The Ten Year Lie

by Debra Webb

A wrongfully convicted man and the key witness against him join forces to figure out who framed him for murder in a riveting novel of small-town secrets by USA Today bestselling author Debra Webb.

Every person in Pine Bluff, Alabama, stood behind Emily Wallace when she testified against Clint Austin. After all, Emily knows what she saw that terrible Clint, covered in blood, holding the body of her best friend Heather.

But Clint has always maintained his innocence, and now, after a successful appeal, he has come home to prove it.

The whole town is furious about his return, and Emily becomes obsessed with sending Clint back to prison—until her father reveals a devastating secret that casts doubt on the whole trial. What if she was wrong?

When another person with a connection to Heather turns up dead, Clint and Emily embark on a desperate search to find the truth. Because ten years ago, they were both betrayed by someone they know. So who, in a town full of liars, is getting away with murder?

Revised Previously published as Traceless, this edition of The Ten Year Lie includes editorial revisions.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller

329 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 17, 2026

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

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Taylor Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

​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!

[Yvonne (It's All About Books) · Rating 2 out of 5]

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!!

I've been meaning to read more of Debra Webb's books, and I couldn't resist adding this revised edition of Traceless to my TBR after reading the premise. The small town Alabama setting, the wrongly accused Clint back in town after ten years in prison, the promise of plenty of secrets and someone getting away with murder... I fully expected to have a great time reading The Ten Year Lie, but unfortunately it didn't end up being a good fit for me after all. I'll try to explain why this ended up being another unpopular opinion review for me below.

I can't deny that I still love the premise of this book, and on paper this story should have worked for me. It had plenty of elements I usually enjoy in books, including that small town setting and an intriguing crime with plenty of angles to explore... And I do always love a prison/wrongly accused element. I think it's more that I had the wrong expectations for this book. I thought that I was going to read a crime thriller focusing on two characters trying to uncover the truth, but instead it was mainly a slow-paced and character-driven romantic suspense with an overdose of drama. Nothing wrong with that, but this kind of story simply isn't my cup of tea at all.

I'm never a fan of romance in my thrillers, and there was a LOT of it in The Ten Year Lie. This really distracted from the rest of the story, and the supposed connection between Emily and Clint was more in-lust than in-love... I would have enjoyed the story so much more if there hadn't been a romantic connection at all, that's for sure. And then I'm not even talking about the many sexy scenes incorporated into the plot, which were just cringeworthy if you ask me. Then again, the fact that I prefer my romance on the clean side doesn't really help here, so I guess your own reaction to this element depends on if you enjoy smut in the first place.

The pace in The Ten Year Lie was a lot slower than expected, and especially in the first half. There were a lot of characters to keep apart, and since none of them were particularly likeable or in some cases even memorable, I struggled to find the motivation to keep reading. I wasn't a fan of Emily at all; Clint himself was probably the most interesting character of the bunch. There are so many secrets and lies involved relating to so many different characters, and there is SO much drama along the way... It was just all way too over the top for me. This especially goes for the many reveals in the second half and also how the story ended. Instead of being satisfying, it mostly made me shake my head in disbelief. Especially since most of it wasn't exactly a surprise either... It just lacked credibility.

As you might have guessed, The Ten Year Lie and me didn't exactly get along. I honestly struggled to find the motivation to keep reading, but I know that I'm at least part of the problem because I expected a different story. Romantic suspense simply isn't a good fit for me, and especially when there is a lot of drama and sexy time involved... I might just have to leave this author be for now, or at least investigate the exact genre and content better before I commit to another story. If you like this genre, you will most likely enjoy The Ten Year Lie a lot more.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Nicole Jacobs · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Janeal · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Beth Moylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Mackey · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Paula Calhoun · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Ta’Jonn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books that offer a journey I didn’t see coming. I started this novel expecting a typical wrongful conviction story where the police overlooked the obvious suspect, but the plot takes that premise in a truly unique direction. The central scandal was much larger than I expected, and the overlapping storylines were well-executed. The romance between Emily and Clint was a surprising but pleasant addition to the book. While the ending felt a bit hurried, the story kept me guessing by constantly shifting the focus of my suspicion. It is a solid read for anyone who enjoys a mystery that keeps its suspect list intriguing."

Thank you to Debra Webb,Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC.

[SamM · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars (rounded up)

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

The two main characters, Emily and Clint, were intriguing at the start and definitely had chemistry. It’s clear they’ve both been holding onto a lot of resentment for the past ten years, and the layered side conversations help give insight into what’s happening behind the scenes. The story moves quickly, which kept me engaged.

That said, Emily’s constant whining and wishy-washy personality became frustrating, and the romance fell flat for me. The intimate scenes felt more awkward than sexy. While everyone having secrets added intrigue, some plot points were easy to predict.

Unfortunately, the ending didn’t work for me and left me disappointed. Overall, this was an okay read, but not one I’ll likely remember.

[Mehek · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5, rounded up. an incredibly atmospheric small town southern dramatic thriller. lost me in some places with character development and the pace at which it unfolded - I know some novels trap themselves with the past/present flashing but here I feel like it would’ve helped us rather than having characters in the present explain everything that happened ten years ago. Emily and Cliff still don’t make total sense to me. however it’s rich with detail and you can see Pine Bluff perfectly and the way the mood is set is truly stunning and rarely this well done. not my favorite book ever, but overall, a good solid read! arc provided by NetGalley.

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

🔪Murder
🖤Forbidden attraction
😱Thriller

What more could you want?
Clint, a convicted murderer gets released after serving 10 years. He is adamant about his innocence.
Emily, is adamant about his guilt and is determined to get him back in prison and get justice for her friend.

Is Clint innocent? Can he convince Emily that he is innocent and put the real killer behind bars before it is too late?

The pacing may be a bit slow at times but this has all the elements to make you yearn and try to figure out the outcome.

Thank you author, Debra Webb, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Marie Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book definitely put its hook in me early on. 19 year old Clint Austin is unjustifiably found guilty of murdering Heather Baker,best friend of his new girlfriend Emily Wallace. He serves 10 years & then goes back to his hometown to try & prove his innocence. Emily is determined to find him guilty,as she was the one to find him holding a bloody deceased Heather IN her bedroom! Can the two of them come together & overcome the past to find out who the real killer is? Great “whodunit” book,grab yourself a copy ,release day is 3-17-‘26. This is a reissue of the book Timeless. Thank you Debra Webb for entertaining us.

[KDRBCK · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ten Year Lie by Debra Webb published by Thomas & Mercer is a full length, stand alone thriller/ mystery.
Previously published as Traceless, now newly edited and published.
Emily belasted Clint in a trial schwer 10 years ago. Now he's back in his small town and he gets shunned. When a new incident happens the outcast and the accuser aka Clint and Emily are looking for clues and soon they're investigating who's the real bad man.
A thriller extraordinaire, well written and a fantastic storyline and characters. Kept my in suspense til the very end.

[Alexa Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy. I’ve read several of Debra Webb’s books, and while this one wasn’t my favorite, it was undeniably fast-paced and hard to put down. The story kept me engaged from start to finish, even though the plot twist and corruption revealed at the end didn’t fully work for me and felt rushed. I also found myself wishing a few lingering questions had been addressed. Overall, it was an entertaining and quick read, just not a standout for me compared to her other novels.

[Likestotravel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Ten Year Lie was a tangly, confusing read. I had high hopes for this story but was disappointed by the repetition, lack of a clear plot, and the back-and-forth with the characters. Please read other reviews as I think this one just wasn’t the right book for me. Will be best for those who love high school retrospectives and small-town dramas.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this DRC.

[Barbara Lack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very suspenseful book. The author sure knows how to take her readers on a roller coaster ride. There are a lot of characters and they all have secrets. The book was a little slow as first as we were being introduced to so many characters. Once the storyline started moving it got fast paced. It got a little creepy towards the end between two characters. It’s a well written book that I highly recommend.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author wonderfully crafts a story where secrets are buried deep to protect the guilty. Emily is navigating a hometown filled with deception, while Clint is fighting to move past a decade stolen by a wrongful conviction. As they join forces, the danger escalates, and the lies become dangerous. It’s a perfectly twisted mystery where you truly don’t know who to trust, leading to an inevitable, devastating conclusion.

[Dawn Byers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
Another winning book. Y Debra Webb!
Clint has spent 10 years in prison for a murder he didn’t commit and he vows to prove his innocence. Emily was the prime witness of her friends murder and feels he should still be in jail until she hears her fathers secret he has kept for years. Then she begins to help Clint with his search for innocence but that won’t be easy with all the secrets the town holds.

[Hope Spears · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t imagine spending a decade in jail for something that I didn’t do. That is exactly what happens to the main character on this book. When he goes back home to his small Alabama town to find out what truly happened to Heather, he had no idea just how many town secrets were tied up into her murder. So many great twists and turns!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Ten Year Lie will have you guessing who the killer is till almost the very end. My guesses were all over the place, it was Keith's death that locked in my final guess. My disappointment was the ending, it just ended ubruptly. Is there a second book to this or is this how it really ends?

Thanks to netgalley for the arc.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one didn't work for me. The first part of the book was a drag - very repetitive and with many many characters to keep track off. I didn't like Emily at all so I was rooting for Austin from the beginning.

The twists and secrets that came out were entertaining but the book could have been shorter.

Thank you Netgalley!

[Judy Hester · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual Debra Webb catches my full attention from the first page — definitely can’t put this one down !

[Michelle Towles · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ten Year Lie was an AMAZING Read! Debra Web is an amazing writer. The characters were well developed. I couldn't stop reading the book. The ending was a complete surprise. I definitely recommend this book.