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Finally, the much anticipated Christmas prequel novella to the blockbuster thriller OBSESSION is here!

Ten years ago...

Special Agent Jess Harris has closed another tough case and now she's determined to make it home to spend Christmas with her only family, her sister. Jess needs a break and taking it far away from work is the only way to keep her mind off the many faces of evil waiting in the stack of case files on her desk.

Running into the past wasn't part of the plan...

Daniel Burnett was Jess's first love. She'd fallen hard for him in high school. Together they'd gone off to college with big dreams. But not all dreams come true. Jess hasn't seen Dan in ten years when they run into each other on Christmas Eve night...yet no force on earth can keep them apart.
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100 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2013

61 people are currently reading
516 people want to read

About the author

Debra Webb

544 books2,340 followers
DEBRA 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.

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5 stars
243 (47%)
4 stars
168 (33%)
3 stars
77 (15%)
2 stars
17 (3%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
Profile Image for Jonetta.
2,594 reviews1,328 followers
July 1, 2014
I don't normally post reviews for prequels or novellas here on the blog. Nor do I normally rate them more than 3 stars. Generally, their purpose is to set up the characters in or the framework for an upcoming series. I even debated whether to read this one as it was written after the series was introduced. I am so glad I took the time to read this one.

The story is essentially about the two main characters in the series, Jess Harris and Daniel Burnett, providing some history of what happened to them 10 years before the series begins. But, Webb decided she'd really make this story really worthwhile by wrapping it in a chilling mystery.

I was riveted to this story and finished it in a couple of hours. Don't make the mistake of bypassing it. It's worth far more than my $.99 investment. Trust me. Read it first.
Profile Image for Toni.
2,122 reviews20 followers
October 17, 2013

With Silence, Webb provides a strong prequel to the Faces of Evil series. She masterfully weaves a tough case for Jess together with a long overdue reunion with her sister and former lover Dan Burnett. Webb has dropped many hints about their meeting ten years prior to the events of Obsession and fully delivers. The meeting in the local Publix is as passionate and meaningful as described in later books. Hopefully this short novella ties readers over until the next installment of the series.
Profile Image for Chris Mead.
161 reviews5 followers
November 8, 2013
Review courtesy of Romance Junkies

SILENCE is the much sought after prequel novella to the critically acclaimed OBCESSION. Debra Webb takes readers back ten years in time where Jess and Dan reunite with one another in a romantic interlude that scorches up the pages. Of course, there is some murder and mayhem thrown into the mix to make this the perfect holiday themed suspense.

Jess Harris, a self proclaimed workaholic, has taken a much needed day off in order to spend Christmas with her sister and her family. Dropping by the local Publix to purchase dessert for after dinner, Jess runs into her old high school sweetheart, Dan Burnett. After some conversation, Dan invites Jess to have a drink with him. This leads them to rekindle their old romance, but does this couple have what it takes to make it work for forever?

Two days earlier, Special Agent Jess is working on the Zip Code Killer case. The perpetrator of the crimes is behind bars, but he is unwilling to divulge where the remains of his victims are located. This sends Jess on a search that will bring her face to face with pure evil. As Jess works to save one of the women who survived the sadistic killer, fire breaks out and Jess finds herself in a race to beat the clock. Will Jess be able to save herself and the victim before it is too late?

Debra Webb has done an excellent job of telling Jess and Dan’s back-story. I loved this glimpse into the romantic intricacy of their relationship. The chemistry between the two is off the charts. The suspense will keep you enraptured throughout the story. This is the perfect novella to curl up with this holiday!

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Profile Image for Gail.
441 reviews25 followers
September 12, 2016
I really like it when an author does a Prequel, because you get to go back to the beginning of where the story started. Silence, gives you the back story about the main character Jess and Dan in the Faces of Evil, series. Jess is what you would say is a workaholic. She never takes time off, if anyone was to know in the eight years, she probably only had a day off here and there. Now that she is in a new unit –Behavioral Analysis Unit her new boss told her that his people need to take their downtime more seriously. But before we get to Jess and Dan, she was ask to work a case call the ZIP CODE KILLER, because she is now a profiler. Her new boss Supervisory Special Agent Grant, asked her to take a look at this case… this is a very interesting case, and Jess felt that she could handle this case, so she work the case… at the last minute she decided to go to her sister for Christmas. Jess, had promise her sister that she would bring the desert. This means that she had to make a stop at a store to pick up the desert. While shopping at the Publix, she runs into her ex- boyfriend that she hasn't seen in ten years. I will leave you to read the rest of the story yourself. I would definitely read this book because you will have the back story of these two characters Jess Harris and Dan Burnett and continue to follow them in their future adventures in the series The Faces of Evil.

(Thank you Debra for the ARC book release!)
Profile Image for Maureen ~Bitch Can Write A Book.
1,493 reviews36 followers
November 3, 2013
I was lucky to get an early copy, being a huge fan of Debra Webb I put aside my other reads. Usually novellas leave me wanting. I really enjoyed getting a glimpse of Jess and Dan from the past, to me this glimpse was a very big deal. It shows Jess's vulnerability where Dan is concerned. It also allowed us a big peek into the heartache he caused her and his pain at having made such a huge mistake. I also enjoyed the case that she was looking into...it meshed well with her need to go home and reconnect with her sister. As usual Debra Webb sucked me in. Dan and Jess are favorite characters of mine. I'm enjoying the roller coaster that Debra is taking us on. I cannot wait for the next book!
2,063 reviews25 followers
October 16, 2013
Silence is the Christmas prequel to Obsession. It goes back and explains the history of the relationship between Jess Harris and Daniel Burnett. Jess goes home for Christmas with her family and runs into Dan, the first time she has seen him since their break up 10 years ago. There are also flashbacks running thru about the Zip Code Killer case that Jess was working on. Silence is part of the Faces Of Evil series, all very good reads! I am looking forward to the next book in the series and would encourage readers to try the series.
Profile Image for Tasha Clanton.
6 reviews2 followers
November 2, 2013
If you love this series, you will love this book! We have been hearing about Jess and Dan’s run-in at the Publix 10 years ago since the beginning book. In SILENCE, we finally learn what really happened that Christmas and in my opinion, just further cement the fact that these two are meant to be together. The book also flashes back to the case Jess was working on just before she took this trip back to Birmingham. As with all the other cases in this book, it’s a dark and twisty tale with lots of suspense. I highly recommend you buy this novella to complete your Faces Of Evil collection!!
Profile Image for Jo Ann Reinhold.
424 reviews44 followers
July 24, 2014
I really enjoyed reading about what happened between Dan and Jess that fateful Christmas but found it to be sad too.
Thanks Debra Webb for another good read!
Profile Image for Sandra Hoover.
1,456 reviews258 followers
March 3, 2018
Silence, a novella, is a riveting introduction to the main characters in the Faces of Evil series - a moment in time revealing the past relationship between Jess Harris and Daniel Burnett that occurs some ten years prior to the main storyline beginning in Obsession, book 1. I feel lucky to have read this novella before starting the main series as I feel I now better understand the motivating connection behind these two characters proceeding forward. Silence is an emotional, suspenseful read that sets the bar high for the highly recommended Faces of Evil series. I'm looking forward to continuing the series. A Must Read!
