Lost in the Dark

by Debra Webb

The brutal murder of her sister draws a woman back to her hometown and all its dark secrets in a gripping novel of suspense by USA Today bestselling author Debra Webb.

Dr. CJ Patterson returns to her Alabama hometown when her estranged sister, Shelley, is found murdered in the woods. For CJ it means diving headfirst into a painful life she left behind.

CJ reluctantly partners with Detective Kevin Braddock, and the complicated romantic history they share is far from over. They soon zero in on Shelley’s abusive ex-boyfriend and a local crime boss who controls the struggling mill village’s illicit enterprises. But anyone is suspect in a town with so many secrets. Even Shelley died with a few of her own.

As the investigation continues, so do the murders. One by one they’re leading CJ into a past she desperately fled from. CJ knows her hometown all too well. And that her search for the truth, and for a killer, will only get darker.

Revised This edition of Lost in the Dark, originally published as Everywhere She Turns, contains editorial revisions.

Genres: Romantic Suspense

365 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 9, 2026

About the author

DEBRA WEBB is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 180 novels, including reader favorites the Finley O'Sullivan and Devlin & Falco series. She is the recipient of the prestigious Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Romantic Suspense as well as numerous Reviewers Choice Awards. In 2012 Debra was honored as the first recipient of the esteemed L. A. Banks Warrior Woman Award for her courage, strength, and grace in the face of adversity. Recently Debra was awarded the distinguished Centennial Award for having achieved publication of her 100th novel.

With more than ten million books in print in numerous languages and countries, Debra’s love of storytelling goes back to her childhood when her mother bought her an old typewriter in a tag sale. Born in Alabama, Debra grew up on a farm. She spent every available hour exploring the world around her and creating her stories. She wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the Commanding General of the US Army in Berlin behind the Iron Curtain and a five-year stint in NASA’s Shuttle Program that she realized her true calling. A collision course between suspense and romance was set. Since then she has expanded her work into some of the darkest places the human psyche dares to go. Visit Debra at www.debrawebb.com.

Reviews

[Aida ☾ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This girl would try to take down a whole cartel with just her stupid pepper spray

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lost in the Dark by Debra Webb presents a strong and intriguing premise, supported by solid writing and a fast-moving investigative storyline. The novel builds tension effectively and contains several twists and revelations designed to keep readers questioning the truth behind the crimes.

While I did not predict the final reveal entirely, I was able to piece together certain aspects along the way. However, one challenge for me was the large number of characters introduced throughout the story. At times, I found it difficult to keep everyone distinct, which lessened the impact of some of the later revelations—particularly regarding the killer’s identity, as I struggled to maintain a strong sense of that character within the broader cast.

The novel also contains graphic descriptions of violence and body mutilation that may be unsettling for some readers. These scenes contribute to the darker tone of the story, though at times they felt somewhat overwhelming for my personal taste.

Despite these issues, the pacing and cinematic quality of the plot made me feel the story would adapt particularly well as a television series. Overall, while Lost in the Dark did not fully resonate with me as much as I had hoped, it remains a competently written thriller with an engaging premise and enough suspense to appeal to fans of darker crime fiction.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC. This is my honest review.

[Caroll-Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this book completely blind because I received it as an advanced reader copy, and I’m so grateful to NetGalley for that. First of all, I have to say that I absolutely loved Debra Webb’s writing style, and I already know I’ll definitely be picking up more of her books in the future.

As for the story itself, I really enjoyed CJ as a main character. I especially liked that the story wasn’t told solely from her perspective, but also through the viewpoints of other important characters, which added so much depth to the plot.

I did figure out the big twist fairly early on, but honestly, that didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all. The book was still incredibly well written and delivered exactly what I want from a crime thriller. Beyond the suspense, it also explored themes like friendship, family, privilege, inequality, and even included a touch of romance. Overall, it was a really well-balanced mix, and I enjoyed it a lot.

[Krys · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5

This one had a genuinely strong premise, which is probably why it is so frustrating that I never felt fully pulled in by the story itself. For something billed as a thriller, it was surprisingly easy to set aside and wander off to do literally anything else, which is never the goal with this genre. I kept waiting for that moment where the tension would really lock in and make me need to know what happened next, but unfortunately, that moment never really came.

Part of the problem was the structure of the story itself. The narrative constantly bounced between different characters and perspectives, clearly trying to establish that everyone in this town was hiding secrets and couldn’t be trusted. But instead of creating suspense, it actually made it far too easy to narrow down who was behind most of the murders. Honestly, I’m still baffled "Detective" CJ didn’t figure it out sooner considering this person literally bought her underwear and she’s sitting there “fingering the lace panties” while thinking about how they’re exactly her style. Ma’am. There is absolutely no logical reason for this person to know that much about your underwear preferences and somehow this wasn’t setting off every alarm bell imaginable?

And speaking of CJ… she may genuinely be one of the most frustrating characters I’ve read in quite a while. At almost every turn she manages to not only interfere with the investigation into her sisters death, she also simultaneously manages to put both herself and everyone around her directly in danger. I understand that she is desperate for answers and that grief is obviously driving a lot of her choices (along with her inability to trust the police to do their job), but there is only so much self-destructive decision making I can tolerate before my sympathy starts to wear thin. Especially when she herself acknowledges more than once that she should probably just go home because nothing she does is going to bring her sister back. And yet she continues making one reckless choice after another as though poor judgment is her number one personality trait.

Sadly, she wasn’t the only character who made this one more difficult to enjoy. Between the wildly over-the-top villain, an endless stream of side characters, and at least one character who was so “too good to be true” that they may as well have been wearing a flashing neon sign, it eventually became a chore trying to keep everyone straight. That said, I will give the book credit for one thing: the reveal surrounding “the Widow” actually did catch me off guard. I hadn’t completely figured that part out, although I was at least looking in the right general direction.

Overall, while this one definitely wasn’t a complete hit for me, it also wasn’t a total disaster. There were elements here that worked, and despite my frustrations I’d still be willing to pick up another book from this author in the future.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

[Beau · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and Brilliance Audio for a complimentary arc and alc of Lost in the Dark. All opinions expressed are my own.*

I’m not sure what I expected from this book, but it somehow went above and below my expectations on all ends.

Webb has a distinct prose, that sets the vibe from the first page. Delivering a scene that feels eerie and sometimes unsettling for the majority of the story, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
I was slightly worried, considering this being branded romantic suspense, that it would be too focused on the romantic subplot rather than the mystery or the suspense, but I worried needlessly here - I wanted this to be dark, and wasn’t expecting the darkness I received.

The suspense was definitely delivering from start to finish, and while I didn’t expect the level of graphic violence on the pages, again considering that while this is a thriller, it is also a romantic suspense story - but I don’t think it was crossing the line into too much gore, and I’d honestly prefer extra violence over extra yearning or something that adds nothing to the plot - which happily wasn’t a problem. I really felt hooked the first chapter of the story, however I kind of fell off from there.

While the concept, prose and premise worked really well for me, and I enjoyed it, the main problem for me with this story, aside from occasional parts feeling repetitive or unnecessary, was our “detective” FMC. Aside from some of her reckless and impulsive choices with no forethought or rational thinking, there were several times where the most obvious clues were staring her in the face, that I could have clocked blindfolded, yet she’s out there acting like she’s partly blind and in need of prescription glasses. For someone who’s supposed to be assisting in an investigation, she really lacked deductive thinking and came off as someone who has never even seen a detective show on TV.

I had slightly more fun going through the audiobook than the written copy, the narration not bothering me while switching between characters like it normally does with only one narrator. However, there were times when the FMC’s narration sounded, to me, a little whiney, but I wasn’t too bothered by that as, in truth, it was close enough to how she sounded in my head while reading it myself.

Aside from my frustrations with the FMC, the setting and prose was still well put together, and I know this is a revised edition from a book Webb wrote about two decades ago, so I’d definitely want to check out some of her newer works soon and see if I can find a lead character I can enjoy more from her backlog.
If you want a dark, twisty thriller with a romantic subplot, and don’t mind graphic violence or a FMC that can come off as naive, then I really do think you’d have a lot fun with this one.

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lost in the Dark by Debra Webb is a recommended investigative thriller. Originally published as Everywhere She Turns (2009) this is the revised edition of the story.

When her sister Shelley is found murdered in the woods, CJ Patterson, a medical resident in Baltimore, returns to her struggling hometown, a mill village in Alabama. Detective Kevin Braddock, a former romantic partner of CJ's, is leading the investigation. The two key suspects are Shelley's boyfriend, Ricky Banks and the local crime boss, Tyrone, who has declared himself king.

The quality of the writing is actually quite good through most of the novel. The pace is even at the beginning and can be a bit repetitive, which I attribute to the fact that it is a revised edition. It picks up later along with the suspense and sense of danger increasing and includes several twists along the way. The narrative is told through multiple points-of-view, with the main one being CJ. I did correctly guess the perpetrator early on.

While I enjoyed parts of the novel, especially after the action picks up, CJ is not always an appealing or likeable character. I want to give her a pass due to grief and the ongoing investigation, and, also, I'd have to admit that none of the characters are particularly likeable. Most of them have some hidden agenda.

There are two main drawbacks in the novel for me, the first and main one is CJ's relationship with Braddock and the romance aspect of the novel, which I could personally do without. The lingering attraction could have been present, in the background, without having CJ immediately "jump" him physically soon after seeing her dead sister in the morgue. I almost DNF when this happened very early in the plot. The second drawback is the multiple graphic descriptions of violence and mutilation.

In the final determination I have to go with 3.5 rounded down. As mentioned, the quality of the writing is good. The plot and pacing that let me down, but I was fully invested in reaching the final denouement. I'll be looking forward to Webb's future novels, since this doesn't represent her best.

Lost in the Dark is a good choice for those who enjoy dark investigative thrillers with a romantic attraction between characters. 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...

[bookedupnurse · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️ rounded up:

She knows her hometown all too well. And as she searches for the truth, and a killer, things will only get darker …

CJ Patterson is a Medical Resident working at John Hopkins Hospital. After an awful shift, her car breaking down and witnessing a car accident, she doesn’t think things can get any worse. That is until she receives a call from her hometown in Alabama, by former lover Detective Braddock, informing her that her younger sister Shelley is dead.

Brutally murdered, CJ believes this is due to her sisters high risk lifestyle. But dark secrets lurk within Huntsville. She dives head first into the painful life and memories she left behind and reluctantly pairs up with Braddock to investigate Shelley’s death and discovers her sisters secrets. As the investigation continues, so do the murders and everyone within the town becomes a suspect. CJ is being led into a life she so desperately wanted to leave behind … but she wants answers for her sister more.

The book focuses on CJ as the main narrator with several other chapters from other members of the community. She isn’t the more likeable of characters, has a bit of a god complex and is a martyr, however her reasons for acting as she does is understandable when grieving and looking for the truth about her sisters life and death. She is also dealing with a lot of stereotyping towards Shelley which would feel incredibly insensitive as a loved one. Her relationship with Detective Braddock does add a different layer to this story, however, we could see a mile off this where this was going to end.

While I enjoyed the premise of the book and the initial chapter had me hook, line and sinker, the rest of the story did feel a little slow and predictable at times. I felt the murderer was very obvious from early on and normally this wouldn’t affect the remainder of the book but did leave alot of the surprises being very anticlimactic. This is a short book with plenty of twists and dark surprises along the way! With graphic descriptions of murder scenes, it is slightly more gorey than some other thrillers and at times, unnecessary.

Would recommend this if you have read other Debra Webb books or if you are looking for an easy, quick thriller read.

Thank you to NetGallery, Thomas & Mercer and Debra Webb for the ARC of this book.

[Caroline | dogtailsandcrimetales · Rating 3 out of 5]

★★★

”Maybe there were a few things CJ could learn from her sister's life. Live for the present... not the future.”

Dr. CJ Patterson is forced to leave Baltimore and return to Huntsville, Alabama, where she grew up in one of the city's poorest neighborhoods. Her sister, who has struggled with addiction for most of her life, has been found dead under highly suspicious circumstances. Returning home forces CJ to confront the past she thought she had left behind as she searches for the truth about what happened to her sister. As CJ digs deeper, she discovers that her sister's death may be connected to a series of murdered women and a local network of prostitution and drugs…

I always enjoy Debra Webb's stories about women returning to their hometowns years after leaving. They come back strong, confident, and successful, yet to the people who never left, they're still seen as the same person they were before. It's a dynamic Webb handles very well, and it was one of the reasons I was excited to pick up this book.

Unfortunately, this one didn't work quite as well for me. I liked the premise, and the mystery itself was solid, but I never fully connected with CJ as a character. There was just something missing that kept me from becoming emotionally invested in her story.

I also guessed the culprits almost immediately after they were introduced. The clues and hints felt so obvious that it became difficult to believe neither CJ nor Detective Braddock grew suspicious sooner.

While this wasn't a standout read for me, don't let my experience stop you from giving it a try. The story has an intriguing premise, and it may be exactly the kind of suspense novel that works for you.

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Debra Webb for a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

[Mvm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lost in the Dark is a dark, twist-filled thriller that follows CJ, a medical resident in Baltimore, who returns to her hometown after learning that her younger sister has been brutally murdered. Determined to uncover the truth, CJ quickly becomes involved in the investigation alongside Detective Braddock, a man with whom she shares a complicated history.

While Braddock works the case through official channels, CJ grows frustrated with the slow pace and begins digging for answers herself. Unfortunately, many of her choices are impulsive and reckless, repeatedly placing her in danger and forcing Braddock to not only hunt a killer, but also keep CJ alive as the body count rises. To understand what happened to her sister, CJ must confront long-buried secrets from her own past.

The story delivers plenty of twists and dark surprises along the way, and readers should be aware that there are graphic descriptions of violence and body mutilation that may be unsettling for some.

For me, the biggest issue was the pacing. Certain sections felt repetitive and difficult to get through, while other parts — especially near the ending — felt rushed. I also found the identity of the murderer fairly obvious early on, which made some later reveals feel anticlimactic.

That said, the novel still manages to be an engaging and fast-paced thriller with strong suspense elements and plenty of darker themes. One standout surprise was the true identity of the Widow character — that reveal genuinely caught me off guard and ended up being one of the book’s strongest moments.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advance copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving this honest, personal, and unbiased review.

[Samira Elahrag · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Lost in the Dark by Debra Webb. Debra Webb has such a distinct writing style, and it really worked for me.

One thing I did notice was some repetition in CJ’s inner thoughts regarding her sister Shelley’s death. There were several moments where CJ repeated that Shelley was dead and that she had to figure out who killed her. A slight trimming of those repeated thoughts could help tighten the pacing and make those emotional beats feel even stronger.
I also found that CJ frequently praised Edward for everything he had done for her and for always being there whenever he appeared in a scene. After a while, that became a little repetitive for me. As a reader, it slowed the pacing and at times made it feel a bit like being stuck in a loop.

That said, I truly enjoyed this book and could not put it down. I figured out fairly quickly that Edward was behind the killings, but I could not piece together why, which kept me hooked. And Jenkins??!! He was definitely on my suspect list. I even wondered if he might be one of the HPD officers connected to Tyrone’s wallet, but I never guessed he was The Widow.

I really enjoyed Braddock and Cooper and the chemistry they shared. CJ and Braddock’s connection only pulled me deeper into the plot and made me even more invested in the story.

Overall, this book kept me completely enthralled, and I’m giving it 4 stars. I’ll definitely continue reading Ms. Webb’s books. Thank you for the opportunity to ARC-read this title—I think I just found another favorite author to binge.

[PJ S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC.

NOTE: This is a revision of a previously releaded work. I believe from nearly 20 years ago. I did not read the original, so I don't know what's different. I just know this current edition contains "editorial revisions."

I struggled to get into this book. I don't know why. The characters just weren't compelling, I guess. CJ was an incredibly unlikable character for 75% of the book. She's a hothead, illogical, entitled, and generally just bitchy. She has unrealistic expectations and a martyr complex. And none of it seems justified by the background and setup we have in this book.

As for the whodunit mystery:
Most of the build-up was unnecessarily heavy handed. I knew pretty much from the beginning who did and didn't do it, just by assuming the opposite of whatever point the author was trying to shove down my throat. The whole book focuses so heavily on this gangster kingpin--not giving us, the readers, any room to breath or any benefit of the assumption that we're insightful people. So I ruled that out right away.
The father figure character was creepy as hell. And every time CJ interacted with him she made a point to say to him, "You're so kind. You're so good to me. You're such a good person." So obviously he dun it.

