I love books about librarians and books. I found the story to be great and very entertaining! Definitely a must read.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW


Review for 'The Librarian' by Valerie Keogh..


Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Valerie Keogh, Boldwood Books and Rachel's Random resources Tours.

Publication date 21st April 2023


This is the first book I have read by this author.


I was originally drawn to this book by its gorgeous eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated 'Don't miss the brand new thriller by Valerie Keogh! Perfect for fans of Sue Watson, Shalini Boland and K.L. Slater.' I am a huge fan of all three of these amazing authors so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Boldwood. I have yet to read a book published by Boldwood that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).


This novel consists of 52 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!


This book is written in third person perspective with the main protagonist being Ava Warrington. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything.

WHAT did I just read!!!! WOW!!! I mean seriously Wow!! I was NOT expecting that lot fair play!!! This has GOT to start with a MASSIVE WELL DONE VALERIE KEOGH!!!! Ooopps sorry, yes, needed a minute to get over that but I've just left you hanging there... Sorry.... Let me tell you more...


Firstly let's start off with the writing style, etc!! This book is an extremely well written book by this amazing author which had me hook line and sinker!!! It is so smoothly and beautifully written with vivid descriptions I completely forgot I was even reading a book a few times. The blurb, title and cover really fit the storyline.


As you can tell I LOVED the storyline. I found it to be realistic, very fast paced and I read it in a day. I loved the setting and atmosphere and just well... Everything!!! Twists after shocks after turns!!! Arggghhh... Its so hard to NOT say anything about them as it will give too much away and spoil it for future readers but it definitely left me speechless over and over!!! I have read hundreds of psychological books and it gets harder and harder to keep my interest and to shock me but Valerie managed it hook, line and sinker Just brilliant fair play and all links in and wraps up perfectly!!! I cannot remember the last time I flew through a book so quickly. Each and every time I went to put it down to do something my fingers were itching to pick it back up as I just HAD to know what happened next!! Valerie's evocative writing skills ensures you are dragged deep into the storyline seeing everything that is happening and feeling the tension and suspense that Ava is going through. My heart was in my throat throughout reading this fast paced, gripping and gritty psychological thriller! This may be the first book I have read by this author but if all her books are like this I cannot wait to get stuck into them and I have added all her previous books to my wish list already. It is ram packed with twists, friendship, tension, stress, suspense and everything you could ask for in a psychological thriller. I can't say more than that as I don't want to spoil it for future readers so if you want to know you'll have to grab yourself a copy!! You won't regret it!!


Just like with the storyline the characters come to life with Valerie's fantastic writing skills. They are well rounded, realistic and strong making them all the more believable. Ava has her dream job working in the Tate but as she managed to get it as soon as she graduated she has times where she feels she has missed out on life. She is a worrier and regrets something that happened 10 years ago but we don't get to find out what this is until later in the book. The 10th anniversary of this event is coming up and she is stressed out about it. She goes out for a drink with her friend Poppy as Poppy wants to do some man hunting. Poppy starts chatting to a guy she meets and Ava goes to leave but is offered a drink by another man at the bar. When Poppy turns him turn he tells her she will be sorry as she is leaving. It doesn't take long that strange events start to happen from broken equipment at work to dead birds in her garden. Could the man she turned down be exacting his revenge? You'll just have to grab your copy to find out!! I really connected with Ava and felt for her as she just wants to keep her head down and get on with her life to the best that she can with her worries over her head. I won't go into more details as I don't want to risk giving anything away but Valerie has done an amazing job constructing an addictive and explosive psychological thriller with fantastic and varied characters that you just won't be able to put down!!


Congratulations Valerie on an explosive success!!! Welcome to my favourite author club!! Here's to many more successes 🥂!!!


Clear your schedules before picking this up as you will not be able to put it down!!! "


Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the first chapters of Valerie's 'The Widow' which looks just as addictive as this one!

Overall an absolutely page turning, addictive, gripping and explosive must read that will keep you addicted from the very start to the fantastic ending!!!


