The Clique by Rhiannon Barnsley is a suspense-filled rollercoaster of a novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Rhiannon Barnsley has delivered an enthralling read, leaving readers hungry for more.
A extremely addictive, twisty book which kept me interested all the way through.

Thank You NetGalley and One More Chapter for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I had no idea what to expect from this book but I can easily say it was fabulous.

I didn't see the twists coming and it moved at a really fast pace.

I loved the idea of their being a club for women like the old Men's clubs but never did I imagine what would really be going on.

And the look into what I feel are almost certainly true and shocking working practices in law firms, especially for women are both eye opening and shocking. Made me glad I wasn't a high powered lawyer.

Cass is a great heroine, if a little carefree towards her own safety but determined to find out the truth about Sara's death. And discovers a lot more than she would have ever guessed.

Utterly fabulous, this was the first book i have read by the author, and definitely won't be the last. Hard to put down, and very quick to devour.

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Arc Review
Publishing Date- 8/1/2024
My Rating- 3 Stars


Is the author an attorney? Because she nailed the drama and the misogyny running rampant in a law firm setting.

What To Expect/Context Warnings-
⚖️Unhinged Ladies Behaving Badly
⚖️Secret Society
⚖️Talks Of Suicide
⚖️Drugs
⚖️Unwanted Sexual Advances

My Thoughts-
This was an interesting read. The premise captured my attention. The pacing did fall flat for me, it’s a slow burn book. But once the things started to pick up and more secrets unfolded it was a quick finish. I would recommend this book to anyone that like thrillers and who’s worked in a law firm setting.

✨Thanks to NetGalley, The Author, & HarperCollins Publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review✨

The Clique was a slow starter that hotted up around halfway making this a decent read.
Cass is a lawyer and works in a top law firm, it is mainly dominated by men o has its downfalls. Her work colleague and friend, Sara, is ahead of Cass in the firm, she has it all or rather appears to as one morning she jumps from the roof terrace to her death. Cass is stunned by this and thinks this is out of character for Sara. Cass decides whilst dealing with pressing matters in her work life that she is going to look more into Sara’s death, she finds that Sara was in an exclusive club for high flying women, could this have something to do with it or is she bar,in up the wrong tree?
This was a decent read, I enjoyed the storyline as it was something a little different to what I’ve read before. There are some good twists to keep it interesting and I liked Cass as a main character. It was a little slow going at the start but when it picked up it was something I itched to read.
I would like to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

This morning I was scrolling through netgalley, when I came across this beauty. I knew I had to share it with all of you and needed to come up with all the right words to give this stunning debut the review it deserves

The Clique

I’m a huge fan of Rhiannon Barnsley after reading The Clique. I can see the book community swelling with love and support over this one

There’s only one way to join their society. If someone leaves, or dies…

Barnsley, is coming at us hard with the suspense! Don’t take your eyes off the page for even a second or you might miss something!

How far will they go to keep their secrets?

Check out this teaser :

There’s only one way to join their society. If someone leaves, or dies…

High-flying lawyer Sara O’Neil had it all; the career, the money, the prestige.

And then she jumped to her death.

Cassandra Harlow never expected to see her friend fall from their office rooftop. Someone knows what really happened. But the only people who might know the truth are a secret women-only society, Inside, whose promise is to fast-track your career.

But if Sara was part of it and they helped facilitate her rise to the top, could they also be the reason she came crashing down to earth?

I was hesitant to request this because I really don't enjoy reading books about lawyers and just the whole work setting. After reading the reviews, which were very convincing that it was worth reading, I was happy to be approved. While this did have the work setting, I enjoyed reading it nonetheless. I really enjoyed Cass' character. The whole secret society was a big far fetched for me. Otherwise, this was a decent read if you enjoy workplace thrillers. I would read more by this author in the future.

Sara O’Neil, a high flying lawyer, unexpectedly jumped to her death. Meanwhile, colleague Cass is shocked as she seemed to have it all. Why did she jump? Is it possible an elusive secret society knows the answer?

I really enjoyed this one and found the cult like demeanour of the women’s member society fascinating. The book covers important themes, such as the women’s place in the corporate world and how they can be unfairly treated, as well as mental health issues. The environment was written in a tense, believable way.

By the half way point I found myself paranoid and glued to the pages.The characters were well written and I rooted for Cass. I also found that there were a few good twists which I didn’t see coming. This is one I will be recommending and I look forward to reading another by this author if this is anything to go by. An original, enjoyable thriller. 4.5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

Wow that’s some finale! Not my usual genre but the book title and description won me over. What starts out as a straightforward story about the rise of a female Mergers and Acquisitions lawyer working for a high profile firm in the City, gradually develops into a murder mystery novel. Fast paced, slick and compulsive reading. Great characters and almost believable. I was completely taken in and had no idea what would develop. Cassandra and George finally unravel the truth but not without consequences.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers One More Chapter for this e-ARC for an opportunity to review this book in exchange for an independent review.

What a fabulous novel. Deliciously dark and devilish, I couldn’t put it down. Cassandra Harlow has it all, a top job as a lawyer, on track to make partner. The job has totally ruined her social life but the enormous salary she’s paid more than makes up for it, until things start to go wrong. A roof top fall and a women only secret society and competition with her best friend all prove to be a recipe for disaster. Tense, fast paced and gripping right up to the very end. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK One More Chapter and the author for the chance to review.

I loved this book. Such as interesting plot with lots of twists and an ending I didn't see coming. Easy to read and a fast paced thriller. Would definitely recommend.

This was a shocking, dark thriller that had you on the edge of your seat from the first page. Plenty of twists and an ending I was expecting. I think it was a little too dark for me but it was well written and I would still recommend it.

i really really enjoyed this book and the story! the characters were very well written and the plot had me guessing until the end!

I am not sure if I was the right market for this book. It felt more YA. But despite this, it was quite a good thriller.

The Clique is a searing look at the toxic world of corporate legal firms, where every second is accounted for and leaving the office at 9pm is considered early. Cass Harlow has dedicated her life to being considered as a partner in her prestigious firm, and she's only weeks away from finding out whether she has been successful for the latest position. She knows that its very much an old boys' club, with nepotism and old school networks rife in the company but she believes that she has what it takes to make it, even if it comes at the expense of everything else.

She is devastated when Sara, one of the firms' few female partners, falls from the roof-top in an apparent suicide. Cass knows how much stress Sara was under but is still shocked that she might have taken her own life in this way. Cass quickly learns about a secret women's only network that might be able to shed some light on what has happened, and might also be able to help Cass get the partner role that she so desperately wants.

It was a really tense page turner with some great reveals which I hadn't been expecting - well worth a read.

4.5⭐ This was my first book by this author and it did not disappoint. This book is about Cass, a lawyer at a prestigious law firm, whose friend just died from what is aid to be suicide. Upon further research Cass learns her friend/colleague was involved in a secret clique known as Inside. After this things start to unfold and more secrets and revelations are revealed. I will definitely be picking up more from this author in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Collins UK, and the author for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

"The Clique" takes readers on a thrilling journey into the secretive realm of a women's society where success demands sacrifice. Following the tragic passing of esteemed lawyer Sara O'Neil, questions surface regarding the enigmatic organization she belonged to. As protagonist Cassandra Harlow delves into Sara's mysterious death, she unearths a web of hidden truths and perilous allegiances lurking within the clandestine group.

With themes of ambition, betrayal, and the complexities of female empowerment, "The Clique" offers a riveting exploration of loyalty and deception in the corporate landscape. Through twists and turns, the novel keeps readers on the edge of their seats, unraveling the intricate dynamics of power and ambition in a world where every move carries consequences.

As Cassandra navigates the treacherous waters of this elite society, readers are drawn into a tale that probes the depths of human desire and the lengths to which individuals will go to secure their place in the hierarchy. "The Clique" is a compelling read that skillfully blends suspense and intrigue, leaving readers eagerly turning pages until the shocking conclusion.

4.5 stars for this phenomenal read..

I just finished "The Clique" by Rhiannon Barnsley. What a wild ride! I loved every minute of it.

The description doesn't begin to capture the drama, intrigue, mystery & mega twists that unfold in this story. I couldn't put this book down! I loved the character of Cass, who was strong, determined and a total badass!!

The ending totally floored me!! I highly recommend this book, it was so well written, full of twists and will not disappoint.

I will say if suicide, drugs, and/or sexual assault are triggers for you, I would proceed carefully.

Thanks to @Netgalley, @HarperCollins UK and One More Chapter for the opportunity to read this ARC and give my honest thoughts.

Pub Date - August 15, 2024

Sara O'Neil was living the corporate dream: a career advancement at a young age, respect within the workspace and well liked by her colleagues. Everyone around her thought she had it made. Until the day she jumped to her death at work. Cassandra Harlow, a commercial lawyer at the same firm, is devastated by the loss of Sara. Had the pressure of her high-stress job really made her jump? Was it really a suicide or was she pushed? These are questions Cassandra keeps asking herself. When she finds out Sara was a member of an exclusive all-women's club, Inside, she has even more questions. But the more she digs, the greater danger she and the people around her are in.

What this book did well is emphasis the physical and mental strain of having a high pressure job. The endless hours, the stress of deadlines, being forced to choose work over family/relationships. Bamsley also highlighted the struggles women have in a male-dominated field and the unfortunate sexual harassment they have to endure. There was a lot of commercial lawyer jargon, and this felt more like a workplace drama than a mystery/thriller. Those aspects were fine, but not what I was expecting from this book. No real thrills started happening until much later in the book (maybe around the 40% mark), and I had just checked out by then.

This book will have an audience, but it just wasn't for me.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a smart and pacey debut from Rhiannon Barnsley! It reminded me of a female version of The Firm going in but it was so much more. Right from the jump this thriller will hook you in and won't let you go. So much intrigue, never knowing who to trust, and the ending really surprised me. I can't wait to see what this author does next!

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing an early copy.

This thriller screamed “locked room mystery in the corporate world” to me and intrigued enough to request an ARC. The corporate industry depicted is the legal sector where ambitious friends Cassandra and Sara work very long hours. One day, Cassandra is horrified to witness her colleague falling to her death from the highest floor of the building. Suicide, murder or an unfortunate accident? As if this event is not traumatic enough, after rejecting a wealthy character’s unwanted advances, Cassandra also gets fired, leaving her even more vulnerable. An introduction to the secret female networking group “Inside” seems like a spark of hope, but Cassandra’s decision to join soon requires her to engage in all sorts of clandestine manoeuvres and brings with it the harrowing realisation that Sara’s death is not at all what it seemed and soon Cassandra must live in fear of her life also …

This was a fast-paced contemporary thriller that at times stretched the imagination a bit in the name of twistiness. I thoroughly enjoyed it. My thanks go to the novel’s publishers to NetGalley as it was their advance copy that allowed me to read this thriller and to produce this honest, independent book review.