The end finally comes on pretty abruptly and the only feeling I had was gratitude that it was finally over.
2.5*/5 rounded up - because this book isn't good, but I've read worse. I'd rate up a tick if the book were at least a speed read, popcorn thriller (a la Freida McFadden). But it was a slog.

[Maria Carbonell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Debra Webb for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Well this book was a wild ride! Right out of the gate there’s a woman running through the woods being chased by a mad man so you know that’s not going to end well. It does not.

CJ is finishing her residency in Baltimore when she has to go back home because her sister has been murder. The story takes all kinds of crazy turns from there. Braddock is the MMC and he’s a detective with the local police dept and there is a history between CJ and him and while it takes a while to find out what happened there, it all does come out. CJ makes some poor decisions at times that make me want to smack her but overall she was a likable FMC. Her backstory is kinda sad. Braddock is yum. Loved him.

There’s a boatload of bodies that start to pile up and CJ tries to find out who killed her sister. And let me tell you, each death scene is GRAPHIC! I loved that!

There were a lot of different POVs from side characters which confused me at first but their chapters were short so I was ok with it. I’m just not a fan of multiple POVs but that’s a me thing.

Anyway, the book was really a crazy ride and I really enjoyed it. I gave it 3 ⭐️ because I thought the ending (compared to all the other crazy scenes) was a little anticlimactic. Otherwise, great read!

Looks like I’ll be reading more of Debra Webb’s books in the near future!

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Returning to her Alabama roots, CJ Patterson is thrust into a nightmare she never wanted to relive, and the author wastes no time pulling readers into that emotional storm. The murder of CJ’s sister sets off a chain of brutal discoveries, tangled loyalties, and long‑buried secrets that make the town feel as dangerous as it is familiar. I’ve always admired this author’s ability to craft gritty, atmospheric thrillers, and while this one wasn’t my personal favourite, I still found myself fully absorbed in CJ’s struggle to navigate grief, fear, and the complicated pull of Detective Braddock. Their shared past adds a simmering tension that enriches the already dark, twist‑heavy plot.

What follows is a relentless descent into a community overflowing with hidden agendas, violent histories, and people willing to do anything to keep the truth buried. The shifting perspectives, the graphic crime scenes, and the steady escalation of danger create a sense of urgency that never really lets up. Even with a large cast and a few moments where I had to work to keep track of everyone, the story’s intensity and emotional stakes kept me turning pages. It’s a gripping, shadow‑soaked thriller with plenty of surprises, and fans of the author’s bold, unflinching style will still find a lot to enjoy, even if, like me, it doesn’t quite top their personal favourites.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.

[Stephfafahh · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ARC copy of this book was provided by Brilliance Publishing on the NetGalley platform in exchange for an honest review.

I was so locked into this story that I deep cleaned both my medicine cabinet and 3/4 of my pantry while listening to it.

Please be aware of trigger warnings including but not limited to: on-page murder, deaths, and suicide; gore; graphic descriptions of crime scenes and mutilated corpses.

The story was very fast paced, so the tension very quickly gets you hooked.

I felt like there was a large number of players to the story - some readers might find it hard to follow, as not every person holds a piece of the puzzle. We bounce between the POV of many characters in a bid to acknowledge that everyone has something to hide.

Our FMC herself irritated me from time to time. From interfering with the investigation to the point of corrupting evidence and impeding the course of justice, to blindly putting people in harm’s way with little to no repercussion.

The only thing that she wanted to do more than find out who murdered her sister was go home. So I didn’t buy into the romantic suspense portion of the story either - if she wasn’t invested, I wasn’t going to be. But he was a very decent guy and the only one with more than two brain cells to synapse together.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC!

I wanted to love this, especially with how it started, but it didn’t work out that way. We’re introduced to CJ whose night just keeps getting worse after her shift ends at the hospital and she finds out her sister is murdered. She returns to her hometown to find out what happened to her sister and face her past as well.

At first I was enjoying this and seeing where it would go, but that quickly changed for me. This felt more like a mystery than thriller with some romance thrown in. I found CJ to be an unlikable annoying character. I understand she’s wanting justice for her sister and angry, but she was making a lot of dumb decisions in trying to play detective and when she was proven wrong multiple times, still acted arrogant, especially towards Braddock, her past lover and detective on her sister’s case. The only character I liked, was Braddock’s partner, Cooper. Honestly, It just felt like everyone was using one another for personal gains in one very depressing town.

I felt the killer and twists were mostly predictable, but I kept reading because I wanted to see how things would wrap up. Also to note, this book was originally published as Everywhere She Turns in 2009.

[Meg🪩 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley

Lost in the Dark by Debra Webb is an engaging thriller that kept me thinking from start to finish. The story follows Dr. CJ Patterson, who returns to the hometown she once escaped after learning of her sister Shelley’s death. Determined to uncover the truth, CJ teams up with Detective Kevin Braddock. As they investigate, long-buried secrets begin to surface, forcing CJ to confront parts of her past she had hoped to leave behind.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and found the plot intriguing. I especially liked the multiple points of view, which added depth to the story and kept things interesting.

I rated it three stars because at times the story felt repetitive and a bit difficult to get through. There were also moments—particularly at the beginning—where a lot was happening at once, and I found myself needing to reread sections to fully follow along.

While I was able to piece together some of the mystery fairly early on, there were still several twists that genuinely surprised me. Despite a few pacing issues, this book has a lot of potential, and I’m glad I read it.

[Lori Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as an ARC through Netgalley to read and review, this is an honest review.

Published by Thomas & Mercer

Author Debra Webb wrote an emotional and profound thriller with Lost in the Dark.

For CJ Patterson, her life is consumed by the chaos that being a medical student; there's no room for much else, especially for her sister Shelley whose life is always falling apart and needs CJ to help her through whatever drama is happening.

Then it became too late... leaving CJ gutted but determined to bring whoever killed her sister to suffer for it. And she believes she knows whom murdered Shelley, even when Detective Kevin Braddock can show CJ that as rotten of an asshole Ricky Banks is, a murderer may not be no matter how hard CJ wants him to be.

Seeking out truth and justice for Shelley is a personal, dark reckoning for CJ and Detective Braddock; as Shelley's life was lived on a razor's edge with many using her for their own needs. And none are a afraid to silence CJ or even Braddock himself to bury their secrets with the dead.


Highly recommended.

[Beth Moylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debra Webb wrote another great read. This was an emotional thriller that will keep you guessing until the end.
Dr CJ Patterson received the call she was dreading. Her sister, Shelley, had been murdered. CJ is a doctor in ER Residency and grew up in Alabama in a mill town. CJ escaped the town and bad memories as soon as she was able. CJ dreaded going back but she needed to find out who killed her sister. CJ partners with Detective Kevin Braddock to find out who killed Shelley. They focus on Shelley’s abusive ex-boyfriend and a local crime boss who controls the struggling mill village’s illicit enterprises. There are so many secrets and other murders in this town that they just are not sure who did what. Shelley even had your own secrets she was hiding and possibly protecting her sister, CJ. What will happen to CJ and to Braddock in trying to find the truth that someone does not want them to find. This is very enjoyable, emotional thriller.
I want to Thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC to read and review with my honest opinion and review.

[Nikki Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Thomas & Mercer for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This was a genuinely addictive thriller that kept me turning the pages. Some plot points felt a little drawn out at times, but the story was unique enough that I stayed invested the entire way through.

CJ left her small hometown behind years ago and is now finishing up her residency as a young doctor with a promising future ahead of her. But when her sister is murdered, she’s forced to return to the small, crime ridden town she thought she had left behind for good. As the murders keep piling up, CJ becomes determined to uncover what’s really happening, even if it means putting her own future and safety at risk.

The story was suspenseful and easy to get pulled into. I also enjoyed the romance subplot, which added just enough without taking away from the mystery. Giving this three stars due to some overplayed tropes and being able to figure the mystery out early on. But overall, it was an entertaining thriller with a satisfying ending.

