I really loved this book, by far one of my favorites so far this year. I love suspenseful thrillers and books about female friendships and The Herd combined both in such an intricate way. Even when I thought I’d figured out the twist (I hadn’t) I was still super compelled to read on. The Herd is fast-paced and surprising. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys thrillers.

Please excuse me while I go read everything else Bartz has ever written. This book delivered everything was looking for: an introspective look at the darker side of female friendship, a pageturner that's somehow a guilty pleasure and wicked smart at the same time, and a way to distract myself from the general dreariness of winter.

3 1/2 stars. I enjoyed it just fine but there was something about it that I didn't connect with. The prologue and epilogue are excellent

Okay, so I went into this book kind of not expecting much from it. I'm glad to say that I was pleasantly surprised. It started out a little slow for me and at the beginning I just wasn't that excited to read it. Then along the way, everything changed. I'm not sure if it was a particular moment in the book, but I was genuinely interested in how everything would play out. I felt immersed in the world of the characters and their lives and I had to know how the story concluded. So, the story is told from the point of view of two sisters Katie and Hana. From the beginning the read can tell that both of the sisters are hiding something from each other and their friends. Its obvious that something isn't quite right. Then we have Eleanor, the founder of the Herd which is a glamorous, chic, all female work environment. At the start of the book, Herd has been broken into and a room has been vandalized. For me, that was the beginning of the events that would later transpire in the book. I don't like to discuss plot too much because I'm always afraid of giving something away. I feel like I always say its best to go into a book blind and I will stand by that statement with this one. I think that its good to sometimes let go of expectations and simply enjoy a book for what it is. I will say that there are some twisty moments and the reveals are satisfying.

I also want to talk about something that stuck out to me and that was the prologue. The first few sentences really drew the reader in and it made me want to know exactly what was going on. I'm not sure if I have ever loved a prologue more. The writing is sharp, creepy, chilling, and clever. Oh and the epilogue, I don't want to talk too much about it but just know that its good. I'm really picky about endings and I wasn't fond on how the "mystery" wrapped up. I did feel that there was maybe a disconnect between the beginning and the ending. I loved the writing in the prologue and I kind of wish that was carried throughout the book.

While I wasn't head over heels in love with this book, I did find that it was an enjoyable read especially when things picked up. I was interested but there was something about it that I didn't quite connect with. I will say that the mystery at the heart of it kept the book moving at a pace that was exciting. I never felt like the book was dragging in any way. It also dealt with important themes regarding women and ambition that I think are very timely. I do recommend this book and I think it would be especially good for people who are just getting started reading mysteries/thrillers. I think if you like a little more suspense this might be too light for you (I didn't find this to be a problem but I wanted to mention it).

Major thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book early and for introducing me to an author I'm excited to read more from.

This Herd dives into the story of four women who were friends in college and are now uber successful, chic, 30-somethings in NYC. The HERd (capital “Her” in purple), is an elite female only coworking/networking space for the up-and comers in the city. Their glorious leader and founder of The Herd, Eleanor, goes missing. This suspenseful, tension-filled story is told from the alternating perspectives of two sisters, Katie and Hana, who won’t stop until the find the truth.
In addition to loving the story, the author has a unique voice and an entertaining gift of analogies. I found myself smirking at them quite often. For example, “Hana enters any room like Lily Tomlin in an ‘80s office comedy.”
I found it difficult to work my day job and not want to shut the door to my office to find out where Eleanor was and what was happening with the ladies.
I’m very sad that I missed Andrea Bartz’s first novel, The Lost Night, but you better believe it’s on my TBR list!
I highly recommend this story to anyone that loves Sex in the City meets Girl on the Train.
Thank you to NetGalley, Andrea Bartz and Ballantine Books for this ARC.

The pacing in this was alarmingly off- putting. Revelations that should have been impactful instead dropped into calm waters, causing barely a ripple.

Dark, twisty, and mind breaking! This was a non stop thrill that could not put down! The writing in this makes you want to scream because it’s so good. Best book I’ve read so far this year

UM HI. WELCOME TO MY FAVORITE BOOK I'VE READ IN 2020 THUS FAR.

The amount I loved this book took me by total surprise. I went in thinking it would something ridiculous but OMGEEEE was I wrong.

PEEPS - I'M CALLING IT NOW - THIS BOOK IS GONNA BE ALL THE RAGE IN 2020.

OK let me set the scene: We've got an ever fabulous group of four women living in NYC. One, Eleanor, is the clear leader of this herd and starts this bad-ass co-working/networking/bougie AF space for women. This, among her other business ventures, totally take off and she's all the rage and getting press from allllllll the publications. She's basically Elizabeth Holmes pre-craziness.

Eleanor mysteriously disappears and her three gal-pals are there to solve the mystery. What they find along the way are so many secrets they've all basically been keeping from one another for their entire friendship. It's so deliciously readable. #frenemies

But here's the thing about this book; and the reason I loved it so much. It's not your standard "I am woman here me roar" OR "OMG stories about women are like, so silly and easy breezy." No bitch, this book comes with a feminist punch...AND I AM HERE FOR IT.

This book tells the story of four, very accomplished, young women, and what it's like to be just that. It's not easy, women and men alike will poop on you, call you a whore, cunt and slut, but you've gotta keep doing you. And these women did just that. It's a very raw, and real look into the lives of what it's like to be a woman on top, and how hard that is for everyone around them. It was honestly, such a breath of fresh air to read, especially as a woman.

SO...5 shining stars for this one. I loved it and hope you do too! #theherd is about to be all over your books lists for 2020!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC and for wanting my honest opinion!!

This book started out as a cross between Devil Wears Prada and a Mary-Kate and Ashley mystery series but it escalated quickly! The beginning was slow, a lot of build up and a few confusing jumps to moments they would describe better later.
Overall I really enjoyed the ride of this book.

The Herd is an office sharing space for women, it's a bit of an elite group, they're very selective in who they allow, and the waitlist is long. The brainchild of The Herd is Eleanor, a focused, driven, successful career woman. Her close core group of friends are a part of it, including Hana, whose sister Katie is a journalist, and has recently back to the area. Katie hopes to have her application approved by Eleanor, but it's not moving along as swiftly as she thought it would. Things aren't exactly perfect at The Herd as the story unfolds, which is told in alternating viewpoints of Katie and her sister Hana.

Whenever a woman is in power, in the means that Eleanor has gotten there, it's bound to draw haters. While those haters aren't central to the story, they do add an element of "who is responsible for what is going on?" The story unfolds through the women's connection to the past and into the present. (and of course, it's centered around Eleanor's disappearance). I feel that the blurb suggests this is going to be a fast-paced thriller, and for me, it wasn't. There were a few times I felt we were just slowly plodding along, but then I got about 1/2 in, and the story picked up. Overall, an enjoyable read with some great characters and a fun setting. Thank you Random House-Ballantine for sending this one along.

With a number of underlying themes, <i>The Herd</i> focuses on four college friends. All are now 30-somethings, living in NYC, and working in various capacities related to “The HERd” - an all-female co-working space founded by Eleanor – one of the foursome. Narrated by two sisters, Hana and Katie, each offer their own perspectives on the issues and personal relationships of the group which take a dramatic turn when Eleanor goes missing on the eve of a major announcement. The sisters embark on their own investigation of Eleanor’s disappearance in which it seems nearly every character takes a turn as their primary suspect along the winding path to the conclusion.

Twisty? Definitely. Feminist? Depends on your definition... it is definitely women centric. Thrilling? Not, in the traditional sense, for this reader. I would describe <I>The Herd</i> as complex with tension created by unpredictable and unlikeable characters and a long string of turns which took the plot in a variety of unexpected directions.

There is a definite audience for this book but I suspect I don’t fall in those demographics. Perhaps that is why – despite being interested in the premise – I was a somewhat bored by the pace and shook my head with disappointment in the characters’ behavior and values.



FYI – I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

WOW!!! I love when an author's second book is even better than the first! That was the case with The Herd! The setting is an all-female office in New York, and I love anything set in New York. The main characters, Hana and Kate are very likeable and work in the office. Their boss disappears and there are a lot of twists and turns. A little slow in the beginning, but it definitely picks up and takes off! Andrea Bartz has been added to my favorite author list!

