Secrets You Can't Keep

Vera Boyett #3

by Debra Webb

From USA Today bestselling author Debra Webb comes crime analyst Vera Boyett’s next case—a triple homicide that tears a small town apart…and an accident that could do worse to her family.

A cabin in the woods. Three dead, one in critical condition. Property owned by not just any Tennessee local, but one of the richest men in the country.

Vera Boyett isn’t quite sure what it means. But that’s why Sheriff Gray “Bent” Benton called to figure it out. Criminal analysis is what she does best. Even when the town is in panicked shambles, even when the case is more delicate than most…and even when it’s not the only case on her plate.

Vera’s family is caught in a deadly mess of its own. And while her pregnant sister seems an unlikely culprit, each new detail seems to point to her guilt. Desperate to protect her, Vera vows to find out what really happened.

As evidence emerges in both cases, Vera and Bent work to unravel a dangerous web of secrets to get to the truth. But their investigations reveal more than they ever expected…

Genres: Mystery Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Crime, Thriller

315 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2025

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Donne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been excited about finally getting to the new Vera Boyett installment; I’m really enjoying this series and Vera and the gang in a small town outside of Fayettville, TN. The murder rate in this “small town” is probably right up there with the murder rate in Painter’s Mill. For those fans of Linda Catillo’s Kate Burkholder series, you know what I’m talking about.

The book summary introduces the two storylines: one of the multiple murders at the cabin of the area’s local billionaire and the second the death of the mother-in-law (MIL) of Vera’s little sister, Luna. Vera, now a Crime Scene Analyst Consultant, works with Sheriff Bent on the murder investigation of Thomas Wilton and two of his guests. Wilton’s wife, Alicia, is the only survivor from the murder spree and she is rushed to the hospital and is in a coma. However, Vera soon discovers that she has another death on her hands when she learns that Luna found her MIL, Jackie, dead at the bottom of the stairs when Luna returned from the store. Like a lot of relationships with MIL’s, Luna and Jackie have never gotten along and actually despise each other.

Most of the story follows the investigations of the murders at Wilton’s cabin. The primary suspects are the beneficiaries of the will, starting with Alicia, Wilton’s longtime personal assistant, Valeri, along with some longtime employees, Helen, Renata and Jose. It’s pretty east to immediately start suspecting Valeri because she is so unlikeable and she’s in love with Thomas and definitely didn’t like Alicia. As for Luna, based on preliminary evidence, Luna is looking pretty good for the murder of Jackie. However, anyone familiar with this series can’t really seriously suspect Luna. From the get-go I never did, and I resigned myself to having to wait until the end to find out who killed Jackie.

It’s a wild and crazy ending with some pretty scary and intense scenes for Vera and Sheriff Bent along with a boatload of investigation discoveries and suspect confessions, as well as some surprising revelations. The continued character development for Vera and Bent as well as Luna was pretty good. The pacing was steady and the storyline was engrossing. The writing was on par for the series, in other words pretty wild, but then again, this is a crime thriller about a small town in TN where the murder rate rises with every installment. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.1 that I will be rounding down to a 4star review. I want to thank NetGalley and Thomas Mercer, for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #ThomasMercer #SecretsYouCantKeep

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded down.

I didn’t realize this was the third book in a series, but I’ll definitely be going back to read the others! While some context might have added depth and clarity, I was still hooked from the start. The mystery kept me turning pages, constantly eager to see what would happen next and how each character would be involved. The plot felt real and grounded, making the stakes even higher, and the pacing was spot on—revelations came just at the right moments to keep me engaged.

What really stood out, though, were the relationships between the characters. The dynamics were so well-crafted that I was as invested in their personal connections as I was in solving the mystery itself. This book made me a fan of Webb, and I’m excited to read more of her work in the future.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable suspense and, being a Tennessean, I also loved the TN location and references!

** I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher! **

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up to a 4

I really enjoy the Boyett sisters and the dogged sheriff Bent. This was quite the page turner, and although I "knew" who did it several times (and they were different people 😂), there's a final twist that you don't see coming. A good read!!

Thank you to Net Galley and Thomas and Mercer for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vera Boyett, who had been called to the scene of a gruesome triple murder, soon discovers that one of her sisters, Luna, might be involved in the crime. Luna, along with her sister Eve, had found contentment in their lives and relationships, and Vera had often envied their happiness. However, Vera soon realizes that things are not always as they seem.

Every now and again I think about whether or not a book is character given or is it plot driven. In this book, I think it is definitely character driven because of the familiar connection between Vera and her sister Luna. Then there is the connection between Vera and Ben and the possibility of where their relationship might go. With the other friendships and relationships that show strength in the story, it was easy to connect to the characters.

While it seems as this might be the final book in a series I have really enjoyed, I will be continuing to read books by Debra Webb.

Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[Bris.bookshelves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the privilege to read this an Advanced Reader Copy for my honest review. I truly appreciate it.

Now this thriller hooked me from the beginning! I wanted to know the whole story immediately. Vera is a criminal analysis while Bent is the sheriff. They are on a mission to solve not one but two separate murders investigations. There were so many twists and turns where I really wasn’t sure what was going to happen. Even some chapter cliffhangers had me on the edge of my seat. I loved Vera’s and Bent’s working relationship as well as watching them grow closer together as time went on. Out of both murder investigations I was really hooked on Vera’’s sisters mother in law’s case. I truly wasn’t sure how that one was going to play out. I felt Vera was a strong character and I loved how she was able to trust her instincts and want to protect her pregnant sister.

Now there were times where I felt some chapters got repetitive or even felt too detailed. I felt like I was going in circles trying to piece the story together where I got kinda confused on my theories and the characters theories. So it was hard for me to keep all the facts straight. Then once I finally got to the end it was wrapped up into the last 10%-15% of the book. I just wanted it dragged out a little more for a thriller. But I truly enjoyed this thriller!

[Dozelina 666 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC.

Now… this is probably my favorite book in the Vera Boyett series so far. It felt a bit more balanced than the other 2: we had drama, murders (yep... lots of them) and a few sprinkles of romance too.

Ofc Vera’s family is back in the middle of chaos. This time it’s Luna’s turn to be dragged into the mess and tbh, the whole “my sister is maybe a suspect” angle worked for me. Messy, stressful but good.

Meanwhile, Vera and Bent are dealing with a triple homicide at a cabin that just so happens to be owned by one of the richest men in the country.

I liked the plot, the twists, the shady characters ... the whole “can we trust any of these witnesses” vibe was strong. And Vera’s dynamic with Bent? This time it felt more real. Less “do I like him?” and more "okay yeah, this dude is redeeming himself, i guess?"

Overall: a good mystery, lots of drama, some good Vera/Bent moments, and enough messy chaos to keep me flipping pages fast.

4.5* from me ^^

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two separate cases, 4 dead bodies. One of these murder cases puts Vera in a tough spot, her youngest sister/Luna could be a possible suspect. The deeper into the investigations Bent and Vera get, the number of suspects grows as well as the body count. This made it difficult to figure out just who the guilty party or parties would be. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the author would up the suspense and throw in another clever twist. Good story, great ending.

[Ray Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild Party Gone Wrong or Targeted Murder

Valeri Erwin, Charles Wilton’s assistant, arrives on his estate for work on Monday morning. None of the servants is there, but they are all off. The entire house is empty. She looks out back where the UTVs are parked. Wilton’s is missing. He must be at the remote cabin. She drives there. Once there, she notices that the front door is ajar. She hears sounds from within the cabin. She hopes that they are not in the throes of passion. She opens the door and sees a wolf with blood around its mouth. It runs out the back. She goes further in and finds a man face down behind the sofa. It is not Thomas. One arm is mangled where the wolf had eaten. She goes into the kitchen and finds a woman, face up and lying in a pool of blood. It wasn't Alicia, Wilton’s wife. She checks the patio and finds Thomas floating in the hot tub. She checks, and he is dead. Now, she spots Alicia's body on the stairs leading to a grassy area. With these quadruple murders, the story starts.

Two main storylines make up this novel. The first thread is the investigation into the quadruple murders. The first break was that Alicia was still alive, even though she spent most of the novel in a coma. The death toll during the investigation does reach four. The second thread starts when Vera Boyett’s youngest sister comes home from buying some paint, and she discovers her mother-in-law, Jackie, dead at the foot of the stairs. They had been finishing the nursery's preparations. Regarding difficulties, all four of Wilton’s employees had a motive and appeared not entirely truthful. It isn't easy to find out what happened when they are not told the facts. Jackie’s sister wants a thorough investigation into her sister’s death by a Boyett sister. She has retained a lawyer to ensure the investigation is comprehensive. Additionally, Luna has a receipt for the paint purchase that seriously contradicts her timeline of events that morning. Most chapters were narrated by protagonists, Vera Boyett and Sheriff Grey Benton. The novel's pace is good, and the main storyline is easy to follow. As both threads seemed like Gordian knots, I was piqued by their efforts to solve them.

There are two B-storyline threads. Both have appeared across all three novels in this series. The first is the deepening of the two protagonists’ relationship. It was like a dance with missteps along the way, just like real life. This thread allows readers to delve into the personal sides of these two characters. The second thread is the relationship among all of the Boyett sisters. The insight into how they protect and look out for each other is apparent, even though each has their own lives and problems. This aspect is especially true for Vera, who is working on a very complex investigation. This feature of the novel enhanced my enjoyment of it.

Only one aspect can cause some readers to stop reading in this novel. There are no intimate scenes. There is minimal vulgar language. One rude word does appear fairly often. There is noticeable use of impious language. Violence is described both after the fact and as it occurs. I did not find any references to the previous novels that needed further explanation. Overall, most readers should not have any problems reading this novel.

I really liked two aspects of this novel. First, the antagonists were very realistic, believable, and complex. Second, if this is the last in the series, the two B-storylines are at a point where there are no loose ends. The other extreme is that it appears to be the end of this series. The last time I wrote this, the author left a note on my review that he is working on the fourth book. I have read four previous books over three series. This author is one of my Must-Read authors. I highly recommend reading it. I rate it with five stars.

I received the free, pre-publication e-book version of this novel from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley. My review is based solely on my own reading experience. Thank you, Thomas & Mercer, for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Private investigator mystery.

This book starts out with a bang.
And keeps you on the edge. some secrets you just can't keep.

The Boyett series has been one of my favorites. this is the third book and what a wonderful way to wrap up a series.


We have murder mystery and suspense at its very best. webb writes the best books. this one will keep you on the edge.
Bodies are found in cabin in the woods.A mystery. how everyone ended up dead.What really happened.

Can sheriff Bent and Vera.
Boyette, unravel this mystery before more deaths happen. they have their hands full with this case.

The story definitely has a lot of action going on.Will keep you on the edge of your seat, turning the pages deep into the night.

I loved everything about this story.
Debra Webb is my favorite mystery writer.

[Katee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The local Fayetteville Sheriff, Gray Benton (Bent) and an investigative consultant, Vera, are faced with solving two different murders.

The first, occurs at a local millionaire’s estate, the Wilton’s, where four people have been found. No valuables are missing but the scene is questionable.

The second, is at Vera’s sister Luna’s house. Luna was working on the nursery for her baby with her mother in law (husband Jerome was not home). Luna ran out to grab some more paint and came back and the mother in law was dead, at the bottom of the stairs.

Can Vera solve these two cases before her family is ripped apart?

[K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This thriller was packed with twist and conspiracies. The plot was fantastic and the characters never disappointed. This novel is the 3rd installment to a series. It held up great as a standalone but was understood more once I read the first 2. From jump I was invested. The story nabbed my attention and held it. I found myself guessing until the very end. That ended was fantasticly crafted. Definitely will be reading more from Debra Webb.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the eARC. This review is that of my own.

[Dana K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for gifted access via Netgalley. All opinions below are my own.

