The Robusta Incident

by Jennifer Fales

Coffee with a double shot of voodoo and vengeance. Meet Howard Danishefsky. He's a smart-mouthed chemist working for his ex-lover turned tight-skirted, ball-busting boss, Melinda Carpenter, in the shiny downtown office of an international coffee conglomerate known as the Robusta Corporation. He has a legendary astrophysicist father in the Consortium of Evil that he's never met, a dead Russian mother who still keeps in touch, and a brilliant young daughter he loves but rarely sees. More importantly, he also has an evil genius complex that is about to go through the roof. When Howard finds himself pushed past his tolerance limit once again by Carpenter's cutthroat machinations and the Robusta Corporation's mindless culture, he takes it as his cue to "evil up" seeking revenge so nefarious it's guaranteed to gain the attention of the Consortium. What better way to do it than by adding a little "something extra" to the new coffee he's been given carte blanche to develop and using the entire office as his own personal test group? He's convinced he has it all under control, until his secret ingredient gains him the interest of a voodoo queen, an ancient professor, and a guy so far past his expiration date deodorant doesn't even stand a chance. Monday through Friday getting you down? Ever wonder how far you'd go for revenge on the worst boss, or the most miserable job you've ever had? Ever wonder what would happen if you did? Then you, my friend, need to read The Robusta Incident - and be careful what you wish for.

308 pages, Paperback

First published January 8, 2015

About the author

Jennifer Fales is an award-winning author, freelance writer, and an east coast native who moved to Southern California back in 2004. She possesses an undying love for literature and a diverse background and perspective from having worn many professional hats over the decades, including those in the clothing and automotive industries, financials, and securities. She loves traveling, and people watching, and she considers herself a foodie and a wine enthusiast. From time to time she has also been known to sing somewhere other than the shower. She recently released her first erotica title, via Cobblestone Press, under the nom de plume Mischief Ardmore.

Pronunciation of last name: FAYLZ (sales with an "F")

Awards & Honorable Mentions:

2011 INDIEFAB Award

2013 INDIEFAB Finalist

2013 Reader's Favorite International Book Award

2013 Feathered Quill Award

2014 CIPA EVVY Award

IndieReader Approved 2015

LA Book Festival Honorable Mention, 2015

Association of Independent Authors Book of The Month March 2015

IndieReader 56 Best Self-Published Books of 2015

Reviews

[Fiona Ingram · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Robusta Incident by Jennifer Fales, Howard Danishefsky has been planning revenge since he was seven years old and being pounded by the bullies in the playground. Now he’s thirty-seven and nothing’s changed. He’s being bullied by his boss, the lovely ex-squeeze Melinda Carpenter, the organization he works for, and besides, he hates his co-workers who only excel at sucking up to their superiors. Howard is a genius, unappreciated of course, working for the Robusta Corporation, a company dedicated to the art of coffee. Howard would rather be working for the Consortium of Evil, the world’s oldest and largest disservice organisation. His father was the brilliant and charming astrophysicist, Archibald Danishefsky, who after wooing and wedding his young Russian ballet dancer bride, had inexplicably vanished, leaving Mimi to bring up the precocious Howard. Mimi had stuck with Howard through thick and thin, to the point where even after death she is still hanging around as a voice in his head. Right now, Howard’s life is in tatters – he has lost his house, his child and his income in a divorce, plus it looks like he is developing a serious drinking problem, along with hallucinations, especially of goats – and his career is shaky since Melinda (aka Il Duce) keeps warning him he is not fitting in with the company’s ethos. Revenge is what he knows best, so revenge is what he plans and executes: a serum to turn his co-workers into zombies. He quietly introduces the serum into the coffee machines at work. The results are interesting, then chaotic, and finally catastrophic. Then Howard discovers there’s more to the Robusta Corporation and his father than meets the eye.

Author Jennifer Fales has a satirical style of writing that you either love or hate. To say she has a mordant wit is an understatement. The author manages to turn all established conventions of behaviour on their heads as she takes a long, hard look at people and society, and especially big corporations come under her scrutiny. She masterfully ridicules whatever comes within Howard’s scope, and particularly the bowing, scraping, and jockeying for position and favours that characterise most big businesses. Being inside Howard’s head is an intense journey for the reader as his life and his mental stability crumble, heading inexorably towards zero. I found the beginning a little slow, leading up to the actual doctoring of the coffee machines, but once zombification had taken place, the pace speeded up. Howard’s world is populated with an assortment of truly hilarious characters that added to the insight of the novel and made me laugh. In fact, if you aren’t laughing out loud at every line, at least a smile will be hovering. There are many layers to this black comedy and readers who enjoy satire, parody and dark humour will love it.

[Mandy Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book turns the zombie genre on its head!

[Michael Stern · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Robusta Incident, by Jennifer Fales is truly a masterful depiction of a "bad day at the office." When I began reading, I wasn't sure what to expect. Good thing, too, because no one would expect a corporate chemist whose distaste for cubicle culture is unleashed on his fellow employees. Black humor and satire of the best kind resounds throughout the story. Others may want to review the story in detail, but I'm not spilling the beans. If you've ever worked in a big company, with cubicles, or shared desks, or a call center, you will recognize people you know. Ms. Fales has hit the nail, very definitely, on the head. And speaking of heads, imagine having a voice accompanying you wherever you go. This is a trip to worst day ever. Loved it.

[Andy Martello · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Supremely entertaining, well-written, and full of very clever humor.
Highly recommended!