Closer than You Know

Vera Boyett, Book 2

By: Debra Webb

Narrated by: Elise Arsenault

From USA Today bestselling author Debra Webb comes the riveting return of crime analyst Vera Boyett, fighting for justice—and her life—amid her Tennessee roots.

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 late?

©2025 by Debra Webb. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Closer Than You Know

I’ve been looking forward to catching up with Vera Boyett and her sisters and the rest of the gang in Fayetteville, especially after that last installment. In this installment, Vera partners up with Sheriff Benton, aka Bent, and their smoldering attraction to each other is as present as ever.

The book summary basically introduces the primary storyline of Nolan, the well-known son of a prominent local family and local journalist who goes missing. What the book summary doesn’t say is that Nolan was investigating the “Time Thief, who had previously abducted three people and returned them within 48hrs. Once Bent and Vera start investigating Nolan’s disappearance, it’s discovered that the first three victims all had questionable connections to Nolan. Now Nolan is missing? Hmmm…..that’s not suspicious at all. It's not long before Vera starts getting weird messages left in her house while she is not home, messages that are eerily similar to messages from a criminal that Vera put away 12yrs ago, The Messenger.

Most of the story has Vera and Bent, along with Vera’s former associate and lover, Eric, from Memphis PD, investigating The Messenger leads. Being behind bars, they are trying to determine if The Messenger had a partner 12yrs ago, or if he now has a copycat/accomplice acting on his behalf to carry on his work and go after Vera. By the halfway point, I’ve kind of zeroed in on one person, but wasn’t too shocked to learn I was way off base.

The end seems to come fast and it’s a flurry of activity and scenes that has Vera and the gang in a bunch of scary and intense scenes to rescue Eve from the abductor. Holy crap!!! Vera’s bad@$$ is freaking frightening!!! Can’t wait to see what Webb has in store for the Boyett ladies, especially after some more family drama is revealed.

The continuing character development of Vera and her loved ones (this includes Bent) was good, and the pacing was steady to fast, especially in the second half. The storyline was interesting, it revealed more of Vera’s history, especially with Eric. The writing was good too; Webb is a good writer and storyteller. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.1 that I will be rounding down to a 4star review.

love these characters

real characters with complex histories. great stories that pull them together. great author and I look forward to more

Vera Boyett #2

This second Vera Boyett book is as suspenseful as the first. Vera & Bent have to try to stop a serial killer who is “in prison”! Is this a copycat or a protégée? Be sure to read Deeper Than the Dead first.

In search of a serial killer

Vera Boyett returns in the second book of a series. There’s a new killer on the loose and Vera sees similarities to a recent case. Can’t wait for the third book!

disappointing

although this was not a bad story and the backstory between sheriff bent and Vera is a good one. this lacked the twist and turns and surprises that her other series, Finley O'Sullivan, has. I had just finished that series and figured that this one would be just as good but it wasn't. there was no twist of who did it, you can see it from the beginning of who the culprit was and I was just along for the ride.

Elise Arsenault gives an outstanding performance.

I can just feel how Debra Webb pours her heart into her books. Her characters are relatable, and her stories are always entertaining.
I am sure I am not the target audience for most of her books, but she never fails to bring an interesting story with an unexpected twist or two.'Closer Than You Know' had too much of a Harlequin's romance for me, but it was an enjoyable book. The audible book performed by the talented Elise Arsenault is very good.

Another hit!

D. Webb has another hit with Vera as the main character. Narrator did a great job. Would recommend.

A Good Listen

This was a good story. There is nothing really remarkable or different or unique about it from a lot of other crime fiction novels. I still enjoyed the characters and the plot and one "Aha!" and "Yikes!" moment. I will listen to the 3rd installment of this series when it is released.

The tension throughout. I enjoy this author!!

Great story- a bit confusing with so many characters and story lines. Great read/listen during a long car trip!

Excellent

Just wish the narrator had used a Tennessee accent! Even just a little. Lived there for a while. It’s not difficult.