This one starts off right out of the gate with two unusual murder scenes. I was sucked in from the get go. I didn’t realize that it is the third in a series but don’t feel like I missed anything jumping in where I did. Vera is a great crime investigator and yet super likable and relatable and so is her sheriff boyfriend. I feel like too often we get the trope of miserable, broken small town cops. This was not that, this was small town vibes with big town crimes. Haha!

Each crime was solved with slow methodical investigation so I wouldn’t expect a pulse pounding thriller going in. But there were some good twists along the way. I will definitely be going back to read the other books in this series.

[Kelly Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this third installment in the Vera Boyett series! I’ve read the previous two in the past and was ready and excited to dive back into the storyline. Webb did a great job at keeping you guessing as to who the murderer was in two separate crimes and both twists surprised me!

Each book could be read as a standalone, but I absolutely recommend reading the whole series! Hoping for future installments.

[Rose 🥀 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of Secrets You Can’t Keep by Debra Webb in exchange for an honest review.
This thriller didn’t grip me like I hoped it would. For a story that starts off with so many kills I expected it to feel faster paced and more action packed, but as the murders happened before the story started I feel like it lacked that.
I couldn’t connect to these characters and found them dislike-able. I wasn’t aware until starting this book that it was part of a series but I won’t be going back and continuing.
Unfortunately this thriller was a miss for me.

[Branita J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the series. I was not lost, having not read the other two books. I recently found Debra Webb and love all the ones I've read so far. Elise Arsenault is the narrator for this audiobook. I base a good narrator on how they can perform the opposite sex characters. She is able to voice the male characters without seeming like a girl deepening her voice.

Thank you to NetGalley, Debra Webb, and Brilliance Publishing for the opportunity to listen to this book.

[Mackey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets You Can't Keep is the third in the series revolving around Vera Boyett and her family. The series captivates me because of its setting in the south. More than many others, it rings very true. This series is one of the few set in the US that I still read because I'm not overly fond of our police system here so to say that I find it readable and enjoyable is my full recommendation.

[Courtney Buell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for sending me an arc of this book!

Four bodies are found in a cabin. Upon first glance, it appears to be a party gone wrong. However, after discovering that one of the supposed victims might have survived, the picture gets messier.

In another part of town, family drama involving one of the Boyett sisters takes a twisted turn resulting in tragedy.

Caught in the middle of both is criminal analyst Vera Boyett. Can she help Sheriff Benton solve his triple homicide while also clearing her sister’s name?

I love a good crime thriller, and this one delivered on everything: conspiracies, red herrings, twists, and even a little romance.

Overall, a good read! This was my first introduction to the Vera Boyett series and I’ll be going back to read the others!

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️ ARC - NetGalley

Loved this so much ! I never thought I’d be that into a murder mystery, but I am pleasantly surprised !

Bent, Vera, Alicia, Luna, such great characters - the dynamic between Bent and Vera was so entertaining and kept you wanting more, working together and having their cute little moments
Alicia - pulling through against all odds !

I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out who did it the whole way through, which is amazing as I normally figure things out within a storyline pretty quick.

Would definitely read more by this author!

[Roroblu'sMum · Rating 1 out of 5]

A serious contender for the worst book I've read this year, up there with Things That Break Us by Michelle Heard.

Book 3 in this series shows that Vera and Bent (what a nickname - don't Americans know what it means?) have finally made it into bed, as 1) clearly they're both rather addled and 2) they manage to talk about sex in the middle of the absolutely not believable and not exciting case. This was so bad a book that at the end I returned it for a refund. There's no way I was wasting money on this.

If I didn't know, I'd have said this was a book by a first-time author. It was a 'diet' mystery and police procedural. The Valeri character was dodgy from the start and how she hadn't been arrested or at least questioned under caution, is beyond me, and apparently beyond Vera and Bent too. Were they giving her rope to hang herself with? Nope, they were risking her doing a bunk and getting away with her part in more than one death. Skilled investigator extraordinaire that Vera was meant to be, she never pushed beyond a point, even when Valeri's facial expressions and body language absolutely screamed she was implicated.

The duo had 4 leads, 4 very obviously dodgy leads, and the discovery of the main deceased's will should've meant that they got hauled in for questioning, but nope, that could wait. 6 innocents - including an unborn baby - got killed in this story, but the tale progressed like a slow moving trickle in a gutter. There was no urgency, no sense of danger or excitement, and even when Valeri was classed as a psychopath, they didn't move quickly on her. What happened to a Miranda? What happened to saying a chat was off the record if no Miranda was stated? Would her roomie's death be reopened? Would she get away with everything and plead insanity? What happened to the survivor? What happened to the 2nd, or was it, 3rd will? Who got what? 3 of the bad guys were so implausible that they were clearly just there as filler. The actual-actual baddie appeared a few pages before the end, I kid you not, making 5 actual bad guys, of which all 5 were caricatures.

The Jackie death thing was yet more filler, although she wasn't an innocent in this tale. That whole arc was just totally inorganic, especially the till receipt thing. The mention of the reporter, Nolan's, mum was, yes, yet more filler. The fact that Valeri's motivations weren't actually discussed felt like an anticlimactic cop out, when I'd been expecting a 'If it wasn't for you pesky kids...', Scooby Doo style confession. The Geneva thing was, yes, you've guessed, yet more filler. The dead people were so much filler. There needed to be a psychologist observing Valeri in interview to make this seem at least a little plausible. At the end of the book, she still hadn't been arrested and she and Vera were playing 'you give me something, then I'll give you something, and then you give me something else, and I'll give you something else, and then...' I think you get it. Valeri needed her moment in the sun, confessing all, doing a big 'Muhahahahah!!!' because she was one utter sicko. Arrrgggghhh!!!!!!!!! Yes, this book really was this bad.

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets You Can't Keep by Debra Webb is a highly recommended procedural and the third book in the series featuring Vera Boyett, following Deeper Than the Dead and Closer Than You Know. It can be enjoyed as a standalone novel.

Valeri Edwin, personal assistant to wealthy business man Thomas Wilton, arrived at his estate before an important phone call and neither Wilton nor his second wife Alicia were there. As Valeri searched, she found them murdered along with two other people at a cabin on the property. When Sheriff Gray “Bent” Benton arrived it is discovered that Alicia is still barely alive. Bent calls in crime analyst Vera Boyett to examine the crime scene for clues he and his team may have missed.

At the same time a horrible accident has happened at Vera's pregnant sister Luna's house where she was finishing preparing the nursery with her mother-in-law. Luna left for more paint and when she returned her mother-in-law was dead at the foot of the stairs. She immediately called Vera, who then contacted Bent. It looks like Luna is the perpetrator, but knowing the two, that seems highly unlikely, so Vera needs to uncover what really happened.

This well-written procedural presents two interesting cases to investigate and solve. The Wilton triple murder case provides a complicated tangled case to solve. Webb does give readers a chapter early on letting them know the characters that clearly are involved, but then provides all manner of other clues and red herrings pointing to others being responsible. While waiting for Alicia to come out of a coma and hopefully provide the clue they need, the largest hurdle to overcome is figuring out all the lies and subterfuge along the way which are slowing down Bent and Vera from solving the Wilton case.

Luna's case is more nuanced. From all initial appearances, Luna may be guilty. Her mother-in-law was a real shrew, and her sister is on the warpath to charge Luna. Vera knows Luna, as well as all the others involved, and understands that something else is going on and she needs to find the clues and facts to prove this. There is no clue or chapter suggesting what happened on this case, leaving readers in total suspense.

The character development and the relationship between the characters provides strong reasons to read this book and series. Vera and Bent's professional and personal relationship is strong and continues to develop. Vera's relationship with her sisters, Eve and Luna also continues to grow.

Secrets You Can't Keep is a great choice for those who enjoy procedurals. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2025/1...

[Milena Bookish❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Gripping Thriller with Depth and Heart.

Strong characterizations and a compelling plot make this well-written novel a true treat to read, another stellar installment in a series that continues to surprise and satisfy. It’s layered and complex without ever becoming confusing, and the tension is utterly enticing.

This time, criminal analyst Vera and Sheriff Gray “Bent” Benton are drawn into a chilling investigation: a secluded cabin in the Tennessee woods, three dead, one clinging to life, and no valuables missing. The property belongs to one of the wealthiest men in the country, adding a layer of mystery to an already baffling scene.

But the stakes rise even higher when Vera’s own family is pulled into a separate nightmare. Her sister Luna, pregnant and preparing a nursery with her mother-in-law, steps out for paint—only to return and find her mother-in-law dead at the bottom of the stairs. Luna seems an unlikely suspect, yet every new detail casts a darker shadow. Desperate to protect her sister, Vera must untangle a web of secrets that threatens to destroy everything she holds dear.

This thriller hooked me from the very first page. With so many twists and turns, I genuinely didn’t know what was coming next—and I loved that. The pacing is sharp, the emotional stakes are high, and the dual investigations keep the tension taut throughout.

I especially appreciate that Webb doesn’t rehash previous books. As someone who’s followed the series, I find it refreshing that each installment stands strong on its own. That said, I’d still recommend starting from the beginning to fully appreciate the character arcs and subtle callbacks.

This story has it all: conspiracies, emotional depth, unexpected twists, and just the right touch of romance. A must-read for fans of smart, character-driven thrillers...Release on Dec 9.

Thank you, NetGalley and Publisher, for the eARC.

[Caroline | dogtailsandcrimetales · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★

Sheriff Benton (Bent) is called to one hell of a crime scene: three dead, one clinging to life, all discovered in a remote cabin deep in the woods. There’s no motive, no signs of forced entry, and every indication that a wild party took a deadly turn. To make matters worse, the cabin belongs to a wealthy, well-connected entrepreneur, someone whose death draws immediate attention and heavy pressure from local officials.

Bent knows he’ll need help from Vera Boyett, the local crime analyst, if he has any hope of solving this case. But Vera has problems of her own. Her pregnant younger sister, Luna, might have killed someone, or so the evidence suggests. Vera refuses to believe it, but if Luna didn’t do it, then what did actually happen?

My favorite crime-solving duo is back: Bent & Vera. Despite the chaos swirling around them, they stay surprisingly drama free as a couple, and that’s exactly how I like my fictional partners.

Bent’s case had me completely stumped until a new POV dropped in and finally got the gears turning. Everyone involved seemed to be hiding something, even the victims, but I still couldn’t quite see how all the pieces fit together.

Meanwhile, Vera is neck deep in Luna and her husband Jerome’s family mess. I can’t say I admire anyone in that camp, but I am glad we finally learned more about that side of the family. Jerome always felt a little too squeaky clean in previous installments (which is probably why I suspected him a few times), and I am relieved to see things aren’t as shiny as he’d like you to believe.

I did struggle with the pacing at times; it felt different from the first two books. There’s also a fairly large cast to keep track of. I am not sure if this was marketed as a standalone, but I’d recommend reading the first two books to fully appreciate the Boyett sisters’ history.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Debra Webb for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debra Webb's third installment of the Vera Boyett series was a masterpiece. The author brings two crime scenes to life by having Vera Boyette the investigative consultant, and the Sheriff Gray "Bent" Benton working both cases. After all, as if Vera could walk away from her pregnant sister who seems to be in trouble. While Bent focuses on the other scene that feels a little off.
The story opens to the murder of the wealthiest man in town and some friends. Three dead and one survivor with a crime scene that is a little suspicious. How did the survivor fall on the knife? Was she running from someone or tripped? Who knew that they were here at a cabin far from the main house, but the help was not working that weekend. Then Vera gets a call at her sister Luna's house and to come ASAP. Luna's mother-in law had an accident and ends up dead, but Luna wasn't home. It all comes down to time, and it looks like the time puts Luna in the spot that makes her look like she did it. But did she, or would she? Vera knew that Luna's mother-in law didn't care for Luna, but Luna would not kill her, would she?
Debra Webb knows how to write a story that pulls you in from the first page. The characters are so believable, and you feel like you know them as your friends. The twists and turns always keep you on your toes and your second guessing your own instincts on who the killer is. The latest book in the series like all her series can be read as a standalone. Although when you start reading this author you will want to read them all. I highly recommend this author and all her books. Thanks to Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for the arc of this great book.

