🩸 Horror Fiction

The Consultant

✍️ Bentley Little
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$18.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A tall consultant brings deadly horror to a failing corporation.

The narrative focuses on CompWare's desperate attempt to save itself after a failed merger. Management turns to a consulting firm to fix their image, bringing in Mr. Patoff as the supervisor. His peculiar appearance and unsettling demeanor signal that something is deeply wrong. The staff quickly learns that the review process involves mortal danger. Little uses this premise to critique corporate culture while delivering genuine terror. The story does not rely on jump scares but rather on the creeping realization that the workplace has become a hunting ground. The horror stems from the power dynamics and the helplessness of the employees against an unseen, malevolent force.

Key Themes
corporate satire supernatural threat workplace terror
Literary Context

Published in 2020 by Cemetery Dance Publications, this work sits within the tradition of American horror fiction. Bentley Little is a recognized author who often explores the dark side of everyday life and business practices. The book reflects contemporary anxieties about job security and corporate restructuring through a genre lens.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Stephen King · Ramsey Campbell · Richard Matheson
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Cemetery Dance Publications 📅 2020 📖 480 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781587676567

📝 Description: The Consultant

Bentley Little writes a biting workplace satire that blends corporate drama with horrific supernatural elements. The story centers on CompWare, a company in serious trouble after a promised merger collapses. To repair their public image, management hires an external consulting firm to review and streamline their business practices. This decision introduces Mr. Patoff, a tall, thin gentleman who wears a bow tie and maintains an odd smile that never reaches his eyes. The employees of CompWare soon realize the stakes extend far beyond job security. They find themselves fighting for their very lives against the strange consultant and his firm. Little is known for providing horrific touches within familiar settings, and this novel applies that style to the modern office environment. The narrative explores the terror of corporate restructuring through a lens of gothic dread. This book suits readers who enjoy horror fiction with a satirical edge and those interested in supernatural threats disguised as professional services. It may not appeal to readers seeking straightforward action or traditional ghost stories without social commentary. The tension builds through the daily interactions between staff and the enigmatic Mr. Patoff, revealing the dark cost of corporate survival.

💎 Our verdict on The Consultant

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Little delivers a biting satire that merges corporate drama with supernatural horror effectively. The story centers on CompWare’s desperate attempts to survive after a failed merger, introducing the unsettling Mr. Patoff. His peculiar appearance signals deep wrongness, transforming the office into a hunting ground. The narrative critiques corporate culture while maintaining genuine terror through power dynamics and helplessness. It avoids jump scares, relying instead on creeping dread. This approach suits readers who enjoy social commentary within horror fiction. Those seeking straightforward action may find it slow, but fans of psychological tension will appreciate the careful build. Little applies his signature style to the modern office, creating a unique and disturbing atmosphere.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate horror that critiques societal structures will find this book compelling. It appeals to those interested in supernatural threats disguised as professional services rather than traditional ghost stories. The narrative offers a biting workplace satire blending corporate drama with horrific elements. Those who enjoy the terror of power dynamics and helplessness against unseen forces will gain satisfaction. It suits individuals seeking social commentary wrapped in gothic dread. The book provides genuine terror through creeping realization rather than jump scares. Fans of psychological horror set in mundane locations will find this premise engaging. It explores the dark cost of corporate survival through a unique lens.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Little delivers a biting satire that merges corporate drama with supernatural horror effectively. The story centers on CompWare’s desperate attempts to survive after a failed merger, introducing the unsettling Mr. Patoff. His peculiar appearance signals deep wrongness, transforming the office into a hunting ground. The narrative critiques corporate culture while maintaining genuine terror through power dynamics and helplessness. It avoids jump scares, relying instead on creeping dread. This approach suits readers who enjoy social commentary within horror fiction. Those seeking straightforward action may find it slow, but fans of psychological tension will appreciate the careful build. Little applies his signature style to the modern office, creating a unique and disturbing atmosphere.

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