Series: Standalone
Format: 378 pages, Kindle EditionRelease Date: April 14, 2026
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Suspense, Thriller
A reporter must keep her past hidden as she hunts a killer terrorizing a small town in Maine in a blood-freezing novel of suspense by USA Today bestselling author Debra Webb.
Investigative reporter Sarah Newton specializes in debunking myths and superstitions—especially when they’re used to cover up horrific crimes.
When a teenage girl is ritualistically murdered and another girl goes missing, Sarah heads to the coastal village of Youngstown, Maine, to find her next story. The locals are convinced these events are the work of a legendary curse. After all, no human in this close-knit community could do something so dreadful. But Sarah knows the truth—one of their own is a cold-blooded killer.
As Sarah starts to unravel the mysteries of Youngstown with the help of a sympathetic councilman, she finds herself at the center of a vicious game. Somebody in town knows too much about her own dark secrets…Can she connect all the dots before the killer strikes again?
Revised edition: Previously published as Find Me, this edition of Deep Dark Truth includes editorial revisions.
Deep Dark Truth by Debra Webb is a gripping, atmospheric suspense thriller (revised and reissued edition of her earlier novel Find Me, with editorial updates) that blends small-town secrets, supernatural folklore, and cold-blooded murder. Investigative reporter Sarah Newton specializes in debunking myths and superstitions that often mask horrific crimes. She travels to the isolated coastal village of Youngstown, Maine, after a teenage girl is found ritualistically murdered in a chapel and another girl goes missing.
The tight-knit community clings to an old legend of a curse—after all, how could one of their own commit such atrocities? Sarah knows better: a human killer is at work. As she digs in, Sarah partners (uneasily at first) with Kale Conner, a sympathetic local councilman and lobsterman tasked with managing the fallout and keeping her in check. The deeper she probes, the more she uncovers layers of secrets, betrayals, and long-buried town sins.
Meanwhile, someone in Youngstown knows far too much about Sarah’s dark past, turning the investigation into a dangerous cat-and-mouse game in which her personal vulnerabilities could cost lives. The story unfolds against a frozen, windswept Maine backdrop that amplifies the isolation and dread. Webb excels at evoking a place where everyone knows everyone—and no one trusts the outsider poking at old wounds. Webb’s research (she reportedly lived in Maine while writing the original) shines through in vivid, sensory details.
The novel builds steadily, layering red herrings, town gossip, and escalating threats. Twists feel earned rather than cheap, and the final revelations deliver a satisfying (and reportedly “off-the-charts creepy”) payoff. Sarah is a prickly, flawed protagonist—abrasive, haunted by her past, and unapologetically dedicated to truth over popularity. She’s not instantly likable, but her growth and vulnerability make her compelling. Kale provides a strong counterbalance: grounded, empathetic, and increasingly torn between loyalty to his town and the mounting evidence.
Their chemistry adds emotional depth without overshadowing the mystery. Webb explores how communities protect their own, the dangers of folklore as a shield for evil, and the personal cost of seeking justice. It’s darker and more gruesome in spots than some cozies, with ritualistic violence that heightens the horror. Deep Dark Truth is a solid, entertaining thriller that showcases Debra Webb’s strengths in romantic suspense and psychological tension. It’s ideal for fans of authors like Lisa Jackson, Karen Rose, or early Tami Hoag—think isolated towns, buried secrets, and strong-willed heroines facing personal and professional demons.
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