In Deadly Company was an interesting read with moments that really kept me engaged, especially the suspenseful twists. I appreciated the concept and the effort to build tension, but at times the pacing felt uneven, and a few character choices didn’t fully resonate with me. It wasn’t a bad read by any means, but it didn’t completely pull me in either—an enjoyable story with room for stronger execution.

I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.

Appropriately-Hyped

Would I recommend - YES

Overall -4⭐️

Character - 4⭐️
Setting - 5⭐️
Writing - 4⭐️
Plot - 3⭐️
Themes - 4⭐️
Emotions - 3⭐️
Enjoyment - 4⭐️

A light and frothy story that was a breeze to read. I now get the idea of a beach read. Overall, I guessed the ending, but the smaller twists were a surprise. I'm also a sucker for movie sets, and this one delivered.

First, thank you Netgalley & Union Square & Co. for this ARC!

I've first learned about L.S. Stratton when stumbling about Not So Perfect Strangers either 2023 or 2024. Since then, I was curious about possible new books by her releasing in the future, so I was delighted to be able to read this one early.

Lately, I have troubles sleeping, so I often read for some hours during the night. Yes, this might not help fixing my sleeping schedule, and leaves me tired during work, so... let's hope it will not be anything permanent.

Anyway, let's come back to the book. I was really drawn in the blurb, and also alread liked the cover and title. So, I am glad the book thankfully did not disappoint! In the story, we do have Nicole, who, a year after the birthday party of her boss ended in murder, wants to set the record straight by agreeing to consult a feature film about the event.

I really felt like I was in the middle of a murder mystery, and very much enjoyed Nicole as a character. We do also have past and present POV's here, but I am getting better with them. The story also moved along in a fast pace, making me keep guessing until the end. Very well done!

Union Square and Company, a subsidiary of Sterling Publishing, provided an early galley for review.

I was very excited to see Shelley's newest book listed. I enjoyed her last one and wanted to see what she was offering this time around. As she notes at the start, she decided to branch out a bit from her usual this time, always something good to see writers do now and again.

Even still, there are many elements that both this novel and her previous one share. Both have a split narrative structure (past and present). Both have something mysterious that has happened that the reader is slowly let in on as the story progresses. Both also feature very strong female protagonists and an interesting cast of characters.

Overall, I found it to be an engaging read with a plot that moved at a good pace to keep me turning pages. The POV mostly stays with Nicole, though it does stray to two other characters a bit in order to reveal events that Nicole would not be aware of at the time they occurred. These switches are for the reader's benefit.

For those who enjoy arcs of empowerment and comeuppance, this book should deliver.

This was a well anticipated read & I am not disappointed!!

This was fast paced and captivating from cover to cover. I really enjoyed the perspective choice. It made the story for interesting and gave an original POV for the plot. Everything was easy to follow. I can see this adapted into a movie.

This was my first read from L.S Stratton but it won’t be my last!

This was a super fun, energetic read — I loved the dual timelines and the twists definitely kept me on my toes. A great summer read!

n Deadly Company

LS Stratton

09/02/2025

Union Square & Co

In Deadly Company by L.S. Stratton is the kind of thriller that earns its place on your must-read list—not just for the mystery, but for the way it captures ambition, power, and the cost of staying silent. With its mix of corporate satire and psychological suspense, it delivers twists you won’t see coming, while also peeling back layers of what it means to survive in environments built to break you. Stratton’s background as a crime reporter shows in her razor-sharp details and her unflinching take on human behavior—this is storytelling with teeth.

What makes this book stand out is how it refuses to give you just one thing. It’s a murder mystery, yes, but also a character study and a social critique—cleverly told through dual (and very unique) timelines that make you question who to trust and what really happened that weekend. Nicole Underwood’s evolution from overburdened assistant to someone finally stepping into her own power is gripping and relatable. Her story reflects how easy it is to get lost in someone else’s shadow—and how powerful it is to step out of it. The best part is that Nicole is a main character you will genuinely root for.

Stratton also has a knack for slipping humor into the tension. Lines like “a shark in the henhouse” and “the fairy godmother of bad decisions” cut through the darkness with bite and charm, reminding readers that survival sometimes comes with snark. With perfectly timed twists, several ‘I did NOT see that coming!’ moments, a dual timeline that keeps the tension high, and moments of unexpected humor that make the pages fly, this is the kind of book you’ll want to talk about the moment you finish.

A sharp, stylish, and darkly witty read, this novel is a masterclass in storytelling. The author expertly blends biting workplace satire with a gripping murder mystery, delivering a narrative that’s both smart and suspenseful. Nicole Underwood is a brilliantly written protagonist—witty, weary, and wonderfully complex—and her voice drives the story with razor-sharp insight and humor. With twists that keep you guessing and commentary that cuts deep, this is a compulsively readable tale that proves the real danger might just be doing your job *too* well.

a snappy and smart book that had me both hooked to the mystery and hooked to the style. the writing style was a standout for me in this book. it was witty, it flowed but it was also knowing and tight.
this story is told on dual timelines so we get to see the now with our assistant helping a movie be made about her time with the nepo boss.
and then the past which tells the story of how we led to the party that ended it all for said nepo boss. which was put on by this very assistant to try and figure out what actually happened to his mother!
i really got into this book. way more than i thought i was going to going in and that connection to the style and plot had me loving reading this book. right down to the front cover Stratton has got a good one here.
you have almost two mysteries to figure out in this book. and the only character i was rooting for was Nicole. i think so many people could like this book and i don't know why i was surprised about this. i felt almost bad that i hadn't given it enough credit going in at the start!
i was taken in by the twists and really like it when i have to sit and think whoa wait a minute and then almost backpedal to how this just came about.
this book had wit, style and it had substance with a bit f romance thrown in and a lot of thrills thrown around. loved it.
i read a bit about how the author took some of her inspiration and i think it def has that feel to it. lush,lux and a bit mad but so clever dark and brilliant when it needs to be.
im going to be looking for more from this author i cant wait for what comes next.

In Deadly Company
by: L.S. Stratton
Pub Date. Sept 2, 2025

In Deadly Company is a wildly entertaining, pulse-pounding thriller! This novel is a roller-coaster of a story with a unique blend of dark humor, mystery, and suspense.

Executive Assistant, Nicole Underwood’s life is thrown into chaos after her boss’s birthday celebration ends in murder. A year later she serves as a movie consultant on a film retelling that dreadful experience. The alternating timelines masterfully build suspense as the intertwined past and present slowly reveal their secrets.

L.S. Stratton’s command of suspense and dramatic tension is exceptional. If you’re a mystery lover who appreciates dark humor add In Deadly Company to your TBR immediately!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, L.S. Stratton, and Union Square & Co. for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fans of cleverly plotted Hollywood thrillers will absolutely love In Deadly Company!

A year after surviving a murderous birthday weekend that ruined her reputation, executive assistant Nicole Underwood agrees to consult on a film about the tragedy in hopes of reclaiming her narrative. But as disturbing script rewrites, unsettling visions, and lingering suspicions surface on set, Nicole realizes that telling the truth might be just as dangerous as the lies.

I loved Nicole's sharp and witty inner monologue, as well as the general Hollywood satire Stratton wove into this story. The plot structure is engaging as moments in the present on set trigger memories from the past for Nicole. I was constantly trying to find the inconsistencies, and loved how everything came together in the end.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for granting my request to read this e-ARC and provide my honest thoughts.

A year after the tragedy that occurred at her boss Xander’s birthday party, Nicole Underwood — who only ever wanted to be the best assistant possible, couldn’t have predicted the consequences of her actions. Now, to finally set the record straight, she agrees to do a feature film based on her story.

I really enjoyed that this was told from the perspective of the assistant. There’s something so compelling about seeing behind-the-scenes moments, the things only they witness. Nicole just wanted to share her truth about what really happened the day the murders took place... and why.

That said, the book left me with mixed feelings. I struggled to fully wrap my head around the murders and the events leading up to them — it all felt a little unclear.

Thank you once again for the e-ARC.

4.5✨ rounded up

Thank you to NetGalley, Union Square & Co, & LS Stratton for the early copy of this book!

This book was sooo fun! As a former executive assistant I was able to relate with Nicole, our protagonist, in dealing with ✨difficult✨ people 🤣🤣

I really enjoyed this storyline and Nicole as a character. I loved how the author was able to highlight the experiences of being a Black woman in corporate and how sometimes we have to “play the game” to get ahead. I loved the dual timeline showing the events of the murder and then fast forwarding to the movie being created. The author also did a great job of making some of these characters INSUFFERABLE based on their role at this company. There was also a small romantic subplot that I wish was fleshed out a bit more but I still really enjoyed that dynamic.


In Deadly Company is so fast paced & twisty & is the perfect summer/early fall read! This book is slated to come out on September 2nd, 2025 & it is a must read!!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you like your mysteries with high stakes corporate chaos and just a touch of satire, In Deadly Company is absolutely your next read. L.S. Stratton delivers something a little different than her previous books, but no less addictive this one grabs you from the first chapter and refuses to let up. This author will always be an auto buy for me. I enjoy the way she tells stories.

We follow Nicole Underwood, an executive assistant who’s mastered the art of surviving her over-demanding, billionaire boss until his extravagant birthday bash turns deadly. The fallout is fast, loud, and public. A year later, Nicole finds herself advising a film crew trying to adapt the “story” of that fatal weekend, but of course, the past refuses to stay buried.

This book is full of tension, secrets, and “wait, WHAT?” moments. Every twist made me rethink everything I thought I understood. It's part mystery, part commentary on power dynamics, privilege, and perception and Stratton pulls it off ease!

Thank you to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. - A subsidiary of Sterling Publishing for providing this book, with my honest review below.

In Deadly Company is incredibly fun, positioning the reader as a silent Detective Benoit Blanc while simultaneously making fun of workplace dysfunction. Nicole is the main character who tells the story through a dual timeline, in the present during filming of an adaptation of the weekend that resulted in her nepo baby boss’s death (which we get to transport to since the film is taking some creative liberties). The past timeline sheds light on her role as an assistant to said nepo baby, a role she’s fed up with and plans to quit after the party she’s organized with the ulterior motive to figure out the mystery behind his mother’s death. It feels like a lot but this story is masterfully done and truly doesn’t miss a beat, really wrapping the reader up in figuring out what exactly happened that weekend and what Nicole’s scheme involves. The characters were a bit like caricatures but Nicole herself undergoes some really wonderful characters growth that is just the cherry on top of a fun book.

In Deadly Company by L.S. Stratton is a fun, fast paced book that is part business thriller, part mystery. The story is told by the FMC, Nicole, in a series of flashbacks as a movie is being made about the over the top birthday party for her insufferable boss that ends in several deaths and a lot of questions. This book is a good time with lots of twist and interesting characters. Thank you to L.S. Stratton, Union Square & Co and Netgalley for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

what a thrilling ride! 🕵️‍♂️ Suspenseful, well-written, and full of twists (some predictable, but still fun). The characters really bring the story to life. Definitely a solid read for thriller fans! ⭐⭐⭐⭐ #BookReview #Thriller #MustRead

Thank you #NetGalley for this advanced copy

Okay… this book was so much fun. I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did, but once I started, I couldn’t stop. It was giving Knives Out vibes and I was there for it!

In Deadly Company is sharp, twisty, and deliciously dark, with with a splash of workplace satire and just enough chaos to make every single chapter feel like something big is about to drop, all wrapped up in a really cute cover.

The story centers around Nicole Underwood, who works as a personal assistant to Xander Chambers—CEO of absolutely nothing, but riding the legacy of his powerful (and recently deceased) mother, Bridget. When Xander ropes her into planning his extravagant birthday weekend at a remote estate, she reluctantly agrees, mostly because she suspects someone in that inner circle knows the truth about Bridget’s death, and this weekend might be her chance to finally get answers.

And does she get her answers? Well, she gets more than she bargained for. By the end of the weekend, people are dead, Nicole is in the middle of a full-blown scandal, and a year later, she’s consulting on the film adaptation of the whole chaotic weekend.

The book bounces between the past - the weekend at Maple Grove, and the present - the film set, and the dual timeline works so well. It builds suspense and adds layers to the tension, keeping you guessing until the very end.

One thing I absolutely loved was how the author played with genres and sub genres in this one. It’s a Whodunnit murder mystery, but it’s also corporate satire, a bit of a revenge story, with side dish of Hollywood chaos. And somehow it all works out. It’s fast paced, quirky and twisty af!!

If the game "Cluedo" was a book, I'm sure it would be something like "In Deadly Company". Very different and charismatic characters, twists, and secrets coming in every page (even when one would think the mystery is finally resolved)... I couldn't put it down, I was too invested!

But not only the story was compelling but meeting the characters, seeing layer after layer fall... it was priceless. I only feel bad for Harley. One does not decide the family one is born in, but she clearly deserves so much better. Nicky's evolution was enjoyable to see, too, from the maid and servant of those rich people to a bad*ss confident woman.

I always enjoy discovering new authors, and I have to thank L. S. Stratton, Union Square & Co., and Netgalley for giving me this eArc in exchange for an honest review. This book deserves a real film!

In Deadly Company by L.S. Stratton is the kind of thriller that sneaks up on you in the best way. I didn’t expect too much from it at first, but I ended up loving, it’s a breezy read cause is perfectly short and easy to follow yet packed with suspense, dark humor, and unexpected twists.

The story unfolds from Nicole Underwood’s perspective—her boss’s birthday party goes from lavish celebration to a shocking murder scene. A year later, Nicole finds herself consulting on a film adaptation of that unforgettable night, all while trying to clear her name. Stratton’s choice to split the narrative between past and present works beautifully, giving us 99% of the story from Nicole’s point of view. This not only builds tension but also gives readers a deep dive into her character and how the events unfold.

The plot twists? Let’s just say my jaw literally hit the floor. I genuinely didn’t see some of them coming, and that’s exactly what I love in a thriller is moments that make you pause and think, “Wait, what?!”

It’s also fascinating how Stratton weaves the murder mystery with a movie adaptation angle, adding a layer of dark corporate satire that keeps things fresh.

If you’re in the mood for a quick, satisfying read with a killer twist (or two), In Deadly Company is a must. Highly recommend to fans of Knives Out, workplace dramas, and thrillers that don’t take themselves too seriously but still pack a punch.