Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

I requested this book as I am a big fan of the author. I don’t normally read courtroom dramas, but I have to say I really enjoyed this book.

I found it slow to start with a lot of police procedure-this wasn’t the main bulk or purpose of the story so maybe no needed.

Keera Duggan is an ex prosecutor who now works for the family law firm. Her dad Patsy ‘the Irish brawler’ was once a feared lawyer, but now is an almost functioning alcoholic. The law firm needs a win, and a good one to be able to continue.

The case begins with the murder of Anne, a cripple confined to a wheelchair. The main suspect is her husband, but is he guilty.

What then plays out is a game of cat and mouse between Keera and the prosecutor Ambrose.

This book was great. I hope it will become a series!

A new legal thriller by Robert Dugoni! How exciting is that! Dugoni is a wonderful storyteller, and in Her Deadly Game, he pulls out all the stops. We have new characters in a familiar setting, Seattle, Washington, which is the locale of his popular Tracy Crosswhite series.

Keera Duggan is an up-and-coming attorney following in her father’s footsteps. She recently left the prosecutor’s office due to unpleasant circumstances and is now employed at her father’s firm, Patrick Duggan & Associates. She has just mopped up a drunk-driving court case, making a favorable impression on those present. Now, she has a chance at a case that could make or break her career. The wealthy wife of a successful company, LaRussa Wealth Management, has been found murdered. The husband is not charged – at first. But we all know how that goes, don’t we?

Her Deadly Game did not strike me as a run-of-the-mill legal thriller/courtroom drama. Having read quite a few novels by Mr. Dugoni in the past, I expected a very good book. I didn’t know how complex this story would prove to be, however. I was intrigued by the inclusion of the game of chess, which was interesting because I’d previously read Dugoni’s The World Played Chess, which is not at all about chess. Keera Duggan is a former chess champ, taught the game by her father “Patsy,” and she still plays online against someone going by the name Dark Knight. It helps her focus. Patsy always compared working a case to playing chess. You don’t just think of your next move; you try to foresee your opponent’s move and prepare for it. As a reader who has never played chess, it was a minor distraction that was easy to skip over. I found the author’s admission that he doesn’t play chess either to be quite unexpected! I did enjoy the inclusion of chess in the plot, however.

I’d be misleading you if I told you that this book is only about the death of Anne LaRussa and the subsequent murder trial. It’s also about relationships, good and bad. Dysfunction within relationships due to alcohol, abusive language, and possessiveness, dependency, and even physical and mental illnesses that affect our choices and decisions. It’s also about the togetherness and support of family, especially in challenging circumstances.

It took me a while to feel comfortable with these new characters, but as the story developed, I started to root for Keera Duggan. I had a hard time deciding on the guilt or innocence of her client, but I was rooting for her. I loved her investigator, JP Harrison, who worked extremely hard to figure out the puzzle of Anne LaRussa’s death. I proudly state that I had come up with most, but not all, of those pieces correctly myself. I also rooted for Patrick Duggan, the old Irish Brawler. When the going gets tough, the tough get going, and he proves it by supporting his daughter in a big way in her first big case. I’d like to see more of Duggan & Associates. It has the makings of another fine series.

I received a digital copy of Her Deadly Game from NetGalley in return for my honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks also to Thomas & Mercer and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC version of Her Deadly Game

4 stars

Keera Duggan was building a solid reputation as a Seattle prosecutor, until her romantic relationship with a senior colleague ended badly. For the competitive former chess prodigy, returning to her family’s failing criminal defense law firm to work for her father is the best shot she has. With the right moves, she hopes to restore the family’s reputation, her relationship with her father, and her career.
Keera’s chance to play in the big leagues comes when she’s retained by Vince LaRussa, an investment adviser accused of murdering his wealthy wife. There’s little hard evidence against him, but considering the couple’s impending and potentially nasty divorce, LaRussa faces life in prison. The prosecutor is equally challenging: Miller Ambrose, Keera’s former lover, who’s eager to destroy her in court on her first homicide defense.
As Keera and her team follow the evidence, they uncover a complicated and deadly game that’s more than Keera bargained for. When shocking information turns the case upside down, Keera must decide between her duty to her client, her family’s legacy, and her own future.
Really enjoyable read totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer
I just reviewed Her Deadly Game by Robert Dugoni. #HerDeadlyGame #NetGalley

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
Another winner by Dugoni!! I loved this book
Keria, a prosecutor working for her families firm takes on the case of Vince LaRussa, an investment advisor who is accused of murdering his wife.
Miller, the prosecutor wants to destroy Keria after a relationship that went bad.
As Keira digs into Vince’s life, many discoveries are worriesome and then a shocking discovery takes a twist . Is Vince truly innocent? Can Keria win this case?

Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Her Deadly Game.

Keera’s chance to play in the big leagues comes when she’s retained by Vince LaRussa, an investment adviser accused of murdering his wealthy wife. There’s little hard evidence against him, but considering the couple’s impending and potentially nasty divorce, LaRussa faces life in prison...

Hands down, Mr. Dugoni is one of my top three favorite authors so I was thrilled to get my hot little hands on this book! The characters were so well developed (especially Keera and her father) and the pacing was nail-biting!! I LOVED how this somewhat dysfunctional family of attorneys came together to defend a wealthy man accused of murdering his wife.

My only complaint with Her Deadly Game was with the pages describing the chess moves. There is not a doubt in my mind that chess players probably loved that part. However, knowing nothing about chess, I found them to be distracting, hence the four stars rather than five. But still, a wonderful story!

*Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer, Robert Dugoni, and netgalley for my gifted eARC for an honest review. Publication date March 28, 2023*

Rule number 1: It's always the husband or the boyfriend
Rule number 2: See Rule Number 1

Keera Duggan left the PA's office to work at Patrick Duggan and associates - her family's law firm. Keera's dad Patrick is very well known as a damn good attorney (AKA the Irish Brawler) but also a drunk. Keera is the on call attorney for the night when she gets a call that Vincent LaRussa - millionaire and owner of LMS- LaRussa Wealth Management needs a lawyer. LaRussa's wife has been shot and killed while he was at a charity benefit. Keera thought this was going to be an easy enough case for her first murder conviction and good publicity for her family's firm. She thought wrong.....for one thing she is up against her ex attorney boyfriend, she keeps getting mysterious emails leading her down different paths, and she does not know who or what to believe. Did LaRussa kill his wife or didn't he?

This was more then just a very good legal thriller - it was also about family. I definitely fell in love with the Duggan family and I wish I could be invited to their monthly dinners. The Duggans reminded me of The Reagan family from Blue Bloods except they are lawyers. I am not a chess player at all so I did not understand the moves Keera was making and why but I did like how she incorporated her strategy into the murder case. Dugoni did an amazing job of explaining everything to the T but almost too good of a job. The only negative thing I have to say is I did think some stuff was a little repetitive. We learned about everything in the investigation and then we heard about it again in the trial and in-between the trial. If you like a good mystery/courtroom/thriller with good characters this is your book!

She was a lawyer, a fighter for justice. Until loving the wrong person brought it all down. Going back home, a new case would that be the fresh start to wipe her past clean. Finding the secrets of her client might once again destroy her, and her family. A drama as reader find in the courtroom a cat and mouse game is going on. Well done with this intriguing plot.
Given ARC by Net Galley and Thomas Mercer.. for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
Releases. March 28, 2023

Review Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and most importantly, to Robert Dugoni, for my ARC of Her Deadly Game. Her Deadly Game is an exciting criminal justice story, following Keera Duggan, an attorney at her father’s law firm, and her first case representing Vince LaRussa, accused of murdering his wife, Anne LaRussa. This case is definitely not a clean cut and simple one, and it only gets trickier with the mysterious emails she’s receives making the holes in this case even larger. From affairs, to murders, to strong familiar ties, this book has all the makings of a bestseller which I’m positive it will instantly become.

If you’ve seen my past reviews, you would notice that I mainly stick to thrillers. This is my first legal thriller with police officers, and a case that you’re following to be solved. Dugoni is an excellent writer and I felt like I was apart of the case every step of the way. The book is exciting to read because you’re also trying to solve the death of Anne LaRussa with every page. I’m sorry to say, but you won’t be able to guess it, which makes this book even greater. Not only did I enjoy the legal thriller of this book, but I also appreciated the family bonding that appeared in this book. Dugoni did not write about the perfect family, because they are far from it. However it’s how they worked through their imperfections which made their bonds so strong is what I thoroughly enjoyed. This book reads like a movie and I mean that in the highest praise.

My one qualm about this book is that some parts read a little too slow. There were some parts that I also found corny, and not in the best way. However, I did cry in some parts as well (maybe it’s the father issues in me LOL). Sometimes I found myself kinda reading to get just finally get to some exciting parts. But again, this is my first legal thriller, and I realized during my read that those facts that seemed irrelevant to me at first only set the stage for the more important matter at hand.

Her Deadly Game is a fun read with a strong female main character which is always a plus. I feel sorry for those who have to wait until March, 2023 to get to experience that genius work of Dugoni.

A defense attorney is prepared to play. But is she a pawn in a master’s deadly match? Keera Duggan was building a solid reputation as a Seattle prosecutor, until her romantic relationship with a senior colleague ended badly. For the competitive former chess prodigy, returning to her family’s failing criminal defense law firm to work for her father is the best shot she has. With the right moves, she hopes to restore the family’s reputation, her relationship with her father, and her career.

A great legal thriller which I thoroughly enjoyed. I did find in parts it became a little slow with some conversation that felt like it was on repeat, but in saying that I was still very interested to see how this would all work out and who killed Anne LeRussa. I became invested in the relationship between Keera and her father and liked the dynamic that reflected throughout their relationship in the book, it is true that genes sometimes play a big part of who we become as we grow up and quite often the apple does not fall far from the tree.

Highly recommended, thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Her Deadly Game by Robert Dugoni is so good! I could not put this book down. The story is tense and entertaining. Dugoni's writing style is masterful. I loved the chess game inside the story. I hope Robert Dugoni writes more books with these characters. I really liked them all, especially Keera, Rossi, and Keera's family.

In the acknowledgments, Robert Dugoni states that he loves to create stories, and it really shows in this book. His books are always entertaining, page-turning, heart-pounding, and just downright good!

This is a solid 5 out of 5 stars! Such a good book.

#HerDeadlyGame #NetGalley @AmazonPub @robertdugoni

I really enjoyed this new legal thriller by Robert Dugoni. I hope it's the start of a new series. Great family dynamics. Interesting engaging case.

A great new mystery from Dugani, back to a courtroom based story. Great characters and an exciting mystery. I loved the family themes. Woven through is a chess game that was a really interesting idea.

A little police procedural and a lot of courtroom drama!

This one is for those who enjoy well developed characters and courtroom scenes. It is very detailed and realistic. I felt like I was a courtroom spectator at times. I didn't want to miss anything and took my time reading and pacing myself to enjoy the unfolding of events.

Keera Duggan's father is a famous defense attorney with his own firm. She has joined him and will be defending her first murder case. She is a fantastic character who is flawed, but strong and determined. Her family is dysfunctional, but she doesn't shy away from a challenge.

A husband is accused of killing his wealthy wife and when the news gets out the circus comes to their upscale neighborhood. The show begins.....

Isn't it always the husband? That is what they say............... Someone is playing games and throwing wrenches into the mix. Nothing seems logical and there is a little game within a game going down.

After the verdict, someone will need a shower.

Another great adventure by this outstanding author who has written so many books over the years. Set in Seattle the story opens up with an accountant found murdered and the case goes unsolved for some time. It introduces the reader to the detectives who will later be involved in the main story a legal thriller of a very wealthy husband and wife who are represented by a family team of attorneys
To be expected some things are predictable but other things are not until the end of this book. Easy to follow, and the story keeps you glued to the book begging for me.
I am thrilled to recommend this book and i look forward to many more books by Robert Dugoni. Thanks for the opportunity to review this book.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Thomas & Mercer and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.


A Spellbinding thrillride the masses will love.

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope he writes more! I am totally hooked!

First, let me tell you that I really really enjoyed this book! In some ways it was the typical legal novel - a lawyer represents a client - is he guilty or not? But it was so much more. It was about family, it had some really great twists and I really liked the main characters. I couldn't stop turning the pages so see what happened next and I read it in one day.

So what is this book about? A dysfunctional family work together in a law firm. One of he daughters - Keera -receives a possible murder case. This case has so many unknowns, and twists and turns.. However, working on the case brings the family together..

This book has so many interesting aspects. For instance Keera is a former chess champion and it still affects her thought processes. I LOVED how it told the story against the background of chess moves - it brought another dimension to it.

This book had family, friendship, alchoholism, mystery, courtroom drama...

The writing was excellent and I could 100% see this as a movie. If you like a good courtroom thriller, pick up tis book.

I want to thank #NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this book -receiving a ARC did not impact my review.

4.5 stars rounded to 5.

Legal thrillers are his specialty whether it be the police or lawyers as the main characters. The author once again had a solid story to present, and as the layers unfold, the reader enjoys a story that gets better and better. Excellent characters keep the story interesting.

Her Deadly Game by Robert Dugoni is a novel depicting a family of attorneys in private practice — a father and several daughters. They seemingly have disparate lives brought together by family dinners requiring almost mandatory attendance. What actually brings the family together is a case where they are engaged to represent a wealthy man accused of killing his wife. In planning and executing his defense, we become aware of family dynamics, alcohol abuse, a prior romantic relationship, a tragic accident, a prenuptial agreement and a supposed extra marital affair — all played against the background of an ongoing chess game, which this reader found to be both intrusive and unnecessary.

The writing is excellent and the courtroom scenes are extraordinary and I can wholeheartedly recommend this book to all who are interested in this genre. I thank NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this book and look forward to reading Mr. Dugoni’s next novel.