Keera Duggan, a former chess prodigy turned criminal defense attorney, gets pulled in to the case of her life when she is retained by Vince LaRussa, a wealthy and well-known man accused of murdering his wife. But as she dives deeper in to the case, Keera begins receiving private messages from an unknown person who clearly knows about her life. Suddenly this murder case hits a little closer to home, and Keera must use her deductive reasoning skills both in and out of the courtroom to save her client, and herself.

I really enjoy Robert Dugoni's books. He is a master at creating suspense, developing characters, and drawing out just enough twists and turns to keep the reader entertained. This book has it all - family drama, police procedural, courtroom drama, and a little humor added into the mix! I really liked these characters and would read another book featuring them. If you are a Robert Dugoni fan, definitely read this one!

Special thank you to Netgalley, and the publisher, Thomas & Mercer, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In the serene Denny-Blaine neighborhood of Seattle, a brutal and tragic event unfolds—a shocking murder that rattles the community to its core. Anne LaRussa, a woman of affluence and privilege, becomes the victim of this heinous crime. What magnifies the horror in the eyes of the public is not just the cold-blooded nature of the act, but the fact that Anne, confined to a wheelchair, is ruthlessly shot in the back of her head—a despicable act of cowardice. The newspapers churn out daily reports, evoking a mix of repulsion and fascination toward a crime involving seemingly untouchable individuals.

As disheartening statistics often reveal, a significant proportion of violent crimes against women are committed by their partners or spouses. In this unfortunate story, suspicion naturally falls upon Vince LaRussa, Anne’s husband and an influential investment advisor and the founder of LWM. Arrested and accused of murder, Vince finds himself at the center of a storm. Keera Duggan, a skilled criminal defense attorney from Patrick Duggan & Associates, takes on the challenging task of representing him. On the opposing side stands Ambrose Miller, Keera’s former colleague and lover, now tasked with proving Vince’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and seeking a life sentence. Keera is determined to prove her prowess as a professional lawyer and perhaps emulate her father’s illustrious career. Ambrose, seemingly pursuing truth and justice, carries a hidden agenda—to make Keera rue her past choices even more deeply.

The narrative gracefully unfolds through the twists and turns of the trial, but what lends an intriguing layer to the story is its subtle connection to the strategic game of chess. Just as a chess player meticulously studies the board and devises tactics before each move, attorneys like Keera and Ambrose must meticulously plan their strategies in the courtroom.

Keera, driven by the cryptic guidance of an enigmatic figure named Jack Worthing, embarks on a journey to unearth the true nature of Vince LaRussa. What she uncovers is astonishing, to say the least. Even Ambrose Miller, the most steadfast of Vince’s accusers, is unprepared for the dark depths that lie beneath a man so enmeshed in material success. While Vince may not be immediately linked to the brutal murder of his wife, his life is a canvas of shadows, depicting a figure with a dual existence and an unmistakably sinister side. As the suspense builds, readers are led to untangle Vince’s past, understanding the origins of his present self.

As I journeyed through the pages of this novel, a sense of urgency compelled me forward, eager to uncover the verdict of the trial. Yet, the ending I encountered was a departure from my anticipations, completely shattering my assumptions. This is not my first encounter with Dugoni’s work, and I unreservedly affirm his mastery in the realm of legal thrillers. I eagerly await Dugoni’s forthcoming novels, and I stand ready to venture into a new story crafted with skill and artistry.

I enjoyed this read. As it's the first book that I recall reading by this author, it was a great introduction and I look forward to more featuring this character. Since I don't play chess, that part was a bit unnecessary in my opinion and I would like to see more family play. Overall, good read (and I do like a legal mystery).

I absolutely love this author's stories and this one was no exception. I was so invested in the story and the characters from the very beginning. I love court room dramas and seeing crimes played out through the point of view of the defense. The twists just kept coming and everything was wrapped up in such a clever manner. I really enjoyed this book!

Interesting and well written I just personally couldn’t get into the story. Difficult to follow at times and a little slow. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Keera Duggan left her job as a high-level prosecuter to join her Father's criminal defense law firm. The family firm was acclaimed for many years, but her Dad's performance in recent years was lacking. She wants to bring back the firm's good reputation. So, the opportunity to defend a wealthy investment advisor for a murder charge seems like just the thing. As time goes by, Keera's opinion of her client begins to wane and she questions her initial assessment of the client and circumstances that brought them together. A clever and winding story with breathtaking details. A whodunit that's not easily solved, especially by the reader. So well written. Now I know why readers love Robert Dugoni's book. I recommend it. Published March 28, 2023. I hope you local library has it!

Keera had just ended a bad relationship with Ambrose Miller and at that time she worked in the PA's office. She felt like she did not have a good future with this job. So she asked her father for a job working for him at Patrick Duggan & Associates. She had sworn that she would never work for him. Her father had a drinking problem and needed a lot of help and the whole family always kept an eye on him so she started working for him.

