The Assistant by Amanda Reynolds

Title: The Assistant

Author: Amanda Reynolds

Published on: 5 April 2023

Genre: Mystery & Thrillers

Gail Frost is on a mission. Her assignment is Ris Fox, a waitress turned wannabe influencer. Ris met Miles Fox, a rich businessman and fell in love – they were married soon and Ris changed for good. Gail knows Ris is a gold digger, and money is known to change people… sometimes for worse.

Gail is interviewed for the role of Ris’ assistant. When she knocks at the door, Ris says she’s busy, but Gail insists on having the interview the same day as she already had another from Ris’ rival and is waiting for confirmation. No, Ris cannot have Gail working for her rival. So, Gail is hired.

As Gail starts working for Ris, she watches her every move. The games Ris plays. The attention she seeks. The drama. Gail’s waited long enough, and it is time to take action.

What an intriguing, twisty, and dark thriller. Mind blown!

I was hooked on to this story and I couldn’t put it down till the end. It’s so twisty, so damn twisty that I was restless and eager to know Gail’s motives.

The story is told from two PoVs. The interviewer and interviewee. The former plays a minor role, sending emails of the proceedings to a friend (who works in the TV/Movie industry) while the latter, is Gail’s narration.

Gail tells in detail, what brought her to where she is today – and how it all started. From her interview with Ris to not wanting to go back to damp bedsit during weekends to every new development in Ris’ life. The second half of the story gets intense – something to do with a new twist in Ris’ dramatic life.

This isn’t your ordinary cat-and-mouse, or stalker story. There’s drama, there’s crocodile tears, and there’s a lot of jealousy.

“We are rarely brought down by a nemesis exacting revenge. Those scenarios exist only in stories, bad ones at that. No, the dispiriting but prosaic truth is… we are our own worst enemies.”
Gail Frost November 2022 (The Assistant by Amanda Reynolds)

Ris’ struggle as a social media influencer is relatable. She seeks attention – and would go to any extent if it means gaining more followers. What Ris did (in the second half of the book) was not right – but I felt bad for her. She was a nobody before she met Miles. Even after marrying him and living the life of her dreams (to be rich), she had a void that couldn’t be filled. Miles is never at home and Ris feels lonely. Their marriage is most likely falling apart – why would Miles prefer work over his young wife?

Gail wants Ris to suffer. Why? The reason isn’t revealed till the end. The twist in the second half is unexpected and shocking. We readers are convinced (by Gail) that something’s not right. But is Gail right?

Then we come to the denouement. The final act where all secrets are revealed. Gosh, this was so intense and twisty. Opening a Pandora’s box kinda moment. One after the other, things fall apart. Should I call it closure? Hmm!

The Assistant by Amanda Reynolds is one of the best thrillers I have ever read. This book is making its way to my best reads of 2023. Do I need to say more? Go grab your copy today!

I received an ARC from Boldwood Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.