The Outsider

by Valerie Keogh

Joyce Doyle has spent her whole life being invisible…

She struggles to be noticed by her successful family and, at work, she’s the one people forget in meetings. Quiet. Polite. Easily overlooked. So when her handsome colleague Ben takes an interest in her, she’s flattered, charmed… fooled.

Distraught by his cruel rejection, she waits for her revenge. And when she sees Ben’s interactions in a private work group chat, Joyce realises she’s got the perfect opportunity to make him pay for what he did. She reveals the contents of the chat – with all its cruel jokes, vicious gossip and racist language – to their bosses. But it quickly becomes clear that speaking out has made her more of a target than those she sought to expose.

Humiliated and ostracised, Joyce retreats to an isolated cottage, determined to rebuild herself and make those who hurt her pay. But then, as a violent storm cuts her off from the outside world, Joyce begins to realise something unsettling. That she isn’t alone.

Does Ben knows where she is?

Has he come to make Joyce pay too?

Maybe she wasn’t as invisible as she’d thought….

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Mystery, Psychological Thriller

Audible Audio

First published July 8, 2026

About the author

Valerie started to write several years ago. She self-published eight crime novels and one psychological thriller before signing a two book contract with Bookouture in March 2018. The first of these, Secrets Between Us, is available now and the second is due in Feb 2019. She is a registered nurse with a degree in English and a Masters in American Literature. Recently she has given up nursing to concentrate on her writing career.

Reviews

[Sheri | HawksNestReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first experience with this author, and it won’t be my last. Joyce is a compelling character whose repeated poor choices had me shaking my head while still rooting for her. The pacing is on the slower side, but the gradual tension and character development kept me invested throughout. While I would have liked a faster pace at times, I found it to be an enjoyable and engaging read overall.

[Janna (Bibliophile Mom) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Outsider lands squarely at a 3 out of 5 for me. A decent, mildly gripping read, but not one that left a strong imprint. Joyce’s story as the wallflower had real potential, especially as she steps into darker, more vengeful persona. The setup is solid, the themes of invisibility and workplace cruelty are compelling, and the isolated‑cottage tension adds atmosphere. But despite all that, the emotional punch and suspense never fully hit the heights I hoped for. I liked i but just not enough to rave about it.

The pacing wavers, and some plot turns feel predictable rather than shocking. Joyce is sympathetic, but her arc doesn’t dig as deep as it could have, and the finale, while twisty, didn’t deliver the intensity I expected. Still, it’s an easy, straightforward thriller with a few satisfying moments if you enjoy quieter psychological suspense.

What I Enjoyed:
• Workplace toxicity angle
• Isolation thriller vibe
• Joyce’s underdog perspective

What Felt Off:
• Predictable twists
• Uneven pacing
• Shallow character depth

Ratings Breakdown:
• Setting: 5⭐
• Characters: 3⭐
• Writing: 4⭐
• Message: 3⭐
• Overall: 3⭐

Final Verdict:
A fine psychological thriller with a strong premise but average execution. Worth a read if you like quiet, character‑driven suspense in a remote cabin just don’t expect a standout twist or unforgettable tension. Huge thanks to Netgalley, Boldwood Books, and the author for my copy.

~JaNnA~

[Alexandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of The Outsider by Valerie Keogh.

After really enjoying The New Neighbour, I was looking forward to reading another book by Valerie Keogh. Unfortunately, this one didn't quite work for me.

The premise had potential, but I found myself increasingly frustrated with the main character's decisions. While I understand that questionable choices can drive a thriller forward, many of them felt repetitive and difficult to relate to, which made it hard for me to stay invested in the story.

If I had a penny for every Valerie Keogh protagonist who feels like they're being watched, I'd have two pennies. It's not a lot, but I've only read two of her books!

I kept reading and managed to finish it during a train journey, hoping the ending would change my mind, but unfortunately it didn't. I wasn't particularly impressed by either the characters or the plot, and the twists didn't have the impact I was hoping for.

Overall, this one wasn't for me. While I can see why fans of domestic psychological thrillers may still enjoy it, it didn't live up to the standard set by The New Neighbour in my opinion.

[Lydia Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed all of Valerie Keogh’s books to date- they’re usually tongue-in-cheek thrillers which I liken to the film Jaws rather than, say, Psycho.

