Fast paced, very good thriller! This kept me on my toes! When a lawyer begins receiving threatening phone calls and e-mails she isn’t sure what to do. Who could know what she did all those years ago? She’s just been promoted to junior partner in her firm. She begins investigating who might possibly be doing this. The deeper she digs , the more she uncovers. This was a page turner for me! I couldn’t wait to find out how this book ended

When Melanie Scott gets a promotion and is made Junior partner at the Law firm where she works she thinks life couldn’t get any better but that night while celebrating she meets a man named Hugo and couldn’t be more smitten. She can’t wait to share the news with DI Kaitlyn Valentine her best friend. When things heat up with Hugo she couldn’t be happier he even invite her on a holiday abroad but when she tells him due to the new case she is working on she cannot leave for two weeks he totally understands When she is called into her bosses office and told someone leaked information from the merger and when it dawned on Melanie all the things she told Hugo and the access to her briefcase that he had she tells her boss about it they start an investigation but when Hugo wind up dead she knows that Hass to be more to the story especially when she starts getting emails and anonymous phone calls with a good friend DI Valentine she is going to try and find out who killed the unscrupulous Hugo and what does it have to do with the horrible thing that she blames her self for that happened back in school. Like always there is way more to this book than what I wrote I haven’t even mentioned the private investigator Quinn who Melanie also thinks may be involved this is a great book another home run for Valérie Keogh an author who is one of my new favorites. I love this book and highly recommend that a definite five star read. I want to thank Boldwood books and net galley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Valerie Keogh returns following The Nurse with her latest suspense, THE LAWYER —Just when a woman is in the prime of her career with a promotion, her past she has tried desperately to forget comes to the surface in this twisty psychological thriller of OBSESSION AND REVENGE.

Melanie Scott, age 40, has finally made it—a junior partnership, a corporate lawyer with Masters Corporate Law in London. She is proud and celebrating with staff colleagues at a trendy London restaurant.

There, she meets a distinguished man, Hugo Field, an architect. They plan a dinner date, and Melanie gives him her email address versus her phone number.

She has tried to leave her past behind. Something happened when she was 15 that destroyed lives. A name she was never going to escape: Anne Edwards—a nightmare from twenty-five years earlier. A guy died due to her false rumors.

She and Hugo go for that dinner date and later back to her house. Then he ghosts her. She also has a friend, Caitlin, a forensic detective investigator she confides in about the new guy in her life.

Then, Melanie receives an email from nobody@gmail.com. This person knows about her past! Why taunt her now when her career is going so well?

Her boss calls her in, explaining a leak in a confidential merger their firm was working on. There is insider trading. She knows she has not leaked anything, but could it be Hugh who got into her computer when at her house?

She confesses to her boss, and he does not blame her, and they put the merger on hold. In the meantime, Hugo winds up dead. The professional website and the good-looking man have been taken down. The email is now nonexistent.

What is going on? To pay for what she had done all those years ago? Was that what this was all about? Someone learned about her past and wanted payment, blackmail, psychological torture, or revenge.

She tells her boss she will work from home for a few days and returns to her hometown, Wethersham, to face her past and try and figure out who is doing this.

Melanie was not going to let anything mess up her promotion. However, when she visits, she learns her best friend, Cherry, is dead, which was part of the scheme back when. She was also in her career's prime with a new promotion to principal at the school. They say it was suicide, but was it? Are the two connected?

Melanie had changed her name after this nightmare of her youth. Her mom said they had to move since their life was ruined due to her childish mistakes, and someone died. Before social media, gossip and whispers could destroy someone's reputation.

Why come forward now after twenty-five years? As things start closing in back at her apartment, more emails and strange things happen. There is an investigation. Others connected to the case wind up dead.

Often, monsters are hiding in plain sight. In the process, she may learn that past events may not be her fault. How far will some go for revenge?

THE LAWYER (formerly titled The Deadly Truth) is a complex, twisty, suspenseful psychological thriller. However, I guessed the perpetrator's identity early on but was anxious to see how all the puzzle pieces would fit together.

I enjoy this author's work, and no, this is not a legal thriller, and besides the protagonist being a lawyer, that is about it. The Deadly Truth would have been a more fitting title. Although not a favorite, it is an entertaining, twisty suspense where the past collides with the present with a cast of supporting characters.

Thanks to Boldwood Books for a gifted ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating; 5 Stars
Pub Date: Sept 13, 2023
Sept 2023 Must-Read Books

London

Melanie Scott has just been promoted to be a junior partner at the prestigious Masters Corporate Law firm. She has worked hard for many years to get here and she is delighted.

Out celebrating her promotion with her colleagues, a man at the bar introduces himself as Hugo Field and asks to buy her a drink. Skeptical, she opts for a glass of mineral water. The man is quite handsome and he asks her out for dinner. She agrees but only gives him her email and says she will meet him there. Their dinner and chat is fun and she agrees to meet up another time for dinner which leads to him staying over at her place. And then he ghosts her. It’s at the same time that someone has found out sensitive information about a merger she is handling and she suspects Hugo.

Now, she is getting emails from a stranger saying it’s time for her to pay up for a dreadful mistake she made as a young school girl. She has felt guilty for years for her indiscretion and is fearful that someone wants to harm her. She finds herself looking over her shoulder as she fears someone may harm her. Her friend, Caitlyn, strives to console Melanie and look out for her.

Once again, Valerie Keogh has written a scary, compelling, and edge-of the-seat book. I found myself feeling creepy while reading it. Well done. A favorite author. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Melanie Scott has been promoted to junior partner at the prestigious Masters Corporate Law firm. She has worked hard to gain this position, being first in and last to leave the office regularly. Whilst out celebrating her promotion at a local pub, she notices a man who keeps glancing at her, and the feeling of attraction is mutual.
Being nervous about giving him her contact details, Melanie initially only gives the gorgeous Hugo her email address. Whilst regularly checking her Inbox for an email from Hugo, Melanie receives a mysterious and disturbing anonymous email. Somebody knows about Melanie’s past and wants retribution.
Within no time at all, Melanie has started a relationship with Hugo, and she can’t believe her luck. But is he all that he seems, surely, he is too good to be true.
Melanie’s life begins to spiral out of control, with some devastating consequences.
Valerie has a great talent for writing engaging main characters who you just can’t help championing, regardless of their misdemeanours. Another gripping thriller with some great twists, which kept me reading into the small hours.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this advanced copy. Another great one from Valerie Keogh. This novel follows Melanie. She's a lawyer and has a good life. Until her past crops up. Definitely a surprising twist at the end!

THE LAWYER by Valerie Keogh was a quick and enjoyable read that sucked me in right from the start! The story had some interesting twists and turns, and I really enjoyed the pacing of the plot.

The ending felt a little out of left field, which surprised me a bit. That being said, this was still a fun read and I’d be happy to seek out another book by Valerie Keogh.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review THE LAWYER!

Gripping, page turner with lots of twists and turns. I did not want to put this book down. Highly recommend

Absolutely enjoyed reading this book. A new author for me. Very fast paced as I wanted to read more and more.

When Valerie Keogh comes out with a new book, I have to have it. This is book #4 for me by her and as always, I thoroughly enjoyed this latest book. This was a good psychological thriller that kept me engaged from the very first page. She makes partner of her law firm and meets the charming Hugo, only to find out he’s not really Hugo. Then, there are a few twists thrown in and she does a great job as always. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. To be published September 13, 2023.

Book Title: The Lawyer
Author: Valerie Keogh
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: September 13,, 2023
My Rating: 3.7 rounded up
Pages: 244

Melanie Scott is celebrating her recent promotion to a junior partnership with Masters Corp Law at a trendy London restaurant and meets Hugo Field. . Melanie has messed up before and doesn’t want to experience again. However when Hugo invites her to dinner, she decided the past is past and with this new promotion perhaps other good things are going to happen. She gives him her email address instead of her cell number- said email is easier for her to use if she is in a situation where she cannot talk. That evening she hears the dink of an incoming email message and is delighted that it is from Hugo. Later hears another ding only this time is from
Anne Edwards, although no message Anne Edwards is someone from Melanie’s past that she wants to remain in the past!

Melanie later gets another message and knows she must return to her childhood home and resolve this.

On the cover it begs the question ~ Innocent or Guilty. It is perfect for a story about a lawyer. I know Melanie is a corporate lawyer but she sure seems to come up with wrong conclusions and doesn’t pick up on clues that I am sure most readers see. Is she so consumed with guilt that doesn’t want to see them?

This is my eighth Valerie Keogh novel. I totally love her psychological thrillers.
Although this wasn’t my typically 5 star read;. I did enjoy it and certainly will read another

Want to thank NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 13, 2023.

After just receiving a promotion at her law firm, an incident from Melanie's past comes back to haunt her. She starts receiving threatening emails from an unknown source. Who is this person, and do they want to ruin her life or do they want money? That was the question as I read this book. This is a story of past mistakes, revenge, and who to trust.

I was pretty sure I knew who the stalker was, but as more characters were added, it became clear I had no idea who it was! I believe it only took me about a day to read this book, and that is unheard of for me. I wanted to keep turning the page to see what happened next, and believe me, it does not disappoint.

Melanie's stalker is finally revealed, but that's not where the surprises end. Oh no, there's more to come! I certainly did not expect what was revealed at the end.

This book was a first for me by this author, but it won't be the last. If you like a great thriller that is suspenseful and has twists and turns, you will love this book. The characters are great. You don't know who you can trust and who is really trying to help Melanie. You won't regret giving this author a try!

Valerie Keogh's "The Lawyer" is a fast-paced psychological thriller that can best be described as chewing gum for the brain. While it may not be overflowing with action, it manages to keep you engaged with a persistent undercurrent of suspense that propels you through the story.
The plot of "The Lawyer" unfolds gradually, with little happening in the early chapters. However, this deliberate pacing serves to build tension, and it pays off handsomely in the latter part of the book. Just when you think you've got it all figured out, Keogh throws in a series of twists and surprises that take the narrative in unexpected directions.
As I delved deeper into the story, I began to suspect certain characters, and I was delighted to find that my suspicions were not entirely unfounded. However, what truly made this book a fun read was discovering the intricate whys and ins and outs that motivated the characters' actions. Keogh excels at weaving a complex web of motives and secrets, making the resolution of the story immensely satisfying.
In summary, "The Lawyer" is an easy but delightful read for fans of psychological thrillers. It may not be a rollercoaster ride of non-stop action, but its suspenseful atmosphere, coupled with the well-crafted twists, makes it a worthwhile choice for those seeking a gripping and thought-provoking tale.

Lots of twists and red herrings in this book by Valerie Keogh. I did guess one of them but that didnt spoil a great story. A book and author I highly recommend to anyone who likes to be gripped from the very first page.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest review

Well! This isn't the genre I usually read, but I had heard such good things about this author that I couldn't resist.
A psychological thriller with several; twists, red herrings and blind alleys, it kept me interested until the end. Bravo!

I’d like to thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Lawyer’ written by Valerie Keogh, originally published as ‘The Deadly Truth’, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Melanie Scott is celebrating with her colleagues on becoming a junior partner at Masters Corporate Law and when she meets Hugo Field standing at the bar there’s an instant attraction. That evening she starts receiving emails from ‘nobody’ containing just the name ‘Anne Edwards’, relating to a mistake she made when a child and that she’d put behind her. Melanie decides to return to where she once lived with her mother and find out who hates her enough to want to ruin her reputation and career.

‘The Lawyer’ is a dramatic psychological thriller of a woman’s childhood mistake made twenty-five years ago and the person who has now decided to take revenge. The main character, Melanie Scott, could have been more hard-hitting but otherwise it’s been a thoroughly enjoyable read written by an author I’ve come to respect for her imaginative novels that always keep me turning page after page. It’s kept me enthralled from page one and as it was relatively short I finished it in less than a day, partly due to being unable to stop reading until I found who ‘nobody’ was. I have no hesitation in recommending it to anybody who likes a tense thriller with a few twists and turns.

My actual rating for The Lawyer 4.5 stars.

Keogh’s writing is superb, with well-developed characters and a plot that twists and turns in unexpected ways. The pacing is just right, with enough action and tension to keep the reader engaged without feeling rushed.

Overall, I highly recommend The Lawyer to anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller. It’s a well-written and engaging page-turner that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read and review this book.

When Melanie Scott is promoted to junior partner, she thinks she has put her past behind her and while out celebrating her promotion, she meets the handsome and charming Hugo Field. Melanie has her doubts and is haunted by her mother's critical voice, which reminds her that she's messed up before. But when Hugo invites her for dinner, she buries her feelings and accepts his invitation. She deserves a chance of happiness, doesn't she? However, the past she thought she buried resurfaces when she receives an email containing a name, Anne Edwards, A name she thought she'd left behind.

Valerie Keogh's books are always quick and easy to read. There's plenty of twists, turns and red herrings. It's a bit predictable at times. Melanie is a strong character, but she carries a secret from her past. I was pulled in after reading a couple of chapters. I could not put the book down until I had turned the last page.

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

Thank you to #NetGalley, #Boldwood Books and Valerie Keogh for the opportunity to read an advance copy of The Lawyer, to be published 13 September 2023. A sizzling psychological thriller about a newly promoted law partner takes on a whole new life when the protagonist meets who she thinks may be Mr. Wright. The secrets she’s kept over the last years come back to haunt her and she discovers her judgments about people she thought she could trust may be flawed. 5/5 Stars #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks #ValerieKeogh #TheLawyer

I love Valerie’s books so I’m always happy when a new book comes out. I know it’s my own fault for not checking the description of the book first but I jumped straight into the book and quickly realised that I had already read and reviewed this book under a different title.
This is a great book that if you enjoy this genre you will love to read.