This book keeps you reading and has lots of plot twists. A good thriller. You will enjoy it you like thrillers.

Valerie’s books are always great and this is another fantastic thriller. It’s dark and tense and schisms I don’t know which way it was going to pan out. It was a really gripping thriller and I loved it!

Title: The Writer
Author: Valerie Keogh
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: July 15, 2025
My Rating: 3.7 Rounded up as I love this author
Pages: 297

The story alternates chapters with the POV of “Him” and “Her” – Then and Now

Then ~ ‘Him’ is young man who is ‘different’ and bullied by classmates. He is being raise by his mother and grandmother. His mother was only fourteen when she got pregnant. His grandmother is an angry mean woman. He is aware of a young girl who seems to be like him. There was a school dance and he wanted to ask her to slow dance. He waits to gain courage. He finally asked her but she turns him down – said she didn’t want to dance and ran from him.

Now ~ Cara Jenkins is a successful author and is under deadline for her thirtieth novel. However Cara is experiencing ‘writer’s block’!

When Cara first gets the notes they seem harmless. Her husband Artie agrees- they are harmless pranks.
Soon the messages get darker, and Cara is sure someone from her past is watching her.
Cara does what she does best and that is to write. But the more words that come, the more fantasy and reality begin to blur and soon her imagination, and her accusations, begin to run wild.

Cara struggles with what is truth and what is fiction. Is someone really watching her, or is she losing all reality.

All of Cara Jenkins’ confusion – was indeed confusing

This is my fourteenth Valerie Keogh novel -.Yep! I’m a fan!
Her psychological thrillers usually never disappoint. This one was very strange- actually kept up half the night thinking about it.

I know Ms. Keogh’s signature ending is to leave us reader with some doubt!! In case ~ it left me with ~ What did I just read?

Want to thank NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this this great early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 15, 2025

The Writer by Valerie Keogh is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the pressures of creativity and the fragility of the mind. Cara Jenkins, a once-successful author, faces a terrifying writer’s block just as she prepares to start her thirtieth book. When mysterious letters begin arriving, what starts as a nuisance soon turns into something much darker.

As Cara’s husband dismisses the notes, she becomes consumed by fear and suspicion, struggling to separate fact from fiction. The line between her imagination and reality blurs dangerously, pulling her deeper into paranoia and uncertainty.

With a tense atmosphere and an unpredictable twist, this book explores the haunting effects of pressure, past trauma, and the need to tell one’s own story. A truly unsettling read for fans of psychological suspense.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

3.5 rounded down

Him - his life has always been on the fringes, school days a misery and much of life’s many disappointments he blames on her – The Writer, Cara.

Her - she’s a successful author with 29 books published and a 30th due but she’s devoid of ideas. Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

Him - it’s the 25th anniversary and so it’s time for justice. Wait for the destructive fireworks as it’s time to face the consequences.

Although it’s fair to say I enjoy much of this, equally I have some issues with it. First of all, the positives. It’s extremely easy to read, it’s one of those glide through reads which are perfect for holidays. I like the two points of view and there’s a growing sense of despair, frustration and menace which comes across well. Cara becomes increasingly suspicious at what unfolds a lot of her suspicions are irrational but understandable. I really like the premise as the author aims to explore the blurred lines between what is fiction and what is real with Cara being on uncertain ground. At times she’s full of paranoia and is certainly unravelling. However, by the same token she’s very gullible, she changes her thought processes as easily as flicking on a light switch and at times there’s as a lack of coherent thinking.

I think it’s pretty good up to around 8% and then for me it starts to go off a cliff. There are a couple of scenes that I think are totally unrealistic and yes, I know it’s fiction but it needs some grounding in reality. The reasons for everything seem very spurious to me and there’s a lot of unnecessary repetition especially from Him. I have grasped he blames her for it all!

There is a good final twist and the author does have a clever idea here but I’m not 100% convinced she pulls it off although I can say it’s enjoyable overall.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Boldwod Books for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.

I have read a couple of Valerie Keogh books and she writes a good psychological story. Cara an author is stuck for ideas for her 30th novel. When Cara who is married to Artie began getting anonymous letters she thinks they're meant for Artie. Cara then begins to be stalked and soon becomes rattled suspecting her agents and her best friend. A slow build up with an ending that will leave you speechless.

The Writer by Valerie Keogh is a slow burn that takes its time to build suspense. While I usually look forward to Keogh's work, this one didn't quite grip me the way her previous books have. Still, her writing remains strong, and fans of psychological tension might appreciate the gradual pacing. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

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.

ARC review. Thank you NetGalley & Valerie! “She spun a tangled web, & now she was caught”

I had the day off and read this quickly. Fast paced thriller. Brought out true anxiety in my chest. Right when it would calm down something else would cause my anxiety to peak. I audibly gasped at the end. Well done and well written.


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7612237567

I don't give out 5 stars often, but this one took my 5 stars! Quick read and a page turner, I could not put this one down. Prepare your emotions for a rollercoaster from anger, to joy, and back to anxiety! You will find all of these things in this psychological read. The plot was great and the manipulation was spot on. I really enjoyed Cara as a character and reading her spiral into psychological madness. Was she actually loosing her mind? Was someone manipulating and out to get her? You will just have to read to find out, but I promise, the twists and turns will not disappoint!

Thank you to Valerie, NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the eARC. I can't wait to read more from this author!! While this was the first, it will NOT be the last.

Cara is an author having trouble coming up with an idea for her newest book, her thirtieth. It’s a milestone that everyone is making a big deal about, unknowingly putting pressure on her, as she’s never had writer’s block before, and this is the worst time to get it. She’s distracted by some threatening notes she starts to receive, and with no better ideas, she begins writing about them. But then she starts getting confused about what’s real and what’s fiction, and she begins doubting her sanity.

And this is my issue with the story – there’s no reason for her to suddenly get so confused and mixed up about reality versus what she wrote. And later in the book, it’s pages upon pages of her rambling, incoherent thoughts. The most the readers are given as an explanation is stress, but she gets completely delusional and literally confuses her created characters with the real people in her life. She goes to extremes, and I did appreciate the crazy ending, but it was just way too unbelievable.

Title: The Writer
Author: Valerie Keogh
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
Publication Date: July 15, 2025

Valerie Keogh is one of my favorite authors to read when I need/want a book that's quick and easy to read. As was expected, this book gave me exactly what I needed.

I found the main character, Cara, to be slightly annoying and very gullible. She didn't seem to be the type that was a successful author. Also, based on their interactions, I couldn't believe Trinny and Cara were best friends.

I expected there to be more suspenseful moments in the book, so I was slightly disappointed; however, the ending totally made up for it! I can honestly say that I did NOT see that coming!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this advance readers copy in exchange for my honest feedback! A thriller Inside a thriller!!!!!! What the what? Yes!!!!!!!

This book was really a slow burner. I found the story was written pretty confusing. I’m glad I finished it, the ending was amazing!

The Writer by Valerie Keogh was a good read for me. A bit slow in parts, but I loved reading about a writer struggling to come up with a story for her thirtieth novel. Cara is an intriguing character and was well-described. The ending honestly was a bit much for me, but otherwise a solid read, if a bit slow in spots.

Review of ‘The Writer’ by Valerie Keogh, due to be published on 15 July 2025 by Boldwood Books.

Cara is due to write her thirtieth novel, with a looming deadline. She’s getting pressure from her editing team and told that her publishers are planning a big party to celebrate. However, unbeknownst to them, she’s struggling to find her inspiration, something that has not happened before.

When Cara starts receiving threatening letters, and believes she is being stalked by ‘the grey man’, she starts to question things in her life, and uses this as the backdrop to her novel in an attempt to discover who sent the letters, who is stalking her and why.

The world of fiction collides with reality, with a plot cleverly written so that you as the reader start to wonder which version of events is the truth, leading to a devastating conclusion.

Recommended read.

This author sure knows how to step up the suspense and the shocks in the book. The ending completely blew me away. Awesome storyline, perfect amount of character building and the twists and turns left me guessing right till the end. Highly enjoyable and highly recommend.

This was addictive! I was immediately hooked! This is the rare type of thriller that brings on all the emotions from happiness to frustration. There were times I felt relief and others that made me anxious and concerned. I will always applaud a thriller that triggers the range of emotions this one delivered. The plot is fast-paced, original, and unpredictable. The final shocking twist I never saw coming. I have enjoyed all of Valerie Keogh’s books and highly recommend her latest mind-blowing creation. Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC.

Wow, this book really messed with my head. A great twisty read and one, as a writer myself, I could identify with. Cara is suffering from writer’s block and really needs a good idea for her 30th book which her editor and agent are both waiting eagerly for. Then an anonymous letter is put through her letter box and Cara’s world is turned upside down. Slowly she loses her grip on reality with her fictional world merging with her actual one. I didn’t see that ending coming. Riveting.

Another great read from Valerie Keogh . Does keep you guessing till the end look forward to the next book .