A Taste Of Deceit

by Valerie Keogh

A darkly suspenseful story of troubled marriages, small-town secrets, and shocking twists by the author of The Couple in the Photograph.

After a row with her husband, Jocelyn Dexter leaves London and heads to their country cottage for a break. While she's there, Jocelyn joins a group of women one night at the manor house nearby--and gets entangled in other people's relationships.

Picking up on the tension beneath the surface, Jocelyn entertains herself by indulging in some snooping, and tries to pry secrets out of the locals. The tables turn when she discovers that someone is spying on her, and it becomes clear that someone wants her to go back where she came from.

Jocelyn considers it a challenge. But involving herself in the affairs of others will lead her down a dark path . . .

Genres: Mystery, Thriller

289 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 28, 2022

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

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set against the backdrop of COVID and lockdowns, this summer read lacks the spark that I have experienced with Keogh’s other books. I have read a lot of this author’s books in the past but I didn’t enjoy this one as much. For some reason, the plot failed to connect with me and I thought the story was lacking pace and suspense.

The protagonist, Jocelyn, was difficult to like. I found her an incredibly nosy character with little regard to others around her. Whilst her sarcastic commentary was entertaining, I disliked her shallow nature and lack of empathy towards others. Leaving her husband in London after an argument, she sees her cottage in a small village in the Cotswolds as a chance to get away and let the dust settle. However, rather than enjoying the idyllic setting, she is miserable, selfish and rather grumpy. Disliking her ‘cosy’ cottage, she seeks the company of others, taking a spot at an evening crafting group. After just one meeting, Jocelyn feels it is her right to intrude on the secrets of this group, ingratiating herself enough to gain their trust. Digging around, Jocelyn believes that this small group of women have more secrets than herself and she is determined to find out what they are hiding from the outsider.

Keogh cleverly creates a very claustrophobic atmosphere in this story. Firstly, the oppressive heatwave that exists is only slightly alleviated by the summer storms. The lethargy that comes from being so hot is tangible in the story and it also made me yearn for more summer weather. After what has felt like a very long autumn/winter, I actually felt a bit envious of Jocelyn feeling so hot and bothered! Secondly, the small, tight-knit community of Broadway leaves no room for outsiders, who are treated with disdain and suspicion. Jocelyn is on the receiving end of this distrust and I think this spurs on her behaviour to investigate her crafting acquaintances. Finally, the reference to the virus and lockdown was enough of a reminder of how limited movements were at this time. Whilst it does not dominate the narrative, the lessening of restrictions in this novel just reminded me of how suffocated society felt in an attempt to escape the infection.

Feeling lethargic myself, I struggled to engage with a narrative that felt quite obvious. I had foreseen how the final stages of the novel would develop, although this part was definitely the most gripping. Curious to see the consequences of Jocelyn’s actions, I found the final ten chapters or so to be thrilling and suspenseful. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for the rest of the narrative, which I have found to be so unlike some of Keogh’s other books I have read. I don’t think it helped that I disliked Jocelyn’s character so much, finding her nosiness a rather grating quality. Whilst there are references to Jocelyn’s childhood and relationship with her mother, I think Keogh would have benefitted from expanding upon this further to help add a further dimension to her character.

This was a pacey read, aided by the very short, flowing chapters. However, I thought it was a story that took a long time to get started and I was just not convinced by Jocelyn’s behaviours. I have had many great reads by this author, but this one did not deliver as I had anticipated.

With thanks to Bloodhound books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broadway is a small town with big secrets.
Following a row with her husband, Jocelyn flees to her vacation cottage in Broadway. After all, distance makes the heart grow fonder.
As a way of distracting herself from her own worries, she attends a crafting club and ingratiates herself into the lives of the members. Even though the club itself is boring, Jocelyn finds the other women fascinating. They all have secrets they're not willing to share, and she's determined to uncover all things hidden. But Jocelyn has secrets of her own. And the more questions she asks, the more someone is desperate to figure out her secrets and silence her once and for all.

I'm a fan of Valerie Keogh , and this one might just be my favorite book by her.
I loved the small town backdrop and the locals. The essence of those things was captured really well.
The slow unfurling of these women's secrets was deliciously suspenseful. I was eager to see how it'd all play out, and I wasn't disappointed.

But Jocelyn was the real star of the story. She's cunning, manipulative and ruthless. She's a woman who knows what she wants and will do anything to get it. She's a character you love to hate, and it's always a joy for me to read a character like that.

I saw some of the twists coming, but they made sense in the context of the story and I enjoyed them. And the ending was so good!
This is definitely a book I'd recommend to anyone who's a fan of psychological thrillers/a fan of domestic dramas set in small towns.

[Lin Perrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Valerie Keogh for the advance copy in exchange for a honest review. Following a argument with her husband Kasper, Jocelyn goes to their holiday cottage in a sleepy Cotswold village to give them some space. Jocelyn becomes bored and joins the local craft club. She meets some local women all with their own secrets. Jocelyn takes on the role of private investigator to delve into their lives. She constantly rings and texts her husband but has no reply. A outstanding thriller full of twists and turns right to the very end.

[Samantha Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is set in the period following COVID and lockdown. The main character leaves London after an argument with her husband and goes to their country house in The Cotswolds, where she meddles in village life.
I found this book was slow to get going and I had to push myself to continue with it at times. However, I really enjoyed the last quarter of the book and loved the ending.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for this advance read.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made my heart pound big time.
Jocelyn Dexter heads for her cottage a nineteenth century quaint but small in the town Broadway Cotswolds, leaving her husband Kasper at home in London, but would he ever forgive her?
Getting settles she joins a craft group there's only five other women there and what secrets are they all hiding, Jocelyn starts digging and what would they think of why she has left her husband? Oh if only they knew.
Claire Brandon lady of Broadway Manor in this small town and none of them could be called friends to Jocelyn they are not a match on her bestie in London Tracy Robinson who is wishing her to come home.
A creepy book a creepy town that made me jump and turn my stomach, I just loved it with some unexpected turns as you read, I loved this authors style of writing, she's always full of surprises, and the characters are either ones you will love or hate, that makes you want to jump inside the book with the story.
It will set your mind blowing, just brilliant and yes wow I loved it.

[Julie Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This is a good read, but a bit of a slow burner.
Jocelyn heads off to her cottage in the Cotswolds as she’s had an argument with her husband.
Whilst there she realises how bored she will get so goes along to a craft evening with five other women.
Jocelyn is not a crafts person but is desparate for something to do, so pretends she does sketches.
She’s intrigued by some of the looks between the other women so sets herself the task to find out what’s going on in their lives.
Over the next few days she shows up at their homes and asks questions until she gets the full story.
There’s more to Jocelyn’s own life too but this isn’t revealed until the end of the book.
Overall a good read.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read this book.

[Sarah Westfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book by Valerie, couldn’t put it down as usual. Love all the twists and always second guessing my predictions for the ending… not they I get it right anyway 🤣


Don’t think I’ll ever look at another lemon muffin in the same way though

Can’t wait for the next one ❤️❤️❤️

[Tracy ann Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jocelyn is married to Kasper Dexter. is both there second marriage she divorced and his wife died. Jocelyn always wants more she gets Jasper to buy a cottage in the Cotswold s then one night they have a fall out at there London apartment. so Jocelyn goes to the cottage but she is bored there so she decides to join the craft group. Claire agrees to let her join. now there are 6 of them .now Jocelyn is a bit like Agatha raisin she sees something is going on with these women secrets she loves and she will keep digging until she finds what it is. this book is absolutely brilliant and I am actually in this book as Jocelyn s best friend. its based on love lies deceit and so so twisty.

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so much fun. The characters were so well developed esp joclyn. Just loved her attitude.
I read this in one session it was just so engrossing.

I was given an advance copy by bloodhound books but the review is entirely my own.

[Allison Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well one can one say but Valerie has done it again and sprinkled the Keogh magic into this exciting and heartstopping psychological thriller.

Jocelyn Dexter has the perfect drop dead gorgeous husband. A luxury penthouse apartment in London and a newly acquired cosy cottage in the small Cotswold village of Broadway.

When Jocelyn purchased the cottage her husband Kasper hadn't even viewed the property but expected something more grand for his money and the first weekend away was a complete disaster. After returning to London Jocelyn and Kasper had a huge argument and Jocelyn decides to return to the Cotswolds alone.

