this was a strong psychological thriller novel, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed from this type of book. The characters were everything that I wanted in this and had that element that worked in this universe. It was a strong psychological element that I wanted and was engaged with the suspenseful atmosphere that I was hoping for. Valerie Keogh wrote this well and was glad I got to read this.

First of all thank you for approving my request!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.

I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.

There are plot twists and an ending that is breathtaking. Revelations and a resolution of sorts with closure provided. A satisfying ending to a memorable book. Kept me thinking even after I was finished. This is my first book by this author but wont be my last. Thank you for the advance copy.

Valerie Keogh’s The Bookseller is an engaging psychological thriller that explores themes of guilt, forgiveness, and starting over. The story follows Helen Appleby, a woman trying to rebuild her life after serving time in prison for the death of her partner. She opens a secondhand bookshop, hoping it will be a peaceful place to make a new beginning—but it quickly becomes clear that someone doesn’t want her to move on.

The setting is one of the book’s biggest strengths. The bookshop feels cozy on the surface, but there’s an eerie undercurrent that keeps you on edge. Keogh does a great job creating a sense of tension that mirrors Helen’s inner struggles. Helen herself is a complex character—she’s not perfect, but she’s compelling, and readers will likely find themselves rooting for her despite her past.

The people around Helen are just as intriguing. From family members to neighbors, everyone seems to have secrets, and this uncertainty keeps the suspense high. You’re constantly wondering who can be trusted.

If the book has a downside, it’s that the pace can drag a bit in places, and a few twists feel slightly forced. But overall, it’s a gripping story with emotional depth and plenty of mystery.

The Bookseller is a strong, character-driven thriller that will appeal to readers who enjoy psychological suspense with a focus on redemption and the weight of past choices!

This book was very good, a recent parole opens a second hand book store and the mystery starts.......

I found The Bookseller to be an OK read. I really didn't like the main character which always means I struggle to get into a story as I just don't care about them or what happens.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

I found this thriller captivating, as it offered deeper insights into human behavior than I had anticipated. True to the genre, it is filled with numerous twists and turns, and despite being a convicted murderer, the protagonist is portrayed with sympathy. Helen Appleby simply desires a peaceful existence. Recently released from prison for the manslaughter of her partner, she is striving to move forward and rebuild her life. Her decision to open a bookshop feels like the ideal fresh start. Within the serene atmosphere of her shop and amidst the pages of her books, she can retreat from reality and embark on a new chapter. The world of books appears to be the perfect refuge for happiness—even it is founded on lies. However, as she adapts to her role as a seemingly meek bookseller, it becomes evident that someone is intent on destroying Helen's new life and undoing all her efforts.

If you like a thriller that is not too bloody thirsty and has a sprinkling of humour then this is the book for you. Some of the characters are over the top but that is because the story is told through the eyes of Helen who is terrified that she will be returned to prison if she puts a foot wrong. Her slightly off-key judgement leads to some fantastic misunderstandings! With thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of the book.

I actually enjoyed this book a lot. It was a little different than my normal thrillers, but it was still really good. I love the ending and I loved how it was written. I do recommend this one. I also enjoyed how the chapters were. They weren’t terribly long. Some of them were short, but it kept really good details overall and it was very well put together.

Just finished The Book Seller by Valerie Keogh—and WOW, what a ride! 😲📚 This was my first time reading anything by Keogh, and let’s just say, it won’t be my last. From page one, I was hooked by this gritty, emotionally charged psychological thriller with a twisty heart.

The story follows a young woman recently released from prison, trying to rebuild her life after serving time for killing her partner. Yep, you read that right—manslaughter. But before you go all judgmental, let me tell you: this character is complicated, raw, and so incredibly human. Most of the story is told through her voice, and I loved being in her head—messy thoughts, insecurities, paranoia and all. She’s prickly, guarded, and a bit too quick to assume the worst… but I found myself rooting for her anyway.

She uses a small inheritance to open a cozy little bookshop on the outskirts of Bath (dreamy, right?!)—but don’t expect a warm, fuzzy, teacup-filled escape. This one is darker, more intense, and filled with uneasy glances, suspicious neighbors, and the constant fear that someone wants to ruin her fragile new beginning. And honestly? Maybe she would lash out again—if pushed too far.

What I loved most was the tension that slowly simmers under the surface. You can feel the dread building as things start to go sideways, and I kept wondering… is she spiraling? Can she keep it together? Or is history about to repeat itself?

The ending—oh boy, the ending! It totally knocked the wind out of me. 🫣 Just when I thought I had it figured out, Keogh hit me with a reveal that was both satisfying and deeply unsettling. Like, I closed the book... and then sat there questioning everything.

If you love psychological thrillers with a moody atmosphere, complex characters, and the kind of story that lingers long after the last page—The Book Seller delivers. And now I absolutely have to raid Valerie Keogh’s backlist. Highly recommend! 🔪📖💥

I am grateful to NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reader copy! I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author.

This is one of the forst books i've read by valerie keogh
the writing was good and it got my interest from the beginning however i found it hard too find an interest in the main character Helen with her distrust and thoughts and some bits were really hard to read...

The Bookshop is a dark, twisty, and thoroughly engaging thriller that had me hooked from the start. Helen Appleby, freshly released from prison and determined to start over, is a compelling character—haunted by her past and cautious of those around her. While her paranoia can feel intense at times, it makes perfect sense given her circumstances, and it adds a layer of tension that keeps you turning the pages.

Her dream of transforming a rundown building into a charming secondhand bookshop gives the story an unexpected coziness—until things start to go very wrong. Mysterious noises, suspicious neighbors, and break-ins quickly turn Helen’s fresh start into a maze of unease and doubt. Her relationship with her parole officer, Moira, adds both humor and drama, constantly keeping Helen (and the reader) on edge.

Told mostly from Helen’s point of view, the story slowly unravels the mystery surrounding her new life. With several surprising twists and a satisfying conclusion, this is a slow-burn thriller that delivers. I’m so glad I got to read this one early—thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity! If you love psychological thrillers with morally complex leads, this is a great pick.

I absolutely love a book about books and I feel like The Bookseller really lived up to my expectations. I felt like I could really connect with Helen and I felt like we had a lot in common (not the convicted murderer part, I promise) but the fact that she finds her escapes in books. She dislikes most people and being social. And she has a dream to own her own bookshop. She is just perfect. I really enjoyed seeing her develop as a character and I really found that I was routing for her throughout. I wanted to see her set up a new life for herself and be at peace. I really enjoyed this book. Thank you so much for providing me with a copy of this book to enjoy. I only finished last night and I have already recommended it to a friend!

A fast paced story with a few twists and an ending that I loved. Another great story from Valerie Keogh . Loved it
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest review

Helen Appleby has been released from prison, she served two years for killing an abusive domestic partner. She now wants to just live a normal life and open her own used bookstore. Helen finds the perfect place and sinks for life savings into it, as she starts to procure books for her bookstore she meets several interesting people.

Helen’s problem is she can’t seem to get out of her own head, she thinks everyone is out to get her. As it turns out, someone may actually be trying to ruin her new future with her bookstore Helen needs to know who to trust and who not to trust before everything she’s worked so hard for is gone and she’s back in prison.

This was an okay book; the main character Helen drove me crazy. She jumped all sorts of conclusions with no real facts. She was a pushover all of the time and never stood up for herself. There were a few twists to the story, but overall it wasn’t very shocking. I have read better books by this author, but it was still enjoyable.


Thank you to NetGalley, the publishing house, and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for review, based upon my honest opinion.

I will always gravitate towards books about books or libraries or book shops and i have not read a thriller in this vain till now. I liked. Ot kept me guessing and i did not figure out the twists. A solid thriller.

This was a true thriller that had me rushing to the end. The story and characters were great and kept me guessing. I didn't want it to end

Another great read from this author. Perfect and a must read for lovers of psychological thrillers.
a must read and perfect for lovers of psychological thrillers.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this and it kept me interested from the beginning, however I didn't really like the main character, Helen.
I felt sorry for her because of her past however her dark thoughts and suspiciousness of everybody made the story darker.
Worth a read with a slightly different ending.