Very Bad Company: A Novel BY Emma Rosenblum

Very Bad Company, from the bestselling author of Bad Summer People, is a darkly funny and gripping novel that blends the intrigue of The White Lotus with the cutthroat dynamics of Succession. The story centers around Caitlin Levy, the newest head of events at the trendy tech startup Aurora. Invited to an exclusive company retreat in Miami, Caitlin is enticed by the incredible perks: a seven-figure salary, stock shares, a hefty bonus, and limitless vacation days. However, the seemingly idyllic retreat quickly takes a dark turn.

On the first night, a high-ranking executive mysteriously vanishes, throwing the future of Aurora and its impending sale into jeopardy. The disappearance not only threatens the company’s stability but also puts the fortunes of its top employees at risk. With millions of dollars at stake, Caitlin and her colleagues are thrust into a tense situation where they must maintain the facade of a normal retreat. They continue participating in team-building exercises, brainstorms, and lavish dinners, all while under a cloud of suspicion and speculation.

As the retreat unfolds, the novel deftly satirizes corporate culture, highlighting the absurdity and hypocrisy often lurking beneath the surface of tech startup success stories. The executives' efforts to mask the crisis and their true motives provide a sharp critique of the relentless pursuit of wealth and status.

Very Bad Company is a compulsively readable mystery that combines wit, suspense, and a keen observation of modern workplace dynamics, making it an irresistible summer read for fans of sharp, satirical thrillers.