way as he tries to prove his innocence--including Emily, the girl he once loved who ruined his life. Prison has made him a hard man, yet he yearns for Emily…and he can see in her eyes that, in spite of herself, she feels the same. But even if he can convince Emily to trust him, it might be too late to clear his name--before the real killer strikes again.
Emily Wallace has no doubt about who killed her best friend ten years Clint Austin, her then boyfriend. The key witness in his trial, Emily put Clint behind bars with her tearful testimony. But when Emily learns that Clint has been released on parole, she returns to her Alabama hometown to confront him--and make sure he never forgets the damage he has done.
He is dead-set on revenge…
After serving ten years for a crime he didn't commit, Clint knows only the truth can set him free. Ignoring warnings from his old friend, now the chief of police, Clint will let no one stand in his way as he tries to prove his innocence--including Emily, the girl he once loved who ruined his life. Prison has made him a hard man, yet he yearns for Emily…and he can see in her eyes that, in spite of herself, she feels the same. But even if he can convince Emily to trust him, it might be too late to clear his name--before the real killer strikes again.
340 pages, Paperback
Published August 28, 2007
141 people are currently reading
4702 people want to read
About the author
Debra Webb
548 books2,405 followersDEBRA WEBB is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 170 novels, including reader favorites the Finley O'Sullivan and Devlin & Falco series. She is the recipient of the prestigious Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Romantic Suspense as well as numerous Reviewers Choice Awards. In 2012 Debra was honored as the first recipient of the esteemed L. A. Banks Warrior Woman Award for her courage, strength, and grace in the face of adversity. Recently Debra was awarded the distinguished Centennial Award for having achieved publication of her 100th novel.
With more than four million books in print in numerous languages and countries, Debra’s love of storytelling goes back to her childhood when her mother bought her an old typewriter in a tag sale. Born in Alabama, Debra grew up on a farm. She spent every available hour exploring the world around her and creating her stories. She wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the Commanding General of the US Army in Berlin behind the Iron Curtain and a five-year stint in NASA’s Shuttle Program that she realized her true calling. A collision course between suspense and romance was set. Since then she has expanded her work into some of the darkest places the human psyche dares to go. Visit Debra at www.debrawebb.com.
With more than four million books in print in numerous languages and countries, Debra’s love of storytelling goes back to her childhood when her mother bought her an old typewriter in a tag sale. Born in Alabama, Debra grew up on a farm. She spent every available hour exploring the world around her and creating her stories. She wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the Commanding General of the US Army in Berlin behind the Iron Curtain and a five-year stint in NASA’s Shuttle Program that she realized her true calling. A collision course between suspense and romance was set. Since then she has expanded her work into some of the darkest places the human psyche dares to go. Visit Debra at www.debrawebb.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
September 28, 2010
Depressing story with unlikeable characters.
This was listed in a romance magazine as "romantic suspense" which I find erroneous. I would call it a murder mystery with some suspense. There was only a tiny amount of romance in this book. I don't care for murder mysteries, so my rating is low. Fans of murder mysteries might enjoy it. I did not. For about the first two-thirds of the book, I was angry and frustrated with the plot and characters. Too many people in a small town were cowards and would not stand up against meanness and cruelty. I was depressed and sad at what Clint (who was innocent) went through during his 10 years in jail. A number of people knew he was innocent but participated in sending him to jail. Not one person who knew the truth was honorable and willing to tell the truth. It makes one lose faith in humanity. I also did not like Emily, the female protagonist. She was a wimp. She refused to face logic. She was a witness, but due to her emotional instability was unable to fairly communicate what she saw. She was constantly emotionally unstable, even as new evidence arose, she would not want to think about it. I don't enjoy reading about people like her. By the end of the book, the murders and blackmailing are solved and there is a happy ending for the couple. But, the small positives at the end were not enough to make reading the rest of the book worthwhile.
Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: about six. Setting: current day Pine bluff, Alabama. Copyright: 2007. Genre: murder mystery suspense (with a touch of romance).
This was listed in a romance magazine as "romantic suspense" which I find erroneous. I would call it a murder mystery with some suspense. There was only a tiny amount of romance in this book. I don't care for murder mysteries, so my rating is low. Fans of murder mysteries might enjoy it. I did not. For about the first two-thirds of the book, I was angry and frustrated with the plot and characters. Too many people in a small town were cowards and would not stand up against meanness and cruelty. I was depressed and sad at what Clint (who was innocent) went through during his 10 years in jail. A number of people knew he was innocent but participated in sending him to jail. Not one person who knew the truth was honorable and willing to tell the truth. It makes one lose faith in humanity. I also did not like Emily, the female protagonist. She was a wimp. She refused to face logic. She was a witness, but due to her emotional instability was unable to fairly communicate what she saw. She was constantly emotionally unstable, even as new evidence arose, she would not want to think about it. I don't enjoy reading about people like her. By the end of the book, the murders and blackmailing are solved and there is a happy ending for the couple. But, the small positives at the end were not enough to make reading the rest of the book worthwhile.
Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: about six. Setting: current day Pine bluff, Alabama. Copyright: 2007. Genre: murder mystery suspense (with a touch of romance).
August 6, 2012
I was sifting through reviews after I'd finished this book and one thing people fail to mention is what a poor ending it has. Sure the couple have their happy ever after, but they allow the lies and corruption that drove their town and their lives to destruction to continue. I admit they were stuck between a rock and a hard place, what with the incriminating tape the police had, but I have never read about heroes who just let that stop them.
Despite this, I did enjoy the suspense in this novel. However, Emily was an unlikeable character and the romance between her and Clint didn't play out as sweet as it should have.
Despite this, I did enjoy the suspense in this novel. However, Emily was an unlikeable character and the romance between her and Clint didn't play out as sweet as it should have.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really enjoyed this book. The story was gripping, suspenful and kept me engaged from beginning to end. The characters felt believable and the tension built nicely throughout the book. While a few moments felt slightly predictable, the overall plot and pacing made it a very satisfying read. Definitely worth picking up if you enjoy psychological thrillers.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really enjoyed this book. The story was gripping, suspenful and kept me engaged from beginning to end. The characters felt believable and the tension built nicely throughout the book. While a few moments felt slightly predictable, the overall plot and pacing made it a very satisfying read. Definitely worth picking up if you enjoy psychological thrillers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was an ARC and so amazing! Although I figured who done it, the buildup to it was great! The plot had me on my toes! The suspense, and thrill definitely exceptional! You peeled for some of the characters, some not do much! I definitely recommend it!
January 31, 2026
THE TEN YEAR LIE, written by Debra Webb, is a reissue of a previously published book. Clint Austin is released from Holman Prison in Atmore, Alabama, after serving ten years. He gets out of prison because mistakes had been made in the investigation of Heather Baker’s murder. I want to know what mistakes were made in the investigation. Does Clint get away with murder?
The writing is engaging. I care about the characters and want to know what happens to them. I like the mystery, but I can take or leave the romance. Some scenes are quite exciting. I look forward to reading other Debra Webb novels. Thank you, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of THE TEN YEAR LIE.
The writing is engaging. I care about the characters and want to know what happens to them. I like the mystery, but I can take or leave the romance. Some scenes are quite exciting. I look forward to reading other Debra Webb novels. Thank you, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of THE TEN YEAR LIE.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Ten Year Lie hooked me from the very first page. It’s a fast-paced thriller that kept me guessing, and I really appreciated the touch of romance woven into the plot.
My only real gripes were the "crowded house" feel of the cast; there were quite a few characters to keep track of, which got a little overwhelming at times. Also, the author’s choice to refer to the MMC by his last name almost exclusively felt a bit off putting and unnatural.
That said, if you’re looking for a gripping thriller that you can fly through, I definitely recommend picking this one up!
My only real gripes were the "crowded house" feel of the cast; there were quite a few characters to keep track of, which got a little overwhelming at times. Also, the author’s choice to refer to the MMC by his last name almost exclusively felt a bit off putting and unnatural.
That said, if you’re looking for a gripping thriller that you can fly through, I definitely recommend picking this one up!
November 19, 2018
At 19 Clint Austin was convicted of murdering Emily Wallace's best friend. It was her testimony that sealed his fate and sent the cocky town bad boy to one of the worst prisons in the southeast. But after 10 long brutal years, he is free. The parole board has decided that 10 years for a crime with little or no evidence was long enough and now Clint is out to find out who took his life from him, and he wants his revenge
Emily is in shock, she knew what she saw so how could they let him out? She is determined to find a way to put him back where he belongs..or does he... she wants justice for her friend but are things really how she thinks they are?
Both are out to find the truth but as the tensions rise and the lies are exposed will either of them survive?
This book IS Debra Webb. The clock ticking edgy suspense with the strong, well-developed characters and intense chemistry it is s exactly what you expect when you pick up one of her books.
This is a book I totally recommend!
Emily is in shock, she knew what she saw so how could they let him out? She is determined to find a way to put him back where he belongs..or does he... she wants justice for her friend but are things really how she thinks they are?
Both are out to find the truth but as the tensions rise and the lies are exposed will either of them survive?
This book IS Debra Webb. The clock ticking edgy suspense with the strong, well-developed characters and intense chemistry it is s exactly what you expect when you pick up one of her books.
This is a book I totally recommend!
November 18, 2018
The toxicity of small towns—where everyone it seems, is guilty of one thing or another—and the massive cover-up is the focus of ‘Clint’, as Debra Webb unravels the poison that people have been living with the past decade, since the murder of Heather Baker.
Finally getting parole after a decade in prison, Clint Austin’s release stirs up Pine Bluff’s anger and ruffles more than a few feathers and brings all the dirty secrets to light that most people need to see buried. Rough-hewn, cynically bitter but determined to clear his name, Clint bulldozes his way through a hometown hell-bent on getting him back in jail where they think he belongs,
I couldn’t figure out how the pieces added up somehow: there are affairs, rumours of cheating, ruthless ambitions, a corrupt police force, sideways glances that hide so many things, and dialogues that bring you to the brink of some kind of breakthrough but don’t reveal much more. A bunch of red-herrings in the multiple POVs that Webb provides certainly contribute to the confusion and the continual guessing.
That it involves a bunch of adults (still living in the same town) trying to cover their high-school depravities however, makes this feel more petty than the usual high-octane and high-level crime stories because of the subject matter and circumstances.
Nonetheless, I’ve always liked Webb’s writing and ‘Clint’ is yet another reminder why I do. Gritty, emotion-laden and full of suspense, Webb spins a web (pun intended?) of mystery that’s easy to get caught up in from the first chapter onwards, with a vivid picture of the wrongly accused man who’d wasted 10 years of his life. The complicated relationship between Clint and his unlikely enemy-turned-accomplice Emily Wallace was as intriguing—and almost forbiddingly hot—as it was unexpected, and I grew to admire Emily’s steely core as the story progressed.
I did wish however, for a conclusion that didn’t skip the HEA that Clint/Emily had ‘off-stage’ so to speak; their alliance throughout the book lasted a mere week and in that short time, I felt like I’d missed out on their enemies-to-lovers tale which did deserve a little more drawn-out attention than what was given in any case. The gripe aside, ‘Clint’—as a re-release of the story formerly known as 'Traceless’ all those years ago—is like re-discovering an old friend: it’s a reminder of the older but solid and classic romantic suspense titles (when RS was at its peak) of which I couldn’t get enough.
Finally getting parole after a decade in prison, Clint Austin’s release stirs up Pine Bluff’s anger and ruffles more than a few feathers and brings all the dirty secrets to light that most people need to see buried. Rough-hewn, cynically bitter but determined to clear his name, Clint bulldozes his way through a hometown hell-bent on getting him back in jail where they think he belongs,
I couldn’t figure out how the pieces added up somehow: there are affairs, rumours of cheating, ruthless ambitions, a corrupt police force, sideways glances that hide so many things, and dialogues that bring you to the brink of some kind of breakthrough but don’t reveal much more. A bunch of red-herrings in the multiple POVs that Webb provides certainly contribute to the confusion and the continual guessing.
That it involves a bunch of adults (still living in the same town) trying to cover their high-school depravities however, makes this feel more petty than the usual high-octane and high-level crime stories because of the subject matter and circumstances.
Nonetheless, I’ve always liked Webb’s writing and ‘Clint’ is yet another reminder why I do. Gritty, emotion-laden and full of suspense, Webb spins a web (pun intended?) of mystery that’s easy to get caught up in from the first chapter onwards, with a vivid picture of the wrongly accused man who’d wasted 10 years of his life. The complicated relationship between Clint and his unlikely enemy-turned-accomplice Emily Wallace was as intriguing—and almost forbiddingly hot—as it was unexpected, and I grew to admire Emily’s steely core as the story progressed.
I did wish however, for a conclusion that didn’t skip the HEA that Clint/Emily had ‘off-stage’ so to speak; their alliance throughout the book lasted a mere week and in that short time, I felt like I’d missed out on their enemies-to-lovers tale which did deserve a little more drawn-out attention than what was given in any case. The gripe aside, ‘Clint’—as a re-release of the story formerly known as 'Traceless’ all those years ago—is like re-discovering an old friend: it’s a reminder of the older but solid and classic romantic suspense titles (when RS was at its peak) of which I couldn’t get enough.
April 16, 2022
I really enjoyed this suspense/mystery/romance. Clint was sent to jail ten years ago at the age of nineteen for a murder he knew he didn't commit. Emily found him sitting next to her dead friend Heather, in Emily's bedroom, blood everywhere and she was the prosecutor's key witness. Now Clint's just been released and has returned home to the house his mother left him, set just outside of the biased, southern small town they grew up in. Everyone hates him and many of his former friends decide to run him out of town, but Clint's now hard and tough and he won't go easily.
Clint is determined to somehow find out what really happened, but he can't do that without Emily's cooperation. Em has recently come back home to visit her parents, (she left a short while after the murder). She's obsessed with trying to send Clint back to prison, so she follows him around in her car, hoping to catch him violating his parole. The two of them secretly 'liked' each other as teens, but never actually had a relationship, apart from one brief encounter a few days before the murder.
There are lots of twists and turns and red herrings, because so many characters could actually be Heather's killer. There are multiple points of view from many of the towns people, which took a bit of wrapping my head around to start with, but I got used to it and it made everything more interesting. Each third person POV has it's own chapter, some quite short, so it's easy to follow. (A bit like watching a movie). All points of view make this a very layered mystery, because some of them are from anonymous characters. Then of course, another murder happens...
This is primarily Clint's and Emily's story and there is a slow burn romance with some steamy scenes that are well written, but not overly descriptive, as this book is all about the back story. It kept me interested and I needed to know 'who did it'. I sort of figured some of it out in the second half, but I didn't guess everything. The plot was well thought out and I look forward to reading more from this author. 4.5 stars.
Clint is determined to somehow find out what really happened, but he can't do that without Emily's cooperation. Em has recently come back home to visit her parents, (she left a short while after the murder). She's obsessed with trying to send Clint back to prison, so she follows him around in her car, hoping to catch him violating his parole. The two of them secretly 'liked' each other as teens, but never actually had a relationship, apart from one brief encounter a few days before the murder.
There are lots of twists and turns and red herrings, because so many characters could actually be Heather's killer. There are multiple points of view from many of the towns people, which took a bit of wrapping my head around to start with, but I got used to it and it made everything more interesting. Each third person POV has it's own chapter, some quite short, so it's easy to follow. (A bit like watching a movie). All points of view make this a very layered mystery, because some of them are from anonymous characters. Then of course, another murder happens...
This is primarily Clint's and Emily's story and there is a slow burn romance with some steamy scenes that are well written, but not overly descriptive, as this book is all about the back story. It kept me interested and I needed to know 'who did it'. I sort of figured some of it out in the second half, but I didn't guess everything. The plot was well thought out and I look forward to reading more from this author. 4.5 stars.
January 11, 2012
Actually, I liked the book better than I anticipated, this being my first time reading a Debra Webb story.
I thought it was very well written, in good English, with a tight pace, suspense and believable characters in a small town setting. Obviously the buried past rears its head and starts wreaking havoc as wrongfully convicted and returning townie Clint tries to rattle a few cages. Emily is the young woman who discovered the body of her best girlfriend in her own bedroom, with Clint beside it and her testimony was crucial in sending him to prison.
The town police tries its best to keep the citizenry on track but fails. Two more murders and arson attempts erupt. Who are the bad guys (or gals, hint, hint...)?
One question came to mind: why did Sid Fairgate decide to tell Emily about Clint's alibi? He claimed that a previous negotiation failed to live to his expectations but that is not likely. He did it just because he wanted to be a good citizen and his conscience bothered him? to stir the waters and see what would happen? His statement shatters Emily's belief in Clint's guilt and sends her on a path of no return for the truth. Things start happening fast after that.
Note: the hero and heroine finally consummate their long-standing unquenchable physical attraction in the middle of the novel, in a very explicit and psychologically purging scene.
I thought it was very well written, in good English, with a tight pace, suspense and believable characters in a small town setting. Obviously the buried past rears its head and starts wreaking havoc as wrongfully convicted and returning townie Clint tries to rattle a few cages. Emily is the young woman who discovered the body of her best girlfriend in her own bedroom, with Clint beside it and her testimony was crucial in sending him to prison.
The town police tries its best to keep the citizenry on track but fails. Two more murders and arson attempts erupt. Who are the bad guys (or gals, hint, hint...)?
One question came to mind: why did Sid Fairgate decide to tell Emily about Clint's alibi? He claimed that a previous negotiation failed to live to his expectations but that is not likely. He did it just because he wanted to be a good citizen and his conscience bothered him? to stir the waters and see what would happen? His statement shatters Emily's belief in Clint's guilt and sends her on a path of no return for the truth. Things start happening fast after that.
Note: the hero and heroine finally consummate their long-standing unquenchable physical attraction in the middle of the novel, in a very explicit and psychologically purging scene.
April 24, 2009
A convicted murderer gets out on parole and returns to the small town the crime took place. His reasoning...He's innocent. Nobody in this town wants Clint (The murderer) to come back, but he has his own agenda...The truth!...It seems that everyone in this town is in on dirty little secrets that set the stage for an unorthodox investigation by a convicted murderer and the best friend of the murdered girl.
I enjoyed this book.
I enjoyed this book.
June 3, 2009
Traceless was a very quick entertaining read for me and my very first Debra Webb book. Which, is great, because I love finding new authors to read and enjoy!
