Lost in the Dark

 

Lost in the Dark by Debra Webb
6/9/26;  367 pages
Thomas & Mercer 

Lost in the Dark by Debra Webb is a recommended investigative thriller. Originally published as Everywhere She Turns (2009) this is the revised edition of the story.

When her sister Shelley is found murdered in the woods, CJ Patterson, a medical resident in Baltimore, returns to her struggling hometown, a mill village in Alabama. Detective Kevin Braddock, a former romantic partner of CJ's, is leading the investigation. The two key suspects are Shelley's boyfriend, Ricky Banks and the local crime boss, Tyrone, who has declared himself king.

The quality of the writing is actually quite good through most of the novel. The pace is even at the beginning and can be a bit repetitive, which I attribute to the fact that it is a revised edition. It picks up later along with the suspense and sense of danger increasing and includes several twists along the way.  The narrative is told through multiple points-of-view, with the main one being CJ. I did correctly guess the perpetrator early on. 

While I enjoyed parts of the novel, especially after the action picks up, CJ is not always an appealing or likeable character. I want to give her a pass due to grief and the ongoing investigation, and, also, I'd have to admit that none of the characters are particularly likeable. Most of them have some hidden agenda. 

There are two main drawbacks in the novel for me, the first and main one is CJ's relationship with Braddock and the romance aspect of the novel, which I could personally do without. The lingering attraction could have been present, in the background, without having CJ immediately "jump" him physically soon after seeing her dead sister in the morgue. I almost DNF when this happened very early in the plot. The second drawback is the multiple graphic descriptions of violence and mutilation. 

In the final determination I have to go with 3.5 rounded down. As mentioned, the quality of the writing is good. The plot and pacing that let me down, but I was fully invested in reaching the final denouement. I'll be looking forward to Webb's future novels, since this doesn't represent her best. 

Lost in the Dark is a good choice for those who enjoy dark investigative thrillers with a romantic attraction between characters. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.