Christine Butcher is born to be a secretary. A graduate of the
secretarial college, she learns the necessary office skills, but it is the
experience that shows her how to become invisible while still watching
and listening to everything around her. She quickly masters the art of
becoming indispensable. When Christine is sent on a temp assignment
to work at the head office for Appleton's supermarket chain, she is
assigned to work for Lord Appleton, the chief executive, and his
daughter and heir, Mina. Mina is also a celebrity with her own column
where she writes about dinners and parties she attends with other
celebrated personalities. Christine is a fan and excited she may get to
meet the successful Mina Appleton.
But when Christine notices Mina going through the Financial Director's
office and then trying to make copies, Christine helps Mina at the copy
machine and offers to return the papers to the office. Mina is grateful
for the help and has Christine promoted to her personal secretary. Well
paid with many perks, Christine loves her job. She works long hours
and travels first class with Mina to many exciting places. Hardly ever
home, her husband divorces her and later her 4-year-old daughter
moves in with him. Christine is unable to say no to Mina, becomes
known around the office as "the Gatekeeper," and knows many of
Mina's well-hidden secrets. Christine soon finds herself lying to cover
for Mina, burning papers from the company's archives, and deleting
dates from Mina's calendar...
Until one day, the police arrive to search Christine's office and Mina's
entire estate. All evidence points to Christine as the person who
destroyed evidence that could prove Mina is guilty of perjury. What's
worse - during the trial, Mina's testimony again makes it seem like
Christine is the one behind everything...
I enjoy Renee Knight's writing style, her characters, along with an
exciting, sterling plot held me captive. Mina Appleton is a selfish people
user who always has to win. She throws loyal and devoted Christine
under the bus after so many years of dedicated service and complete
loyalty. Christine's revenge is well-choreographed, clever, and diabolic.
I re-read the ending several times and each time gave me the chills. A
fantastic read, THE SECRETARY
goes to the top of my Best Books of 2019. High praise for this gripping
story about obsession and how duty was repaid in full. You will think
about it long after the last page. I did!
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.
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