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Deep Dark Truth
A reporter must keep her past hidden as she hunts a killer terrorizing a small town in Maine in a blood-freezing novel of suspense by USA Today bestselling author Debra Webb.
Investigative reporter Sarah Newton specializes in debunking myths and superstitions—especially when they’re used to cover up horrific crimes.
When a teenage girl is ritualistically murdered and another girl goes missing, Sarah heads to the coastal village of Youngstown, Maine, to find her next story. The locals are convinced these events are the work of a legendary curse. After all, no human in this close-knit community could do something so dreadful. But Sarah knows the truth—one of their own is a cold-blooded killer.
As Sarah starts to unravel the mysteries of Youngstown with the help of a sympathetic councilman, she finds herself at the center of a vicious game. Somebody in town knows too much about her own dark secrets…Can she connect all the dots before the killer strikes again?
Revised Previously published as Find Me, this edition of Deep Dark Truth includes editorial revisions.
Investigative reporter Sarah Newton specializes in debunking myths and superstitions—especially when they’re used to cover up horrific crimes.
When a teenage girl is ritualistically murdered and another girl goes missing, Sarah heads to the coastal village of Youngstown, Maine, to find her next story. The locals are convinced these events are the work of a legendary curse. After all, no human in this close-knit community could do something so dreadful. But Sarah knows the truth—one of their own is a cold-blooded killer.
As Sarah starts to unravel the mysteries of Youngstown with the help of a sympathetic councilman, she finds herself at the center of a vicious game. Somebody in town knows too much about her own dark secrets…Can she connect all the dots before the killer strikes again?
Revised Previously published as Find Me, this edition of Deep Dark Truth includes editorial revisions.
378 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 14, 2026
About the author
Debra Webb
560 books2,510 followersDEBRA WEBB is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 180 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 ten 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 ten 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 109 reviews
April 27, 2026
A good crime thriller, albeit quite slow paced. The last sections could have been much better, and do not do justice to what is a very strong build-up.
Sarah Newton, a journalist based in New York goes to Maine to pursue a story. In a small town, one 19-year-old girl Valerie Gerard is found dead, and another 18-year-old girl Alicia Appleton is missing. Local authorities assign Kale Connor to help and watch over Sarah. The hypothesis the police is working under is that it has to be a passerby as this is a small town where everybody knows each other, and none are regarded as capable of such crimes. Sarah has her doubts based on her reading of the crime scene. The town also had two brutal murders 20 years back, and Sarah wonders if there is a connection. Sarah has had a traumatic childhood, and suffers from poor sleep, nightmares and stress. There are a number of characters, all of whom seem to have something to hide, and yet it is unclear if they could be murderers. There is also a strange girl – Matilda, who says she can sense the evil close by and gifts Sarah a necklace asking her to be careful.
Sarah is an excellent character – brave, determined & independent whose only motivation is to find the truth, and she simply does not care for what others think of her or her methods. Kale is a nice character, though he comes across as clinging to Sarah. Matilda, as a strange girl, with suggested psychic abilities is a nice addition to the story. There are many other characters, most with some flaws or things to hide and the writing is good to keep you guessing. The investigative procedures are decent, though they contribute to the uncovering of the plot very slowly. I think the ending offered more possibilities, especially in better portraying the profile of the murderer. A decent ending – but could have been much better.
This is the second book of the author that I have read in a few weeks (after “The Ten Year Lie”). She has authored many books and I intend to read more of her books.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher Thomas & Mercer and the author for a free electronic review copy.
Sarah Newton, a journalist based in New York goes to Maine to pursue a story. In a small town, one 19-year-old girl Valerie Gerard is found dead, and another 18-year-old girl Alicia Appleton is missing. Local authorities assign Kale Connor to help and watch over Sarah. The hypothesis the police is working under is that it has to be a passerby as this is a small town where everybody knows each other, and none are regarded as capable of such crimes. Sarah has her doubts based on her reading of the crime scene. The town also had two brutal murders 20 years back, and Sarah wonders if there is a connection. Sarah has had a traumatic childhood, and suffers from poor sleep, nightmares and stress. There are a number of characters, all of whom seem to have something to hide, and yet it is unclear if they could be murderers. There is also a strange girl – Matilda, who says she can sense the evil close by and gifts Sarah a necklace asking her to be careful.
Sarah is an excellent character – brave, determined & independent whose only motivation is to find the truth, and she simply does not care for what others think of her or her methods. Kale is a nice character, though he comes across as clinging to Sarah. Matilda, as a strange girl, with suggested psychic abilities is a nice addition to the story. There are many other characters, most with some flaws or things to hide and the writing is good to keep you guessing. The investigative procedures are decent, though they contribute to the uncovering of the plot very slowly. I think the ending offered more possibilities, especially in better portraying the profile of the murderer. A decent ending – but could have been much better.
This is the second book of the author that I have read in a few weeks (after “The Ten Year Lie”). She has authored many books and I intend to read more of her books.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher Thomas & Mercer and the author for a free electronic review copy.
April 7, 2026
Early copy received from netgalley
4/5
This an entertaining thriller that’s well paced and ramps up at the 75% point. It’s set in a small religious town with an unusually dark and cold winter.
Loved:
* The eeriness of the snow filled winter night stakeouts
* Complex character development four our main character Sarah. She’s gone through some stuff
* Tension filled final 20-25%
What Didn’t Work for Me:
* Sometimes it felt like this was sequel book and I felt like I was missing key elements
This book is perfect for fans of dark thrillers and good character development. Some of the night scenes are unsettling with the well described atmosphere and tension the characters are experiencing. I was unable to put this book down and kept thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it.
4/5
This an entertaining thriller that’s well paced and ramps up at the 75% point. It’s set in a small religious town with an unusually dark and cold winter.
Loved:
* The eeriness of the snow filled winter night stakeouts
* Complex character development four our main character Sarah. She’s gone through some stuff
* Tension filled final 20-25%
What Didn’t Work for Me:
* Sometimes it felt like this was sequel book and I felt like I was missing key elements
This book is perfect for fans of dark thrillers and good character development. Some of the night scenes are unsettling with the well described atmosphere and tension the characters are experiencing. I was unable to put this book down and kept thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it.
May 30, 2026
I have…thoughts. First one being that I can’t understand why this is rated so high. Audible recommended this to me because I enjoy Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot books, but Melinda Leigh would never give me a garbage FMC like this book did. Sarah Newton is wholly unlikable. She walks into town, all smug, and proceeds to treat everyone with contempt while the entirety of her inner monologue is like, “welp, I guess everyone in town is going to hate me again, just like always. 🤷🏻♀️ Not my fault if they all get mad at me because I’m smart enough to solve the crime that their idiot cops couldn’t solve!” And the thing is, almost everyone she interacts with is perfectly kind and cooperative even while she’s being a condescending asshole to their faces, so she’s not even right about that. The thing that irritated me the most about her though is what is she even doing there?? She ostensibly shows up to research the crimes so she can write a story about them, but then she acts like she’s entitled to know everything the police know about an active investigation. And bizarrely, the police start including her, show her crime scene photos, cavalierly give out personal medical information about potential suspects, etc. WUT?
Then there is the forced romance. Ugh. We go from the dude being irritated that he has to babysit the out of town reporter in one breath to him basically being obsessed with her, wanting to care for and lovingly hold her, and insisting she be included in everything the police know in the next. He also becomes convinced, seemingly out of nowhere, that she is the one person who can solve this crime and that he totally believes in her. She, meanwhile, has provided nothing to earn his faith. (And oh btw she’s treating him with contempt just like she is doing to everyone else.) Sir, please get laid more often so you don’t fall into these traps.
And then there’s the writing. For one thing, we get a feel way too early on for what’s happening so it just takes some oomph out of the story. We also have this thing happening more than once for which I can’t remember any verbatim examples but goes something like this:
Sarah wondered what was going on.
“What’s going on?” Sarah asked.
If you’re going to have the character speak a thought aloud, you don’t have to also tell me about the character thinking it internally. I don’t know why but it just felt like such lazy writing to me.
Ok, rant over. Otherwise I’ll have to give my thoughts on how poorly this author writes teenage girl characters.
Then there is the forced romance. Ugh. We go from the dude being irritated that he has to babysit the out of town reporter in one breath to him basically being obsessed with her, wanting to care for and lovingly hold her, and insisting she be included in everything the police know in the next. He also becomes convinced, seemingly out of nowhere, that she is the one person who can solve this crime and that he totally believes in her. She, meanwhile, has provided nothing to earn his faith. (And oh btw she’s treating him with contempt just like she is doing to everyone else.) Sir, please get laid more often so you don’t fall into these traps.
And then there’s the writing. For one thing, we get a feel way too early on for what’s happening so it just takes some oomph out of the story. We also have this thing happening more than once for which I can’t remember any verbatim examples but goes something like this:
Sarah wondered what was going on.
“What’s going on?” Sarah asked.
If you’re going to have the character speak a thought aloud, you don’t have to also tell me about the character thinking it internally. I don’t know why but it just felt like such lazy writing to me.
Ok, rant over. Otherwise I’ll have to give my thoughts on how poorly this author writes teenage girl characters.
April 22, 2026
Deep Dark Truth is another one of Debra Webb's thrillers that keep you guessing till the end!
I planned on reading this as I'm a fan of the author's previous writings. This story was able to keep up with the vibes of the other books.
What I liked most about this story would be the protagonist, Sarah's determination to find the truth. This she accomplishes in a town that believes every event to be a result of the curse. And also no one seems to like her and is determined to scare her away. So yes, I liked the different methods she chose to reach the answer.
The story was able to keep my attention mainly due to its fast pace. Never once I felt like it was too slow.
At the same time I felt like the story couldn't retrieve its beginning vibes that clearly hooked me to the story. I was looking for the revealing of clues one by one but for many times, there was nothing more going on. Only in the end, did the story reveal every other hints. So it felt like cramming and concluding by the end.
Overall, this is a fast paced thriller that is best to read if you like stories set in small towns!
I planned on reading this as I'm a fan of the author's previous writings. This story was able to keep up with the vibes of the other books.
What I liked most about this story would be the protagonist, Sarah's determination to find the truth. This she accomplishes in a town that believes every event to be a result of the curse. And also no one seems to like her and is determined to scare her away. So yes, I liked the different methods she chose to reach the answer.
The story was able to keep my attention mainly due to its fast pace. Never once I felt like it was too slow.
At the same time I felt like the story couldn't retrieve its beginning vibes that clearly hooked me to the story. I was looking for the revealing of clues one by one but for many times, there was nothing more going on. Only in the end, did the story reveal every other hints. So it felt like cramming and concluding by the end.
Overall, this is a fast paced thriller that is best to read if you like stories set in small towns!
May 5, 2026
Sarah Newton is an investigative reporter who travels to the costal village of Youngstown, Maine to investigate one murder and a disappearance that is believed to be connected to the murder. Her main role is to write a report debunking the myth that the town is cursed-and the curse is leading to the crimes occurring. Sarah is sure that there is a run-of-the-mill serial killer among the townsfolk, but the citizens refuse to believe the killer is one of their own.
This was a pretty solid thriller for me. My favorite part was the descriptions of the setting, which were really well done. I could really feel the authors interest in the area, and she did a great job of making the setting jump off of the page for someone who hasn't ever experienced that area. I didn't rate it higher for a few reasons. First off, I really found the main character to be unlikable. It seemed to me that she was just using her past as an excuse to act like a jerk, and a lot of her actions were uncalled for. There was some attempts, I believe, to make the main character less disagreeable, but they really weren't enough for me. Also, I found the ending to be a bit unbelievable. I can't get too deep into the reasons so I don't spoil things-but I just found some of the twists unrealistic.
**Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC copy of this book.
This was a pretty solid thriller for me. My favorite part was the descriptions of the setting, which were really well done. I could really feel the authors interest in the area, and she did a great job of making the setting jump off of the page for someone who hasn't ever experienced that area. I didn't rate it higher for a few reasons. First off, I really found the main character to be unlikable. It seemed to me that she was just using her past as an excuse to act like a jerk, and a lot of her actions were uncalled for. There was some attempts, I believe, to make the main character less disagreeable, but they really weren't enough for me. Also, I found the ending to be a bit unbelievable. I can't get too deep into the reasons so I don't spoil things-but I just found some of the twists unrealistic.
**Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Another Debra Webb, Book
That just pulls you in from the very first page to the very last page wanting to find out what happened who done it and why and how many twist there will be to see what has been done to these girls at the chapel things that are unreal when you really think it's one person and then you find out a big twist is coming this book was immensely one that kept me on the edge of my seat not knowing for sure who the killer was.but knowing they were out there cold-blooded the things they did . Sarah does an awesome job when she comes to town she's not going to give up until she finds the Killer she knows the Killer is out there while the town believes it's a a curse and they just want to sweep it under the rug.... Sarah doesn't give up until she finds the truth... the truth will shock everyone.... absolutely loved this book pick up your copy you'll see what I'm talking about but all of this author's books have been absolutely amazing..... I'm only hoping for another story to go along with this one thank Debra Webb.
That just pulls you in from the very first page to the very last page wanting to find out what happened who done it and why and how many twist there will be to see what has been done to these girls at the chapel things that are unreal when you really think it's one person and then you find out a big twist is coming this book was immensely one that kept me on the edge of my seat not knowing for sure who the killer was.but knowing they were out there cold-blooded the things they did . Sarah does an awesome job when she comes to town she's not going to give up until she finds the Killer she knows the Killer is out there while the town believes it's a a curse and they just want to sweep it under the rug.... Sarah doesn't give up until she finds the truth... the truth will shock everyone.... absolutely loved this book pick up your copy you'll see what I'm talking about but all of this author's books have been absolutely amazing..... I'm only hoping for another story to go along with this one thank Debra Webb.
June 11, 2026
Deep Dark Truth was an enjoyable read with an intriguing premise and a strong sense of atmosphere. The small-town setting was one of the highlights for me, creating a mysterious backdrop filled with secrets and suspicion. I was invested in finding out what really happened and appreciated how the story slowly unraveled the truth.
That said, the pacing felt uneven at times, and I found myself wishing the mystery had taken center stage more consistently. Some of the twists were predictable, and I didn’t connect with all of the characters as much as I had hoped.
Overall, this was a solid romantic suspense novel with an interesting mystery and a compelling setting, but it didn’t quite stand out enough to become a favorite. I’m glad I read it and would still recommend it to readers who enjoy atmospheric small-town mysteries with a touch of romance. 📚✨
That said, the pacing felt uneven at times, and I found myself wishing the mystery had taken center stage more consistently. Some of the twists were predictable, and I didn’t connect with all of the characters as much as I had hoped.
Overall, this was a solid romantic suspense novel with an interesting mystery and a compelling setting, but it didn’t quite stand out enough to become a favorite. I’m glad I read it and would still recommend it to readers who enjoy atmospheric small-town mysteries with a touch of romance. 📚✨
July 10, 2026
*Source* Kindle Unlimited
*Genre* Thriller, Suspense
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Deep Dark Truth by Debra Webb is a gripping, atmospheric suspense thriller (revised and reissued edition of her earlier novel Find Me, with editorial updates) that blends small-town secrets, supernatural folklore, and cold-blooded murder. Investigative reporter Sarah Newton specializes in debunking myths and superstitions that often mask horrific crimes. She travels to the isolated coastal village of Youngstown, Maine, after a teenage girl is found ritualistically murdered in a chapel and another girl goes missing.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Thriller, Suspense
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Deep Dark Truth by Debra Webb is a gripping, atmospheric suspense thriller (revised and reissued edition of her earlier novel Find Me, with editorial updates) that blends small-town secrets, supernatural folklore, and cold-blooded murder. Investigative reporter Sarah Newton specializes in debunking myths and superstitions that often mask horrific crimes. She travels to the isolated coastal village of Youngstown, Maine, after a teenage girl is found ritualistically murdered in a chapel and another girl goes missing.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
April 16, 2026
I LOVE Sarah!
She is such a screwed up but smart, misunderstood and driven character. She has flaws, struggles with social niceties, doesn't conform to expectations and creates waves wherever she goes, but her drive to find the truth and to protect innocents has you cheering for her every step of the investigation. Kale wants to dislike Sarah, but he finds himself not only drawn to her, but also seeing the murders and inconsistencies from her perspective too. This is a haunting and very twisted investigation with numerous threads, diversions and incorrect assumptions by both law enforcement and the public. This is a great crime thriller and would love more of Sarah, Kale and Truth magazine.
I listened to this on Audible.
She is such a screwed up but smart, misunderstood and driven character. She has flaws, struggles with social niceties, doesn't conform to expectations and creates waves wherever she goes, but her drive to find the truth and to protect innocents has you cheering for her every step of the investigation. Kale wants to dislike Sarah, but he finds himself not only drawn to her, but also seeing the murders and inconsistencies from her perspective too. This is a haunting and very twisted investigation with numerous threads, diversions and incorrect assumptions by both law enforcement and the public. This is a great crime thriller and would love more of Sarah, Kale and Truth magazine.
I listened to this on Audible.
May 26, 2026
I don’t even know when I started this but it took my far too long. I have to say it took me atleast a month. Very slow paced and I’m grossed out. Do not recommend. New Frieda please save me! Get me out of this slump of not great reads!
May 5, 2026
Debra keeps you guessing til the end. Enjoyed the book, but could do without the very end.
July 10, 2026
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
June 11, 2026
okay but WHY did no one warn me that this book would mess with my head like this??
i loved how the story kept me questioning everything (and everyone).
the characters?? not perfect at all, which made them feel real. i didn’t always like them, but i understood them, and that made it hard to stop reading.
also the tension?? insane. i kept telling myself “just one more chapter” and suddenly it’s 3am.
if you’re into secrets, psychological drama, and plot twists that actually hit… you’ll probably love this.
⭐️ 4.5/5
i loved how the story kept me questioning everything (and everyone).
the characters?? not perfect at all, which made them feel real. i didn’t always like them, but i understood them, and that made it hard to stop reading.
also the tension?? insane. i kept telling myself “just one more chapter” and suddenly it’s 3am.
if you’re into secrets, psychological drama, and plot twists that actually hit… you’ll probably love this.
⭐️ 4.5/5
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dark secrets, an eerie small town, and a compelling lead.
Investigative journalist Sarah Newton specializes in debunking myths - particularly when they're used to obscure something far more sinister. When a teenage girl is found murdered under ritualistic circumstances and another goes missing, Sarah travels to the small coastal town of Youngstown, Maine, where locals are quick to blame an old curse. Sarah, however, is convinced the truth is far more grounded, and far more dangerous: someone in this close-knit community is responsible.
In Deep Dark Truth, Debra Webb delivers a tense small-town mystery that blends ritualistic killings, local superstition, and a reporter determined to separate fact from fiction. A revised edition of the author's earlier novel Come Find Me , it is a dark and engaging read that moves quickly and keeps the tension high. The premise is compelling, and the isolated, wintry coastal atmosphere works well to support the unfolding mystery.
Sarah is a fun protagonist to root for. She's sharp, determined, and willing to push where others won't, even if some of the access she's given by law enforcement and those close to the case feels more like a convenient plot device than anything grounded in reality (in fact, much of the procedural aspect of the book is somewhat ridiculous, but as we're rooting for a journalist, not law enforcement, it didn't take away from the story too much for me). Sarah's perspective carries the story effectively, and it's easy to stay invested in her search for answers.
I was also pleasantly surprised that the romance element, while present, never overwhelms the central mystery, which I haven't always found to be the case with some of the author's other books. It adds a bit of dimension without pulling focus, which helps maintain the book's pacing and overall tension.
While the whodunnit mystery is fairly easy to guess, there are enough red herrings and shifting suspicions to keep things engaging along the way. The novel leans into familiar genre beats, but executes them well enough that it remains a compelling, propulsive read.
One element that didn’t quite work for me was how much of Sarah's backstory is only lightly sketched. In fact, I found myself wondering if this book was part of a series and I had missed something from a previous installment, as there are clear hints of a deeper history that never fully comes into focus. As it turns out, this appears to be a standalone, which makes that sense of incompleteness a bit more noticeable.
