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Unlocking Hell’s secrets leads to a messy, world-ending corporate disaster.
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Messy As Hell

$28.22

  • Paperback

    384 pages

  • Release Date

    20 April 2027

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Summary

CAUTION! All employees must correctly dispose of otherworldly biohazards found on Dark Enterprises property. Failure to comply may result in one hell of a mess…from the author of Colin Gets Promoted and Dooms the World.

“If a door is closed, you leave it alone.”

That’s the one rule janitor Sam is given when he starts cleaning the infamous thirteenth floor of the Denver branch of Hell-like multinational corporation Dark Enterprises.

Sam is thrilled to be that much close…

Book Details

ISBN-13:9780593818428
ISBN-10:0593818423
Author:Mark Waddell
Publisher:Penguin Putnam Inc
Imprint:Ace Books
Format:Paperback
Number of Pages:384
Release Date:20 April 2027
Weight:292g
Dimensions:131mm x 203mm
A-Format
B-Format
Messy As Hell by Mark Waddell - ISBN: 9780593818428
131 × 203 mm
C-Format
A4
mm / in
What They're Saying

Critics Review

Praise for Messy As Hell

“Delightfully unhinged and cheerfully macabre, Mark Waddell’s newest book takes cozy corporate horror to the ninth ‘circle back’ of hell. Sam the janitor’s story is full of wordplay, shenanigans, dark rituals, and a friends-to-lovers romance that will mop you off your feet. Messy As Hell is fun as hell.”
—Emily Krempholtz, USA Today bestselling author of Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore

“Messy As Hell is tons of fun, dark sorcery and the legions of hell against janitorial prowess and one cute rabbit. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like working for the evil corporation, this is the book for you.”
—Django Wexler
, author of How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying

“Hang on for a ride that spans realms, large office areas, and three friends who will help each other through the toughest messes. Full of humor and gore, this book feels like a cross between Office Space and Evil Dead, complete with a lovable lunkhead in Sam…. Hilarious and charming, even while gory and exciting, this novel will be swept right off shelves.”
—Library Journal

“A fun read with a very important life lesson: Don’t f*** with the janitor!”
—Jim C. Hines, author of the Janitors of the Post-Apocalypse trilogy

“With puns aplenty, a swoony romance, and one adorable (and very normal) bunny, Messy As Hell delivers more of Waddell’s trademark humor and heart. We were instantly swept away by the delightful chaos of infernal corporate plots and characters who spill off the page. It’s one hell of a ride.”
—Kat Hillis and Rosiee Thor, co-authors of the Dead & Breakfast Mysteries

“Queer comic fantasy for our capitalist hellscape. Be Gay: Do Grime.”
—KJ Charles, author of All of Us Murderers

“An essential case study in corporate governance, employee engagement, and the business continuity benefits of well-stocked cleaning supplies. Messy as Hell is tremendously funny and warmly human, the office politics and ritual sacrifices instantly recognisable to anyone who’s ever worked for an organisation.”
—Jared Poon, author of City of Others


Praise for Colin Gets Promoted and Dooms the World

“The humor throughout this novel is delightfully witty in a way that fans of dry satire will greatly enjoy. Filled with top-notch worldbuilding, entertaining antagonists, and tongue-in-cheek charm…this novel is not to be missed for fans of urban fantasy that gently toes the horror line. A charming corporate horror novel with a whole lot of heart.”
—Kirkus (starred review)

“Most readers won’t have experienced as much workplace death, dismemberment, or eldritch horror as Colin, but this underdog revenge fantasy is for anyone who has been bullied, ignored, or taken advantage of.”
—Library Journal

“This book is anything but another day at the office. Charmingly twisted and twistedly charming, Colin Gets Promoted and Dooms the World is as timely and poignant as it is witty and imaginative.”
—Maxie Dara, author of A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Catching a Killer

“If you want your moral centre to be gleefully eroded by indefensible characters, selfish love, and literally cutthroat office politics, this is the vice for you.”
—Natalie Zina Walschots, author of Hench

“Waddell delivers the perfect balance of humor, chaos, and horror into a terrific page-turning narrative.”
—Criminal Element

“With plenty of jokes about shady executives, corporate drudgery, and ritual sacrifice, Waddell has created a romp that will have readers wondering how Colin will get himself and the world out of the mess he’s created…hilarious contemporary fantasy.”
—Shelf Awareness

“The blend of corporate satire with eldritch horror made for a sharp, entertaining fusion that felt both absurd and uncomfortably fitting.”
—Game Vortex

“This book was a whole lot of fun!”
—FanFiAddict

About The Author

Mark Waddell

Mark Waddell grew up on the cold, windswept prairies of western Canada and later earned a Ph.D. in the history of science, medicine, and technology from the Johns Hopkins University. After teaching at Michigan State University for fifteen years, he and his husband moved to Vancouver Island. When not writing, he plays the viola in the Civic Orchestra of Victoria, walks his dogs on the beach, and slays fearsome monsters in Dungeons & Dragons.

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