Her Deadly Game

Keera Duggan, Book 1

By: Robert Dugoni

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

A defense attorney is prepared to play. But is she a pawn in a master’s deadly match? A twisting novel of suspense by New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni.

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.

©2023 by La Mesa Fiction, LLC. (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Fast-paced legal-intrigue gold that could be improved only by kicking off a new series.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Twist-filled.…John Grisham fans will be pleased.”—Publishers Weekly

“One of the best puzzle books ever! I raced through the pages, which are packed full of compelling characters and taut gamesmanship, desperate to learn the answer to this extraordinary thriller, which is both whodunit and how-dunit. I would follow Robert Dugoni anywhere.”—Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Classic Dugoni

I so thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this novel. The narrator of excellent and the story did not lack in anything. There were the characters that I rooted for and the ones I wished to smack across the face. I did not give it 5 stars because I just don’t usually do it unless the book just compels me to do nothing less. This was close to that… but not quite that.

I hope to meet these characters again. SOON!

Terrific courtroom thrills

This is the best well written crime fiction novel since Presumed Innocent. Dugoni can write! The plot is clever, the courtroom scenes shine with accuracy. As a lawyer myself, I knew the writer had to be one. And a smart one.! Comparing a chess game to trying a case is spot on. An extremely entertaining addition to the genre.

One of the best yet!

I’ve read several books by Robert Dugoni and thoroughly enjoyed each one. This book however is in another league! I could not put out down! I hope so much that there is a book 2 coming.

Get it-you won’t be sorry!

Really enjoyable. As well written as it is performed. I hope he does more with these characters and makes them a part of a series.

Great Story and Characters

Listened to the Audible version which grabbed my interest immediately, kept me wanting to learn more and now wishing for more for another book with these characters. Awesome book!

Just OK.

To start to get into it, but then I was in for the ride. Decent enough but nothing exciting.

Robert Dugoni At His Best

I am a big fan of Robert Dugoni and I absolutely loved this new legal thriller. I was hooked from the first page. The protagonist, Keera Duggan, is a relatively new attorney. After a few years with the prosecutors office, she leaves to join her father Patsy’s family firm. I love that her life and her family are messy and dysfunctional. It added an additional layer. Her father’s struggles with alcoholism has strained the family and has had an impact on his children’s emotional well-being.
Keera is a spitfire determined not to be over-shadowed by her father’s reputation as “the Irish brawler” or her older sisters seniority. She lands a big case with a high profile wealth manager who is accused of murder. She is determined to win the case.
The plot is expertly woven and paced with plenty of twists and unique subplots. I loved the interweaving of the strategies of chess (Keera is a chess prodigy) with her trial preparation and courtroom dynamics.
I had a hard time putting this book down. I hope Keera and the Duggan family become a series!

Saskia Maarleveld was terrific with the delivery of the story

Bravo! Again!

Robert Dugoni never disappoints. But I particularly enjoyed this novel. I also, along with other reviewers, would love to see these characters again. Perhaps this is the start of a new series?

Great, fun listen

Great story and characters. Loved the turns of the story. Would definitely recommend and read more from the author

Another brilliant cliffhanger

Another enthralling book that keeps one guessing until the very end. Robert Dugoni never disappoints!