Profile Image for Vicki.
400 reviews42 followers
November 8, 2013
Again Debra Webb has hit it out of the ball park with Silence. Long before Obsession, Jess was still an FBI Profiler in Virginia. Dan was a liaison for the Mayor's office. They had not seen each other in years but after Jess decides to come home for Christmas, they run into each other at a Publix Grocery Store. Thus begins Silence.
This is a short novella that takes place long before the FoE series. It's a great story and let's us in on the story behind the references made in the books. Like I said, Ms. Webb does it again. She really knows how to get deep inside the characters and make them as real as you and I. Her writing is amazing and you really should not miss this series!!!
Profile Image for Alicia.
26 reviews
October 28, 2013
All I wanted for the holidays is a little love and murder! Thanks to Debra Webb I got everything I wanted all in one little package. If you haven't yet started reading the Faces of Evil series, this is a nice easy read to give you a sneak peek at the main characters. Like all good prequels Debra Webb gives you JUST enough that you want more. This series is a must have for your Holiday wish list. Perfect timing for all us followers who are "Dying" for the 7th installment.
29 reviews
October 26, 2013
This much anticipated short story will not leave you disappointed. Thoughout the series we have heard about that fateful Christmas Eve meeting at the Publix. Now you will get to read that and learn about one of Jess' first case in the BAU in the FBI. There are so many insights to Jess and Dan in this book that I think it is a must read for the series.
Profile Image for Tracey Berthiaume.
33 reviews
November 1, 2013
A nice look back to some of Dan and Jess's history together. It was a great short trip down memory lane. You also get a peek into Jess's start with Gant as she tries to find the victims of the Zip Code Killer. She hopes to find them alive, but you must read the book to find out if she succeeds in this endeavor. Be sure to read this prequel.
Profile Image for Brian Tooley.
361 reviews
November 9, 2013
I chose this rating for many reasons. Debra Webb is an excellent author. She draws you in and never lets you go until the last page. The Faces of Evil is a great series of books following the lives of Jess Harris and Dan Burnett. From Obsession to Ruthless and to the upcoming Vicious, Debra Webb's books are such fun to read. If you are new to this series, Silence will give you a great background on an event in Jess and Dan's life that surface in the six books in The Faces of Evil already out. If you are like me and have read all six of the books in the series then this a great way to find out what really happened 10 years ago to Jess and Dan that forever changed them. Either way you need to get this book.
Profile Image for Nicole.
7 reviews
October 26, 2013
This was such a great back story about Jess & Dan! I've always been curious about their meeting at the Publix on Christmas Eve that's mentioned in the FOE books and this tells you everything and more. I can't get enough of the story between these two characters! I also loved the background on how Jess got into her first case with the Behavioral Analysis Unit.
The Faces of Evil series is definitely one of my favorite!
(I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review.)
48 reviews3 followers
November 11, 2013
SILENCE is the prequel novella to OBSESSION. In this novella Deb takes readers back ten years where Jess and Dan spend one night in a romantic interlude that heats up the pages. And boy is this one great i love all of Deb's books. Silence gives us that look back that we needed to show us just how deep the love between these two runs. Awesome read i cant wait to read the next one in this series titled Vicious.
Profile Image for Victoria.
1,188 reviews94 followers
July 13, 2014

4.25+ Silence by Debra Webb was a great novella length prequel that sets the background for the next book in the Faces of Evil series, Obsession. I feel like I have an advantage over other readers that have already read the series since I am able to start from the very beginning (the prequel was released after several of the books had already been published).

Told from dual POV and a series of what might be considered flashbacks, from one scene to another, the way the story is told worked for me. Really there are two different story lines in Silence, one a suspense/thriller story and the other a second-chance romance. I can't help but think of Silence of the Lambs for the RS/thriller story and a Dan Fogelberg song, Old Anzine for the romance. Sounds crazy, I know, but that's what came to mind. Both story lines were well written, came together well, and have me excited to start the next book in the series. Glad I was able to grab this prequel when it was on promo as the series has been on my TBR list for a while.
Profile Image for DeeAnn Garner Williams.
49 reviews1 follower
December 3, 2013
I loved it!

Silence is a Prequel to the exciting series Faces of Evil by Debra Webb. The story takes us back to Christmas 10 years ago when Jess comes home for Christmas at her sister’s. Her sister is so excited Jess is finally coming to celebrate with them. Jess has one stop to make at Public to pick up a dessert. She runs into Dan; the one person she was trying to avoid and the sparks fly. Dan was her first love and the relationship didn’t go as planned. Jess wanted to be a FBI agent and Dan wanted to stay in their hometown. Love isn’t always so simple and easy.
I love prequels because they can go in-depth about the characters and insight to their lives before the series started. Grab a copy and enjoy a Christmas story this season. It’s good anytime of the year though.
Profile Image for Sarah.
969 reviews8 followers
November 24, 2013
I am not normally a big fan of novellas because personally I feel they are way to short but I did enjoy this one because we finally got the story of that Christmas Eve night that is referred to in a lot of the Faces of Evil books. Now we know how everything really went down that night between Jess and Dan.
Profile Image for Daniela.
1,185 reviews
March 7, 2019
As short as it was it was very good. This is my first time reading Debra Webb and if this is what is coming with the remainder of the series then I'm looking forward to it. Jess is a great character, very relatable.
Profile Image for Dasha.
1,568 reviews21 followers
October 12, 2020
2.5 estrellas
Se me ha quedado muy corto. Creo que el problema ha sido que esta precuela está escrita para leerla después, cuando ya se conoce la saga y se es fan de ella. Aún así he sido generosa con la puntuación y he redondeado para arriba y todo.
Seguiré con la saga.
Profile Image for Wealie.
433 reviews48 followers
June 22, 2018
A great 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 novella intro to a series, tightly written and gripping.

‘Silence’ is a prequel novella to the Faces of Evil Series, which was written sometime after the series was completed.

This is my first introduction to Debra Webb and I was blown away with how tight her writing style was and her ability to weave a crime plot and soul mate reunion in such a small word count was astounding. I usually don’t rate novella’s above a three star due to them not having enough time to develop the plot and/or do justice to a love relationship.

The two protagonists are also the series protagonists of the main series, Jess - an FBI agent, newly promoted to the Behavioural Analysis Unit (BAU) and Dan a liaison between the Mayor and Police in Jess’s home town. Jess and Dan were childhood sweethearts who got together at school and stayed together through college and had a plan to get married and join the FBI. While Jess was on track to get her career in the FBI, Dan couldn’t keep up with her and their relationship broke down, with Dan eventually leaving Boston and Jess behind 10 years ago.

Jess’s case focuses on finding some missing girls, presumed dead, the serial killer/kidnapper is in custody, but several of the girls are still missing and he is not answering questions. Jess as the ‘bright new star’ with a perfect case closure record is brought in to see if she can root out an accomplice and find out where the missing girls are.

It was a real feat how Debra was able to weave together a convincing back story for the love connection between Jess and Dan, with Jess’s latest FBI murder case. This story could have been a hot mess with the shifting back and forth in time between the case over the three days previously and Jess’s interactions with Dan and her family on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day and the POV swapping between Jess and Dan during their interactions. However, I didn’t ever get lost about when, where and who was leading the POV.

I haven’t read the main series, but now can’t wait to start the first novel Obsession.
1,575 reviews30 followers
August 12, 2014
Good prequel to a series, BUT . . . I loved the fact that such a strong story could be fit within such a few number of pages. Quite a feat. However, the reason I can't give this the entire 5-star rating is because I simply don't buy that such a strong character as Jess would cave so easily, or even say yes to getting together after 10 years. I don't want to say more than that because it would be a spoiler. But all the "facts" given of the character of Jess just don't add up to her agreeing so easily - in my humble opinion. I will, of course, be reading the other books to this series to see if I am proven wrong about the characters. Also, because the rest of the novella was very powerful and interesting. I have to see where this series goes.
Profile Image for ElaineY.
2,449 reviews68 followers
March 4, 2021
Vaguely recall listening to this in November 2020 with the intention of starting on the series (I have the entire series in audio). I never did move on to the first book after this prequel. I know I didn't enjoy it anywhere as much as when I read the print version back in 2014. I'd forgotten just about everything I listened to 5 months ago but I had written a review which included enough details about the prequel that I don't need to relisten to this and can start right away with Obsession, Book 1.
7,757 reviews50 followers
November 29, 2021
Finishing a case, needing time to refocus, and with family
A long drive to see her sister and family for Christmas
Last minutes things to pick up and bring for the dinner
Seeing Dan with items to pick up for his mother
An hour for a drink, just to see the view from his condo
Dan knew he never wanted to lose Jess again
She is moving and a new job with Dan as her boss
Good short story that unites Dan and Jess.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews

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