Book Review AND Author Q&A: The Darkness We Hide by Debra Webb

About the Book
In the thrilling conclusion to The Undertaker’s Daughter series, THE DARKNESS WE HIDE, Doctor Rowan Dupont has been staring death in the face for so long, she’s willing to meet it for the secrets it holds. Death has followed her back to her hometown of Winchester, Tennessee, ten months ago, cloaking the walls of her family’s Victorian funeral home like a shroud. In investigating the mysterious deaths of her loved ones, Rowan has unearthed enough family secrets to bury everything she’d previously thought true. But each shocking discovery has only led to more bodies and more questions; the rabbit hole is deeper than she ever imagined.

Despite settling into a comfortable life with Police Chief Billy Brannigan, Rowan knows dangerous serial killer Julian Addington is still out there. She can’t let her guard down now. Not when she’s this close to ending it once and for all. But with a storm brewing on the horizon, she’ll get only one shot before the impending darkness takes hold, threatening to wipe away every truth she’s uncovered—and everything she holds dear.

My Review
Back in October, I shared my review of the prequel and first two books in Debra Webb’s new Undertaker’s Daughter series. The books were fantastic. The tale is a dark psychological trip into one woman’s quest to find out why horrible tragedy keeps striking her family, and if the mysterious deaths of everyone are related – but more importantly, how and why.

In the third and final installment in this trilogy, Webb ties everything up nicely (if a bit quickly, to my mind) and Rowan finally gets her answers – some of which come at quite an emotional price. The writing and pacing in this final book were once again tight and kept me on the edge of my seat. I read this one in literally one sitting of about 3.5 hours – I couldn’t stop until I, like Rowan, had my answers…

My one issue with the book was the final confrontation with Rowan’s nemesis, Julian Addington. After all of the build-up in the previous books and the previous pages of this one, the final showdown felt a bit hurried. I commented on this “pencils down!” issue in the prequel and first book, where I also felt like things built deliciously slowly and then – BAM! – suddenly ended with a bang – and a whimper. I’m starting to wonder if it’s part of Webb’s writing style though, since it’s happened in the vast majority of the books in the series. Perhaps for her, the build-up IS the story, and the resolution is more like the icing on the cake. That’s fine if so – the build is usually where the magic happens for me too, so I get that, even if my personal taste would be to carry that sense of taut suspense through to the final pages…

Regardless, this was another fabulous read and the series as a whole was a phenomenal one. If you like your mysteries/psychological thrillers DARK and twisty and full of secrets, lies, and misdirection, this is definitely one you should add to your To Be Read list!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.

Q&A with the Author

How did you decide on the location for the series?
My husband, family and I lived in the Winchester area for fifteen years. We have family and friends there and adore the area! The town of Winchester is historic and has that “old west” feel and it felt perfect. Particularly since the old, old funeral home there is totally inspiring!

Coffee or tea?
Hot coffee, iced tea!

What is your favorite genre to read, and why?
Psychological or domestic suspense!

What do you use to inspire you when you get Writer’s Block?
A long ride in the countryside. Great music. Good movies!

Best TV or Movie adaptation of a book?
Outlander!

Do you plan your books in advance or let them develop as you write?
I plan to a degree and then let the story take me where it will.

What has been the hardest thing about your publishing journey? What has been the most fun?
The hardest thing was an injury in 2010 that left my right arm and hand basically paralyzed. Three years of physical therapy was required for regaining partial use of the arm and learning to even write my name. But I never stopped writing. Slowed down a bit, but didn’t stop! The most fun without question has been reaching a place where I could write the books of my heart rather than what had a better chance of selling to a house.

Do you prefer writing in silence or to music?
Both. Sometimes I need quiet, other times I want music.

What are you working on next?
I have a new series percolating!

What is the significance of the title?
Very important to suspense and mystery are the things a character doesn’t know or doesn’t see coming. The secrets, the lies and even the darkness can trickle into the lives of most people. Most people have secrets, most lie occasionally—if only to protect feelings—and we all have feelings sometimes that aren’t happy or light or maybe nice. Thus the titles, The Secrets We Bury, The Lies We Tell and The Darkness We Hide!

What were the key challenges you faced when writing this book?
Making sure the body preparation and tasks of a funeral director were accurate.

Do you have stories on the back burner that are just waiting to be written?
Always!

What does a day in the life of Debra Webb look like?
I like to do my writing early. Then, hopefully by lunch time, I’m off the do the necessary and the fun. I love junk shopping and decorating. My husband and I are always renovating something!

What would you tell a hopeful content creator about trying to break out in publishing?
Focus your work and never stop trying!

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