The story really gets your emotions going right off the bat. I seriously wanted to scream at and/or hit someone for Clint from the very beginning! He and Emily's relationship seemed very sweet and I'd been anticipating their HEA all through the book. It did not disappoint! :)
The story really gets your emotions going right off the bat. I seriously wanted to scream at and/or hit someone for Clint from the very beginning! He and Emily's relationship seemed very sweet and I'd been anticipating their HEA all through the book. It did not disappoint! :)
March 16, 2020
Clint Austin served 10 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. Now that he is paroled he wants to find the real killer. When people are murdered he is the first person they look at. Will he be railroaded again or will he be able to find the killer first before he is the next to die.
Fast paced and full of suspense and intrigue. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes Romantic suspense and mystery,
Fast paced and full of suspense and intrigue. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes Romantic suspense and mystery,
May 3, 2023
Always a thrilling read,thanks for entertaining me Debra Webb,I appreciate you 💕
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Finished reading: February 19th 2026
"Gossip. Rumors. That was all this was.
Secrets and lies.
None of it changed the truth.
Emily knew the truth."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
WARNING: it's another unpopular opinion!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There is something about a Southern small town thriller that just hits different. Everyone smiling at church on Sunday, then absolutely ruining each other’s lives by Tuesday. The Ten Year Lie said, what if we take that vibe and crank it up to simmering resentment with a side of unresolved sexual tension, and I was seated.
Clint Austin walking back into Pine Bluff after ten years in prison for Heather Baker’s murder is the kind of chaotic homecoming that makes you want to pop popcorn. He was convicted largely because Emily Wallace testified that she saw him covered in blood holding Heather’s body in her bedroom. That image alone is doing a lot of heavy lifting. It is giving trauma. It is giving therapy bills. It is giving, I would also testify, your honor.
Except Clint has always maintained he did not do it, and now he is out on appeal. Not because the town suddenly believes in justice, but because the investigation was a mess. So he comes home to prove his innocence, and the entire town collectively loses its mind. Pine Bluff basically reacts like someone just reopened a high school group chat that should have stayed dead.
Emily starts this book fully committed to her righteous fury. She knows what she saw. She built her identity around being the brave witness who put a killer away. And then her father drops a family secret that rattles the foundation of that certainty. Watching her spiral from “lock him up again” to “wait… what if I was wrong?” is messy in the best way. It is not graceful. It is not dignified. It is deeply human and occasionally frustrating, which honestly feels earned.
The enemies to uneasy allies pipeline between Emily and Clint is where the book really hums. There is so much resentment baked into every conversation. Ten stolen years. A dead best friend. A town full of side eyes and gossip. And yet they have to work together when another person connected to Heather turns up dead. Because if someone is cleaning house, it means the real killer never left.
The suspect list is longer than a CVS receipt. Old friends, authority figures, people with secrets stacked like Jenga blocks. Every time I thought I had it figured out, someone else did something suspicious and I was back to square one, squinting at everyone like I am in my own personal episode of "Dateline." The tension definitely builds as more layers peel back, and I appreciated how tangled the history between these characters felt. This town runs on grudges and selective memory.
Now listen. The pacing in the first stretch is a little slow. We spend time marinating in the town’s hostility and the emotional fallout, and while that atmosphere is strong, I did feel it dragging its feet here and there. And the ending? It delivers answers, but it also felt slightly rushed compared to the buildup. Not a cliffhanger, not a disaster, just… a little abrupt. Like the book tapped me on the shoulder and said, okay that is enough chaos for today.
That said, I was absolutely invested. Clint’s quiet determination to reclaim his life hit me right in the feelings. Emily’s guilt and confusion felt raw. And the idea that the person who betrayed them both was someone they knew all along? Deliciously dramatic. This is the kind of story that reminds you how easy it is for a community to rally around the wrong version of the truth.
Overall, I am landing at a very solid 3.5 stars. It is twisty, angsty, a little chaotic, occasionally uneven, but undeniably compelling. I had fun. I gasped. I side eyed half the town. I questioned everyone’s morals. What more do we want from a small town murder story.
Whodunity Award: For Turning a Bedroom Crime Scene into a Decade Long Emotional War
Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley, thank you for the ARC and for once again enabling my thriller addiction. I had the best time side eyeing this entire town and losing sleep over it. Grateful for the early access and already ready for the next chaotic ride.
Clint Austin walking back into Pine Bluff after ten years in prison for Heather Baker’s murder is the kind of chaotic homecoming that makes you want to pop popcorn. He was convicted largely because Emily Wallace testified that she saw him covered in blood holding Heather’s body in her bedroom. That image alone is doing a lot of heavy lifting. It is giving trauma. It is giving therapy bills. It is giving, I would also testify, your honor.
Except Clint has always maintained he did not do it, and now he is out on appeal. Not because the town suddenly believes in justice, but because the investigation was a mess. So he comes home to prove his innocence, and the entire town collectively loses its mind. Pine Bluff basically reacts like someone just reopened a high school group chat that should have stayed dead.
Emily starts this book fully committed to her righteous fury. She knows what she saw. She built her identity around being the brave witness who put a killer away. And then her father drops a family secret that rattles the foundation of that certainty. Watching her spiral from “lock him up again” to “wait… what if I was wrong?” is messy in the best way. It is not graceful. It is not dignified. It is deeply human and occasionally frustrating, which honestly feels earned.
The enemies to uneasy allies pipeline between Emily and Clint is where the book really hums. There is so much resentment baked into every conversation. Ten stolen years. A dead best friend. A town full of side eyes and gossip. And yet they have to work together when another person connected to Heather turns up dead. Because if someone is cleaning house, it means the real killer never left.
The suspect list is longer than a CVS receipt. Old friends, authority figures, people with secrets stacked like Jenga blocks. Every time I thought I had it figured out, someone else did something suspicious and I was back to square one, squinting at everyone like I am in my own personal episode of "Dateline." The tension definitely builds as more layers peel back, and I appreciated how tangled the history between these characters felt. This town runs on grudges and selective memory.
