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A review by judithdcollins
The Concierge by Miranda Rijks
5.0
Check out my fun #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A, where we go behind the scenes of the book & author!
Miranda Rijks returns following (2022) [b:Forget Me Not|63004990|Forget Me Not|Miranda Rijks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1665915586l/63004990._SX50_.jpg|98650739] and [b:The Insomniac|61605900|The Insomniac|Miranda Rijks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1658187747l/61605900._SY75_.jpg|96923205] with her latest twisty and riveting psychological thriller, THE CONCIERGE.
An obsessed woman goes undercover as a private concierge (Assistant) for a high-profile power couple of a successful film business in search of the truth about the mystery of her sister, that was killed mysteriously.
What goes on behind closed doors of the famous and wealthy? A web of deceit, lies, and greed is unraveled, exposing the dark underbelly of human nature in this fast-paced cat-and-mouse thriller.
Set in South London, Simone Carver, a single woman and a bookkeeper (self-employed), worries about her younger sister, Alison Greystone (Ally). Her sister is a famous actress. They are close, and she practically raised her after their parents died tragically.
Ally was cast by Delucci Productions as one of their leading roles in a new film, The Insomniac. Alley is married to Rob and has a four-year-old little girl, Carly. She barely sees her family with the long hours and dedication she puts in at the studio.
Goldie and Braun Delucci are the power couple behind the production company. They are wealthy with two children, a daughter Rose (17), and a son, Florian (13).
They have an entire staff and a personal concierge (which is more prestigious than a personal assistant). This person manages things a home, administrative work, pay bills, takes care of the kids' school forms, takes children to school, runs errands, is a housekeeper-nanny, and does whatever is asked. Plus, put up with a lot of manipulation by the mean daughter, Rose.
The concierge lives onsite in a basement flat with its own entrance, kitchenette, living room, bedroom, and bath. She is privy to passwords and private information (home and business).
When Simone receives the tragic phone call from her brother-in-law, Rob, that her sister was killed in a car accident, she is devastated.
There is an investigation by PC Deidre Withington and DS Graham Foley, but something is off since the Porsche Cayenne she was driving was in the name of Goldie Delucci, and drugs were involved.
Her sister would not be driving this late at night, tired, or in someone else's car when she takes the train. Also, she has never done drugs. She hated drugs.
Why was she driving their car? Something is not right, and Simone knows all too well rich and powerful people can cover up their misdeeds.
When the investigation goes cold and says it was just a woman on drugs in a single auto accident, Simon knows she must take matters into her own hands.
She does not believe the police, the coroner, and most of all, she does not believe the Deluccis. She must lie low and not have her face in the papers as the sister of the actress who died. She must work smart to uncover the truth in the background.
Simone becomes obsessed with uncovering the events leading up to her sister's death. She will not be satisfied with the investigation that this was an accident. Her sister deserves better. She feels the Delucci's are covering up critical pieces of the puzzle. What went down that night?
Simone is savvy and tenacious. She discovers the Delucci's recently terminated their assistant and cleverly figures out a way (stealing their dog, Minnie, to return it) to get her foot in the door to be hired as their new personal concierge (assistant). Equipped with a fake name, references, and CV.
She must befriend the previous assistant, Lauren Barton, to gather details. This is quite comical, and then the twist at the end is delicious!
Ironically, Delucci's rebellious daughter, Rose, set up the prior assistant (hiding her mom's things in Lauren's apartment). She wants her gone. She, of course, is terminated.
Simone lands the job and immediately starts her super sleuthing. She soon finds out this family is highly dysfunctional. The mom works all the time and is the brains of the production company. She has no time for her children. Braun, the husband, works all the time, editing at the studio, or so he says, and is never around. He is sleazy and untrustworthy. We will soon learn all he is capable of.
Florian is being bullied (gay), and his parents keep sending him off to camp, which he hates. He is a sensitive boy and loves to draw. Rose is trouble. A total nightmare. She does whatever she wants; she is manipulative, mean, rebellious, and has quite a criminal mind. She even tries to get Simone fired, but Simone is one step ahead.
Day by day, Simone discovers more and suspects the husband is not what he seems. She needs proof. She is fueled with anger and wants nothing but revenge. To take down this man! She wants justice for her sister.
Ally's husband, Rob, is distraught, and it is all he can do to take care of Carly, their daughter, so she does not include him in her devious plan.
However, things get complex when Rose (she is street smart) steals credit cards, money, and all sorts of things to give to the poor and meets an evil drug-pin guy, Tony. She steals from the rich to give to the poor. She is infatuated with the bad boy (man) and does not see the evil, dangerous side yet. They start doing these criminal jobs together. They have a plan. He is an older guy, and her parents have no clue or the connection.
The Author ratchets up the tension when a high-stakes home invasion kidnapping goes bad, and Rose and little Carly (Simone's) niece get caught in the cross-fires.
Told from the POVs of the three ladies: Simone, Goldie, and Rose.
The sins of the father rise to the surface. Simone comes clean, and she and Goldie join forces to try and save Rose and Carly from the bad guys before it is too late. As always, the Rijks pulls out her signature jaw-dropping twist that will tie all the pieces together for a satisfying conclusion.
Rijks' latest thriller relentlessly uncovers many secrets, leading readers down a delicious path of fear, lies, and long-awaited justice, with an ending that will leave jaws dropping.
Wow!, Readers, you are going to love these strong women! A cast of well-developed characters. Simone is razor sharp and one step ahead of everyone, except for Rose, who is "hell on wheels," especially when she meets bad boy Tony. But at her core, she has a great heart and is very protective of little Carly. She helps many homeless people, but how she goes about it will keep you laughing. The mom (clueless about everything around her) finally comes around with the help of Simone.
For fans of authors: Kaira Rouda, [b:Somebody's Home|58028900|Somebody's Home|Kaira Rouda|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1631275625l/58028900._SY75_.jpg|89951932], Kimberly Belle's [b:The Personal Assistant|59817685|The Personal Assistant|Kimberly Belle|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1664247114l/59817685._SX50_.jpg|94191747], [b:My Darling Husband|55871027|My Darling Husband|Kimberly Belle|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1665936908l/55871027._SY75_.jpg|87068262], and Frieda McFadden's [b:The Housemaid|60556912|The Housemaid (The Housemaid, #1)|Freida McFadden|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1646534743l/60556912._SY75_.jpg|95443525].
"THE CONCIERGE is a brilliant, chilling tale of justice, revenge, and good vs. evil. One woman's sheer determination to honor her sister."
It is hard to believe this is the fourth book in 2022 by Miranda Rijks. Still trying to figure out how she cranks out all these winners! She is a rock star. No wonder she needed a respite in South Africa. Maybe we will see a book set there in the future.
I enjoyed the Letter from the Author, the inspiration behind the book, and the dedication. Includes an excerpt from The Influencer. I also enjoyed how the Author used some of her book titles as films in the book and the tribute to Simone's sister, Alison.
I recently discovered this talented UK author, and I want everyone to meet her here in the US. You have seen my reviews on my blog and social media. She is one of my favorites, and I am making my way through her backlist between the new releases.
Highly recommend! If you have not read [b:The Insomniac|61605900|The Insomniac|Miranda Rijks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1658187747l/61605900._SY75_.jpg|96923205] and [b:Forget Me Not|63004990|Forget Me Not|Miranda Rijks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1665915586l/63004990._SX50_.jpg|98650739], check them out. Both are 5 Stars as well.
Thanks to the Author and #InkubatorBooks #NetGalley for an e-ARC for review, interview, and enjoyment.
Blog Review Posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
Miranda Rijks returns following (2022) [b:Forget Me Not|63004990|Forget Me Not|Miranda Rijks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1665915586l/63004990._SX50_.jpg|98650739] and [b:The Insomniac|61605900|The Insomniac|Miranda Rijks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1658187747l/61605900._SY75_.jpg|96923205] with her latest twisty and riveting psychological thriller, THE CONCIERGE.
An obsessed woman goes undercover as a private concierge (Assistant) for a high-profile power couple of a successful film business in search of the truth about the mystery of her sister, that was killed mysteriously.
What goes on behind closed doors of the famous and wealthy? A web of deceit, lies, and greed is unraveled, exposing the dark underbelly of human nature in this fast-paced cat-and-mouse thriller.
Set in South London, Simone Carver, a single woman and a bookkeeper (self-employed), worries about her younger sister, Alison Greystone (Ally). Her sister is a famous actress. They are close, and she practically raised her after their parents died tragically.
Ally was cast by Delucci Productions as one of their leading roles in a new film, The Insomniac. Alley is married to Rob and has a four-year-old little girl, Carly. She barely sees her family with the long hours and dedication she puts in at the studio.
Goldie and Braun Delucci are the power couple behind the production company. They are wealthy with two children, a daughter Rose (17), and a son, Florian (13).
They have an entire staff and a personal concierge (which is more prestigious than a personal assistant). This person manages things a home, administrative work, pay bills, takes care of the kids' school forms, takes children to school, runs errands, is a housekeeper-nanny, and does whatever is asked. Plus, put up with a lot of manipulation by the mean daughter, Rose.
The concierge lives onsite in a basement flat with its own entrance, kitchenette, living room, bedroom, and bath. She is privy to passwords and private information (home and business).
When Simone receives the tragic phone call from her brother-in-law, Rob, that her sister was killed in a car accident, she is devastated.
There is an investigation by PC Deidre Withington and DS Graham Foley, but something is off since the Porsche Cayenne she was driving was in the name of Goldie Delucci, and drugs were involved.
Her sister would not be driving this late at night, tired, or in someone else's car when she takes the train. Also, she has never done drugs. She hated drugs.
Why was she driving their car? Something is not right, and Simone knows all too well rich and powerful people can cover up their misdeeds.
When the investigation goes cold and says it was just a woman on drugs in a single auto accident, Simon knows she must take matters into her own hands.
She does not believe the police, the coroner, and most of all, she does not believe the Deluccis. She must lie low and not have her face in the papers as the sister of the actress who died. She must work smart to uncover the truth in the background.
Simone becomes obsessed with uncovering the events leading up to her sister's death. She will not be satisfied with the investigation that this was an accident. Her sister deserves better. She feels the Delucci's are covering up critical pieces of the puzzle. What went down that night?
Simone is savvy and tenacious. She discovers the Delucci's recently terminated their assistant and cleverly figures out a way (stealing their dog, Minnie, to return it) to get her foot in the door to be hired as their new personal concierge (assistant). Equipped with a fake name, references, and CV.
She must befriend the previous assistant, Lauren Barton, to gather details. This is quite comical, and then the twist at the end is delicious!
Ironically, Delucci's rebellious daughter, Rose, set up the prior assistant (hiding her mom's things in Lauren's apartment). She wants her gone. She, of course, is terminated.
Simone lands the job and immediately starts her super sleuthing. She soon finds out this family is highly dysfunctional. The mom works all the time and is the brains of the production company. She has no time for her children. Braun, the husband, works all the time, editing at the studio, or so he says, and is never around. He is sleazy and untrustworthy. We will soon learn all he is capable of.
Florian is being bullied (gay), and his parents keep sending him off to camp, which he hates. He is a sensitive boy and loves to draw. Rose is trouble. A total nightmare. She does whatever she wants; she is manipulative, mean, rebellious, and has quite a criminal mind. She even tries to get Simone fired, but Simone is one step ahead.
Day by day, Simone discovers more and suspects the husband is not what he seems. She needs proof. She is fueled with anger and wants nothing but revenge. To take down this man! She wants justice for her sister.
Ally's husband, Rob, is distraught, and it is all he can do to take care of Carly, their daughter, so she does not include him in her devious plan.
However, things get complex when Rose (she is street smart) steals credit cards, money, and all sorts of things to give to the poor and meets an evil drug-pin guy, Tony. She steals from the rich to give to the poor. She is infatuated with the bad boy (man) and does not see the evil, dangerous side yet. They start doing these criminal jobs together. They have a plan. He is an older guy, and her parents have no clue or the connection.
The Author ratchets up the tension when a high-stakes home invasion kidnapping goes bad, and Rose and little Carly (Simone's) niece get caught in the cross-fires.
Told from the POVs of the three ladies: Simone, Goldie, and Rose.
The sins of the father rise to the surface. Simone comes clean, and she and Goldie join forces to try and save Rose and Carly from the bad guys before it is too late. As always, the Rijks pulls out her signature jaw-dropping twist that will tie all the pieces together for a satisfying conclusion.
Rijks' latest thriller relentlessly uncovers many secrets, leading readers down a delicious path of fear, lies, and long-awaited justice, with an ending that will leave jaws dropping.
Wow!, Readers, you are going to love these strong women! A cast of well-developed characters. Simone is razor sharp and one step ahead of everyone, except for Rose, who is "hell on wheels," especially when she meets bad boy Tony. But at her core, she has a great heart and is very protective of little Carly. She helps many homeless people, but how she goes about it will keep you laughing. The mom (clueless about everything around her) finally comes around with the help of Simone.
For fans of authors: Kaira Rouda, [b:Somebody's Home|58028900|Somebody's Home|Kaira Rouda|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1631275625l/58028900._SY75_.jpg|89951932], Kimberly Belle's [b:The Personal Assistant|59817685|The Personal Assistant|Kimberly Belle|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1664247114l/59817685._SX50_.jpg|94191747], [b:My Darling Husband|55871027|My Darling Husband|Kimberly Belle|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1665936908l/55871027._SY75_.jpg|87068262], and Frieda McFadden's [b:The Housemaid|60556912|The Housemaid (The Housemaid, #1)|Freida McFadden|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1646534743l/60556912._SY75_.jpg|95443525].
"THE CONCIERGE is a brilliant, chilling tale of justice, revenge, and good vs. evil. One woman's sheer determination to honor her sister."
It is hard to believe this is the fourth book in 2022 by Miranda Rijks. Still trying to figure out how she cranks out all these winners! She is a rock star. No wonder she needed a respite in South Africa. Maybe we will see a book set there in the future.
I enjoyed the Letter from the Author, the inspiration behind the book, and the dedication. Includes an excerpt from The Influencer. I also enjoyed how the Author used some of her book titles as films in the book and the tribute to Simone's sister, Alison.
I recently discovered this talented UK author, and I want everyone to meet her here in the US. You have seen my reviews on my blog and social media. She is one of my favorites, and I am making my way through her backlist between the new releases.
Highly recommend! If you have not read [b:The Insomniac|61605900|The Insomniac|Miranda Rijks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1658187747l/61605900._SY75_.jpg|96923205] and [b:Forget Me Not|63004990|Forget Me Not|Miranda Rijks|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1665915586l/63004990._SX50_.jpg|98650739], check them out. Both are 5 Stars as well.
Thanks to the Author and #InkubatorBooks #NetGalley for an e-ARC for review, interview, and enjoyment.
Blog Review Posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com