My latest book recommendation is 'Deep Dark Truth' by Debra Webb. It is a gripping crime thriller about one woman's determination to discover the truth ... at all costs.

Deep Dark Truth

By Debra Webb

(Published by Thomas & Mercer)

Born in Alabama, Debra Webb grew up on a rural farm. She credits her grandmother with inspiring her lifelong love of storytelling and wrote her first story at age nine. Prior to her literary success, she worked a variety of jobs to help pay the bills. These included working in hospitals, door-to-door sales and factory and fast-food work.

After having her first child, her husband joined the military. As well as obtaining a degree in Business Administration, this led to several notable career experiences that heavily influenced her suspense writing, such as working as a secretary in the commanding general's office while her husband was stationed in Berlin, Germany. Finally returning to the United States in 1985, she worked for a five-year stint at NASA's Space Shuttle Program.

Debra Webb is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of over 175 romantic suspense and thriller novels. She is best known for her 'Colby Agency' and 'Faces of Evil' series.

THE AUTHOR

PLOTLINE  

Sarah Newton is a New York journalist working for Truth Magazine, a publication dedicated to exposing the truth wherever the unexplained was sold. Famous for her ruthless ability to uncover the truth – regardless of its effect on people's lives – when a young girl is discovered murdered and another girl declared missing in a small town in Maine, her editor decides Sarah is the right person to debunk the superstitions and myths being circulated by the town's residents.

Unfortunately, Sarah's reputation has preceded her, and her reception on arrival in Youngstown is met with open hostility by the residents, especially the local police chief, who views her as an interference. Desperate to keep Sarah away from their investigation, Kale Connor, a member of the council, is charged with the task of chaperoning her around to make sure she behaves herself. However, he is unprepared for Sarah's strong will and determination to do things her way and soon begins to realise why nobody else had wanted to take on the job.

Ignoring all the stories of curses and witchcraft, the deeper Sarah delves into the lives of the townsfolk, it soon becomes obvious to her that more than one of them have secrets, and that the murderer is more than likely a local. Unwilling to accept Sarah's theory, Kale tries to steer her away from this idea, however when the missing girl also turns up dead he begins to wonder if Sarah is right after all.

MY REVIEW

'Deep Dark Truth' is a gripping rollercoaster of intrigue and suspense, which I thoroughly enjoyed. With everyone hiding secrets and acting strangely, it is difficult to figure out who the murderer is. Just as you think you have cracked the case, something happens to prove you wrong. I especially liked the developing dynamic between Sarah and Kale. At first, having lived in Youngstown all his life, Kale is protective of his neighbours and irritated by Sarah's aggressive tactics. However, after learning of her past, he begins to warm to her and her theories.

I must admit, with several characters in the mix, I sometimes had trouble keeping up with the fast pace of the storyline. However, that in no way spoiled the novel for me. I just had to concentrate a bit harder. 'Deep Dark Truth' is absolutely worth the read and I can totally recommend it.

'Deep Dark Truth' is published by Thomas & Mercer and is available in eBook, paperback and audio formats from Amazon.