Now listen. The pacing in the first stretch is a little slow. We spend time marinating in the town’s hostility and the emotional fallout, and while that atmosphere is strong, I did feel it dragging its feet here and there. And the ending? It delivers answers, but it also felt slightly rushed compared to the buildup. Not a cliffhanger, not a disaster, just… a little abrupt. Like the book tapped me on the shoulder and said, okay that is enough chaos for today.
That said, I was absolutely invested. Clint’s quiet determination to reclaim his life hit me right in the feelings. Emily’s guilt and confusion felt raw. And the idea that the person who betrayed them both was someone they knew all along? Deliciously dramatic. This is the kind of story that reminds you how easy it is for a community to rally around the wrong version of the truth.
Overall, I am landing at a very solid 3.5 stars. It is twisty, angsty, a little chaotic, occasionally uneven, but undeniably compelling. I had fun. I gasped. I side eyed half the town. I questioned everyone’s morals. What more do we want from a small town murder story.
Whodunity Award: For Turning a Bedroom Crime Scene into a Decade Long Emotional War
Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley, thank you for the ARC and for once again enabling my thriller addiction. I had the best time side eyeing this entire town and losing sleep over it. Grateful for the early access and already ready for the next chaotic ride.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Numerous times while reading this book I found myself wanting to DNF it, which is a shame considering how much I’ve enjoyed some of this author’s other works. Unfortunately, this one was incredibly difficult to get into, and even harder to stay invested in, for several reasons.
To begin with, the entire premise is a bit ridiculous. The plot hinges on the townspeople of Pine Bluffs being outraged that Clint Austin was exonerated on appeal for Heather’s murder ten years earlier. The moment he’s released, the town practically mobilizes to hunt him down, Emily especially, hoping to find “overlooked evidence” or force a confession out of him. The problem is that double jeopardy exists. Even if Clint stood in the middle of town and admitted he had killed Heather, there would be nothing anyone could legally do about it because he had already been tried for the crime. The entire motivation behind the town’s actions falls apart when you think about it for more than five seconds.
And then there are the sex scenes, which felt completely unnecessary. They added nothing to the story other than padding the word count, and in some cases they didn’t even make sense in the context of what was happening.
The characters didn’t help matters either. Not a single one of them was particularly likable, and the background characters were so one-dimensional that they started to blur together. That’s never a good thing when the story relies on a fairly large cast. Add in the fact that everyone seems to be hiding some sort of secret, secrets that are constantly hinted at but rarely explored in a satisfying way, and the result wasn’t intrigue or suspense. It was boredom. I understand the idea of a small town closing ranks and protecting their own. I grew up in a small town myself, so that dynamic is familiar. But here it felt less like tension and more like repetition.
And then we have our female lead, Emily, who at times felt like a walking nomination for the Darwin Awards. She is absolutely convinced that Clint murdered her best friend, yet she spends the first several chapters following him around, including driving out to his isolated home in the middle of nowhere. When he confronts her, she doesn’t back down. Instead, she calls the police and then gets out of the car to confront him face-to-face. Once the police arrive, the concept of trespassing never even enters the conversation, despite the fact that the Chief literally tells her to leave and she refuses. She even marches right up to Clint’s front door demanding answers because she believes she has a “right” to them.
And somehow, despite being completely convinced that this man murdered her best friend, she also finds herself lusting after him. I’m sorry, but I personally cannot wrap my head around wanting to sleep with someone I wholeheartedly believe is a killer, especially the killer of my best friend.
The rest of the story unfolds much the same way: lots of secrets, lots of hints, very little payoff. By the time the ending arrived, the reveal itself felt more preposterous than shocking. The police had their suspect and their explanation, so the way things ultimately wrapped up felt almost absurd.
Honestly, if I had been Emily, I would have handled things very differently. I would have waited for the Pine Bluffs police department to release their official story, the one explaining everything and publicly clearing Clint. Once that narrative was out in the world and impossible to take back, I would have taken that photo and walked straight into the nearest FBI office and let the chips fall where they may.
Because after everything that happened, Pine Bluffs deserved to burn.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
To begin with, the entire premise is a bit ridiculous. The plot hinges on the townspeople of Pine Bluffs being outraged that Clint Austin was exonerated on appeal for Heather’s murder ten years earlier. The moment he’s released, the town practically mobilizes to hunt him down, Emily especially, hoping to find “overlooked evidence” or force a confession out of him. The problem is that double jeopardy exists. Even if Clint stood in the middle of town and admitted he had killed Heather, there would be nothing anyone could legally do about it because he had already been tried for the crime. The entire motivation behind the town’s actions falls apart when you think about it for more than five seconds.
And then there are the sex scenes, which felt completely unnecessary. They added nothing to the story other than padding the word count, and in some cases they didn’t even make sense in the context of what was happening.
The characters didn’t help matters either. Not a single one of them was particularly likable, and the background characters were so one-dimensional that they started to blur together. That’s never a good thing when the story relies on a fairly large cast. Add in the fact that everyone seems to be hiding some sort of secret, secrets that are constantly hinted at but rarely explored in a satisfying way, and the result wasn’t intrigue or suspense. It was boredom. I understand the idea of a small town closing ranks and protecting their own. I grew up in a small town myself, so that dynamic is familiar. But here it felt less like tension and more like repetition.
And then we have our female lead, Emily, who at times felt like a walking nomination for the Darwin Awards. She is absolutely convinced that Clint murdered her best friend, yet she spends the first several chapters following him around, including driving out to his isolated home in the middle of nowhere. When he confronts her, she doesn’t back down. Instead, she calls the police and then gets out of the car to confront him face-to-face. Once the police arrive, the concept of trespassing never even enters the conversation, despite the fact that the Chief literally tells her to leave and she refuses. She even marches right up to Clint’s front door demanding answers because she believes she has a “right” to them.
And somehow, despite being completely convinced that this man murdered her best friend, she also finds herself lusting after him. I’m sorry, but I personally cannot wrap my head around wanting to sleep with someone I wholeheartedly believe is a killer, especially the killer of my best friend.
The rest of the story unfolds much the same way: lots of secrets, lots of hints, very little payoff. By the time the ending arrived, the reveal itself felt more preposterous than shocking. The police had their suspect and their explanation, so the way things ultimately wrapped up felt almost absurd.
Honestly, if I had been Emily, I would have handled things very differently. I would have waited for the Pine Bluffs police department to release their official story, the one explaining everything and publicly clearing Clint. Once that narrative was out in the world and impossible to take back, I would have taken that photo and walked straight into the nearest FBI office and let the chips fall where they may.
Because after everything that happened, Pine Bluffs deserved to burn.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Debra Webb’s The Ten Year Lie plunges readers into a Southern town where grudges linger longer than the truth. A decade after being convicted of murdering his girlfriend, Clint Austin returns to Pine Bluff determined to clear his name after finally winning his appeal. His homecoming is anything but welcome, locals still see him as a killer, and the woman whose testimony sealed his fate, Emily Wallace, is equally convinced she did the right thing. But when a long buried family secret shakes Emily’s certainty, she’s forced to confront the possibility that her memory, and the entire case may not be as solid as she once believed. Their uneasy alliance becomes even more urgent when another person connected to the past turns up dead, suggesting the real killer may still be hiding in plain sight.
Webb builds a gripping mystery out of fractured memories, buried motives, and the corrosive power of small town loyalty. The tension escalates steadily, with a cast full of potential suspects and enough misdirection to keep even seasoned thriller readers guessing. While the romantic thread may not appeal to everyone, the emotional stakes and character depth make the story more than just a puzzle to solve. It’s an addictive, fast moving read one of those “just one more chapter” thrillers driven by the question of how far people will go to protect themselves, even if it means letting an innocent person pay the price. Fans of twist heavy suspense and stories built on long held secrets will find plenty to enjoy here.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This novel is about justice after the main character spent ten years in prison for a crime that he insists he did not commit. Accused of killing Heather Baker, Emily Wallace’s best friend, Clint Austin is relieved but also anxious to put the past behind him and find out who really killed Heather since he knows he didn’t. When the sheriff of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, is firmly on his side and wants him to find justice, Clint is encouraged, but then his welcome back to town is filled with problems, including outright hatred from other citizens who think that he was released without cause and that he is indeed guilty. Clint’s quest to prove his innocence is filled with danger as he meets opposition from every side, most importantly from Emily whom he used to care for. The plot is intricately woven and complex enough that I was totally absorbed in finding out who was really guilty of stealing ten years of Clint’s life and watching him be railroaded into one of the harshest prisons in the state. There were a great many fake trails and red herrings, leading me to suspect one person after another. The murders continued to happen as the real criminal was still free and covering their tracks while trying to entrap Clint again. This is intense suspense at its best and a mystery that kept me guessing almost to the very end. I enjoyed solving the puzzle and finding out how justice was going to play out in this compelling story of a life changed forever by one choice.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, Debra Webb, and NetGalley for a copy of The Ten Year Lie in exchange for an honest review.
How do you even begin to describe a thriller like this? Yes, it has dark twists, shocking turns, and moments that will leave you stunned — but The Ten Year Lie is so much more than just a suspense novel. At its heart, this story is about confronting the past, living with guilt, and learning how to forgive someone who may — or may not — have destroyed your life.
Clint has spent the last ten years in prison for a crime that shaped everyone around him, especially Emily. But when doubts begin to surface and Emily realizes she may have been wrong, everything starts to unravel. What follows is a gripping chain of revelations, shifting truths, and an unexpected friendship that forms in the middle of pain, regret, and long-buried secrets.
Set against the backdrop of a small town filled with whispers and hidden histories, the story blends emotional depth with gruesome murders and relentless suspense. Every twist felt earned, and just when I thought I understood where things were heading, the story pulled the rug out from under me again.
✨ Final Verdict: Emotional, haunting, and completely addictive — this is a thriller that goes beyond shock value and delivers a powerful story about truth, redemption, and second chances. Absolutely worth the hype and an easy five-star read.
How do you even begin to describe a thriller like this? Yes, it has dark twists, shocking turns, and moments that will leave you stunned — but The Ten Year Lie is so much more than just a suspense novel. At its heart, this story is about confronting the past, living with guilt, and learning how to forgive someone who may — or may not — have destroyed your life.
Clint has spent the last ten years in prison for a crime that shaped everyone around him, especially Emily. But when doubts begin to surface and Emily realizes she may have been wrong, everything starts to unravel. What follows is a gripping chain of revelations, shifting truths, and an unexpected friendship that forms in the middle of pain, regret, and long-buried secrets.
Set against the backdrop of a small town filled with whispers and hidden histories, the story blends emotional depth with gruesome murders and relentless suspense. Every twist felt earned, and just when I thought I understood where things were heading, the story pulled the rug out from under me again.
✨ Final Verdict: Emotional, haunting, and completely addictive — this is a thriller that goes beyond shock value and delivers a powerful story about truth, redemption, and second chances. Absolutely worth the hype and an easy five-star read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If you are looking for a thriller that lingers in your mind long after the final page, The Ten Year Lie is an absolute must-read. This story perfectly balances the raw emotion of a cold case with the high-stakes tension of a modern-day mystery.
Why this book deserves 5 stars:
+The "Ten Year" Hook: The premise of a decade-old secret suddenly unraveling creates a relentless pace. The author masterfully uses the passage of time to heighten the stakes—showing how a single lie can rot a family from the inside out over ten years.
+Atmospheric Storytelling: The writing is incredibly vivid. You can feel the weight of the "unspoken" in every room and the desperation of characters who have spent years trying to outrun their past.
+Twists You Won't See Coming: Just when you think you’ve mapped out the truth, the story pulls the rug out from under you. The reveals are earned, shocking, and emotionally resonant.
+Complex Characters: These aren't just "thriller archetypes." Every character is beautifully flawed, driven by a mix of love, guilt, and the instinct for self-preservation.
Whether you're a fan of psychological suspense or deep family dramas, The Ten Year Lie delivers on every front. It is a "one-sitting" read that proves secrets never stay buried forever.
Why this book deserves 5 stars:
+The "Ten Year" Hook: The premise of a decade-old secret suddenly unraveling creates a relentless pace. The author masterfully uses the passage of time to heighten the stakes—showing how a single lie can rot a family from the inside out over ten years.
+Atmospheric Storytelling: The writing is incredibly vivid. You can feel the weight of the "unspoken" in every room and the desperation of characters who have spent years trying to outrun their past.
