REVIEW: No Darker Place by Debra Webb

In No Darker Place (Shades of Death #2) by Debra Webb, revenge is the only thing on Bobby Gentry’s mind when it comes to a serial killer known as the Storyteller. The psychopath robbed her of her husband and child, and there’s nothing she wants more than to bury him for the pain he’s caused in more ways than one, since she has the scars to prove it. Knowing she can’t accomplish what she wants to do alone, she accepts help from the unlikeliest of sources – Nick Slade, a serial killer hunter that has his own reasons for taking out those that cause harm to innocent people.

”You know, my partner believes in you.” She exhaled a big breath, shook her head. “He thinks you’re psychic or something. A legend the FBI only whispers about.”
Nick dared to move closer without the shield of anger. “What do you think?”
She turned from the door. Her blue eyes flared when she recognized how close he was. “I’m not sure. You operate outside the law to hunt down and stop serial killers, and I’m a cop. What should I think?”

What a tempestuous and dark ride Ms. Webb takes readers on this story about a heroine out for revenge, a hero looking to right past wrongs because of crimes committed by a relative, and a psychopath that wants to finish his story on the one that got away. The way this story started grabbed my attention immediately, and I couldn’t wait to learn more about the heroine. She’s a woman on the edge; a woman ready to give up because she’s lost those she loves, but not before she has her revenge. Will she get the chance to avenge her family and those that lost their lives at the hands of the Storyteller? How far is she willing to go to get her revenge?

The dialogue was well-written and told from various points of view including the hero, heroine, the Storyteller and a couple of others. It was also very intense due to the way the investigation goes into finding the Storyteller and the history the heroine has with him. She went through a very dark time at his hands and I could understand why she was willing to take the risks she does, because nothing else matters but revenge. However, in saying that, I liked that she accepted help from the hero, because she couldn’t continue to go it alone, especially with the way the Storyteller taunts her.

As for Nick, I absolutely loved him and was fascinated by his back story. No wonder why he hunts serial killers, because of his connection to one of the most notorious ones discussed in this book. He’s a real mystery that tries to avoid getting close to anyone, but there’s certainly no way he can stay away from the heroine. She gets under his skin, and I liked the connection they had from the moment he met her. Also, I liked how far he was willing to go to find the Storyteller, no matter whether his methods were illegal. Moreover, the heroine needs him just as much as he needs her, which is proven throughout this book, because if anyone can convince the heroine that ending her life isn’t the way to go, it’s Nick.

”I don’t know who you are” – she searched his face for a long moment – “but if you can help me save those children and Gwen Adams, I don’t care if you break every law known to man.”
Anticipation expanded in his chest. Now they were getting somewhere. “Are you saying you’ll stay out of the way and let me do what I need to do to stop him?”
She schooled her expression, exiling that glimpse of her true feelings she’d only just shown him. “No way. I’ll take any and all help to save the hostages, but he’s mine.”

Overall, Ms. Webb has penned an entertaining read that I could not get enough of, even though it only ends with a happy for now and there’s another book to follow this one, as this story is part of a trilogy. The way this story ended had me on the edge-of-my-seat because the Storyteller really wants to end Bobby’s life and the heroine is determined to do the same to him. Who will come out on top? I would recommend No Darker Place by Debra Webb, if you enjoy suspense novels that ride an edge of darkness and are filled with plenty of twists and turns, or if you’ve read Her Darkest Nightmare by Brenda Novak and enjoyed it.

Book Info:

Publication: February 20th, 2017 | Harlequin MIRA | Shades of Death #2

They want revenge. They need each other.

Detective Bobbie Gentry has one objective: to stop the serial killer who robbed her of her husband, her child and her life. Nick Shade understands Bobbie’s pain — and her desire for vengeance. He’s on a mission of his own, and the murderer known as the Storyteller is next on his list. Nick knows that the best way to find his target is to stick close to Bobbie.

But as she becomes more and more reckless in her attempts to lure the Storyteller out of hiding, he has to make a choice. Will he protect her from herself even if it means passing up the chance to take out one more monster? As for Bobbie, she’s forced to decide just how much she can trust this stranger who knows so much about her. And both of them are about to learn whether or not two broken people can save each other.