I DNF'd this book at 21%. I was so looking forward to a book about a female led secret society. Somewhere that uplifted women who worked in traditionally male dominated fields, maybe that comes later. I struggled to make it through ten chapters of the main character dealing with misogyny and sexism in the workplace (a workplace that didn't give two hoots about a high level colleague 'falling' out of a window btw). There were a lot of chapters just describing her long work day, my interest was just utterly lost. The main character was so mild that I would have liked being able to see her in action as a lawyer, as a contrast. Instead her character description was more about her expensive garments.
Not for me, I feel this book would put me into a reading slump. So I'm saying goodbye to it
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest reviews

Ooof! I think I might be giving any female networking groups a wide berth after finishing this sinister journey to girlboss status via black envelopes, blindfolded car rides and murder.. Highly entertaining!

Captivating read which is centred on a professional women’s elite club where it appeared all was not as it should be. The club only had one hundred members and a vacancy only opened up because Sara died. Very disturbing consequences for some who were drawn in.

The book set around law firms indicated a knowledge of how the high end of firms expect their staff to give all hours in order to be a success. It was fascinating but at times I wanted Cassandra to act and shape up, particularly when she was fired from her job. Although just when you were sitting back something else happened to hook you in.

The book picked up pace once you went further into the book. I enjoyed it and would recommend to others.

This is a compelling psychological thriller centred around an elite club for professional women. When one of their members falls to her death from the rooftop of her corporate law firm’s office, it is unclear whether she jumped or was pushed. Her death, however, creates a vacancy at this exclusive membership organisation which guarantees career success for its members. Two of her colleagues apply, leading to the emergence of a sinister truth about this club and what it expects from its members. Far-fetched at times but succeeds in maintaining the reader’s interest throughout.

Corporate lawyer Cassandra Harlow is distraught after her friend and colleague Sara falls from the roof of their office building. Although the job is full on, Cassandra is convinced that someone has killed Sara. This wasn't suicide.

She hears from her friend Nat that an exclusive women-only member's club has an opening, she starts putting the pieces together and realises that the spot is open because Sara was a member and they had something to do with her death.

Although this book is slow to start, I really enjoyed reading about Cassandra's work environment. It is clear that there is a knowledge of law firms here and you can feel the stress that Cassandra is under. There were a few moments where it felt a bit unrealistic and I wanted to shake Cassandra for putting herself in dangerous positions, but the twists kept it very entertaining. When the pace started to pick up, I couldn't put it down.

I was intrigued by the start of the book, I guessed one plot reveal about a character but there were certain breadcrumbs that got me there.

I feel the book itself was well written and I sympathized with the main character Cassandra for what she was going through after the tragedy that kicks off the story and for her work-related stress (I haven't read too many books involving plots like her work storyline).

I did enjoy it enough for most of it, but lost interest towards the ending and it might just be me but I felt confused by the final sentence.

Overall I still enjoyed and would rate 2.5 stars.

This is corporate lawyer Rhiannan Barnsley‘s first attempt at writing a thriller. The plot idea is basically interesting if extremely unrealistic, but unfortunately the style of writing jumps from over-describing in painstaking detail architecture, settings, meals eaten, clothes and shoes, make-up and hairdos, even holding unto a pole on an uneventful bus ride in London etc. to rushing through an actual murder in just a few lines, throwing in four ‚dangerous gangsters’ by name who themselves or their supposed misdeeds are never even mentioned before or again and hastening the very abrupt ending. Light entertainment for a few hours.

Gripping thrilling and chilling are perfect words to describe this book . Fast paced and the characters are well crafted. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and would highly recommend.

This was a fast paced book that kept my attention. The idea of an exclusive club for elite women was a very interesting choice. It made this book different than other thrillers I have read. Although some of the things that happened within this club were elusive, I still enjoyed the book overall.

London

The law offices of Carrey and Watson are shocked when they learn that one of their up and coming lawyers, Sara O’Neil, 34, has fallen from the rooftop of their office building and is now dead. Sara and two of her best friends, Cass and Nat, all started at the office at the same time and her friends are now devastated. The office requires that to make partner, one must make the work their entire life spending long hours in the office to impress. They figure that since Sara has been working so hard that it harmed her personal life and may have resulted in her possible suicide.

One evening, Cass has to join a group of the partners and a very wealthy client to celebrate his win on something. Cass hates this because she is the only woman. The client is very drunk and insists that she drink more. Later, he accosts her in the bathroom and she slaps him. He tells her bosses that she teased him and then assaulted him and she is now fired. The bosses know that’s not true but they will do anything to keep the wealthy client. Cass chooses to work her notice time instead of leaving right away because she needs the money.

Nat tells Cass about a private group called Inside where Sara had been a member. It is an exclusive society of female lawyers, bankers, entrepreneurs, and scientists. They limit the number of members to 100. With Sara’s death, there is an opening. So, Nat and Cass both apply. But as Cass learns more about the group along with some secret information Sara left her, she is beginning to wonder if her death could have been linked with Inside.

Wow! This is a really good book that kept me on the edge of my seat. It says too that not all women are there for one another. There is probably more competition among women than men. But, that’s just my opinion. But, do read this one and enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Reading this reminded me of the saying....if it sounds too good to be true, it is. Lots of side steps on this trip to a world where a group of women display a dominance that will shake up their male centric workplace.

A group of strategically placed women join forces to promote the careers of the members. In THE CLIQUE, Rhiannon Barnsley takes the good old boy membership clubs and sets them to a different book of rules. These women maintain an low key presence in the higher levels of the professional world, their members, even their charter is secret. The name of the group....Inside. But with high level assistance comes high level costs.

Two young women, Cass and Sara, are members of a law firm with so few women lawyers, they are considered "tokens' and work harder thn many of their co-workers. Both women are close to their partnership goals when Sara jumps to her death from the top floor of the firm's building, an apparent suicide, Cass is confused. Sara gave no sign of desperation or depression. Then Cass is fired when she files a complaint of sexual harrassment. As her unemployment looms closer, Cass is contacted by a member of Inside. Now the story takes on a different tone and a much faster pace. Actions and consequences will keep all of the characters watching their backs as they become targets. This was a spin on a couple of old story lines that gave it a fresh thriller feel.

"The Clique" by Rhiannon Barnsley is a gripping mystery that dives into the high-stakes world of corporate law. The story kicks off with the shocking death of top lawyer Sara O'Neil, who falls from her office rooftop. Her friend and colleague, Cassandra Harlow, doesn't believe it was a suicide and sets out to uncover the truth. The investigation leads her to a secret women-only society called 'Inside,' which promises to fast-track women's careers. The book is filled with suspense and dark intrigue, exploring themes of ambition, pressure, and the hidden costs of success. While the ending has a few too many twists, the overall story is compelling and keeps you hooked. "The Clique" is an exciting read for anyone who loves a good mystery with strong characters and a thought-provoking plot.

Very grateful to the publisher for my copy, opinions are my own

I loved the premise of this book, a secret group of high flying women. However it was just too slow moving for me and really felt like it dragged a bit. It was an ok read but not amazing.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC

This was a fun and fast-paced thriller. It had me hooked from the first page. I really enjoyed the secret society aspect and all the intrigue of the corporal world. I was never bored, but I found the ending a tad bit anticlamatic because of it seemed unrealistic. Nevertheless a fun read!

I've just finished reading The Clique, which is the debut novel by Rhiannon Barnsley. Thank you to One More Chapter for inviting me to read this and providing me with an ARC.

The book opens with a commotion in the offices of prestigious law firm, Carrey & Watson. High flying lawyer, Sara O'Neil has just fallen from the roof (careless), but was it suicide or was she pushed? Sara's friend and colleague Cassandra Harlow begins a mission to find out the truth.

This strong opening definitely had me hooked from the very first page. The plot is interesting and I enjoyed getting to see the drama inside the world of corporate law. I loved the intrigue of the secret society of women known as 'Inside'. Where members are promised to receive help reaching the top of their professions. To balance out the inequalities in the workplace. But what must they give in return for being fast tracked? It's all very dark and mysterious.

My only niggle was the ending. I felt there were just too many twists that it felt a tad unrealistic. That being said it was a fun and fast paced read. I would definitely read this author again and I'm looking forward to seeing how they grow on their literary journey.

Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter | One More Chapter books for this ARC. This book was a fun thriller and a fast read. Sara O'Neill was an amazing lawyer and had it all. But she jumped to her death. Or did she?? Cassandra Harlow was friends with Sara and is determined to find out what really happened, even if that means joining the Clique. The secret, women-only secret society that her friend, Sara, belonged to, that helps its members rise to the highest tracks in their fields. Did the Clique have something to do with happened to Sara? This book focuses on lawyers, but I could see this play out in any office or high-power society as I live and work DC ;)

Thank you to Netgallery and the publisher for this ARC. The publication date is the 1st August! This was a fast - paced thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat right up until the very last page! This book gave me such ‘Suits’’ vibes and the author profession as a lawyer really shone through in this book!

Overall, a fantastic thriller that kept me hooked from the very first line! 😊

THIS WAS SO GOOD!

So original, fresh, a great premise with solid characters and a gripping story that I just did not want to put down.

From the moment I started reading "The Clique" by Rhiannon Barnsley, I was drawn into the high-stakes world of ambitious lawyers, where prestige comes at a perilous cost. The chilling premise surrounds the death of Sara O’Neil, a top lawyer who seemingly had it all—until she jumped to her death from her office rooftop. As I turned the pages, the atmosphere grew thick with intrigue, and I was compelled to unravel the secrets that lay beneath the glossy façade of their careers.
Cassandra Harlow, Sara's close friend and colleague, is left grappling with the aftermath of this shocking event. The narrative starts a bit slowly, setting the stage for the high-pressure environment of the corporate law world, but soon it accelerates into a gripping tale of mystery and betrayal. I found myself reflecting on the relentless ambition that characterizes the lives of these lawyers. Burnout and the fear of inadequacy are omnipresent themes, and Barnsley portrays them with an authenticity that feels eerily relatable. It struck me how easily someone could feel pushed to their limits in a profession demanding absolute dedication, and I questioned how societal expectations can sometimes blur the lines between success and utter despair.
Cassandra’s disbelief regarding Sara's suicide pushes her onto a path of investigation that leads her into the depths of a clandestine women-only society known as Inside. It’s intriguing to consider what lengths women will go to climb the corporate ladder—and whether they might also become victims of the very structures they seek to thrive within. I was right there with Cass as she navigated her tumultuous work environment, especially when a wealthy, powerful client assaulted her in a seemingly safe space. The ensuing fallout and her desperate quest for redemption felt all too real, and I empathised deeply with her plight.
As Cass delves deeper into the hidden corners of this secret society, the tension is heightened. Barnsley expertly crafts an atmosphere of suspense, and I found myself racing through the pages to discover what secrets lay within the Clique. Were they saviours or puppeteers who controlled the destinies of women like Sara? The pacing quickened with each revelation, and I was completely hooked by the unfolding drama.
One thing I truly appreciated was Barnsley’s exploration of the darker side of ambition and the pressure cooker environment that high-powered lawyers operate within. The moral dilemmas faced by Cass and other female characters offered a layer of depth that enriched the narrative. This book goes beyond just a plot-driven mystery; it’s a reflection on the toxic price of success in today’s corporate culture.
In the end, "The Clique" was a thrilling page-turner that made me ponder the sacrifices many make in pursuit of their dreams, and whether those dreams are worth it if they lead to tragedy. I couldn’t put it down! While it started cautiously, the build-up set the stage for an explosive conclusion that left me breathless and satisfied. This novel is for anyone who enjoys a story filled with suspense, danger, and the relentless pursuit of truth amidst a backdrop of ambition gone awry.

Authentic and chilling, this is an addictive psychological thriller set in the high-powered world of corporate law and secret societies. It exposes the misogyny and ruthless expectations of the corporate world that make women seek to align themselves with a female-only club that can aid their career advancement. Cassandra is determined the reasons behind the senseless death of her mentor Sara., It leads her into danger and puts her career and reputation on the line, but her need for justice drives her until she discovers the truth. I like the twisty plot, the suspense (who can she trust?) and the satisfying resolution.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.