Josephine Oliver has a secret. As an assistant at security titan, Locke Industries, she’s presented with an opportunity to advance her career in the form of a test. Josephine jumps at the chance to dig herself out of debt and earn the company’s respect on her way up the corporate ladder. But a visit with a potential client leaves her shocked, forcing her to reconsider everything she thought she … everything she thought she knew about the company, those she works with, and herself.
When the client takes a particular interest in her, and his demands grow increasingly dangerous, Josephine must continue to fight for the life she’s always wanted or find a way to escape their clutches after learning the darkest secret of all.
In this installment of the standalone LOCKE INDUSTRIES SERIES, The Assistant’s Secret may be the one to destroy everything…
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The powerful and power hungry Locke Industries is where Josephine has been working for the last three years. To say
that her life is a mess, is an understatement. When she is offered an opportunity to advance her career, it seems to be the answer to her problems. Until she sees something she should not. Fear, deadly secrets and betrayal are the highlights of this exciting, twisted book and it is Josephine that decides to take them all on.
I received an ARC of this book from the Author, Emerald O’Brien.
The review and comments are my honest opinion.
This was the first book I’ve read by this author and it kept me up late turning pages. Having recently discovered and enjoyed Kiersten Modglin’s books I was excited to read about the Locke Industries series and check out the author she was collaborating with, I was not disappointed. I highly recommend this fast paced thriller that will keep you turning pages and wanting more. I will definitely be adding more Emerald O’Brien books to my tbr.
THE ASSISTANT’S SECRET is another winner from Emerald O’Brien – she never disapoints me. This is another well-written and intricate mystery that keeps you turning the pages to find what twist the story takes next. The Assistant’s Secret and The Nanny’s Secret by Kiersten Modglin, are the first two installments in the Locke Industries series. Each story can be read as a stand-alone, but their story lines are intertwined and mostly concurrent timelines.
Rule one, never discuss your clients personal affairs, no matter what. Now that she has finally been give her first client, Josie needs everything to go perfect if she wants to keep her new position. One big problem, no one ever told her gunrunners, prisoners or murder was part of the deal. What should she do? She signed so many nondisclosure agreements, even one question could mean her job or worse. This story is filled with secrets, deceit, lies even murder. You won’t know who to consider good or bad.
This is a psychological thriller you don’t want to miss and an ending you won’t see coming.
I did receive an advance readers copy from the author and am gratefully leaving my honest review and recommend the Locke Industry series.
“He’s a wolf in wolves’ clothing, and I’ve been looking for a sheep like an idiot.”
Oh. My. GOD!! This was so amazing!! I loved every word and was on the edge of my seat through it all!!
So, we have Josephine, who finally gets a chance at the big promotion she’s been wanting for so long. A promotion would mean more money, which would solve a ton of her problems, right? Well, her first client isn’t what you’d call totally legit so that tips her off that maybe the company she works for isn’t totally on the up and up. Now she’s caught between doing what she needs to do and what she thinks is right. When she sticks her nose where it doesn’t belong, and unexpected hero just might save her. Maybe.
Then, we have Cathrine Locke, Josie’s boss. I knew something was up with her from the beginning. She’s ruthless, and threatening, and angry, and every bit the b**ch! The Locke family sure puts the “fun” in dysfunctional, that’s for sure. Don’t worry, she gets what’s coming to her but it will cost her.
Then we have Raymond Tackman, Josie’s first client. Boy, if you can figure out if he’s a good guy or a bad guy, more power to ya! I went back and forth so many times with this guy!
Like I said, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I was so scared for Josie at times, then I was routing for her to find her backbone, then I was scared again. I really wasn’t sure how she was going to get out of this mess alive. I love a thriller with lots of twists and this one had those in spades!! Definitely grab it!!
The most important aspect of Josephine’s life is her family. They live together, they love her and they need her to survive, and she would do anything to make their lives easier. Almost anything. She never expected danger to be lurking within the hallowed halls of Locke Industries. When she accepted her coveted first client, she was proud of all she had accomplished, and was confident that she would leave her meeting with a signed contract and satisfied client. Little did she know that her life would change drastically the day she met Raymond Tackman, her mysterious client. She found him intriguing and attractive, until he showed her what he was paying her to protect. Which led her to become more interested in everything about him and his business dealings. He wanted her to know that “they both protect things”, but Josephine was uncertain as to what to do with this knowledge. She sensed he was a dangerous man with secrets swirling around him. She desperately needed this job for her family and backing down was not the answer. Josephine’s career and life may be in jeopardy, but she wasn’t a quitter, and she would see this through to the end. Wherever that may take her.
This is a well-written, entertaining, fast paced suspense novel which has mystery, intrigue, and a little romance. It is a real page turner which kept me reading well into the night. It contains Ms. O’Brien’s classic twists and turns, unpredictable plot, and well developed and interesting characters which keep her readers engaged from beginning to end. I am looking forward to reading the other novels in the Locke Industries series, which can all be read as stand-alone novels.
I received an ARC of this novel and this is my honest review.,
Mindy’s review Jun 10, 2020 ·
Josephine has the chance of a lifetime with Locke Industry. And her handsome new client. All she has to do is her job, provide security. If she can do that, she’ll be able to get out of debt and help her sister and nephew. But there’s a price bigger than money to pay. Can she do it?
The Assistant’s Secret
I love the Locke Industries series. I couldn’t put down the book. I NEED to know what’s coming next. The mystery and intrigue are real with these books. I can’t help but hope Josephine finds the happiness she deserves. Will Maggie stay clean? Fantastic book. Keep up the good work!!
What do you do when your professional position pits business confidentiality against your morality? And that’s the hard place Josephine finds herself in after getting her first client. She wants to do the right thing but she needs her job and a better income to support her family more. The story builds at a pace that accelerates your anticipation as it twists and turns. A great read.
AMAZING! This is only my second book by this author, but holy man I can’t wait to read more! I devoured this in almost one sitting, I litterally couldn’t put it down. Between not knowing what was going to happen with each twist an turn and the way this authors word come alive while reading it’s un-put-downable! Not to mention the unpredictable ending!!! This is by far one of my top 5 reads this year!
First book I have read by Emerald and its was goooooooood. The suspense had me on the edge of my seat. You’ll be hooked with these characters. The Locke Industries series is going to be suspenseful and good.
The book is very well written. Everything flows smoothly. Lots of anticipation waiting to find out what the h knows that I need to know to know what’s happening! Good job on the angst! Josie should go into work for herself. She’s a detective all on her own!
I do wish there was a chapter or two from the H’s POV. The connection was missing for me.