But being in a small village with nothing to do puts Jocelyn on edge until she discovers a note in the village shop asking for people to attend a craft evening at the local manor house.

After ringing and confirming with Claire the lady of the manor house that she would attend the next evenings craft club, Jocelyn thought that at least it would get her out of the cottage for awhile.
The evening was even worse then Jocelyn thought and the other woman in the group sounded utterly boring. So there she sat with Claire, Sarah, Aileen, Ruth and Hannah but as the evening progressed she got a feeling that there was more to these women than meets the eye.
Jocelyn couldn't get the thoughts about these women out of her mind and as Kasper is still ignoring her calls she decides to investigate further. But will the secret's they hide come back to haunt her?

A wonderfully complex and terrifying good book.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Joceyln Dexter had an steaming hot argument with he husband what better place to flee to than their recently aquired expensive 'cosy' cottage retreat in the Cotswolds. A far cry from their London luxury penthouse....but needs must! Bordom grips Joceyln in this quiet village but an exquisit country manor grabs her attention, and she has found away in! Bordom, curiosity and intrigue (a self confessed nosy parker) feed her imagination and besides....she has time to kill. It seems the locals are more interesting than she first envisaged!
Texting hubby daily but with no reply she enters a dangerous game. She is excellent at manipulating people, but how far will she go to find out what secrets these new found 'friends' hold? It's nearly time to return to London and face her husband, just one last deed before she faces the music...
I love the writing style of Valerie Keogh. Always drawn into the story from page one. Great plotting, creative interesting characters, with plenty of twists and intrigue. Didn't expect that ending....ingenious!

[Wendy Del Toro · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book pretty boring. First, the Kasper angle was super super obvious from the get go ad to make matters worse, the author dropped Titanic sized hints throughout the story which was umm overkill. Yea I get it, Jocelyn did a bad thing before she left. Eyeroll. And I found her meddling in the lives of the other women ridiculous, specially how they open up to her, a total stranger! I think the plot would have been better served if the story unfolded in past and present structure to give us some background into Jocelyn's psychology. More than just 'whack' . All in all a boring story which was very predictable.

[Linda Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Taste of Deceit
Valerie Keogh
Jocelyn Dexter, the narrator, moves out of her luxurious London flat – temporarily, she assures us – to a recently acquired cottage in the Cotswolds village of Broadway after she argues with her husband, Kaspar. A couple of flashbacks provide the reader with key information about their relationship. Kaspar is a handsome, wealthy ex-widower, Jocelyn a stylish divorcee, and they have been married only a short time. When Kaspar is first introduced, he is portrayed as mean and controlling, possibly even abusive. Nevertheless, Jocelyn is gushingly committed to him: ‘I knew he was destined to be my happy ever after. I knew it the first time I saw him.’ Jocelyn herself comes across as neurotic and deceitful, but there is a reason for it: her mother was physically violent to her as a child and to survive she had to learn how to be devious. Damaged, she also hints that, despite her love for Kaspar, she is promiscuous.
The story unfolds against the backdrop of Jocelyn’s uneasy sojourn in the tiny cottage she persuaded Kaspar to buy – which turns out to be a far from idyllic place in which to live. The Covid restrictions are still in place, though easing. Bored, Jocelyn replies to a local advert seeking new members for a group that meets to pursue creative hobbies. Covid rules mean only six people can belong to the group, but Jocelyn’s application is successful. The other members are all women, most of a similar age to herself, and most have something to hide. Jocelyn quickly sets about discovering their secrets. Meanwhile, she texts Kaspar every day, begging forgiveness. He does not reply.
And that’s quite enough to set the scene! This is a novel of rapid but always credible twists and turns, each revealing a new facet of Jocelyn’s complex and fascinating character. It is a measure of the author’s skill that, as Jocelyn grows increasingly difficult to like, her story becomes more compelling. Even on the last page, when the full horror of her tale seems to have been revealed, there is yet one more final twist.
Keogh is a very accomplished writer as well as a superb storyteller: ‘Yet another curl of dislike for the woman unwound from my tightly guarded store of negative emotions.’ A Taste of Deceit contains many such gems. I read it in one sitting, gripped to the end. More, please!

[Janet]

Having her mothers behavioural rules whacked into her shapes city girl Jocelyn Dexter 's deceitful and immoral personality. Her close friend has been killed in hit and run accident and after a row with her husband, Kasper, she decides to visit their recently bought £300,00o Cotswold cottage, begrudging the fact that for all it cost the place was small. She intends to impact on the neighbourhood and is invited to attend a craft circle at'The Manor' a prominent address. Hoping to impress she tells the other attendees present that she sketches, but having no talent traces over the underlying imprints left by the original artist. She jokes that she is a Private Investigator, receiving mixed reactions from Claire, the property owner, Teagan, Hannah, Rita.. As the women talk she smiles politely but their words irk her and bring out her dark side. She astutely recognises that the women have undercurrents in their relationships, and intends to unearth their secrets. She calls her husband daily but receives no replies. She listens to the gossip about the women, and imposes herself on an overnight stay at the Manor where her bedroom is intruded into and her bag searched. She confesses she is not a PI.but is resentful of the intrusion into her room and Teagen's mistrust. She decides to return to London but not before she leaves them with a parting gift, one that Teagen will particularly enjoy. Aware of what she will find on her arrival at their flat, she plots what to do with her husband's money, unaware that Ruth had contacted the West Mercia Police about the consequences of her parting gift. They alert Detective Inspector Cosgrove who visits her flat and discovers just how deceitful Jocelyn Dexter has been.

[Donna Morfett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Valeries writing and will devour anything she writes, so when I was offered an advance copy of this I jumped at the chance.
Jocelyn Dexter is one of those women who seems to think the world owes her something. She is wealthy, but its not enough. She needs to compete with her friends, and when she stays in the Cotswolds one weekends, decides she needs a country bolthole.
What she manages to buy isnt quite what she originally thought, being a lot smaller than expected.
When she eventually stays there with her husband, it doesnt quite go to plan and they have a big falling out, he stays in London, while Jocelyn decides to give him some space and go back to their cottage.
She joins a craft club, for no other reason than to get a chance to nose around the country house she spotted while she was out for a walk.
She meets Claire and four other women, who all seem to have a secret story behind their quiet facades.
Joyceyln decides she is going to find out their secrets. She makes no secret about how nosey she is, or what possible impact she will have on the lives of those she may be throwing into disarray. She isnt a very nice woman, and I had no sympathy for her whatsover. If I was to meet her in real life I would avoid her like the plague.
The book is thrilling and flies along at breakneck speed, and in the background there is the question of what is going on with Kasper, who is not returning her calls.
All is revealed in a brilliant finale, that you cant possibly guess.
Valerie has absolutely done it again, and I cannot wait for book 21.

[Lynda]

I’ve read a lot of this authors books and I always enjoy them so I was looking forward to this one. I wasn’t disappointed. This is a really good psychological thriller. You can actually feel the aura of evil around the main character Jocelyn and I felt as though Kasper’s fate was predestined from the minute she set eyes on him.

Briefly, Jocelyn has always wanted to live a life of luxury and when she meets and marries Kasper it seems like she’s achieved her dreams. As well as their luxury apartment in London they have a small cottage in the Cotswolds. When Kasper finds out that Jocelyn has been having an affair they have a massive row and she runs away to the Cotswold cottage planning to spend at least a week there in the hopes that Casper will forgive her. To pass the time Jocelyn joins a craft group with five other women who meet up at Broadway Manor. Her intentions however are not honourable; she is desperate to find out about the secrets that she believes these women are keeping.

This book brings together an amazing set of female characters. All of them hiding their own secrets but Jocelyn is the outsider and they aren’t about to share with her. I couldn’t make up my mind who was a good character and who are the bad; just when I thought I had a character sussed something else happened! What a great read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

After an argument with her husband Jocelyn heads to her second home in the country, a bit of a rural retreat to escape from London but after a day or two of nothing to do she decides to join a craft group and from there her urge to find out everybody’s hidden secret takes a turn for the worse.
I really enjoyed this book; it is full of well-defined characters all easily relatable and with their own bit of small-town gossip to share. I think I had a love hate relationship with them all, except one, there was no love there and she got her comeuppance in the end! Through the fantastic storytelling of the author, I really felt a part of the group.
There are lots of layers to this story, it touches on many things from marital affairs, hierarchy in society and even conversion therapy but not in a way that distracts from the story.
I gave this four stars instead of five because the ending for me was a bit flat, I was more interested in the events of Broadway and would have loved to have known how that ended up, it left me with a lot of unanswered questions also I found the London events were a bit predictable and felt rushed.
All in all a great psychological story with lots of twists and turns. Thanks to Bloodhound Books for an advanced copy in return for my honest review

[Sandra Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is coming out February 28. 2022. A Taste of Deceit by Valerie Keogh the author of The Dublin Murder Mysteries, The Couple in the Photograph, Now A Taste of Deceit. The story of Jocelyn Daxter. Jocelyn Dexter as an interior designer, had a row with her husband Kasper Dexter, and she left him for hundreds of miles for a cottage in Cotswolds , her husband in London. You will meet other characters inside this story that keeps you turning the pages, this story is so exciting to read, and the thrilling roller-coaster ride of twist and turns will make you keep reading. I enjoyed every moment of this book. Jocelyn got involved with a craft group and it meets at Broadway Manor she meets Claire Brandon the leader of the group and the other five women of this group. Sarah Hodgson she a knitter, Aileen Davis home decor, Ruth Matheson sewer, Hannah Woods embroiders, Claire Brandon she sews, and of course Jocelyn Dexter the six-member of the group, she artist or sketcher for the craft group. You have to read this is fantastic, down to the last page. Jocelyn Dexter is the character to follow to find out the surprise ending in the book, this is a psychological thriller you will enjoy, i certainly did.

[Danny Matheson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wonderful author that is Valerie Keogh has done it again with another excellent psychological thriller. This is a book filled with suspense and twists and turns. 

After a major disagreement with her husband in London,  Jocelyn takes to her country retreat in a quiet backwater village in the Cotswolds for a few days. Some of the villagers are curious about the newcomer and start seeking to find out more about her. Jocelyn in turn also starts her own investigations into the lives of a select few. She decided to try and right, in her opinion, the wrongdoings of previous misdemeanours.  Every character in this book had secrets, some more serious than others!

This is a very well written book which flows along at a steady pace and has a very unexpected ending. Each character is very believable including one named after my own wife,  which had an uncanny likeness to her persona. 

Another superb book from Valerie Keogh who is fast becoming a master of suspense. 

I was fortunate to receive an ARC in the promise of an honest review. 

[Ruth Matheson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner from Valerie Keogh as she tells the story of six women who come together one evening at a craft night, 5 from the village plus Jocelyn who has temporarily moved from London to her holiday cottage in the Cotswolds. Jocelyn is intrigued by the atmosphere and vibes which she is getting from the women and wants to find out more without letting on about her own troubled marriage and what has brought her there. Valerie has great insight into how the female mind works at times from such varying perspectives and this gives a great strength to the story. I was lucky enough to have had a character named after me however that has no bearing on my review. There is a part of all of us in each character to whom we can relate to and that is what makes it such an intriguing tale.
Many thanks to the author for the ARC to review.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow another fantastic read from Valerie. Jocelyn Dexter is married to wealthy husband Kasper. This is a second marriage for them both. Living in a fancy penthouse in London Jocelyn decides she wants a bolt hole and buys a cottage in the Cotswolds. Their first weekend away is far from idyllic when Kasper is surprised how small it is for the amount of money it cost. After rowing Jocelyn decides to stay in the Cotswolds alone leaving Kasper to cool down in London. With time on her hands Jocelyn joins a local craft group and spends time digging around in village peoples lives to occupy her life. There is so much going on with twists and turns the whole way both in London and the Cotswolds. A great psychological thriller which I give a well deserved five stars.

[Marnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

”Revenge is a dish best served cold”

An intriguing plot with an even more intriguing and complex cast of characters, makes this story enthralling. Keogh vividly paints a picture of each as well as the surroundings and there is an ominous vibe throughout that immediately sucks you into the story, compelled to keep flicking the pages.

Buried secrets and lies rise to the surface, bringing with it a change in direction you don’t see coming which captures your attention. Then just when you think you have figured it out, turns out you don’t!

A dark and addictive tale from beginning to end, Valerie Keogh has once again woven her magic and delivered another winner and as always I will be looking forward to the next one.

[Anders Caous · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valerie knows how to write a good book.

Jocelyn goes to her cottage in the Cotswolds because she needs to give her husband time to forgive her for something she’s done. While in the cottage, Jocelyn finds that she needs something to do to make time pass so signs up for a gathering at the manor where five women from the village meet once a week. She decides to find out what secrets these women might have. It turns out to be a lot.
But what did she do that needed her husbands forgiving?

Find out in this wonderful book with a pretty crazy Jocelyn who made me smile a lot. Well worth reading.

[Lia Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ARC books read and I felt like I had to (not want to) finish reading this book.... yes it is supposed to be dark, but the author is also trying to make it lighter by letting the main character "talk" to herself, kind of giving a warped, comical insight to her psyche. Unfortunately for me that gave away the plot fairly early in the book, so quite tedious reading until it lost me at the expected ruthless twist, going from benign to borderline evil in 30 minutes.
If you like reading tongue in the cheek suspense, mixing the "convenience" of a pandemic with a hint of old England and then some, this book is for you.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was pretty exciting to read. The author kept you guessing what exactly was going on with Jocelyn. She was both a character you liked while at the same time, wondering if there was more to her than meets the eye.

Jocelyn goes to her countryside home after fighting with her husband. She soon meets 4 other women and, being the nosey person she is,wants to find out all their secrets while keeping hers to herself. Jocelyn is excellent at deceit and lying but she also seems to care. It was really hard to judge her sometimes.

Overall I really enjoyed this book!

Thank you, bloodhound books!

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not my first book by this author but it is one of my favorites. I enjoyed this suspenseful story. One of the things I enjoy about this author is her ability to pull me into the story from the first word. Her books are always full of action and brings the twists and turns to a new level. This is a well written story where the author's use of details made the story entertaining to read. I enjoyed how the characters are supportive of each other as well as connectable. This is a fast paced, flowing story that was hard to put down. The growth of the plot is great throughout as well as made the story easy to read. I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book by Valerie Keogh, again another one you cannot put down once you start reading it.
What's really interesting about this one, besides the twists and surprises, is that we get to get into the mind of the main character, a sociopath, which is also the narrator in the book.
A woman that you at first feel sympathy for but as the book progresses your feelings for her start to shift, until what you get is disdain, but admiration at the same time, here's a woman who won't stop at nothing to get the things she so desired, if only she had some remorse for her actions.
With her vivid descriptions Valerie makes you feel part of the story.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of The Best Twisty Novels I Had Ever Read

A Sociopath in Plain Sight.Of all places The Cotswolds especially.During the beginning of the pandemic Joslyn from London,a Wealthy Interior Designer buys a house in Cotswolds..Connects with a few Women..Everyone has secrets...She of course becomes obsessed given her M.O. which totally surprised me/Sort of...Master Manipulator that she is,completely out of control.No one at first suspect’s her...Then Slowly,very slowly she unravels..Then the Games begin...Not my 1st book by Valerie Keogh..I knew I would like this book...Actually Loved how VK Kept me in semi-darkness.Recommended Too All...

[sharon moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never read a Valerie keogh novel before, however this one was very different to what I expected. Jocelyn the main character has us all fooled, and gives her account of why she was living in london and then a holiday cottage in a place called broadway. She weaves her way into the lives of some of the residents there, forms a few bonds, but never close bonds and creates stories along the way. I didnt give this 5 star because I’m still reeling from what I have read. I couldnt say that it was brilliant, but then i couldn’t say it was awful either. I might read another by this author, just to see if I feel the same way.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed A Taste Of Deceit a psychological thriller by Valerie Keogh.

This is set in the time of covid and Jocelyn Dexter has had a row with her husband Kasper and she leaves London to go their country cottage to give themselves a much needed break from each other.

Jocelyn joins a craft class in an affluent neighbourhood and she wants to know what makes the female members of the group of six tick. Also in the past she had joined a spinning class to get near to someone whom she is jealous of and her whole life is going to go into spin mode as she delves deeper.

She is playing a cat and mouse game but the tables are turned when things do not pan out for her.