But that was before the layoffs…Nick is forced to let half the workers go and he’s become the most hated man in town. His personal life is also crumbling – his wife is killed in an automobile accident and his teenage son is spiraling into drug use.

Soon strange things start happening. His parent company is sending in new directors, vendors start canceling orders and there are rumors the company is moving overseas. When a stalker starts menacing his family, Nick decides to take action. But his actions soon have devastating consequences.

Joseph Finder’s follow up novel to last year’s best selling Paranoia doesn’t disappoint. It contains the same fast paced action, surprising twists and turns and likeable but flawed characters. The business setting is believable and easy to understand for those of us unfamiliar with the corporate world. (But it does make me glad I work in a nice, quiet, safe library!)

Nick does make several puzzlingly stupid decisions that have even a business outsider shaking her head. Such as hiring a head of security without investing his background? And his decision-making in a crisis makes one wonder how he became a CEO. But these failings do make him more interesting.

It’s not often that a thriller depicts a secondary character so compelling that the reader is left caring as much about her as the main characters. Joseph Finder has created intriguing, proper, ladylike homicide detective Audrey Rhimes. How many novels contain black, female homicide detectives of strong faith, burdened with both a racist partner and a lazy, bitter husband who won’t get off the couch? After finishing Company Man, it’s Audrey that I’d be interested in meeting again, not Nick Conover.

Joseph Finder has created a great niche for himself with corporate thrillers full of interesting, flawed characters dealing with tough situations and events moving at break neck speed. If there ever was a one-sitting book, this is it. Don’t miss Company Man!

--Dede Anderson