This one was different and my favourite so far. A really fast-paced and (almost) believable thriller following what happens to Joyce when she ‘whistle blows’ an event in her workplace following a fling with the office lethario. She decamps to her family’s isolated holiday cottage in Devon . What happens next is what nightmares are made of!

Many thanks to Net Galley for the ARC.

[Naomi Coupland · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn’t as good as some of her other books sadly

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good twisty read from Valerie. This book kept up the tension all the way through and it left the reader not knowing who to trust in this story.

[Daniella · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished this in a day, which says something. It’s an easy, fast read, and there was one twist in the middle that genuinely pulled me back in. For a while, I thought the book had completely turned itself around.

Unfortunately, it didn’t.

The workplace whistleblower premise was what drew me to this book, and I wish it had stayed there longer. I was much more interested in the office politics, the fallout from the complaint, and the relationships between the characters than I was in the isolated cottage setting that quickly became the focus.

My biggest issue was Joyce. I don’t need protagonists to make smart decisions, but I do need to understand why they’re making them. Joyce repeatedly made choices that felt completely against her own best interests, and instead of creating tension, they kept pulling me out of the story. I spent more time wanting to shake her than rooting for her.

The further the story went, the bigger the twists became, but the less believable the characters felt. For me, thrillers can have wild, over-the-top plots, but the people still have to behave like people. Once the characters started making decisions that felt driven by the plot instead of believable motivation, I lost my emotional connection to the story.

There were definitely moments where I could see the book I wanted this to be, which honestly made the disappointment even greater. The premise had so much potential, but in the end, the implausible character choices and lack of an emotional center kept this from working for me.

[Liliane pillay · Rating 1 out of 5]

gave up after 80 pages…

Not a lot of positive things to say about this very tedious read. The story takes a very long time to develop and doesn’t seem to get anywhere. Long, boring description of being lost in the dark in the woods. The heroine of the tale doesn’t seem to have any common sense… I gave up, not even curious to find out how it ends.

[VickydpBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a dark, twisty psychological thriller that kept me hooked from the very beginning. Joyce Doyle is a fascinating protagonist—a woman who has spent her life feeling invisible, constantly overlooked by her family and colleagues. Her vulnerability makes it easy to sympathise with her at first, even as her desire for revenge begins to take her down a much darker path.

The story explores workplace bullying, toxic office culture, racism, and the consequences of exposing the truth. As Joyce’s attempt at revenge spirals out of control, the tension steadily builds, leaving you questioning who can be trusted and whether Joyce herself is a reliable narrator.

The second half takes an eerie turn when Joyce isolates herself in a remote cottage during a violent storm. The atmosphere becomes claustrophobic and unsettling, adding an extra layer of suspense that had me turning the pages late into the night. The sense of isolation is brilliantly written, and the growing feeling that Joyce may not be alone creates genuine chills.

While a few twists were predictable, there were enough surprises to keep me engaged until the final pages. The novel is an absorbing mix of psychological suspense, revenge, and mystery, with strong character development and plenty of tension throughout.

If you enjoy slow-burning psychological thrillers with morally complex characters, unsettling atmospheres, and shocking revelations, this is well worth picking up.

[Avril · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow burn thriller with just enough to keep the reader guessing.

[Paula]

DNF at 23%. The FMC is an idiot. When she found the dead body and started to move and climb all over it, I knew the book would be unbearable to read.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn’t the first book I’ve read by Valerie Keogh, and I really like her work, so I was excited to pick up The Outsider. Keogh is an author who knows how to create deeply flawed characters, uncomfortable situations and that creeping sense that something is about to go very wrong — and there was definitely plenty here that kept me intrigued.

Joyce Doyle has spent her entire life feeling invisible. Overlooked by her successful family and barely noticed by her colleagues, she is quiet, polite and used to fading into the background. So when her handsome colleague Ben suddenly shows an interest in her, Joyce is flattered and hopeful… until his cruel rejection leaves her humiliated and desperate for revenge.

When Joyce discovers the contents of a private work group chat filled with vicious gossip, cruel jokes and racist language, she sees the perfect opportunity to expose Ben and his colleagues. But rather than finding justice, Joyce becomes increasingly isolated and targeted. Eventually retreating to a remote cottage, she plans to rebuild herself and make those who hurt her pay. Then a violent storm cuts her off from the outside world — and Joyce begins to suspect she may not be alone.

What I found most compelling was Joyce herself. She is a fascinatingly complicated protagonist because her loneliness and need to be seen make her sympathetic, yet her choices become increasingly uncomfortable and questionable. I enjoyed the way Keogh explores resentment, humiliation, revenge and the damage caused by years of feeling overlooked. Joyce’s perspective creates a strong sense of unease because you’re never entirely sure how much you can trust her interpretation of events.

The workplace element was particularly effective. The toxic group chat, casual cruelty and fallout from Joyce exposing what she finds felt horribly believable, and I liked the questions the book raises about accountability, bullying and what happens when the person who speaks out becomes the easiest target.

For me, however, the pacing was a little uneven. The premise was strong and I enjoyed the psychological exploration of Joyce, but there were sections that felt slower than I expected. I was waiting for the tension to tighten its grip, particularly once Joyce retreats to the isolated cottage. The storm, the remote setting and the possibility that someone has found her should have been intensely claustrophobic, but I didn’t always feel quite as gripped or unsettled as I wanted to be.

I also found some of Joyce’s decisions frustrating, and while I appreciate morally grey and unreliable characters, there were moments where I struggled to fully connect with her. The later developments did add intrigue, but the overall execution didn’t completely deliver the punch I had hoped for from such a promising setup
.
That said, Valerie Keogh remains an author I really enjoy. Her writing is accessible, her characters are rarely straightforward, and she has a real talent for exploring the darker sides of seemingly ordinary people. The Outsider may not be my favourite of her books, but it was still an interesting psychological thriller with themes of invisibility, rejection, revenge and the dangerous consequences of finally deciding you’ve had enough.

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The Outsider
Author: Valerie Keogh
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: July 8, 2026
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
Pages: 280


Joyce Doyle has always struggled to be noticed. She is quiet, polite, doesn’t add to the conversation – just listens. She is easily overlooked never the popular go-to person.
Joyce had overheard conversations as well as comments on ‘Whatsapp’ Shee started to write them down the comments and now decided to register the complaints through the company’s Whistleblowing Policy where she was guaranteed anonymity.

When Ben Williams, a handsome colleague, takes an interest in her. She is flattered.
However, after what seemed like a good relationship. He has nothing to do with her. She finds out she was part of bet – as to who in the office would be the first to get her in bed. She is so hur and needs to get back at Ben.

Joyce has been a part of the ‘WhatsApp Group’ which started out about social get-togethers etc. but then got more negative about supervisors. Additionally, she has overheard other unfavorable conversations. She decided now is good time to register a complaint through the company’s Whistleblowing Policy where she is guaranteed anonymity. She makes the complaint to Brad Stockton one of the CEOs.

However, when she arrives at work on Monday, she is given the ‘cold shoulder’ by colleagues who are usually friendly.
She finds an email that when out to everyone regarding a ‘spy in the ‘WhatsApp Group’ registered a complaint. The worst offenders (Ben, Angie, and Tom) were suspended and may lose their jobs.
Then announces that Joyce Doyle is to blame.

It seems the message was sent from a ‘burner phone’.

Although Joyce is somewhat pleased that she did get back at Ben, it was her goal to destroy his career but it appears she just may have destroyed her own

Joyce then leaves town for a stay at family’s isolated cottage. She is enjoying being alone however when she storm warning she is somewhat concerned as she is located somewhat close to the river and a bad storm could be serious and sure enough she is cut her off from the outside world, She is stronger than she thinks as she survives the storm but later finds a body in the river she adds to her fear that she is alone and perhaps is in danger.

She is fearful, Ben knows where she is. The only person from the company who she mentions where she was going was to Brad Stockton.

The story gets very involved and you can’t help wonder who is going to come to Joyce’s rescue.

This is my nineteenth Valerie Keogh thriller. She is one of my favorite authors.

Want to thank NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 7, 2026.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Outsider, is a psychological suspense thriller by Valerie Keogh. The novel is about a toxic workplace, with public shaming, and survivalist dread. It tells of what happens when the most overlooked person in the room decides she has finally had enough, only to discover that stepping out of the shadows makes you the perfect target.

