This story was a very challenging and interesting read . Keera Duggan has a tough case as her first for her family's struggling law firm. A case which puts her against her former lover Miller Ambrose, who has a strong record of wins and will not want Keera to beat him!.
She is defending Vince LaRussa, a man accused of murdering his wife for money when she found out he was having an affair with her best friend. This would have brought a clause in their pre nuptial agreement to come into play, and mean Vince would lose all money including that in his own business. A fact that would leave Vince destitute.
This story follows the court case and how facts are gathered as the case goes on. Keera, a former chess protege, knows about how to play a game without giving too much away and how to play strongly!. Her father taught her how to be the best she can be.
I found this an easy read and thought I would know how it would play out but I didn't see a shocker coming which meant I thought wrongly!!!. A very cleverly written story which I did enjoy.
I received this free ARC book for an honest review.
#Netgalley, #amazonpublishing, #robertdugoni.

A solid and gripping legal thriller that kept me turning pages. Robert Dugoni can surely write gripping story and this is one of them.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

I had never read Robert Dugoni before last year, but I was hooked as soon as I read the first Tracy Crosswhite book. I binge-read the whole series in preparation for the publication of book nine last August, and I ended up having a brilliant time doing so. His writing style is engaging and the books have just the right balance of crime and banter; this is why it was an easy choice to add this stand-alone to my TBR as soon as I first heard about it. I loved the sound of this legal thriller, and I've been looking forward to read it... And I have to say that Her Deadly Game only reconfirmed to me that Robert Dugoni is now an auto-buy author.

I honestly don't know why I don't read more legal thrillers, because I tend to have a great time with them. Her Deadly Game is a bit of an hybrid though; while technically it's mostly legal thriller, there are also parts that are more detective/crime thriller (detective Rossi's POV). Not that I'm complaining of course with that being my favorite subgenre, and I liked what it added to the plot. The switch between detective Rossi's POV and lawyer Keera Duggan's POV makes the switches between legal and detective more fluid, and I enjoyed spending time with both. I especially appreciated the appearance of my favorite Italian duo Faz and Del from the Tracy Crosswhite books, although they only had a minor role in the story itself.

As for the characters... I think Keera Duggan makes for an excellent main character and I enjoyed spending time with her. True, her character could have been developed more thoroughly, but I liked the connection to the family business and how she isn't afraid to bite down and fight for her client. The chess references were a great touch as well. Detective Frank Rossi made for a great counterpart, and I enjoyed having a little detective thriller dose to speed things up a little. Again, his character isn't as developed, but enough to make a positive impression. The star of the show is clearly Keera though.

There are plently of secrets and twists to keep you busy, although I have to say that I was a bit disappointed that I guessed the truth about what really happened with the wife Anne very early on. I'm not sure if I simply read too many detective thrillers, but soon after that 'oven clue', I literally thought 'I bet that happened'. I kept hoping I was wrong, but I guess that wasn't ment to be... There were other things I didn't see coming though, and I do have to say that I still enjoyed the journey itself including following the trial and everything that happens with the 'game'.

All in all, Her Deadly Game turned out to be a more than solid and engaging legal thriller. I will be looking forward to whatever Robert Dugoni comes up with next!

Her Deadly Game is a riveting legal thriller from the author of the fantastic Tracy Crosswhite series - it is set in the same fictional world, and in fact my only disappointment is that Seattle’s finest detective doesn’t appear. I particularly liked the chess metaphors, although you don’t need to play to enjoy them. It’s unclear whether this is a stand-alone alone or the start of a new series, it works well either way.

Keera Duggan is a chess prodigy and former state prosecutor forced by circumstances to join her infamous father’s struggling criminal defence practice. When a wealthy investment advisor is arrested for the murder of his wife, Keera sees a chance to make her name, but with her vengeful former lover as opposing counsel, and the evidence stacking up against her client, she will need to think several moves ahead to win the case.

This was a clever courtroom drama with an engaging heroine, and I very much hope that Keera will be back for further adventures. There’s a great cast of supporting characters, like her dysfunctional but ultimately loyal family and the conflicted detective who admires Keera’s moves but doesn’t want to see a man he’s sure is guilty go free. The writing was excellent and the ending very satisfying. 4.5 rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily. Her Deadly Game is published on March 23rd.

Her Deadly Game is a standalone legal thriller by author, Robert Dugoni. Known for the bestselling Tracy Crosswhite series, I was eager to read this one which focuses on Defense Attorney, Keera Duggan. I loved the legal, courtroom aspects as well as the overall mystery. Robert Dugoni writes interesting, complex and relatable characters. The book was well-paced and there were no parts that I felt were too slow or where I wanted to skim. Perfect for fans of John Grisham, Michael Connelly, Robert Bailey and Lisa Gardner. Highly recommend

This is a new series (hopefully) by Robert Dugoni. It is related to his Tracey Crosswhite series in that it is also set in Seattle and Tracey’s old police unit, Violent Crimes, takes the case. Tracey herself, however, does not make an appearance in this book.

Despite these similarities, this book is not so much a murder mystery, as are the Tracey Crosswhite books, but is more a legal thriller.

The main character, Keera Duggan, is a defense attorney in her family law firm. Her father, Patrick “Patsy” Duggan, known in the legal world as The Irish Brawler, is a star litigator with an outstanding reputation. But he is getting older, beginning to slip, and struggling with an addiction to alcohol.

Patsy is a great character and has been Keely’s mentor both in the law and in chess. Keely is an expert chess player who played competitively when she was younger.

Keely is on call after hours when a murder suspect contacts the firm seeking representation. She fiercely wants to be lead attorney on the case, but she has never before handled a murder trial. It is decided that she can run with the case provided that Patsy is second chair.

It’s nice that we get to see some familiar faces in the police officers who investigate the case. And the legal process, which overshadows the police investigation in this book, is fascinating. One of the twists is quite unique and inventive.

There are a lot of references to chess and the life principles that can be learned from it. We also see throughout the book an ongoing chess game that Keely is playing against an anonymous opponent online. As someone who does not play chess, I did not find this game, which was described move by move, to be of interest. Dugoni does make sure to briefly explain each move for the benefit of the layperson, but I still found these sections to be tedious. Keely’s chess moves serve to illustrate her personality and her courtroom style.

The first half of the book is rather slow as the facts of the case, the investigators, and the legal strategies are laid out. By the second half, the story is moving right along and the mystery is compelling. The resolution is unexpected, and I did not foresee the ending.

This would make a great series, especially with the crossover appearances of characters from Tracey Crosswhite’s world. Perhaps we will someday see Tracey, Keely and Patsy working together the future.

Recommended. ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2, available 03/28/23. The only violence is the initial murder, which is described as seen by the police investigators. No romance and no sex.

My thanks to the author, Robert Dugoni, to the publisher, Thomas &Mercer, and to NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book.

Part police procedural and part courtroom drama, Her Deadly Game is another suspenseful thriller/mystery by Robert Dugoni. Attorney Keera Dugan is defending her first murder case and she is pitted against prosecutor Miller Ambrose, a former lover who holds a grudge against her from that relationship. He is determined to undermine Keera both professionally and personally. However, she has an impressive support system: her father, attorney Patsy Dugan, known as the winning Irish Brawler for his cunning courtroom shenanigans; her sisters who work in the same law firm; and JP Harrison, the firm’s private investigator. She also has the esteem of Detective Frank Rossi whose assistance is vital to her defense. Her Deadly Game is a real rollercoaster ride with several twists and an unexpected ending. I hope we see more of Keera Dugan. An enthralling read!

I can't believe I read this incredible book in one day. I thought it was a fantastic read. I loved all the twists and turns. I had a hard time putting this book down, it was that hard to do.

Thank you net gallery for this incredible book. Great author and a great book

Good

The plot was excellent and the characters well-written. I hated the bad guy and loved the good ones (mainly good girls). Why only 4 stars? It was easily put-downable. I normally read a book in a few nights, less if it is really good. This took two weeks. I kept stopping to check the weather, check the progress on an expected shipment, etc. I was always happy to pick it up again, but after a few chapters was waylaid.

I like the author and, again, this was a good book, but it couldn't hold my interest for very long.

I am a huge fan of Dugoni's Tracy Crosswhite Series. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read his latest book.

While this is not a Crosswhite series book, it does have a few characters from it in this book.

Keera was making a name for herself as a prosecutor when her relationship gone bad made her leave and go to work for her family law firm. Keera's father is a well known criminal defense lawyer. Unfortunately he is also an alcoholic.
When the firm is hired to defend a potential murderer, it's Keera's chance to prove herself and help save the firms reputation.

As the police and the lawyers research the case, more and more information comes to light. Is the accused innocent or guilty? Does it really matter to the lawyers? Will Keera be able to get him off?

A great Legal thriller that has some of the police drama that I enjoyed in previous series. It also discusses the parallels between the strategy of chess and being a lawyer.I hope this will be the beginning to a new series, I will read them if it does.

Many thanks to the author, netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for the advance copy.

A Legal Thriller

Keera Duggan is a defense attorney working cases in her family law firm. Being a former chess player and with the right moves, she hope to restore the family’s reputation, her relationship with her father and her career. Her big chance to play in the big league came when Vince Larussa, an investment adviser was accused of murdering his disable and wealthy wife. As Keera follow the evidence, she soon faced a complicated and deadly game she hadn’t bargain for.

Told in a direct and concise manner omitting fluff or off the beat side bars Mr. Dugani’s cleverly knows how to pull his audience with a narrative that waste no time with extensive descriptions yet gives us enough details to let us imagine the setting and the characters with ease. I love how he offers clues early then pulls our attention away, springs a trap and creates out of the blue twists to derail us.

In my books, Robert Dugani is a master storyteller and an exceptional legal thriller writer. The narration has loads of momentum and his multi-faceted story keeps us captive and on the edge of our seats from the get-go. Set in Seattle “Her Deadly Game” explores a case of a wheelchair-bound woman found dead in her home where the husband is the prime suspect with aplomb.

Did Keera open a Pandora box looking into the case or will it be simply a slam dunk case.....And with a magic touch....they answer will come behind the words. Well said, well done.

Ok…

Let me start by saying that I’m a huge fan of the Tracy Crosswhite series. And it’s the only books I have read by this author. So I was really reluctant to read this because I wanted what I wanted. But that being said, I got approved for this and decided to try.

Holy Cannoli. I. Could. Not. Put. This. Book. Down.

This author is a master storyteller. He has a way of creating these flawed brilliant female heroines. And the surrounding characters are always such great additions. It makes for a brilliant, unputdownable book. I literally could not stop reading this. I got to a point and was like…I. Need. To. Know. Now.

And it didn’t disappoint. Wow. What a crazy brilliant ride. I’m not usually a fan of legal thrillers. And honestly I am picky. But I will say it again. WOW.

I sure hope this becomes a series because I’m all in.

I am a fan of Dugoni’s writing, in particular, his Tracy Crosswhite police procedurals, so I was happy to receive an ARC of his latest legal thriller.

Keera Dugan, a former chess champion and now attorney, had worked for the prosecutor’s office until she broke off a romantic relationship with a supervisor and her career there dead ended. She left and joined her family’s law practice headed by her father, known as the Irish Brawler, but on a downward career path due to his drinking problem.
When an investment councilor contacts the firm to defend him against a charge that he murdered his disabled wife, Keera is up against her former paramour. As she investigates the case, she learns more than she really wants to know about the defendant and his history.

Dugoni weaves a good tale; I read the book in one day because I did not want to put it down! The book is cleverly and tightly plotted, with well developed characters. I particularly liked Keera and hope this may be the beginning of a new series. Since I don’t play chess, the references to an ongoing chess match were a bit lost on me, although I did appreciate insight into Keera’s strategy.

Be sure to read the author notes at the conclusion of the book.

I am a fan of Robert Dugoni's Tracy Crosswhite series featuring a strong female protagonist who perseveres and is believable, so I was optimistic when I got the opportunity to review this book with another female lead character. My optimism was not misplaced. In Keera Duggan, Dugoni has created a convincingly strong woman in a realistic environment.,

Former chess prodigy and prosecuting attorney, Keera Duggan has switched sides and joined the family's small law firm. Struggling in the shadow of her larger-than-life father whose personal demons threaten the firm's livelihood, she has her chance to redeem herself and save the practice when she is retained by wealthy investment manager Vince LaRussa who is accused of murdering his wife. Not only is Keera battling for her client's acquittal, but she is also facing her former lover who would like nothing more than to see her fail. What's more, the evidence against LaRussa, while formidable, is not conclusive. There are too many unexplained details that bother Keera and make her question her duty to her client.

This is a riveting legal thriller that is fast-paced and twisty. The courtroom drama, intertwined with the case details, makes for a first-class read. Combine this with Keera's love of chess and her way of viewing life, and this case in particular, as a chess game and you have a cat-and-mouse story that is full of surprises. I am looking forward to this new series.

Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of this book. The publication date is March 28, 2023.

Her Deadly Game by Robert Dugoni is fantastic! It had me on my seat, striving to figure out what was happening before it was spelled out.

Will Keera figure out how Vince's wife died and save him from life in prison?

We have two points of view in this book, Keera, a defense attorney, and Frank, a Seattle Violent Crimes Detective.

I was immediately drawn into the story. Mr. Dugoni captivates his readers, compelling us to follow the clues along with the investigators. The characters, their complex lives, attitudes, and how they handle the situations that they are thrown into or created are so masterfully written that I felt like I was right there with them, experiencing the pain, joy, and amazement.

Keera Duggan
Our main character is Keera. She is a complex character, with her large family, professional aspirations, competitive nature, and draw to alcohol. Keera is highly intelligent and has been groomed by her father to follow in his footsteps in the legal arena. She, of course, fights against being like her father and starts as a prosecutor as opposed to a defense attorney. Circumstances require her to fall in line with her destiny and join the family law firm. This turns out to be a good move for Keera as it allows her to learn from the best and to become what she wants. The case of her life is actually what it becomes. It saves her family law firm and brings her, her dad, and her sisters back together. It also allows her to show Seattle who is the better attorney, Keera or Ambrose.

I love how Keera's mind works and how she realizes that she needs her family in her life. She is unique and yet also the same as the rest of us.

Other Characters of Interest
Frank Rossi
Frank is a detective in the Seattle Violent Crimes Division. He has a history with Keera and an extreme amount of respect. However, Rossi is no one's fool, and he is a good detective. He loves old cars, which I think is perfect for him. Frank is not a single-minded type of detective. He wants the truth more so than the prosecuting attorney on the case.

JP Harrison
JP is a private detective and a retired Seattle Violent Crimes Division detective. He is Keera's investigator on the Anne LaRusso murder. JP has an interesting pedigree and sensational style and is a confirmed bachelor. He also has lots of training in finding the truth and more contacts. I smile whenever he enters the room, as Mr. Dugoni's descriptions are spectacular.

Patsy Duggan
Patsy is called "the Irish Brawler," He tries to live up to the name, but he is more than willing to pass it on to Keera. He is also an alcoholic and has been for a while; this has hurt his reputation in the legal world. When he isn't drinking, though, his mind is still sharp, and he still has things to teach his daughters. I think he is my favorite character. He has grit, is smart as a whip, and knows how to spin a yarn.

Five Stars
I literally couldn't put this book down. I read through meals and whenever possible. The characters got into my mind and wouldn't let go. I continued to think about the twist. It was the first thing on my mind this morning. My rating for Her Deadly Game by Robert Dugoni is five stars. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to everyone. Mr. Dugoni is a storytelling wizard.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Her Deadly Game by Robert Dugoni.

Until the next time,
~Jen

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove.

A lawyer trying to repair her reputation.
A financial manager and husband arrested for the death of his wife.
A deceased wife looking to send a message.
An anonymous account trying to change the course of it all.
As the book title suggests, the plot of this is very similar to a game, namely chess. Who moves where and when may determine the winner of it all.

Anne LaRussa's death was very suspicious. I didn't once think that it was as simple as her husband, Vince, killing her. But what really happened? That is up to his lawyer, Keera Duggan, to determine and prove to the court. I liked how Keera approached this case, keeping an open mind about the evidence as it is presented to her.

Is Vince a good guy? As the story builds, my opinion of him went downhill. But is he a murderer? As I said before, I had my doubts. And that puts me in the same place as Keera, who struggles with the case as she learns more. However, despite every obstacle thrown at her - an alcoholic Dad who could destroy the case, a vindictive prosecutor, and a creepy defendant - she does her job and does it well.

Overall, this was an intriguing courtroom mystery that kept me on my toes. If you like courtroom dramas, check this one out!

I love the Tracey Crosswhite series and The 7th Canon, and this new book sounded intriguing, and it was.

I really liked Keera and her somewhat dysfunctional family. I found it interesting how the law firm was set up with Keera, her father, and her sisters. There is also a chess aspect occurring that enhances the plot. The story is engaging and keeps you guessing right until the end. I really liked the “cameo” of the Italian Stallions from the Crosswhile series. When I read their names, I had to check my download to see if I had the right book.

I hope we hear more from Keera and her family in future books.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Robert Dugoni for the eARC.

I have enjoyed all of the books that I have read by Author Robert Dugoni. I love a good courtroom drama and investigative thriller and this book delivered on both. The characters were well developed and stress level was mind numbing. Excellent. Highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced digital copy. All opinions are my own.

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.

I highly recommend reading this book! It was well worth reading! The storyline was very interesting, it sucked me in and had me glued to my Kindle! Definitely don't miss out on this one! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

A thriller that can make me tear up at the end, definitely gets a high rating from me. Her Deadly Game is a legal thriller that also incorporates police procedural, family drama, fraud, and corruption.

When I first read the summary of this book and saw that the main character Keera was a chess prodigy, I hesitated about reading it since I know nothing about chess and don't find it interesting. However, the small parts of chess in the book didn't distract from my enjoyment.

I was fully captivated in the legal drama surrounding the case Keera was defending - a wealthy man is accused of killing his disabled wife. Keera is a very likeable character - she's a smart woman that also has a lot of faults - she once dated the prosecutor, she's on the outs with her family, her father is an alcoholic, she is also probably an alcoholic, and she's not an experienced defense attorney.

I love a good legal thriller that gives me some insights into court room drama, including things that go on behind the scenes. There is a good twist, and it is action packed and fast paced until the end.