Keera wants to have a better relationship with her Dad. She wants her Dad to have a better reputation. She then ends up getting a big case defending Vince Larusso who is an investment advisor and is accused of murdering his wife who is very wealthy. Larusso is facing life in prison. The prosecutor is Ambrose Miller, Keera's former lover, who wants to destroy her.

Keera also is an excellent chess player and is playing chess with the Dark Knight when she is not in the court room.

I really did enjoy this book. I love legal thrillers. It also is a police procedural. I did not like the chess playing in the book but never liked playing chess. I really loved Keera and her family.
This book gets very shocking and I loved the dramatic ending.

It has been a long time since I last read a legal thriller and besides reading only a few John Grisham books I can't say that I have read that many. 'Her Deadly Game' was a great pick to get back to the genre. It was fast paced, to the point and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I liked how the game of chess was used as a mirror for the trial that Keera Duggan has to win at any cost to redeem her family's legal legacy.

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Thomas and Mercer and the author for the e-Arc of the book. While I had the e-Arc, I managed to get hold of the audiobook as well and ended up listening to the book. The narration by Saskia Maarleveld was superb and perfect for the pacing of the book and it helped me finish the book faster.

A courtroom thriller that will keep you guessing. I loved the characters and really hope this is the first in a new series. Mr. Dugoni does not disappoint.
**Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley in exchange of an honest review. **

This was a trial procedural that perfectly scratched an itch. Well researched, entertaining, and without any plot twists that took away from the story.

Great legal mystery…the lead is great and her family is interesting.. the case is interesting, with surprises along the way.. I would read more by this author.

I love a good twisty legal thriller, and this definitely didn't disappoint! I adore Keera--she's a strong, compelling character I know I'm going to want to return to again and again. I also loved the chess metaphor throughout. Keera's relationship to her father is complex, and I enjoyed navigating it with her. Fans of legal thrillers will love this.

Thank you to NetGalley, Robert Dugoni, and the publisher for allowing me an ARC.

A tense courtroom drama!

Keera Duggan started her law career as a prosecutor, but her relationship with Miller Ambrose ended so severely that she had to rethink her career path.

Her father, Patrick Duggan (known as Patsy.), warmly welcomed her into his criminal defence law firm. He had been struggling with alcoholism, so Keera was a welcome addition to the firm. Incidentally, both father and daughter were competitive, keen chess players.

The court drama centres around Vince LaRussa, a wealthy businessman accused of murdering his disabled wife. The prosecution is led by Miller Ambrose, whose tactics are aggressive, and he doesn’t disclose all the relevant details. He is determined to win this case by discrediting Keera.

I’ve read other novels by Robert Dugoni, and I always know that his writing is fast-paced and keeps you on your toes all through. I particularly enjoyed the chess moves, which mirrored the action in the courtroom. I also enjoyed Keera’s strong personality. The outcome left Keera with plenty to think about!

Galadriel.

Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of this book to review.

4.5 rounded up.
I love a good legal mystery! And this one is another great story by Dugoni that is set in Seattle (he's a local author from Tacoma) which I l also love- the story has good strong female characters, good family dynamics, twisty, AND a fabulous legal basis around a mystery. The solution is maybe a tiny bit convoluted, but I didn't mind because the whole rest of the book is amazing. Appears to be a standalone book, which is kind of nice - I don't have to get invested in yet another series.

Thanks to #Netgalley and #thomasandmercer for the advance copy - the opinions are my own.

Her Deadly Game is my first read from author and feel like I am living under the rock because never know about his legal thriller installment. I started this book without any expectations and end with yearning for more.

Keeran Duggan as prosecuting attorney was strong, calculative and smart. She successfully grabbed my attention since her first appearance. I am not familiar with the chess reference but it describes Keera and her way of thinks. She join her father's law firm with all her sisters. She need strong case to win to rebuild their firm reputation, such as Vince LaRussa one. The successful wealthy investment advisor become main suspect for murder his own wife.

The plotline goes from investigation, fierce courtroom drama also family issue. It is alot but the author capable to untangled the issues and the delivered the story with precision and intriguing readers to keep sit on the edge. I found my self really engaged with every aspect of the story and enjoyed all twist and turn.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for provided my digital copy. My thoughts and opinions always become my own.

I don't pick up many legal thrillers, though I did read quite a lot of John Grisham books during my teenage years and I remember enjoying them a lot. Her Deadly Game by Robert Dugoni kept me glued to it's pages and it's been quite some time since I eagerly waited for my work day to end, so that I could get back to my book- a good book brings that kind of anticipation. This is my first Robert Dugoni book and now I wonder why I haven't picked up his books before.

Keera Duggan was a promising prosecuting attorney but a relationship with a senior attorney that ended on a bad note, cut short her career in the PA's office. With not many options left, Keera joins her father's firm and along with her sisters, she tries to save her career and seeks to rebuild the legal firm's reputation. Keera gets a big case when a wealthy investment advisor, Vince LaRussa retains their firm to represent him in his wife's murder case. But the evidences in the murder of Anne LaRussa is nothing but complicated and Keera tries to untangle the web to reach to the truth. Keera, also a former competitive chess player, tries to stay a step ahead of her opponent, guessing their next move and strategizing her own. It doesn't help that the prosecutor in this case, is her ex-lover/stalker boyfriend Miller Ambrose, who is hell bent on defeating Keera and he'd go to any lengths to achieve it.

The story is part family drama and mostly a legal thriller but overall a highly enjoyable book. If you do read many thrillers, then probably you'd guess the "how" part of the murder(I did and I'm mostly clueless in many of the thriller books I read) but the mystery still kept me guessing because there were a few questions that the plot resolves towards the end. I have definitely put Robert Dugoni's books into my To-Read pile and hope to read more of his books.

I enjoyed this one. I did find that Robert Dugoni repeated himself a few too many times (ie, Keera says she's going to do something, does it, then tells someone else that she did the thing) and I would have appreciated a little less of that.

But the mystery itself was intriguing. Who knew what? Who did what? How did all the events really happen? Did the husband actually do it? And how did that first murder scene fit in with the whole story?

I'd say the ending was satisfying, if a little complex, but definitely and interesting read. I enjoyed trying to figure everything out as I read the book, didn't manage it, then kicked myself when it was revealed because all the pieces were there!

Worth a read, but it wasn't a new favourite for me.

To me, it's a 3 star, because I found it far too easy to put down and not come back to for a while.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Keera Duggan, the protagonist, had her world turned upside down - her fault, bad judgment call and her world tumbled. Vindictive former colleague has her twisting in the wind, while her newest client is providing the wind that could bring her kite down in a nano second. She is caught in the middle of a triangle pulling her apart - Pawn e2 to e3. The best trial lawyers are strong chess players and Keera is among the best, evaluating before reacting, strategizing and thinking three moves ahead. She is going to need all her cunning and finesse to get through everything that is stacking up against her. Family issues, courtroom drama, sabotage by people who are supposed to support and support coming from surprising places and people.

Dugoni is a master at crime and drama but this one dragged a bit. Good story, challenging plot, always great writing maybe a distraction or two that threw it off for me. Thank you Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for Keera a copy.

This is a courtroom procedural which I love. Another solid and enjoyable book by Robert Dugoni. You can’t go wrong reading this.

EXCERPT: June 4, 2023
Seattle, Washington

Keera left her house for Sunday dinner before she lost track of time and missed the monthly event. Tempting, but Ella and Maggie would skewer her, and her mother would inflict Irish guilt - similar to Catholic guilt, which her mother was adept at inflicting, and just as insidious.
She picked up a blueberry cheesecake from the bakery in Madison Park and minutes later pulled to the curb at the base of her parents' sloped driveway - in case she needed to make a quick getaway. She didn't want any late-arriving lunatics blocking her in, though a quick car inventory indicated she was the last lunatic to arrive at the asylum.

ABOUT 'HER DEADLY GAME': 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.

MY THOUGHTS: I have never been a big fan of the legal thriller/courtroom drama, but Robert Dugoni certainly kept me glued to the page with his latest thriller. Her Deadly Game is so much more than a legal thriller. There's a wonderfully absorbing family drama woven through this, along with multiple twists and turns, and an extremely puzzling death.

The pace is fast and tension filled as Keera battles to prove the innocence of her client. The characters are complex and compelling in their roles, especially that of Keera. She's strong, she's determined and she approaches the case the same way she does the chess games she loves. I was sorely tempted to pull out my neglected chess set and replicate the game she plays against her unknown opponent.

I also appreciate Keera's relationship with her family. While she loves them, she doesn't always like them.

Legal thriller, family drama, who and howdunnit, this is an exciting mix of genres with an unexpected ending that left me hoping that Robert Dugoni is going to develop this into a series. I definitely want to read more of Keera Duggan.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

#HerDeadlyGame #NetGalley

I: @robertdugoni @thomasmerceruk

T: @robertdugoni @AmazonPub

#contemporaryfiction #crime #familydrama #friendship #legalthriller #mystery

THE AUTHOR: A writer turned lawyer turned writer.
Robert Dugoni was born in Idaho and raised in Northern California the middle child of a family of ten siblings. Dugoni jokes that he didn't get much of a chance to talk, so he wrote. By the seventh grade he knew he wanted to be a writer.

Dugoni wrote his way to Stanford University, receiving writing awards along the way, and majored in communications/journalism and creative writing while working as a reporter for the Stanford Daily. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa and worked briefly as a reporter in the Metro Office and the San Gabriel Valley Office of the Los Angeles Times.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Her Deadly Game by Robert Dugoni for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage