𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜𝕤𝕖𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕣 📚𝕓𝕪 @valeriekeogh2
𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕣𝕖 : 𝕄𝕪𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕪/𝕊𝕦𝕤𝕡𝕖𝕟𝕤𝕖/𝕋𝕙𝕣𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕣/ℙ𝕤𝕪𝕔𝕠𝕝𝕠𝕘𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕣𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕣
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𝑯𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚 𝑷𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒅𝒂𝒚😍😍 @valeriekeogh2 .

ᴡʜᴏ ᴅᴏᴇꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴀ ᴛʜʀɪʟʟᴇʀ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ʙᴏᴏᴋꜱ 😍? ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏᴇᴅ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ᴏᴏᴏᴏʜʜ ɪᴛ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴅᴀʀᴋ ᴀᴛ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇꜱ.

ʙʟᴜʀʙ📝: ʜᴇʟᴇɴ ᴀᴘᴘʟᴇʙʏ, ᴀ ᴡᴏᴍᴀɴ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟɪᴄᴀᴛᴇᴅ ᴘᴀꜱᴛ, ɪꜱ ᴏɴ ᴀ Qᴜᴇꜱᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ᴀ ᴘᴇᴀᴄᴇꜰᴜʟ ʟɪꜰᴇ. ᴀꜰᴛᴇʀ ꜱᴇʀᴠɪɴɢ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ɪɴ ᴘʀɪꜱᴏɴ ꜰᴏʀ ʜᴇʀ ᴘᴀʀᴛɴᴇʀ’ꜱ ᴍᴀɴꜱʟᴀᴜɢʜᴛᴇʀ, ꜱʜᴇ’ꜱ ᴅᴇᴛᴇʀᴍɪɴᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴏᴠᴇ ᴏɴ ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛ ᴀɴᴇᴡ. ᴏᴘᴇɴɪɴɢ ᴀ ʙᴏᴏᴋꜱʜᴏᴘ ꜱᴇᴇᴍꜱ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴇʀꜰᴇᴄᴛ ᴇꜱᴄᴀᴘᴇ, ᴀʟʟᴏᴡɪɴɢ ʜᴇʀ ᴛᴏ ɪᴍᴍᴇʀꜱᴇ ʜᴇʀꜱᴇʟꜰ ɪɴ ꜱᴛᴏʀɪᴇꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄʀᴇᴀᴛᴇ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴢʏ ʜᴀᴠᴇɴ. ꜱʜᴇ’ꜱ ʜᴏᴘᴇꜰᴜʟ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜɪꜱ ꜰʀᴇꜱʜ ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛ, ᴇᴠᴇɴ ɪꜰ ɪᴛ ꜰᴇᴇʟꜱ ᴀ ʙɪᴛ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴀ ᴍᴀꜱᴋ. ʏᴇᴛ, ʜᴇʀ ʜɪꜱᴛᴏʀʏ ᴡᴏɴ’ᴛ ꜱᴛᴀʏ ʜɪᴅᴅᴇɴ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴀꜱ ꜱʜᴇ ꜱᴇᴛᴛʟᴇꜱ ɪɴᴛᴏ ʜᴇʀ ʀᴏʟᴇ ᴀꜱ ᴀ Qᴜɪᴇᴛ ʙᴏᴏᴋꜱᴇʟʟᴇʀ, ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴏɴᴇ ɪꜱ ᴛʜʀᴇᴀᴛᴇɴɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴅɪꜱʀᴜᴘᴛ ʜᴇʀ ɴᴇᴡ ʟɪꜰᴇ. ᴀᴡᴀʀᴇ ᴏꜰ ʜᴇʀ ᴏᴡɴ ᴘᴏᴛᴇɴᴛɪᴀʟ ꜰᴏʀ ᴠɪᴏʟᴇɴᴄᴇ, ʜᴇʟᴇɴ ɪꜱ ᴘʀᴇᴘᴀʀᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴏ ᴡʜᴀᴛᴇᴠᴇʀ ɪᴛ ᴛᴀᴋᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴘʀᴏᴛᴇᴄᴛ ʜᴇʀ ꜰᴜᴛᴜʀᴇ.

ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ 🙇🏻‍♀️: ᴛʜɪꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ʙᴇᴀᴜᴛɪꜰᴜʟʟʏ ᴇxᴘʟᴏʀᴇꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ᴊᴏᴜʀɴᴇʏ ᴏꜰ ʜᴇʟᴇɴ, ᴡʜᴏ ꜱᴛʀɪᴠᴇꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴏᴠᴇ ᴘᴀꜱᴛ ʜᴇʀ ᴛʀᴀᴜᴍᴀᴛɪᴄ ᴘᴀꜱᴛ ᴡʜɪʟᴇ ᴛʀʏɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴄʀᴇᴀᴛᴇ ᴀ ɴᴏʀᴍᴀʟ ʟɪꜰᴇ. ʜᴇʀ ᴜʟᴛɪᴍᴀᴛᴇ ɢᴏᴀʟ ɪꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴏᴘᴇɴ ᴀ ꜱᴜᴄᴄᴇꜱꜱꜰᴜʟ ʙᴏᴏᴋꜱᴛᴏʀᴇ, ᴅᴇꜱᴘɪᴛᴇ ʙᴀᴛᴛʟɪɴɢ ʙᴏᴛʜ ᴘᴇʀꜱᴏɴᴀʟ ᴅᴇᴍᴏɴꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇxᴛᴇʀɴᴀʟ ꜰᴏʀᴄᴇꜱ ᴛʀʏɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴀʙᴏᴛᴀɢᴇ ʜᴇʀ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍ. ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴛᴏʀʏ ᴅᴇʟᴠᴇꜱ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ꜱᴛʀᴜɢɢʟᴇꜱ ʜᴇʟᴇɴ ꜰᴀᴄᴇꜱ, ɪɴᴄʟᴜᴅɪɴɢ ʟɪɴɢᴇʀɪɴɢ ɴɪɢʜᴛᴍᴀʀᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ʜᴇʀ ᴅᴇᴄᴇᴀꜱᴇᴅ ʜᴜꜱʙᴀɴᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄʜᴀʟʟᴇɴɢᴇꜱ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴏꜱᴇ ᴀᴛᴛᴇᴍᴘᴛɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ʜɪɴᴅᴇʀ ʜᴇʀ ᴀꜱᴘɪʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ. ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ɪᴍᴍᴇʀꜱᴇꜱ ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀꜱ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴊᴏʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄʜᴀʟʟᴇɴɢᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ʀᴜɴɴɪɴɢ ᴀ ʙᴏᴏᴋꜱᴛᴏʀᴇ ᴡʜɪʟᴇ ᴇxᴀᴍɪɴɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇᴇᴘ ᴄᴏɴɴᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴꜱ ᴘᴇᴏᴘʟᴇ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ꜱᴛᴏʀɪᴇꜱ. ᴡɪᴛʜ ɪᴛꜱ ʙʟᴇɴᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴅᴀʀᴋ ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛꜱ, ꜱᴜʀᴘʀɪꜱɪɴɢ ᴛᴡɪꜱᴛꜱ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴇɴꜱɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ʀᴇᴠᴇᴀʟɪɴɢ ʜᴇʟᴇɴ’ꜱ ʜɪᴅᴅᴇɴ ᴛʀᴜᴛʜꜱ, ᴛʜɪꜱ ꜱᴛᴏʀʏ ᴋᴇᴇᴘꜱ ʏᴏᴜ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴅɢᴇ ᴏꜰ ʏᴏᴜʀ ꜱᴇᴀᴛ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴍɪx ᴏꜰ ʟɪɢʜᴛʜᴇᴀʀᴛᴇᴅ ꜱᴄᴇɴᴇꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴇᴇᴘᴇʀ ᴍʏꜱᴛᴇʀɪᴇꜱ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴅᴇꜰɪɴɪᴛᴇʟʏ ʟᴇᴀᴠᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀꜱ ᴡᴀɴᴛɪɴɢ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴛᴀʟᴇɴᴛᴇᴅ ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ.
ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴍʏꜱᴛᴇʀʏ/ᴘꜱʏᴄᴏʟᴏɢɪᴄᴀʟ ᴛʜʀɪʟʟᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ʙᴏᴏᴋꜱ ᴛʜᴇɴ ɢᴏ ᴘɪᴄᴋ ɪᴛ , ɪ ᴀᴍ ꜱᴜʀᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡɪʟʟ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ɪᴛ. ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ᴀ ᴍᴜꜱᴛ-ʀᴇᴀᴅ ꜰᴏʀ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀꜱ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴡʜᴇʀᴇ.
ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ @netgalley , @theboldbookclub , @valeriekeogh2 ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʀᴄ ᴄᴏᴘʏ❤️❤️..

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

This is a gripping psychological thriller. When the protagonist, Helen, opens a secondhand bookshop, she hopes to move on from her troubled past and leave it behind. From the start, I took an interest in Helen as a character, and I identified with her love of reading.

I typically enjoy books that are centred on a location like a bookshop or library. These locations are something that I associate with joy and excitement. As I was reading this, I found that Helen's bookshop came to life for me in a slightly different way; I felt it had a darker, edgy kind of energy. I liked the dark, gritty tone of the writing, and I felt the author had a clever, ambiguous way of creating suspense, which kept me turning the pages.

I think my book club would enjoy this book, so I may recommend it to them, and I think I would like to read more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

This book is written by a really great writer but, although the story 'was there', it took such a long time to get there! Interesting characters, some a little odder than others and caught myself thinking "why did she not...." quite a few times. An OK read but felt it was not up to the writer's normal high standard.
Many thanx to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for allowing me to read and review this book

I love Valerie Keith books as they are the perfect example of red herrings and twists that leave your jaw on the floor. Being a book lover (could you tell?!) I knew I would enjoy this story but I was amazed at the way Valerie has made a main character who you feel every single emotion (including a bit of anger towards!) throughout the story. The ending was perfect and this is a must read for any book lovers!!

The cover and description drew me to this book but I found it to be slow and unbelievable. Something felt “off” about the story. Maybe too many questionable characters? Helen’s past did prove to be surprising. Not for me.

Valerie Keogh returns following The Wives with her latest twisty, domestic suspense thriller, THE BOOKSELLER. When a woman is released from prison and opens a bookshop to start over fresh, her past meets the present, keeping you glued to the pages until the satisfying conclusion.

About...

Helen Appleby spent two years in prison and was released, spending the remainder of her sentence on license. Books were her childhood escape, and she decided to use the money her mother had left her to buy a second-hand bookshop.

Helen's past is shrouded in suspense, with a blurred line between pleasure and pain, and a deep-seated childhood issue. Her act of killing Toby, a monster, is a clear crossing of a line, but the reasons behind it are not so straightforward.

On this side, she wasn't sure who she was anymore. A victim? A murderer? An Ex-con or a pathetic fool. Her sentence was reduced to involuntary manslaughter and now she has to ensure a good, perfect life so she is not sent back.

She had not planned to kill. She just happened to have purchased a knife and it was in her hand. She led her sister and others to believe she was trying to protect herself. However, she is hiding dark secrets.

She had a traumatic childhood and for years Helen had harboured resentment for the way her older siblings had excluded her when they were children. There is a ten-year difference between her and her sister, Sarah. However, she is there for her now and offering her support.

As Helen embarks on her new venture, the history of the bookshop she's purchased remains a mystery. The property, which had been on the market for over two years, holds secrets Helen has yet to uncover.

Helen's parole officer, Moira Manson, is a constant source of unease. Her unpredictable behavior swings between friendly and threatening, keeping Helen on edge and unsure of her true intentions. (This was one creepy woman).

Soon after opening the shop, all sorts of mysterious things occur. Her home gets broken into, and there are mysterious noises at the shop and the pizza owners (Alex and Zander) next door. She is unsure of their motives, and some student customers steal her money at the store. Plus a key is missing.

She receives a donation from an elderly woman booklover, Jen, who is moving into an apartment. Later, her grand-nephew, Jared, bugged her that some things were missing and asked her to let him know after she had gone through the boxes. This proves to be the highlight of the book.

In the meantime, Moria is driving her nuts, showing up all the time at the shop, acting weird, and then another elderly woman, Dilly, is selling her many books at a very low price since her ex was a booklover, so she is excited.

However, when she returns to the remainder of the books, the woman's warm personality is different and hostile, leading to another visit from the cops.

Then the gal shows up after she finds out money was stolen, and brings back some of the money, and wants to help her out at the shop, and she winds up allowing her to stay in one of her bedrooms.

But little does she know who is out to make her pay and would love to see her go back to prison. But the past can NEVER stay hidden…

What is going on? Does someone not like ex-cons? How are all the puzzle pieces connected?

My thoughts...

THE BOOKSELLER is highly entertaining (with cozy mystery vibes), with humor, and a flawed protagonist you will root for. I enjoyed the fun literary references, and the bookshop setting —while trying to solve the mystery and how the pieces would come together. Who is trying to set her up and frame her?

When you start reading the story that's about to unfold, it will command your attention—I read in one sitting. You get clues, but you will not find Helen's real secret until she confesses towards the end.

A former prisoner navigates life on the outside while revisiting a traumatic childhood that has carried over into adulthood. Helen is an interesting character for anyone who's ever experienced trauma and wished to turn their life around. Reinvention, second chances, and tackling the obstacles.

Full of characters and all a suspect. Another gripping psychological suspense from Keogh. I like her writing style and the short chapters with tantalizing teaser last sentences.

Helen does not seem like a murderer. She is paranoid and doubts everyone's actions due to Toby. Someone is out to destroy her and her new life. I enjoyed all the side characters: Moira, Jen, Sarah, Jared, Dilly, Zander, Alex, and Jess!

I have read many books by the author, and this was my favorite, with a mix of domestic, psychological, humor, and cozy mystery. I wish it had a little more snark and dark humor; however, still entertaining.

I enjoyed the wicked fun ending and how it all worked out. Funny and smart, twisty and surprising. I would love to see Helen again with more adventures and her charming bookshop in future books.

Recs...

THE BOOKSELLER is for fans of the author and those who enjoy popcorn thrillers and books by Keri Beevis, Freida McFadden, Emily Shiner, Daniel Hurst, and Miranda Rijks.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an advanced digital review copy for my honest thoughts.

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Mar 3, 2025
My Rating: 4.5 Stars rounded to 5
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Unfortunately this one was too much of a slow burn for me. I couldn't get into it at all, nothing was happening and I couldn't force myself to continue reading. I had to DNFm

Thank you to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I haven’t read one of Valerie’s books for a while and honestly it was like putting on a favourite jumper. So gripping and easy to read, words flowing like water. This was one I knew I wanted to read as soon as I read the synopsis.

Helen leaves prison with her dream of owning a secondhand bookshop still firmly in place. She’s been searching for the perfect property and finally finds it. Her sister’s not too impressed but she can see past the grime and see her exact vision in its walls. Only problem is someone else doesn’t seem to want her there either.

A really good book with some great characters and twists. Having read previous books by Valerie, I can’t wait for the next one.

Another wonderful thriller from Valerie Keogh. When Helen Appleby is released from prison after two years incarceration she is desperate to rebuild her life. Throughout her time inside she dreamt of owning and running a bookshop selling second hand books. Sourcing what she believes to be the perfect building she puts her business plan into action. Someone or some people are hell bent on ruining things for her and she is in for a very bumpy ride.
As is the norm with this author the start of this book is a bit of a slow burner whilst the scene is set but do not let that put you off as it soon pulls you in by which time you do not want to put the book down. There are a number of twists and turns as this thriller gathers pace. Who would have thought the peace and serenity of a bookshop could hide so many thrills and spills
I highly recommend this book.

This was definitely a slow burn of a thriller. The plot was good and original but it was a tad slow moving for me. While I enjoyed the book overall it was hard for me to finish due to the pace.

Thanks you for the opportunity tor had this arc.

Valeries books are always good! I just finished this one and was not disappointed. Helen is fresh out of prison for killing her boyfriend in self-defense, OR WAS IT? We don't know but she is determined to create a fresh start for herself.

She has always dreamed of owning a second-hand bookstore and her dream come true when a run-down building becomes available. Soon after she opens the doors, weird things happen. Are the pizza shop owners next door trying to sabotage her? And why is her parole officer poking around constantly? And the nephew of a woman who donated some books seems to want something too. Can she trust her own sister?

When break-ins occur at both her home and the bookstore, she knows someone is out to get her and sabotage her, but who, and more importantly, WHY?

I read this quickly, its a satisfying suspense!

I always enjoy this author’s books and this, The Bookseller, is no different.
A quick read, with an original plot and an amoral cast of characters

I was so excited when I saw that Valerie Keogh had a new book out and what better title than the Bookseller! This is the story of Helen who while in prison dreamed of opening her own bookshop. Once released, her sister helped her make her dream a reality. But, what’s going on with the guys who own the pizza store? Who are these other strange characters? Is Helen’s dream of starting over needing before it got started and how far will she go to keep it all. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

Helen Appleby has recently been released from prison for the manslaughter of her partner. The only thing that kept her going through her two-year incarceration was planning to fulfil her childhood ambition to open a second-hand book shop.

Helen’s dream is about to become reality, she has bought the premises, it’s been renovated and she is purchasing stock for the shop. But her plans to have a quiet life aren’t really coming to fruition. The two guys who own the pizza shop next door are acting strangely, there are some unexplained noises and incidents that occur; and her parole officer is popping by more often than Helen anticipated. There seems to be numerous things causing Helen concern and she isn’t helping herself, putting her freedom in jeopardy with a potential recall to prison for not upholding her licence conditions.

This is a slow burner of a book and I didn’t find Helen to be particularly endearing. However, this is borne out by plenty of underlying subjects that are slowly revealed and explored which make this book addictive. I did enjoy this book overall and raced through it as I wasn’t sure where the story was going. You can never go wrong with a Valerie Keogh book.

Helen has recently been released from prison and wants a second chance so she decides to open a second hand book shop. Only her wishes for a quiet life don’t go exactly to plan when it becomes clear someone wants to sabotage everything she has built. But Helen will do whatever it takes to protect her future.

A thriller set inside a book shop was a definite read for me and had an interesting premise. This was a well written mystery but was less of a thriller than I was expecting as it was quite a slow burn. It took a long while for much to happen. I wasn’t that enamoured with the main character Helen either, finding her frustrating at times. Although I had a few issues, this wasn’t a bad novel overall and ended up being a quick, easy read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

Another great read from this author. There are twists and turns galore in this great read. Helen comes out of prison on licence after killing her boyfriend and she wants to fulfil her dream of opening her own second hand book shop. Things keep happening and Helen has all sorts of thoughts going through her mind as to what is happening. If you like psychological thrillers then I highly recommend this book another five star read.

The main character, Helen Appleby, had me intrigued from the beginning. Recently released from prison and going back to her former life, Helen makes reference to her “secret” that should have kept her in prison longer.

I found the book very entertaining and it kept me guessing! Just when I thought I figured out what was going on, I realized I was wrong. I enjoyed the relationship mending between Helen and her sister as well as the relationship between Helen and Jess.

The character development was good, and it made the story more enjoyable. This is the first book I have read by Valerie Keogh, but definitely won’t be the last.

If you are a fan of mystery, I would recommend this book. 4 out of 5 stars.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of The Bookseller by Valerie Keogh

Helen is recently released from prison. Her dream was to open a bookstore, which her sisters helps her accomplish her dreams. But Helen needs to be careful with her customers.

I overall enjoyed the book but did not like Helen very much. Pretty sure she was written that way so I tried my hardest to not be too annoyed with her.
This was my first Valerie Keogh book and will read more by her in the future.

This was my first read from Valerie Keogh. I will definitely be reading more from her! In this story, Helen has just been released from prison and is trying to have a nice, quiet life and start over. She decides to open a second hand bookstore but someone out there doesn't want her to be successful. As the story unfolds, we learn some of Helen's past and what she might be willing to do to secure her future.

This is a great psychological thriller.
During her time in prison Helen dreams of starting her life again when she’s released.
With her sister helping her get used to being out, Helen tells her she wants to find a property so she can open a bookshop.
Helen finds the perfect property but it takes a lot of work to get it looking good as it’s been empty for so long.
When Helen opens the shop she has a mixture of customers coming in and she’s pleased with how it’s going.
I won’t spoil what happens but let’s say Helen needs to be careful who she comes into contact with.
This is a great read that I really enjoyed.
Thanks to Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this book.