ARC Review: “In Deadly Company” by L.S. Stratton
“In Deadly Company” by L.S. Stratton
Publishing Date: September 2, 2025
Genre: Mystery, Contemporary, Fiction
Page Length: 317 pages (electronic review edition)
Synopsis:
As the assistant of the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, Nicole Underwood has plenty of tasks on her to-do list—one of which is the blowout birthday celebration for her nightmare, one-percenter boss, Xander Chambers. But when the party ends in chaos and murder and Nicole is one of the survivors, suspicion—from the investigators to the media—lands on her. Was she the reason for all the bloodshed?
A year after those deadly events, Nicole tries to set the public record straight by agreeing to consult on a feature film based on her story. However, on the set in LA, she’s sidelined by inappropriate casting and persistent, bizarre script changes, while also haunted by the events of that party weekend with visions of her now-deceased boss. It seems clearing her name isn’t so simple when the question of guilt or innocence is…complicated.
Review:
In Deadly Company is a fast-paced thriller full of twists and turns which take the reader on a wild reading experience. The novel follows the unassuming and ever loyal assistant, Nicole, as she takes on the role of a undercover spy in order to seek out the truth of her former boss’s death. What seems like be a difficult task becomes even harder when the web of lies become entangled in Nicole’s livelihood. Just how far will someone go to keep a secret? And when the lies unfold, who will pay for the truth?
This was an highly engaging novel from start to finish. The chapters run short which keeps a consistent pace throughout the story and never strays from the original plot. The intrigue of the mystery keeps the reader guessing which made it exciting to see how the story would end. Stratton creates a lavish world of glitz and glamour that are stunning, but ultimately fails to hide the dirty laundry most of the characters would not like to come to light.
The main character, Nicole, is ultimately at a crossroads in her life and wants to finish the job given to her (because of duty), but also fulfill her dream of starting her own business. She has become disillusioned and struggles to find the confidence to make her own decisions since she’s been following her boss’s footsteps for so long. Her narrative offers a tale of discovery within herself against all the drama and chaos in the novel.
I feel like this novel will definitely appeal to anyone who enjoys a mystery or thriller novel. The cliffhanger moments, danger-filled tension, and action scenes have all the elements that this genre promises and a heroine (which is an unreliable narrator) that will pique the readers interest.
Final Verdict:
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
