The Bookseller by Valerie Keogh is a thriller with a certain edge to it, making you turning the pages again and again while wondering where the lies will lead us to. The pace of this book is a bit slow and makes the story seem longer than it has to be, however, the ending was such a surprise. There are a few twists, specially throughout the end.

This book explores themes of guilt and forgiveness with an amazing setting. It feels cozy and nice on the surface but there's an eerie undercurrent that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I recommend it to fans of character driven thrillers with suspense.

A fantastic psychological thriller! Edge of your seat reading from the very first chapter… full of twists! I really enjoyed this and would definitely read more from the author. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for my arc

It had taken me a week to gather my thoughts about this book. I'd read a description when I requested an ARC, but it had faded from my memory by the time I started reading, so I went completely blank into this story. And I have no idea what to male out of it now. Like, what is it supposed to be? Thriller? I wasn't thrilled? Motivational story? Miss. It was a story of a woman who had killed her husband, but now she is a little innocent lamb who gets dragged around and is annoyed by it. Oh, and don't forget angry. She is angry all the time and constantly planning on killing anyone who does as much as to loo at her funny.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with this book

Can she rewrite her dark and deadly past...?

After devouring "The Mother" by Valerie Keogh a couple of weeks ago, I was keen to rekindle that same thrill and adrenaline rush with this one. But not every book is the same, as I was reminded. One reviewer aptly wrote "She's (Helen) paranoid, sure, but not in a compelling, edge-of-your-seat way. More like a frustrating please just do something way." I have to agree BUT - and it's a big BUT - that is not to say that I didn't enjoy it. I did. In fact more than I thought I would given it's slow-burn-style-of-not-too-much happening. Although plugged as a psychological thriller on that I would have to disagree. While it does have some thriller elements, it's more of a tale of one woman's dark past and her path to redemption through second chances.

Helen has just been released on licence (parole) after serving two years of a four year sentence for the manslaughter of her boyfriend Toby. She is keen to forget the past, to rebuild her life and move on. Her dream since she was a child was to open a book shop. Not just any bookshop but a second-hand bookshop. She's not interested in first editions or rare books but more in the lives books have had and the stories they could tell through their pages and those who have read them. She loves the chance to give books a second chance, just as she had been granted, and to pass on her love of books through the sharing of them - both new and old.

She finds the perfect place and puts in an offer which, after some haggling, is accepted. And thus Helen begins the process of clearing and renovating the dilapidated premises. She advertises for unwanted pre-loved books which she sets about buying and before long, her dream has become a reality. Appleby Books has opened.

No sooner has she opened her doors than she gets a visit from her probation officer who is meant to visit her on a monthly basis but as Helen is to find out, it's whenever Moira likes. In this case, it's every day - sometimes with her best friend vibe and at others in her official voice. And here in her bookshop as if she were soiling her private sanctuary when she is meant to visit her home.

But Moira is just one spanner in the works of her new-found freedom. There's the incessant knocking seemingly coming from the staircase and usually after dark. Then her bookshop is broken into and not long after, her home is too. And the mess left behind is enough to bring tears to her eyes. But she will not crumble.

However, someone is determined to sabotage her second chance. But Helen has killed before...what will it take to make her do so again? And will she, if it comes to that?

Again, I don't think this qualifies as a thriller though there is a certain edge that keeps you turning the pages wondering where Helen's lies will lead us. Yes, Helen has the habit of lying, for which she spends just as even much time covering up or keeping track of the lies she's told. Of course, this could have all been avoided if she could only tell the truth. Having said that, as the reader you still want her to come out on top - of whatever (or whoever) it is she's fighting. And yet despite this, she is still so difficult to like. If only she could tell the truth. Unsurprisingly, Helen finds it incredibly difficult to trust others. Maybe that's why she continues to hide the truth and instead, well, lie.

The supporting characters in her older sister Sarah and incomer student Jess were indeed likeable - despite the diatribe Helen's internal monologue would describe growing up with her sister. Sarah, even if she was hesitant and Helen misread that, was always supportive of Helen throughout her venture. And towards the end a light was shone on the childhood the sisters had shared and the difference in each of their persepctives was contrasting to say the least. And Jess. Well, she entered the story in a rather dubious way and Helen, naturally (as she is always wont to do), distrusted her. And yet Jess says it best. For someone who has been through so much, Helen sure is gulliable. And she is. Maybe she is yearning for that connection she lost with the death of her father. Maybe she feels a driving need to be wanted and loved, as most of us do, but in essence is actually quite lonely. I loved Jess. She went from quiet mousy bookish Jess to fearless spirited sparky Jess!

