A predator recently released from prison is missing…there’s blood on the floor—but there are two blood types. Is he a victim of revenge or has another of Nashville’s children gone missing?Joseph Fanning stole and abused seventeen children. Recently released after serving his time, now he’s gone missing. Detective Olivia Newhouse and her partner, Walt Duncan, have a duty to do all within their … within their power to find him—just as they would for any other citizen. The first step is to make a list of possible suspects and the logical names to start with are Fanning’s victims. Those seventeen children are now adults and more than one would like to see Joseph Fanning dead.
As Olivia and Walt dig deeper into the case their own lives begin to unravel. The fragile threads of discovery start to twist and tangle until nothing is as it seems.
When the one victim who knows the whole truth is revealed, no one will be the same.
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Whoa! I’m used to reading Debra Webb books and being wowed. But when I came to the conclusion of There Once Was A Child I had to sit back and let it sink in. It’s brilliant. The writing, the plot, the twist, the darkness of it. Everything. It’s a psychological thriller that will stay with you long after you read it and that makes it a brilliant read.
Ever read a book and by the end wonder if the author first sat and plotted how they can totally mess with the readers minds and before even writing the story? Debra Webb has certainly done just that with this book. Going into a “dark” book you know your not going to get many feel good moments and your also a bit fearful of the ending.. That was true of this book but yet when you’ve finished unbelievably you have this weird feeling of tranquility. That even though life sucks it’s going to be ok…
The newest thriller by Debra Webb will have you speechless and ready to go back and read the book again, to look for all of the clues that you missed the first time. Detective Olivia Newhouse and her partner, Detective Walter Duncan have settled into a routine and know each other pretty well, or at least they think they do. Both have secrets, terrible secrets that they don’t dare share until the time is right. And when will that be? Meanwhile, they are seeking the whereabouts of pedophile Joseph Fanning, a felon who is now out of prison and who has disappeared. Following all of the clues and questioning all of his previous victims, the two persistent detectives are determined to find out what happened to the evil man who once terrorized children. Is he now a victim himself? The action is non-stop and the revelation of the truth is mind-blowing! Debra Webb never disappoints, and although the theme of this book is a dark one, it will capture and hold you from the beginning to the very satisfying end.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Joseph Fanning stole and abused seventeen children. He was recently released from prison and has gone missing. Detective Olivia Newhouse and her partner, Walt Duncan, have a duty to find him. He’s done his time in prison and they are obligated to treat him like any other citizen they are sworn to protect, even if it goes against the grain.
As the story unfolds, written in first person, you are taken inside the minds and thoughts of the characters and of ‘The Child’. Olivia and Walt both are having their own personal issues to deal with, all the time vowing to themselves not to let their partner down, especially when they need them the most.
A tastefully written story that will invade your thoughts and mind. It keeps you wondering and guessing just who is ‘The Child’ throughout the pages.
I started reading this book with an expectation of what I would find between the pages. I couldn’t have been more wrong! What I found was a haunting psychological thriller with twists and turns I never saw coming, and an ending that absolutely blew me away. If you don’t read another book this year, read this one! You will not be disappointed.
Olivia and her partner Walt have the unenviable job of trying to find out what happened to a pediphile that has just been released from prison after 13 years. Though Walt and Olivia haven’t been partners long (a couple of years), it is more than just a working relationship, they are friends, friends that are family. Both are dealing with their own secrets they aren’t sharing with each other (both issues are health related) while they try and go through the twists and turns of the missing pediphile.
The book is very well written. Though a very difficult subject matter, Debra Webb has you understanding and feeling for all the main characters and what they are each dealing with. There are many unexpected twist and turns and you can’t wait to continue reading so you find out what happens next.
Though I found parts of this story difficult to read, it was extremely well written and was extremely surprised where the story went. I was very happy by the ending and truly enjoyed the book. I love books that give you something you would never think of. Great job Debra Webb. Looking forward to your next book!
This novel is a departure from Debra Webb’s usual thrillers. She digs deep into the psyche of her characters and produces a haunting and unusual novel that transcends the genre.
5 Stars!! I never saw the ending coming and I usually figure it out!! Thought about that book for weeks after finishing it!! Debra Webb is one of my favorites!!
A stunning suspense by a master storyteller!
Have you ever felt that little nagging feeling in the back of your mind. You know you’re missing something, but can’t quite put your finger on it.
For a Detective Olivia Newhouse that can be the key to unlocking a case. Joseph Fanning has just been released from prison after serving time for the kidnapping and abuse of 17 children. Except this time he is the one that goes missing. There’s a long list of enemies he has made over the years, anyone could be behind his disappearance.
Detective Olivia feels that something is off. She just can’t tell if it has to do with her personal life slowly breaking around her.
Her only shoulder to lean on at the moment is her partner Detective Walt Duncan, who unfortunately is also harboring a secret.
Olivia has to dig deep into the original files and find a connection in this new case. One that could very well end imploding on their own lives.
Joseph Fanning is a monster, a monster that haunts the nightmares of every parent…. Joseph Fanning stole and abused seventeen children. But now, Joseph Fanning is missing and it looks like he is now the victim…or is he?
Like it or not it’s up to Detective Olivia Newhouse and her partner, Walt Duncan, to find out…it’s what they do, it’s their job, but unraveling this mystery might just mean looking into dark corners that most of us would rather not delve into, the murder of innocence.
While both are fighting their own demons, it’s up to Olivia and Walt to dredge up the past for Joseph Fanning ‘s victims, each are now adults , each with a reason to kill, and determine the truth.
“There Once Was A Child”……a true thriller in every sense of the word, with twists that you will not see coming and and an ending that is both explosive and haunting. With her words, Debra Webb paints an emotional thriller that will haunt you long after you put the book down.
Written in first person, the author, allows you into the minds of these amazing characters as the story unfolds. And although this is a true thriller in every sense, Debra has managed to weave every nuance of the evil that is Joseph Fanning into a book and still keep the graphic details to a minimum, a true artist at her best!
There Once Was a Child is one of those books that you just cannot put down. Joseph Fanning is a child predator. Now that he is released from prison, suddenly he is missing. But will the clues that Olivia and Walt follow lead them to Joseph or another of his victims? The twists and turns just keep coming. You won’t forget this book any time soon; it lingers in your mind. If I could give this story more than five stars, I would. I highly recommend this book!
Wow.
Debra grabbed my attention from the very 1st page
Very vivid? Its like I was transported into the pages of the book.
Couldnt stop reading until i was done
Very suspenseful. Couldnt tell which way the story would go.
Debra Webb is a master storyteller that knows how to spin a story so you are drawn in from the very first paragraph until the very end.
Her main character is a police detective who lost her father 3 months ago, after moving in with her fiance she is beginning to doubt their engagement, her migraines are back in full force, her partner is dying and she has just discovered she is pregnant.
Detective Olivia Newhouse and her partner Walter Duncan are assigned to the case of a missing sexual predator recently released from prison. The story is told through three voices, Olivia’s, Walt’s, and The Child.
Olivia learns her father, a leading psychiatrist, may have been looking into the seventeen victims of Joseph Fanning just before his death. As Olivia and Walt interview each of the known victims, Olivia’s anxiety increases and she begins to have disturbing nightmares. The bazaar ending unfolds in the last 50 pages starting with Olivia waking up next to her fiance covered in mud.
I did not see this one coming.
Debra Webb tends to bring back her characters in new ways and I hope she will do the same with Olivia.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.