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The Secretary
Renée Knight follows up her international sensation Disclaimer with this shivery tale of psychological suspense, featuring a character as disturbing and compelling as Mrs. Danvers in Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca.
From her first day as Personal Assistant to the celebrated Mina Appleton, Christine Butcher understands what is expected of her. Absolute loyalty. Absolute discretion. For twenty years, Christine has been a most devoted servant, a silent witness to everything in Mina’s life. So quiet, you would hardly know she is there.
Day after day, year after year, Christine has been there, invisible—watching, listening, absorbing all the secrets floating around her. Keeping them safe.
Christine is trusted. But those years of loyalty and discretion come with a high price. And eventually Christine will pay.
Yet, it would be a mistake to underestimate such a steadfast woman. Because as everyone is about to discover, there’s a dangerous line between obedience and obsession.
From her first day as Personal Assistant to the celebrated Mina Appleton, Christine Butcher understands what is expected of her. Absolute loyalty. Absolute discretion. For twenty years, Christine has been a most devoted servant, a silent witness to everything in Mina’s life. So quiet, you would hardly know she is there.
Day after day, year after year, Christine has been there, invisible—watching, listening, absorbing all the secrets floating around her. Keeping them safe.
Christine is trusted. But those years of loyalty and discretion come with a high price. And eventually Christine will pay.
Yet, it would be a mistake to underestimate such a steadfast woman. Because as everyone is about to discover, there’s a dangerous line between obedience and obsession.
304 pages, Paperback
First published February 12, 2019
531 people are currently reading
5403 people want to read
About the author
Renée Knight
13 books552 followersRenée Knight worked for the BBC directing arts documentaries before turning to writing. She has had TV and film scripts commissioned by the BBC, Channel Four and Capital Films. In April 2013 she graduated from the Faber Academy ‘Writing a Novel’ course. She lives in London with her husband and two children. ~ Transworld Publishers
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 840 reviews
January 19, 2022
The Secretary is the second novel by Renee Knight. I experienced it as an audiobook.
Christine Butcher is a secretary who becomes the personal assistant to Nina Appleton, the hard headed, ambitious heir to Appleton’s, a nationwide supermarket chain.
Many of us, I’m sure, have had a boss like Nina Appleton at some point in our working lives. She’s vain, manipulative and really doesn’t care who she treads on to get what she wants.
Christine strives for perfection and puts her P.A. job and her service to Nina beyond all else in her life, literally.
What follows is a very clever, character based thriller. A slow burn narrative of creeping unease, misplaced loyalty and revenge.
We spend a lot of time in the head of Christine …... and it’s not a very comfortable place to be.
I found the novel to be engrossing and well written - the courtroom scenes were particularly good, and the ending managed to be wistful, haunting and shocking at the same time.
The audio book was read by Victoria Hamilton and she does a great job.
The Secretary is a recommended read, as was Disclaimer, Renee Knight’s first novel.
Christine Butcher is a secretary who becomes the personal assistant to Nina Appleton, the hard headed, ambitious heir to Appleton’s, a nationwide supermarket chain.
Many of us, I’m sure, have had a boss like Nina Appleton at some point in our working lives. She’s vain, manipulative and really doesn’t care who she treads on to get what she wants.
Christine strives for perfection and puts her P.A. job and her service to Nina beyond all else in her life, literally.
What follows is a very clever, character based thriller. A slow burn narrative of creeping unease, misplaced loyalty and revenge.
We spend a lot of time in the head of Christine …... and it’s not a very comfortable place to be.
I found the novel to be engrossing and well written - the courtroom scenes were particularly good, and the ending managed to be wistful, haunting and shocking at the same time.
The audio book was read by Victoria Hamilton and she does a great job.
The Secretary is a recommended read, as was Disclaimer, Renee Knight’s first novel.
January 17, 2019
"Being a secretary back then was, it seems, not so different to now. That ability to make oneself invisible. It is astounding the number of conversations carried on in front of us, as if we don't exist. The silent witness is a role I'm quite used to. Watching, listening - as quiet as a mouse, at the heart of events - my loyalty and discretion never in question. And yet, loyalty and direction are qualities for which I have paid a heavy price."
This is the story of Christine Butcher, an average wife and mother, who accepts the position of personal assistant to Mina Appleton. After 18 long years of service, loyalty, and absolute discretion it appears secrets are about to spill. When the celebrated Mina is accused of partaking in some unethical business transactions in order to profit for herself Christine has to ask herself how far she is willing to go to protect Mina.
Part psychological thriller part court room drama and totally entertaining. I'll admit that it is a slow burn of a book but I find Renee Knights writing so engaging that it didn't take away from this novel. I had no idea before reading this how cutthroat the supermarket industry is. Another point goes to the author for writing a realistic thriller one where suspension of disbelief is not required. You know all the while that the story is leading up to something big and Renee Knight does not disappoint. The last quarter of this book had me glued to the pages. I thought the ending was bloody brilliant! 4 stars!
Thank you to Edelweiss and HarperCollins for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This is the story of Christine Butcher, an average wife and mother, who accepts the position of personal assistant to Mina Appleton. After 18 long years of service, loyalty, and absolute discretion it appears secrets are about to spill. When the celebrated Mina is accused of partaking in some unethical business transactions in order to profit for herself Christine has to ask herself how far she is willing to go to protect Mina.
Part psychological thriller part court room drama and totally entertaining. I'll admit that it is a slow burn of a book but I find Renee Knights writing so engaging that it didn't take away from this novel. I had no idea before reading this how cutthroat the supermarket industry is. Another point goes to the author for writing a realistic thriller one where suspension of disbelief is not required. You know all the while that the story is leading up to something big and Renee Knight does not disappoint. The last quarter of this book had me glued to the pages. I thought the ending was bloody brilliant! 4 stars!
Thank you to Edelweiss and HarperCollins for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
February 12, 2019
Surprisingly unexpected!
Christina Butcher is THE Mina Appleton’s personal assistant. Along with that comes high expectations. Complete loyalty. No slip-ups. Christina has been in this position for over twenty years, and she has it down to a science.
She’s also absorbed every single secret Mina has.
And Mina knows this. Christina may have been loyal, but she’s too big of a risk to keep around.
At the same time, no one knows what Christina is capable of when she’s backed into a corner.
The Secretary is a slow burn, and I LOVED that about it. It is equal parts psychological thriller and courtroom drama. Everything about this felt real. The tension builds and builds, and bam! That ending! Why have I not read this author before? The Secretary is a refreshing take on the a character so disturbing you can’t stop cringing. Your mind will spin, and you won’t be able to put this book down.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Christina Butcher is THE Mina Appleton’s personal assistant. Along with that comes high expectations. Complete loyalty. No slip-ups. Christina has been in this position for over twenty years, and she has it down to a science.
She’s also absorbed every single secret Mina has.
And Mina knows this. Christina may have been loyal, but she’s too big of a risk to keep around.
At the same time, no one knows what Christina is capable of when she’s backed into a corner.
The Secretary is a slow burn, and I LOVED that about it. It is equal parts psychological thriller and courtroom drama. Everything about this felt real. The tension builds and builds, and bam! That ending! Why have I not read this author before? The Secretary is a refreshing take on the a character so disturbing you can’t stop cringing. Your mind will spin, and you won’t be able to put this book down.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
February 8, 2019
Yet another book I’ve read by this author (the first being Disclaimer) which I thoroughly enjoyed.
This one is much darker and much tenser.
It is a slow burner of sorts but I’ve read worse. It’s easy to follow and what keeps you going is that you know something is going somewhere quite nasty or a boom bang coming!
The Secretary and the role of Secretary has to be loyal and be able to keep things to yourself and much more than that at times. Sometimes you need to hide things, distract from information and say your boss is out or in a meeting when he/she is sat right in your vision, and much more.
So on the basis of a job description I was looking forward to reading this having had a job like this myself in my lifetime.
This is part psychological thriller and court room drama which I personally found very interesting.
How this played out kept my interest.
When Christine started working as a secretary to Mina it was somewhat creepy to me. Mina seemed creepy with the way she befriends Christine and the start of The secretarial relationship between them.
When Mina becomes more demanding on Christine’s time it starts to disrupt her family and her family time.
Then unethical procedures come to light earning more profit for Minas business.
Secrets
Lies
Wronged loyalties
And a very dangerous line has now been drawn.
I really loved this and enjoy this authors writing. I will certainly be eager for her next book.
The ending though seemed a little bit too convenient to me.
Well worth your time to read it.
This was one of my anticipated books this year.
This one is much darker and much tenser.
It is a slow burner of sorts but I’ve read worse. It’s easy to follow and what keeps you going is that you know something is going somewhere quite nasty or a boom bang coming!
The Secretary and the role of Secretary has to be loyal and be able to keep things to yourself and much more than that at times. Sometimes you need to hide things, distract from information and say your boss is out or in a meeting when he/she is sat right in your vision, and much more.
So on the basis of a job description I was looking forward to reading this having had a job like this myself in my lifetime.
This is part psychological thriller and court room drama which I personally found very interesting.
How this played out kept my interest.
When Christine started working as a secretary to Mina it was somewhat creepy to me. Mina seemed creepy with the way she befriends Christine and the start of The secretarial relationship between them.
When Mina becomes more demanding on Christine’s time it starts to disrupt her family and her family time.
Then unethical procedures come to light earning more profit for Minas business.
Secrets
Lies
Wronged loyalties
And a very dangerous line has now been drawn.
I really loved this and enjoy this authors writing. I will certainly be eager for her next book.
The ending though seemed a little bit too convenient to me.
Well worth your time to read it.
This was one of my anticipated books this year.
March 8, 2020
4-5 stars.
Well, this book makes me realise how lucky I’ve been over the years with my bosses as MOST of them have been good to work for! Mina Appleton runs Appleton’s Supermarket Chain which prides itself on fairness to suppliers and customers. Christine Butcher is her secretary, preferring that title to PA. she takes loyalty to a whole new level as she is a silent witness to a whole raft of business malpractice as Mina drives profit before conscience. Eventually, Mina’s dodgy dealings catch up with her and Christine, Mina and chauffeur Dave are all put on trial to stand and fall together. This is where Mina shows her true manipulative colours. This well written and twisty tale is told by Christine who sacrifices all for the boss she trusted.
I really enjoyed this novel although the characters are not likeable especially Mina, they are well portrayed. The end is excellent and I didn’t see that one coming!! I’ll definitely want to read more by this author.
Well, this book makes me realise how lucky I’ve been over the years with my bosses as MOST of them have been good to work for! Mina Appleton runs Appleton’s Supermarket Chain which prides itself on fairness to suppliers and customers. Christine Butcher is her secretary, preferring that title to PA. she takes loyalty to a whole new level as she is a silent witness to a whole raft of business malpractice as Mina drives profit before conscience. Eventually, Mina’s dodgy dealings catch up with her and Christine, Mina and chauffeur Dave are all put on trial to stand and fall together. This is where Mina shows her true manipulative colours. This well written and twisty tale is told by Christine who sacrifices all for the boss she trusted.
I really enjoyed this novel although the characters are not likeable especially Mina, they are well portrayed. The end is excellent and I didn’t see that one coming!! I’ll definitely want to read more by this author.
January 23, 2019
I can describe this book as a really chatty mystery. It's told from one person's perspective, which is 'The Secretary', and whole book is her telling the events that lead to the end of this book.
Christine is a secretary and starts to work for Mina, in her own family business. Mina is one of those very ambitious women, who thinks the world should revolve around her. Very manipulative, cold-hearted and she can do anything to reach what she wants.
Christine is happily married with a daughter. She becomes the personal assistant of Mina, and this changes her life in years.
The book opens with Christine, who moved to a different location, and she starts to tell the story from the beginning. We don't know why she's telling, what she's going to do as a result of these. There lies the mystery.
The rest of the book, till the very end is kind of a diary of Christine telling herself how their relationship with Mina progressed and how she became attached to her even a partner in crime.
In my opinion this part was very long, very dialogue based. I had to skim read some parts. That's why I would recommend you this book if only you like books that are in diary style, where events progress very slowly.
I gave this book 3 stars for 2 main reasons:
1. It was too long for what it was definitely.
2. I really don't think the writer developed the characters enough for us to believe and understand why they are who they are. You don't become a 'Mina' type out of the blue. Or even more so, what was Christine's motivation when she had a perfectly normal childhood and a happy current marriage. It didn't make sense and this was lacking.
Other than that, I think the writer made a very good research. The writing was decent. But, I wish it was better paced, and more thrilling.
Thanks a lot to the publisher for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Christine is a secretary and starts to work for Mina, in her own family business. Mina is one of those very ambitious women, who thinks the world should revolve around her. Very manipulative, cold-hearted and she can do anything to reach what she wants.
Christine is happily married with a daughter. She becomes the personal assistant of Mina, and this changes her life in years.
The book opens with Christine, who moved to a different location, and she starts to tell the story from the beginning. We don't know why she's telling, what she's going to do as a result of these. There lies the mystery.
The rest of the book, till the very end is kind of a diary of Christine telling herself how their relationship with Mina progressed and how she became attached to her even a partner in crime.
In my opinion this part was very long, very dialogue based. I had to skim read some parts. That's why I would recommend you this book if only you like books that are in diary style, where events progress very slowly.
I gave this book 3 stars for 2 main reasons:
1. It was too long for what it was definitely.
2. I really don't think the writer developed the characters enough for us to believe and understand why they are who they are. You don't become a 'Mina' type out of the blue. Or even more so, what was Christine's motivation when she had a perfectly normal childhood and a happy current marriage. It didn't make sense and this was lacking.
Other than that, I think the writer made a very good research. The writing was decent. But, I wish it was better paced, and more thrilling.
Thanks a lot to the publisher for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 13, 2019
I’m completely torn about my feelings on this one, on one hand it was a quick, addictive read that I flew through quickly. But on the other hand, it was just so damn weird that I’m not even sure I can explain it to you, but I’ll try!
This is told entirely from the POV of the secretary, Christine and focuses solely on her relationship with her boss, Mina. There is very little dialogue, it’s more of one long stream of Christine’s inner monologue with occasional conversations. It was just an odd setup, but I didn’t hate it and I kept reading so the author did something right. Parts of it also felt a bit tedious too, there was a lot of mundane recalls of memories as Christine tells the story of how she began working for Mina eighteen years ago, but somehow I knew that this would all lead up to something big.
In the end, as much as I knew something was going to happen, otherwise why all of history, right? But I had zero idea as to what that would be. Let me tell you, it wasn’t anything I would’ve ever come up with on my own. It was a little off the rails and out there, extreme to the max. I still don’t know if it worked for me or not?! It’s memorable for sure though. I know this is an extremely wishy washy and probably entirely unhelpful review, but this was just a peculiar read for me. I can’t say I loved or hated it, so I can’t fully recommend it either.
Overall rating: 3/5 (I debated doing a 2.5, but I did cruise through it and she is a good writer so…)
This is told entirely from the POV of the secretary, Christine and focuses solely on her relationship with her boss, Mina. There is very little dialogue, it’s more of one long stream of Christine’s inner monologue with occasional conversations. It was just an odd setup, but I didn’t hate it and I kept reading so the author did something right. Parts of it also felt a bit tedious too, there was a lot of mundane recalls of memories as Christine tells the story of how she began working for Mina eighteen years ago, but somehow I knew that this would all lead up to something big.
In the end, as much as I knew something was going to happen, otherwise why all of history, right? But I had zero idea as to what that would be. Let me tell you, it wasn’t anything I would’ve ever come up with on my own. It was a little off the rails and out there, extreme to the max. I still don’t know if it worked for me or not?! It’s memorable for sure though. I know this is an extremely wishy washy and probably entirely unhelpful review, but this was just a peculiar read for me. I can’t say I loved or hated it, so I can’t fully recommend it either.
Overall rating: 3/5 (I debated doing a 2.5, but I did cruise through it and she is a good writer so…)
February 18, 2019
4.5 Stars for this one.
Think, The Devil Wears Prada with a very dark, demented twist to it!!
This was a VERY addictive thrilling read. It felt like 100 pages, I couldn't put it down. I will say I wish the ending had turned out differently, but altogether this was a great devious gem of a thriller, and I would recommend it to all fans of phychological suspense novels.
Think, The Devil Wears Prada with a very dark, demented twist to it!!
This was a VERY addictive thrilling read. It felt like 100 pages, I couldn't put it down. I will say I wish the ending had turned out differently, but altogether this was a great devious gem of a thriller, and I would recommend it to all fans of phychological suspense novels.
November 9, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
The Secretary by Renée Knight might be on the slower side for some, but I was confused from the very beginning and it was great!
What it's about: Christine Butcher has been Mina Appleton's secretary for over 18 years when Mina is accused of perverting justice and unlawful practice regarding the running of the family business, Appleton's supermarkets. Christine has been keeping Mina's secrets for years, and silently watching everything she does, but not always seeing Mina for what she is. Once the court case comes to a close though, that will all be about to change....
The Secretary is told almost like a story, from Christine's perspective, and there isn't a whole lot of dialog between characters. You are inside her head the entire time and seeing everything from her eyes. This book is truly FULL of unlikable characters, and I was hard pressed to find anyone I really liked all that much. Mina is awful, and Christine is a doormat, until she's not.
I am having a hard time categorizing this novel as a mystery, thriller, suspense, etc. There is a court case which had a procedural aspect, but overall I guess I would call this a psychological thriller since we are inside the head of Christine the entire time. Some people also said the end was either too crazy, or it was so crazy that it made the book, but I kinda saw what was coming. I liked the way Knight decided to end the novel, and I think it was a perfect fit for our character.
Final Thought: While I definitely wouldn't recommend this book to everyone, I think a lot of people would like it. If you like a novel that's on the slower side with some courtroom drama, this is for you! While I didn't think it was especially slow personally, I can see how many would think it is. So my warning to you is be prepared for a slower book and you will be just fine.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Secretary by Renée Knight might be on the slower side for some, but I was confused from the very beginning and it was great!
What it's about: Christine Butcher has been Mina Appleton's secretary for over 18 years when Mina is accused of perverting justice and unlawful practice regarding the running of the family business, Appleton's supermarkets. Christine has been keeping Mina's secrets for years, and silently watching everything she does, but not always seeing Mina for what she is. Once the court case comes to a close though, that will all be about to change....
The Secretary is told almost like a story, from Christine's perspective, and there isn't a whole lot of dialog between characters. You are inside her head the entire time and seeing everything from her eyes. This book is truly FULL of unlikable characters, and I was hard pressed to find anyone I really liked all that much. Mina is awful, and Christine is a doormat, until she's not.
I am having a hard time categorizing this novel as a mystery, thriller, suspense, etc. There is a court case which had a procedural aspect, but overall I guess I would call this a psychological thriller since we are inside the head of Christine the entire time. Some people also said the end was either too crazy, or it was so crazy that it made the book, but I kinda saw what was coming. I liked the way Knight decided to end the novel, and I think it was a perfect fit for our character.
Final Thought: While I definitely wouldn't recommend this book to everyone, I think a lot of people would like it. If you like a novel that's on the slower side with some courtroom drama, this is for you! While I didn't think it was especially slow personally, I can see how many would think it is. So my warning to you is be prepared for a slower book and you will be just fine.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
February 2, 2019
The Secretary by Renee Knight was a bit of a slow burn, taking a while before much really happened. But when it did my goodness it really did. There is a lot of build up of the main characters which all comes into it in the second half of the book so it is worth sticking with it. I am still not entirely sure how I feel about the ending though... maybe it was too easy to end it that way?
Christine Butcher is a secretary working for Mina Appleton for 18 years. The 2 women are the complete opposite of each other. Christine is the quiet, constant, wanting to please Mina in anyway. But how far will she go to protect her boss? She works long hours, often at the expense of her personal life. Mina on the other hand is a manipulative, power and money hungry women who will stop at nothing for success. The story jumps from the present to the past in alternative chapters, telling the story of these 2 women.
Thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and Doubleday for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
Christine Butcher is a secretary working for Mina Appleton for 18 years. The 2 women are the complete opposite of each other. Christine is the quiet, constant, wanting to please Mina in anyway. But how far will she go to protect her boss? She works long hours, often at the expense of her personal life. Mina on the other hand is a manipulative, power and money hungry women who will stop at nothing for success. The story jumps from the present to the past in alternative chapters, telling the story of these 2 women.
Thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and Doubleday for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
June 2, 2025
I thought that this would be more like 'The Woman in the Window' or 'The Girl on the Train' but it really wasn't it's essentially an over the top office drama. This is a good book what what it is but to calling it a thriller is a stretch.
I did like the court scenes in this book and the characters were well built and easy to hate. I didn't like the main character much, I don't know whether that was intended or not. As it started to build towards the end I thought something mental was about to go down but for me it was a little underwhelming. As a horror/thriller reader I was expecting a big reveal or twist.
I think I would read from this author again but I would need to read up on the synopsis more because this just wasn't what I thought it would be still a solid read and easy to get lost in.
I did like the court scenes in this book and the characters were well built and easy to hate. I didn't like the main character much, I don't know whether that was intended or not. As it started to build towards the end I thought something mental was about to go down but for me it was a little underwhelming. As a horror/thriller reader I was expecting a big reveal or twist.
I think I would read from this author again but I would need to read up on the synopsis more because this just wasn't what I thought it would be still a solid read and easy to get lost in.
January 25, 2019
The Secretary by Renée Knight was an excellent thriller.
Christine starts working as a secretary for Mina who is running her family business with her father. Mina becomes more demanding on Christine's time and this takes its toll on her family life as she is working longer hours and weekends and has to attend to Mina's every whim. Her job becomes the main focus and this has unfortunate consequences.
I really enjoyed this book it was a real page turner.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Christine starts working as a secretary for Mina who is running her family business with her father. Mina becomes more demanding on Christine's time and this takes its toll on her family life as she is working longer hours and weekends and has to attend to Mina's every whim. Her job becomes the main focus and this has unfortunate consequences.
I really enjoyed this book it was a real page turner.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 18, 2019
The Secretary, Ms Knight's second novel, is a tale of sacrifice, power, betrayal, obsession, loyalty, revenge and office politics with acute observations that set it apart from similar books. The writing is scalpel sharp, but this is slow burn suspense so anyone expecting fast-paced shenanigans might want to look elsewhere. With superb characterisation and a riveting plot, this is a great read. It's a cleverly written, entertaining and exciting tale which somewhat reflects the dog-eat-dog nature of Christine's environment. There is a slightly sinister undertone running for the duration of the story, and you never knew quite what was going to occur next.
Although the two main characters, Mina and Christine, are not particularly likeable individuals I felt their personalities worked well. They were constantly rubbing each other up the wrong way and the manipulation of Christine created sizzling suspense. That said, I do feel as though it could've benefited from being shorter in length which would have tightened it up a little, and some of the plot became far-fetched, but overall, this didn't detract from the captivating story. I look forward to picking up Knight's next novel and hope it will be just as interesting as this was.
Many thanks to Doubleday for an ARC.
Although the two main characters, Mina and Christine, are not particularly likeable individuals I felt their personalities worked well. They were constantly rubbing each other up the wrong way and the manipulation of Christine created sizzling suspense. That said, I do feel as though it could've benefited from being shorter in length which would have tightened it up a little, and some of the plot became far-fetched, but overall, this didn't detract from the captivating story. I look forward to picking up Knight's next novel and hope it will be just as interesting as this was.
Many thanks to Doubleday for an ARC.
March 16, 2019
DNF it was far to slow for me and some of it made no sense. A disappointing read.
June 16, 2019
This was 4.5 stars- just a smidgen away from being a 5 star perfection. Possibly it was because the first 1/2 let you believe it was more a whodunit, mystery, or thriller than it actually is? Regardless, that parsing might only matter to me. It's not only psychological genre but modern real.
Truthfully, it's only the 2nd or 3rd novel in this humongous genre group for which I can post that I read the last 30 pages with bated breath. And without a swear, a murder or a sex scene on top of it. Far more interesting the contacts here!
This in some strange and quirky way reminds me the most of the novel "Rebecca"-more than any novel I've read in the last 30 years. Not in any gothic or mood sense, but in the "tone" or onus of the narrator's "hired" voice. That bridge between boss/ friend/ work position! She defined it- just spectacular! How this author has nailed both Christine and Mina down to the dots on their watches, line of their clothing to the onus for the color of their hose.
This also is extremely timely. This isn't the forum to go into all the reasons why. But can Renee Knight chose a more core media issue than the hypocrite celeb! Especially female, rich and the ultimate all around wise "sure winner"?
Regardless, this is about trust, confidence and long years of dependency within a work world life coupled with associations which produce? Successful leadership and friendship coupled? But to a "full" life balance on both sides? It's got a couple of mighty twists. It's only for the patient reader. Not as patient and as passive as our loving secretary was for 18 years. Maybe not. But at least patient enough to read every nuance of deep characterizations for these two women; best as a duo survey that I've come across in years. That's slow and with increasingly (for some tedious) detailing, for sure. But all of it pertinent and masterful of prose tone. It's not Manderly, but it is Minerva that will be visited. With the Laurels just across the road.
Make a appointment and keep a calendar square penciled in for this one. Strongly recommend this read.
Also gets the award for best ending within this year, so far, for this genre. Revenge that isn't? Or is it "full" revenge. Clear, concise and minutia detailing in this one is marvelous. Like "quick eyed tiny birds inquisitively hopping around a just shot suicide's body"?
As any successful business person will tell you "Karma is a bitch. What goes around, comes around."
Truthfully, it's only the 2nd or 3rd novel in this humongous genre group for which I can post that I read the last 30 pages with bated breath. And without a swear, a murder or a sex scene on top of it. Far more interesting the contacts here!
This in some strange and quirky way reminds me the most of the novel "Rebecca"-more than any novel I've read in the last 30 years. Not in any gothic or mood sense, but in the "tone" or onus of the narrator's "hired" voice. That bridge between boss/ friend/ work position! She defined it- just spectacular! How this author has nailed both Christine and Mina down to the dots on their watches, line of their clothing to the onus for the color of their hose.
This also is extremely timely. This isn't the forum to go into all the reasons why. But can Renee Knight chose a more core media issue than the hypocrite celeb! Especially female, rich and the ultimate all around wise "sure winner"?
Regardless, this is about trust, confidence and long years of dependency within a work world life coupled with associations which produce? Successful leadership and friendship coupled? But to a "full" life balance on both sides? It's got a couple of mighty twists. It's only for the patient reader. Not as patient and as passive as our loving secretary was for 18 years. Maybe not. But at least patient enough to read every nuance of deep characterizations for these two women; best as a duo survey that I've come across in years. That's slow and with increasingly (for some tedious) detailing, for sure. But all of it pertinent and masterful of prose tone. It's not Manderly, but it is Minerva that will be visited. With the Laurels just across the road.
Make a appointment and keep a calendar square penciled in for this one. Strongly recommend this read.
Also gets the award for best ending within this year, so far, for this genre. Revenge that isn't? Or is it "full" revenge. Clear, concise and minutia detailing in this one is marvelous. Like "quick eyed tiny birds inquisitively hopping around a just shot suicide's body"?
As any successful business person will tell you "Karma is a bitch. What goes around, comes around."
August 15, 2019
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The Secretary by Renee Knight. (2019).
Look around you and see who holds the most power in the room: is it the loudest person who looks the part with the most money, or is it the meek overlooked person who bears witness to all of the information and secrets? Christine is the latter type. She's the type who quietly, perhaps even unwittingly, gathers knowledge of the people she's there to serve. But there's a fine line between loyalty and betrayal and when Christine is pushed to her limit, she might become the most dangerous person in the room...
This was one of those awkward times where someone told me the book was amazing and I wouldn't be able to put it down but then I read it and I really wasn't a fan. I appreciated the concept of the plotline but found the novel itself to be really slow and frankly, a bit boring. Christine and her boss Mina were both unlikable in different ways. I had little sympathy for Christine, she was willfully and ridiculously naive in relation to Mina, she basically closed her eyes to any negative events/actions around Mina. Mina was a manipulative power hungry bully. The ending of the book was on a whole other level; it was very dramatic and far-fetched in my opinion. This review might sound harsh but at the end of the day, this really wasn't a book for me.
As always, if the blurb interests you then give it a go because there's plenty of people that have enjoyed this book and left great reviews.
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The Secretary by Renee Knight. (2019).
Look around you and see who holds the most power in the room: is it the loudest person who looks the part with the most money, or is it the meek overlooked person who bears witness to all of the information and secrets? Christine is the latter type. She's the type who quietly, perhaps even unwittingly, gathers knowledge of the people she's there to serve. But there's a fine line between loyalty and betrayal and when Christine is pushed to her limit, she might become the most dangerous person in the room...
This was one of those awkward times where someone told me the book was amazing and I wouldn't be able to put it down but then I read it and I really wasn't a fan. I appreciated the concept of the plotline but found the novel itself to be really slow and frankly, a bit boring. Christine and her boss Mina were both unlikable in different ways. I had little sympathy for Christine, she was willfully and ridiculously naive in relation to Mina, she basically closed her eyes to any negative events/actions around Mina. Mina was a manipulative power hungry bully. The ending of the book was on a whole other level; it was very dramatic and far-fetched in my opinion. This review might sound harsh but at the end of the day, this really wasn't a book for me.
As always, if the blurb interests you then give it a go because there's plenty of people that have enjoyed this book and left great reviews.
March 6, 2020
I have wanted to read this book for a while but if I am honest I liked it but didn't love it.
The secretary is Christine Butcher who works for Mina Appleton, who runs a family supermarket chain having taken over control from her late father. Christine is desperate to please and her life is taken over by the demands of her new boss. She is so much more than a secretary and tends to all Mina's wants and need both in her business life and her personnel life. Is there anything Christine won't do to serve her demanding boss? When Mina badly treats the trusty suppliers taken on by her father Christine even perjures herself in an attempt to save her boss' reputation and career.
So far so good but somehow the book didn't make that step up to a really good book. The story was going along nicely but I struggled to believe the sudden change in Christine's character didn't work for me. The second half of the book dragged and it seemed a lot longer than 300 pages.
The secretary is Christine Butcher who works for Mina Appleton, who runs a family supermarket chain having taken over control from her late father. Christine is desperate to please and her life is taken over by the demands of her new boss. She is so much more than a secretary and tends to all Mina's wants and need both in her business life and her personnel life. Is there anything Christine won't do to serve her demanding boss? When Mina badly treats the trusty suppliers taken on by her father Christine even perjures herself in an attempt to save her boss' reputation and career.
So far so good but somehow the book didn't make that step up to a really good book. The story was going along nicely but I struggled to believe the sudden change in Christine's character didn't work for me. The second half of the book dragged and it seemed a lot longer than 300 pages.
March 12, 2019
This story had me reliving some of my past experiences with narcissistic bosses, it was so realistic and yet, ominous, foreboding and insidious as well. Christina becomes a personal assistant to Mina Appleton, the soon to be CEO of a UK supermarket chain and her nature is very dark, pathological and perhaps psychopathic but you be the judge. Christina is a decent secretary with little or no experience (it was vague). She is young and financially struggling. She believes this job is the answer to her prayers. She and her husband (who assembles furniture for a living) and her young daughter had little hope for their future, until she is offered a gorgeous salary that she can not refuse. Little does she know her dream job will become a nightmare leading to the loss of all that is truly important.
Mina inherits her position from her father, Lord Appleton who built his little kingdom with transparency and integrity which won loyalty from suppliers and customers alike. They epitomized the example of a Good Corporate Citizen. Mina promises that she will continue this legacy but she does nothing of the sort. Instead, Mina enacts a devious ploy to make money off the backs of other people's efforts. Christina, the codependent, people pleaser becomes integral in carrying out Mina's exploits. She dismisses her personal qualms because she is in great awe of Mina. She also likes her subtle power. Mina's pathological plotting is displayed to the reader via's Christina's recounting of various incident and she realizes that other leaders in the company are also complicit. They too played key roles in the activities that bring about accusations of Mina's slight of hand dirty dealings. Mina wanting to clear her name, so she sues a behemoth business newspaper for its expose of her betrayals. She wins her case and she continues on in her agenda.
Several years later, Mina, Christina and chauffeur David are all arrested by the authorities for the assisting Mina in committing perjury in the lawsuit against the newspaper. The trial ensues and part of Mina's strategy is portraying Christina as a power hungry juggernaut, who operated independent of Mina's awareness and this is why many inconsistencies shown by the prosecution is actually an invalid witch-hunt.
After the trial, Christina realizes she was a pawn. She had been duped. Her desire to serve made her to sublimate any curiosity or concerns on her part. She's lost everything, even her integrity for filthy lucre. This causes her to have an emotional breakdown. However, we don't realize until late in the novel that Christina's rehash of events profoundly affects her desperate state.
The novel concludes in a rather shocking manner. We realize Christina is unstable but we don't expect the very intricate twist the author, Ms. Knight delivers.
As I read this story, I felt Ms. Knight had perhaps drawn insights from a narcissistic person in her own life. I would be curious if this story was based on a specific event(s) (though not the ending) as it sounds like several business trials in the United States' past; after all, corruption and diabolical deals happening in the business world is nothing new. Likewise, it is not unusual for someone to be identified as the primary creator of the problems, often not the key player as the prosecution identifies.
This book reminds me of the movie, "Swimming with Sharks". The boss played by Kevin Spacey is in some aspects far more pathological towards his employee. I remember watching it and saying to a friend, that man (Spacey) isn't acting, that is who he is! The bosses' arrogance captures the true narcissist's nature. Mina embodies this as well.
This story is a keeper. If you like to reread stories that capture the essence of a place, a time, or a characteristic, this embodies the narcissist personality perfectly.
Mina inherits her position from her father, Lord Appleton who built his little kingdom with transparency and integrity which won loyalty from suppliers and customers alike. They epitomized the example of a Good Corporate Citizen. Mina promises that she will continue this legacy but she does nothing of the sort. Instead, Mina enacts a devious ploy to make money off the backs of other people's efforts. Christina, the codependent, people pleaser becomes integral in carrying out Mina's exploits. She dismisses her personal qualms because she is in great awe of Mina. She also likes her subtle power. Mina's pathological plotting is displayed to the reader via's Christina's recounting of various incident and she realizes that other leaders in the company are also complicit. They too played key roles in the activities that bring about accusations of Mina's slight of hand dirty dealings. Mina wanting to clear her name, so she sues a behemoth business newspaper for its expose of her betrayals. She wins her case and she continues on in her agenda.
Several years later, Mina, Christina and chauffeur David are all arrested by the authorities for the assisting Mina in committing perjury in the lawsuit against the newspaper. The trial ensues and part of Mina's strategy is portraying Christina as a power hungry juggernaut, who operated independent of Mina's awareness and this is why many inconsistencies shown by the prosecution is actually an invalid witch-hunt.
After the trial, Christina realizes she was a pawn. She had been duped. Her desire to serve made her to sublimate any curiosity or concerns on her part. She's lost everything, even her integrity for filthy lucre. This causes her to have an emotional breakdown. However, we don't realize until late in the novel that Christina's rehash of events profoundly affects her desperate state.
The novel concludes in a rather shocking manner. We realize Christina is unstable but we don't expect the very intricate twist the author, Ms. Knight delivers.
As I read this story, I felt Ms. Knight had perhaps drawn insights from a narcissistic person in her own life. I would be curious if this story was based on a specific event(s) (though not the ending) as it sounds like several business trials in the United States' past; after all, corruption and diabolical deals happening in the business world is nothing new. Likewise, it is not unusual for someone to be identified as the primary creator of the problems, often not the key player as the prosecution identifies.
This book reminds me of the movie, "Swimming with Sharks". The boss played by Kevin Spacey is in some aspects far more pathological towards his employee. I remember watching it and saying to a friend, that man (Spacey) isn't acting, that is who he is! The bosses' arrogance captures the true narcissist's nature. Mina embodies this as well.
This story is a keeper. If you like to reread stories that capture the essence of a place, a time, or a characteristic, this embodies the narcissist personality perfectly.
August 18, 2020
Very underwhelming book.
I loved her first book Disclaimer so much, this was such a disappointment compared to that.
All this build up in the story to a trial over Ugh, what a waste.
The jumping timelines back and forth caused unnecessary confusion too.
I loved her first book Disclaimer so much, this was such a disappointment compared to that.
All this build up in the story to a trial over Ugh, what a waste.
The jumping timelines back and forth caused unnecessary confusion too.
October 7, 2020
This story is about Christine Butcher who surrenders her family in her support of Mina Appleton, a business woman and local celebrity/television personality. What she fails to realize is that her devotion for Mina may not be reciprocated. While Christine is everything one looks for in a Secretary—discrete and loyal—she ultimately shows herself as a woman not to be crossed. Love and loyalty sometimes come at a cost, does it not?
I’m perplexed with my feeling on this one. This read like the diary pages of Christine, not in the literal sense... that's just the vibe I got reading this from her perspective. I had a strong dislike for the two main characters. I found Mina to be an entitled brat and Christine to be a very disturbed woman. This greatly added to the difficulty I experienced in my desire to pick this book up long after I had put it down. The first half of this novel left me with a large lack of enthusiasm to press on. Although the first half of this novel came very slow, I was very pleased when it picked up in the second half with an arrested and trial—roughly 50% in—peaking my interest heavily. Truth be told I’m a sucker for courtroom suspense, which is no surprise given my chosen profession—paralegal, by the way.
I flew by every page that offer testimony regarding the legal implications which Mina was alleged to be facing. But wait, the buildup in suspense did not stop there! At the conclusion of the trial, I was just as obsessed with finding out what Christine’s next move would be as she was with Mina. Renée Knight does not disappoint with the action-packed drama all the way to the end and the twist I missed from page one. I won’t give anything away but when you start figuring out what exactly is going on in Christine’s head, this book becomes a real gem. And can we talk about that ending? It came by complete surprise and will definitely stay with you long after. Overall, I’m glad I didn’t give up on this read.
Many thanks to Harper and Renée Knight for gifting me finished copy of this novel.
I’m perplexed with my feeling on this one. This read like the diary pages of Christine, not in the literal sense... that's just the vibe I got reading this from her perspective. I had a strong dislike for the two main characters. I found Mina to be an entitled brat and Christine to be a very disturbed woman. This greatly added to the difficulty I experienced in my desire to pick this book up long after I had put it down. The first half of this novel left me with a large lack of enthusiasm to press on. Although the first half of this novel came very slow, I was very pleased when it picked up in the second half with an arrested and trial—roughly 50% in—peaking my interest heavily. Truth be told I’m a sucker for courtroom suspense, which is no surprise given my chosen profession—paralegal, by the way.
“SELF-CONTROL IS VITAL IN MY WORK, AND I WOULD ADVISE ANYONE THINKING OF ENTERING MY PROFESSION TO BEAR THAT IN MIND. THERE ARE MANY OCCASIONS WHEN ONE IS REQUIRED TO HOLD ONE’S TONGUE.”
I flew by every page that offer testimony regarding the legal implications which Mina was alleged to be facing. But wait, the buildup in suspense did not stop there! At the conclusion of the trial, I was just as obsessed with finding out what Christine’s next move would be as she was with Mina. Renée Knight does not disappoint with the action-packed drama all the way to the end and the twist I missed from page one. I won’t give anything away but when you start figuring out what exactly is going on in Christine’s head, this book becomes a real gem. And can we talk about that ending? It came by complete surprise and will definitely stay with you long after. Overall, I’m glad I didn’t give up on this read.
Many thanks to Harper and Renée Knight for gifting me finished copy of this novel.
July 18, 2021
I was really looking forward to reading this book as I thought it sounded really unique and original however I have to say I am disappointed. It was a slow burner which plodded along throughout and although the ending was different than I expected it really lacked lustre for me.
I feel bad giving such a low rating, but I wouldn’t recommend and I sadly only finished it as it was the only book I had on hand for the day!
Unfortunately this will put me off reading any further novels by Renee Knight. X
I feel bad giving such a low rating, but I wouldn’t recommend and I sadly only finished it as it was the only book I had on hand for the day!
Unfortunately this will put me off reading any further novels by Renee Knight. X
June 12, 2022
Even a worm will turn… The Secretary is a 2019 psychological suspense novel about the relationship between a wealthy businesswoman and her loyal-to-a-fault secretary, and how it sours when one takes advantage of the other. This was another Book Club offering, and I didn’t realise until I updated it on GR that it’s by the same author who wrote Disclaimer, a novel I found clever but didn’t enjoy, mostly because of the unpleasantness of the characters. This turned out to be much the same - I kept going because I wanted to know what happens, but ultimately it left a bitter aftertaste and I’m unlikely to read this author again.
Christine Butcher has worked for Mina Appleton, the owner of a British supermarket chain founded by her grandfather, for nearly twenty years. Mina’s a celebrity, with her own cooking show, and rubs shoulders with politicians and aristocracy, so of course she needs someone taking care of her day to day needs. Christine is proud of her role as Mina’s right-hand woman, sacrificing her own family life and even her mental equilibrium for it, but as she looks back over her career, she wonders if it was worth it…
This is all told from Christine’s first person perspective, mostly in past tense as she recounts her initial introduction into Mina’s world, and how she’s initially bewitched by her charm and elegant lifestyle. The suspense - such as there is - is in whether or not Mina is truly the wonderful boss that she presents herself as, and once the cracks appear, how Christine will resolve the situation. I didn’t like either of them, and while I wasn’t totally sure what I wanted to happen, this ending wasn’t it. The pace is fairly slow and there wasn’t much in the way of twists, but it’s relatively short and well written so was an easy enough read.
3.5 rounded down for the present tense of the final section and disappointing ending.
Christine Butcher has worked for Mina Appleton, the owner of a British supermarket chain founded by her grandfather, for nearly twenty years. Mina’s a celebrity, with her own cooking show, and rubs shoulders with politicians and aristocracy, so of course she needs someone taking care of her day to day needs. Christine is proud of her role as Mina’s right-hand woman, sacrificing her own family life and even her mental equilibrium for it, but as she looks back over her career, she wonders if it was worth it…
This is all told from Christine’s first person perspective, mostly in past tense as she recounts her initial introduction into Mina’s world, and how she’s initially bewitched by her charm and elegant lifestyle. The suspense - such as there is - is in whether or not Mina is truly the wonderful boss that she presents herself as, and once the cracks appear, how Christine will resolve the situation. I didn’t like either of them, and while I wasn’t totally sure what I wanted to happen, this ending wasn’t it. The pace is fairly slow and there wasn’t much in the way of twists, but it’s relatively short and well written so was an easy enough read.
3.5 rounded down for the present tense of the final section and disappointing ending.
May 26, 2019
4 solid stars. I had a hard copy (ARC) and the audio version from Hoopla so did a combo here.
I don't know why The Secretary isn't getting higher ratings and more exposure. It was surprisingly good, but then I love slow burners like this. It is a short book, but it does take a while for the plot to ramp up and even then it's not exactly action packed. Like I said, a slow burner to let us see how devoted Christine is to her boss Mina, how Mina may or may not be an evil monster, and how Christine may or may not allow her to walk all over her. The only area I was a bit disappointed with was the courtroom scenes, which went on for too long and weren't very realistic (although maybe in England they allow lawyers to ask ridiculously leading questions, inserting themselves into the drama, more than here in the States). I knew the ending would be unexpected, and it was that and more. Hard to put down.