The unlikeable characters are in the form of probation officer Moira, sneaky Jared Clough and dear old Dilly who doesn't appear to be quite what she seems. There are the cockney twins Alex and Zander from the pizzeria next door who feature from time to time ane Helen is so paranoid she fears they are plotting against her. But are they really? Or is she just paranoid?

The main atmosphere of the book is one of dread throughout. It is a slow burn and feels a little longer than it is probably due to Helen being so difficult to like. The ending was a surprise. I turned the page and there it was! I was kind of expecting a sense of forboding, something unexpected to pop out in a last minute twist...but then if I was expecting it then it wouldn't be unexpected, would it? Still. The ending was just a bit sudden, I found. I thought everything would pan out (particularly with the Hemingway find) and be tied up nicely but instead, even half an hour after finishing, I forget how it did end. Except that it was sudden. Still...I did enjoy the read, as different as it was. And despite her being unlikeable and through her lies, I was still rooting for her to come out on top.

After reading this, should we be lucky to come across a second-hand bookstore (especially in this digital age), we will be checking those books for any finds that could be lurking the pages within...

I would like to thank #ValerieKeogh, #Netgalley and #BoldwoodBooks for an ARC of #TheBookseller in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

Helen, our lead, is supposedly strong enough to have killed someone... yet spends most of the book dithering, doubting herself, and being led around like a lost puppy. She's paranoid, sure—but not in a compelling, edge-of-your-seat way. More like a frustrating "please just do something" way.

this was a strong psychological thriller novel, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed from this type of book. The characters were everything that I wanted in this and had that element that worked in this universe. It was a strong psychological element that I wanted and was engaged with the suspenseful atmosphere that I was hoping for. Valerie Keogh wrote this well and was glad I got to read this.

First of all thank you for approving my request!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.

I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.

There are plot twists and an ending that is breathtaking. Revelations and a resolution of sorts with closure provided. A satisfying ending to a memorable book. Kept me thinking even after I was finished. This is my first book by this author but wont be my last. Thank you for the advance copy.

Valerie Keogh’s The Bookseller is an engaging psychological thriller that explores themes of guilt, forgiveness, and starting over. The story follows Helen Appleby, a woman trying to rebuild her life after serving time in prison for the death of her partner. She opens a secondhand bookshop, hoping it will be a peaceful place to make a new beginning—but it quickly becomes clear that someone doesn’t want her to move on.

The setting is one of the book’s biggest strengths. The bookshop feels cozy on the surface, but there’s an eerie undercurrent that keeps you on edge. Keogh does a great job creating a sense of tension that mirrors Helen’s inner struggles. Helen herself is a complex character—she’s not perfect, but she’s compelling, and readers will likely find themselves rooting for her despite her past.

The people around Helen are just as intriguing. From family members to neighbors, everyone seems to have secrets, and this uncertainty keeps the suspense high. You’re constantly wondering who can be trusted.

If the book has a downside, it’s that the pace can drag a bit in places, and a few twists feel slightly forced. But overall, it’s a gripping story with emotional depth and plenty of mystery.

The Bookseller is a strong, character-driven thriller that will appeal to readers who enjoy psychological suspense with a focus on redemption and the weight of past choices!

This book was very good, a recent parole opens a second hand book store and the mystery starts.......

I found The Bookseller to be an OK read. I really didn't like the main character which always means I struggle to get into a story as I just don't care about them or what happens.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

I found this thriller captivating, as it offered deeper insights into human behavior than I had anticipated. True to the genre, it is filled with numerous twists and turns, and despite being a convicted murderer, the protagonist is portrayed with sympathy. Helen Appleby simply desires a peaceful existence. Recently released from prison for the manslaughter of her partner, she is striving to move forward and rebuild her life. Her decision to open a bookshop feels like the ideal fresh start. Within the serene atmosphere of her shop and amidst the pages of her books, she can retreat from reality and embark on a new chapter. The world of books appears to be the perfect refuge for happiness—even it is founded on lies. However, as she adapts to her role as a seemingly meek bookseller, it becomes evident that someone is intent on destroying Helen's new life and undoing all her efforts.

If you like a thriller that is not too bloody thirsty and has a sprinkling of humour then this is the book for you. Some of the characters are over the top but that is because the story is told through the eyes of Helen who is terrified that she will be returned to prison if she puts a foot wrong. Her slightly off-key judgement leads to some fantastic misunderstandings! With thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of the book.

I actually enjoyed this book a lot. It was a little different than my normal thrillers, but it was still really good. I love the ending and I loved how it was written. I do recommend this one. I also enjoyed how the chapters were. They weren’t terribly long. Some of them were short, but it kept really good details overall and it was very well put together.

Just finished The Book Seller by Valerie Keogh—and WOW, what a ride! 😲📚 This was my first time reading anything by Keogh, and let’s just say, it won’t be my last. From page one, I was hooked by this gritty, emotionally charged psychological thriller with a twisty heart.

The story follows a young woman recently released from prison, trying to rebuild her life after serving time for killing her partner. Yep, you read that right—manslaughter. But before you go all judgmental, let me tell you: this character is complicated, raw, and so incredibly human. Most of the story is told through her voice, and I loved being in her head—messy thoughts, insecurities, paranoia and all. She’s prickly, guarded, and a bit too quick to assume the worst… but I found myself rooting for her anyway.

She uses a small inheritance to open a cozy little bookshop on the outskirts of Bath (dreamy, right?!)—but don’t expect a warm, fuzzy, teacup-filled escape. This one is darker, more intense, and filled with uneasy glances, suspicious neighbors, and the constant fear that someone wants to ruin her fragile new beginning. And honestly? Maybe she would lash out again—if pushed too far.

What I loved most was the tension that slowly simmers under the surface. You can feel the dread building as things start to go sideways, and I kept wondering… is she spiraling? Can she keep it together? Or is history about to repeat itself?

The ending—oh boy, the ending! It totally knocked the wind out of me. 🫣 Just when I thought I had it figured out, Keogh hit me with a reveal that was both satisfying and deeply unsettling. Like, I closed the book... and then sat there questioning everything.

If you love psychological thrillers with a moody atmosphere, complex characters, and the kind of story that lingers long after the last page—The Book Seller delivers. And now I absolutely have to raid Valerie Keogh’s backlist. Highly recommend! 🔪📖💥

I am grateful to NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reader copy! I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author.

This is one of the forst books i've read by valerie keogh
the writing was good and it got my interest from the beginning however i found it hard too find an interest in the main character Helen with her distrust and thoughts and some bits were really hard to read...

The Bookshop is a dark, twisty, and thoroughly engaging thriller that had me hooked from the start. Helen Appleby, freshly released from prison and determined to start over, is a compelling character—haunted by her past and cautious of those around her. While her paranoia can feel intense at times, it makes perfect sense given her circumstances, and it adds a layer of tension that keeps you turning the pages.

Her dream of transforming a rundown building into a charming secondhand bookshop gives the story an unexpected coziness—until things start to go very wrong. Mysterious noises, suspicious neighbors, and break-ins quickly turn Helen’s fresh start into a maze of unease and doubt. Her relationship with her parole officer, Moira, adds both humor and drama, constantly keeping Helen (and the reader) on edge.

Told mostly from Helen’s point of view, the story slowly unravels the mystery surrounding her new life. With several surprising twists and a satisfying conclusion, this is a slow-burn thriller that delivers. I’m so glad I got to read this one early—thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity! If you love psychological thrillers with morally complex leads, this is a great pick.

I absolutely love a book about books and I feel like The Bookseller really lived up to my expectations. I felt like I could really connect with Helen and I felt like we had a lot in common (not the convicted murderer part, I promise) but the fact that she finds her escapes in books. She dislikes most people and being social. And she has a dream to own her own bookshop. She is just perfect. I really enjoyed seeing her develop as a character and I really found that I was routing for her throughout. I wanted to see her set up a new life for herself and be at peace. I really enjoyed this book. Thank you so much for providing me with a copy of this book to enjoy. I only finished last night and I have already recommended it to a friend!

A fast paced story with a few twists and an ending that I loved. Another great story from Valerie Keogh . Loved it
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest review