The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
cecilie_flohr's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It was super intriguing. It was interesting to see how Christine changed as a character, especially because the narrator was an older Christine.
Mina was a fascinating character, and it was interesting to see how the people around her wanted to be so well-liked by her, even when they could see that she was manipulative.
In general, I liked how the characters were written, and how Mina and Christine's relationship deteriorated later on.
The ending was interesting, and while part of it was somewhat predictable, some of it certainly wasn't.
overall a good read that I couldn't put down.
Mina was a fascinating character, and it was interesting to see how the people around her wanted to be so well-liked by her, even when they could see that she was manipulative.
In general, I liked how the characters were written, and how Mina and Christine's relationship deteriorated later on.
The ending was interesting, and while part of it was somewhat predictable, some of it certainly wasn't.
overall a good read that I couldn't put down.
nutty_bookseller's review against another edition
5.0
I loved Renee's first novel Disclaimer and The Secretary did not disappoint. It sucked you into a world of lies and deceit.The secretary hard working, loyal and invisible. When pushed to the edge and beyond her revenge is flawless.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
RATING: 4 STARS
2019; Harper/HarperCollins
After reading a few disappointing suspense novels in a row, I almost passed on this one to take a break to cleanse my palate. When my audiobook hold came in, the hold list seemed long so I went ahead and decided to try it. The Secretary drew me right in and I didn't realize how much I was really into the story until I finished. "What? It's done?" While I wasn't completely thrilled with the ending, I still liked this novel a lot.
It's a slow burn psychological suspense, that is rightly compared to [b:Rebecca|17899948|Rebecca|Daphne du Maurier|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1386605169s/17899948.jpg|46663]. This a modern take on the relationship between Mrs. Danvers and Rebecca (mistress of an estate and her faithful housekeeper), set in a business world. A secretary/housekeeper/assistance stays in the background, she is barely noticed unless things go wrong. They are the ones that know how it all works and keeps it working...and they know, and mostly keep, the secrets that threaten their employer. This is the person you never want to piss off, but are often overlooked, taken for granted and thought to be replaceable.
As this story moves slowly, told through "the secretary," Christine's point of view, you do see some things coming before they take place and are predictable. But being so invested in Christine, her effort and wanting to see how it unfolds you will feel the enthrall of the story. This book pulled me away from other things just to see what is happening next. I might be in the minority with this one but I really liked it.
***I received an eARC from EDELWEISS***
My Novelesque Blog
2019; Harper/HarperCollins
After reading a few disappointing suspense novels in a row, I almost passed on this one to take a break to cleanse my palate. When my audiobook hold came in, the hold list seemed long so I went ahead and decided to try it. The Secretary drew me right in and I didn't realize how much I was really into the story until I finished. "What? It's done?" While I wasn't completely thrilled with the ending, I still liked this novel a lot.
It's a slow burn psychological suspense, that is rightly compared to [b:Rebecca|17899948|Rebecca|Daphne du Maurier|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1386605169s/17899948.jpg|46663]. This a modern take on the relationship between Mrs. Danvers and Rebecca (mistress of an estate and her faithful housekeeper), set in a business world. A secretary/housekeeper/assistance stays in the background, she is barely noticed unless things go wrong. They are the ones that know how it all works and keeps it working...and they know, and mostly keep, the secrets that threaten their employer. This is the person you never want to piss off, but are often overlooked, taken for granted and thought to be replaceable.
As this story moves slowly, told through "the secretary," Christine's point of view, you do see some things coming before they take place and are predictable. But being so invested in Christine, her effort and wanting to see how it unfolds you will feel the enthrall of the story. This book pulled me away from other things just to see what is happening next. I might be in the minority with this one but I really liked it.
