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.

**advance review copy received from NetGalley in return for an honest review***
This book does exactly what you hope it will when you pick it up - a slick, pacy thriller that grabs your attention from the first page and doesn’t let go of it until the end. Perfect beach read.

Cassandra Harlow is shocked when her friend and co-worker Sara O’Neil fell to her death from their office rooftop. Sara had it all.... she had recently been made partner in their law firm, something Cassandra is working towards. Sure, she had been stressed lately, but Cassandra refuses to believe it was suicide. Then she discovers Sara was a member of a women's-only club, called Inside, that is available by invitation only, and they limit the number of members. Rumor has it, since Sara is dead, a spot is now open, and Cassandra wants to try to infiltrate Inside and find out what they know about her friend's death.

I really enjoyed this book. It was non-stop action and chills, and towards the end there were a couple of big reveals that I definitely didn't see coming. This is perfect for fans of J P Delaney, B A Paris, and Tarryn Fisher.

This book literally starts and ends with jaw dropping situations. The meat in between those two events is equally as shocking but puts them into context, and I for one read the last sentence of the book with a buzz of a satisfied smile - does that make me a bad person? I'll let you decide when you've read the book.

The day to day workings of legal companies is outside of most people's knowledge base. Unless you've worked at one of them you're unlikely to have stepped behind the scenes. They are usually very well-presented, smart, shiny places with highly qualified, expensively dressed professional staff. But would you really want to be one of their number? It is well known that the hours are long, the pressures unbelievable - the need for things to be done in a timely manner with impeccable attention to detail is paramount. But what if you worked your backside off, only to be overlooked when it came to promotion purely because you were born the wrong gender? It's been happening for decades in the professions, the Old Boys' Network and Gentlemen's clubs ensuring that only the "right" people get the top jobs. In other words...Men Only. But all this is beginning to change, but only if you have access to The Clique. A mysterious, members-only society which helps the cream of the crop of women professionals get a Louboutin-clad toe into all the places and jobs that have previously only been offered to the men. But what is the price of success? Would you be willing to pay it?

This novel takes us on a nail-biting journey as Cass endeavours to find out what happened to her friend and colleague Sara O'Neil. She puts herself in ever more dangerous situations, even onto the radar of the local police as her investigations get closer to the truth. But who can she trust and will she reach the prize before someone decides she's gone far enough and takes her out of the game?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book which looks at the not-so-attractive underbelly of the corporate law world, and personally I think it has the best last sentence of a book that I've read in a long time. An excellent finale Miss Barnsley. Bravo!

My thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read this book ahead of publication and, in doing so, discover another author whose work I will be exploring further.

Sara O'Neil a partner/lawyer and mentor to Cassandra (Cass) Harlow a senior associate in the large law firm of Carrey and Watson falls froma fall from the roof of the multi storey law office roof. Is this a suicide or something more sinister? cass is in no doubt it was not suicide.

Cass discovers that Sara was a member of an elite secret female networking group called "Inside" and in the strong belief that this plays a part in Sara's death applies for membership in order to investigate her friend/colleague's death. The process is long, quirky and seemingly deadly.

This was a slow burner and really did not catch fire for me. I found Cass's relentless attempts at trying to join the group a bit of a stretch. However, given that it was the author's first book it was a reasonable read and I think this author has potential. I would certainly look for any future books

Thanks to Netgalley UK and publishers Harper Collins UK, One more Chapter for the arc copy of the book in exchange for a fair unbiased review

Rhianon Barnsley delivers a debut thriller that is intriguing to say the least.

As she navigates main character Cass through a toxic work environment. Which begins with the death of her friend and colleague Sara. Who seemingly jumps from the rooftop of her work building shocking everyone. But especially Cass. Who can't believe anyone as together as Sara would commit suicide.

But then things take a drastic turn when Cass is herself subjected to an extremely aggressive client during a lunch meeting and on reporting him to her bosses. She finds herself fired and needing to find a new job within three months.

However, Cass soon finds a group of allies when she is invited to interview for 'Inside' a secret society like no other and one whose all female members help get elite professional woman to the top.

By any means necessary.

But to gain access to this clique you have to undergo a rigorous process and do whatever is required.

And when Cass learns Sara was a part of this clique she is more determined than ever to gain access. Especially as she doesn't quite believe Sara committed suicide.

But surely the clique wouldn't kill one of there own, would they?

And with an interesting storyline. That underscores the misogyny and inequality in the workplace. This was an enjoyable cat and mouse read. That lacked a little in the pacing department but more than made up for it in other ways and I'm excited to see what this author offers next.

Please be aware this story features suicide, drugs and sexual assault so proceed with care.

Not quite what I was expecting but still a satisfying drama/mystery with an original concept, some clever reveals and enough tension to build anticipation for the reader.

Some of the events were unpalatable and hard to believe but I guess this was required in order for the club/clique to feel so evil.

The ending felt like it was going to be a bit clique but then there was a point of difference and a wicked left turn.

Really enjoyed this thrilling ride of a book, set in the toxic world of corporate law, where a colleague has supposedly killed herself, It kept me guessing with some unexpected twists and reveals and was a fun, fast read.