[loveM · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 33% 💅🏽

I just…didn’t care about the lust postured as romance and it kept being one of the forefront topics. I just wanted to know whodunnit but instead we focused on who laid or did not lay with who 🙄

I’ve read other books where the mc has trust issues but 33% in and both parties have told you what happened so you’d have no reason to mistrust the guy but you’re still pouting about it even after you…did whatever with the guy during half of a chapter that I skipped…??? Ok. It’s giving ‘end of book character growth’ and quite honestly I don’t care 🤷🏽‍♀️

Maybe it was also the writing or pacing but I couldn’t get into this book at all. I avoided this book like the plague and just decided to move on. I can’t recommend it because I don’t finish it but if you read and liked this book I really hope the ending was worth it!

TW: language, animal violence (not described), prostitution, drug use, rape (not described), idk if it was spice or not because I skipped it but it was half a chapter long so…

[Khushwant Rakhecha · Rating 4 out of 5]

After doing some research on the book, I realized that it is a revised version of 'Everywhere She Turns' (2009). This novel perfectly fits my preference for a crime thriller book because of the gritty and atmospheric setting that was presented in the narrative. Overall, the author portrayed the city of Huntsville as one filled with corruption, crime, and a number of secrets and kept the readers engaged with the dual storyline.

The main character CJ, was a determined and skilled person. Her journey was enhanced by the realistic portrayal of such issues as grief, guilt of survival and the struggle of trying to move away from a place without breaking the connection with it. Additionally, I enjoyed the depiction of the grim reality of drug addiction, prostitution, domestic violence, and graphic violence in the book.

While I found the antagonist's identity fairly predictable and noticed some familiar storytelling patterns, the strong atmosphere, emotional depth, and fast-paced narrative made this a gripping and worthwhile read.

Rating:- 3.75/5

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one hooked me right away and definitely kept me thinking the whole time. It’s a dark, twisty thriller that starts off intense and doesn’t really let up—there’s a lot going on from the beginning, and it immediately pulls you into CJ’s world.

CJ returns to her hometown after her sister’s murder, and from there the story unravels into a mix of investigation, buried secrets, and pieces of her past she clearly tried to leave behind. I liked that there was more going on beneath the surface—it wasn’t just about solving the case, but also about understanding CJ and what shaped her.

The multiple POVs actually worked for me for the most part. They added layers to the story and helped build out what was happening beyond CJ’s perspective, even if it felt a little overwhelming at times early on. There were moments where so much was happening that I had to slow down or reread to keep everything straight.

I also liked the dynamic between CJ and Braddock. There’s history there, and while it takes a bit to fully understand it, I thought it added some emotional weight to the story. CJ herself could be frustrating at times—she definitely makes some questionable choices—but I was still invested in her journey.

The book is pretty graphic in parts, and the tension stays high with how quickly things escalate and how many twists are thrown in. I did figure out some elements of the mystery earlier than I would’ve liked, but there were still a few surprises along the way.

My main issue was the pacing. Some sections felt repetitive, and then others felt almost rushed, especially toward the end. After everything that builds throughout the book, the conclusion didn’t hit quite as hard as I expected—it felt a little underwhelming compared to the intensity of everything leading up to it.

Overall, this was an engaging, fast-paced thriller with a lot of twists and darker elements. It didn’t fully land for me, but I’m still glad I read it and would consider trying more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for this honest review.

[Kharisma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lost in the Dark by Debra Webb is a high-stakes mystery that will certainly appeal to fans of the genre, though it required some patience to get started. The story follows Dr. CJ, who is driven by an intense sense of guilt and an unwavering determination to find her sister’s murderer. Her journey leads her into uncomfortable truths and directly into the path of a dangerous threat by Tyrone.

While the character's resolve is compelling, I found the first quarter of the book to be very repetitive in its plot setup. The narrative circled back on the same foundational points several times before the momentum truly kicked in. However, once the story moves past that initial phase, the tension ramps up significantly.

If you are a fan of gritty, high-stakes thrillers, I would still recommend this read—just be prepared for a bit of a slow build during the setup.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hooked early on with that intense scene at the beginning! It was such a nail biter!
Then shortly after, CJ learns of her sister suddenly passing away. CJ returns to her hometown to find out more.
The town is rundown.A town where hardly anyone ever gets out. It’s overrun by drug lords, pimps and more. CJ is determined to catch her sister’s killer since she doesn’t trust the local police. This one in particular has some gruesome details and deaths but I was hooked.
While I did figure out who was behind the deaths, I still enjoyed the book.

The narrator, Allyson Ryan did a great job portraying CJ, and several of the other characters. Allyson used a variety of tones and inflections with a big cast of characters that were in the book. I was able to distinguish several of them.
Perfect for readers who enjoy dark gritty reads, multi-POVs, amateur sleuthing, corruption, and suspense.

A very special thanks to Brilliance Publishing + Netgalley for the gifted ALC.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lost in the Dark by Debra Webb, is a well written thriller The suspense, kept me guessing until the very last page. I genuinely never seen the ending coming! The story follows Dr. CJ Patterson, whose return to her grim childhood mill town is fueled by a singular, inspiring goal: finding her sister’s killer. The atmosphere of the town is heavy with hard memories and full of secrets. Watching CJ return to the old mill town she escaped, to solve her sister’s murder was both heartbreaking and inspiring. Adding to the tension is CJ’s complicated history with the lead investigator, Detective Braddock. Their rocky romantic past adds a layer of emotional intrigue to an already gripping murder mystery. If you’re a thriller fan looking for a book that will keep you up all night, this is it. Warning: It does get a bit graphic in spots, but the twists are well worth the chill.

[Kelly Hubbard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lost in the Dark by Debra Webb is a gripping murder mystery/thriller that follows Dr. CJ Patterson as she returns to her childhood neighborhood after the murder of her sister. With the suspect still at large, she reluctantly teams up with Detective Braddock to solve the case. As evidence dwindles and bodies pile up, will they uncover the truth before it’s too late?

The characters and setting are vivid and engaging, pulling readers in and making them want to learn more. There are a few moments where the narrative slows down or feels slightly repetitive, but it quickly regains momentum as the tension builds.

While I suspected the culprit early on, I still found myself second-guessing that assumption as new twists emerged. If you enjoy high-stakes thrillers that keep you guessing until the end, this is a book I would recommend.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Lost in the Dark.

This is a tense, small-town thriller with a strong emotional edge. CJ Patterson returns to her Alabama hometown after her estranged sister is murdered, and it quickly becomes clear she’s walking back into more than just a case. Old secrets, strained relationships, and a past she tried to leave behind all come into play.

I liked the dynamic between CJ and Detective Kevin Braddock, it adds a bit of depth without taking over the story. The investigation itself keeps moving, with enough twists and suspects to keep you guessing, especially as more deaths raise the stakes.

The setting works well too. It has that small town, claustrophobic feel, which adds to the tension.

Overall it’s a gripping, easy-to-read thriller with a solid central character.

[Kathleen Sleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lost in the Dark by Debra Webb was a suspenseful and action-packed thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story was dark, gritty, and definitely gory at times, which added to the intensity and tension throughout the investigation.

I really enjoyed the multiple POVs, as they added depth to the story and kept the pacing fast and engaging. At first, I genuinely couldn’t figure out who the killer was, which made the mystery even more compelling. While the identity became more obvious towards the end, the journey getting there was still exciting and entertaining.

Overall, this was a solid thriller with plenty of suspense, action, and disturbing twists that fans of darker crime novels will likely enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Whispers From · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. CJ Patterson gets the call she has been dreading, her sister has been murdered. She goes back to her hometown in Alabama to identify the body. Detective Kevin Braddock and his partner are investigating the murder. Braddock and CJ have a complicated history and CJ starts investigating herself. She believes it was her sister’s ex but there is evidence pointing elsewhere. Then more bodies are being discovered and they have been killed the same way as her sister. Secrets are uncovered. Lies are being revealed. Bodies keep falling. Can they find the killer before CJ becomes the next victim?

This was a very good book. Enemies to lovers. Suspense. Bloody. Secrets. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book for Netgalley.

[Jacque Struiksma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed listening to Lost in the Dark. The story kept me engaged from beginning to end, and I found myself wanting to keep listening to find out what would happen next. The mystery had plenty of twists and suspects, and I liked how the small town setting added to the suspense.

The narrator did a great job bringing the characters to life and keeping the story moving. At times there were a lot of characters to keep track of, and a few parts felt a little repetitive, which is why I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5. Overall, though, it was an entertaining and suspenseful audiobook that I would recommend to fans of mystery and thriller novels.

Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the audio arc of this story!