Lissa has a terrible home life, neglected by her parents. But she accepts and copes with this until her school life is ruined by the arrival of a bully. She decides to free herself from her misery by killing the bully but can she get away with it and what lessons will it teach her for the future?
The Nurse is a mix of psychological thriller, domestic drama, and crime thriller.
The book is written from the first person perspective of Lissa so we are instantly aligned with her despite her murderous intentions. Aged just 10, she has endured terrible neglect from her parents. This abuse has made her self reliant and so when confronted by a bully she knows she has to take action herself rather than relying on an adult's help.
Moving forward through the years, Lissa is forced to rely on her wits and made difficult decisions to protect herself. Although Lissa commits terrible things, I couldn't help but like her for her inner strength. Her chosen career as a nurse puts her in contact with the public and that instantly put me on edge as I worried who would offend or frustrate her next.
The writing style is easy to read and the plot twists just keep coming! I thought the pace was a good speed and suited the book's content and the character development of Lissa.
The Nurse is a tense and enthralling book about a deeply traumatised child who becomes a dangerously flawed adult.

well what can you say about this book its very gripping with the story line and keeps you going as you read the book but becomes not as gripping when you get to the end lissa steps back and rethinks on everthing she as done and puts it to rest for how long but how long will that be

Every book I've read by Valerie Keogh I've enjoyed! This one was no exception. This book got me hooked from the very 1st page with lots of suspense!!

After reading The Widow by this author, I couldn't wait to get my hands on more of her work. I'm sad to say this was a huge disappointment. It started out strong reminding me of The Perfect Child by Lucinda Berry but then it just lost its momentum. It dragged on for the majority of the book with not much happening. Even the little twist at the end wasn't really a twist. Not one I would recommend.

This was an epic read! Lissa has been bullied and overlooked throughout her life but for the first time, is receiving respect as a nurse. This is the time she begins to use her skills to make people pay. A fast paced and easy read, perfect for those cosy evenings in!

Lissa is one of the people who had a difficult childhood, being bullied by classmates,, and just wanting to have friends and fit in. At a young age, she came up with, at least in her mind, a way to stop her childhood tormentor. Years later, Lissa and her mother are dealt a devastating loss that has Lissa going back to her tried and tried ways of dealing with things that get in her way.
I was granted early access by Net Galley before this book was published. Unfortunately, it sat on my tbr until the beginning of this year. I had a hard time getting through this book. I thought the plot was lacking, and Lissa is a unlikeable narrator. This is one book I would have a hard time recommending.

This book was a good popcorn thriller. It’s one that could definitely be read in one sitting! Highly recommend if you’re also a fan of psychological drama and thriller.

We realise from the beginning of the book that Lissa is a very dangerous person. She had a difficult home-life and was bullied at school resulting in her first killing when she was ten years old. After the death of her father and her mother’s collapse in health she decides to become a nurse as they needed the income after being told that her father had not kept up his life insurance payments. Lissa’s world falls apart when she discovers that her father was a bigamist. She tracks down Olivia, his other wife, and soon realises that if Olivia was out of the way her house could be sold to pay off their mortgage. This was a story that had me totally gripped and found Lissa a very disturbed character. The story is told in three parts and is full of secrets and lies with so many different twists. A very addictive read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book,

Man this one was a disappointment! But I guess that’s what I get when I request a book based off the cover. I really thought that this was going to be more focused on nursing than it was, which honestly would have made for a much more interesting story/thriller than what I read. The story fell flat, and the twist at the end wasn’t even twisty. It literally didn’t happen til one of the last five chapters of the story. It dragged on but I was invested enough to finish, so kudos for that.

"The Nurse" by Valerie Keogh is a riveting psychological thriller that captivates readers with its suspenseful narrative. Keogh demonstrates a skillful ability to weave a tale of mystery and tension, making it an engaging read for fans of the genre.

One of the novel's strengths is Keogh's adept handling of suspense and her ability to create a chilling atmosphere. The plot unfolds with well-timed twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The central character, the nurse, is carefully crafted, adding depth to the narrative with her complexities and the enigma that surrounds her.

However, readers familiar with the psychological thriller genre might recognize certain conventional elements within the storyline. While the pacing is generally effective, there could be moments where certain events feel somewhat predictable. Despite this, Keogh's storytelling and the relentless suspense contribute to the overall appeal of "The Nurse."

In conclusion, "The Nurse" is a commendable psychological thriller that succeeds in delivering on suspense and maintaining reader engagement. Valerie Keogh's storytelling proficiency and the enigmatic character make it an enticing choice for those who enjoy mystery and psychological tension. While the novel may incorporate some familiar elements within the genre, its execution and the overall captivating quality make it a compelling and enjoyable thriller.

The Nurse is an unputdownable thriller from Valerie Keogh. It’s twisty, well paced and a fantastic plot which keeps you hooked from beginning to end.

Valerie makes you feel sympathetic to and sort of like Lissa despite the numerous terrible things she does. When you should really despise her. But Valerie’s effortless writing style draws you in and makes you really understand why Lissa is the way she is and why she does what she does.

THE NURSE was a quick and entertaining read, with some twisty elements and engaging characters. Valerie Keogh is a bit hit or miss for me, but this one was a hit.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review THE NURSE.

Unfortunately, this was a quick DNF for me...Dnf at page 112. I didn't attach to the characters well and the intrigue wasn't enough strong to keep my attention.
Maybe I'm the only one who didn't enjoy this ride...I''ll be keeping reading books from this author to make myself a true idea!

This book grabbed me on the very first page. This book was refreshing as I hadnt read one with this storyline . The suspense didnt let up. I seem to connect to Valeries writing style , so I will definitely be reading more of her books.

Lissa McColl learns at an early age to do very bad things and then her problems go away. Now working as a nurse she is respected and valued for the first time. But deep down Lissa hates her job and all the selfish, rude and inconsiderate people she has to deal with every day. Being overlooked helps Lissa get close to the people, she can find out their secrets.... sometimes it ends with deadly results.
Lissa works many hours in various nursing homes to pay for her mother's care and keep her in an expensive nursing home. Lissa works so much she doesn't have much of a life, she has no friends, no family besides her mother. She lives in a small converted garage and buys all her clothes at charity shops. She counts her money and saves as much as she can. Her life changes one day when a fellow nurse invites her to coffee . The nurse Carol, lives with her parents, dresses nice and is much more outgoing than Lissa. Plus Carol seems to get all the best nursing jobs that pay well. We soon find Lissa uncovering some truths and she realizes that not everyone is as they seem and it seems that we all have skeletons in our closets maybe some have more than others and it may just end with deadly results!

I do love a new @valeriekeogh2 book and this has been everting I hoped for and more.

This is full of suspense and tension. This was different than I had expected but I really enjoyed it.

Lissa is a great character. However, I have really felt for her throughout this one.

Keogh head has hooked me from the very first page. I loved this one so much I devoured in just one sitting.

This is a dark and chilling read which has pulled me in from the beginning. I definitely think this is the best book by this author to date.

I already cannot wait to see what comes next.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Okay dang this was so good. Fast paced and kept me on my toes. I definitely kept thinking things would go one way and continuly went the other haha. I enjoyed the MC Lissa and enjoyed that the book started with her at a young age so we could understand her mindset. I adored her living situation haha it was so her. I kept thinking more would be added to her mom's story line tho and that was the only thing missing for me.

Thank you netgalley for the earc in exchange for an honest review.

The Nurse by Valerie Keogh is a story about Lissa McColl, who is bullied, overlooked, under- appreciated and who learns at a young age to do very bad things in retaliation. Lissa trains to become a nurse after the death of her father and her mother’s subsequent collapse after his death. She needs to fund her mother’s place at the nursing home she has lived in since her collapse after her father’s death. Lissa has been responsible for two people’s deaths and is planning on blackmail to improve her lifestyle. However she has underestimated another nurse whom she has befriended and ends up close to death herself.
Recommended

I'm a huge fan of this author's books. Valerie Keogh has an incredible knack for drawing you into her stories right from the very first pages, and her latest work, "The Nurse," is no exception. It's a brilliant read from beginning to end.

The book kicks off with an arresting line: "I was ten when I made the decision to kill Gemma." Yes, you read that correctly, at the tender age of ten! This opening immediately piques your curiosity, leaving you eager for more and wondering why such a decision was made. What a way to start a book!

The story revolves around Lissa McColl, the central character, who initially comes across as sweet and innocent. However, it's revealed that at the age of ten, she committed her first kill, her own good friend, without anyone around her suspecting a thing.

Lissa goes on to become a nurse, a profession known for its respect and value. For the first time in her life, she experiences both of these qualities. Yet, beneath her calm demeanor lies a deep hatred for her job, especially the selfish, rude, and inconsiderate people she encounters daily. Lissa, however, conceals her true feelings, maintaining a smile while diligently performing her duties. Being underestimated in her role has its advantages, allowing her to get close to people and uncover their secrets, sometimes with deadly consequences.

The suspenseful question arises: Can anyone stop her before someone is hurt?

This book is absolutely fantastic, and I adored every moment of it. I highly recommend "The Nurse" and consider it another well-deserved 5-star addition to Valerie's impressive body of work.

Absolutely loved this book! The writing style was really good and I look forward to reading any other books from this author in the future :)