Joyce Doyle has spent her entire life existing purely on the periphery. At home, she is completely eclipsed by her hyper-successful family; at the office, she is the quiet, overly polite colleague whom co-workers routinely forget is even sitting in the meeting room. Easily managed, easily ignored.

So when Ben, a charismatic and handsome colleague, suddenly shines his spotlight on her, Joyce is instantly swept off her feet. She is flattered, deeply charmed, and completely fooled. Ben’s interest is nothing more than a cruel game, and his subsequent brutal rejection leaves Joyce emotionally shattered. But instead of slinking back into the woodwork, Joyce decides to wait for her moment to strike back. Joyce’s perfect opportunity arrives when she stumbles upon a private, toxic work group chat that Ben is a key part of. The logs are a goldmine of malice, packed with cruel jokes targeting office underdogs, vicious corporate gossip designed to ruin reputations and explicitly racist and derogatory language

Hoping to see Ben ruined, Joyce leaks the entire chat history directly to the company’s executive bosses. But instead of being hailed as a hero, Joyce learns that corporate institutions rarely reward the whistle-blower. The backlash is immediate. Suddenly, Joyce finds herself ostracized, intensely humiliated, and facing far more professional and social hostility than the cruel men she sought to expose.

Broken but fiercely determined to rebuild her sanity, Joyce flees London and retreats to a remote, deeply isolated countryside cottage. She plans to hide away, heal, and quietly plot a more permanent revenge against those who discarded her.ce blows up spectacularly in her face.

The more I read the better it got and the second half of the book is full of suspense. The transition from the psychological warfare of office politics to the raw, visceral terror of being hunted in a dark cottage during a storm is incredibly effective. Is Ben outside in the rain, driven by his own thirst for vengeance? Or has Joyce’s lifetime of being ignored blinded her to a much closer, far more dangerous threat?

A fast paced read as most of Valerie Keogh novels are, The Outsider is a taut, revenge fuelled thriller.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Boldwood Books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Helen Leecy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes all you need is a book that keeps you turning the pages, and The Outsider certainly did that. I flew through it in just a couple of sittings, which is always a good sign, even if I’m not entirely sure why I found it so compelling, because, when I stop and think about it, I actually found quite a lot of it frustrating.
The biggest issue for me was Joyce’s motivation at the beginning. I never really bought into her need for revenge. Yes, she was embarrassed and humiliated, but she had agreed to the situation in the first place, so her reaction felt completely disproportionate. Because I never fully understood why she was doing what she was doing, it made it harder to connect with her throughout the rest of the story.
As everything unfolded, I found myself becoming increasingly irritated by some of her decisions. Wandering around the woods alone in the dark, losing her phone, and then repeatedly lying to the police just felt like one bad decision after another. I know the plot relied on those choices, and without them, the ending couldn’t really have happened. Still, they often felt frustrating rather than believable.
That said, Valerie Keogh writes tension incredibly well. There were several twists that genuinely caught me off guard. During the more suspenseful moments, I really did feel anxious alongside Joyce. Whenever she was frightened, I was too, which is always a sign that an author knows how to build atmosphere.
I also have to admit that one particular trope has become a real pet hate of mine: a lone woman getting herself into trouble, an isolated cabin, a storm rolling in, and then that same woman refusing to tell anyone the truth. It feels like I’ve read that setup so many times now that it’s lost all originality. Instead of increasing the suspense, it just leaves me feeling exasperated.
Overall, I did enjoy reading The Outsider, but I think it was more a case of it finding me at exactly the right time rather than it being an outstanding thriller. It’s an entertaining, fast-paced read with some effective twists and well-written tension, but the frustrating character choices and familiar plot devices stopped it from being anything more than a decent read for me.

[Stephen Clynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joyce Doyle is a quiet office worker in Bath. She decides that joining her workplace WhatsApp group could help her make new friends and improve her social life. Ben Williams meets her for a drink after work and then Joyce invites him into her flat. Later on Joyce reads messages on the workplace WhatsApp group she considers “Cruel jokes, vicious gossip and racist language”. Upset by these messages, she complains to management about the comments made by fellow workers. Oh dear, management take action and the whistleblower - Joyce Doyle - becomes The Outsider as the rest of the workforce send her to Coventry.

The Outsider is a psychological thriller as many people play games with Joyce and who can she trust? The whole story is told from Joyce’s point of view and many, many things do not add up for her or the reader. Doubts are developed about people who Joyce meets as she races to safety. The writing is good and keeps the reader entertained. The plot does not only involve the WhatsApp group comments/messages - there is something else going on behind the scenes. Which is good because those comments/messages were quite tame and did not live up to the claim of “Cruel jokes, vicious gossip and racist language”. I thought the WhatsApp messages would have more bite to them, Sydney’s weight and muffin top or Joyce showing more cleavage - ‘There’s not much to get out though, is there?’ is petty as the basis of a formal complaint.

The behind the scenes plot elements made The Outsider into a GOOD 4 star read as the reader finally discovered who were the bad and good guys. I enjoyed reading The Outsider but did not enjoy it as much as The New Neighbour of The Housewife, each gaining 5 stars from me. Valerie Keogh is certainly an author to follow and I look forward to reading her next novel, as having read 4 am now a fan. I have always been a fan of the “muffin top” too! Come on girls!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Boldwood Books for passing me an ARC on the understanding that I post a review

[Charlotte Oliver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Valerie Keogh, and the team at Boldwood Books for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Final rating: 3 stars.

The previous ARC I read by Valerie Keogh was very enjoyable, so I was more than happy to read another by her once I learned that a new release of hers was available. While the story had some good parts to it, I did feel it was a step down from The Housewife.

The story itself is incredibly gripping, with lots of twists throughout to keep you on your toes. The bulk of the book is set in a remote cottage in rural Devon, and the story delivers in its creepy and unsettling atmosphere. You're there with Joyce in understanding her paranoia, her confusion, and ultimately her fear. The premise starts off intriguing as well; Joyce looks for an opportunity to whistle blow on a colleague who had humiliated her, and it fails in a roundabout way, so she escapes to the Devon cottage for respite. While there, she feels as though she is being watched, and later comes across a body in the river by her cottage. The mystery unravels from there.

It is in the latter half of the book that I feel this unravels for me. I felt that Joyce continued to make a lot of poorly thought out choices that made little sense and became frustrating to read about. And I ultimately felt that the villains of the story were almost over-the-top and pantomimey in their portrayal. It was this portrayal that led to the feeling that the story got a bit too convoluted for my liking.

Having said that, it is still a story that keeps you guessing throughout, with a lot of scope to be surprised about what happens next. This allowed me to find the book incredibly gripping and made me want to keep reading this in one sitting. If you're looking for an easy to read, popcorn thriller with a lot of suspense and shock, this is a good book to pick up.

[Bo.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Imagine going to your boss with a complaint, convinced you're doing the right thing, only for it to completely backfire. That's exactly the predicament Joyce Doyle finds herself in after exposing the toxic behaviour of her colleagues. The backlash is swift and brutal, leaving her isolated, vulnerable, and questioning who she can trust.

The story starts off strong, and the first few chapters, where Joyce is calling out a few employees, were really engaging. However, once things don't go according to plan and she retreats to a remote cottage, the plot and momentum seemed to take a nosedive. I spent a good chunk of her time there wondering what any of it had to do with the bigger picture, but I stuck with it to see where things would go.

Joyce initially seemed like she was going to be an interesting character, but it quickly became clear that she's gullible and a little too forthcoming with strangers. As a result, I found it hard to care about some of the consequences of her choices. Certain ideas were also repeated throughout, particularly around "charming men", and after a while it started to feel a bit overdone.

I wasn’t overly interested in the way things turned out, although the final few chapters did ramp things up and bring back some of the tension that had been missing through much of the middle.

This was a decent read for me, and despite not making much of an impression in the end, it's not quite enough to turn me off exploring more of this author's backlist. If you enjoy psychological thrillers where characters repeatedly shoot themselves in the foot and make decisions that leave you shaking your head, there may be enough here to keep you entertained.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

[Mihaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and author Valerie Keogh for the ARC.

Joyce's world is filled with wishes of her parents appreciating her efforts, her colleagues valuing her work and quiet, but observing, personality, and maybe that one charming colleague, Ben, to romance her pants off. When Ben seems to grant her wish, but rip her heart out with his schemes, she says nothing. When an opportunity comes around to employ justice on racist and bullying remarks and act revenge on Ben, and she takes it. That decision ends up overturning her world and spiral her down in schemes she never would've even dreamed about.

Valerie writes the paranoia, the social isolation, the cottage turned prison very well. We mostly live through Joyce's eyes, see her isolating surroundings, which can turn hostile with the wrong kind of creature hiding there. We hear her thoughts, descend with her in her paranoia and that spiral of horror-inducing anxiety scenarios. When people and things turn out to be more different than they let on, Joyce has all the right in the world to be paranoid and closed off.

While Valerie writes all those scenarios and twists really well, Joyce's decisions about dwelving deeper into lies was not a clever one. Especially around a real police officer. Joyce is trying to be her own knight in shining armor, has ambition and courage, but her decision making needs some work.

This is my first book of Valerie's I read, and while it started off slow in the first half, if you hold on until Joyce reaches the second day at the cottage, it picks up a better pace. It was a good read and the suspense keeps you involved, to keep reading until you figure out the twists and cheer for Joyce to reached the end unharmed.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NeyGalley, Boldwood Books and Valerie Keogh for the ARC, much appreciated.

The Outsider had me talking out loud to the book the entire time. My most repeated thought? “Why wait until tomorrow?! Just go home, Joyce!”

This book is basically a cautionary tale wrapped in a thriller. Romance scams are terrifying, and honestly, everyone should read this, especially anyone even remotely considering a workplace romance or fling. The horror isn’t in monsters or serial killers; it’s in watching someone slowly get pulled into a situation that feels avoidable from the outside.

By about the halfway mark, I was convinced Joyce had absolutely no common sense when it came to men. Book smart? Sure. Street smart? Not even a little. Her lack of gut instinct was almost painful to watch.

One quote that stuck with me was: “Live every moment of every day and waste nothing.” Unfortunately, Joyce seemed determined to ignore every warning sign placed directly in front of her.

Another quote that perfectly sums up this story: “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” The problem is that Joyce keeps giving chance after chance after chance.

There were moments when I was genuinely infuriated with her decisions. She was far too trusting, and watching her make one bad choice after another felt like being trapped on a never-ending journey of poor judgment.

Still, that’s also what made the book so compelling. I couldn’t look away. I kept reading because I needed to know just how far things would go and whether Joyce would finally recognize what was happening around her. Satisfying ending for sure!

[Kayl_may · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth book I’ve read by Valerie Keogh, and although it took me a little while to get into, it ended up being a really enjoyable read.

The story follows Joyce, a woman who has spent much of her life feeling overlooked and invisible. After a difficult situation at work leaves her humiliated and isolated, she retreats to a remote cottage in the hope of starting again. However, it soon becomes clear that she may not be as alone as she thinks.

The story is told entirely from Joyce’s perspective, which worked well and gave a good insight into her thoughts and emotions. She was quite a frustrating character at times, but also one who seemed unable to catch a break, and I found myself feeling both sympathy and exasperation towards her.

For me, the first part of the book was quite slow, and at times it felt as though not a great deal was happening. However, once the story began to gather momentum, I became much more invested. The second half moved at a much quicker pace and I ended up flying through it because I couldn’t put it down.

There were a few twists that I managed to guess, but there were also some that caught me completely by surprise. I enjoyed the way the story developed and thought the ending was strong and satisfying.

Overall, this was a slow burner that really improved as it went along. Once I was fully drawn into Joyce’s story, I found it gripping and thoroughly enjoyable. A solid 4-star read for me, and I’d definitely be interested in reading more from Valerie Keogh.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a big fan of Valerie Keogh, I usually find her psychological thrillers to be incredibly fast-paced and engaging. Unfortunately, her latest book, The Outsider, left me feeling a bit flat. The story centers on Joyce Doyle, a woman who has spent her entire life feeling invisible to both her friends and family. While the narrative sets out to explore themes of corporate toxicity, cruel rejection, revenge, and isolation, I felt the plot ultimately mirrored a classic high school dynamic just transplanted into a corporate office.