***I received an eARC from EDELWEISS***
My Novelesque Blog
spac3energy's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
pages_and_cacti's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
The Secretary by Renee Knight
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
When Christina Butcher takes the job as PA for Mina Appleton of Appleton Supermarkets, she gives it her all. She understands that nothing but her all would be unacceptable. Christina has been with Mina for nearly twenty years and knows every secret and detail of her time there. When Mina’s business practices come in to question it pushes Christina to the very edge and may just bring out the most dangerous side of her.
I’ve had this one on my shelf for some time and decided it might be a great book to read right now. It started off a bit slow for me and I wondered if it would really ever pick up. Am I glad I stuck with it! Christina really turned out to be the one person not to cross.
paigeafterpage_'s review against another edition
3.0
2.5
I literally liked two chapters - the final ones.
I literally liked two chapters - the final ones.
slighte's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the premise of this book but unfortunately was disappointed.
What I liked: The story was about two women in a workplace environment rather than the usual domestic setting of husband and wife. And with that, no boring romantic drama, no sex for the sake of including sex. It was a quick read that was easy to get through.
What I didn’t like: …everything else.
The first half of the book keeps hinting at a trial, and then you discover the trial is for the dull charges of perjury and hiding evidence. Boring! The book is more a character study than a thriller, and even then the characters are underdeveloped, boring, and unlikeable. I wish we learned more about why the characters were the way they were and turned out the way they did. The ending didn’t make any sense to me as we had seen no hint of that in Christine before. I didn’t care enough about the two characters to worry about how it ended.
The pace was slow with little suspense and there wasn’t a lot happening but it’s labelled as a thriller so the ending was not really a surprise. When significant things were mentioned earlier on the narrator clearly states they’d be important later… very obvious foreshadowing, so there’s no exciting aha moment. The end was exciting but a let down, it came way too late and didn’t really fit with the rest of the book… it read more like an epilogue.
Overall, it was an okay book. It was quick and easy, and I kept reading because I felt sure something was eventually going to happen. It would be good for someone who doesn’t want an intense thriller and willing to ride out some slow stuff for a kind of exciting end.
What I liked: The story was about two women in a workplace environment rather than the usual domestic setting of husband and wife. And with that, no boring romantic drama, no sex for the sake of including sex. It was a quick read that was easy to get through.
What I didn’t like: …everything else.
The first half of the book keeps hinting at a trial, and then you discover the trial is for the dull charges of perjury and hiding evidence. Boring! The book is more a character study than a thriller, and even then the characters are underdeveloped, boring, and unlikeable. I wish we learned more about why the characters were the way they were and turned out the way they did. The ending didn’t make any sense to me as we had seen no hint of that in Christine before. I didn’t care enough about the two characters to worry about how it ended.
The pace was slow with little suspense and there wasn’t a lot happening but it’s labelled as a thriller so the ending was not really a surprise. When significant things were mentioned earlier on the narrator clearly states they’d be important later… very obvious foreshadowing, so there’s no exciting aha moment. The end was exciting but a let down, it came way too late and didn’t really fit with the rest of the book… it read more like an epilogue.
Overall, it was an okay book. It was quick and easy, and I kept reading because I felt sure something was eventually going to happen. It would be good for someone who doesn’t want an intense thriller and willing to ride out some slow stuff for a kind of exciting end.
menniemenace's review against another edition
3.0
2.5/5
This wasn't believable. People have a misplaced sense of loyalty towards their employers sometimes, sure. They don't have that much misplaced loyalty.
I don't think this book makes sense.
It was somewhat fun to read, though. So there's that.
This wasn't believable. People have a misplaced sense of loyalty towards their employers sometimes, sure. They don't have that much misplaced loyalty.
I don't think this book makes sense.
It was somewhat fun to read, though. So there's that.
lizbetweenthelines's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Wow. This is my second Renee Knight and I am not disappointed AT ALL! I just—? Pace is excellent. Exploring the bounds of loyalty — you can’t be loyal to a fault! I’m in awe. That ending??? Renee is officially on the list of auto-read authors. Wowzer browzer.