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

You never assume anything when you read a mystery written by this author. You will think you have it all figured out only to learn how sadly mistaken you are. She enjoys throwing curve balls, which makes me happy. I love a good, solid mystery where anything goes, and everyone is suspect.

This one was a especially interesting because there are two mysteries under one cover. The first is quite obviously a homicide of three people. There is no question of the manner of death. The only question is who is responsible. The scene is very odd. There are definitely a lot more questions than answers, especially considering the net worth of one of the victims.

The other mystery is a little more convoluted and hits close to home for Vera and her family. Vera will have to use her exceptional skills and high intelligence to solve the second mystery.

Suspects are closer than they appear is especially true in both of these mysteries. I was still darting from one scenario to another up until the final pages. Twisty mysteries are a specialty for this author. I had to flex my mystery solving muscles for this one, and I was still quite surprised.

I was excited to see the dynamic dream team of Sheriff Benton (Bent) and Vera Boyett back together again. The sheriff and the criminal analyst are definitely the type of people you want in your corner in the event of a crime that needs solving.

This is another winner in the Vera Boyett series. If you enjoy a good procedural mystery with plenty of suspects to choose from, you will enjoy this one.

Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Emma Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

We hit the ground running in this thriller and dropped straight into the mystery, which I love, as slow build thrillers can sometimes feel long-winded.

Valeri Erwin, PA to wealthy businessman Thomas Wilton, arrives to his multi-million compound for her appointment with him, only to be greeted by a grisly murder scene. Thomas, his wife Alicia and two other mystery people are all naked and stabbed to death.

Alicia's pulse is faint and they manage to save her, but she's slipped into a coma, so how many answers will she be able to provide, or is she the perp? And the way Thomas decided to bequeath his money after death only makes the suspect pool even larger, with Valeri tipped to inherit $30 million.

Vera Boyett and Bent from the local Sherriff's office are tasked with discovering just that. We follow them as they investigate the deaths and interview our suspects.

I loved Vera and Bent's relationship and their policing style in this, especially with the sub-plot weaving it's way through the story. I also loved that we got random glimpses into different POVs, adding a layer of tension and mystery you don't often get in one POV.

Speaking of sub-plot, the death of Vera's sister's mother in law, adds an intriguing mystery, but also showcases familial relationships in such a relatable way.

It's well-written, keeps you guessing, and gives you that unputdownable quality we all love, especially in a thriller.

I look forward to reading more from Debra Webb.

Thansk to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the privilege of previewing Secrets You Can't Keep. I couldn't tell from the NetGalley description provided that this is the third volume in this series, which became evident when I realized there was missing character background from the earlier books. Nevertheless, the dual track of deaths our protagonist Vera Boyett has to investigate was intriguing, especially since one involved her sister, and made me wonder if there would be some commonality between them. I won't spoil things by either confirming or denying that's the case.

Throughout the book, the plot made us wonder who really was to blame in both sets of deaths, and we experienced the anguish, fear, hope and grit displayed by Boyett throughout.

Some nitpicks - at times, I felt those feelings and other scenarios were repetitively described and, as a result, made the plot drawn out longer than needed. With a large cast of characters throughout, my simple mind had problem keeping track of who was who at times, as well as remembering who did what. Some may find this complexity engrossing, but I was often searching back through the pages to keep it all straight.

With that said, I overall enjoyed my introduction to, and getting to know, Vera Boyett, her sisters, and Sheriff Bent. I may need to go back and check out the first two volumes of this series to get a more well-rounded appreciation for them and the storylines.

