Book review: How to Slay at Work by Sarah Bonner
She's a boss bitch and an icon. But, is she a serial killer?
Genres: Psychological thriller, dark comedy, workplace drama
Sarah Bonner’s, How to Slay at Work, delivers a wickedly entertaining tale where ambition, manipulation, and murder collide in a corporate world dominated by the ultimate boss from hell.
Here are my thoughts.
Let’s drop the synopsis:
When your boss is at a conference in a city where there's a suspicious death, it's unlucky.
If it happens twice, it's odd.
But when she's in the same city at the same time as a third unexplained death . . .
Could she be a stone-cold killer?
Millie's always known her boss Freya is a psycho – the demanding and ever-changing coffee orders, the cryptic instructions, the expected mind reading and don't even start on the insistence that Millie wear heels . . . All. The. Time.
But it only extends as far as exacting office standards. Right?
As Freya's assistant, Millie has privileged access to her diary and travel history, and when a pattern emerges of men (who seem to have no connection to each other) dying in cities where Freya is travelling, Millie is determined to figure out what's going on.
After all, a stone-cold killer could be exactly what Millie needs . . .
CCB thoughts:
“My boss is a stone-cold bitch,” opens How to Slay at Work, Sarah Bonner's darkly comedic workplace thriller. “But please don’t think I hate her; far from it, I admire her. She’s an icon. She slays.”
This fast-paced thriller delivers a witty yet cutting take on the assistant-boss dynamic while weaving a murder mystery that invites readers to pick up the breadcrumbs.
At the heart of the story is Millie, a personal assistant/assistant bid manager struggling to meet her boss’, Freya Ellwood-Winter, Sales Director of Serendipity Cosmetics, relentless and often dehumanising demands. From Freya’s expectation of near-telepathic precision to her absurd insistence on Millie wearing heels all day and purposely calling her the wrong name, Freya epitomises the nightmare boss. Picture The Devil Wears Prada with a touch of deadly intent. Yet, for all her neurotic tendencies and near-tyrannical grip on her employees, Freya is strikingly charismatic and successful, exuding a magnetic power that Millie can’t help but envy nor be drawn to - whether she likes it or not.
But Freya’s tyranny isn’t the only thing that's amiss. After noticing a series of strange expenses and questionable calendar entries, Millie stumbles upon a chilling possibility: her boss may be connected to several unsolved deaths of men in different cities. This has to be a coincidence. Could this seemingly flawless corporate shark actually be a serial killer? The idea seems ludicrous, but Millie’s best friend, Lissa, is quick to dig deeper with her trusty “murder wall” as their investigation uncovers sinister patterns. Meanwhile, Millie begins receiving cryptic texts from an unknown number: “There have been at least five…”
The brilliance of How to Slay at Work lies in Bonner’s ability to balance dark comedy with a tense psychological mystery. Millie’s dry, self-aware narration skewers Freya’s eccentricities and the toxic work perfectionism that dominates corporate culture. Her internal monologue, riddled with sharp observations and growing frustration at Freya’s impossible standards (especially those absurd coffee orders), provides plenty of relatable moments, even as the stakes quickly grow higher.
Both Millie and Freya are fascinatingly complex. Millie sometimes comes across as meek and mousey, constantly being steamrolled by Freya, but beneath her timid exterior, she is intelligent and observant. Millie unexpectedly shifts the power dynamic away from Freya, who is portrayed as far more worldly and shrewd in comparison to her younger counterpart. The revelations that follow both characters are surprising, but even that twist doesn't fully prepare you for the deeper secrets waiting to unravel. One particular character, playing both sides with dual identities, emerges as the story’s most cunning figure - a master manipulator whose loyalty shifts fluidly. And it might not be who you think it is.
Bonner excels at gradually revealing each character’s motivations, particularly the complex relationship between Freya and Millie, which is laced with manipulation, admiration, and resentment. What begins as a tale of workplace bullying soon transforms into a much larger, more tangled web where every character is connected in some surprising way. The author slowly unravels these connections, peeling back layers of hidden histories and shared secrets that escalate the suspense with each chapter. Just when you think you’ve figured someone out, Bonner throws in a revelation that shifts your perspective. And that’s all I will say on that…
But as lighthearted as it can be, How to Slay at Work doesn’t shy away from the darker elements of power dynamics in the workplace. Freya’s apparent perfection and control mask something much more dangerous, forcing Millie to confront the fine line between demanding professionalism and sociopathic behaviour. I was genuinely taken aback when she turned the tables on her boss after catching her in what could only be described as a compromising situation. The novel raises intriguing questions about how far ambition and control can take a person - and what happens when someone with those traits holds all the cards.
However, the novel’s strength is also where a minor flaw lies. Freya’s larger-than-life persona, while entertaining, sometimes verges on caricature. Her over-the-top demands and obsessive need for control can feel a bit too familiar, leaning heavily into the overused “boss-from-hell” trope - think The Devil Wears Prada (“I need the new Harry Potter book for the twins”) on steroids. Though it works well for the book's comedic tone, it sometimes lessens the tension - you don’t feel as much fear for the other characters as you might in a more grounded thriller. That emotional disconnect occasionally undercuts the stakes.
Similarly, Millie has moments where her passivity is frustrating; she feels like a passenger in her own story. However, her character arc ultimately compensates for this, as her evolution from overwhelmed assistant to active investigator brings satisfying depth to the plot in the second half. Watching Millie take charge as she uncovers Freya’s secret life adds a thrilling element of personal empowerment.
Despite these minor critiques, How to Slay at Work remains a clever, unexpected thriller that fuses corporate satire with a murder mystery in an unpredictable, wildly entertaining package. Bonner’s sharp wit and fast pacing keep the story engrossing, and her ability to blend dark humour with genuine surprise makes this a quick but memorable read.
This book is ideal for those who enjoy stories that delve into the darker side of ambition and power while still delivering comedic moments. Fans of outrageous, witty thrillers will be hooked from page one - whether drawn to the comedy, the murder mystery, or the unnervingly familiar world of workplace politics.
Ultimately, How to Slay at Work is a deliciously devious tale in which ambition, manipulation, and murder collide in the most entertaining way.
Recommended for fans of:
Fans of Katy Brent (How to Kill Men and Get Away With It) and Bella Mackie (How to Kill Your Family).
TV shows such as Killing Eve.
A cheeky, funny narrative that breaks the fourth wall.
Content warnings:
Murder, references to suicide.
Buy the book:
You can purchase How to Slay at Work here and at your local bookstore.
Publisher: Boldwood Books | Page count: 354
Discover what other thoughts:
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me on this book tour and Boldwood Books for allowing me access to the book via NetGallery in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
About the author:
Sarah Bonner is the author of several bestselling psychological thrillers.
Will you grab a copy of How to Slay at Work? If you do, please let me know what you think in the comments below.
As always, happy reading!
Until next time,
Sian | Criminally Creepy Books