Overall, Deep Dark Truth is a fast-paced, atmospheric mystery that may not reinvent the genre, but delivers a solid and satisfying reading experience. Dark, engaging, and easy to fly through, it's a strong pick for fans of small-town suspense.
Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"Deep Dark Truth" is slated to be released on April 14, 2026.
Investigative journalist Sarah Newton specializes in debunking myths - particularly when they're used to obscure something far more sinister. When a teenage girl is found murdered under ritualistic circumstances and another goes missing, Sarah travels to the small coastal town of Youngstown, Maine, where locals are quick to blame an old curse. Sarah, however, is convinced the truth is far more grounded, and far more dangerous: someone in this close-knit community is responsible.
In Deep Dark Truth, Debra Webb delivers a tense small-town mystery that blends ritualistic killings, local superstition, and a reporter determined to separate fact from fiction. A revised edition of the author's earlier novel Come Find Me , it is a dark and engaging read that moves quickly and keeps the tension high. The premise is compelling, and the isolated, wintry coastal atmosphere works well to support the unfolding mystery.
Sarah is a fun protagonist to root for. She's sharp, determined, and willing to push where others won't, even if some of the access she's given by law enforcement and those close to the case feels more like a convenient plot device than anything grounded in reality (in fact, much of the procedural aspect of the book is somewhat ridiculous, but as we're rooting for a journalist, not law enforcement, it didn't take away from the story too much for me). Sarah's perspective carries the story effectively, and it's easy to stay invested in her search for answers.
I was also pleasantly surprised that the romance element, while present, never overwhelms the central mystery, which I haven't always found to be the case with some of the author's other books. It adds a bit of dimension without pulling focus, which helps maintain the book's pacing and overall tension.
While the whodunnit mystery is fairly easy to guess, there are enough red herrings and shifting suspicions to keep things engaging along the way. The novel leans into familiar genre beats, but executes them well enough that it remains a compelling, propulsive read.
One element that didn’t quite work for me was how much of Sarah's backstory is only lightly sketched. In fact, I found myself wondering if this book was part of a series and I had missed something from a previous installment, as there are clear hints of a deeper history that never fully comes into focus. As it turns out, this appears to be a standalone, which makes that sense of incompleteness a bit more noticeable.
Overall, Deep Dark Truth is a fast-paced, atmospheric mystery that may not reinvent the genre, but delivers a solid and satisfying reading experience. Dark, engaging, and easy to fly through, it's a strong pick for fans of small-town suspense.
Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"Deep Dark Truth" is slated to be released on April 14, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Deep Dark Truth, previously titled Find Me, is a novel by award-winning, bestselling American author, Debra Webb. The audio version is narrated by Stephanie Nemeth-Parker. When her editor sends her to the small town of Youngstown in Maine, investigative journalist for Truth Magazine, Sarah Newton is not expecting to be genuinely welcomed.
She’s there because, in the space of a week, the mutilated body of one teenaged girl has been found, and another has gone missing. There are plenty of locals who believe it’s the founder’s curse, the same curse that brought severe weather and saw the mutilation murder of two teens, twenty years earlier. Sarah has a reputation for debunking such myths, but quite a few townsfolk have something to hide, and don’t need her poking her nose in.
As the youngest elected member of the town’s council, and able to take time away from running the family’s lobster fishing business, Kale Conner has been tasked with babysitting Sarah. He’s been instructed to be as helpful as possible, although he can’t share everything that has been confidentially revealed. But Youngstown people are a good community, and he can’t believe one of them could commit such a heinous crime.
Information from Sarah’s sources is enough to conclude it’s not a random killing, but convincing Kale and the police chief that they need to look closer to home is a challenge, until the ME reveals something that points that way. There are some similarities to the decades-old murders, and there’s an urgency to find the missing teen before the worst happens.
Kale is distracted by his strong attraction to Sarah, while she’s trying to deny that the feeling is mutual. Sarah’s own traumatic childhood, and a years-ago bad breakup with the untrustworthy FBI profiler who inserts himself in the case, sometimes have her second-guessing herself. Is she focussing on the wrong person?
Readers may well ask what ever possessed Webb to name her male lead after a vegetable, but there’s not much else to criticise. There’s plenty of action, twists and turns, and a few red herrings before the final reveal. And yes, that truth is pretty dark. Gripping crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an audio copy provided by NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing.
She’s there because, in the space of a week, the mutilated body of one teenaged girl has been found, and another has gone missing. There are plenty of locals who believe it’s the founder’s curse, the same curse that brought severe weather and saw the mutilation murder of two teens, twenty years earlier. Sarah has a reputation for debunking such myths, but quite a few townsfolk have something to hide, and don’t need her poking her nose in.
As the youngest elected member of the town’s council, and able to take time away from running the family’s lobster fishing business, Kale Conner has been tasked with babysitting Sarah. He’s been instructed to be as helpful as possible, although he can’t share everything that has been confidentially revealed. But Youngstown people are a good community, and he can’t believe one of them could commit such a heinous crime.
Information from Sarah’s sources is enough to conclude it’s not a random killing, but convincing Kale and the police chief that they need to look closer to home is a challenge, until the ME reveals something that points that way. There are some similarities to the decades-old murders, and there’s an urgency to find the missing teen before the worst happens.
Kale is distracted by his strong attraction to Sarah, while she’s trying to deny that the feeling is mutual. Sarah’s own traumatic childhood, and a years-ago bad breakup with the untrustworthy FBI profiler who inserts himself in the case, sometimes have her second-guessing herself. Is she focussing on the wrong person?
Readers may well ask what ever possessed Webb to name her male lead after a vegetable, but there’s not much else to criticise. There’s plenty of action, twists and turns, and a few red herrings before the final reveal. And yes, that truth is pretty dark. Gripping crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an audio copy provided by NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Deep Dark Truth, previously titled Find Me, is a novel by award-winning, bestselling American author, Debra Webb. When her editor sends her to the small town of Youngstown in Maine, investigative journalist for Truth Magazine, Sarah Newton is not expecting to be genuinely welcomed.
She’s there because, in the space of a week, the mutilated body of one teenaged girl has been found, and another has gone missing. There are plenty of locals who believe it’s the founder’s curse, the same curse that brought severe weather and saw the mutilation murder of two teens, twenty years earlier. Sarah has a reputation for debunking such myths, but quite a few townsfolk have something to hide, and don’t need her poking her nose in.
As the youngest elected member of the town’s council, and able to take time away from running the family’s lobster fishing business, Kale Conner has been tasked with babysitting Sarah. He’s been instructed to be as helpful as possible, although he can’t share everything that has been confidentially revealed. But Youngstown people are a good community, and he can’t believe one of them could commit such a heinous crime.
Information from Sarah’s sources is enough to conclude it’s not a random killing, but convincing Kale and the police chief that they need to look closer to home is a challenge, until the ME reveals something that points that way. There are some similarities to the decades-old murders, and there’s an urgency to find the missing teen before the worst happens.
Kale is distracted by his strong attraction to Sarah, while she’s trying to deny that the feeling is mutual. Sarah’s own traumatic childhood, and a years-ago bad breakup with the untrustworthy FBI profiler who inserts himself in the case, sometimes have her second-guessing herself. Is she focussing on the wrong person?
Readers may well ask what ever possessed Webb to name her male lead after a vegetable, but there’s not much else to criticise. There’s plenty of action, twists and turns, and a few red herrings before the final reveal. And yes, that truth is pretty dark. Gripping crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer.
She’s there because, in the space of a week, the mutilated body of one teenaged girl has been found, and another has gone missing. There are plenty of locals who believe it’s the founder’s curse, the same curse that brought severe weather and saw the mutilation murder of two teens, twenty years earlier. Sarah has a reputation for debunking such myths, but quite a few townsfolk have something to hide, and don’t need her poking her nose in.
As the youngest elected member of the town’s council, and able to take time away from running the family’s lobster fishing business, Kale Conner has been tasked with babysitting Sarah. He’s been instructed to be as helpful as possible, although he can’t share everything that has been confidentially revealed. But Youngstown people are a good community, and he can’t believe one of them could commit such a heinous crime.
Information from Sarah’s sources is enough to conclude it’s not a random killing, but convincing Kale and the police chief that they need to look closer to home is a challenge, until the ME reveals something that points that way. There are some similarities to the decades-old murders, and there’s an urgency to find the missing teen before the worst happens.
Kale is distracted by his strong attraction to Sarah, while she’s trying to deny that the feeling is mutual. Sarah’s own traumatic childhood, and a years-ago bad breakup with the untrustworthy FBI profiler who inserts himself in the case, sometimes have her second-guessing herself. Is she focussing on the wrong person?
Readers may well ask what ever possessed Webb to name her male lead after a vegetable, but there’s not much else to criticise. There’s plenty of action, twists and turns, and a few red herrings before the final reveal. And yes, that truth is pretty dark. Gripping crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer.
April 14, 2026
Sarah Newton, an investigative journalist, travels to a small town in Maine in order to investigate the disappearances of two young women and compare them to the two who were found murdered two decades earlier. Sarah has a dark and creepy background herself which lends credence to her talent of telling when people are telling the truth and also has made her more than a few enemies. In the small town, she finds a friend in her appointed town guide, Kale, and together the two of them try to uncover the truth. This is a suspense mystery with a little horror wrapped around it, a blossoming romance, and a lot of possible suspects for Sarah to eliminate. This is a town where it’s obvious from the beginning of the story that someone is being deceptive, so the case is a perfect one for Sarah to delve into. The action is riveting, the plot is complicated and twisted with numerous red herrings, and the characters are believable, although some are quirky and downright bizarre. I enjoyed following the clues and trying to determine who was targeting the victims. I also wanted to find out the secrets Sarah was hiding and the reason she and journalist August had such bad blood between them instead of being able to work together. This book was a fantastically well-written trip through dark woods, caves and even into local inns, mountains and churches as Sarah left no stone unturned in her quest for the truth. The murders were horrific and not for the faint of heart, so that is my only warning to those who have a weak stomach and don’t like descriptions of the death scenes that are pretty gruesome. I enjoyed the setting in Maine since I lived in northern Maine for four years and can attest to the friendliness of the people once they get to know you as well as the cold and the isolation found in the rural areas. Reading this book brought back my memories of my years there and I could envision Sarah’s reaction to the cold climate and the relationships she formed there during her investigation. This book was compelling, scary and hard to put down, so it’s a highly recommend five plus stars from me.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Netgalley. 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 via Netgalley. 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 NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Debra Webb for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Book rating: 2
Release Date: 4/14/2026
Going into this one, I was expecting a tense, gripping thriller. Unfortunately, this one did not deliver that for me. Right off the bat I felt like I was missing a lot of vital background information with the main character. At one point I actually went to check to make sure I didn't accidentally request the second book in an already established series.
But my biggest issue with this book was the forced romance. It completely takes center stage with this book, while everything else fades in the background. We get no less than THREE sex scenes before anything remotely interesting with the investigation happens. I actually forgot we were supposed to be investigating a murder at one point. In addition, the romance itself didn't really even make sense to me. You get lines like "Why won't you trust me? Let me hold you like I want to, the way I know you need me to." You'd think this was uttered from a longtime boyfriend, but no, it's some guy she's known less than a week that's she's having casual sex with.
Aside from that, nothing really gets interesting in terms of the murder case until maybe the 80% mark and by then, I was sort of over it all. I really wanted to like this, and I think there was a lot of potential, but the focus on the romance at the expense of the mystery ultimately made this a difficult read for me.
I think readers who prefer heavy romance in their thrillers might enjoy this, but it wasn't the right fit for me.
Book rating: 2
Release Date: 4/14/2026
Going into this one, I was expecting a tense, gripping thriller. Unfortunately, this one did not deliver that for me. Right off the bat I felt like I was missing a lot of vital background information with the main character. At one point I actually went to check to make sure I didn't accidentally request the second book in an already established series.
But my biggest issue with this book was the forced romance. It completely takes center stage with this book, while everything else fades in the background. We get no less than THREE sex scenes before anything remotely interesting with the investigation happens. I actually forgot we were supposed to be investigating a murder at one point. In addition, the romance itself didn't really even make sense to me. You get lines like "Why won't you trust me? Let me hold you like I want to, the way I know you need me to." You'd think this was uttered from a longtime boyfriend, but no, it's some guy she's known less than a week that's she's having casual sex with.
Aside from that, nothing really gets interesting in terms of the murder case until maybe the 80% mark and by then, I was sort of over it all. I really wanted to like this, and I think there was a lot of potential, but the focus on the romance at the expense of the mystery ultimately made this a difficult read for me.
I think readers who prefer heavy romance in their thrillers might enjoy this, but it wasn't the right fit for me.
April 14, 2026
In a small rural town,Youngstown,Maine, a girl has been murdered in a brutal way. Another girl has gone missing. Investigative reporter, Sara Newton has arrived in town to solve the mystery of what happened here to these girls, who did it and why. Sara always seems to root out the truth from people even when they don't know she is doing it. She likes to "stir up the pot" so to speak and let the chips fall where they may. Making people uncomfortable is a skill she has mastered. Kale Conner, town councilman has been assigned the task of babysitting to make sure she doesn't stir up trouble or cause any while in town. The people are not too welcoming since they are superstitious, and they want to keep thier old town secrets kept secret. Two murders from two decades ago seem to play a role in what is happening now, and Sara is going to find the truth. Sara and Kale seem to have chemistry, but both seem to want to dodge the connection. Can they work together to solve the crimes committed before someone silences this skilled reporter from finding the truth?
