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Cathryn Grant
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The Assistant: A gripping psychological thriller with a nerve-shredding ending Kindle Edition

by Cathryn Grant (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.9 out of 5 stars 1,767 ratings

Two women. One office. A fight to the death.

Laura has sacrificed a lot for her high-powered career – her marriage, the chance to have kids. Now, finally, she’s in line for a big jump up the corporate ladder – all the way to the boardroom.

But there’s a fly in the ointment in the shape of beautiful Vanessa, a lowly assistant who seems to have it in for Laura.

Vanessa is PA to Hank, the most powerful executive in the company, a man whose support Laura desperately needs if she is to secure the job of her dreams. Repelled by Laura’s naked ambition, fiercely possessive of her boss, Vanessa deliberately sabotages Laura’s every attempt to make a good impression on Hank.

Laura threatens and cajoles but Vanessa just won’t play fair. Soon their mutual dislike escalates to an all-out war.

But career-obsessed Laura has always been willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead. And if Vanessa stands in her way… she’s going to pay the ultimate price.

The stunning psychological thriller from the author of The Guest.

First published as “Getting Ahead” in 2014. 2020 edition has content and editorial changes.

What readers are saying about The Assistant:

“I absolutely loved reading this book. I felt like it held my attention completely and I couldn’t put it down. It keeps you wanting more, it's full of twists and turns, it’s a real page-turner.” -Netgalley Reviewer

"Cathryn Grant has done it again – an exciting, fast paced thrilling read that just kept me hooked from the get go." -Goodreads Reviewer

“Bloody Brilliant! Mic Drop! Cathryn Grant just dropped it all on the line and left me speechless. A must-read thrilling performance!” -Netgalley Reviewer

“This book is fantastic! A great thriller!! A definite must read for psychological thriller fans!” -Netgalley Reviewer

“Another belter from Cathryn Grant – hats off to her for creating such rich and defined characters. This is a psychological thriller that will keep you on your toes and make you look at your ambitious colleagues in a whole new light!” -Read and Rated

"...this story did have me guessing right up until the final pages." -Free Kick Fiction Reviews

"The ending is shocking, and a twist you won’t see coming..." -Rambling Mads Book Reviews

"It is gripping, intense, a real page turner and is everything that I love in a psychological thriller, making it such an enjoyable read." -Once Upon A Time Book Blog

"...a fast-paced and very entertaining book. ... a story that keeps you hooked." -Sharon Beyond the Books

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  1. Print length
    310 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    September 27, 2020
  4. File size
    2.3 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
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From the Publisher

two women one office a fight to the death
the assistant
Always Remember
The Good Mother
The Good Neighbor
The Other Couple
Only You
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Customer Reviews
4.2 out of 5 stars 3,176
4.1 out of 5 stars 1,375
4.2 out of 5 stars 2,913
4.0 out of 5 stars 4,957
3.9 out of 5 stars 1,330
Price $4.99 $3.99 $4.99 $4.99 $4.99
Synopsis Louise loves her family. To death. Mothers, neighbors, deadly enemies. Sometimes the past just won't stay buried. They planned a dream vacation. They got a trip to hell. Hadley thought she’d left the past behind. But now it’s found her.
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08JH68GYS
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Inkubator Books
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 27, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.3 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 310 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 out of 5 stars 1,767 ratings

About the author

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Cathryn Grant

Cathryn Grant

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Cathryn is the author of over thirty psychological suspense novels, including the addictive ALEXANDRA MALLORY series featuring a sociopath you can’t help but love.

The things that cause torment in real life—obsession and revenge, guilt and envy and longing—are endlessly fascinating in fiction and she never grows tired of writing stories about characters struggling to overcome the worst.

Cathryn also writes ghost stories because who knows what lies beyond our senses—The Haunted Ship Trilogy and the Madison Keith series of novellas.

When she’s not writing, she’s usually reading psychological thrillers, watching crime documentaries, walking on the beach, or playing golf, going way out of her way to avoid hitting her ball in the sand or the water. She lives on the Central California Coast with her husband and her cat, Cleopatra.

You can get in touch with her by email, find her social media links, or sign up for her monthly newsletter at her website, cathryngrant. As a thank you for signing up, you’ll receive a free short story about Alexandra Mallory.

Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
1,767 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well written and appreciate its well-developed characters. However, the readability and suspense level receive mixed reactions, with some finding it interesting and suspenseful while others consider it a waste of time.

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5 customers mention "Character development"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the well-developed characters in the book.

"...It's set in Silicon Valley, features good looking ambitious youngish characters, one of whom is a runner...." Read more

"...There were 4 main characters - all worked at the same company. Three are vying for promotions from their boss, Hank...." Read more

"I really liked the characters and the way they reacted to each other...." Read more

"...I kept wanting to see what was going to happen next. The characters were so interwoven that it made for a good thriller." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book.

"...Very well written book. I will be looking for more from this author" Read more

"Good book and very well written. Keeping you in suspence the whole book. This book is about women in the workplace and the men who control them...." Read more

"I really liked this book. Well written. Excellent storyline!" Read more

19 customers mention "Readability"11 positive8 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's readability, with some finding it interesting and good, while others describe it as a complete waste of time and disappointing.

