Snake Oil: A Humorous Satirical Mystery around Startup Wellness Culture, Perfect For September 2024 By Kelsey

Snake Oil is a razor-sharp literary thriller that delves into the cutthroat world of a Silicon Valley wellness startup led by Rhoda West, a charismatic CEO revered for her "empowering" mission to better women’s lives. Rhoda's company, Radical, is a shining beacon for those seeking self-improvement, with products that have earned cult status. Rhoda’s public persona on Instagram, mixing intimate glimpses of her life with promotions for Radical’s latest wellness innovations, inspires blind devotion from her followers.

Dani Lang, one of Rhoda’s most devoted “questers,” enters Radical at her lowest point, determined to rise within the company. Her eagerness to please leads her to volunteer for a risky new supplement trial, granting her an inside track to work directly with Rhoda. Meanwhile, Cecelia Cole is a disillusioned employee, toiling away in Radical's customer service department. Skeptical of the company's promises and battling a chronic illness, Cecelia silently resents both Radical's superficial solutions and Rhoda's sparkling facade.

As Rhoda prepares for another lucrative fundraising round that could push Radical into unicorn status, an anonymous Twitter account begins spilling damning secrets about the startup, threatening to expose the truth behind Rhoda’s public image. Tensions soar within the company, and when a tragedy occurs during a corporate party, the lines between loyalty and betrayal blur. With mounting suspicion that the incident may have been a crime, even Rhoda's most loyal followers start to question how far she will go to protect her empire.

Blending suspense with dark comedy, Snake Oil dissects the wellness industry’s obsession with power, ambition, and authenticity, revealing its often-toxic underbelly. 📚❤️