The Warehouse Industry

Once there was a man.

When the man was a boy he killed a duck. He called the duck Peter, but it was too late. The duck was dead.

He got a job at a pie factory. Not a great job, but they didn’t ask too many questions, which was the main thing. He didn’t last long there, and left quietly without telling anyone.

The man is trying not to draw attention to himself.

He settled for a career in the warehouse industry. One day there was a delivery of cheap pillows, but the worst was yet to come.

The worst is always yet to come.

Reviews:

“Satisfyingly unpredictable, the book’s unexpectedness drives the plot with wit and ingenuity. The overall tone of the book is unemotional and distant, but its effect is full of pathos. The result is a tense combination of tears and laughter.  Darkly humorous, this book succeeds in portraying the everyman who is no man, The Invisible Man whose strength is in making himself known on his own wayward terms.”

Mari’s Book Reviews

“I've never read anything quite like this.”

Emi Bevacqua (Reviewer)

“Satisfyingly unpredictable, the book’s unexpectedness drives the plot with wit and ingenuity. The overall tone of the book is unemotional and distant, but its effect is full of pathos.  While Macbeth employs rich metaphors that elicit feeling as well as conjure image, he also includes irrelevant details, that the narrator says don’t matter.  The result is a tense combination of tears and laughter. Darkly humorous, this book succeeds in portraying the every man who is no man, The Invisible Man whose strength is in making himself known on his own wayward terms.”

Mari’s Book Reviews

“This is such an unusual and clever book, original and compulsively readable and I found myself more and more drawn into it as the narrative progressed. I particularly enjoyed the unpredictability of the book. It’s impossible to guess where the author is going with it, and the flat unemotional style only adds to the mystery of what turns out to be a very emotional book indeed. An excellent debut novel, which shows an expert feel for timing and construction and an impressive ability to get into the head of a damaged man. Thoroughly enjoyable.”

Mandy Jenkinson (Reviewer)

“If you are looking for a beach read, or a cozy mystery, this is not the book for you. But, if you are looking for something different, edgy, something that will wake up your book club, give it a try.”

Jena Henry (Reviewer)

“The overall tone of the book is unemotional and distant, but its effect is full of pathos. While Macbeth employs rich metaphors that elicit feeling as well as conjure image, he also includes irrelevant details, that the narrator says don't matter. The result is a tense combination of tears and laughter. Darkly humorous, this book succeeds in portraying the every man who is no man, The Invisible Man whose strength is in making himself known on his own wayward terms.”

Midwest Book Review

“This is a strange book but it also has a compelling pull on the reader. You need to try to work it out! … a little like Eleanor Oliphant.”

Fiction of Relations

“Perhaps it is an odd life goal to not draw attention to oneself, but that is exactly the place in which the narrator of “The Warehouse Industry” finds himself. Socially awkward and insecure, he does his best to blend in, yet still manages to stand out far more than he’s comfortable with. The narrator seems oddly disengaged, but the book draws the reader in, nonetheless. For those disinclined to read lengthy tomes, fear not: I found this book well-paced to the point where I was somewhat surprised to suddenly find myself deposited at its conclusion.”

Stop and Smell the Pages