"...I'm glad she has written a large number of books and short stories. I would hate to run out of having her material to read." Read more

"...Really disappointing. The only question I had at the end was What happened to the fish? I cared more about them than any of the main characters." Read more

"...of them, I have found great pacing, sufficient suspense, and satisfying conclusions . I look forward to reading more of her books." Read more

"Not one of the best reads. A little slow. These two women had some serious issues that bordered on insanity. Not sure I'd recommend." Read more

15 customers mention "Suspense level"7 positive8 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the suspense level of the book, with some finding it suspenseful and a good thriller, while others note that the story seemed to bog down.

"...Read it for yourself to see if you agree. The ending was not stupendous, more predictable, I'm afraid...." Read more

"...But in all of them, I have found great pacing, sufficient suspense, and satisfying conclusions . I look forward to reading more of her books." Read more

"...I don’t understand them; they’re not relatable. Overdone premise and poor execution." Read more

"...The suspense level is low, for most of the book. However, you definitely get the feeling of building tension...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Shari Ring Wolf
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cathryn Grant, author with a calling
    Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Cathryn Grant writes as though it comes quite naturally to her; I imagine her "needing" to write because it's part of who she is. She seems to crank out story after story as though its effortless. Anyone who has tried the craft knows its hard work!

    This is another C. Grant signature piece. It's set in Silicon Valley, features good looking ambitious youngish characters, one of whom is a runner. Martinis are not the featured drink, but the cocktail does make a featured appearance. The author focuses on a subgroup and specific environment where we get to know the characters as the plot unwinds in Ms. Grant's unique style.

    For this book the author has chosen life at the office as the setting for psychological games. Perfect, because for most adults, job/career/work features prominently in their lives for decades. The author deftly blends the strategies of the ambitious up and comers with many facets of her diverse characters' human natures. I love the way the reader is allowed inside the minds of the main players.

    I became a fan of Cathryn Grant about a year ago. When I first discovered her I read no other author for over a month, and I read every day. I'm glad she has written a large number of books and short stories. I would hate to run out of having her material to read.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • JANE AND JERRY CULWELL
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Assistant
    Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    It was oh hum okay but yeah get over it and move on But it was good though and it didn't work out the way they'd hoped it would... Each had something the other didn't and each one made it out to be what it shouldn't...
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  • Lady on a sandbar
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good shot, could have been much more
    Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    No spoilers here. It took me several chapters to get into the rhythm of this book. Once I got into the story, it flowed along. I found myself trying to figure out what point the author was trying to make, with the differences between Vanessa and Laura. The story seemed to bog down about halfway through, before picking up again. There were a few extraneous bits of information, that I would hardly calI red herrings. I felt the author could have done much more with this information to give the story a lot more meat! Read it for yourself to see if you agree. The ending was not stupendous, more predictable, I'm afraid. I'm not sorry I read the book; I just wish that the author had thought everything through.

    I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion without any compensation.
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  • Kami Smith
    5.0 out of 5 stars Like her books
    Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I often read this genre of psychological thriller, and often I am disappointed About 2/3 way through the book, many of these stories start to be rushed or convoluted to get to the climax or the end. Or, the ending is tacked on to be a ridiculous but still obvious choice of villain. I have found myself skimming to the end because of boredom. Not so with Cathryn Grant's stories. I have read more than one, and this is the most recent I've read. But in all of them, I have found great pacing, sufficient suspense, and satisfying conclusions . I look forward to reading more of her books.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • bookworm
    4.0 out of 5 stars Bookworm
    Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This novel was different. At times it rambled, but I still had to read it to the end. There were 4 main characters - all worked at the same company. Three are vying for promotions from their boss, Hank. Vanessa, the assistant, is beautiful and is coming to grips with her boyfriend, Matt and her boss, Hank. I recommend this novel.
    Helpful
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  • kfromMN
    2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
    Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I fell for all the rave reviews, and I mostly enjoyed the book until the ending. Really disappointing. The only question I had at the end was What happened to the fish? I cared more about them than any of the main characters.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Darrin Reid
    5.0 out of 5 stars thrilling and suspenseful!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I think the perfect phrase to explain this book is, a slow burn. The suspense level is low, for most of the book. However, you definitely get the feeling of building tension. two women, coworkers, trying to survive in a, mostly man’s world. They each handle it differently, the trail, lying, murder, and much more!
    Helpful
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  • Susan C.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed this book
    Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This is the 2nd book I’ve read by this author. It took me a while to get into the story but I am glad I stuck with it. I liked the ending...some questions came to mind after I digested the story.
    Now I’m wondering if I missed something or if the author wanted us to figure out how nuts both leading ladies were.
    Don’t want to say too much and spoil the ending.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Helen Lancaster (Kindle Customer)
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 2, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed this book very much. In it we have two high-powered females working in the same Company. Both of them have issues in work - Hank who is the boss, both ladies are enamoured with him. This leads to big trouble. I would definitely recommend it.📕👍
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  • Daddiojow
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Assistant
    Reviewed in Canada on January 31, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Such a good read. As a veteran Executive Assistant and survivor of office politics I found this book gives an authentic and chilling look at what can happen in a poisonous workplace. Interesting characters and very suspensful.
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  • Alice Pearson
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 20, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Highly recommended. Very enjoyable storyline.
    Second book I have read from this author and looks like a new favourite for me. Bonus free read on kindle unlimited.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 29, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    A different type of book about power, climbing to the top and what you would do in order to succeed.Well worth a read.
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  • Zebo
    4.0 out of 5 stars Gripping and tense
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 11, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    A compulsion thriller that keeps you hooked from the beginning. Compelling, dark, intruiging and memorable, this is a fast paced book that will keep you guessing...
    Report

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