Genres covered in this novel include Psychological Suspense, Hard-Boiled Mystery, International Mystery & Crime, Crime, Thriller & Mystery Adventures, Spy Stories & Tales Of Intrigue, Suspense Thriller, Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Psychological Fiction, Psychological Literary Fiction, Thriller & Suspense Literary Fiction, and Mystery amongst others.


I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of The Girl on the Train, Behind Closed Doors, fans of Miranda Smith, Sheryl Browne, Sue Watson, K.L. Slater. Shalini Boland, Lisa Jewell, Ruth Ware, Gillian Flynn and anyone looking for an explosive page turner!!!


281 pages.


This book is just £1.89 to purchase on kindle via Amazon, free on kindle unlimited and £11.44 in paperback which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!


Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.


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My Review: I had a thrilling time reading this book. Everything is fun, until it's not. We follow Ava on her journey of then and now. Ava had spent many years looking over her shoulder. Judy her sister and her best friend Poppy are the two closest to her. She loves her job at the Tate Modern as Head Librarian. Strange things start to happen, dead birds on patios or not? Is it all down to anxiety or is there more to it? You'll enjoy finding out.

I have read a few of this author’s books now, & this is up there as one of the best. A slow-burning psychological thriller which has a varying pace with plenty of twists & turns.

Ava Warrington is in her dream job, Head Librarian at the Tate Modern, combining her love of art & literature. Her calm & quiet work environment provides her with respite from the memories of her past. Whilst at university, an incident occurred which mentally scarred her &, as it is coming up to the ten year anniversary, it is intruding into her life more & more.
Her best friend, Poppy, meets her in a local bistro & ends up finding the love of her life, Ava, however, rebuffs the advances of another man there. She lives to regret it.

Easy to read & keeps you guessing until the very end.

Valerie Keogh sure knows how to write mind blowing physcological thrillers in fact I think she is the Queen of them. The Librarian sure blew my mind, I stayed up reading into the early hours because I wanted to know how it would end but at the same time I didn't want it to end. Ava was my favourite character as she reminds me a bit of myself she is very reserved and quiet and happy with her own company. Her friend Poppy is the opposite and self centred but I think there is a kind side to her, she just doesn't often show it. I started reading and from the get go was gripped, I could feel something building but was unsure of what it was. It all slowly gets revealed with different twists and turns and a totally unexpected ending. A outstanding physcological thriller!

Valerie Keogh’s latest book The Librarian has a gripping plot with lots of action, twists, and turns. It is full of smartly made and complex characters. I found at times that the book was a bit drawn out and I just want to know the backstory that Keogh referenced to throughout the story. This psychological thriller is a fast and entertaining read.


3.5 rounded up

Thank you #netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Librarian by Valerie Keogh is a thrilling contemporary suspense that entertained me as my pulse rose. It is definitely not a book to be read alone on a dark night or you will be awake listening to every creak and groan!
The past is a dreadful place to inhabit – ten years of guilt tormenting a character who cannot quite get past one night that haunts her memory.
Full descriptions create an eerie atmosphere that plunge the reader, along with the characters, into a nightmare as a life seems to be spiraling out of control. It seems that trouble is following and messing with a mind that is already disquieted.
We see the bond of sisterhood between sisters and friends as they support each other through troubling seasons.
London, though huge, can be very lonely and is a place where no one will hear you scream.
All the characters were well drawn. The leading lady was easy to empathise with and very likable. We understood her fears and her conscience, and she had a lovely bond with her sister.
The Librarian was a heart-stopping read that I read in just two sittings, pausing only to sleep. It is also a read where I am still picking my jaw up off the floor. A superb read.
I received a free copy from Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Ava works as a librarian at the Tate modern- her dream job. When she is asked out for a drink with her close friend, she is approached by a man who won’t take no for an answer and shouts a threat to her down the street. Ava then remembers, as if she could forget, about a man she knew ten years beforehand, where we are only told that something happened which she feels is her fault. She keeps hearing noises at home which is spooking her rather and when something happens at the gallery she is convinced that the man is carrying out his threat. What on earth is going on and what happened all those years ago?
As with all of Valerie's books I got into this rather quickly and time and real life slipped away from me- to me the sign of a good book and a skilful author. There’s a wonderful tension without anything being obvious to the reader- clever writing indeed. I like Ava and found myself rooting for her. It's clever, it's well thought out and I got to the end rather quickly as I couldn't put it down. A very different read in many ways and one carefully crafted. A stunning, brilliant read.

For more reviews please follow me on Twitter@nickisbookblog
#blogtour (amazon posted under misfits farm)
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Ava leads a very quiet life as a librarian. Much to quiet if you ask her sister and her best friend.
After a terrible night many years ago, she made a vow to herself that things would change.
One night out with her friend she meets a handsome man but declines his invitation for another drink. He tries again as she's leaving and when she again declines he tells her she will be sorry.
A couple of days later she's still haunted by the chill in his voice. Then other strange and awful things begin to happen. Could this random stranger really be responsible or is there something else at play here?
I felt like this was a little slow and took a while for any action to happen. It was fairly predictable in places and the flashbacks gave quite a few hints but it was a quick read.

This is a tough book for me to review, so I will skip my normal format and jump right into it.

What I liked: Things started happening in the second half of the book, and it was tense, and I love feeling on edge while I’m reading. I also enjoyed the resolution, and though I had to suspend belief for certain things, I didn’t want to put the book down once we got into the thick of things.

What didn’t work for me: I didn’t care for Ava. She ruminates a lot, which feels like filler and makes the story crawl. Some things were at odds, like Ava claiming she doesn’t drink yet drinks a ton of wine, just not in public. She’s made herself a doormat, and her eyes always fill with tears. Also, a few hits of pot wouldn’t make you forget an entire night, which feels biased.

Back to what I liked: I give this 3 stars for a reason. The book redeemed itself in the second half and became a fun read. The tension was great, and when things started happening, everything went wrong. I’m particular about what characters I like, and after reading some reviews, some people really liked Ava, so definitely give this book a try if it sounds like it would be up your alley because it might just be your next favorite read.

Beautiful cover, beautiful imagery. Thrilling, quick read that kept me on the edge of my seat. Enjoyable read for sure.

Well this took a lot of getting into. Ava works as a librarian at the Tate modern and lives alone. She starts experiencing strange happenings at home and at work . You get that she is feeling paranoid and that something happened in her past but the plot was patchy and beyond the description of her feelings it did not really make much sense. She is suspended from work and obsessed with someone she saw briefly in a bistro .
The book did improve in the second half though, the action picked up and the plot started to make more sense. Ava was, however, too naive in some ways and that added a layer which stretched the credibility of the plot in my opinion.
Not a bad read, I did have to push myself to carry on in the first half . Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Ava Warrington, 29, is the Head Librarian at the Tate Modern. She loves her job and always seems to take on more than she should. She has a nice home gifted to her by her parents and enjoys her single life.

Ava has been friends with Poppy since their university days. Poppy is always looking for the perfect man. So, one night she encourages Ava to join her at a restaurant. While Poppy is intrigued by a man she meets, Ava is taken aback by a man who tries to get to know her. He’s pushy which scares Ava and she gets away from him. He yells after her that she will be sorry.

There was an incident from Ava’s university days with a man named Simon that has always left Ava feeling guilty.

While taking a group on a tour at the Tate Museum, Ava uses her laser light to spotlight a painting only to realize that someone has changed the light to one that cuts through something. She is horrified and so upset that she takes a few days off from her job while the museum investigates it.

The books seems a bit slow at first but it then speeds up and gets really cringe worthy. There are some vicious characters created here and I hope I never run into anyone like that. Suffice to say this is a good read and I think people are going to enjoy it.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Get ready for the thrill...............

Valerie Keogh's books never disappoint. The Librarian brings to you a new world of psychological thriller. With a medium paced and gripping plot, the story enthralls and creates an air of mystery around us. And the most wonderful thing about the plot is that it has only a few characters as the center of interest. Ava's character is wonderful and right from the start she grips us in her aura. But you need to have a little bit of patience as nearly halfway through the book nothing much happens. But after that it was a captivating read.

I went through a chunk of this book wondering how and who would fit together. I got so far and figured out the hows and the whys but oh my, not the complete picture! That shocked me!

I adore Valerie’s writing! In each book, she brings a slightly fresher sting to the tale, and this was not one I was expecting! With this book, there wasn’t a lot set in the Tate Modern or a library which I was a bit sad about. But the bits that are set are the start of the unraveling.

Some of this book gobsmacked me! One shocking scene inside a flat, had me holding my breath that’s for sure! I listened to the audiobook and I was willing for the fantastic narrator to hurry up as I needed to know what was going on, but I was also praying she slow down so that this didn’t end. But I blitz the audiobook in a day, so guess who the winner was there! LOL. I mean there was one bit I was shouting at the characters to not open the front door to a flat!

I must say I didn’t particularly like anyone in the book, I did find Ava was a little tedious at times, and Poppy well she was very self-centered for a stage. It was Judy to who my heart went out. I liked how everyone had time in the book and we got to see glimpses of the other characters’ lives.

Cleverly done as normal. Her twisty mind knows no end! Especially as she unravels a shock that I didn’t even predict, leaving you to make of what you will. I was shocked! It then made me question the entire book and Ava’s previous 10 years!!!!

Another winner by the awesome Ms Valerie and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!!

The Librarian by Valerie Keogh was an excellent psychological thriller. It was a quick read and would be great holiday read relaxing by the pool with a cocktail. or two

Ava Warrington is a reserved young woman that just loved the peace and quiet around her and lives a simple life. She is the Head Librarian at the Tate Modern, this is her dream job that she loves every minute of it. This is a job she would never get bored with.

Poppy her friend invite's Ava out to the local Bistro for something to eat, a few drinks and a gossip. Ava couldn't say "No" all Ava wanted to do is spend the day on the sofa watching tele!.
Whilst there, a good looking guy starts to chat her up Ava has always had a problem saying No, but she didn't feel to good and she had to go home. She said No to him then he asked her if she wanted a drink!
Ava had to repeat herself several times and walked away from him!
Only for him to shout, ‘"You will be sorry" as she walks down the road!.

After she said No to this guy, weird things start to happen around her. She found a dead Black bird outside in her garden and when she went to get rid of it that evening, it had disappeared!!!! Then things started to happen where she worked! and she is convinced that it has something to do with the guy at the Bistro.

Is he getting his revenge as she said No to him?

or Is history repeating itself?

And that’s when her whole life begins to fall apart…......

I highly recommend this book it had good twists and turns throughout that will have hooked and hard to put this book down.

Big thank you to NetGalley and to Boldwood Books the publisher for my arc in return for an honest review.

Ava Warrington loves her dream job as head librarian at the Tate Modern, that she landed straight after graduating she sometimes feels that she missed out on traveling and potentially fancier job offer but she is happy and content with her life. Ava is a bit of a worrier which I thought would be a bit off-putting but it suited her personality and the story to a tee, you see something something happened 10 years back, which continues to prey on her mind and with the upcoming 10 year anniversary of the incident her nerves are a little on edge.

Her best friend Poppy convinces her to go out with her to a local bistro to man hunt - Poppy finds a man and as Alice decides to leave her friend to it she has an encounter with a guy as she leaving where she turn him down - for the second time to which he responds with "you'll be sorry.". From that moment things start happening t Alice, her laser pointer damages a painting during one her guided tours, she is finding dead birds in her garden -- could the man she turned down be on some form of revenge spate? Surely not!

But no, it is something much worse and when Poppy gets caught in the crossfire of who is targeting Ava, she is tasked with facing her past in a twist I never saw coming!

Yet another brilliant read from Ms Keogh!

4 stars

Valeria Keogh returns following The Trophy Wife with her latest suspense drama, THE LIBRARIAN, where a woman's mysterious past meets the present.

Set in London during the summer, Ava Warrington is a librarian at Tate Modern with a sister Judy who is married with children.

Ava had graduated with a Fine Arts degree from the University of Bristol and stayed on to do a post-graduate qualification in librarianship. She had planned to travel, but when an assistant in the library of the Tate Modern came up, it was an opportunity impossible to pass up.

She loved her job. Ava is quiet, introverted, and has anxiety. She experienced something from her days at university which made her overly cautious.

She had been with Tate for seven years, five as an assistant and the last two as head librarian. She was twenty-nine, going on ninety.

She is friends with Poppy, and they go out to a bistro. They are very different in that Poppy is impulsive and rarely looks further than surface attraction, whereas Ava is one of consideration. She pushes Ava to get out more.

There is a stranger at the bistro, he gets aggressive, and Ava says NO. He issues a threat of: YOU'LL BE SORRY.

The world came to her loud, clear, and laced with anger. Was she a drama queen? (we hear this constantly in the book).

He was just like Simon had been. What happened in Bristol?

Afterward, strange things begin happening. Ava has been suspended and blamed for damaging a painting with a pointer. Her careful, safe life had fallen apart, and she had no idea why.

She had met two horrible men, the Bistro Man (present) and Simon Loder (past). Was the Bistro man responsible for the bird and her job problems? Is he trying to punish her?

The past ten years earlier for Simon is unraveled. She has regrets. What happened back then and how is it connected to the present?

Then someone winds up dead. Was he targeted? Was this a coincidence?

Everything in her life she thought was stable was falling apart. Then another tragedy, and this time, her friend. Now her sister Judy's marriage has problems.

Everything that had happened recently had to link to what happened ten years before and the life she had destroyed. Memories were full of anguish, regret, doubt, and searing pain. Was she a victim?

Someone is out for REVENGE. Two psychopaths. How many close to her will be collateral damage?

Keogh keeps you hanging as you flip the pages to find the connection. Even though I have enjoyed the author's previous books, this one was not quite what I thought, nor a favorite. With the cover and the title, I expected more literary references and mystery about the library.

Instead, it focused more on Ava and her current/past life with these guys. Things get repetitive, and Ava is paranoid about this Bistro Man, her being a drama queen, her past, etc., which gets rather tiring. Very drawn out and lacks a certain depth.

I would classify this as more of a female mystery drama for those who enjoy light cozy mysteries more than a psychological thriller. I loved the cover but did not think it fits the book. Would have liked more literary/books/library focus.

Thanks to #BoldwoodBooks via #NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Blog review posted @ JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: April 21, 2023
My Rating: 3.5 Stars

Thank you for the copy of this book.

It took me just a minute to get into this book, however once it got going I could not put it down. I read it in the car, at work, in the bath, and in bed. When I asked for this book, I got because of the title, but this book became way more than the title. Librarian was her job, but not who she was.

There were so many twists and turns in this book, I was afraid if I didn't finish it quickly something else would happen. Perfect psychological thriller. It had all the great components of a great mystery-murder, sex, lies, and a dark past.

I would definitely recommend this book.

I think this is my first novel of Valerie Keogh's - and it was certainly different.

Ava has her dream job - head librarian at the Tate Gallery. Quiet and reserved, there is something in her past which has caused her to be cautious but we're not privy to the details until later in the book. However, her friend Poppy drags her out to socialise from time to time - when she's between boyfriends, that is. Each and every one of Poppy's conquests are always 'the one' - at least for a while. The latest one is no different. Until, that is, things change . . .

I couldn't quite make up my mind about this one as I was reading; the hints are there that something happened in Ava's past which obviously affected her confidence but I was a bit annoyed that it took so long to find out what. However, having reached the end of the book, I can quite see why the author wrote it that way. Did I see what was coming? No. I was completely unsuspecting of the guilty party until it was too late (by then, it was spelled out on the page and I couldn't miss it)! The story with her sister distracted me sufficiently - and wow, I want her on my side if I ever find myself in a 'situation'. Well written, I'm just not sure it was meant for me. However, I'm sure many others will love this one, and I'm happy to give it four stars.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.