Wow, Dugoni kept me reading all day and into the night, and the next day and night. The story begins with a murder, then another murder, then a chess game, and a murder trial. And yes, it all comes together but....read it at your own peril...be warned...you will not be able to put it down or not think about it. Highly recommended for those who love mysteries, thrillers, and complicated plots.

Part legal thriller, part police procedural- and I loved it! Dugoni has a way of investing the reader from the beginning. I was caught up in the story and couldn't put it down! I enjoyed the legal side and the courtroom drama. The family dynamics were written authentically. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and hope we get more of them in the future!

Our main character and narrator is Keera. She’s a very interesting young lady - a former prosecutor who now works in the family firm. In a new iteration of, “It’s always the husband,” Keera is retained by Vince LaRussa, an investment adviser accused of murdering his wife. There’s little evidence to support the charge, but he’s a shady character from the start.

Like any Dugoni book, the characters are unique and well developed. The dynamics of Keera’s Irish family felt very real and I love how he treats her father’s alcoholism. Can the family come together to get LaRussa off the hook? The second question is her moral dilemma - should they get him off the hook?

On the side, Keera is a chess player and the analogy of game strategy was a little overplayed, in my opinion.

Dugoni is so great at leaving bread crumbs while not revealing much. He creates a great tone and pace. I got a little lost in all of the courtroom scenes. But it was a great read and I was surprised by the reveal. I hope we see more of Keera in the future.

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an ARC of Her Deadly Game.

I was thrilled to receive an ARC of Robert Dugoni's latest legal thriller, Her Deadly Game, the first in what should be another great series by this author.

Keera Duggan has recently left the District Attorney's office in Seattle, Washington, following a toxic romantic relationship, and has landed where she never thought she'd end up, her father's law firm, as a defense attorney. Great character development details the dysfunction of Keera's family (her sisters also work at the firm) surrounding her father's alcoholism. Keera goes through some brutal self-discovery throughout the novel.

The event that is central to the story, is the death of Anne LaRussa, a wealthy, disabled woman, in which the evidence points to murder, and her husband is the main suspect. The crime is investigated by Frank Rossi (a beloved character from the Tracey Crosswhite series) and Keera is hired as the defense attorney for Vincent LaRussa, who is charged with the gruesome murder.

The story unfolds, engaging and entertaining until the end. I highly recommend this book.

I am a big fan of the Tracy Crosswhite series and also the Charles Jenkins stories from Robert Dugoni so I was especially excited to get an advanced copy of this new book. It did start out very slow and about halfway I wasn't sure I could actually finish the book, The family drama was just a little bit "much" for me and it felt like drama for the sake of drama. However, because I agreed to read the book and give an honest opinion, I pushed through and the second half of the book went much faster and easier than the first half. While I didn't come away from the book feeling about Keera the way I do Tracy or Charles in the other series, I did understand her a bit more. I mostly appreciated the references to Del, Faz, and the prosecuting attorney (it's late and the name escapes me) Since this series is set in the Seatle area it is nice to have those cross references. I'm sure that we will see more of Keera and the family in more series and I'm hoping the next series brings a love interest to Keera and more JP who turned out to be my favorite character in the entire book, I think there's so much more to him than we've been given.
I thank Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for allowing me the privilege of reading this book before the release date!

I am a fan of Robert Dugoni's Tracy Crosswhite series so I figured I would give another of his books a try. Her Deadly Game is the story of Keera Duggan, a lawyer who works for her family's firm as a defense attorney. When a wealthy man is accused of his wife's murder Keera and her father take on the case. I just couldn't get into the story. Keera and her family fighting about every little thing got on my nerves and I found the pace of the book a bit slow. I didn't finish this book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Excellent book, with a fantastic plot and great characters. Easy to read and entertaining with mysteries and twists.

Robert Dugoni has returned to the legal thriller with Her Deadly Game. His earlier series is best selling David Sloane series. In this one, he has Keera Duggan, daughter of the Irish Brawler, Patsy Dugan, defending Vince LarRussa for murdering his wheelchair-bound spouse. Keera, a member of the dysfunctional Duggan family, escapes by becoming a chess prodigy. Dugoni is one of my favorite storytellers equally talented like Grisham, weaving police investigation with defense's plan for acquittal! Vince Larussa is a psychopath, But is he a guilty psychopath or an innocent one? Keera thinks he just might be guilty of something! If you enjoy legal wrangling, chess plotting, family loving tradition and support, get this book!
I highly recommend this outstanding legal thriller by one of the best, Robert Dugoni!!!

4.5. Really good.

This is the second book I've read by Robert Dugoni and I will definitely continue to seek out his titles. I hesitate to read authors who churn out book after book (does quantity equal good quality all the time?), but so far I have been pleasantly surprised both times. I love legal/courtroom thrillers and this one was engaging, kept me on my toes and the pace moved along appropriately and there wasn't any unnecessary meandering. All good points!

I'm not sure I'll remember the specifics of this book far into the future, but there are some titles you read to enjoy in that moment. This is one of those books. Great for what it is.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the author for the egalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review Date: 12/12/2022
Publication Date: 03/28/2023

HER DEADLY GAME by Robert Dugoni
Another great read by Robert Dugoni. He has never disappointed me with one of his stories. This one was a legal thriller. A lot of information, a whodunit, and twisty story. Did he or she do it? Also a story of father daughter relationships, a lawyer father who loves his drinks as does most of the family, a defendant who may or may not have done it. Very good story – twisty ending. I would highly recommend this as well as all of Mr Dugoni’s books. Once you start it, you will not want to put it down. 5 Star read for sure

Another great book from Robert Dugoni. This one is much different than the "Sisters series" and if I may I believe he has another series in mind with these characters. In this crime mystery the reader might think you know what is going on until the plot twist towards the end and it is in a different direction than the reader anticipated. Her Deadly Game is an exciting criminal justice story, following Keera Duggan, an attorney at her father’s law firm, and her first case representing Vince LaRussa, accused of murdering his wife, Anne LaRussa. This case is definitely not a clean cut and simple one, and it only gets trickier with the mysterious emails she’s receives making the holes in this case even larger. Dugoni is an excellent writer and I felt like I was apart of the case every step of the way. Robert Dugoni is a master at character building, apparent in all his books. What happily surprises me is his ability to write female characters so well. He captures the strength and sensitivity of Keira Duggan.

If you enjoy thrillers, mystery and court room drama pick this one up.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher. This one is published March 28, 2023

I have yet to find a book by Robert Dugoni that I didn't enjoy. This one, with a new female attorney protagonist, was another page-turner. This attorney's career has taken some unexpected turns and she is now part of the family law firm, started by her alcoholic father. She's tasked with defending a wealthy investment advisor, charged with murdering his wife. The circumstances of the murder are puzzling, without much hard evidence to convict, but he is definitely the most obvious suspect. And, she's facing a prosecutor who is very motivated to win. You'll want to keep reading to see whether she can get this man acquitted. You'll never expect the outcome.

While the book focuses a lot on the legal aspects of the case, as always, the main characters are described in enough detail for us to really understand their perspectives and motivations. The added complication of an alcoholic father/colleague makes this a complex novel with lots to keep your interest. And, I'm saying all this even though I"m not a fan of chess, which is a game that the main character plays and which often has analogies to the case. The chess references did not distract me from the main plot and would even add interest if the reader were a chess player. Overall, another winner for Robert Dugoni!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer publishers for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Robert Dugoni has crafted an exciting, multi-layered legal thriller with Her Deadly Game. He expertly weaves an important chess game with a murder trial including complex family relationships and intriguing characters. A wonderful “didn’t want to put it down and didn’t want it to end” novel.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this excellent ARC.

Robert Dugoni is one of my favorite authors, and this book is clearly why. WOW.
When a wealthy, disabled woman is found shot in her kitchen, the prosecutor points all fingers and evidence to the husband, Vince LaRussa. Vince hires Patsy, and his daughter Keera, to represent him. What Keera discovers is that there is missing evidence, the facts just don't add up, but on top of all that her client is not who he claims to be. There is more than one motive, and more than one suspect, but Keera's focus is getting a not guilty verdict for Vince. But is he really innocent? What about Anne's best friend?
Lots of twists and turns, many jar dropping moments, and lots of intrigue that kept me turning the pages all night long. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Robert Dugoni’s new title Her Deadly Game brings us an exciting story that makes you think twice. A game within a game. Keera Dugan joins her family law practice that along with her two sisters includes her well known father who is an uncontrollable alcoholic.. Keera takes on a hugh profile murder case which is her first one ever, in place of her father who was too drunk to commit. Wow! What a treat this book was. Clear your schedule, because you won’t be able to put this story down. I would give it 10 stars if I could. Well Done Mr. Dugoni. You gave us the best story ever, then stepped it up a notch.
I hope there will be more Keera Dugan books to come.

The baby girl in an Irish family comes into her own in this legal thriller. Keera, the third daughter and the youngest of five children, succeeds her father, a defense attorney with the moniker of "The Irish Brawler." Those readers who are familiar with Dugoni's Tracey Crosswaithe series will recognize some of the minor characters in this book. The book has a fairly good pace, but I must admit that when a "mystery" or travesty of justice is solved around chapters 28 to 30, the writing feels less clear. There's a good payoff once you read beyond that, however.

I’m a huge Dugoni fan and am always so impressed by his versatility and talent. He can write historical fiction, a good espionage thriller, a detective series and a good ole legal thriller. This one is a little bit of everything. Part courtroom drama, part police procedural with a bit of family drama mixed in to add an extra interesting layer.

A woman is found dead under a strange set of circumstances. Meet Keera Duggan. Former prosecutor, turned defense attorney now working for the family firm. We watch as Keera finds her feet as a defense attorney and works against the clock to convince a jury her client is innocent. Or is he?

This one has some great courtroom scenes and some tender family moments as well. Robert Dugoni never disappoints!

Big thank you to NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer and Amazon Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I just reviewed Her Deadly Game by Robert Dugoni. #HerDeadlyGame #NetGalley

Thanks to net going and Thomas & Mercer for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be published March 28, 2023.

This is the second book I’ve read by this author, the first one being The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell which was a solid 5 stars!

This was a fun legal thriller. It was fast-paced and I was hooked from the start. I enjoyed the play on words with the title; there is a chess game being played in the book that mimics the action in the courtroom.

Robert Dugoni may be the master of thrillers today. His writing is crisp, his plots are complex and involving, and his characters are ones to love or revile.

Keera Duggan has returned to her family’s failing criminal defense law firm to work for her father.. With the right moves, she hopes to restore the family’s reputation, her relationship with her father, and her career.

Keera’s chance to play in the big leagues comes when she’s retained by Vince LaRussa, an investment adviser accused of murdering his wealthy wife. There’s little hard evidence against him, but considering the couple’s impending and potentially nasty divorce, LaRussa faces life in prison. The prosecutor is equally challenging: Miller Ambrose, Keera’s former lover, who’s eager to destroy her in court on her first homicide defense.

As Keera and her team follow the evidence, they uncover a complicated and deadly game that’s more than Keera bargained for. When shocking information turns the case upside down, Keera must decide between her duty to her client, her family’s legacy, and her own future. This reader is looking forward to more legal thrillers by Dugoni, especially if Keera leads the way. Highly recommended. #HerDeadlyGame #NetGalley #SaltMarshAuthors

Editor's note: This review is subject to editing after final copy and will publish on several newspaper sites March 28, 2023.

All in the family: Robert Dugoni's new legal thriller series starter, 'Her Deadly Game,' keeps the pieces moving around a familiar board

The pieces on a chess board are black and white, but Robert Dugoni grays the game by taking us into the mind and motivation of attorney Keera Duggan in the first of his new legal thriller series, “Her Deadly Game” (Thomas & Mercer).

Duggan is a generational lawyer: Her father, Patsy “the Irish Brawler” Duggan, has made a legendary reputation in Seattle’s criminal defense arena. Here he welcomes his daughter into the family firm after Keera leaves the DA’s office following a disastrous romantic relationship with a senior colleague.

The Duggan firm of today is not the firm of old. Tarnished by Patsy’s alcoholism, the practice now only fields low level criminal cases — something that Keera plans to change. The high profile murder defense of multimillionaire money manager Vince LaRussa presents a chance for the firm — and her father — to rebuild their luster, if Keera can convince the client that she and the Irish Brawler are up to the game. Because that’s a game Keera excels at — as a former child chess prodigy, she has a strategic mind and competitive stubbornness — she’s able earn LaRussa’s trust.

All is not initially well, though, and after an embarrassing court appearance on another case, Keera elicits a promise from Patsy that he’ll give up alcohol for the duration of LaRussa’s trial. That’s a promise he’s made before, so it’s an act of faith of Keera and her sisters, who also work at the family practice, that they take him at his word. That’s harder for Keera than Ella and Maggie because of the close relationship she had with her father growing up. But because she has come to realize that her inherited genes include not only the law, but alcoholism, she’s willing to take a last chance on the person she also sees in herself.

Complicating all of this is the murder case before them. LaRussa is accused of killing his disabled trust-fund wife. Although the evidence seems to indicate that he isn’t the killer, money and an impending divorce is motive enough for the prosecuting attorney — the man who just happens to have been Keera’s misguided love interest — and the DA’s office is determined not only to win, but extract personal revenge on Kerra by doing so.

Shades of gray deepen as the story develops when mysterious and leading emails, a vengeful prosecutor and LaRussa’s questionable past conspire to derail the defense’s case.

Dugoni does the yeoman’s work in keeping the offense two moves ahead of Keera and Patsy — all’s fair in love and the courtroom — but where the story most shines is in the relationship between father and daughter.

At one point, Keera comes to realize the cyclical life she had embraced: “She was alone. Unmarried. No boyfriend. No children. She thought of Ella and Maggie, both also alone, and her two brothers and their divorces. … Kerra didn’t want her life to be like … theirs. She didn’t want to run from intimacy or blame her problems on her father’s drinking. She realize she had been doing just what her father had always done. She had been making excuses for her drinking and making poor choices.”

Working through such familial baggage, in addition to working for the defense after a career in prosecution — “You have that look,” Patsy said. … “That look young defense attorneys get when they realize the person they’re fighting so hard to get off is guilty.” — texture the story in ways remembrance of Dugoni’s popular Tracy Crosswhite series. Bringing in cross-story detectives Vic Fazzio and Del Castigliano — both of whom, like Tracy, Kerra had worked with on the prosecutorial side of the fence — is also a welcome addition to the story, making “Her Deadly Game” not so much a new series starter, but exactly what it is: a family affair.