The Outsider

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…. Praise for Valerie Keogh: ‘Keogh is no. 1 for a reason, and this is another perfect slice of domestic noir. A definite 5 stars.’ Keri Beevis ‘A wonderful book, I can’t rate this one highly enough. If only there were ten stars, it’s that good. Valerie Keogh is a master story-teller, and this is a masterful performance.’ Anita Waller