The story leans heavily on these juvenile stereotypes. Joyce acts like an unpopular teenager desperate for the popular crowd's attention, while her colleagues mirror mean girls and jocks. When she becomes a whistleblower, it completely backfires; reporting it to management feels like running to the principal, which just gets her labelled a snitch. Instead of handling harassment through HR channels, everyone reacts with petty drama. It felt frustratingly juvenile.

Thankfully, the book picks up when the story leaves the office and takes you to an isolated cottage. This is where the narrative finally gets dark and delivers many twists that you truly don’t see coming. While the final act showcases Keogh’s signature plotting, the juvenile setup prevented it from being a favourite for me.

3/5 stars.
Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Outsider was such a good book, I read it whilst my laptop was being repaired and honestly right from the start I was hooked.

It follows Joyce Doyle as she is struggling to be acknowledged by her family as her siblings are more successful than her. At work she feels she isn’t very popular more like a wallflower until her colleague Ben takes an interest in her, he is handsome and funny but he isn’t what he makes himself out to be. After being rejected by him ways, she vows for revenge and what better way than being a whistleblower and going to the boss to show what is being said in the work private WhatsApp group. She thinks everyone is going to pay but that soon goes wrong when she goes back in work and an anonymous email has revealed her as the one who reported the group, now everyone who she even had a slight good relationship with has turned on her. Distraught she decides to go to her family cottage in the middle of the woods to let everything calm down until soon it seems like someone is out in the woods watching her. Has one of her colleagues came to exact revenge on her now?

There was some tense moments and a fair bit of suspense, at some points I even felt myself biting my nail from not knowing what was going to possibly happen. Overall I really liked this read and would recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the copy of this arc in exchange of my full honest review

[Morag Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valerie Keogh has done it again with another brilliantly original psychological thriller. As with every book of hers I’ve read, the plot here is sharp, twisty, and completely gripping from start to finish.

The story follows Joyce, whose ill-advised flirtation with a colleague, Ben, leads to a one-night stand — only for her to discover it was the result of a cruel bet between the men in her office. Devastated and furious, Joyce seeks revenge by whistleblowing on some of Ben’s unsavoury behaviour, resulting in his suspension. But when Ben works out she was behind it, he retaliates by turning the office against her, forcing Joyce to take time out at her parents’ isolated holiday home. What follows, against a backdrop of stormy weather and creeping unease, is a suspicious death and a tangle of secrets all rooted in what came before.

There’s a real cat-and-mouse energy running through the book, with a whodunit core that had me constantly second-guessing myself. The twists and turns come thick and fast, and it’s so easy to read that I tore through it in no time — it never once lost my interest.

Clever, atmospheric, and full of surprises, this is another triumph from Valerie Keogh. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an advance copy.

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Revenge is a dish best served cold but when Joyce Doyle reports three of her work colleagues for inappropriate WhatsApp messages she certainly starts to feel the heat. However, Joyce is determined to seek the utmost revenge on Ben Williams, who once humiliated her after a supposedly intimate evening together, bringing him down is Joyce’s main focus.

What then follows is a convoluted story which sees Joyce placed in the most incredible danger and along with a setting which radiates pure terror there is never a dull moment. The action takes us from the cold and clinical setting of an open plan office environment, to the wilds of Devon and a remote cottage which is surrounded by danger. The cat and mouse action of those who would seek to do Joyce harm makes the story into a compelling page turner.

As always, with the author’s work, the pace is fast and furious and once started I found that I really couldn’t put the story down. Ok, sometimes I had to suspend belief a little, as Joyce seems to veer from one scary disaster to another but overall the story kept me turning the pages towards the satisfying twist which comes towards the end. Another fab read from this talented writer and an engrossing summer read to while away the hours in an airport lounge, by a swimming pool or a quiet afternoon in the garden.

[Cassie’s Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wild, twisty ride!
This psychological thriller grabbed my attention from the very first page and never let go. Joyce is such a compelling protagonist—quiet, overlooked, and desperately wanting to be seen. Watching her journey unfold after a heartbreaking betrayal kept me completely invested.
The story does an excellent job exploring workplace dynamics, revenge, and the consequences of exposing ugly truths. Just when I thought I knew where the plot was heading, another twist sent me in a completely different direction. The tension builds steadily throughout the novel, and once Joyce retreats to the isolated cottage, the atmosphere becomes incredibly chilling and suspenseful.
The stormy setting added the perfect layer of unease, creating a sense of claustrophobia and dread that had me turning pages late into the night. The author masterfully keeps readers guessing about who can be trusted and what is really happening.
Packed with suspense, secrets, and unexpected revelations, this was a gripping thriller that kept me hooked until the very last page. If you enjoy psychological thrillers filled with tension, mystery, and plenty of twists, this one is definitely worth picking up! 📚✨

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Outsider by Valerie Keogh is a finger-snappingly quick thriller with delectable cat and mouse elements. Joyce was ostracized at her new marketing workplace after becoming a laughing stick and bore the brunt of a bad situation. She decided to escape to her isolated family cabin, leaving her worries in the dust. But worries have a funny way of making appearances even in a different geographical location. Joyce discovered a body in the lake which sets off chain reactions. Detectives grill her and she isn't completely forthright. But then, others aren't, either.

Power trips, jealousy, and office cliques are prominent in this novel. We've all seen the angst, fakeness and yearning to belong but hopefully know where to draw the line. Well, those lines got crossed when revenge enters the scene.

This author's books are enjoyable to get caught up in. Though this was not my favourite of hers, there are many reasons to like it from the short list of characters, atmosphere, and the whistleblower aspect. At times the characters and actions were over the top and not convincing but otherwise a riveting read.

My sincere thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this engrossing novel.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up

Joyce Doyle has spent her whole life being invisible. She struggles to be noticed by her successful family and, at work, she's she's the one people forget in meetings. Quite. Polite. Easily overlooked. So when her handsome colleague Ben takes an interest in her, she's flattered, charmed.... fooled. distraught by his cruel rejection, she waits for her revenge. And when she sees Ben's interactions in a private work group chat - with all its cruel jokes. vicious gossip and racist language - to their bosses. But it quickly becomes clear that speaking out has made her more of a target than before she thought to escape.

The pace is on the slow side in this well-written book. Some parts are a bit predictable. I didn't really care for any of the characters. All Joyce wanted was to be seen. But taking revenge was not one of her best ideas. The tension slowly builds as the story progresses. With unexpected revelations and secrets being revealed, I quite enjoyed this twisted read. It was just the pace that let this book down.

Published 8th July 2026

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #ValerieKeogh for my ARC of #TheOutsider in exchange for an hoest review.

[Danny Matheson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an ardent fan of Valerie Keogh I was looking forward to this book wondering if it would be as good as her other psychological thrillers. I needn't have worried as it exceeded my expectations. Another excellent and thrilling book with many twists.
Joyce Doyle finds out to her cost that revenge is not always sweet. Unlike the rest of her family who have succeeded within The Arts, Joyce opted for a career in marketing, keeping a low profile. Having been wronged by one of her male colleagues she was determined to get her revenge only to find it backfiring on her. Deciding to take some time out, away from the office, she takes a break in the family cottage in an isolated part of Devon which is normally peaceful and tranquil. On this occasion she felt as though someone or something was watching her and her mind was going into overdrive wondering what it could be. Matters spiralled rapidly after a very heavy storm which left a nearby river in spate and the access path to the cottage nearly inaccessible. The isolation of the cottage became a danger to Joyce and she quickly realised that people weren't necessarily who they said they were.
This book was fast paced, action packed and as stated earlier full of twists.

[Conimarie S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Actual rating 3.75 stars**

It's so hard to like a book when the FMC is insufferable, ridiculous and has a significant victim mentality. The story had potential, but it fell flat.

The story is about a woman, who reports three of her coworkers for their comments on a What's App group chat. Her name is leaked and she convinces herself they are all coming after her. However, it reads like a 1980's slasher movie, where I found myself yelling at her for her stupid actions like pushing a dresser in front of the only exit out of a room (because she heard a noise outside), going outside in the dark (to investigate said noise), and allowing a strange man whom she doesn't know to not only enter her home but stay the night (because it's raining).

As I said, the overall premise of the story has potential but the FMC is just unlikeable and hard to root for. Like, she butted in where she didn't belong because of her own personal issues with one of those coworkers and then it's a reap what you sow kind of situation. Her stupidity, odd willingness to trust people, and victim mentality ruins the story. It's like watching Michael Myers coming at her and her running straight for "No Exit" sign and then freaking out because there's no way out.