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The Fatal Confidant
Not yet published
Expected 17 Feb 26An 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 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 Previously published as Faceless, this edition of The Fatal Confidant includes editorial revisions.
333 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 17, 2026
2 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Debra Webb
544 books2,337 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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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
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.
November 26, 2025
The Fatal Confidant by Debra Webb, published by Thomas & Mercer, is a fast paced, complex, nailbiting thriller. The book was previously published under the title Faceless, was book three in the Dark and Dangerous Series and is re-edited.
Set in Birmingham deputy DA Carson is called the Avenger for a reason. His job is his calling.
Annette is kind of a fixer. She fixes the screwups and mistakes of the powerful, makes it all disappear.
When both meet and their businesses get tanglede, both are in grave danger.
A Debra Webb book is always a one-click for me, and The Fatal Confidant is no exception.
5 stars.
Set in Birmingham deputy DA Carson is called the Avenger for a reason. His job is his calling.
Annette is kind of a fixer. She fixes the screwups and mistakes of the powerful, makes it all disappear.
When both meet and their businesses get tanglede, both are in grave danger.
A Debra Webb book is always a one-click for me, and The Fatal Confidant is no exception.
5 stars.
December 1, 2025
I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
Once again Debra Webb writes a winner!
Fifteen years ago Carson’s family was murdered. For years he has wondered who and why they were murdered. Not he is investigating a crime boss and runs into Annetta, the fixer upper woman. Can he trust her to help him? How will they handle the chemistry between them? Cuddle in for an exciting read!
Once again Debra Webb writes a winner!
Fifteen years ago Carson’s family was murdered. For years he has wondered who and why they were murdered. Not he is investigating a crime boss and runs into Annetta, the fixer upper woman. Can he trust her to help him? How will they handle the chemistry between them? Cuddle in for an exciting read!
November 22, 2025
Unfortunately the book just didn’t resonate with me. I didn’t much like the characters. I’ve read many of Debra Webbs books and this is the first one I didn’t care for. It’s not that it’s a bad book. I just just didn’t get into it. I’m sure many others will love it.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews