Valerie Keogh knows how to compose complex characters navigating thrilling and twisting plot points. I’ve read and enjoyed many of her books and this one yanked me out of my 24 hour book slump wherein I was struggling to find something that instantly grabbed my attention.

But grab my attention, it did! The prologue had me immediately intrigued and I was glued from beginning to end.

Helen is working hard to carve a bright and positive future for herself after serving two of her four year prison sentence. While serving her two years, she brainstormed and dreamt about the second hand bookstore she longed to open using the inheritance left from her mother.

Just as Helen tentatively begins feeling good about her life, unexpected events make her realize she can’t shake the feeling that everyone around her might have nefarious feelings or plans.

Between the two guys running the pizza place next to her shop, her pesky and irksome parole officer who shows up much too often, the grandson of a woman who donated lots of books to Helen demanding to look through them, and the shady college students who stole from her, she doesn’t know who, if anyone, she can trust. Maybe she hasn’t yet paid the price of her crime.

One of the many reasons I loved this book is because it was one where I thought “HA! I know how this ends!” and “ohhh I’m so smart and figured out who the antagonist is!” just to be proven wrong time and time again.

If you’ve not read anything from Valerie Keogh yet, you’re missing out! She has an amazing catalogue of delightfully thrilling and twisty reads available to binge!

I’m enormously thankful for the opportunity provided from NetGalley, Valerie Keogh, and Boldwood Books to read this ahead of the proposed release date of March 3rd, 2025 in exchange for an honest review!

Well…this was different, and in so many ways! A woman recently released from prison for committing a violent act has her hopes on opening a secondhand bookstore. When her dream finally comes true, she’s the victim of break-ins both at home and in the bookstore. She has customers steal from her. We learn some very interesting things about her personal preferences….theres just soooo much! And warning: there are references to some very spicy behavior. However, and this is a HUGE however….somehow, Valerie Keogh turns this madness into a fascinating story that I simply could not put down. Well done!

Love this author she never lets me down.
Helen Appleby wants a quiet life after being released from prison.......she certainly doesn't get it!
Wonderfully written characters and a really fast paced action packed thriller.
Lots of possible villains which made for a very suspenseful read.
I read this rather to quickly over two sittings.
One tiny negative was that i felt the ending was a little abrupt.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from NetGalley.

Helen, recently out of prison for man slaughter, wants to make a fresh start by opening up a used/previously loved book store and have a quiet life.

That's when the fun starts for the reader. Without giving spoilers, there were plenty of twists to this wonderful story all the way to the last page.

This was my first book by Valerie Keogh and I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading more of her books.