Book Review: Secrets You Can’t Keep by Debra Webb

Secrets You Can’t Keep is my second time reading Debra Webb and the third book in the Vera Boyett series, and once again she proves she knows exactly how to pull readers into a tightly woven mystery without leaving anyone behind.

One of the things I appreciate most about Webb’s writing is her commitment to accessibility. You don’t need to have read the earlier books in the series to follow this one. The story stands firmly on its own, yet the subtle breadcrumbs about Vera’s past and previous cases are woven in so naturally that they actually make you want to go back and read the earlier installments. If this is your first Vera Boyett novel, don’t worry—you’ll be able to follow along just fine.

The plot centers on two parallel investigations in a small Tennessee town already on edge: a brutal triple homicide at a secluded cabin owned by one of the wealthiest men in the country, and a deeply personal case involving Vera’s own family. As evidence begins to point toward her pregnant sister as a possible suspect, the stakes become both professional and painfully personal for Vera. Watching her navigate these two cases simultaneously adds real tension and emotional weight to the story.

Webb excels at layering secrets—personal, familial, and community-wide—until the town itself feels like it’s holding its breath. The mystery unfolds at a steady pace, revealing just enough at each turn to keep you guessing without feeling rushed or overcomplicated.

Overall, Secrets You Can’t Keep is a solid, engaging mystery with compelling characters and plenty of twists. If you enjoy small-town crime stories filled with buried secrets and personal stakes, this is absolutely worth picking up. I definitely recommend it.

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If you enjoy dark, atmospheric stories with mystery and supernatural elements, you may also like my novel The Witching—available here.