'Good to Grave', by Michael
At a high-stakes job interview in New York City, Josie notices something odd: her interviewer’s shadow moves before it should. A recent college grad, Josie is in financial trouble. Now, this elite offer at The Eburos Group changes her fortunes overnight, but it comes with a frightening catch.
Drawn into the machinations of the eccentric CEO, Mr. Dean, Josie’s reality unravels. From a Brooklyn cult to a possessed safehouse near the ruins of an abandoned baseball stadium, Josie uncovers Mr. Dean’s true purpose and the secret buried beneath the company’s Manhattan headquarters.
Do you remember when you first encountered ‘Resident Evil’ - be it game, movie or just lore in general? Corporate horror, people as resources, so many layers beneath the surface (figuratively and literally)?
This book kept reminding me of that.
We have an Evil Corporation, right off the bat. Professional and desirable on the surface, but with an overload of ‘HR-speak’ that includes the odd unexpected word. Like ‘blood’ or ‘limbs’ with regard to insurance. And company picnics.
Protagonist Josie is desperate for a job in New York City and Eburos looks like the ideal. Except there’s a weird chalk drawing on the CEO’s wall, and staff members with red paint all over them. Time seems to run differently while in the office (which I admit I can relate to!), and there’s something very off about the branded stress ball she’s been given…
From limousines and boats to caves and penthouses, via Manhattan skyscrapers and islands that I’m sure I’ve never heard of, Josie must uncover exactly what the hell is going on beneath Eburos’ perfect public business veneer, for the sake of herself, her family and potentially everyone.
Having worked in corporate London, I saw so much that was familiar in this book. The author clearly knows his Legal Jargon, what office life is like these days, and just how ruthless you have to be to get ahead. This isn’t just Wall Street, this is somewhere far more Faustian - or even Lovecraftian.
‘Good to Grave’ is one of the most fun horror/thrillers I’ve ever read. Intensely fast-paced, dark when needed but with great threads of humanity and black humour, it’s an absolute trip. My only gripe is that I was left wanting to know what happened after the final page!