+Twists You Won't See Coming: Just when you think you’ve mapped out the truth, the story pulls the rug out from under you. The reveals are earned, shocking, and emotionally resonant.
+Complex Characters: These aren't just "thriller archetypes." Every character is beautifully flawed, driven by a mix of love, guilt, and the instinct for self-preservation.
Whether you're a fan of psychological suspense or deep family dramas, The Ten Year Lie delivers on every front. It is a "one-sitting" read that proves secrets never stay buried forever.
January 20, 2026
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of The Ten Year Lie.
I’ve read Debra Webb’s books before and have generally enjoyed her work, which is why I was excited to dive into this one. Unfortunately, this title didn’t quite land for me the way her previous novels have.
I found the pacing to be extremely slow, particularly in the first portion of the book. The first 100 pages or so felt repetitive and didn’t do much to move the story forward, and there were moments where I almost didn’t finish because of it. While I appreciate character development and atmosphere, I felt the buildup dragged on longer than necessary.
Additionally, this story lacked the signature twists and turns I’ve come to expect from Debra Webb. I kept waiting for that moment where the tension really spikes or a surprise changes the direction of the plot, but it never fully arrived for me.
That said, longtime fans who enjoy slower-paced, character-driven suspense may still find aspects to enjoy here. While The Ten Year Lie wasn’t a favorite for me, I’ll still continue to read Debra Webb’s work and look forward to her future releases.
I’ve read Debra Webb’s books before and have generally enjoyed her work, which is why I was excited to dive into this one. Unfortunately, this title didn’t quite land for me the way her previous novels have.
I found the pacing to be extremely slow, particularly in the first portion of the book. The first 100 pages or so felt repetitive and didn’t do much to move the story forward, and there were moments where I almost didn’t finish because of it. While I appreciate character development and atmosphere, I felt the buildup dragged on longer than necessary.
Additionally, this story lacked the signature twists and turns I’ve come to expect from Debra Webb. I kept waiting for that moment where the tension really spikes or a surprise changes the direction of the plot, but it never fully arrived for me.
That said, longtime fans who enjoy slower-paced, character-driven suspense may still find aspects to enjoy here. While The Ten Year Lie wasn’t a favorite for me, I’ll still continue to read Debra Webb’s work and look forward to her future releases.
March 8, 2026
I received this ARC from NetGalley.
This book was previously called Traceless and is being rereleased as The Ten Year Lie on March 17, 2026.
This book was honestly not it for me. The beginning started off with one of the main characters being released from jail ( I loved that, I was thinking yessss, we are getting right into things).
That excitement dried up fast.
The POVs in this story were everywhere, when I was reading I had no idea whose perspective I was reading from for a few minutes.
There were so many characters and I am usually okay with that but none of them were memorable, they were indistinguishable. I didn’t like any of them all.
It took me about a month to read this one. I will say that it started to get interesting about 65% through. I started thinking about the book more when I wasn’t reading it and I was flying through the pages.
But once again the writing fell flat for me at the end. The ending was anticlimactic and just felt unfinished.
Not sure if I would read from this author again but I am glad that I had the chance to.
This book is for anyone who likes a slow paced read and likes a story that is more character driven.
This book was previously called Traceless and is being rereleased as The Ten Year Lie on March 17, 2026.
This book was honestly not it for me. The beginning started off with one of the main characters being released from jail ( I loved that, I was thinking yessss, we are getting right into things).
That excitement dried up fast.
The POVs in this story were everywhere, when I was reading I had no idea whose perspective I was reading from for a few minutes.
There were so many characters and I am usually okay with that but none of them were memorable, they were indistinguishable. I didn’t like any of them all.
It took me about a month to read this one. I will say that it started to get interesting about 65% through. I started thinking about the book more when I wasn’t reading it and I was flying through the pages.
But once again the writing fell flat for me at the end. The ending was anticlimactic and just felt unfinished.
Not sure if I would read from this author again but I am glad that I had the chance to.
This book is for anyone who likes a slow paced read and likes a story that is more character driven.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow! I found myself annoyed when I had to stop reading and deal with everyday life. The intensity pulls you in and does not let go. Clint is freed after serving ten years in prison for a murder he did not commit. He is determined to go back and find the real killer. Emily is just as determined to follow him and prove he is the killer and send him back. She feels her righteous anger as she was best friends with Heather. Add Heather's brother and his friends who are angry enough to make bad decisions. Emily is shocked when finding out her own family held secrets from her which changes how she sees things. She then joins Clint in hunting for the truth. People are murdered in an attempt to keep the truth from coming out. It is definitely like being on a wild roller coaster ride. And while there are some spicy scenes, they are the reasons for the secrets and lies. The ending is one that I did not see coming and the author nicely leaves it open for the reader to decide how the future goes.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 Stars)
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the Advanced Listener Copy.
The Ten Year Lie by Debra Webb was an interesting small-town mystery with a few moments that genuinely made me audibly gasp.
At times, I found parts of the story a little hard to believe—particularly how quickly one of the main witnesses changes her mind and begins an intimate relationship with the MMC. That shift felt a bit incredulous and took me out of the story for a moment.
That said, once I put that aside, the mystery itself kept me intrigued. When the MMC is released from prison and returns to town after everything that happened a decade earlier, it seems like everyone is acting suspiciously. It’s one of those “everyone knows everyone’s business” small towns—until you start peeling back the layers and realize that maybe nobody actually knows the full truth.
The tension builds steadily, and there were definitely a few moments that caught me off guard. Overall, it was an engaging listen with an intriguing premise and some surprising twists along the way.
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the Advanced Listener Copy.
The Ten Year Lie by Debra Webb was an interesting small-town mystery with a few moments that genuinely made me audibly gasp.
At times, I found parts of the story a little hard to believe—particularly how quickly one of the main witnesses changes her mind and begins an intimate relationship with the MMC. That shift felt a bit incredulous and took me out of the story for a moment.
That said, once I put that aside, the mystery itself kept me intrigued. When the MMC is released from prison and returns to town after everything that happened a decade earlier, it seems like everyone is acting suspiciously. It’s one of those “everyone knows everyone’s business” small towns—until you start peeling back the layers and realize that maybe nobody actually knows the full truth.
The tension builds steadily, and there were definitely a few moments that caught me off guard. Overall, it was an engaging listen with an intriguing premise and some surprising twists along the way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow. Holy cow. This book was so wonderfully written. As the title states ten year LIE. the capacity for people to lie and keep secrets to preserve their own selves is unbelievable here.
Emily lost her best friend, the only truth she knows is what she feels compelled to prove. She has no idea that she is going home and the secrets and lies are piled so high that she has no idea who to trust.
Clint lost 10 years of his life in prison. He was wrongly convicted but his hometown still has it out for him. NO one is to be trusted. Everyone is lying, covering their tracks.
When Emily comes to him and he is forced to join forces, they have to quickly learn who to trust, cuz every as they upset people and ask questions, The Lies and retaliation mount.
This is a page turning, Heart pounding ride, so twisted you don't know who to trust. But the truth always comes out, leaving destruction in it's path.
Emily lost her best friend, the only truth she knows is what she feels compelled to prove. She has no idea that she is going home and the secrets and lies are piled so high that she has no idea who to trust.
Clint lost 10 years of his life in prison. He was wrongly convicted but his hometown still has it out for him. NO one is to be trusted. Everyone is lying, covering their tracks.
When Emily comes to him and he is forced to join forces, they have to quickly learn who to trust, cuz every as they upset people and ask questions, The Lies and retaliation mount.
This is a page turning, Heart pounding ride, so twisted you don't know who to trust. But the truth always comes out, leaving destruction in it's path.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I just love everything Debra Webb writes. I could not put this down and had to just keep reading until I found out what happened next. Clint Austin went to prison 10 years ago accused of killing Heather.
Emily Wallace was Heathers best friend and Heather was waiting in Emily's bed waiting for her to come home. When Emily came home she found Clint over Heather's body and new he was the one who killed her. Clint always maintained his innocence and was sure his alibi would help but that didn't happen. Clint was sent to prison for 10 years but won his appeal and was acquitted of all charges. However, the town still believe he did it and will try to run him out of town. Who will suffer, who will die next and how does he clear his name. You won't want to put this down until you find that all out and wow what an ending.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC and my honest opinion.
Emily Wallace was Heathers best friend and Heather was waiting in Emily's bed waiting for her to come home. When Emily came home she found Clint over Heather's body and new he was the one who killed her. Clint always maintained his innocence and was sure his alibi would help but that didn't happen. Clint was sent to prison for 10 years but won his appeal and was acquitted of all charges. However, the town still believe he did it and will try to run him out of town. Who will suffer, who will die next and how does he clear his name. You won't want to put this down until you find that all out and wow what an ending.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC and my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When a wrongfully convicted man returns to his hometown, he sets into motion a series of events that leads to the death of those who conspired to frame him. With the help of the woman who testified against him, he tries to find the real killer before more people die.
In this stand alone thriller from Debra Webb, the small town of Pine Bluff Alabama is laid bare to all of its secrets and its lies. Its residents are as evil and familiar as many of the small towns I've lived in across the south and the story felt quite familiar as a result. I don't always like Webb's story telling but when I do, I like it a lot and The Ten Year Lie is definitely one of those times when I thought Webb hit all of the marks. If you like a tromp of sex with a lot of suspense then The Ten Year Lie will be perfect for you.
In this stand alone thriller from Debra Webb, the small town of Pine Bluff Alabama is laid bare to all of its secrets and its lies. Its residents are as evil and familiar as many of the small towns I've lived in across the south and the story felt quite familiar as a result. I don't always like Webb's story telling but when I do, I like it a lot and The Ten Year Lie is definitely one of those times when I thought Webb hit all of the marks. If you like a tromp of sex with a lot of suspense then The Ten Year Lie will be perfect for you.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC via NetGalley
The Ten Year Lie pulled me in right from the start. I was quickly invested in both the characters and the mystery, and I loved how many possible suspects there were along the way. While a few breadcrumbs were sprinkled in, I was still surprised by how it all came together.
This is an easy-to-read thriller that kept me engaged and very much in “one more chapter” mode. It also includes a solid enemies-to-lovers element, which added another layer I enjoyed.
My only hesitation is the ending—it wasn’t a cliffhanger, but it also didn’t feel fully resolved. It left me wondering if another book is coming, because it felt slightly unfinished or a bit anticlimactic.
That said, I would still recommend this, especially for readers who are newer to thrillers. It’s not overly long, easy to follow, and very engaging.
The Ten Year Lie pulled me in right from the start. I was quickly invested in both the characters and the mystery, and I loved how many possible suspects there were along the way. While a few breadcrumbs were sprinkled in, I was still surprised by how it all came together.
This is an easy-to-read thriller that kept me engaged and very much in “one more chapter” mode. It also includes a solid enemies-to-lovers element, which added another layer I enjoyed.
My only hesitation is the ending—it wasn’t a cliffhanger, but it also didn’t feel fully resolved. It left me wondering if another book is coming, because it felt slightly unfinished or a bit anticlimactic.
That said, I would still recommend this, especially for readers who are newer to thrillers. It’s not overly long, easy to follow, and very engaging.
February 25, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really wanted to connect with this one, but it ended up being a slower read for me.
The pacing felt drawn out for much of the book, and I kept waiting for the tension to truly escalate. By the midpoint, I had a strong sense of where the story was heading, which lessened the suspense in the final stretch.
I also struggled at times with the POV structure. The chapters aren’t clearly labeled, so I occasionally found myself trying to figure out whose perspective I was in. Instead of adding intrigue, it created some confusion and pulled me out of the story.
There’s an interesting premise here, and I can see it working well for readers who enjoy a more gradual, character-driven build. It just didn’t fully align with my preference for sharper twists and stronger momentum.
I really wanted to connect with this one, but it ended up being a slower read for me.
The pacing felt drawn out for much of the book, and I kept waiting for the tension to truly escalate. By the midpoint, I had a strong sense of where the story was heading, which lessened the suspense in the final stretch.
I also struggled at times with the POV structure. The chapters aren’t clearly labeled, so I occasionally found myself trying to figure out whose perspective I was in. Instead of adding intrigue, it created some confusion and pulled me out of the story.
There’s an interesting premise here, and I can see it working well for readers who enjoy a more gradual, character-driven build. It just didn’t fully align with my preference for sharper twists and stronger momentum.
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