[Neils Barringer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going into this series blind,I had a great time solving two pretty complicated murders with Vera Boyett and the handsome Sheriff Bent. I need to remember to recommend this book to my friend Holly-she loves a good hook up!
Like I said I did not read the previous two installments of the Boyett sister books, but at no point did I feel "behind", I am sure if I had read the other books I would have a better understanding of each of the sisters.Debra Webb does a great job of filling in the necessary background information for me to understand the sisters dynamics and their complicated past.
I was drawn in by the grizzly openins scene of a women walking into her bosses cabin finding him brutally murdered along side two others, and his new"trophy" wife barely hanging onto life. Flash foward to the next chapter and our very own Vera's sister, Luna who is very pregnant calls Vera over because her aweful mother in law is dead at the bottoms of her stairs!
Umm if you are not intrigued then you obviously have no personality!

This book read very quickly and got nice a twisty towards the end. There were some questionable "reality"things to get over--like Vera's concussion symptoms appeared at times and were fine at others....but over all this was an engaging read and I think Debra Webb sold me.I want to read more by this author.

Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to review this advanced copy of Secrets You Can't Keep.
I was not paid in exchange for my honest review.

[Paloma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book so much. I found a new author to binge read!

Thomas Wilton, his wife Alicia and two other guests are found dead by Wilton's assistant Valeri Erwin. It was supposed to be a little get away in one of Wilton's cabins. When Sheriff Gray Benton arrives, the wife Alicia shows some signs of life and the murder weapon is found underneath her. Benton aka Bent needs the department's profiler Vera Boyett for this case. Vera Boyett and her sisters are infamous in their town. Her sister Luna calls her for an emergency that she has at her home. When Vera arrives she finds Luna's horrible mother-in-law at the bottom of the stairs. Vera and Bent must figure out both cases before someone gets away with murder in the case of Thomas Wilton and prove that Luna did not kill her monster of a mother-in-law.

This books was great and the some. Both stories were engaging and very twisty. I liked Valeri's character a lot. She was so morally gray and shady that even after finishing the book I still think about her and what she may or may not have gotten away with. Vera is a straight forward character, always strong and level headed. Bent is perfect for her. He is always so caring, thoughtful and empathetic. I was so happy and satisfied with both stories. I never guessed who the killer was. I will go back and read the previous books from this series.
Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets You Can't Keep is a gripping addition to Debra Webb’s Vera Boyett series. I really enjoy reading about Vera and her family. The plot unfolds in a small Tennessee town rocked by a shocking triple homicide. The tension is palpable as crime analyst Vera Boyett is called in to navigate the chaos alongside Sheriff Gray "Bent" Benton.

The complexity of the case intensifies with each chapter, as Vera wrestles with both professional and personal dilemmas, especially with her pregnant sister tangled in a web of suspicion. That part of the story was very interesting and added an additional mystery to the story.

The character development is great, particularly Vera, whose determination and compassion make her a compelling protagonist. The relationship dynamics between Vera and Bent blend both professional teamwork and personal connection seamlessly. The pacing is very good, with twists and turns that kept me guessing as I went back and forth on who could be involved and why.

Overall, Secrets You Can't Keep is a wonderfully crafted mystery. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-written, suspenseful thriller. I would suggest starting from book 1 so you can get to know each character. I look forward to more in this series.

#SecretsYouCantKeep #NetGalley @AmazonPub

[Emerald Maple · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Vera Boyett series and while readable as a standalone, I think I would appreciate the characters more if I had read the others. It mentions their history multiple times but doesn't really go into details.

Vera is a consultant to the police while dating the Sheriff. She gets pulled into two cases, a nasty triple homicide where a fourth person is found alive, possibly a victim but signs also point to the suspect. Maybe too many signs though. Then her very pregnant sister becomes a suspect in a separate death that involves their entire family.

While the murders are horrific, the gore level is pretty tame for those who avoid graphic descriptions. The spice level on the romance side is also low. This is a large cast to keep track of though with lots of suspects and twists. Everyone is keeping secrets and there is plenty of misdirection, some of it purposeful while some if it is just coincidence. I had some idea of who was involved, but not how or why until right at the end.

I wish they told us who was actually found guilty of what at the end because while we know, there is still the question of evidence/proving it. Some of that may be cleared up in the next book for the family drama though.

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for the advance reader copy through Netgalley.