Hostile Work Environment: A Workplace Psychological Thriller About Office Politics Gone Deadly

by Zoe Cross

"A masterfully crafted psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the final page!"

What happens when your coworker becomes your worst nightmare?

Shelby Lane thought she knew her colleagues at Meridian Health Marketing. She was wrong.

When mysterious incidents begin targeting Shelby—missing keys, corrupted files, cancelled medical appointments—she realizes someone wants to destroy her career... and her life.

Perfect for fans
- Gillian Flynn's Sharp Objects
- Ruth Ware's psychological suspense
- Anyone who loved "The Silent Patient"

230 pages of edge-of-your-seat workplace suspense that readers are calling "unputdownable." Download now and discover why readers say this is the most chilling workplace thriller they've ever read.

Genres: Thriller

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2025

Reviews

[Victoria Villano · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it! Easy quick read

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me absolutely hooked from the first chapter!

Shelby's situation is immediately relatable: she's fighting for a promotion that could help pay for her father's cancer treatment when workplace tensions start escalating in genuinely creepy ways.

The psychological manipulation depicted here is chillingly believable. The pacing is mostly excellent - I burned through this in two sittings because I had to know what happened next.

My only real complaints are minor: some of the secondary characters feel a bit underdeveloped (especially Shelby's boyfriend), and there's one plot twist near the middle that felt slightly telegraphed. Also, a few scenes toward the end push believability just a touch, though not enough to derail the story.

But honestly? Those are small quibbles with what's otherwise a really solid thriller. Shelby is a fantastic protagonist - smart and determined but flawed in realistic ways. The workplace setting feels authentic in a way that made my own office seem suddenly suspicious.

Looking forward to whatever Zoe Cross writes next!

[Heidi Carpenter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started out pretty slow and mundane, but picked up some towards the end. It was on the short side, and I feel like the story could of been developed more. The ending itself was ok, with a slight twist.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much worse work environment than I've ever experienced. Certainly a fitting title for the book. To think it is possible for someone to interfere in another person's life to this extent is believable. Satisfying conclusion.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a long novel, I read it in one day. I have to say I did not like the main character too much, just did not identify much with her at all and found her kind of dumb at first in regard to what was happening to her. Did stretch believability here and there too. Decent read though.

[Candice Hodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable.!!

This book was an enjoyable read from the beginning to the end. I am an avid reader, and have been all my life. I enjoyed the author's writing and look forward to checking out what else Zoe Cross has to offer. 5 🤩 Stars.

[Kryssi D'Eredita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so stressful! It had me on edge the entire time I was reading it.

[Ann Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me on the edge of my seat. It was so frustrating but such a great read.