Such a great book. Couldn't stop reading it. Thank you for my advance reader copy. Can't wait to look up other books from this author.

I absolutely love books about books/bookshops. I do tend to read sweet romance reads about them, so when I saw a thriller... Well, I had to read it, and it did not disappoint.

I enjoyed how it all played out. The ending 'chef kiss' was just perfect!

I'm keen to read more by this author

I really enjoyed the slow burn of the mystery. I was rooting for the MC. The title grabs you along with the cover. I will definitely be reading more from this author.

Helen is newly released from prison after killing her partner. Helen purchases a vacant building to make her dream of owning a bookstore come to life but someone isn't happy and they want her punished. This is certainly one of the best from the Queen of physcological thrillers. I was in eager anticipation of how the book would turn out and I was not left disappointed. I felt surprised by the many twists and the plot kept me engaged. The characters are well written and although some were not nice they were great to watch unfold. The ending is summarised leaving you with no unanswered questions. I enjoyed reading the story so much that I flew through it so I will reread it slower to pace myself!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this E-Arc, in exchange for an honest review.

Don't expect a light, cozy read in The Bookseller by Valerie Keogh. This book is thrilling, filled with tension, guilt, and the haunting weight of a past that won’t let go. It’s not the feel-good vibe of a bookstore romance; it’s more about a woman fighting to keep her dark history from catching up with her.

Helen Appleby is no typical book lover. She’s just out of prison after being convicted of manslaughter and hopes to rebuild her life by opening a small bookshop. All she wants is a peaceful life surrounded by books. But things quickly take a turn when a mysterious figure seems intent on ruining her fresh start.

Keogh does a great job of showing Helen’s inner turmoil. One moment she’s filled with anxiety, second-guessing everyone and everything, and the next she’s almost too trusting. This mix of fear and hope is what makes her such an interesting character. She’s not a hardened criminal, just a broken person trying to move forward while struggling to escape the mistakes of her past.

The bookshop itself plays an important role in the story, offering a seemingly safe haven that contrasts sharply with the growing tension. The casual conversations about books give you a sense of normalcy, but that sense of calm is always undercut by the dark things lurking just around the corner.

The Bookseller isn’t a peaceful journey through a quiet town. It’s an intense, heart-pounding story where you can’t help but feel for Helen, hoping she can outsmart her past. Keogh keeps the suspense high, making you turn pages quickly to see if Helen will get the second chance she so desperately wants. This book isn’t just about one woman’s struggle for redemption; it also raises questions about whether someone can ever truly escape their past. You’ll be thinking about it long after you’ve finished reading.
4.25 Stars!
#NetGalley, #BoldwoodBooks, #TheBookSeller, #ValerieKeogh, #Suspense #Thriller

In The Bookseller, we read the story of Helen, who just got released from prison and is currently on probation, and decides to open her own second-hand bookstore. As we read her story, we realized that she is hiding a darker secret which involves the crime for which she was incarcerated for. She encounters many obstacles while in the process of setting up her bookstore, from break-ins at her residence and business to the constant visits from her probation officer.

While reading the first half of the story, I was unsure where the story was going; but I am glad I continued it and finished the book because the secrets that were revealed at the end were very good. Would definitely be reading more from Valerie Keogh.

Thank you Boldwood Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own

Another brilliant read from one of my favourite authors. This one did not disappoint and who doesn’t love a book that also involves books and a bookshop although there is far more to this cosy bookseller persona than meets the eye.

I was invested in this story right from the very first page and couldn’t put it down and it was an engaging read with lots of intriguing characters and unexpected twists and turns and also covered the theme of second chances and how every dwarves one no matter where their life has taken them.

I have said this before but this authors books would make great tv dramatisations.

Helen Appleby is ready for a fresh start. She has been released from prison and is haunted by her past mistakes. She killed her former partner.

She finds herself opening a bookshop, but its not off to the best start. There is a break-in but nothing seems to be missing. Other things start to threaten the life her new life.

Will she be able to start over or will her past hurt her future? What is Helen hiding from everyone?

The cast of characters make this one a fun read along with the tension and suspense.

It did not really take me long to finish this book. It was a good story, and I really liked it. Highly recommended!

An excellent book which had a twist at the end that I did not expect. I loved the way the story unfolded and how the bookshop came together, what a job my idea of heaven. Valerie's books always deliver and this one was up there with the others. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

An enjoyable read with a few unexpected twists thrown in I do enjoy this authors books and look forward to the next book 3.5 stars

Valerie keogh has done it again this book was absolutely amazing I devoured the whole book. I couldnt put the book down it gripped me from the beginning, i did guess some of the plot but loved the twists at the end such a good read.

Helen has been recently released from prison and has decided to start over. Her interest is books, so she finds a great location and opens a book store. Hoping to keep her background secret in this new location, she opens her store and welcomes new customers. Someone knows her past and is determined to put her back in prison.
I really enjoyed this book and so far, have enjoyed all Valerie Keogh's books.Helen has been recently released from prison and has decided to start over. Her interest is books, so she finds a great location and opens a book store. Hoping to keep her background secret in this new location, she opens her store and welcomes new customers. Someone knows her past and is determined to put her back in prison.
I really enjoyed this book and so far, have enjoyed all Valerie Keogh's books.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC of this book.
Love books by Valerie Keogh and in that respect this was no exception. What was different was that I couldn't love any of the characters in the book. Helen was just a liar and most of the people in her life were too. The suspense in the book was excellent and the actual story itself was good it was just the people for me.

Helen Appleby hust wants a quiet life. Recently released from prison for the manslaughter of her partner, she's trying to forget her past mistakes - all of them - to rebuild her life and move on. When she decides to open a bookshop. she is certain that this is the perfect new start. Here, amongst the quiet shelves of her shop and between the covers of her books, she can hide away from the real world and begin again. The world of books, the perfect place to find happiness - even it's all lies. But the past can never stay hidden,,,,

Filled with twists, this well-written book held my attention throughout. The characters are well- developed but unreliable. Things are not straightforward for Helen after her release. Who was it that was behind Helen's misfortunes? The plot flows along at a steady pace. Helen is keeping a secret about the crime she committed. The ending was satisfactory.

Published 3rd March 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #ValerieKeogh for my ARC of #TheBookseller in exchange for an honest review.

This book was very enjoyable but also kind of repetitive and predictable. It was entertaining and I read it fairly quickly but not necessarily the best.

I liked The Bookseller and was rooting for Helen to succeed and put her former life of crime behind her. After Helen is released from prison, she opens a second-hand bookstore, and then lets her paranoia take over. Is someone out to get her for crimes of the past, or are her neighbors just out to take over the building she lovingly restored? And when her parole officer keeps showing up unannounced, how will she handle that?

I wouldn't call this one heart-pounding, but it kept my interest, and I enjoyed the story.

Thank you Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this ARC! When Helen is released from prison after serving 2 years for murdering her boyfriend, all she can think of is making a fresh start. Owning a bookshop has always been her dream and on the way to making it a reality. What is suppose to be a fun time strange incidents are marring her happiness. Is this really going to work out for her? This slow burn keeps you guessing with the crumbs the author leaves thru the story. Hard to put down!

The Bookseller by Valerie Keogh is the story of Helen Appleby who has been released from prison, after serving two years of a four year sentence. She still has to report to her probation officer but is planning to open a second hand book shop, with the money left to her from her mother’s will.
She is hoping for a fresh start and to find some happiness doing what she enjoys being around books. Whilst she finds the shop she would like for her new business someone seems to be trying to sabotage her efforts.
Finding out who is responsible for the incidents helps Helen find out who to trust and who is trying to hinder her best efforts at a new start. Only then can she begin to enjoy her new business.
Highly recommended

This book had me engaged from page 1. I felt her anger, sadness, and fear while she felt it. The mystery changes and evolves as the story unfolds, keeping you engaged until the very end. One of the best books that I’ve read!