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.