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.
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Purchase In Deadly Company
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Barrington Books
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Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen
