I'm 25% of the way through this book, and unfortunately, I've lost interest in finishing. I prefer a more lyrical writing style and this is dry, almost textbook. But I could overlook that with characters that make me care about their story. And these just don't. On the one hand are the men and they're all unredeemable villains. But the women aren't terribly interesting either, starting with our main character. What is it she does? I know she's a lawyer, but there's no setting for me to understand exactly what it is she does with her time or why she wants to do it (apart from "I work in Mergers and Acquisitions"). She's spent the first quarter of novel detailing her long, tiring days, her eyes glazing over staring at her computer screen, and the meat grinder of an industry this is--constant backstabbing, rampant misogyny, assaults by clients with no backup from your company, the inability to have a social life or a family. Oh, and now there are employees leaping to their deaths. So why is anyone doing this? Cass certainly doesn't give us any end goal or sense that she actually likes her job after all this. So while the premise of a high-powered and dangerous female club was initially intriguing, the execution so far has left me not interested in getting to it.

Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for a review.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Cassandra is surprised to learn about her colleagues death. She saw her in the morning before it happened. This book kept me guessing.

Cass is a senior associate for a large firm of lawyers in the City of London, however she suffers like a lot of women in a man's world. Women are often treated badly by being passed over for promotion unless they are prepared to give favours to the partners and clients. They work extremely long hours but are still not recognised. Cass along with her friend and colleague Nat discover a secret women's society which promises to get past all these hurdles. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

‘The Clique’ by Rhiannon Barnsley is a clever and dark thriller which follows lawyer Cass as she navigates working in a patriarchal environment and coping with the loss of her mentor Sara. The story begins with Sara’s death - initially written off as a suicide caused by work-related stress (the author who is herself a corporate lawyer definitely drives home just how stressful and exhausting the job is!) but later investigated by the police who think something even more sinister happened. Cass also can’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right in the lead up to Sara’s final day…

When her colleague Nat reveals that Sara was part of a secret female-only society, Cass wonders whether that group hold the key to the mystery. Since spots only open up when members leave… or die, Cass decides that now might be the time for some digging. As her situation changes at work, she meets a man she likes and is drawn deeper into the secretive club, her life becomes more dramatic… but is her life in danger?

I really couldn’t put this book down and read it in one sitting… the office environment was tense and disturbing even before the real drama started, and the raw descriptions of the treatment of women in the workplace and the outward-facing focus on mental health while piling unreasonable workloads on Associates rang true. The club itself sounded tempting - empowering and elevating women by creating a strong network to counteract the influence of old boys’ clubs and male dominance on company boards - so it was thrilling to glimpse inside and ponder whether it was too good to be true. The plot was twisty and intriguing, with a few shocking moments.

I liked Cass, she was easy to relate to and sympathise with and was clearly a very smart and capable woman. George was also an interesting addition to the book and I enjoyed the evolution of their relationship.

This gets five stars from me!

I received an advance Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher HQ via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Sara O’Neil, partner at a top London law firm, is overcome by the pressures of her high stress job and jumps to her death from the office door. The police think it’s a suicide. Cassandra Harlow, a lawyer at the same firm, doesn’t agree. Then she learns her best friend Nat is hoping to be selected as a member of The Clique, an ultra exclusive all female club that helps women succeed in their careers. At first, Cass is interested because she has experienced harassment with devastating results. Then she links Sara to The Clique and the wild ride that is this psychological thriller begins!

I can’t say any more because I want to stay away from spoilers but set aside time for this one because you won’t be able to put it down! The Clique is so full of twists and turns that you won’t know which way is up! Enjoy!

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK and Rhiannon Barnsley for this ARC.

I really loved this book. There were parts that I thought I had figured our and then it turned out I hadn't! Very clever plot.

The Clique is an engaging and thrilling book that sets the idea of a clique on its head! Cassandra and Sara are attorneys in a male dominated law firm. Sara has mastered what Cassandra wishes for, to achieve the higher echelons in the firm, with power, prestige and money. So it’s shocking when Sara seemingly jumps from the roof to her death. Then Cass’s life begins to spiral when she rejects advances from a client at a high powered lunch; she is fired and has three months to stay. During this time, she learns Sara was a member of a women-only secret society called “Inside” and she is shocked when she receives an invitation to apply to it. What follows in the story is very cloak and dagger, extremely dangerous, and some women do not make it out alive. The story takes off and doesn’t let go. How does a society for women that promises to boost your career end up with a dead member? With thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for this ARC. My opinions are my own.

A clever fast paced thriller. I almost hid behind a cushion reading some parts.....the bits where your thinking please don't get caught, just hurry up and get out of there!
Just loved it.

My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

Cassandra is shocked when her mentor at a top law firm apparently kills herself. She starts looking into Sara's death and finds that it doesn't add up. Another colleague, Nat, tells her that Sara was a member of an elite, women only club, Inside. A club that gives professional women an edge in business and helps get them the promotions they are otherwise denied.. Cassandra wants to find out more and applies to join the club; But is it as straightforward as it seems?

I loved this book. It has everything. What the everything is, I can't tell you because, you know, spoilers. Cassandra appears to be not a very nice character to begin with, totally obsessed with making partner in her firm but you quickly become sympathetic to her and by the end she sees that there's more to life than Laboutins and bonuses. Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for the ARC.

The Clique is a fast paced thriller that tells the story of Cassandra and her attorney friends that all work at the same law firm. When Cassandras friend Sara ends up dead, Cassandra is not willing to accept that it was a suicide and ends up embroiled in a womens only group called The Insiders. Touted as a group to help women succeed in a mans world, she quicklly finds herself involved in something much darker. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat!

I really enjoyed this, a fast paced thriller that kept me turning pages wondering just who has blood on their hands! I thought the ending was a bit rushed sadly, it left me wanting more.

What a punchy fast paced book. Was fast paced and a great book.
So many twists.
Would recommend to others

Fantastic cat-and-mouse story...

Why did Sara jump to her death when she seemingly "had it all"? What is "Inside", the exclusive secret women's society, and why if they are devoted to protecting women was Sara either suicidal or pushed to her death?

These are the questions our protagonist Cass, Sara's friend, is left to answer.

Wow, what a tangy ride this is!

Cassandra and the rest of the staff in the legal firm she works at are stunned to see a body fall past the window. Cass is even more staggered when she finds out it is her friend Sara who had just been made a partner and appeared to have everything to live for.
Initially Cass accepts Sara's apparent suicide like everyone else, but as things begin to unravel at her place of work and she is 'let go' after a client becomes aggressive at a lunch, she finds herself drawn to a secret woman only society that claims to be able to help their members get ahead in the work place. This is the same society that Sara was a member of, so why did she need to kill herself?
This book fairly romps along a great pace, and I really enjoyed the beginning - the set up and characters were all firmly believable. However, I did find the ending somewhat rushed and not as realistic as the rest of the story, including a couple of characters that I found it difficult to believe they could get away with what they were doing.
Three and half stars rounded up to four.
With thanks to Netgalley, One More Chapter and Harper Collins Publishers for an arc copy in return for an honest review.

The Clique by new to me author R. Barnsley, published by Harper Collins UK, is a gripping read that grabs the reader with both hands and doesn't let go anymore.
Intriguing, full of twists and unexpected turns , a great read, 4 stars.
Blurb:
There’s only one way to join their society. If someone leaves, or…
Lawyer Sara O’Neil had it all; the career, the money, the prestige.
And then she jumped.
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?

This is one of those great books that takes the idea of a clique and runs with it until you are exhausted (in a good way)! Cass and Sara are part of a mostly male law-firm that expects their attorneys to work long hours with little free time. But suddenly Sara jumps to her death from their highest floor and Cass is dumbfounded as it seemed Sara was happy and "had it all." Then when wealthy client, Seb becomes aggressive at a client lunch and forces himself on her, she reports him and is fired--with only three months to find something else. Devastated, Cass is also leery when she gets an invitation to "Inside," an all-female club that is rumored to be so selective that she'll have to pass whatever test they throw at her before she can be admitted. And so begins the craziness: a cat-and mouse game that has her head spinning as she fights for her dignity--and her life!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Clever thriller sending up professional women's member only clubs that can make or break a career. I related to the protagonist and felt compelled by Cassandra and Sara's story.

I dont usually read this genre but was intrigued to try this out, and pleased that I did. It is a clever book, following lawyer Cassandra;s suspicions that there is something strange about a clique known as Inside. They promise to advance women in their business life, but there might be strings attached. I found this book very readable, especially as it never became unpleasant/scary/frightening, but hovered just on the edge. Somehow knew quite early on that George wasnt all he seemed. Altogether an author whose books I would read again. Thank you for the chance to read and review the book.