Thank you to NetGalley, Andrea Bartz and Ballantine Books for this ARC.

The Herd is a feminist thriller with more than a few unexpected twists. I was positive that I had it figured it out, I was completely wrong, which is always delightful! So. An exclusive New York women's workspace is rocked by the mysterious disappearance of its enigmatic founder. Two sisters must uncover the haunting truth before they lose their friendships, their careers--maybe even their lives. The name of the elite, women-only coworking space stretches across the wall behind the check-in desk: THE HERD, the H-E-R always in purple. Without revealing too much, I found the Herd to be as compelling than any of the podcasts or other crime stories that I have been listening to / reading. It speaks to our expectations about performed female roles and is a breath of contemporary fresh air! Great book!

Is it possible that Andrea Bartz’s whip-smart-can’t-put-down new novel, THE HERD outshines her debut THE LOST NIGHT? Only by an immeasurable bit and only because this author has a cool voice that she continues to hone with the precision of a knife. This book left me breathless and clinging to every word. Told from the alternating viewpoints of two sisters living in New York, we enter a world rife with dueling love and competing loyalties. Hana, a Harvard graduate and the oldest, is established and working in the high-pressure world of PR, while Kaite searches for steady ground after spending time taking care of their sick mother in Michigan. They are both associated through long term friendship, with Eleanor and her brainchild, The Herd, an exclusive space for innovative and aspiring women associated with Eleanor’s cosmetic company, Gleam. Following the sisters through the aftermath of Eleanor’s murder, we experience the complexity and boundaries of sisterhood and friendship. Bartz’s sophisticated storytelling provides toothsome commentary on the shallowness of social media and bone-biting competitiveness of our ‘hurry-up’ culture. THE HERD comes out March 24, I recommend you grab it fast!

The story is told from two perspectives - Katie and her sister, Hana. The Herd is a women’s empowerment organization, based in NYC. Katie, a journalist, is the younger sister, who just moved back to NYC after taking care of their ill mother in Michigan; Hana is a freelance publicist. They are involved with Herd, and the story gets interesting. The first half of the book is a bit slow moving, picking up later on in the story.

The Herd is a unique and engrossing mystery/thriller with a feminist spin. When the owner of a progressive all-female workspace unexpectedly disappears shortly before a major press release, her friends, including two sisters, seek to uncover the mystery behind her disappearance. It becomes clear early on that the main characters all hold secrets of their own, which leaves the reader questioning their motives and innocence. This was the standout aspect of the book. I sped through this book because I wanted answers. Although I loved the story, I had some trouble connecting with the characters and ultimately didn’t care too much about their outcomes. The backstabbing detracts from some of the feminist messages in the book. Otherwise, I thought it was a great read and would definitely recommend it if you enjoy a twisty story that keeps you on your toes.

I thought this was an interesting read. I loved the setting and the idea behind it. I never figured out the twist which is a huge plus because I am normally able to figure it out easily.

Thanks Netgalley and Andrea Bartz for an advance copy in return for an unbiased review.

What a great page-turner with lots of twists and turns. The all-glam, amazing Eleanor sets up not one but two successful companies in NYC. Her latest the HERd is an all female collaboration where women can share workspace feeling safe and connected. Everything changes when nasty language gets painted on the walls and someone ends up missing. You’ll love this gripping novel as much as I did. #theherd #netgalley

On sale March 24, 2020. Thanks Ballantine Books!

Loved this story about an all female working space and the missing owner. Fast paced with twists and turns, The Herd will have suspecting everyone. A definite recommend!

Part feminist, part thriller. I fell in love with the beautiful cover and was immediately inthralled with each of its powerful, stunning characters. Reading this, I practically felt like I was back in New York City with the on point descriptions and mentions of specific places like Delancey Street. The Herd actually reminds me of an all female community space that exists now in NY called The Wing. The Herd is an insanely charged read about dominant women who will do anything to succeed and anything to protect each other all at the same time. Original. Unputdownable. A must read for 2020!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

Equal parts thriller and feminism, a great whodunit.
I enjoyed this book, it had a cool premise, and was focused on women in the workplace, and women succeeding.
I liked figuring out who did it and why, and the writing was great.