This is yet another book by Valerie Keogh that I love. I was gripped from page 1 and became totally engrossed in the story. The twists took me by surprise and the ending was fabulous! It is definitely worthy of 5 stars.

My thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Writer’ written by Valerie Keogh in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Cara Jenkins has been writing novels for ten years and about to begin her thirtieth but has no idea what to type. As she sits at her desk trying to think of something/anything to put on a page, threatening letters are put through her letter box and she’s convinced a person is watching her. With a deadline looming for the completion of her book’s first draft, Cara decides to write about what’s happening to her, her husband Artie and best friend Trinny.

A book within a book is an apt description for ‘The Writer’ as Cara who’s an author about to embark on her thirtieth thriller transfers what’s happening in real life to her new book. The story is told in alternate chapters by Cara and an unknown person called HIM whose identity isn’t revealed until the latter part of the story. I’ve been so involved that I’ve feared for Cara’s well-being as her fictional story is getting interwoven with what’s happening to her. If she wanted to confront the person supposedly posting the letters, I’m surprised she didn’t wait to get her door camera fitted before knocking on doors and accusing people. This thriller has been a rollercoaster of twists, turns and drama from the moment I opened my Kindle as I’ve become engrossed in Cara’s story. The final conclusion came as a surprise and was totally unexpected and had the feeling of having been cobbled together in a hurry, but despite this it’s been a tense and exciting read that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed.

The Writer
Valerie Keogh
July 15, 2025

Embarking on her 30th novel, Cara Jenkins is struggling to get past the first words. Her publisher’s group has emailed her several times asking about her progress. Frustrated, she lies to her husband, Artie and bestfriend, Trinny. As the days went on they received an envelope in their post box. It was unmarked so she and Artie both thought the message about their Indian Bean tree and its leaves was quite odd. He called to suggest discussing it at the nearby pizza restaurant within walking distance. Cara could walk and join him after work. Unfortunately on her walk she was wrestled to the ground by someone behind her. After the incident he ran away in a hurry but not quick enough for her not to notice his grey sweat suit that he wore.
The Writer will be published by BoldWood Books on July 15, 2025. I was able to read Keogh’s latest novel via NetGalley. It’s the first of her books that I have read. Rather an odd plot and not too suspenseful but interesting in the couple’s journey. Fans of hers will be looking forward to its publication. I relished the day to day trek through the couple’s arduous lifestyle wondering how it would play out. Very interesting.

5 ⭐️ all the way! This one gripped me from page 1 and did not let go until the very end! I could not read fast enough to figure out how the book would end! 🤯
There has not been a book by this author that I have not loved from page 1!

Cara is a writer. With writer's block. She's under serious pressure to complete her 30th novel and perhaps get her publisher rewarded with a "Nibbie" (This made me giggle!) But there aren't too many laughs in this book.
It's dark, edgy and tense as we are early on introduced to "Him" a stalker determined to make Cara go crazy for humiliating him at school. You may think this is far-fetched. How could someone be targeted for a seemingly "innocent" rejection 25 years ago? But then
"Him" is not rational. He's psychotic. You will not know who to trust in this book and you certainly will not predict the ultimately tragic finale. Cara's thoughts in her head blurred fiction and reality at times (midway through) I had to concentrate to figure out just what was happening at these times but I understand it was just the author ramping up how frightened and delusional "Him" was making her. Truly sinister but compelling book. Oh Cara! Thanks to the author, NetGalley and Boldwood books for the eARC in return for an honest review. Denise x

This is a good psychological thriller.
Cara is struggling to start her thirtieth novel and when some threatening letters are sent to her, she’s even more stressed.
When her agent visits and reminds Cara of her deadline, she really doesn’t know what to do. But when she gets another letter and thinks she’s being stalked, she starts to write about this.
The only problem with using her current experience is that reality and fiction soon become hard to separate. Her husband is worried about her but soon Cara starts to suspect him of lying to her, so she feels like she’s on her own.
There’s also chapters from the person who has been watching Cara and it’s someone who holds a grudge against her.
This is a good read but it’s not as fast paced or gripping as the authors previous books.
Thanks to Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this book.

I really like Valerie Keogh's books, but unfortunately this one did not hold my attention. I just could not get into the Cara character as she just wasn't real to me. Too much of her premonitions and just overall an unrealistic plot. I will read her future books as up to now, I have enjoyed them.
I thank the author,publisher and Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review

Wow this author has done it again. This was an incredible fast paced psychological thriller that really keeps the reader on their toes while reading. I was addicted from the very first page and was an intriguing and interesting plot with an author writing about an author. This book has you doubting what is real and what isn’t and really messes with your head but this adds to the excitement and the desire to keep turning the page to find out what happens next.

Can’t wait for this authors next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Cara is a successful author struggling to write her next book. She starts to get letters from an unknown source and she feels that someone is watching her. Is this someone from her past or is her husband having an affair. As her life begins to unravel she starts to confuse reality with the fictional books she writes and starts to become paranoid. She starts to take what is happening to her and uses it as an idea for her next book. I like this story but it is not one that I loved.....maybe it was the characters or maybe something else....Enjoy!!!

This was one of those gasp-out-loud reads where just when you think you know what's happening, the rug gets yanked right out from under you. I was constantly questioning everything—Is Cara losing it? Is someone gaslighting her? Is it in her head or real?

Cara is a bestselling crime writer struggling to start her next novel when she begins receiving creepy, anonymous letters that reference details only someone close to her could know. As the notes escalate, she spirals into paranoia. And I was right there with her—then dizzily spun again when the twist hit. The atmosphere is taut, the pacing perfectly designed to mess with your mind, and the final reveal? Absolutely jaw-dropping. I didn’t see it coming—and loved every bit of the surprise.

If you're into writer-as-protagonist thrillers, psychological suspense, and stories that blur the lines between fiction and reality—this one’s a must-read. 4.5 stars!

I flew through The Writer! The easily read chapters are short and POV identified. There’s enough creepy to keep the suspense up and the intrigue pulling. I’m always amazed how authors are able to create and fuel their stories. The twists in this were surprising but I was a little disappointed in the ending. I like how Valerie Keogh writes and always look forward to reading any titles by her. (3.5/5)
Thank You to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Valerie Keogh for the invitation to read and enjoy this ARC.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Art imitates life or vice versa in this psychological thriller which was darker than I expected. I found the premise that a small slight could trigger stunning repressions in an a twisted mind (decades later) interesting and unique - and certainly disturbing.

I didn't particularly relate to, or like, the main characters, such as the unsympathetic best friend, or the protagonist who, without strength in her own life, writes of characters who are strong - however they were well written.

Fair warning, this story will have you looking over your shoulder in fear (well, even MORE fear than usual) the next time you are walking down an unpopulated street and you hear footsteps advancing on your own.

An intriguing book about an author ( Cara ) struggling to write her 30th book…..written by the author ( Valerie Keogh ) as she celebrates this being her 30th published book….

You can already see how intriguing comes into it

I am being ultra careful not to say much re the plot as its best to experience this story yourself but will say revenge for a perceived slight carried for 25 years has a long time to ferment and darken into something basically evil and belligerent

It is a rare look into a writers life, deadlines, publishing ‘folk’ and how it ‘all works’ as written by an author for a character and to say the whole things is fascinating seems not to convey just how clever and interesting the book/story is

Congrats to the author on such an achievement of 30 published books and also for writing this twisted twistiest of tales

Loved the acknowledgements 😊

The first I’ve read by Valerie Keogh & there was certainly a lot going on. I liked the pace of the book & the constant question marks within each chapter which kept me guessing all the way through. I think I suspected each and every character along the way. I did find it all became quite surreal though - especially around 50% in. It was like reading a book within a book & it became a little frustrating how often Cara changed her mind/doubted herself/ wasn’t sure what was real. To me it read like a fever dream and the ending a bit of a let down, although I’m not sure how else it could have been wrapped up. It was certainly unpredictable & kept me turning the pages to see how it all panned out. Cara would have been chuffed about that!

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC

There are so many twists to this looping rollercoaster of a thriller I struggled to keep track of them all!

Writer Cara is struggling for inspiration for her 30th book. Life blends with fiction and before she knows it her personal life is in tatters and the bodies are stacking up.

I appreciated how Cara's personal journey was interlaced with her writing, though her character could have been fleshed out more. The ending delivered some surprising turns, but without sufficient context, they came across as implausible rather than impactful.

Cara is a well stablished writer and just about to write her 30th book. But she is struggling to get inspiration for it and her Publishers have high hopes for it. She starts getting threatening letters through the post. Which her husband Artie dismisses them as stupid pranks, but she thinks it maybe someone from her past. Then she gets stalked by a man in a grey hoodie. She incorporates what happening with the letters and the goings on in her personal life into her latest novel. But the stress of it and her being menopausal. Doesn’t know if what’s happening is true life or the work of fiction.
I always get excited for a new Valerie Keogh book. So, I was excited to receive a copy of ‘The writer. The author is a great storyteller, and I liked the premise of the story. But for me this time I thought it lacked a bit of tension and what usually grips me throughout the book. Just wasn’t there. To be honest I struggled a bit with this one. But I am so glad I finished it. It has a satisfying ending. 3.5 stars from me.

I instantly connected with this book although I feel it felt different to Valerie Keogh other books. The writer's block dragged out a little bit but the rest of the storyline is believable and exciting. A writer writing about a writer just makes sense to me. I thought the characters parts were addictive and the narrator of gameplay ultimately disturbing.

I’ll start by saying that I do enjoy Valerie Keogh’s books. This one started off really well, but it seemed to dip quickly in terms of Cara seemed ‘all there’ - the happy, has it all type person, to then suddenly her husband was untrustworthy - yet, she married him only a year ago. For me, that seemed to come from no where. The pages turned quickly though, I wanted to know where it was going. She did a good job of keeping me wanting more. The ending I feel was rushed. I found myself rolling my eyes at the reasoning why Todd was stalking her, then ultimately her - let’s call it, insanity - is due to what? Her own incomprehension that her husband was possibly cheating? Because of the menopause? I’m not sure. She sure did seem crazy throughout the story, but I just felt the ending was a bit ‘meh’.

The Writer is a deliciously twisty tale of literary success, creative burnout, and the kind of creeping dread that makes you unplug your Alexa and double-check the locks. Cara, is a bestselling author staring down the barrel of her thirtieth novel—and the only thing louder than her deadline is the silence in her brain.

Enter: anonymous letters. Ominous vibes. A husband who’s a little too chill. And a past that refuses to stay shelved.

As Cara’s grip on reality begins to fray, Valerie blurs the line between fiction and madness with the precision of a scalpel. Is someone really watching her? Or is her imagination staging a hostile takeover?

Each chapter tightens the noose of paranoia, twisting your expectations and leaving you gasping at every reveal.
And just when you think you’ve figured it out, Valerie hits you with the twist!

So if you’re looking for a read that toys with your mind and leaves you suspicious of every creak in the floorboards—congrats, you’ve found your next read!!

A successful author on the brink of burnout starts receiving disturbing letters that blur the line between fiction and reality. As the pressure builds, so does her paranoia, but is it all in her head, or is someone really watching her?

There were moments I enjoyed and the premise had real potential. It didn’t quite land for me as a whole, but I’m glad I gave it a try. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for letting me read an advance copy.