Vera Boyett is a master at cracking a case.
After tragedy destroyed her career as deputy police chief, she felt lost. Moving back home near her sisters, she put her skills back to use as a crime analyst, and now her star is finally back on the rise. Vera’s work really begins to heat up after the local sheriff, Gray “Bent” Benton, calls to ask her for assistance with a pressing case.
Pushing aside their complicated past, Vera agrees to help Bent search for a missing reporter. But their investigation uncovers an improbable connection to the Messenger, a serial killer she put behind bars twelve years ago. The killer, who is dying of cancer, wants his final revenge. And the reporter is merely a distraction—Vera is his true target.
When the Messenger pulls her sister Eve into his twisted game, Vera vows to stop him for good. But can she find Eve and the reporter before it’s too
MY THOUGHTS:
Former police chief Vera Boyett has returned to her hometown after the collapse of her once-distinguished career. Now working as a criminal analyst, she finds herself navigating not only a demanding new role but also the uneasy terrain of family, particularly her strained relationship with her sister, Eve.
When Sheriff Gray “Bent” Benton seeks her expertise on a troubling case involving a missing reporter, Vera is drawn into an investigation that quickly takes a dark turn. Evidence suggests the work of a serial killer known as The Messenger, whose methods echo a case from Vera’s past. As connections between old and new crimes emerge, it becomes clear that vengeance is at the heart of the mystery—and that Vera herself may be the next target.
Webb crafts a tightly woven narrative filled with tension, layered characterization, and emotional depth. The pacing is finely tuned, balancing procedural detail with moments of vulnerability that make Vera a particularly engaging protagonist. Her dynamic with her sisters adds an authentic family dimension to the story, grounding the suspense in genuine emotion.
Equally compelling is Vera’s partnership with Bent, whose mutual respect and underlying warmth lend the novel a subtle romantic undercurrent. Webb handles their relationship with restraint, allowing it to develop organically without detracting from the central mystery.
As in the first installment, Deeper Than the Dead, Webb demonstrates her skill for blending psychological insight with taut suspense. Closer Than You Know stands as a strong second entry in the series—smartly written, emotionally resonant, and impossible to put down. Readers will be eager to continue the journey in the upcoming third book, Secrets You Can’t Keep.
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