The Secretary

A Novel

By: Renée Knight

Narrated by: Victoria Hamilton

Length: 8 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

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 20 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.

©2019 Renée Knight (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

Really slow start.

if I wasn't busy doing a household chores and I actually sat down and was reading it because I was interesting I would not have finish this book.
doesn't start getting good until literally the middle of the book so be patient if you want to read this.

The performance however was amazing it was like she was talking to you directly.

subtly creepy

moves at a moderate pace and has a sort of claustrophobic effect, which I found very consistent with the character of the narrator. I liked it. It was almost a cautionary tale about a manipulative and self-absorbed boss.

The poor cat!

Among the many, many British thrillers read by ladies with lovely accents, this stands out as a fascinating study of two women bound together by professional need. One takes endlessly; the other gives in the same way. Can that table turn?

Recommended, although you will tire of the adjective “fra-GILE.”

Quite engaging. Lovely narration.

A bit of a slow start but very good

It starts slow but I believe on purpose. The author letting you glimpse the toxicity little by little. Then you can’t stop listening. Very good. Excellent narration.

A "Page Turner"

A gripping tale with surprising twists. Well written and absorbing. Also a timely cautionary tale.

A twisted, devious tale of trust and loyalty…

OMG! What an audictive listen!!! My first book by Renee Wright proved to be a captivating choice from Audible’s recent 2 for 1 sale. Narrated with the perfect vocal tones of the brilliant Victoria Hamilton, I couldn’t stop listening. I can’t recommend this audiobook enough. After almost six years with Audible, “SECRETary” is of the most wickedly delightful books in my vast library. Can we really trust the close ones we think we know? Two women, employer and employee got me thinking about that. Grabbing me from the beginning, it never let go. Both author and narrator create a complexellent thriller. Thankful to all involved in making this available. Worthy of a treasured credit. Recommended? Indeed! I want to shout it from the rooftop, “Epic, I say. EPIC, EPIC, EPIC!”

✍🏻👏🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟👏✍🏻

Enthrallingly excellent

This was a fascinating book. I was completely sucked into the story from the beginning. What really did it for me was the excellent choice made by the producers to have Victoria Hamilton read it. You don't feel like she is reading anything. You feel like she is talking directly to you. Or that she is writing down in a diary everything that she says.

This was well done.

Superb -Gripping - page turner

The Secretary is a fast moving and compelling story. The narration by Victoria Hamilton perfectly moves the story along. I highly recommend this book.

Loved It!

I loved this book. I listened to it while commuting and couldn’t wait to get into the car.

Wasn’t expecting it to be as good as it was.

Easy to listen to and great observations. The narrator was great and was perfect for this reading.

I will need to re-listen to a couple of chapters as I listened to it overnight.