Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

The Bookseller is an intriguing psychological thriller with a unique and atmospheric setting—after all, who hasn’t dreamed of owning a bookshop? Valerie Keogh takes her time building the tension, making this more of a slow burn in the beginning as the scene is set. While it wasn’t necessarily my favorite book by the author, it was still an entertaining read that kept me engaged. I wasn’t always sure where the story was heading, but that only added to the suspense, and I was eager to see how it would all conclude.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The prologue sets the stage by introducing the main character and hinting at her troubled past, including a difficult relationship with her father and experiences of violence. The story follows Helen as she rebuilds her life after serving two years in prison for the manslaughter of her partner. Determined to start fresh, she opens a second-hand bookshop, but it soon becomes clear that someone is determined to see her fail.

I found Helen to be a likeable protagonist, and I genuinely wanted to root for her as she tried to turn her life around. The pacing is more of a slow burn rather than a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat thriller. Overall, The Bookseller was an enjoyable read. This was my first book by Valerie Keogh, and I’d be interested in exploring more of her work. (3.75 Stars)

When Helen Appleby is released, on licence, from prison after serving just two years of her four year sentence for the manslaughter of her partner, she decides to fulfil a lifelong dream of opening a secondhand bookshop. However, despite Helen’s best efforts this dream starts to turn into a nightmare as it seems that there is someone out there who is desperate enough to sabotage all her plans.

The overall pace of the story was good, I enjoyed the slow and steady start and liked how the tension started to build especially when the unexpected starts to happen. I’m deliberately being vague as I don’t want to spoil things as this is definitely one of those clever thrillers where you don’t need to know too much before you start to read. I wasn’t sure that I liked Helen at first but I gradually started to warm to her character, sure she had her faults, and was a little gullible at times, but she was trying so hard and had so many worries that I really wanted everything to work out for her.

I raced through The Book Seller in just a couple of sittings as I really wanted to find out who would go to such lengths to hamper Helen’s dreams and with all the twists, turns and red herrings I genuinely didn’t see the ending coming. I closed the book with the satisfaction of having read another brilliantly crafted thriller by a talented writer whose stories just seem to get better and better.

I loved the idea of a mystery/crime novel that has the opening of a used bookshop as a backdrop. Unfortunately, the opening and running of the shop was the best part of the book, and that atmosphere is what is pulling this book up over two stars. As much as I apreciate that we are supposed to get the same paranoid feeling as Helen, the constant use of fake scares/cliff hangers started to feel like the boy who cries wolf after a while, and lost its effect. It also made the final reveals and conclusions fall a bit flat, because most of the buildup didnt leed to where we ended up.

Valerie Keogh’s The Bookseller is a delightful blend of mystery and sharp-witted humor, making it an engaging read for fans of the genre. The novel follows Helen, a protagonist whose inner monologue adds a layer of charm and amusement to the story. Her internal commentary is often hilarious, bringing a refreshing lightness to the mystery that unfolds.

The pacing of the story is well-balanced, with a gradual build-up that keeps readers intrigued without feeling rushed. Keogh masterfully weaves suspense throughout the novel, ensuring that the twists and revelations land effectively. The mystery itself is compelling, holding the reader’s attention until the very end.

Overall, The Bookseller is an enjoyable and well-crafted mystery with a unique narrative voice. Helen’s witty observations add an entertaining touch, making this book stand out from more traditional thrillers. If you’re a fan of mysteries with both intrigue and humor, this is definitely a recommended read.

3⭐
Genre ~ psychological fiction
Setting ~ England
Publication date ~ March 3, 2025
Publisher ~ Boldwood Books
Est Page Count ~ 287 (p+ 44 chapters)
Audio length ~ 8 hours 30 minutes
Narrator ~ Rose Robinson
POV ~ single 3rd
Featuring ~ slow burn mystery

Helen has just gotten out of the slammer for killing her abusive boyfriend. She’s just trying to get her life back on track, so she decides to open up a second hand bookstore. How fun! I love me a good deal and she was selling the books at a good price, but an unrealistic one really for just starting out.

I have to note that Helen seems like the name of a sweet older lady, not someone who’s been in the slammer for murder.

This is more of a slow burn mystery and not a thriller as advertised. Day in and day out Helen is putting books on the shelves and going to grab donations to sell, all while being under the watchful eye of her parole office, Moira. There are illusions at the end of chapters of what’s to come, which tried to build up the suspense. I really couldn’t wait to see what this person was going to do, but it took too long for anything to actually happen in my opinion.

Loved the bookstore setting and I did like how Helen was desperately trying to put the past in the past, but I didn’t like her as a person. I needed her to be more on the ball with things, namely getting an alarm. She frustrated me with her forgetfulness. All in all a bit too much of a slow moving book for me, but plenty of others have loved it so be sure to give it a shot if you think it might be your cup of tea.

Narration notes:
I did not listen to this one, just giving the above info for reference.

Helen's dreams of running her own bookshop have long been ideals of mine. The only differences being mine will forever be a pipe dream and I'm so not a killer!

The Bookseller is a suspenseful, slow burning story of starting over and second chances. But it doesn't end there - wouldn't be much of a book if it did - Helen is harbouring secrets, she lies, and appears to have made several enemies along the way.

It's always the quiet ones as my Nan used to say....Helen comes across as this seemingly quiet, unassuming woman, but boy does she have a shady past...in more ways than one!

An engaging and enthralling read that had me gripped from the off!

A book about books? This was enough to entice me and I was excited to read more about Helen's journey after being released from prison.

While I enjoyed learning about Helen's story, unfortunately the pace was too slow for me. I felt like it didnt really get going until I was 70% done and even when it did, I found it unbelievable.
The characters were a little irritating at time, rather than mysterious as I'm sure the author intended.
I struggle to believe that a woman who has spent time in prison for murder could be so niave and such a poor judge of character.

Not really for me, however I'm sure others will enjoy the mysteries of Helen and her book shop.

The Bookseller was a very interesting read for sure! Perhaps a bit slow in some spots but certainly kept you thinking the whole time. I found the ending to be extremely surprising and still satisfying.

Book #7 in the books by Valerie Keogh. “The Bookseller” is her latest thriller and I think it’s her best book to date. Helen has a dark past but she starts her life over and opens a book store. I would love to open a book store. I enjoyed all the characters in the book and couldn’t wait to see how it ended. Twists and turns at the end that I did not see coming was the “icing on the cake”. Great book! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review. To be published March 3, 2025.

I always enjoy this author's books. This had a great setting and an interesting main character, but it felt like more of a mystery than a thriller. Still enjoyable, though, and I'm always ready to read her next book!

A twisty tale where you are never quite sure of any of the characters and which ones you would trust or not. Based around Helen who has always dreamed of owning a second hand bookstore (who hasn't !), she fulfills her dream once she has been released from prison but there are people out there who do not wish her to succeed - the question is who exactly. The author cleverly doesn't allow you to really rule any of them out until nearer the end which makes this a page turning story.

Thanks to Netgalley/Boldwood books for the ARC to review.

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

Throughout the two years she’s been in prison for the manslaughter of her partner Toby, Helen Appleby dreams of opening her own second-hand bookshop. On her release she finds the perfect shop, spends time and money on repairing its run-down condition, and opens it with the name of ‘Appleby Books’. One evening someone breaks into her shop, and later her home, but nothing is stolen so Helen feels that as this isn’t the work of an opportunistic thief it must be personal.

‘The Bookseller’ is an entertaining thriller that from page one has kept me involved in the background of the bookseller, Helen Appleby, and the mix of interesting characters some of whom play an integral part in making her feel wary and at times uncomfortable. The plot revolves around Helen as she works to make her shop a success and eventually reveals the truth behind the stabbing of her partner. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel that’s had moments of intrigue and suspense, and has kept me enthralled from start to finish. I can recommend it.

Buckle up people—this book is like stepping into a cozy bookshop, only to find a secret passage that leads to a heart-pounding thriller!

From the very first page, Helen Appleby’s journey hooked me. A fresh start in a charming bookstore? Sounds peaceful until you remember she’s fresh out of prison for manslaughter. Yep, things are about to get interesting!

With twists that keep you guessing and tension that builds like a perfectly paced mystery, this book is impossible to put down. It’s a gripping blend of redemption, resilience, and riveting suspense. Valerie’s writing style is nothing short of brilliant—every word is carefully crafted to keep you on the edge of your seat, and the vivid descriptions make the story leap off the page.

Throughout the story, I found myself deeply invested in Helen’s fate, feeling both hopeful and frightened for her as she navigates the turmoil in her life. I’ve loved all of Valerie's books, and this one is no exception.

𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜𝕤𝕖𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕣 📚𝕓𝕪 @valeriekeogh2
𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕣𝕖 : 𝕄𝕪𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕪/𝕊𝕦𝕤𝕡𝕖𝕟𝕤𝕖/𝕋𝕙𝕣𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕣/ℙ𝕤𝕪𝕔𝕠𝕝𝕠𝕘𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕣𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕣
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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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