I don't know why The Secretary isn't getting higher ratings and more exposure. It was surprisingly good, but then I love slow burners like this. It is a short book, but it does take a while for the plot to ramp up and even then it's not exactly action packed. Like I said, a slow burner to let us see how devoted Christine is to her boss Mina, how Mina may or may not be an evil monster, and how Christine may or may not allow her to walk all over her. The only area I was a bit disappointed with was the courtroom scenes, which went on for too long and weren't very realistic (although maybe in England they allow lawyers to ask ridiculously leading questions, inserting themselves into the drama, more than here in the States). I knew the ending would be unexpected, and it was that and more. Hard to put down.
December 1, 2018
This is a whopper of a tale..
The loyalty between employer and employee is one that works both ways, and in this tale we see how the relationship between Mina and Christine shifts and changes and ultimately shows just who is in charge.
Mina has inherited Appleton's from her late father but her way of doing things is powered by money and success rather than fairness and friendship.
Christine is a experienced and loyal secretary, she knows all Mina's secrets and has even covered up a few misdemeanors for her.
Renee Knight is a terrific storyteller. This novel has an explosive plot. Twisty and clever it is a gripping and riveting read.
I loved the first book Disclaimer, and while this is a slower paced read it is a worthy successor. I was hooked.
Filled with drama, it is a creepy and suspenseful novel. The cast of characters are just amazing and as the story unfolded I found myself wide eyed at the lies, the deception and most of the fabulous finale.
$
4*/5
The loyalty between employer and employee is one that works both ways, and in this tale we see how the relationship between Mina and Christine shifts and changes and ultimately shows just who is in charge.
Mina has inherited Appleton's from her late father but her way of doing things is powered by money and success rather than fairness and friendship.
Christine is a experienced and loyal secretary, she knows all Mina's secrets and has even covered up a few misdemeanors for her.
Renee Knight is a terrific storyteller. This novel has an explosive plot. Twisty and clever it is a gripping and riveting read.
I loved the first book Disclaimer, and while this is a slower paced read it is a worthy successor. I was hooked.
Filled with drama, it is a creepy and suspenseful novel. The cast of characters are just amazing and as the story unfolded I found myself wide eyed at the lies, the deception and most of the fabulous finale.
$
4*/5
June 25, 2019
This was a mystery/thriller that dragged in parts, but it had to, I think, to allow its truly scary character to emerge. It was well-developed and the ending was unexpected, but I don’t have much else to say about it. I was surprised to see this available as an audio through the library because many GR friends had recently read it and rated it 5 stars.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
March 13, 2022
Audio - 3 1/2 stars
February 16, 2019
"The Secretary" is Renee Knight's second novel and after reading and enjoying "Disclaimer", I was particularly looking forward to reading this part court room drama part psychological thriller.
Although rather a slow burn due to there not being much dialogue and told through Christine Butcher- the secretary's recollections and present day events, I did enjoy reading this contemporary thriller and was actually quite addicted to it. Having been a secretary/PA myself during my working career I could relate to a lot of what Christine was expected to do and can imagine her being privy to a lot of sensitive and confidential information would make her feel very important and indispensable. Christine is utterly loyal and devoted to her work and employer. When being at the beck and call of the famous Mina Appleton (owner of Appleton Supermarkets) 24/7 disrupts her private life, she ends up losing her family. However, when she starts to realise she's no more than a cog in Mina's ambitious wheel, how far will she take her loyalty and revenge.......
Christine and Mina both are very unlikeable but that's what makes the story so good, not knowing who is the most reliable witness. Christine has little or no backbone in standing up to Mina and Mina herself is a selfish and arrogant woman working in the cut throat world of supermarket ownership. The ending was a little predictable as the story developed but it did fit the conclusion of the story well and although I suspect this thriller won't be for every one since it is such a slow burn, it will still be well received by the psychological thriller reading audience and I'd happily recommend it to them.
4 stars
Although rather a slow burn due to there not being much dialogue and told through Christine Butcher- the secretary's recollections and present day events, I did enjoy reading this contemporary thriller and was actually quite addicted to it. Having been a secretary/PA myself during my working career I could relate to a lot of what Christine was expected to do and can imagine her being privy to a lot of sensitive and confidential information would make her feel very important and indispensable. Christine is utterly loyal and devoted to her work and employer. When being at the beck and call of the famous Mina Appleton (owner of Appleton Supermarkets) 24/7 disrupts her private life, she ends up losing her family. However, when she starts to realise she's no more than a cog in Mina's ambitious wheel, how far will she take her loyalty and revenge.......
Christine and Mina both are very unlikeable but that's what makes the story so good, not knowing who is the most reliable witness. Christine has little or no backbone in standing up to Mina and Mina herself is a selfish and arrogant woman working in the cut throat world of supermarket ownership. The ending was a little predictable as the story developed but it did fit the conclusion of the story well and although I suspect this thriller won't be for every one since it is such a slow burn, it will still be well received by the psychological thriller reading audience and I'd happily recommend it to them.
4 stars
January 26, 2019
DNF around 30%. I just couldn't get into this one. It's awfully slow, which isn't necessarily bad, but I just wasn't interested in either Christine or Mina, or what seemed to me very boring political machinations at a supermarket company.
April 12, 2019
Loyalty, discretion and betrayal in the workplace.. creepy psycho thriller & courtroom drama..
An outdated title belies an utterly riveting story of discretion and loyalty between the eponymous secretary and boss at the head office of a supermarket chain that builds to a creepy battle of power games and a courtroom betrayal before a stylish denouement. Forty-three-year-old secretary for twenty years, Christine Butcher, narrates an atmospheric tale, laden with foreshadowing and ominous signs of what is to come from her room at The Laurels, a place where she has found sanctuary. As she attempts to put the past in order and make sense of the events of 2012 which briefly took her into the headlines she concedes that she made some questionable choices and paid a heavy price for those decisions. Compiling a scrapbook of defining moments throughout almost eighteen years as secretary to ambitious and media friendly, Mina Appleton, the story charts her life as right-hand woman to a powerful and ruthless businesswoman and the reader gets to see the evolution of the women’s relationship.
Beginning the job after a spell as a temp Christine rises to the side of Mina, as she replaces her father, Lord Appleton, at the helm of Appleton’s and swiftly sets in motion a subtle shift in the companies business plan. Beguiled by twenty-five-year-old Mina, Christine devotes herself to her employers every need, taking a holistic approach to organising her work and home life with an obsessive and flawless efficiency. As the older woman fails to see any wrong in her boss, submits to each and every demand and is subtlety manipulated into kowtowing to Mina’s whims she eventually sacrifices her kitchen fitter husband, Mike, and four-year-old daughter, Angelica, in the process. But in her years by Mina’s side Christine bears witness to everyone of her employers underhand tricks and is the silent witness to what she assumes in a relationship of complete mutual trust. Never making the mistake of thinking herself a friend, Christine takes pride in Mina’s success and feels she is valued and regarded as important as she plays her own part in enabling her boss to appear as a cool and confident operator in the business arena.
But a secretary’s discretion comes with the assumption of loyalty, and when things get hairy at Appleton’s and Mina business practices that fail to reflect the fair trade and ethical status of the brand are called into question, Christine doesn’t doubt her boss for a second. But as push comes to shove and someone has to take the fall, how far does the loyalty go? And what price is there for the ultimate betrayal?
Engrossing from start to finish and a suspense that was far less slow burn for me than it appears for other readers as the story had me on tenterhooks from the off! Mina is all “soft edges” and butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, however it is the flawed and admirably honest narrator, Christine, who takes the plaudits in some supreme characterisation by Renée Knight. Christine’s descriptions of life as an awestruck and obsequious minion to Mina and subsequent reflection makes for a truly memorable read and whilst I found both lead protagonists difficult to like, there was no doubt who I was vying for as the tension was ratcheted up in a dramatic finale of ultimate revenge!
Excellent characterisation, slick foreshadowing and a twisted battle that ends outside the courtroom! Brilliant stuff!
An outdated title belies an utterly riveting story of discretion and loyalty between the eponymous secretary and boss at the head office of a supermarket chain that builds to a creepy battle of power games and a courtroom betrayal before a stylish denouement. Forty-three-year-old secretary for twenty years, Christine Butcher, narrates an atmospheric tale, laden with foreshadowing and ominous signs of what is to come from her room at The Laurels, a place where she has found sanctuary. As she attempts to put the past in order and make sense of the events of 2012 which briefly took her into the headlines she concedes that she made some questionable choices and paid a heavy price for those decisions. Compiling a scrapbook of defining moments throughout almost eighteen years as secretary to ambitious and media friendly, Mina Appleton, the story charts her life as right-hand woman to a powerful and ruthless businesswoman and the reader gets to see the evolution of the women’s relationship.
Beginning the job after a spell as a temp Christine rises to the side of Mina, as she replaces her father, Lord Appleton, at the helm of Appleton’s and swiftly sets in motion a subtle shift in the companies business plan. Beguiled by twenty-five-year-old Mina, Christine devotes herself to her employers every need, taking a holistic approach to organising her work and home life with an obsessive and flawless efficiency. As the older woman fails to see any wrong in her boss, submits to each and every demand and is subtlety manipulated into kowtowing to Mina’s whims she eventually sacrifices her kitchen fitter husband, Mike, and four-year-old daughter, Angelica, in the process. But in her years by Mina’s side Christine bears witness to everyone of her employers underhand tricks and is the silent witness to what she assumes in a relationship of complete mutual trust. Never making the mistake of thinking herself a friend, Christine takes pride in Mina’s success and feels she is valued and regarded as important as she plays her own part in enabling her boss to appear as a cool and confident operator in the business arena.
But a secretary’s discretion comes with the assumption of loyalty, and when things get hairy at Appleton’s and Mina business practices that fail to reflect the fair trade and ethical status of the brand are called into question, Christine doesn’t doubt her boss for a second. But as push comes to shove and someone has to take the fall, how far does the loyalty go? And what price is there for the ultimate betrayal?
Engrossing from start to finish and a suspense that was far less slow burn for me than it appears for other readers as the story had me on tenterhooks from the off! Mina is all “soft edges” and butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, however it is the flawed and admirably honest narrator, Christine, who takes the plaudits in some supreme characterisation by Renée Knight. Christine’s descriptions of life as an awestruck and obsequious minion to Mina and subsequent reflection makes for a truly memorable read and whilst I found both lead protagonists difficult to like, there was no doubt who I was vying for as the tension was ratcheted up in a dramatic finale of ultimate revenge!
Excellent characterisation, slick foreshadowing and a twisted battle that ends outside the courtroom! Brilliant stuff!
December 19, 2019
In her mid-twenties, Christine Butcher goes to work as a secretary for Mina Appleton, the heiress of a large supermarket chain. Christine is married and has a young daughter but her obsessive work ethic leaves her little time or thought for her family.
"I was always a better secretary than a mother"
Mina Appleton is a wealthy, entitled, ambitious, demanding yet charming woman whose moral ethic is sorely lacking and her own 'image' of paramount importance. She conducts her life like an egotistical dictator. She takes her upstanding family business and sullies it with her greed and cunning.
"Mina Appleton's image has always been her most precious possession. A sacred object she'd do anything to protect. The rest of us paid the price."
Over their eighteen years of working together the two women share many secrets - yet theirs is not a 'friend' relationship. Their relationship was not equal enough to be that of a friend. More like mentor/ingenue or, to be more accurate that of narcissist/enabler.
MY THOUGHTS
Back in June of 2015 I read and reviewed this author's "Disclaimer" which I thoroughly enjoyed - therefore I was highly anticipating this novel to be of high quality. It was! "The Secretary" belies my notion that you have to 'like' at least one of the characters in a novel to truly enjoy it. This was a stellar read - yet I didn't really like either of the main characters. Mind you, both women evoked emotion while I was reading it. Mina Appleton made me feel disgust and anger with her bullying, manipulative actions, while Christine Butcher made me feel impatient with her neediness, her spinelessness and blind devotion to her employer.
I admired Christine's work ethic and her loyalty, however misplaced. Unfortunately she took these admirable traits to a whole other level which made her seem like a willing participant in her own victimization.
The settings in the novel were vividly rendered, the characters likewise. This would make a great movie. (Sandra Bullock would be great as Christine Butcher).
This was a novel that explores how a person's childhood shapes the adult they will become. It also scrutinized the way that guilt and betrayal can warp the human psyche. It was a novel of betrayals and lies.
This is a 'twisty' thriller that doesn't surrender its secrets until the last third of the book. I'm sure that most fans of the psychological thriller genre would enjoy this novel. Highly recommended! Meanwhile, I'll look forward to reading Renée Knight's next book.
"I was always a better secretary than a mother"
Mina Appleton is a wealthy, entitled, ambitious, demanding yet charming woman whose moral ethic is sorely lacking and her own 'image' of paramount importance. She conducts her life like an egotistical dictator. She takes her upstanding family business and sullies it with her greed and cunning.
"Mina Appleton's image has always been her most precious possession. A sacred object she'd do anything to protect. The rest of us paid the price."
Over their eighteen years of working together the two women share many secrets - yet theirs is not a 'friend' relationship. Their relationship was not equal enough to be that of a friend. More like mentor/ingenue or, to be more accurate that of narcissist/enabler.
MY THOUGHTS
Back in June of 2015 I read and reviewed this author's "Disclaimer" which I thoroughly enjoyed - therefore I was highly anticipating this novel to be of high quality. It was! "The Secretary" belies my notion that you have to 'like' at least one of the characters in a novel to truly enjoy it. This was a stellar read - yet I didn't really like either of the main characters. Mind you, both women evoked emotion while I was reading it. Mina Appleton made me feel disgust and anger with her bullying, manipulative actions, while Christine Butcher made me feel impatient with her neediness, her spinelessness and blind devotion to her employer.
I admired Christine's work ethic and her loyalty, however misplaced. Unfortunately she took these admirable traits to a whole other level which made her seem like a willing participant in her own victimization.
The settings in the novel were vividly rendered, the characters likewise. This would make a great movie. (Sandra Bullock would be great as Christine Butcher).
This was a novel that explores how a person's childhood shapes the adult they will become. It also scrutinized the way that guilt and betrayal can warp the human psyche. It was a novel of betrayals and lies.
This is a 'twisty' thriller that doesn't surrender its secrets until the last third of the book. I'm sure that most fans of the psychological thriller genre would enjoy this novel. Highly recommended! Meanwhile, I'll look forward to reading Renée Knight's next book.
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