This story was previously released as Find Me by Debra Webb. This author can write a story, and she draws you in with her characters and the plot every single time. From the moment you open the book you are following along with the characters as if you are solving the crime. Bit by bit, as Debra gives you the breadcrumbs to solve the case, you become invested in storyand can't seem to pit it down. I highly recommend this read as well as all of Debra's books because she is the master of writing a great story.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to experience this great read.
This story was previously released as Find Me by Debra Webb. This author can write a story, and she draws you in with her characters and the plot every single time. From the moment you open the book you are following along with the characters as if you are solving the crime. Bit by bit, as Debra gives you the breadcrumbs to solve the case, you become invested in storyand can't seem to pit it down. I highly recommend this read as well as all of Debra's books because she is the master of writing a great story.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to experience this great read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“The truth she worked so hard to uncover was never what anyone wanted to see or hear, no matter that the mystery was ultimately solved in the process.”
This book was a dark and atmospheric thriller that bordered on horror. This was a master class on immersive narrative style with vivid characters, gripping pacing, and oozing sinister vibes. Sarah was an investigative reporter with an uncanny talent for uncovering hidden truths in unsolved cases while tormented by a painful past. But that only fueled her tenacity for the truth at all costs. So she was used to the ire and wariness that her presence drew wherever she went, including from the people of her current case in the small town of Youngstown.
One girl was found brutally murdered while another remained missing. Met with skepticism and distrust wherever she went, Sarah found an unlikely ally in the young, handsome local councilman, Kale. His earnestness pierced through her layers of aloof, self-assured irreverence. Everyone in town had secrets and everyone was a suspect. The more people you met, the more mysterious and twisted this case became.
3🌶️’s for one longer intimate scene and two very brief ones. None were overly explicit and can be easily skipped without missing any vital information about the story or disrupting the pacing.
Thank you so much @debraewebb @amazonpublishing @netgalley for this advanced reader copy!
Tropes: thriller + mystery + small town + twisty + gruesome murders + TV show Fargo vibes + romantic suspense + PTSD rep + fast-paced + earnest MMC/jaded FMC + crime procedural
This book was a dark and atmospheric thriller that bordered on horror. This was a master class on immersive narrative style with vivid characters, gripping pacing, and oozing sinister vibes. Sarah was an investigative reporter with an uncanny talent for uncovering hidden truths in unsolved cases while tormented by a painful past. But that only fueled her tenacity for the truth at all costs. So she was used to the ire and wariness that her presence drew wherever she went, including from the people of her current case in the small town of Youngstown.
One girl was found brutally murdered while another remained missing. Met with skepticism and distrust wherever she went, Sarah found an unlikely ally in the young, handsome local councilman, Kale. His earnestness pierced through her layers of aloof, self-assured irreverence. Everyone in town had secrets and everyone was a suspect. The more people you met, the more mysterious and twisted this case became.
3🌶️’s for one longer intimate scene and two very brief ones. None were overly explicit and can be easily skipped without missing any vital information about the story or disrupting the pacing.
Thank you so much @debraewebb @amazonpublishing @netgalley for this advanced reader copy!
Tropes: thriller + mystery + small town + twisty + gruesome murders + TV show Fargo vibes + romantic suspense + PTSD rep + fast-paced + earnest MMC/jaded FMC + crime procedural
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 2.5⭐️
This is my first book from Debra Webb, and I had high expectations. Deep Dark Truth offered a few good twists and some very well‑written murder scenes, but overall, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I hoped.
The second half made the killer too easy to guess, which took away most of the tension.
I found the main character difficult to connect with. She often comes across as rude, reckless, arrogant, and selfish — not in a complex or interesting way, just hard to relate to. Many of her actions feel irrational and don’t match someone dealing with unhealed childhood trauma. The way her childhood story is introduced to the reader “backwards” made me wonder in the first half of the book if I had missed important details. The “Butcher” storyline, especially the part about her father’s death and the sausages, felt forced and extreme.
The pacing of the book is uneven as well: the tense scenes work, but other sections drag without adding much.
The romance was the weakest part for me. The instant‑crush turns into a serious relationship within a week, and the male lead is written in a way that doesn’t match his supposed strong, masculine personality. Some of his “gentle” lines felt out of place, and the intimate scenes felt artificial and didn’t add anything meaningful to the atmosphere.
In the end, this was an easy but unremarkable and forgettable read.
Rating: 2.5⭐️
This is my first book from Debra Webb, and I had high expectations. Deep Dark Truth offered a few good twists and some very well‑written murder scenes, but overall, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I hoped.
The second half made the killer too easy to guess, which took away most of the tension.
I found the main character difficult to connect with. She often comes across as rude, reckless, arrogant, and selfish — not in a complex or interesting way, just hard to relate to. Many of her actions feel irrational and don’t match someone dealing with unhealed childhood trauma. The way her childhood story is introduced to the reader “backwards” made me wonder in the first half of the book if I had missed important details. The “Butcher” storyline, especially the part about her father’s death and the sausages, felt forced and extreme.
The pacing of the book is uneven as well: the tense scenes work, but other sections drag without adding much.
The romance was the weakest part for me. The instant‑crush turns into a serious relationship within a week, and the male lead is written in a way that doesn’t match his supposed strong, masculine personality. Some of his “gentle” lines felt out of place, and the intimate scenes felt artificial and didn’t add anything meaningful to the atmosphere.
In the end, this was an easy but unremarkable and forgettable read.
May 5, 2026
Deep Dark Truth by Debra Webb pulled me in fast and did not let go. This had such a moody, atmospheric vibe, small coastal town, tight-knit community, and that underlying feeling that everyone knows more than they’re saying… and none of it is good.
Sarah Newton is exactly the kind of main character I love...smart, skeptical, and determined to chase the truth no matter how uncomfortable it gets. I really enjoyed how her investigative mindset clashed with the town’s belief in a curse. That tension between logic and superstition added an extra layer that kept the story feeling fresh and just a little eerie.
The plot itself moves at a steady, gripping pace. You think you’re starting to piece things together, and then, nope, another twist pulls the rug out from under you. And just when the case starts getting darker, Sarah’s own past creeps in, raising the stakes in a way that felt personal and intense.
What really stood out to me was the atmosphere. The setting almost felt like a character...isolated, secretive, and heavy with history. It created that constant sense of unease where you’re not quite sure who to trust…if anyone.
If you love mysteries with strong female leads, small-town secrets, and that blend of psychological tension with a touch of the eerie, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley, Debra Webb, and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this book.
Sarah Newton is exactly the kind of main character I love...smart, skeptical, and determined to chase the truth no matter how uncomfortable it gets. I really enjoyed how her investigative mindset clashed with the town’s belief in a curse. That tension between logic and superstition added an extra layer that kept the story feeling fresh and just a little eerie.
The plot itself moves at a steady, gripping pace. You think you’re starting to piece things together, and then, nope, another twist pulls the rug out from under you. And just when the case starts getting darker, Sarah’s own past creeps in, raising the stakes in a way that felt personal and intense.
What really stood out to me was the atmosphere. The setting almost felt like a character...isolated, secretive, and heavy with history. It created that constant sense of unease where you’re not quite sure who to trust…if anyone.
If you love mysteries with strong female leads, small-town secrets, and that blend of psychological tension with a touch of the eerie, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley, Debra Webb, and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a terrifying ride down a dark tunnel of dead bodies, an evil mind and a ticking time bomb. The only question on my mind was who was guilty because in this small Maine town the secrets and lies abound. I did not trust anyone.
When investigative reporter Sarah Newton arrives in town, she is not given a warm welcome. One young woman has been viciously killed and another is missing. Sarah is known for exposing the truth, even when it is painful. Her keen mind and fearlessness to find the truth have served her well in her job. Law enforcement and the people of this small town should be happy to have her in their town, but these people hold their secrets close to the vest, even when someone's life is in danger.
This neck snapping journey has more twists than a roller coaster. It was a master class in suspense and intrigue. Evil resides in this town, and just reading about it gave me chills. The ending almost did me in. Now I need to read something to make me laugh to cleanse my mind of the evil images I have imagined while reading this thriller. I do like a good mystery/thriller, and this one was right up my dark and twisty alley, even though it chilled me to the bone.
Thank you Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
When investigative reporter Sarah Newton arrives in town, she is not given a warm welcome. One young woman has been viciously killed and another is missing. Sarah is known for exposing the truth, even when it is painful. Her keen mind and fearlessness to find the truth have served her well in her job. Law enforcement and the people of this small town should be happy to have her in their town, but these people hold their secrets close to the vest, even when someone's life is in danger.
This neck snapping journey has more twists than a roller coaster. It was a master class in suspense and intrigue. Evil resides in this town, and just reading about it gave me chills. The ending almost did me in. Now I need to read something to make me laugh to cleanse my mind of the evil images I have imagined while reading this thriller. I do like a good mystery/thriller, and this one was right up my dark and twisty alley, even though it chilled me to the bone.
Thank you Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 22, 2026
Deep Dark Truth has a great hook, even if the execution doesn't totally land. The story follows investigative reporter Sarah Newton as she heads to a coastal town in Maine to debunk a local curse and prove that a regular old serial killer is behind a recent murder and disappearance. The absolute best part of the book is the setting. The author clearly loves the area, and she does an amazing job making this atmospheric coastal village feel incredibly real and vivid, which matches the vibe of the tense, well-written crime scenes perfectly.
The problem is that a few major issues kept me from fully getting into it. For starters, Sarah is really hard to like or root for. Instead of feeling like a complex character dealing with past trauma, she just comes across as rude, reckless, and selfish, and her backstory is revealed in a backward way that's more confusing than interesting. The pacing is also pretty hit-or-miss, dragging right when it needs momentum, and the killer is way too easy to guess by the halfway mark, which kills the suspense. Add in a rushed, totally unbelievable romance and some final twists that feel a bit ridiculous, and the ending just falls flat. It’s still a decent, easy-to-follow small-town mystery if you just want a quick thriller, but it's missing that extra spark to make it memorable.
The problem is that a few major issues kept me from fully getting into it. For starters, Sarah is really hard to like or root for. Instead of feeling like a complex character dealing with past trauma, she just comes across as rude, reckless, and selfish, and her backstory is revealed in a backward way that's more confusing than interesting. The pacing is also pretty hit-or-miss, dragging right when it needs momentum, and the killer is way too easy to guess by the halfway mark, which kills the suspense. Add in a rushed, totally unbelievable romance and some final twists that feel a bit ridiculous, and the ending just falls flat. It’s still a decent, easy-to-follow small-town mystery if you just want a quick thriller, but it's missing that extra spark to make it memorable.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A mystery story with lots of suspense and a pinch of romance.
It is a story that will grip you and you won't let it down until you find the truth.
The heroine is a troubled human being that tries to find the truth for every case without thinking the consequences most likely to herself. My heart ached for her and her childhood and everything that led her to become this version of her. And the vulnerability... A person can often be strong and seem independent or aloof but deep inside there's this vulnerability that don't let just anyone to have a peek.
But the hero, this sweet human being, who tried to hold his family together against his dreams, is there for the heroine despite his initial reluctance. And he did peek inside heroine's inner self.
I gave this story 4 stars because there were some minor inconsistencies and because I found a little bit slow in the first few chapters. But when action rolled...oh boy...I couldn't stop.
The villain of the story wasn't something extremely out of mind though I didn't suspect them, not until close to the end. And the epilogue I wonder is there going to be a sequel? It left some very gripping possibilities.
I received this arc by Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.
It is a story that will grip you and you won't let it down until you find the truth.
The heroine is a troubled human being that tries to find the truth for every case without thinking the consequences most likely to herself. My heart ached for her and her childhood and everything that led her to become this version of her. And the vulnerability... A person can often be strong and seem independent or aloof but deep inside there's this vulnerability that don't let just anyone to have a peek.
But the hero, this sweet human being, who tried to hold his family together against his dreams, is there for the heroine despite his initial reluctance. And he did peek inside heroine's inner self.
I gave this story 4 stars because there were some minor inconsistencies and because I found a little bit slow in the first few chapters. But when action rolled...oh boy...I couldn't stop.
The villain of the story wasn't something extremely out of mind though I didn't suspect them, not until close to the end. And the epilogue I wonder is there going to be a sequel? It left some very gripping possibilities.
I received this arc by Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In a small, tight-knit town in Maine, someone has killed a young woman in a ritualistic murder. The townspeople don’t believe that someone from their town would have committed these murders, so they are trying to convince themselves that it’s a curse.
Sarah Newton, an investigative reporter who specializes in debunking myths and superstitions, is headed there for her next story. Her reputation precedes her, so the sheriff doesn’t want her running loose in the town and assigns Kale to babysit her.
The story is a fast-paced thriller. The FMC has a secret over her own that drives her to these kinds of cases. She and Kale both hide and don’t want to be vulnerable with anyone, but they can’t fight their attraction. While there is a romance, it is a subplot in the background of all that is unfolding.
The story kept me guessing, and I never figured out who the killer was. The book asks an interesting question: “If a parent is a murderer, is the child genetically predisposed to being one?” The ending hints that there might be a sequel in the future.
It’s my first book by the author and I definitely plan to read some of her others.
Thanks to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the advance listener copy in return for my review.
Sarah Newton, an investigative reporter who specializes in debunking myths and superstitions, is headed there for her next story. Her reputation precedes her, so the sheriff doesn’t want her running loose in the town and assigns Kale to babysit her.
The story is a fast-paced thriller. The FMC has a secret over her own that drives her to these kinds of cases. She and Kale both hide and don’t want to be vulnerable with anyone, but they can’t fight their attraction. While there is a romance, it is a subplot in the background of all that is unfolding.
The story kept me guessing, and I never figured out who the killer was. The book asks an interesting question: “If a parent is a murderer, is the child genetically predisposed to being one?” The ending hints that there might be a sequel in the future.
It’s my first book by the author and I definitely plan to read some of her others.
Thanks to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the advance listener copy in return for my review.
April 15, 2026
🎧ALC from Brilliance Audio via NetGalley
📚Deep Dark Truth by Debra Webb
🎙️Narrated by Stephanie Németh-Parker
✨Released 4.14.26
👀This is the kind of ending that’s going to live rent free in my head for a long time.👀
Small town. Secrets. Lies. Corruption. Drama. And murder.
This one pulls you in fast and keeps that steady, immersive tension all the way through. It’s not full of wild, out-of-nowhere twists, but the ending? Definitely a wtf just happened kind of moment that makes you sit with it for a second.
I loved the strong female investigator and the outsider-coming-in-to-shake-things-up dynamic. The atmosphere, the buried secrets, the slow unraveling of what’s really going on in this town… all of that worked for me.
Minimal spice 👏 which I always appreciate in a thriller like this.
🎧 The narration made this so easy to stay fully immersed.
This is my second book by Debra Webb and I’m already wanting to go back and devour her backlist.
✨ Just released today, and I’m so glad I got to read this early.
✨Solid, immersive, and just unsettling enough to leave you thinking after the final chapter.
📚Deep Dark Truth by Debra Webb
🎙️Narrated by Stephanie Németh-Parker
✨Released 4.14.26
👀This is the kind of ending that’s going to live rent free in my head for a long time.👀
Small town. Secrets. Lies. Corruption. Drama. And murder.
This one pulls you in fast and keeps that steady, immersive tension all the way through. It’s not full of wild, out-of-nowhere twists, but the ending? Definitely a wtf just happened kind of moment that makes you sit with it for a second.
I loved the strong female investigator and the outsider-coming-in-to-shake-things-up dynamic. The atmosphere, the buried secrets, the slow unraveling of what’s really going on in this town… all of that worked for me.
Minimal spice 👏 which I always appreciate in a thriller like this.
🎧 The narration made this so easy to stay fully immersed.
This is my second book by Debra Webb and I’m already wanting to go back and devour her backlist.
✨ Just released today, and I’m so glad I got to read this early.
✨Solid, immersive, and just unsettling enough to leave you thinking after the final chapter.
April 18, 2026
This is another author that keeps coming up with fresh ideas and turning out a lot of books. This one is a reissue under a new name
A crime novel with a journalist at the center of the investigation. She’s digging up dirt on the case of a missing girl in a small Maine town. I loved the snowing setting. It added to the atmosphere of case. It made the urgency of things more immediate.
The case is dark and complex with the thoughts it’s someone in the town it even seems a little evil. There’s a hint of romance in the middle of the danger. Not enough to be the reason you read it, but I liked rooting for the couple.
I liked Sarah and how she approached things a little differently than a cop would. She’s dogged in her sleuthing and leaves no stone unturned. With the amount of characters, there’s plenty of suspects to engage the reader trying to outwit her and solve it first.
Stephanie Németh-Parker narrates the audiobook and brings the emotion, tension and peril to life. I enjoyed her performance.
A crime novel with a journalist at the center of the investigation. She’s digging up dirt on the case of a missing girl in a small Maine town. I loved the snowing setting. It added to the atmosphere of case. It made the urgency of things more immediate.
The case is dark and complex with the thoughts it’s someone in the town it even seems a little evil. There’s a hint of romance in the middle of the danger. Not enough to be the reason you read it, but I liked rooting for the couple.
I liked Sarah and how she approached things a little differently than a cop would. She’s dogged in her sleuthing and leaves no stone unturned. With the amount of characters, there’s plenty of suspects to engage the reader trying to outwit her and solve it first.
Stephanie Németh-Parker narrates the audiobook and brings the emotion, tension and peril to life. I enjoyed her performance.
April 21, 2026
Sarah is an investigative reporter who has traveled from NYC to a small town in Maine to investigate a series of murders that involve young girls. The townspeople claim it’s an ancient curse that is the cause of the murders, but Sarah doesn’t buy it.
It’s a toss up at first glance as to who has more secrets in this book - the FMC or the townspeople. The story was a bit of a slow start for me, but the pace quickly picked up in the second half. I liked the constant twists towards the end of the book and seemed to throw you off the trail of the killer. As with all of this author’s books that I’ve read, the story doesn’t lack for details. The author is very descriptive and you feel like you are walking alongside the characters. The only thing I didn’t care for was the scattered details of the FMC’s past. I would have liked to have more of them worked into the beginning of the book as it lead to some confusion as to if I missed something while I was reading. *Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!
It’s a toss up at first glance as to who has more secrets in this book - the FMC or the townspeople. The story was a bit of a slow start for me, but the pace quickly picked up in the second half. I liked the constant twists towards the end of the book and seemed to throw you off the trail of the killer. As with all of this author’s books that I’ve read, the story doesn’t lack for details. The author is very descriptive and you feel like you are walking alongside the characters. The only thing I didn’t care for was the scattered details of the FMC’s past. I would have liked to have more of them worked into the beginning of the book as it lead to some confusion as to if I missed something while I was reading. *Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!
April 26, 2026
In the small town of Youngstown, Maine two girls are found brutally murdered in the same chapel where, 20 years ago, 2 other girls were murdered in a similar way. Some townspeople think it’s a curse, others think it is the Devil himself. No one wants to believe there could be a murderer living among them. When investigative journalist Sarah Newton shows up, some are happy she is there to help, but others are worried their secrets will be discovered.
I devoured this ARC. Deep Dark Truth is a fast paced, suspenseful story where there is no shortage of suspicious characters. Sarah Newton is a strong female character with an interesting and unusual past.
Deep Dark Truth is part of a series, but can easily be read as a stand alone novel. The author gives enough background so the reader will not feel lost. I look forward to going back to the beginning of this series to dive deeper into Sarah Newton’s past.
Thank you Netgalley , Debra Webb, and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
I devoured this ARC. Deep Dark Truth is a fast paced, suspenseful story where there is no shortage of suspicious characters. Sarah Newton is a strong female character with an interesting and unusual past.
Deep Dark Truth is part of a series, but can easily be read as a stand alone novel. The author gives enough background so the reader will not feel lost. I look forward to going back to the beginning of this series to dive deeper into Sarah Newton’s past.
Thank you Netgalley , Debra Webb, and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
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