I picked up The Garbage Man because the premise hooked me right away. Trash-eating bacteria, addictive VR, and a tech giant hiding secrets? Sign me up. And to be fair, