Let me start with what I enjoyed... The setting! A bookstore selling preloved books? What's not to like? The main character was trhing hard to rebuild her life and this was a nice idea. However, this book is longer than it should. It drags for too long and the twists come towards the end one after the other. It kept me wanting to read but not immediately, every time I put it down I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue. I guess I wanted to know who was doing all the bad stuff but could have been shorter.

* Thank you to the publisher, Boldwood Books, for providing me with an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. *

4.5 ★

I was hooked on the story from the first page. Every page and chapter left me wondering what would happen to Helen next. I wondered if Helen would be able to start her life fresh or if she would end up in prison again. From the beginning, I felt conflicted about Helen. Sometimes I really liked her, but her decisions throughout the novel made me wary of her. I also thought she was a little paranoid about everyone. I can understand why she was distrustful, especially given what happened with her boyfriend, Toby. Still, she appeared wary of everyone, including those attempting to help her and make her feel welcome. I was afraid that she would get in trouble that way, especially if she accused the wrong person.

Moira, I didn't like her from the start. Something about her didn't seem right to me. She kept showing up at Helen's bookstore and overstaying her welcome. It did not appear professional to me, as if she was there for a completely different reason than checking up on Helen. Of all the book's characters, I was most suspicious of her. I liked the suspense in the novel; it kept me on the edge of my seat, and I made a few guesses about who was behind it, but I appeared to be wrong every time.

I was intrigued about what Helen was hiding on the night she killed her partner. I even tried to figure out what it was. Of course, I liked the concept that it was set in a bookstore; I love reading books about books. This was my first book by Valerie Keogn, and I'm excited to see what other adventures she'll take us on. I strongly recommend it to any thriller fans!

This author is always a hit or miss with me. The Bookseller follows Helen who is recently released from prison after 2 years for manslaughter. She wants to make a fresh start and decides to buy a second hand book store. She does have a parole officer and Helen is trying to do everything right so that she doesn't violate her parole. Unfortunately, someone breaks into Helen's bookstore and her home. She believes someone is out to get her.

So this book started out really slow. More than half was slow going. Helen is a very flighty character who spends most of the time wringing her hands. She needed an alarm system and keeps forgetting. She was annoying to me. I'm a big thriller reader and there wasn't anything that shocked me or any twists that spun me around. It was an OK book.

Thank you to Boldwood books and Nergalley for the ARC. I greatly appreciate it. I do recommend this book as many seem to like it.

The Bookseller by Valerie Keogh is my first book by this author but will not be my last.
Helen, released from prison, on license, opens a second-hand bookstore, trying to put the past behind her. However, the past haunts her dreams and future success is not guaranteed, especially when Helen doesn't know who she can trust.
I read this book in one sitting, transported, by the writing, to Helen's bookshop and hoping for a happy ending for her.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Helen is a murderer. Does she deserve a second chance? This slow-burn mystery explores the idea of starting over. Helen hopes she has found sanctuary in the opening of a bookstore. This has been her dream, and now it's close to becoming reality. This character-driven story has a constant sense of foreboding and bookish elements that drive the gripping mystery. I was rooting for the protagonist to live out her dream and begin a new life. I could imagine myself frequenting her bookstore, becoming reacquainted with long-time favorites. The story hooked me immediately all the way until the satisfying conclusion. Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC.

Thank you so much for this ARC! This was my first Valerie Keogh and it certainly won't be my last.

The writing captured me immediately, the characters were well thought out and the twist surprised me. The ending was also a shocker!

Excellent book from Valerie Keogh and first time read from this author. A interesting story line..Helen is released from serving two years in prison for killing her abusive boyfriend. She decides to open a used book store and get her life on track. However, things don't go quite like she expected. Loved the whole aspect of mystery, and the ending it perfect.
Thanks to Netgalley and Boltwood publishers for the advanced reading copy. Great reading and reviewing.

4stars - Really enjoyed this book, thanks Netgalley.
Full of suspense.
Well written.
The characters gel.
Easy to follow, keeps you guessing.

This was an engrossing thriller and an easy page turner. I felt for Helen and really wanted her to succeed. Each and every character is unreliable and untrustworthy, and I couldn’t guess who was behind the misfortunes Helen suffered.

I give this 3.5 stars because I felt too much was given away about one characters motives too early (Dilly) and there was some repetitive language used which I thought could have been sharpened up (example being Dilly repeatedly calling Jess annoying).

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my review copy.

This was my first book by Valerie Keogh.
Helen has just been released from a 2 year stint in prison after she killed her partner. All she wants to do is open a second hand bookshop and claw back some normality. But it seems not everyone is willing her to succeed.
A great read and the authors love of books shines through

Excellent book! I loved reading this novel and will look out for more books by Valerie Keogh. The ending was perfect!

this was just so good this author never disappoints. Helen killed her partner Toby self-defense; she got two years prison sentence. And the day has come she is out and a new life her sister is there waiting for her. Helen wants to open a bookshop, and she finds a run-down property in a perfect spot. with the help of her brother-in-law and his friends the shop looks amazing. but someone does not want her to have a happy ending. Helen starts to trust no one it's a very addictive read.

It appears that I am in the minority when it comes say that this book just wasn’t it for me. The premise had great potential and I feel it could have been so much more. I feel like it ended out of nowhere. In all honesty I thought I was at the middle of the book when it ended. So much just ended out of nowhere. The Moira storyline could have been done with so much more detail and thrills, same with Jess. It was a slow paced and I hate to say it, but boring read.

2⭐️⭐️

A Dark, Twisting Thriller That Had Me Hooked!

From the very first page of The Bookseller, I was completely enthralled. Valerie Keogh has a knack for creating flawed yet utterly compelling characters, and Helen Appleby is no exception. A woman with a past she can’t escape, a new life built on fragile foundations, and a creeping sense that someone is watching—this book had me racing through the pages, desperate to uncover the truth.

The setting of a quiet bookshop was sheer perfection—a seemingly safe haven, filled with stories, yet laced with an underlying tension that simmers beneath the surface. Helen is trying to move on from her past, but when small, sinister events start to unravel her new life, the suspense tightens like a noose. Someone knows what she’s done. Someone wants to see her fall. But the question is—who?

Keogh masterfully plays with the reader’s emotions. I felt torn between sympathising with Helen and fearing what she might be capable of. As the story progressed, I found myself second-guessing everyone, scanning every interaction for hidden motives. The twists were razor-sharp, the pace relentless, and the ending? Absolutely chilling.

If you love a psychological thriller that keeps you on edge, The Bookseller is a must-read. Gripping, unsettling, and filled with unexpected turns, this is Valerie Keogh at her absolute best. I devoured it in one sitting—and I suspect you will too!

I found this book a bit of a struggle to begin with, but it definitely picked up around the middle. I certainly had my concerns about some of the themes, and I struggled to connect with the main character from time to time. It did get a little convoluted at times, and sometimes things did seem to come out of the blue. However, I did eventually get into it properly and found myself far more invested than I thought I would be. This was definitely a fun, interesting read, with some clever writing and a good use of dramatic irony. I did end up really liking it, reading half the book across two days. I do recommend this.

Valerie Keogh always delivers spectacular thrillers. The Bookseller hooked me from the very first page, as Helen.Appleby’s quest for a quiet life, starts to unravel around her. As always, Keogh’s writing is sharp, immersive and utterly addictive. If you love thrillers with a chilling edge, this one is a must read.

Really enjoyed this book. Lots of twists that kept me guessing and interested. Have read others by this author and always find them an engaging read. Would recommend.

This was my first book by Keogh. I immediately requested it due to the cover art and the fact that it had something to do with a bookstore. I enjoyed it, but I think I have just read too many "thrillers" recently about female serial killers. I'm a bit worn out by that trope. I didn't care to much for Helen's character, honestly. I wish I would've loved this one, but I didn't. 3 stars.

Love a story set in a bookstore, love a main character who loves books as much as I do. That's about the end of my love for this one - I think I'm an outlier but this was not for me. I could not deal with Helen. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes March 3

What a great book! I absolutely loved how twisty and clever this one was! I was totally engrossed from beginning to end and would definitely read from this author again, So, so, so good!