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Dark and Dangerous #3
The Fatal Confidant
An aspiring DA must put his trust in a criminally seductive fixer in a twisty thriller about secrets, manipulation, and murder by USA Today bestselling author Debra Webb.
Deputy district attorney Carson Tanner is nicknamed the Avenger for good reason. Fifteen years ago, the murder of Carson’s family fueled an unrelenting need for justice. His latest investigation into Birmingham crime boss Otis Fleming is a career maker—if he can crack Fleming’s closest confidant.
Annette Baxter is a fierce and cunning fixer who makes the dirty deeds of the city’s elite disappear. She’s ready to turn on Fleming to save herself—but Carson may not be ready to face all the secrets she protects.
Annette claims there’s more to Carson’s brutal past than he could have imagined, and a string of new murders suggests that someone in town is tidying up loose ends. Can he trust her long enough to find the truth? Can she trust him long enough to survive?
Revised edition: Previously published as Faceless, this edition of The Fatal Confidant includes editorial revisions.
Deputy district attorney Carson Tanner is nicknamed the Avenger for good reason. Fifteen years ago, the murder of Carson’s family fueled an unrelenting need for justice. His latest investigation into Birmingham crime boss Otis Fleming is a career maker—if he can crack Fleming’s closest confidant.
Annette Baxter is a fierce and cunning fixer who makes the dirty deeds of the city’s elite disappear. She’s ready to turn on Fleming to save herself—but Carson may not be ready to face all the secrets she protects.
Annette claims there’s more to Carson’s brutal past than he could have imagined, and a string of new murders suggests that someone in town is tidying up loose ends. Can he trust her long enough to find the truth? Can she trust him long enough to survive?
Revised edition: Previously published as Faceless, this edition of The Fatal Confidant includes editorial revisions.
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 29, 2008
216 people are currently reading
5193 people want to read
About the author
Debra Webb
549 books2,394 followersDEBRA WEBB is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 170 novels, including reader favorites the Finley O'Sullivan and Devlin & Falco series. She is the recipient of the prestigious Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Romantic Suspense as well as numerous Reviewers Choice Awards. In 2012 Debra was honored as the first recipient of the esteemed L. A. Banks Warrior Woman Award for her courage, strength, and grace in the face of adversity. Recently Debra was awarded the distinguished Centennial Award for having achieved publication of her 100th novel.
With more than four million books in print in numerous languages and countries, Debra’s love of storytelling goes back to her childhood when her mother bought her an old typewriter in a tag sale. Born in Alabama, Debra grew up on a farm. She spent every available hour exploring the world around her and creating her stories. She wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the Commanding General of the US Army in Berlin behind the Iron Curtain and a five-year stint in NASA’s Shuttle Program that she realized her true calling. A collision course between suspense and romance was set. Since then she has expanded her work into some of the darkest places the human psyche dares to go. Visit Debra at www.debrawebb.com.
With more than four million books in print in numerous languages and countries, Debra’s love of storytelling goes back to her childhood when her mother bought her an old typewriter in a tag sale. Born in Alabama, Debra grew up on a farm. She spent every available hour exploring the world around her and creating her stories. She wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the Commanding General of the US Army in Berlin behind the Iron Curtain and a five-year stint in NASA’s Shuttle Program that she realized her true calling. A collision course between suspense and romance was set. Since then she has expanded her work into some of the darkest places the human psyche dares to go. Visit Debra at www.debrawebb.com.
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February 18, 2026
Law & Disorder: Birmingham.
In The Fatal Confidant, Debra Webb revises her earlier novel Faceless into a new edition, but no amount of polish can quite sand down the rough edges of this '90s-style noir throwback. The result is a mash-up complete with femme fatales, dirty cops and politicians, and one very distracted deputy district attorney.
Deputy DA Carson Tanner, nicknamed "the Avenger," has built his career chasing the kind of justice his murdered family never got. His big break arrives when he's tasked with flipping Annette Baxter, the icy, seductive fixer for a Birmingham crime boss. Annette, for her part, doesn't seem to be particularly eager to betray her employer to save her own skin - and the secrets she carries threaten to upend Carson's entire life.
It's a promising setup, but unfortunately the execution never quite matches the intrigue. Carson spends far too much time thinking with parts of himself unrelated to his legal credentials, and not surprisingly, his internal monologue veers staunchly more locker room than law enforcement. Justice may be blind… but apparently not to cleavage. The unnecessary profanity doesn't add grit so much as it does cheapen the atmosphere, making the whole thing feel more cable movie than clever thriller.
When the actual mystery finally kicks into gear, the pace improves to an almost manic frenzy, and while the whole setup becomes much more enjoyable at that point, overall it still plays like a collage of well-worn noir tropes: the too-sexy-to-trust informant, the do-gooder lead astray by his nether regions, the paranoid schizophrenic who might have a point, and the corruption web so vast it threatens to collapse under its own implausibility. By the time the big reveal lands, it's less "gotcha" and more "of course" - though for all the predictability of the whodunnit by that point, the motive for all the mayhem is so absurd, it's impossible to guess. Also, maybe it's just me, but what was the significance of the rings? Why even take them? And why hide them?
I did enjoy reading the acknowledgments and learning about the author's connection to Birmingham, but she certainly didn't paint it in a way that makes me want to visit anytime soon. In fact, the city itself felt more like a vague backdrop than a living setting.
If you're nostalgic for the kind of 90's thriller that would have starred Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone lighting cigarettes in soft focus - complete with a police interrogation where the femme fatale repeatedly crosses and uncrosses her legs without wearing underwear (yes, that scene is in there) - this might just hit your guilty-pleasure sweet spot.
While I have read and enjoyed previous books by this author, I haven't read the original Faceless , so I can't comment on the editorial revisions made to this edition, but The Fatal Confidant at least proves that not every secret needs to be unearthed.
Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"The Fatal Confidant" was published on February 17, 2026, and is available now.
In The Fatal Confidant, Debra Webb revises her earlier novel Faceless into a new edition, but no amount of polish can quite sand down the rough edges of this '90s-style noir throwback. The result is a mash-up complete with femme fatales, dirty cops and politicians, and one very distracted deputy district attorney.
Deputy DA Carson Tanner, nicknamed "the Avenger," has built his career chasing the kind of justice his murdered family never got. His big break arrives when he's tasked with flipping Annette Baxter, the icy, seductive fixer for a Birmingham crime boss. Annette, for her part, doesn't seem to be particularly eager to betray her employer to save her own skin - and the secrets she carries threaten to upend Carson's entire life.
It's a promising setup, but unfortunately the execution never quite matches the intrigue. Carson spends far too much time thinking with parts of himself unrelated to his legal credentials, and not surprisingly, his internal monologue veers staunchly more locker room than law enforcement. Justice may be blind… but apparently not to cleavage. The unnecessary profanity doesn't add grit so much as it does cheapen the atmosphere, making the whole thing feel more cable movie than clever thriller.
When the actual mystery finally kicks into gear, the pace improves to an almost manic frenzy, and while the whole setup becomes much more enjoyable at that point, overall it still plays like a collage of well-worn noir tropes: the too-sexy-to-trust informant, the do-gooder lead astray by his nether regions, the paranoid schizophrenic who might have a point, and the corruption web so vast it threatens to collapse under its own implausibility. By the time the big reveal lands, it's less "gotcha" and more "of course" - though for all the predictability of the whodunnit by that point, the motive for all the mayhem is so absurd, it's impossible to guess. Also, maybe it's just me, but what was the significance of the rings? Why even take them? And why hide them?
I did enjoy reading the acknowledgments and learning about the author's connection to Birmingham, but she certainly didn't paint it in a way that makes me want to visit anytime soon. In fact, the city itself felt more like a vague backdrop than a living setting.
If you're nostalgic for the kind of 90's thriller that would have starred Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone lighting cigarettes in soft focus - complete with a police interrogation where the femme fatale repeatedly crosses and uncrosses her legs without wearing underwear (yes, that scene is in there) - this might just hit your guilty-pleasure sweet spot.
While I have read and enjoyed previous books by this author, I haven't read the original Faceless , so I can't comment on the editorial revisions made to this edition, but The Fatal Confidant at least proves that not every secret needs to be unearthed.
Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"The Fatal Confidant" was published on February 17, 2026, and is available now.
June 17, 2008
Reviewed for queuemyreview.com; book release August 2008
I should confess from the start…I am not a big fan of conspiracy theories. So I was probably the wrong person to read and review “Faceless” by Debra Webb. Once I figured out how just how many ‘dirty’ police, politicians, doctors, lawyers, etc were involved, the story was far outside the bounds of believability for me and that pretty much put paid to my enjoyment of the rest of the novel.
There are a whole lot of moving pieces to this story. I had a difficult time keeping track of them all, especially when the actions of several parties are recounted just using ‘she’ or ‘he’, I’m guessing to heighten the suspense, but it just made it all the more confusing for me. The plot advancement felt very jerky/jumpy for me, first here and then there and then back over here again. The denouement pulled out some new and very surprising information, pretty much making it impossible for the reader to figure out the mystery.
The heroine is a criminal, but she’s the product of her environment and that’s supposed to make it all better. She’s an extortionist, accessory to murder, graft, embezzlement, and just about any other crime you can think of. She covers these crimes up for people and takes lots of money to do so. I didn’t particularly admire her.
The hero is a young and upcoming District Attorney who is supposedly very smart and a go-getter, but he never even had a whiff of suspicion that something was going on? Not too smart. He allows a total stranger to seduce him after a short meeting a bar. Not too smart. I wasn’t particularly impressed with him either.
I didn’t feel any real relationship building between the lead characters. I think the fact that the heroine felt ‘something’ for the first time during sex was supposed to be meaningful and lead to the assumption that she feels something for the hero? After a 10 minute discussion and a hotel sex encounter? I don’t think so.
I didn’t enjoy “Faceless” by Debra Webb.
I should confess from the start…I am not a big fan of conspiracy theories. So I was probably the wrong person to read and review “Faceless” by Debra Webb. Once I figured out how just how many ‘dirty’ police, politicians, doctors, lawyers, etc were involved, the story was far outside the bounds of believability for me and that pretty much put paid to my enjoyment of the rest of the novel.
There are a whole lot of moving pieces to this story. I had a difficult time keeping track of them all, especially when the actions of several parties are recounted just using ‘she’ or ‘he’, I’m guessing to heighten the suspense, but it just made it all the more confusing for me. The plot advancement felt very jerky/jumpy for me, first here and then there and then back over here again. The denouement pulled out some new and very surprising information, pretty much making it impossible for the reader to figure out the mystery.
The heroine is a criminal, but she’s the product of her environment and that’s supposed to make it all better. She’s an extortionist, accessory to murder, graft, embezzlement, and just about any other crime you can think of. She covers these crimes up for people and takes lots of money to do so. I didn’t particularly admire her.
The hero is a young and upcoming District Attorney who is supposedly very smart and a go-getter, but he never even had a whiff of suspicion that something was going on? Not too smart. He allows a total stranger to seduce him after a short meeting a bar. Not too smart. I wasn’t particularly impressed with him either.
I didn’t feel any real relationship building between the lead characters. I think the fact that the heroine felt ‘something’ for the first time during sex was supposed to be meaningful and lead to the assumption that she feels something for the hero? After a 10 minute discussion and a hotel sex encounter? I don’t think so.
I didn’t enjoy “Faceless” by Debra Webb.
December 8, 2025
Carson Tanner has earned a reputation in Birmingham’s courts as a relentless prosecutor, a man driven by tragedy. The slaughter of his family years ago carved into him a hunger for retribution that never dulled. Now, his pursuit of notorious crime lord Otis Fleming could define his career—if he can pry open the secrets held by Fleming’s most loyal associate.
That associate is Annette Baxter, a sharp, calculating operator who specializes in erasing the sins of the cities powerful. She’s prepared to betray Fleming to save herself, but the truths she carries may cut deeper than Carson is ready to confront. As fresh bodies begin to surface, it becomes clear someone is cleaning house. Carson must decide whether Annette’s revelations are the key to justice or another trap—and Annette must gamble on whether trusting him is her only chance to stay alive.
This is the first book that I have read by this author, but it definitely will not be the last. This novel delivered everything I look for in a great read. The plot was tightly woven, full of momentum, and packed with twists that kept me turning pages late into the night. Every development felt purposeful, building toward a conclusion that was both satisfying and surprising.
The characters were equally impressive, layered, believable, and compelling enough to make me care deeply about their journeys. Their interactions felt authentic, and each one added something vital to the story. Together, the strong narrative and memorable cast held my attention from the very first chapter to the final page. It’s the kind of book that reminds you why you love reading
.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
That associate is Annette Baxter, a sharp, calculating operator who specializes in erasing the sins of the cities powerful. She’s prepared to betray Fleming to save herself, but the truths she carries may cut deeper than Carson is ready to confront. As fresh bodies begin to surface, it becomes clear someone is cleaning house. Carson must decide whether Annette’s revelations are the key to justice or another trap—and Annette must gamble on whether trusting him is her only chance to stay alive.
This is the first book that I have read by this author, but it definitely will not be the last. This novel delivered everything I look for in a great read. The plot was tightly woven, full of momentum, and packed with twists that kept me turning pages late into the night. Every development felt purposeful, building toward a conclusion that was both satisfying and surprising.
The characters were equally impressive, layered, believable, and compelling enough to make me care deeply about their journeys. Their interactions felt authentic, and each one added something vital to the story. Together, the strong narrative and memorable cast held my attention from the very first chapter to the final page. It’s the kind of book that reminds you why you love reading
.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
December 21, 2018
h was a great character. H was portrayed as being just as great but he came across as a lesser character than h.
I also seriously disliked the way he wore blinkers about his boss, nutty OW's father and nutty OW as well till the very last.
I seriously liked the h; for me she was the stronger of the two of them
But overall an enjoyable read
I also seriously disliked the way he wore blinkers about his boss, nutty OW's father and nutty OW as well till the very last.
I seriously liked the h; for me she was the stronger of the two of them
But overall an enjoyable read
November 9, 2008
I enjoyed this book immensely, unlike Julie. I felt just as she did, more or less, about the protagonists but am a lot more sympathetic and a lot more impressed with Annette than Julie was. Carson made me want to create a new Bookshelf 'Dickhead Heroes', not because they're assholes but because at the time of the story, they meet a woman who makes their brain decide to shift HQ to their dick.
As I read the bar scene between Carson and Annette, I was yelling at him in my head, "Leave NOW! Go. Do NOT say another word to this female. No, MORON! IDJIT!" and I kinda feel that way about him throughout the book. I'm trying to find an excuse so I can feel better about him but the author doesn't develop the romance, being totally focused on playing out these critical 6 days in the lives of the Politician And The Whore.
Now, Annette. I did admire her for her ability to survive so long and do so well for herself. By that I don't mean she should be lauded for her criminal lifestyle but I do admire her for her ability to end up in a luxury penthouse rather than the gutter; for having control of her life rather than still having a pimp. I liked this book precisely because it did not have a typical romance heroine who starts out as a sexually abused kid who makes something good and socially acceptable of herself. Annette is everything most romance authors would NOT create for a heroine because, as a rule, we still want good, law-abiding, warm, loving women for our heroes to love and cherish. Annette is the total opposite - she's never had an orgasm, glad she's moved past her whoring days and no longer needs to use sex to pay the bills but doesn't blink an eye being a Trouble-shooter of a certain kind for the wealthy and powerful. I loved Annette for her amoral self because I could see in her all the pain of her tortured childhood and am glad she's getting a chance now to live her life differently, to love and trust someone at long last. To enjoy sex.
And to have an orgasm.
Usually, I would have thrown the book aside once I realize the hero's a moron but Faceless was such a fast, tight-paced book that I found myself reading on and finishing the book in almost one sitting. The entire story takes place in a space of one week so relationship-wise, Carson's and Annette's feelings for each other was realistic. When the book ends, their relationship is just beginning and Annette is willing to explore where it will take her.
I would have preferred to have one more chapter before the ending just to enjoy a time-out between Carson and Annette...to let Annette take it slow and easy this time having some love-making with Carson and for him to redeem himself just a bit with me. Would that be possible for him to do? Yes, because he did suffer enormous trauma following a fight with his mom and returning home to find her and the rest of the family butchered. He shuts off after that and focuses on his career and is the upcoming star, set to become the next DA. For 15 years he's not allowed himself much introspection and like any regular male, throws himself 100% into work. He's had no social life at all, no relationships and can't even remember when he last got laid, handsome, well-connected and rich as he is.
Yeah, Ms Webb could easily have made him more a typical romance hero at the end but having expended all her energies on this single week in the lives of this couple, it was as if she ran out of gas and felt too exhausted to develop the romance. Yes, there are a lot of developments as Julie said, with a lot of characters in a space of 6 days but unlike many other RS books I've read, I could keep track of them all and followed the scenes much better than I do for many books.
I enjoyed this book more than Nameless, which I loved, BTW, but mainly because of the way the H&H's lives played out in these intense 6 days, giving me a 'suspense title with a hint of a romance' that far exceeds what I was getting from Banks' Three-men-and-a-Lady book. Having said all this, I still do wish Webb would give me more romance and a less tortured hero who can multi-task (meaning he can work his brains at the same time as his dick). I'm also putting Webb on my Watch-out list because I feel she's straying too much into the Suspense category. In fact, by my standards, Faceless isn't a Romantic Suspense anymore and I may not buy her next book for this reason.
As I read the bar scene between Carson and Annette, I was yelling at him in my head, "Leave NOW! Go. Do NOT say another word to this female. No, MORON! IDJIT!" and I kinda feel that way about him throughout the book. I'm trying to find an excuse so I can feel better about him but the author doesn't develop the romance, being totally focused on playing out these critical 6 days in the lives of the Politician And The Whore.
Now, Annette. I did admire her for her ability to survive so long and do so well for herself. By that I don't mean she should be lauded for her criminal lifestyle but I do admire her for her ability to end up in a luxury penthouse rather than the gutter; for having control of her life rather than still having a pimp. I liked this book precisely because it did not have a typical romance heroine who starts out as a sexually abused kid who makes something good and socially acceptable of herself. Annette is everything most romance authors would NOT create for a heroine because, as a rule, we still want good, law-abiding, warm, loving women for our heroes to love and cherish. Annette is the total opposite - she's never had an orgasm, glad she's moved past her whoring days and no longer needs to use sex to pay the bills but doesn't blink an eye being a Trouble-shooter of a certain kind for the wealthy and powerful. I loved Annette for her amoral self because I could see in her all the pain of her tortured childhood and am glad she's getting a chance now to live her life differently, to love and trust someone at long last. To enjoy sex.
And to have an orgasm.
Usually, I would have thrown the book aside once I realize the hero's a moron but Faceless was such a fast, tight-paced book that I found myself reading on and finishing the book in almost one sitting. The entire story takes place in a space of one week so relationship-wise, Carson's and Annette's feelings for each other was realistic. When the book ends, their relationship is just beginning and Annette is willing to explore where it will take her.
I would have preferred to have one more chapter before the ending just to enjoy a time-out between Carson and Annette...to let Annette take it slow and easy this time having some love-making with Carson and for him to redeem himself just a bit with me. Would that be possible for him to do? Yes, because he did suffer enormous trauma following a fight with his mom and returning home to find her and the rest of the family butchered. He shuts off after that and focuses on his career and is the upcoming star, set to become the next DA. For 15 years he's not allowed himself much introspection and like any regular male, throws himself 100% into work. He's had no social life at all, no relationships and can't even remember when he last got laid, handsome, well-connected and rich as he is.
Yeah, Ms Webb could easily have made him more a typical romance hero at the end but having expended all her energies on this single week in the lives of this couple, it was as if she ran out of gas and felt too exhausted to develop the romance. Yes, there are a lot of developments as Julie said, with a lot of characters in a space of 6 days but unlike many other RS books I've read, I could keep track of them all and followed the scenes much better than I do for many books.
I enjoyed this book more than Nameless, which I loved, BTW, but mainly because of the way the H&H's lives played out in these intense 6 days, giving me a 'suspense title with a hint of a romance' that far exceeds what I was getting from Banks' Three-men-and-a-Lady book. Having said all this, I still do wish Webb would give me more romance and a less tortured hero who can multi-task (meaning he can work his brains at the same time as his dick). I'm also putting Webb on my Watch-out list because I feel she's straying too much into the Suspense category. In fact, by my standards, Faceless isn't a Romantic Suspense anymore and I may not buy her next book for this reason.
February 17, 2026
After losing his family to a violent murder when he was a teen, Carson Tanner is now a Deputy DA and still seeking the truth about who killed his family. In his quest for true justice, he runs into obstacles, deception from surprising sources and a female who is as determined as he is to expose the truth about what is happening in their small corner of the world. Annette Baker is a femme fatale who uses all of her ability to entice and seduce to try to trap Carson, but she may be in fly in the spider’s web herself. This book is multi-layered, full of steam and mean. The steam is with Annette and Carson and the mean are some manipulative and underhanded characters who don’t want anyone to find out the truth about Carson’s family and other crimes in the town. There is a crime boss, but Fleming may be a victim himself of those who are really in charge. This book was fast-paced with twists that rocked my world as I kept thinking I had things figured out and then found out a chapter or so later that I really didn’t. The relationships between the characters was fascinating and the way the villains were exposed was masterfully written. I enjoyed the gripping plot with the crisp writing that is a signature of the author. I am not a fan of steam, but those scenes did add to the realistic portrayal of Annette as a siren waiting to sound off. With nail-biting suspense and explosive complications, this book is memorable and skillfully written to captivate and intrigue.
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.
February 24, 2026
The Fatal Confidant by Debra Webb is a crime/political thriller with light romance.
The first 50% was a bit confusing to keep track off as it was told from many points of view and it had a lot of character building as each character played a specific part so it was a bit confusing to keep track of.
However the last 50% was easier to follow along as it got twisty and turny.
It had me gripped to find out whether Carson Tanner, the MMC would actually find out the truth of what happened 15 years ago and everything to date.
The first 50% was a bit confusing to keep track off as it was told from many points of view and it had a lot of character building as each character played a specific part so it was a bit confusing to keep track of.
However the last 50% was easier to follow along as it got twisty and turny.
It had me gripped to find out whether Carson Tanner, the MMC would actually find out the truth of what happened 15 years ago and everything to date.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Debra Webb is an auto read for me and The Fatal Confident was another great work by Webb. Part of the Faces of Evil series, it's full of secrets It focuses on secrets and how your past can affect your present.
Carson's family was murdered fifteen years ago. There's a new Deputy District Attorney who sees connections to Carson's family murders and cases that he's prosecuting he begins to notice unsettling connections between the cases he’s prosecuting. His reevaluations are putting his life in danger. Will he solve the cold case of the family's murders?
The book is fast paced and had me hooked.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for allowing me to read this ARC.
Carson's family was murdered fifteen years ago. There's a new Deputy District Attorney who sees connections to Carson's family murders and cases that he's prosecuting he begins to notice unsettling connections between the cases he’s prosecuting. His reevaluations are putting his life in danger. Will he solve the cold case of the family's murders?
The book is fast paced and had me hooked.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for allowing me to read this ARC.
May 25, 2022
A well written thriller/political/crime/romance. (Light on the romance). The first half was very confusing, as there were so many points of view from different characters - all contained within their own small chapters. I almost returned it to KU early on, but at 50% the story got quite gripping and I finished it in one sitting. There are lots of twists and turns and you really have to concentrate to pick up everything that's going on. I will say I sort of figured out the identity of the murderer at about 80%, but not why. A surprising ending. 3.5 stars.
May 20, 2019
ABOVE THE LAW!!!
How do you get the truth if no one will listen? This is the problem the heroine repeatedly faced. Especially with high powered wealthy.
How do you get the truth if no one will listen? This is the problem the heroine repeatedly faced. Especially with high powered wealthy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Protagonist and Antagonist Join Forces
In the middle of the night, a woman is in the middle of a forest. Every noise is spooking her. She must do this and get out. She digs a hole. She must hide this mess. Getting caught would not be good. She places two gold rings in a tin can and crushes the top. She was hiding the final pieces of a 15-year-old unsolved crime. She was going to survive. Returning to her car, she still had one problem. Where to hide the body. From this scene, a very captivating novel started for me.
This novel only has three main storyline threads. The first thread starts the novel and recurs throughout it. Deputy District Attorney Tanner wants to know who killed his family 15 years ago. In the main thread, Tanner is offered a case that could make his goal of becoming the District Attorney a shoo-in. He needs to turn Annette Baxter into a witness against her mentor and confidante, Otis Fleming. In the second thread, Baxter, realizing that she is a target for elimination, tries to turn Tanner to protect her from having to take a deal that would mean a prison term. She can't go to prison right now. She strikes first. While Tanner joins forces with Baxter, it doesn't stop them from pursuing their original goals. Much of the time, their relationship seems like a game of cat and mouse, but it is not clear who is the cat and who is the mouse. The Tanner's problems started early when there was a difference between what the district attorney told him and what the FBI agent told him. To keep the tension elevated, there are multiple attempts to kill both Tanner and Baxter. The author kept what really happened well hidden. Trying to figure that out, along with the previous two aspects, quickly captured my interest. For reading, the pace was fast and clear.
There are two B-storylines in this novel. The first is between Tanner and his childhood girlfriend, Elizabeth. They were both forced to move away as teenagers at their parents' insistence. She's now the Deputy Mayor and is the mayor's representative monitoring this investigation. The second thread is between Tanner and Baxter. While Tanner kept trying to keep their personal relationship above board, but his heart and body were not cooperating. Tanner often reminisces about his early relationship with Elizabeth and regrets his last words to his mother. For me, Tanner's character development was very good. These threads did enhance my enjoyment of the reading.
Aspects that can cause readers to stop reading are present in this novel. Multiple intimate scenes and actions occur throughout the novel, including a crime against a woman. Profanity has a strong appearance along with impious language. While much violence is portrayed as it occurs, it is not excessive. More details were in the description of the 15-year-old murder of the Tanner family. This aspect should not be found objectionable by most readers. I cannot say that about intimate scenes and language. This novel is a standalone novel, so there is no problem with what happened in an earlier novel.
This novel is excellent, but for the intimate scenes. Instead of decreasing the star rating, the caveat of let the reader be forewarned about the adult content is more appropriate. The high point for me was the two reveal chapters at the end. A tuisami-level twist occurs in the first of those chapters. I stopped reading. My first thought was a line from Robert Graves's novel Claudius the God, written by Emperor Claudius: "Let all the poisons that lurk in the mud hatch out." This line sums up this chapter and the novel as a whole for me so well. I have read six of her novels and purchased three more to read. I highly recommend reading this novel. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I rate it with five stars.
I received the free pre-publication e-book version of this novel from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley. My review is based solely on my own reading experience. Thank you, Thomas and Mercer, for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.
In the middle of the night, a woman is in the middle of a forest. Every noise is spooking her. She must do this and get out. She digs a hole. She must hide this mess. Getting caught would not be good. She places two gold rings in a tin can and crushes the top. She was hiding the final pieces of a 15-year-old unsolved crime. She was going to survive. Returning to her car, she still had one problem. Where to hide the body. From this scene, a very captivating novel started for me.
This novel only has three main storyline threads. The first thread starts the novel and recurs throughout it. Deputy District Attorney Tanner wants to know who killed his family 15 years ago. In the main thread, Tanner is offered a case that could make his goal of becoming the District Attorney a shoo-in. He needs to turn Annette Baxter into a witness against her mentor and confidante, Otis Fleming. In the second thread, Baxter, realizing that she is a target for elimination, tries to turn Tanner to protect her from having to take a deal that would mean a prison term. She can't go to prison right now. She strikes first. While Tanner joins forces with Baxter, it doesn't stop them from pursuing their original goals. Much of the time, their relationship seems like a game of cat and mouse, but it is not clear who is the cat and who is the mouse. The Tanner's problems started early when there was a difference between what the district attorney told him and what the FBI agent told him. To keep the tension elevated, there are multiple attempts to kill both Tanner and Baxter. The author kept what really happened well hidden. Trying to figure that out, along with the previous two aspects, quickly captured my interest. For reading, the pace was fast and clear.
There are two B-storylines in this novel. The first is between Tanner and his childhood girlfriend, Elizabeth. They were both forced to move away as teenagers at their parents' insistence. She's now the Deputy Mayor and is the mayor's representative monitoring this investigation. The second thread is between Tanner and Baxter. While Tanner kept trying to keep their personal relationship above board, but his heart and body were not cooperating. Tanner often reminisces about his early relationship with Elizabeth and regrets his last words to his mother. For me, Tanner's character development was very good. These threads did enhance my enjoyment of the reading.
Aspects that can cause readers to stop reading are present in this novel. Multiple intimate scenes and actions occur throughout the novel, including a crime against a woman. Profanity has a strong appearance along with impious language. While much violence is portrayed as it occurs, it is not excessive. More details were in the description of the 15-year-old murder of the Tanner family. This aspect should not be found objectionable by most readers. I cannot say that about intimate scenes and language. This novel is a standalone novel, so there is no problem with what happened in an earlier novel.
This novel is excellent, but for the intimate scenes. Instead of decreasing the star rating, the caveat of let the reader be forewarned about the adult content is more appropriate. The high point for me was the two reveal chapters at the end. A tuisami-level twist occurs in the first of those chapters. I stopped reading. My first thought was a line from Robert Graves's novel Claudius the God, written by Emperor Claudius: "Let all the poisons that lurk in the mud hatch out." This line sums up this chapter and the novel as a whole for me so well. I have read six of her novels and purchased three more to read. I highly recommend reading this novel. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I rate it with five stars.
I received the free pre-publication e-book version of this novel from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley. My review is based solely on my own reading experience. Thank you, Thomas and Mercer, for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Twisty, suspenseful, well-executed
"He'd beat her at her own game. There was just one sticking point, at what cost to her? To him?"
Thank you to NetGalley, Debra Webb, and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for this advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
CW: Death, murder, assault, blood, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, parental abandonment, foster care system, mental health home, gun violence, sexual content, mental health struggles, adultery, alcohol, drugs, suicide, car accidents
Debra Webb's The Fatal Confidant follows Carson Tanner, a deputy district attorney in Birmingham. He's earned the nickname "the Avenger" because of how relentlessly he pursues cases. His family was murdered fifteen years ago and that tragedy drives his hunger for justice. His current case involves crime boss Otis Fleming. The key to breaking the case might be Annette Baxter, Fleming's confidant and fixer for the wealthy elite. She's ready to turn on Fleming to save herself, but the secrets she holds could be more dangerous than Carson realizes.
Eva Kaminsky narrates the audiobook. She's great. The narration is solid throughout. Great tone and pacing. I did speed it up because it was a bit slow for me but that is just a personal choice.
This took a little bit for me to get into. Once I was there though, I was hooked. The plot moves fast. There are twists throughout that kept me engaged. Every time I thought I had things figured out, something new got revealed.
The characters work well. Carson and Annette are both layered. They have strengths and weaknesses that feel real. Carson is driven by what happened to his family. That motivation makes sense and shapes how he approaches everything. Annette is calculating and knows how to read people. She's a fixer who makes problems disappear for powerful clients. Watching these two interact and try to figure out if they can trust each other drives a lot of the tension.
The connections between all the different players in the story are intricate. There are secrets layered on top of secrets. Each chapter adds something new. A revelation, a threat, a twist. The truth sits somewhere in a complicated web of relationships and obligations among wealthy, connected people. Annette knows what they've done and what they need to hide. She also knows what they're capable of doing to protect themselves.
The balance between plot and character development works. The chapters are short and fast paced. That keeps things moving without sacrificing the character work. You understand why people are making the choices they make even when those choices create more danger.
The seduction scene early on was a little off-putting. It makes sense in the larger plot later but initially it was uncomfortable. Once you see how everything connects, it fits. But that early moment took me out of the story briefly.
The ending is satisfying. I couldn't predict how things would resolve. The final twist was shocking in a good way. Everything wraps up without a cliffhanger. That's a plus. You get closure on the main threads.
This is a revised edition of a previously published book called Faceless, which was book three in the Dark and Dangerous series. I'm interested in reading the earlier books in that series after finishing this.
This works for people who enjoy complex thrillers, readers who like intricate plots with multiple layers of secrets, anyone wanting strong character development alongside suspense, fans of legal thrillers with crime elements, and those who appreciate satisfying endings without cliffhangers. If you need to be hooked immediately from page one, the slower opening might frustrate you. If seduction scenes in professional contexts bother you, be prepared for that early moment.
A well-crafted thriller that delivers on twists and character depth.
"He'd beat her at her own game. There was just one sticking point, at what cost to her? To him?"
Thank you to NetGalley, Debra Webb, and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for this advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
CW: Death, murder, assault, blood, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, parental abandonment, foster care system, mental health home, gun violence, sexual content, mental health struggles, adultery, alcohol, drugs, suicide, car accidents
Debra Webb's The Fatal Confidant follows Carson Tanner, a deputy district attorney in Birmingham. He's earned the nickname "the Avenger" because of how relentlessly he pursues cases. His family was murdered fifteen years ago and that tragedy drives his hunger for justice. His current case involves crime boss Otis Fleming. The key to breaking the case might be Annette Baxter, Fleming's confidant and fixer for the wealthy elite. She's ready to turn on Fleming to save herself, but the secrets she holds could be more dangerous than Carson realizes.
Eva Kaminsky narrates the audiobook. She's great. The narration is solid throughout. Great tone and pacing. I did speed it up because it was a bit slow for me but that is just a personal choice.
This took a little bit for me to get into. Once I was there though, I was hooked. The plot moves fast. There are twists throughout that kept me engaged. Every time I thought I had things figured out, something new got revealed.
The characters work well. Carson and Annette are both layered. They have strengths and weaknesses that feel real. Carson is driven by what happened to his family. That motivation makes sense and shapes how he approaches everything. Annette is calculating and knows how to read people. She's a fixer who makes problems disappear for powerful clients. Watching these two interact and try to figure out if they can trust each other drives a lot of the tension.
The connections between all the different players in the story are intricate. There are secrets layered on top of secrets. Each chapter adds something new. A revelation, a threat, a twist. The truth sits somewhere in a complicated web of relationships and obligations among wealthy, connected people. Annette knows what they've done and what they need to hide. She also knows what they're capable of doing to protect themselves.
The balance between plot and character development works. The chapters are short and fast paced. That keeps things moving without sacrificing the character work. You understand why people are making the choices they make even when those choices create more danger.
The seduction scene early on was a little off-putting. It makes sense in the larger plot later but initially it was uncomfortable. Once you see how everything connects, it fits. But that early moment took me out of the story briefly.
The ending is satisfying. I couldn't predict how things would resolve. The final twist was shocking in a good way. Everything wraps up without a cliffhanger. That's a plus. You get closure on the main threads.
This is a revised edition of a previously published book called Faceless, which was book three in the Dark and Dangerous series. I'm interested in reading the earlier books in that series after finishing this.
This works for people who enjoy complex thrillers, readers who like intricate plots with multiple layers of secrets, anyone wanting strong character development alongside suspense, fans of legal thrillers with crime elements, and those who appreciate satisfying endings without cliffhangers. If you need to be hooked immediately from page one, the slower opening might frustrate you. If seduction scenes in professional contexts bother you, be prepared for that early moment.
A well-crafted thriller that delivers on twists and character depth.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Book Review: The Fatal Confidant by Debra Webb
Review based on an advance review copy courtesy of Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley.
(More book details below.)
─────────────────
★★★★★ 5.0 Stars. Rave!
Review Spotlight.
Author Debra Webb: From romantic suspense stories to unputdownable thrillers!
Before her thrillers with Thomas & Mercer, Amazon Publishing's "Mystery, Thriller and True Crime" imprint, author Debra Webb, an incredibly prolific writer with over 175 novels, wrote and continuous to write novels in her main genre, romantic suspense, with Harlequin Intrigue.
In fact, this novel, "The Fatal Confidant" (2026) was first released in 2008 as "Faceless /Carson", a romantic suspense story, the third of the author's "Less" Trilogy (2007-2008).
Two things to note:
1) "The Fatal Confidant" is Debra Webb's 10th thriller with Thomas & Mercer since 2020.
2) Torrid sex scenes essential to the plot remain in the thriller version, which may surprise some readers.
.
━═ "The Fatal Confidant" by Debra Webb (2026) ═━
15 Years Earlier.
Mountain Brook, Birmingham, AL
October 10th.
It was on a cold and dreary night that the prominent Tanner family was slaughtered. Desecrated, with wedding rings and personal keepsakes swiped from bodies. Father, mother and daughter. The teenage son was spared. He'd been away that night.
He escaped. But it was that very fact, survivor's guilt, that would haunt the poor boy forever.
━━━
Present day.
Birmingham, Jefferson County, AL
Criminal Justice Center
The Avenger.
Deputy District Attorney Carson Tanner, monikered the "Avenger" within legal circles, is the hotshot prosecutor who never loses, a shoo-in for the top job when his boss, DA Donald Wainwright, moves on to new heights, both inevitable promotions supported by US Senator Randolph Drake.
Senator Drake, a close friend of Tanner's deceased parents, was the man who, 15 years ago, had taken in the waif after the boy'd lost his family that tragic night. The senator also happened to be, at the time, the father of the boy's girlfriend, Elizabeth Drake. She herself, now a politician. Currently, Birmingham's own deputy mayor.
The Confidant.
Annette Baxter, thirty-something, had spent most of her life in poverty, with indigent parents, then in the foster care system. She'd lived on the streets as an adolescent, amid (claims of) sexual and physical abuse.
That is, until a man by the name of Otis Fleming takes her under his wing. She blossoms and develops into a role as his confidant, his fixer, for the rich and powerful, too, using her brains, beauty, her body and allure, making their indiscretions disappear in exchange for currency, security and influence.
THE PREMISE.
The Avenger's two pressing priorities.
Number 2. The high profile prosecution and incarceration of Otis Fleming, considered Jefferson County's connection to drugs and organized crime. The ADA would try to build a bulletproof case from the inside, through Fleming's own femme fatale, personal friend and confidant.
Number 1. The prosecution of Joseph Stokes, who, 15 years after the murders, now confesses to the Tanner family killings.
THE TWIST.
But the Confidant, too, has plans. To save herself, she has vital information to offer to the ADA. In particular, concerning details of the principals actually responsible for the annihilation of a family.
THE TURN.
As Carson Tanner slowly gets to the truth of exactly what happened 15 years prior, attempts are made on his life. Then people start to die. Someone is determined to keep inconvenient secrets buried. It is when the man who'd rescued the orphan dies, that Tanner sees he has no choice.
The Avenger teams up with the last person he'd ever thought he'd go into battle with...!
tgw━━━━════════
"Trust No One." (2020).
Prime members (and many readers) were first introduced to a Debra Webb thriller novel when Thomas & Mercer published her debut thriller with Amazon Publishing which launched her "Devlin & Falco" police procedural trilogy.
Debra Webb's "Vera Boyett" series.
━ "...What fun I'm having with the Vera Boyett series! Using my new hometown of Fayetteville, Tennessee, as the setting is just the best..." — Debra Webb
I've read and thoroughly enjoyed the author's "Vera Boyett" series (2024/25), psychological thriller cum police procedural and family drama, featuring strong female protagonist Vera Boyett, ex-Memphis detective, a 15-year veteran of the MPD turned crime analyst. Her, a woman with deeply buried childhood secrets.
Debra Webb's thrillers are set in Tennessee and neighboring Alabama to the south.
All unputdownable page turners!
─────────────────
Book Review: The Fatal Confidant by Debra Webb
Published by Thomas & Mercer
Book launch date: February 17, 2026
Review based on an advance review copy courtesy of Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley.
Review based on an advance review copy courtesy of Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley.
(More book details below.)
─────────────────
★★★★★ 5.0 Stars. Rave!
Review Spotlight.
Author Debra Webb: From romantic suspense stories to unputdownable thrillers!
Before her thrillers with Thomas & Mercer, Amazon Publishing's "Mystery, Thriller and True Crime" imprint, author Debra Webb, an incredibly prolific writer with over 175 novels, wrote and continuous to write novels in her main genre, romantic suspense, with Harlequin Intrigue.
In fact, this novel, "The Fatal Confidant" (2026) was first released in 2008 as "Faceless /Carson", a romantic suspense story, the third of the author's "Less" Trilogy (2007-2008).
Two things to note:
1) "The Fatal Confidant" is Debra Webb's 10th thriller with Thomas & Mercer since 2020.
2) Torrid sex scenes essential to the plot remain in the thriller version, which may surprise some readers.
.
━═ "The Fatal Confidant" by Debra Webb (2026) ═━
15 Years Earlier.
Mountain Brook, Birmingham, AL
October 10th.
It was on a cold and dreary night that the prominent Tanner family was slaughtered. Desecrated, with wedding rings and personal keepsakes swiped from bodies. Father, mother and daughter. The teenage son was spared. He'd been away that night.
He escaped. But it was that very fact, survivor's guilt, that would haunt the poor boy forever.
━━━
Present day.
Birmingham, Jefferson County, AL
Criminal Justice Center
The Avenger.
Deputy District Attorney Carson Tanner, monikered the "Avenger" within legal circles, is the hotshot prosecutor who never loses, a shoo-in for the top job when his boss, DA Donald Wainwright, moves on to new heights, both inevitable promotions supported by US Senator Randolph Drake.
Senator Drake, a close friend of Tanner's deceased parents, was the man who, 15 years ago, had taken in the waif after the boy'd lost his family that tragic night. The senator also happened to be, at the time, the father of the boy's girlfriend, Elizabeth Drake. She herself, now a politician. Currently, Birmingham's own deputy mayor.
The Confidant.
Annette Baxter, thirty-something, had spent most of her life in poverty, with indigent parents, then in the foster care system. She'd lived on the streets as an adolescent, amid (claims of) sexual and physical abuse.
That is, until a man by the name of Otis Fleming takes her under his wing. She blossoms and develops into a role as his confidant, his fixer, for the rich and powerful, too, using her brains, beauty, her body and allure, making their indiscretions disappear in exchange for currency, security and influence.
THE PREMISE.
The Avenger's two pressing priorities.
Number 2. The high profile prosecution and incarceration of Otis Fleming, considered Jefferson County's connection to drugs and organized crime. The ADA would try to build a bulletproof case from the inside, through Fleming's own femme fatale, personal friend and confidant.
Number 1. The prosecution of Joseph Stokes, who, 15 years after the murders, now confesses to the Tanner family killings.
THE TWIST.
But the Confidant, too, has plans. To save herself, she has vital information to offer to the ADA. In particular, concerning details of the principals actually responsible for the annihilation of a family.
THE TURN.
As Carson Tanner slowly gets to the truth of exactly what happened 15 years prior, attempts are made on his life. Then people start to die. Someone is determined to keep inconvenient secrets buried. It is when the man who'd rescued the orphan dies, that Tanner sees he has no choice.
The Avenger teams up with the last person he'd ever thought he'd go into battle with...!
tgw━━━━════════
"Trust No One." (2020).
Prime members (and many readers) were first introduced to a Debra Webb thriller novel when Thomas & Mercer published her debut thriller with Amazon Publishing which launched her "Devlin & Falco" police procedural trilogy.
Debra Webb's "Vera Boyett" series.
━ "...What fun I'm having with the Vera Boyett series! Using my new hometown of Fayetteville, Tennessee, as the setting is just the best..." — Debra Webb
I've read and thoroughly enjoyed the author's "Vera Boyett" series (2024/25), psychological thriller cum police procedural and family drama, featuring strong female protagonist Vera Boyett, ex-Memphis detective, a 15-year veteran of the MPD turned crime analyst. Her, a woman with deeply buried childhood secrets.
Debra Webb's thrillers are set in Tennessee and neighboring Alabama to the south.
All unputdownable page turners!
─────────────────
Book Review: The Fatal Confidant by Debra Webb
Published by Thomas & Mercer
Book launch date: February 17, 2026
Review based on an advance review copy courtesy of Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Fatal Confidant by Debra Webb is a very highly recommended thriller. This is the revised edition of the previously published Faceless.
Deputy district attorney Carson Tanner is a tenacious prosecutor whose persistence has earned him the nickname the Avenger. His determination to seek justice is driven by the horrific murder of his family fifteen years. His current case involves Birmingham crime boss Otis Fleming. The key to crack open the case may lie with Fleming's staunch confidant and fixer for the wealthy, Annette Baxter. Annette knows who Carson is, intimately initiates contact, and soon it becomes clear that there is more treachery, secrets, manipulation, betrayal and danger than Carson could have ever imagined.
Suspicion and secrets immediately set the tone to this well-written novel. The plot becomes more complex with each chapter as yet another new revelation, secret, threat, and twist occurs. The truth lies somewhere in a twisted maze of personal contacts and private obligations among an elite, wealthy, and well-connected group of people. Annette knows many of their covert actions and the information they need to conceal, but she also know the treachery and misdirection they are capable of initiating. Carson is being thrust into the reality of what may actually be going on behind the scenes.
At first I'll admit I was put off the novel in the beginning by Carson's actions when he succumbed to Annette's overt seduction. It did take awhile to set the distaste of the seduction incident aside, but as the complications, tensions, and danger increased, the incident became less annoying. It certainly sheds light on Annette and Carson's character. When she intimates that she has information about the murder of his family, the question is always how trustworthy is she? Then things begin to become increasingly dangerous and lethal, indicating that there is more going on than he realizes.
Both Carson and Annette are portrayed as fully-realized characters with strengths and weaknesses. Various other characters slowly reveal parts of their true nature along the way. The connections and schemes between all the players in the narrative is intricate and layered, ultimately leading to a shocking final twist.
The Fatal Confidant is a great choice for anyone who enjoys complex thrillers full of secrets and intrigue. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion. http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/0...
Deputy district attorney Carson Tanner is a tenacious prosecutor whose persistence has earned him the nickname the Avenger. His determination to seek justice is driven by the horrific murder of his family fifteen years. His current case involves Birmingham crime boss Otis Fleming. The key to crack open the case may lie with Fleming's staunch confidant and fixer for the wealthy, Annette Baxter. Annette knows who Carson is, intimately initiates contact, and soon it becomes clear that there is more treachery, secrets, manipulation, betrayal and danger than Carson could have ever imagined.
Suspicion and secrets immediately set the tone to this well-written novel. The plot becomes more complex with each chapter as yet another new revelation, secret, threat, and twist occurs. The truth lies somewhere in a twisted maze of personal contacts and private obligations among an elite, wealthy, and well-connected group of people. Annette knows many of their covert actions and the information they need to conceal, but she also know the treachery and misdirection they are capable of initiating. Carson is being thrust into the reality of what may actually be going on behind the scenes.
At first I'll admit I was put off the novel in the beginning by Carson's actions when he succumbed to Annette's overt seduction. It did take awhile to set the distaste of the seduction incident aside, but as the complications, tensions, and danger increased, the incident became less annoying. It certainly sheds light on Annette and Carson's character. When she intimates that she has information about the murder of his family, the question is always how trustworthy is she? Then things begin to become increasingly dangerous and lethal, indicating that there is more going on than he realizes.
Both Carson and Annette are portrayed as fully-realized characters with strengths and weaknesses. Various other characters slowly reveal parts of their true nature along the way. The connections and schemes between all the players in the narrative is intricate and layered, ultimately leading to a shocking final twist.
The Fatal Confidant is a great choice for anyone who enjoys complex thrillers full of secrets and intrigue. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion. http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/0...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Title: The Fatal Confidant
Author: Debra Webb
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: February 17, 2026
My Rating: 3 Stars!
Pages: 333
Deputy district attorney Carson Tanner is nicknamed the Avenger for good reason. Fifteen years ago, the murder of Carson’s family fueled an unrelenting need for justice. His latest investigation into Birmingham crime boss Otis Fleming is a career maker—if he can crack Fleming’s closest confidant.
As you might guess Carson does get at the truth – so all well that ends well – Right?
Author Debra has written more than 170 novels.
I have only read a few. The ones I read were part of a series and I totally enjoyed them. In each there has been as sweet romance in additional to the mystery. I especially liked that the stories were great with profanity
This is the second story I read that didn’t work for me. When it started I was immediately disappointed with Carson’s language and now know since this was the second time this have happened that Ms. Webb likes to write more than one type of story. I loved the sweet romance, no profanity stories I have read so yes was disappointed in this and prefer the other.
Doesn’t mean this was bad and that many readers will love it. It just wasn’t what I was expecting.
I did love the Acknowledgements. Ms. Webb gives us some Birmingham, Alabama history. How it grew fast and was known as the “Magic City’. Her special love of Birmingham is how it has become of the foremost medical centers. She tells us of her personal history of her own daughter’s illness and her personal tremendous debt of gratitude.
So yes I will read another of her stories but will be more careful in my selection...
Want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for granted me this eGalley.
Publishing Release Date is scheduled for February 17, 2026.
Author: Debra Webb
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: February 17, 2026
My Rating: 3 Stars!
Pages: 333
Deputy district attorney Carson Tanner is nicknamed the Avenger for good reason. Fifteen years ago, the murder of Carson’s family fueled an unrelenting need for justice. His latest investigation into Birmingham crime boss Otis Fleming is a career maker—if he can crack Fleming’s closest confidant.
As you might guess Carson does get at the truth – so all well that ends well – Right?
Author Debra has written more than 170 novels.
I have only read a few. The ones I read were part of a series and I totally enjoyed them. In each there has been as sweet romance in additional to the mystery. I especially liked that the stories were great with profanity
This is the second story I read that didn’t work for me. When it started I was immediately disappointed with Carson’s language and now know since this was the second time this have happened that Ms. Webb likes to write more than one type of story. I loved the sweet romance, no profanity stories I have read so yes was disappointed in this and prefer the other.
Doesn’t mean this was bad and that many readers will love it. It just wasn’t what I was expecting.
I did love the Acknowledgements. Ms. Webb gives us some Birmingham, Alabama history. How it grew fast and was known as the “Magic City’. Her special love of Birmingham is how it has become of the foremost medical centers. She tells us of her personal history of her own daughter’s illness and her personal tremendous debt of gratitude.
So yes I will read another of her stories but will be more careful in my selection...
Want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for granted me this eGalley.
Publishing Release Date is scheduled for February 17, 2026.
February 20, 2026
Carson Tanner is an Assistant District Attorney that anticipates sliding right into the DA’s position when his boss is elected into a higher office. He’s a bulldog in the courtroom that is undefeated. The only thing standing in his way is the murder of his family. It’s been 15 years and he still doesn’t have the answers he craves about their deaths. Carson’s newest assignment of taking down Otis Fleming, a kingpin of sorts in their city, proves challenging when his angle of getting at Otis becomes personal with one mistake. Annette Baxter masquerades as a fundraising extraordinaire to everyone with her true expertise lying in being the person that influential persons come to when they have a problem that needs to go away. It quickly becomes apparent that Carson and Annette will need to work together in order to rid the city of its filth.
Wow! If there is one thing I love the most about Debra’s writing, it’s that her stories are like an onion that sheds its layers at just the right time. The book is not a simple case of someone is good and someone is bad. There are so many intricate connections and complex characters that are uncovered that it’s almost like an Easter egg hunt. If you like books about political corruption and evil being taken down, this is the perfect book for you! I loved how the FMC had dirt on all of the important figureheads in the area and the power resulting from that dirt. This story did not lack in action or suspense and I kept reading late into the night just to find out what happened next. There is a bit of spice worked into the story which adds to the rawness and realness of the characters. *Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!
Wow! If there is one thing I love the most about Debra’s writing, it’s that her stories are like an onion that sheds its layers at just the right time. The book is not a simple case of someone is good and someone is bad. There are so many intricate connections and complex characters that are uncovered that it’s almost like an Easter egg hunt. If you like books about political corruption and evil being taken down, this is the perfect book for you! I loved how the FMC had dirt on all of the important figureheads in the area and the power resulting from that dirt. This story did not lack in action or suspense and I kept reading late into the night just to find out what happened next. There is a bit of spice worked into the story which adds to the rawness and realness of the characters. *Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
You already know when it’s Debra Webb, we’re not getting surface-level drama. We’re getting layers. Secrets. Motives hiding behind motives. And somebody absolutely lying with a straight face.
The Fatal Confidant is one of her standalones, and I’ll admit...I went in nervous. I love her series (and always want five more books than she gives us), so I wasn’t sure a single book could satisfy me.
It did. And then some.
Carson Tanner is the golden boy assistant DA, being polished and prepped by his mentor, Donald Wainwright, to take the top job. He’s driven, controlled, and still carrying the weight of his parents’ brutal murder. When the man responsible, Stokes, is finally caught, instead of closure, Carson gets a haunting question:
When did you stop caring about the truth?
And then Annette Baxter, the dangerously intelligent fixer tangled up with crime boss Otis Fleming, asks him the exact same thing.
Excuse me? 🚩
At first, I was scribbling notes trying to keep up with the players, the politics, the quiet manipulations happening behind closed doors.
But once the rhythm clicks? Oh, it clicks. The betrayals run deep. The conspiracies run deeper. And the “house of cards” metaphor? Perfect, because when it falls, it doesn’t wobble… it collapses.
Annette is sharp, seductive, and ten steps ahead of everyone in the room. Carson thinks he’s hunting corruption but what if he’s been standing in it all along?
And that twist? Listen. You will think you know. You do not know. The truth is darker, more layered, and far more personal than you expect.
Mysterious. Political. Seductive. Ruthless.
And somehow, in true Debra Webb fashion, she ties it all up so cleanly that I closed the book completely satisfied… even though my jaw was still on the floor.
Standalone? Yes.
Forgettable? Absolutely not.
The Fatal Confidant is one of her standalones, and I’ll admit...I went in nervous. I love her series (and always want five more books than she gives us), so I wasn’t sure a single book could satisfy me.
It did. And then some.
Carson Tanner is the golden boy assistant DA, being polished and prepped by his mentor, Donald Wainwright, to take the top job. He’s driven, controlled, and still carrying the weight of his parents’ brutal murder. When the man responsible, Stokes, is finally caught, instead of closure, Carson gets a haunting question:
When did you stop caring about the truth?
And then Annette Baxter, the dangerously intelligent fixer tangled up with crime boss Otis Fleming, asks him the exact same thing.
Excuse me? 🚩
At first, I was scribbling notes trying to keep up with the players, the politics, the quiet manipulations happening behind closed doors.
But once the rhythm clicks? Oh, it clicks. The betrayals run deep. The conspiracies run deeper. And the “house of cards” metaphor? Perfect, because when it falls, it doesn’t wobble… it collapses.
Annette is sharp, seductive, and ten steps ahead of everyone in the room. Carson thinks he’s hunting corruption but what if he’s been standing in it all along?
And that twist? Listen. You will think you know. You do not know. The truth is darker, more layered, and far more personal than you expect.
Mysterious. Political. Seductive. Ruthless.
And somehow, in true Debra Webb fashion, she ties it all up so cleanly that I closed the book completely satisfied… even though my jaw was still on the floor.
Standalone? Yes.
Forgettable? Absolutely not.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This felt like a great old-school DA/police procedural—with a modern edge.
The story largely follows Deputy District Attorney Carson Tanner, known as “the Avenger.” As a teenager, his parents and sisters were murdered by a local serial killer, and he’s channeled that pain into fuel for his career. His relentless drive for justice makes him compelling—and complicated.
The other central character is Annette Baxter, who was dealt an incredibly rough hand in life. Forced to raise herself and care for her sister, she did whatever she had to survive. In the present day, she’s known as a “fixer,” someone the elite turn to when they need their most scandalous problems quietly handled. She operates in the gray areas of morality—and she’s very good at it.
What unfolds is a layered and twisted story as Carson begins to question who he can truly trust. Certainly not Annette Baxter—the woman he should be trying to put behind bars. So why is she warning him that the people closest to him aren’t what they seem? And what does she know about his family’s murder that he doesn’t?
The book weaves together multiple intriguing subplots without losing focus on the central mystery. There’s tension, some well-written steamy scenes, and an ending that genuinely surprised me. I especially loved that while the story wrapped up in a satisfying way, there was a small cliffhanger that leaves the door open for more.
Will we be seeing more of Carson Tanner? I definitely hope so. Thanks to NetGalley and Brillance Publishing for providing me with an ARC.
The story largely follows Deputy District Attorney Carson Tanner, known as “the Avenger.” As a teenager, his parents and sisters were murdered by a local serial killer, and he’s channeled that pain into fuel for his career. His relentless drive for justice makes him compelling—and complicated.
The other central character is Annette Baxter, who was dealt an incredibly rough hand in life. Forced to raise herself and care for her sister, she did whatever she had to survive. In the present day, she’s known as a “fixer,” someone the elite turn to when they need their most scandalous problems quietly handled. She operates in the gray areas of morality—and she’s very good at it.
What unfolds is a layered and twisted story as Carson begins to question who he can truly trust. Certainly not Annette Baxter—the woman he should be trying to put behind bars. So why is she warning him that the people closest to him aren’t what they seem? And what does she know about his family’s murder that he doesn’t?
The book weaves together multiple intriguing subplots without losing focus on the central mystery. There’s tension, some well-written steamy scenes, and an ending that genuinely surprised me. I especially loved that while the story wrapped up in a satisfying way, there was a small cliffhanger that leaves the door open for more.
Will we be seeing more of Carson Tanner? I definitely hope so. Thanks to NetGalley and Brillance Publishing for providing me with an ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ALC/ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The Fatal Confidant is a fast-paced, twisty mystery/thriller that hooked me right from the start. The premise is compelling: Carson Tanner is a highly successful D.A., but he’s still haunted by the brutal murder of his family when he was a teenager. When he becomes determined to finally uncover the truth, he’s pulled into a dark, tangled web of secrets, betrayal, and danger.
I really enjoyed how relentless the story felt—every time Carson gets close to an answer, another layer of deception is revealed, pulling him deeper. The pacing stayed strong throughout and kept me turning pages, and the escalating body count added an extra layer of suspense.
That said, while the plot kept things moving, I struggled to connect with the characters. Many of them felt unlikable or difficult to invest in emotionally, which made some of the impact fall a little flat for me. In the end, it was a solid and entertaining thriller, but not one that particularly stood out or will stick with me long-term.
The audio narration by Eva Kaminsky was well done. I typically prefer dual narration for male/female POVs, but she handled both convincingly and kept the pacing tight.
Overall, a competent, twist-filled thriller with a strong premise and steady suspense, even if the characters didn’t fully work for me.
The Fatal Confidant is a fast-paced, twisty mystery/thriller that hooked me right from the start. The premise is compelling: Carson Tanner is a highly successful D.A., but he’s still haunted by the brutal murder of his family when he was a teenager. When he becomes determined to finally uncover the truth, he’s pulled into a dark, tangled web of secrets, betrayal, and danger.
I really enjoyed how relentless the story felt—every time Carson gets close to an answer, another layer of deception is revealed, pulling him deeper. The pacing stayed strong throughout and kept me turning pages, and the escalating body count added an extra layer of suspense.
That said, while the plot kept things moving, I struggled to connect with the characters. Many of them felt unlikable or difficult to invest in emotionally, which made some of the impact fall a little flat for me. In the end, it was a solid and entertaining thriller, but not one that particularly stood out or will stick with me long-term.
The audio narration by Eva Kaminsky was well done. I typically prefer dual narration for male/female POVs, but she handled both convincingly and kept the pacing tight.
Overall, a competent, twist-filled thriller with a strong premise and steady suspense, even if the characters didn’t fully work for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Carson Turner's entire family was murdered 15 years ago, which drove his career choice and is behind his drive to bring criminals to justice now that he is deputy D.A. of Birmingham, Alabama. Turner is being groomed to be the next D.A., when his boss runs for governor, and his latest assignment is to take down local crime boss Otis Fleming, a case that should be a headline grabber that will help his campaign. Turner's goal is to turn one of Fleming's most trusted confidants, a "fixer" by the name of Annette Baxter. Baxter is smart and sexy, knows the secrets of Birmingham's rich and powerful, and always seems to be one step ahead of Turner. She knows Turner is attracted to her and uses it to her advantage. A string of new murders seem to be connected to the murder of Turner's family, and he starts to wonder if the man behind bars for the killings was just a fall guy. He and Baxter don't really trust each other, but they realize that their survival may depend on being able to work together. The plot was fast-paced with lots of action, grabbed my attention from in the first chapter and kept it through to the end. The characters were multifaceted and interesting, although some of them fell a bit into stereotypes.
Notes: This book was previously published as Faceless in 2008. It contains some profanity and several sex scenes.
Notes: This book was previously published as Faceless in 2008. It contains some profanity and several sex scenes.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley.
I think this is the 6th book I read by Debra Webb. I selected this book because I really enjoyed her Finlay O'Sullivan series beginning with The Last Lie Told.
I loved the opening of The Fatal Confidant, but it went downhill quickly for a couple reasons. 1) the burying of the rings in a beanie weanie container has no real purpose or urgency like the setup implied and added nothing to the plot 2) we almost immediately jump from that scene to the main characters (Carson Tanner and Annette Baxter) where we are supposed to believe that they are both good people despite, but jump straight into bed as strangers. Tanner is a deputy district attorney who is well known for following the rules and being a hard worker, but hooks up with a fixer in a hotel just because she's hot? It just didn't work for me. Then, we have Baxter, who is supposedly broken from her childhood in foster care, but she becomes completely reformed from just sleeping with Tanner a couple times? That character development needed more time and reason for my taste. Overall, the structure of plot of the former family death and the people who tried to cover it up works, but the implementation of it comes across amateurish.
I think this is the 6th book I read by Debra Webb. I selected this book because I really enjoyed her Finlay O'Sullivan series beginning with The Last Lie Told.
I loved the opening of The Fatal Confidant, but it went downhill quickly for a couple reasons. 1) the burying of the rings in a beanie weanie container has no real purpose or urgency like the setup implied and added nothing to the plot 2) we almost immediately jump from that scene to the main characters (Carson Tanner and Annette Baxter) where we are supposed to believe that they are both good people despite, but jump straight into bed as strangers. Tanner is a deputy district attorney who is well known for following the rules and being a hard worker, but hooks up with a fixer in a hotel just because she's hot? It just didn't work for me. Then, we have Baxter, who is supposedly broken from her childhood in foster care, but she becomes completely reformed from just sleeping with Tanner a couple times? That character development needed more time and reason for my taste. Overall, the structure of plot of the former family death and the people who tried to cover it up works, but the implementation of it comes across amateurish.
February 17, 2026
Another great hit from one of my favorite authors Debra Webb!
District attorney Carson Tanner is a man of integrity and is successful at what he does. He is celebrating that the man who murdered his family 15 years ago is finally getting life in prison. He sees a beautiful woman at a bar and he joins her in her hotel room. She has ulterior motives. Carson finds out that he and the county are going after crime boss Otis Fleming, this will make everyone in the department's career. There is a weak link in Fleming's group, a woman named Annette Baxter. Carson soon recognizes that it is the woman from the bar. As the bodies continue to drop and Carson is caught between a rock and a hard place, he will do what it takes to take another bad man down.
I liked Carson's character a lot. He is very balanced and has his own grief and pain that he deals with on a daily basis. However, that does not deter him from his objectives. I enjoyed reading about him and his ex Elizabeth. I liked Baxter too, she had a je ne sais quoi to her that I really enjoyed. The multiple story lines were smoothly done and they all made sense together in the end. Overall a fantastic, enticing and adrenaline filled read.
Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
District attorney Carson Tanner is a man of integrity and is successful at what he does. He is celebrating that the man who murdered his family 15 years ago is finally getting life in prison. He sees a beautiful woman at a bar and he joins her in her hotel room. She has ulterior motives. Carson finds out that he and the county are going after crime boss Otis Fleming, this will make everyone in the department's career. There is a weak link in Fleming's group, a woman named Annette Baxter. Carson soon recognizes that it is the woman from the bar. As the bodies continue to drop and Carson is caught between a rock and a hard place, he will do what it takes to take another bad man down.
I liked Carson's character a lot. He is very balanced and has his own grief and pain that he deals with on a daily basis. However, that does not deter him from his objectives. I enjoyed reading about him and his ex Elizabeth. I liked Baxter too, she had a je ne sais quoi to her that I really enjoyed. The multiple story lines were smoothly done and they all made sense together in the end. Overall a fantastic, enticing and adrenaline filled read.
Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
February 18, 2026
Debra Webb's latest release is a complex story that has multiple directions that all lead back to one incident that happened 15 years prior.
Deputy District Attorney Carson Tanner is in line to be the next District Attorney. He meets Annette Baxter one night in a moment of weakness despite his code of ethics to himself. A mistake he comes to regret. They are both searching for the same person and join forces to find the person who can set them both free. They both get set-up to take the fall for things they did not do, and their investigation puts them both in danger. The powerful people in town who are calling the shots won't let them get away. The twists and turns that take them to places they never thought would give them answers, turn out to be the very place the truth comes to light. Can they get the answers they seek and survive the night to set things right?
Debtra Webb knows how to write a twisted thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. . I know when I pick up a book by this author I will be entertained and satisfied at the end. In fact, I always hope the story will go on. I highly recommend this reissue and hope you read her other books, Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the arc of this great read.
Deputy District Attorney Carson Tanner is in line to be the next District Attorney. He meets Annette Baxter one night in a moment of weakness despite his code of ethics to himself. A mistake he comes to regret. They are both searching for the same person and join forces to find the person who can set them both free. They both get set-up to take the fall for things they did not do, and their investigation puts them both in danger. The powerful people in town who are calling the shots won't let them get away. The twists and turns that take them to places they never thought would give them answers, turn out to be the very place the truth comes to light. Can they get the answers they seek and survive the night to set things right?
Debtra Webb knows how to write a twisted thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. . I know when I pick up a book by this author I will be entertained and satisfied at the end. In fact, I always hope the story will go on. I highly recommend this reissue and hope you read her other books, Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the arc of this great read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.75⭐️
Format: 🎧
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ALC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
"Fatal Confidant" is a fast‑paced, twisty mystery/thriller that hooked me right from the start. Carson Tanner is a highly successful D.A., but beneath that polished exterior is a man still haunted by the brutal murder of his family when he was a teenager. His determination to finally uncover the truth sends him down a dark, tangled path filled with lies, betrayals, and people who are far more dangerous than they first appear.
I loved how relentless this story felt—every time Carson gets close to an answer, another layer of deceit pulls him deeper. He quickly learns he can’t trust the people he’s always relied on, and the few he can trust are the ones he least expected. The trail of bodies left in the wake of his investigation adds to the tension.
The audio narration by Eva Kaminsky was well done. I usually prefer dual narration for male/female character perspectives, but Eva handled both sides convincingly and kept the pacing tight.
A gripping, twist‑filled thriller with a compelling lead and plenty of suspense.
Format: 🎧
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ALC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
"Fatal Confidant" is a fast‑paced, twisty mystery/thriller that hooked me right from the start. Carson Tanner is a highly successful D.A., but beneath that polished exterior is a man still haunted by the brutal murder of his family when he was a teenager. His determination to finally uncover the truth sends him down a dark, tangled path filled with lies, betrayals, and people who are far more dangerous than they first appear.
I loved how relentless this story felt—every time Carson gets close to an answer, another layer of deceit pulls him deeper. He quickly learns he can’t trust the people he’s always relied on, and the few he can trust are the ones he least expected. The trail of bodies left in the wake of his investigation adds to the tension.
The audio narration by Eva Kaminsky was well done. I usually prefer dual narration for male/female character perspectives, but Eva handled both sides convincingly and kept the pacing tight.
A gripping, twist‑filled thriller with a compelling lead and plenty of suspense.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Manipulative, shady characters build this mystery into quite the thriller. No one can be trusted, and I do mean no one. Power mongering and lying seem to be name of the game amongst this crowd.
Deputy District Attorney Carson Tanner is nicknamed the Avenger. He gets the work done and justice served. He has been tasked with trying to take down crime boss Otis Fleming. He cannot fathom just how nasty things are about to get for him.
When he meets Annette Baxter, he does not trust her as far as he can throw her, and the feeling is mutual. Annette has a purpose for everything she does, and she does not like to lose.
The chase for truth is on and it will be survival of the fittest and the smartest. It was emotionally charged and intense with dizzying plot twists, along with all of the dead bodies dropping at a rapid rate. It was a guessing game as to who would fall next. This was a complex read fraught with apprehension and danger that concludes with surprising revelations that you will not see coming.
Thank you to Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Deputy District Attorney Carson Tanner is nicknamed the Avenger. He gets the work done and justice served. He has been tasked with trying to take down crime boss Otis Fleming. He cannot fathom just how nasty things are about to get for him.
When he meets Annette Baxter, he does not trust her as far as he can throw her, and the feeling is mutual. Annette has a purpose for everything she does, and she does not like to lose.
The chase for truth is on and it will be survival of the fittest and the smartest. It was emotionally charged and intense with dizzying plot twists, along with all of the dead bodies dropping at a rapid rate. It was a guessing game as to who would fall next. This was a complex read fraught with apprehension and danger that concludes with surprising revelations that you will not see coming.
Thank you to Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Carson Tanner lost his family 15 years ago, he has worked his whole life to find out the answers to who killed his family and why. He's currently aspiring to be the next DA. There is then a suspect that confesses to the murders. However, after that things become not what they seem. There are powerful men in play behind the scenes trying to manipulate things and cover up secrets. Annette Baxter is another main character who is a powerful woman that knows secrets and who is on the opposite side of the law from Tanner. They do end up joining forces to uncover the truth and take down the powerful players in the story. There are a cast of characters, all have secrets. The story is full of deceptions, mystery, suspense, tension, coverups, blackmail, crosses and double crosses and murders. Very suspenseful, action packed and gains pace as it goes along. I liked how the story ended, and it was interesting to find out who all the villains really were and the parts they had to play. I enjoyed the story! I would certainly look into reading other books by this author. Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Mercer for allowing me to read a complimentary copy of the book.
February 18, 2026
If you are not reading this author….WHY NOT?
Deputy district attorney Carson Tanner is nicknamed the Avenger for good reason. His latest investigation into Birmingham crime boss Otis Fleming is a career maker—if he can crack Fleming’s closest confidant, Annette Baxter. Annette Baxter is a fierce and cunning fixer who makes the dirty deeds of the city’s elite disappear.
Debra Webb is a solid author for me. I have enjoyed every book I have read by her. And this one is no different! This is an intricate tale to keep you on your toes!
First of all, this setting of Birmingham, Alabama…I loved it. But these characters are the best. Carson has such a terrible past but when it collides with Annette…LOOK OUT!
I love that these characters are so flawed! You cannot help but be invested in what is going to happen next!
This is narrated by Eva Kaminsky. I appreciate that she didn’t try to sound southern 😜! She did a good job!
This has been previously published as Faceless.
Need a book about secrets and how the past can change your future…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
Deputy district attorney Carson Tanner is nicknamed the Avenger for good reason. His latest investigation into Birmingham crime boss Otis Fleming is a career maker—if he can crack Fleming’s closest confidant, Annette Baxter. Annette Baxter is a fierce and cunning fixer who makes the dirty deeds of the city’s elite disappear.
Debra Webb is a solid author for me. I have enjoyed every book I have read by her. And this one is no different! This is an intricate tale to keep you on your toes!
First of all, this setting of Birmingham, Alabama…I loved it. But these characters are the best. Carson has such a terrible past but when it collides with Annette…LOOK OUT!
I love that these characters are so flawed! You cannot help but be invested in what is going to happen next!
This is narrated by Eva Kaminsky. I appreciate that she didn’t try to sound southern 😜! She did a good job!
This has been previously published as Faceless.
Need a book about secrets and how the past can change your future…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Carson Tanner a rising young district attorney who can’t keep it in his pants meets a scheming prostitute with the answers to a mystery involving the DA’s family. As the story progresses the young DA finds himself unable to trust any of the people in his life.
At first, I had trouble liking any of the main characters but I found the mystery about who murdered Tanner’s family and why there were so many people hiding secrets intriguing. I was put off a bit by Tanner’s over the top reactions to Annette. She seemed tough, unlikable, and manipulative. He seemed to be ruled by his hormones in an unrealistic manner for someone supposed to be smart, driven and ambitious. However, the desire to find out whodunnit kept me turning pages and the characters became more sympathetic. I also enjoyed the setting. I’ve enjoyed many of Debra Webb’s other stories and this was also a good one.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for granting access to an advance readers edition of the book.
At first, I had trouble liking any of the main characters but I found the mystery about who murdered Tanner’s family and why there were so many people hiding secrets intriguing. I was put off a bit by Tanner’s over the top reactions to Annette. She seemed tough, unlikable, and manipulative. He seemed to be ruled by his hormones in an unrealistic manner for someone supposed to be smart, driven and ambitious. However, the desire to find out whodunnit kept me turning pages and the characters became more sympathetic. I also enjoyed the setting. I’ve enjoyed many of Debra Webb’s other stories and this was also a good one.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for granting access to an advance readers edition of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2026
This was such a twisted psychological read. It follows Deputy district attorney Carson Tanner in his pursuit to find the truth of what happened to his family. He crosses paths with Annette Baxter who is a confidant of a ruthless crime boss. This story is very character driven, and at times I would question Carson’s actions and may have yelled at him a few times. I really enjoyed the twisted reveal at the end and I would love to return back to this world. I feel like there could be a series that could continue on with Carson and Annette.
The narrator, Eva Kaminsky did a good job at keeping me engaged throughout. Her tones and inflections were great and I was able to distinguish several characters.
If you enjoy twisted suspense reads, a seductive confidant, secrets and betrayals be sure to check this one out.
A very special thanks to Brilliance Audio + Netgalley for the gifted ALC.
The narrator, Eva Kaminsky did a good job at keeping me engaged throughout. Her tones and inflections were great and I was able to distinguish several characters.
If you enjoy twisted suspense reads, a seductive confidant, secrets and betrayals be sure to check this one out.
A very special thanks to Brilliance Audio + Netgalley for the gifted ALC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Fatal Confidant by Debra Webb, is a fast paced on the edge of your seat thriller.
Deputy district attorney Carson Tanner's family was murdered Fifteen years ago, the murder of Carson’s family fueled an unrelenting need for justice. His latest investigation into Birmingham crime boss Otis Fleming is a career maker—if he can crack Fleming’s closest confidant.
Annette Baxter is a fierce and cunning fixer who makes the dirty deeds of the city’s elite disappear. She’s ready to turn on Fleming to save herself—but Carson may not be ready to face all the secrets she protects.
Can Carson ignore his feelings for Annette and come to trust her enough to find out the truth? Can Annette learn to trust Carson to keep her safe.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
Deputy district attorney Carson Tanner's family was murdered Fifteen years ago, the murder of Carson’s family fueled an unrelenting need for justice. His latest investigation into Birmingham crime boss Otis Fleming is a career maker—if he can crack Fleming’s closest confidant.
Annette Baxter is a fierce and cunning fixer who makes the dirty deeds of the city’s elite disappear. She’s ready to turn on Fleming to save herself—but Carson may not be ready to face all the secrets she protects.
Can Carson ignore his feelings for Annette and come to trust her enough to find out the truth? Can Annette learn to trust Carson to keep her safe.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
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