Dawn Schiff is a meticulous accountant who adheres to a rigid daily schedule at Vane Media. Her colleague, Natalie Farrell, is a popular sales representative who finds Dawn’s quirks and social deficiencies irritating. When Dawn fails to arrive at her desk one morning, Natalie receives a series of disturbing anonymous phone calls. The office environment shifts from routine corporate competition to a crime scene as Natalie discovers evidence of a violent struggle. Police investigation reveals a history of harassment and hidden grudges between the two women, suggesting that Dawn’s disappearance is linked to a long-standing pattern of workplace bullying and personal secrets.
Readers who enjoy psychological thrillers centered on unreliable narrators and professional rivalry will find this narrative effective. It appeals to those interested in the social dynamics of office culture and the ways small slights escalate into criminal behavior. The audience gains a detailed look at how digital footprints and workplace correspondence can be manipulated to frame others. By the conclusion, the reader understands the mechanics of a revenge plot orchestrated through the subversion of social expectations and corporate hierarchy.
Insights from The Coworker
“If you are even five minutes late, I will be very concerned.”
Dawn seems so strange with her strict turtle collection and rigid schedule. You realize how easily people label someone a freak just for being different.
“Everyone loves Natalie. Everyone.”
Natalie is the office sweetheart who everyone loves. It makes you wonder if being likable is just a very effective mask.
Small office pranks feel harmless in the moment. Then you see how those tiny stabs eventually destroy a person's spirit.
“I shouldn't have sent that email.”
Emails are forever. Every snarky comment sent to a friend at work can become a weapon later.
- Published
- 2023
- Publisher
- Poisoned Pen Press
- ISBN
- 9781728296203
- Language
- EN
