Company Man

A Novel

By: Joseph Finder

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 17 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Joseph Finder's New York Times best seller Paranoia was hailed by critics as "jet-propelled," the "Page Turner of the Year," and "the archetype of the thriller in its contemporary form."

Now Finder returns with Company Man - a heart-stopping thriller about ambition, betrayal, and the price of secrets.

Nick Conover, the son of a factory worker, is the CEO of a major corporation in a company town. Nick, once the most admired man in Fenwick, Michigan, is now, having presided over massive layoffs, the most despised. A single parent since the recent death of his wife, he's struggling to insulate his 10-year-old daughter and angry 16-year-old son from the town's hostility.

When his family is threatened by a nameless stalker, events spin quickly out of control and Nick is faced with a dead body and damning circumstances. To protect his family, he must cover up the homicide with the help of his old friend and corporate security director.

Now Audrey Rhimes, a police investigator with an agenda of her own, is determined to connect Nick to the homicide. In the meantime, Nick begins to unravel a web of intrigue within his own corporation, involving his closest colleagues, that threatens to gut the company and bring him down with it. With everything he spent his life working for hanging in the balance, Nick Conover discovers that life at the top is just one small step away from a long plunge to the bottom.

©2005 Joseph Finder (P)2005 Audio Renaissance, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers, LLC

Critic reviews

"A frightfully good suspense thriller." (Booklist)
"Mr. Finder's Company Man confirms what his Paranoia made clear: he has unusually keen instincts for back-stabbing in the business world. And somehow or other, exotica about the workings of a company that manufactures office furniture become unnaturally interesting here." (The New York Times)

Fascinating Thriller, or Drama Combination

This a great story beautifully narrated by Scott Brick, as always. Two protagonists Nick the CEO and the black police detective Audrey made the story so interesting. I can't get over the author's rich details about the black church, and the dialogue from the religious leader. I'm amazed at the research that went into making that part of the plot so believable. Mr Finder put this story together beautifully. There is religion, corporate intrigue family problems, murder and police corruption all tied together in a compelling must read book.

Fantastic Story.

I went back and forth about whether or not to buy this book for months; I had loved other Joseph Finder books, but the synopsis for this one just didn't look that interesting to me.

I'm so glad I finally got it. I found this story far more interesting than the summary represented. The part of the story that focused on the corporate issues was awesome, and the storyline about the police detective was fantastic.

I'm a fan of Scott Brick (the narrator) but BE WARNED - he tends to inspire a strong reaction from people, either very positive or very negative. If you aren't already a fan of Scott Brick, make sure to listen to the sample before making a final decision on whether to buy.

Kind of a B movie thing

A bit cheesy, with a little bit of everything to entertain: dirty business, murder and crazy people, with the essentially good-hearted hero at the center. Not bad for an easy listen!

Scott Brick-great story-what more do you need?

I just discovered Joseph Finder. The characters are believable. The bad guys are fairly easy to spot early on, but that doesn't give away the plot. Scott Brick is fabulous, and sells books to many like me who are sometimes on the fence about listening to a new author. He could probably make the phone book exciting. Today, most everyone has experienced corporate America, and you will recognize yourself, your boss, or even the person who puts you on hold forever.

Loved Paranoia... this is not of same cloth

I really enjoyed Paranoia, but this book is WAY too predictable and improbable. It was entertaining nonetheless, but a little long in places. Scott Brick is, as always, an excellent reader, but there are far better books available. I would recommend Nelson DeMille, Lincoln Child, Douglas Preston, Harlan Coben, and other authors as well as Paranoia by Joseph Finder before choosing Company Man.

Mystery right out of today's headlines

Looking for award winning mysteries for my mystery book group, I found this 2006 multiple award winner, COMPANY MAN by Joseph Finder. What an exciting rewarding find!! This multi-layered mystery is full of engaging characters who come masterfully to life in Finder's descriptive writing.

Though this was a 2006 mystery, the story line is very 'today'. Nick Conover is the CEO of a large office furniture company based in Michigan. The downturn in the economy has resulted in Conover laying off 5000 employees. In their small town, this results in just about every family in town bringing effected in one way or another. Conover has become 'The Slasher' to a town who once loved him.

Threats against Conover and his family result in an early morning 'attack' by a mentally disturbed, former employee, who Conover then shoots and kills. His 'shady' security officer, moves the body to a drug infested area of town. And the story takes off from there.

Then that mystery is combined with the lives of members of the police force, especially by the only black woman who is fighting her own battles with gaining respect, and has problems at home with her 'laid off' husband. She is a terrific character who's Christian faith drives her actions against many odds.

Then there is the internal workings of the furniture company which seems to be coming unraveled under Nick's nose. Between the companies misdealings, and Nick's driving guilt over murdering a man, he meets, Cassie, the murdered man's daughter. Their growing love interest further complicates matters!

Finder expertly combines all the story lines with his beautifully well rounded characters, and devises an 'out of the headlines' mystery that kept me engrossed right through to the surprise ending!! I definitely agree with those who awarded the book an Award Winning Mystery!!

Not Paranoia, but credit worthy.

Finder and Brick make a great combo, that is clear.

This story did not seem as well put together as Paranoia. It seemed that two story lines weaved through the book with the only connection being the main character. The main character seemed to be a modern version of Job. A very unlucky guy. In general a little darker book than Paranoia.

In the end, I will continue to listen to Finder's books, he is obviously a very talented writer. If Brick is narrating, so much the better. Hope the next Finder book is back to the level of Paranoia.

Excellent Read

Being a reader of mysteries and supense novels I find I can usually figure out the ending long before it ends, but Company Man had me totally confused as to who the culprit was. Once it got started I couldn't stop listening. I found it to be a enjoyable and very satisfying read. I look forward with anticipation to seeing more of Finder's books on Audible.

Mixed feelings

Very good description of the issues facing the CEO of a modern company. All of the references to technology, accounting, corporate law, board meetings, etc. are very believeable. I have some experience running modern companies so I do know whereof I speak. I don't pretend to know about police procedures, but they seem to have been well researched too. Also the description of the dire effects of outsourcing and downsizing are presented fairly. The author did his research and did it well. The way the book ends is perhaps just a bit too pat. But that's a minor carp.

Middle of the road

This is the first Joseph Finder I have read, and after looking at other reviews, it sounds like it is not his finest. I thought the book was good, but certainly not the best "thriller" I have ever read. After a while, I found the CEO (and main character) to be a little too dumb for my taste, but it certainly is not the worst I've ever listened to.