Bentley Little "The Consultant"

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Rrty

Well-Known Member
Jun 4, 2007
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4,588
I may have posted about this title before, but I recently read a little more about the concept. I was curious if anyone else has. This is the type of concept I wish King might explore a little more these days. Seems like it might be very compelling to read, although one has to always worry how Little will wrap up the tale.
 

RichardX

Well-Known Member
Sep 26, 2006
1,737
4,434
The premise description (below) seemed interesting enough that I ordered a signed copy from CD. It reminds me a bit of a darker version of "Office Space" when the consultants come to evaluate everyone.

"CompWare is in serious trouble after a promised merger falls through, so they do what other businesses have done to bolster their public image: they hire a consulting firm to review and streamline their business practices.

But there's something strange about the firm they hire—more specifically, the quirky gentleman who arrives to supervise the project: Mr. Patoff, tall and thin and wearing a bow tie, and with an odd smile that never quite reaches his eyes.

In his first interactions, the consultant asks a few inappropriate questions, and generally seems a nuisance. Over time, Patoff gains more power, to the point where he seems to be running the whole company. He enacts arbitrary and invasive changes to office protocol. He places cameras all over the building, making workers paranoid; he calls employees at all hours of the night, visits some of their homes and menaces their families.

People who defy the consultant get fired… or worse.

The employees of CompWare soon realize they're not just fighting for their jobs: they're fighting for their lives."