Until I read The Promotion, I was unshakably convinced that I had once worked for the worst boss ever. There could be, I swore, no boss in fiction or in reality worse than my ex-boss whom I will call “Mr. Z.” I must now, after reading The Promotion, admit that I was wrong. That’s because Daniel Hurst’s Michael character is so despicably evil, egotistical, and devious that he actually makes my old nemesis “Mr. Z” look like a mere pretender to the title of The Ultimate Boss from Hell.

By telling the story from the alternating points of view of Michael and his employee, Imogen, the author shows himself to be a master of setting the scene for what is to come by allowing his characters to tell the story themselves as it unfolds and then twists and turns. Hurst is a master of setting the scene and pulling the reader into it headfirst with an effect I can only describe as brilliantly visceral. To call The Promotion a classic cat-and-mouse story is too simplistic. It’s much more than that.

The setting is at the characters’ workplace, a large bank. The premise is on its face relatively simple: Imogen once did something illegal. Michael knows what she did and that if he were to disclose it, Imogen would be ruined, personally and professionally. He’s misogynistic and enjoys emotionally torturing Imogen by blackmailing her. However, as the plot twists and turns, it becomes clear that the situation is anything but simple.

I usually don’t enjoy books in which both major characters are as flawed and unsympathetic as Imogen and Michael are, but this was an exception. This is the first book I’ve read by Hurst and I am looking forward to reading both his backlist and any books he might write in the future

I wasn’t sure what to think about this one…maybe this just wasn’t what I expected. It was okay but not super thrilling really.

Wohoooo another great thrill in the books! Excellent read and the characters were fantastic. Great writing as well. It kept me hooked the whole time.

I received an eARC of The Promotion by Daniel Hurst from Inkubator Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
4 stars! This book was well written as a domestic thriller. It kept my unwavering attention until the end. Michael knows a secret that can destroy Imogen and he blackmails her. This becomes a cat and mouse game. Who wins? Read it to find out!

THE PROMOTION is a story with a premise that most, if not all, can relate to...working for an awful boss. The story is told from alternating points of view, Imogen's and Michael's. Imogen has been a long-suffering employee at a bank working under Michael, who enjoys making her life hell. Imogen did something unseemly in the early days of her career. She stole money to help her ailing father, and Michael has proof of her crime. Even though she's long since paid the money back, if the truth came out, she could still face charges, and she'd never work in the banking industry again.

This book also has a sub-plot that is featured very heavily involving Alzheimer's. While the story was deeply moving, I do think people should know about it as it could be triggering.


I found Michael to be a fascinating character, and wanted to know more about him. I'd have loved to see flashbacks to when he and Imogen first started at the bank. I'd have loved to get a sense of him in his kinder years. Although there were times when I couldn't stand him because he was always gloating about how much money he has and that he loves and expensive way of life or how much he hates Imogen and wants to hurt her. In my opinion, some of his chapters could have been left out.

Now, the crime. There is no possible way that the police would never get back to solving that! I would have liked to see more on that and on how the main character were to be affected by the investigation and all. It seemed like the murder was thrown there for the purpose to make the story more interesting and thrilling.

About all the situation with that involved Alistair. It kind of felt that now there was no more villain, the author had to introduce another one on some rickety reason. The author drew out all the charade with Michael and he resolved things with Alistair so unrealistically fast and abrupt where he could have the possibility to evolve the story more. I think he kind of wanted to mix two different plot lines but didn't have the necessary space for it.

The fun of this book is in the fact that it is hard to stop reading because it is a fast paced read and I was compelled to keep reading and although I found the outcome lacked the thrilling tone that is used up to that point, it still delivers an ending that wraps up the story well.

Oh I just loved this book - Daniel Hurst is becoming one of my favourite authors he is so talented in deceiving you. I read so many books and it is so rare to find authors that are consistent in this aspect.

Not going to tell you anything as it is just too spoilerific - just read it yourself.

I was given a free copy by the publishers and netgalley but the review is entirely my own.

This was a fast-paced book that kept me on my toes the entire time. Imogen is a high powered career woman with a happy marriage. Her boss knows something that, if it ever got out, Imogen's life would be ruined. Her boss begins bullying her and blackmailing her with the information he has.

I have seen reviews that say this is predictable, but I disagree and was caught off guard by the twist. I was torn on who was the villain and who was the hero, I don't think there was either in this story but mostly morally gray characters.

The ending was wrapped up nicely. Overall, this is not a book that will stay with me but I enjoyed the experience while reading! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

From the second I started this, I didn't want to put it down. I found every opportunity to read this because I found the characters so gripping and delightfully flawed. I love a thriller with multiple POVs, so when the POV switched to Michael the first time I was absolutely delighted because I couldn't wait to see how the story would unfold from his POV. I was so excited to see how much he knew about what was going on. As the story progressed I just got more and more into this. The ending was a nice little bow on this fast moving workplace thriller. All of the main characters were incredibly unlikable but it was interesting watching each of them play cat and mouse with each other because of how flawed they all were. Overall, I really enjoyed this one. Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book, it was so good! I think this author is so talented and I’m dying to see what’s next from him!

Interesting read for women in the workplace or any woman is who trying to juggle all the demands of life. It drives home how much women are put upon in so many areas of our lives and then, on top of the balancing act, she also has to deal with an abusive, power mad boss

A good read for fans of physcological drams or womens fiction. Really shows how tough life can be for women and why we sometimes feel like snapping.....

Quite the twisted psychological thriller with a few red herrings here and there., but absolutely the best twists and turns. I also loved that this was such a nuanced take on people, power and relationships!

A good read. I would recommend this book. I enjoyed this story.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

What’s done in the dark will most likely always come to light. That is the case in this book. Imogen is happily married with a great career, working diligently to advance to the highest level possible. Unfortunately, she has already reached that level because her boss Michael is holding a secret over her head so powerful that it can destroy her life and career and devastate the lives of those who care for her.
Michael enjoys this hold he has over her and uses it to his advantage, but even the meekest animal will fight back eventually and that is what Imogen does. Desperation breeds unclear thought and can drive you to do the unthinkable. What does Imogen do? Does it release her and allow her to advance? Who finds out? These questions and more can be answered when you pick up your copy of this book.
I enjoyed this read. I detested Michael for what he did to Imogen and felt sorry for her although she did bring it on herself. I think you will enjoy this read and find yourself drawn into the scenarios created by the author. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

I really enjoyed this book. I like Daniel Hursts books after recently reading his previous books. This keeps you on edge of seat, quick paced and fun and entertaining.

Thanks to Netgalley and Inkubator books for an Arc in exchange for an honest review

Ooooh loved .thrillers are myjam and this didn't disappoint. In fact I've gone and bought all of his other books for my kindle enjoy his writing style and ability to keep me hooked from the jump

Imogen followed in her father’s footsteps working at the bank. When he retired, she was sure that she would be his successor. However, Michael was promoted instead. As her new boss, he was persistent in torturing her in any way he could. Imogen had made a grave error in judgment that could cost her the loss of her employment, family and quite possibly freedom. Michael discovered what she had done and held it over her head constantly.

Both Michael and Imogen speak in first person. They each are narcissistic, cruel and unyielding in their hatred for the other. They go beyond normal office dislike, bantering or exercise in power. They are obsessed with making the other miserable. I found both characters to be unlikeable, though Imogen does have a few moments of redemption but then falls back into old habits.

The plot is interesting. However, their constant one upping gets a bit unrealistic. When do they get any work done?? The ending is a twist clearly unseen earlier in the book. I thought it was a good and easy read. I would recommend it.


I received an ARC from Inkubator Books through NetGalley. That in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review and am under no obligation to do so.

Thank you Netgalley for this fun ARC.
Daniel Hurst is a new author to me and I will definitely have to look at more of his work. A very entertaining and fun read. I always love a good thriller and this did not disappoint!

Imogen Stone might have been the next boss at the unnamed bank at which she is now the second in command. But the mistake of embezzling funds from a client’s deposit to pay for her father’s financial mistakes costs her dear. Her colleague, Michael, discovers her secret. And even though she has long since paid back the money, he blackmails her into stepping out of the race for the top post and let him take it. Now he’s her boss, and he enjoys toying with her, frustrating her at every step of the way, making her life hell.

Work tensions aren’t the only thing that Imogen is struggling with. She is also worried about her father who suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease and needs to move into a care home.

But how far can Michael push Imogen before she snaps?


The book is written in the first person present tense in alternating points of view of Imogen and Michael. Michael’s pov shows his arrogance, and Imogen’s her desperation.

The constant harping of what Imogen had done is repetitive and takes away from its enormity.

At first, Michael came across more as annoying than dangerous. But subsequent events prove just how dangerous he is. As a reader, I could feel Imogen’s frustration at being in the position she found herself in. But it was also hard to imagine an intelligent woman taking such a grave risk, knowing she would definitely be caught.

The pace was relentless and Michael kept upping the ante against her. Nor was Imogen a passive character. The parry and thrust between them was intense and nerve wracking. For a while, things get blurry in the heat and dust of the battle, and it seemed that both characters were just as unlikable. But Imogen wins our interest because of her struggles with her father’s illness and her boss’s non-stop attack against her.

Of course, we know in the Prologue itself that Michael is going to die. But the question of how his death will come about and what Imogen’s fate will be still persists. The twist, when it comes, takes Imogen and us by surprise. There is a shocking (to Imogen) revelation that reminds us that people are not who they seem, and that we all wear different faces.

Despite this, I felt conflicted towards both the characters. I have no doubt about the credibility of the premise. I didn’t feel good about either of the characters, even though Imogen was hardworking.

Other than Michael and Imogen, and her father, William, to some extent, all the other characters were flat. None of the co-workers are even given surnames. In fact, Michael’s surname is revealed only at the 62 percent mark. Imogen’s husband, Evan, had almost nothing to do. He seemed totally unreal. Michael’s wife, Crystal, is only a name.

I liked the note on which the book ended but it would have helped to see more action and dialogue rather than the lengthy narration and internal monologue in which the author presents both accounts.

This book delves into an occupation with which I have no personal experience——the business world, so it’s always an eye opener as to the competition within a company and what it takes to survive.
Imogen is the daughter of one of the “fathers” of the banking institution but will never rise to his level because there is a big secret from her past that’s being held over her head by the present CEO who hates her. The chief constantly saddles her with work but she refuses to complain and complies even though it affects her personal life.
She tries to gain the upper hand with some electronic snooping on the boss only to discover he was watching her first. She then decides to play detective into his personal life and she opens a door into a world she was not anticipating that ends disastrously.
Imogen has been the long devoted daughter but learns that her present boss’ resentment and meanness toward her may have been the result of this iconic father that she always trying to please who was once HIS boss.
All of the characters were so sly and underhanded it was hard to have an sympathy or empathy for them. There was no sigh of relief for the reader at the end of the story.

The Promotion
by Daniel Hurst

Review for NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️

The book quickly jumps into the insufferable relationship between Imogen and her boss, Michael. Imogen carries with her the heavy weight of past mistakes, which Michael holds over her as he strives to make Imogen’s life as distressing as possible. She is being pushed to the end of her limits.

I found the beginning of this book enjoyable, the characters well thought out and immediately wanted to continue reading! I was completely engaged until the story sort of unraveled at the end. It was a very quick and tidy wrap up that was anticlimactic. I wish there would have been more of a twist in the plot rather than the almost fairytale happy ending that this thriller should have delivered. Overall, because I enjoyed the writing style and most of the book, I would give it 3-stars.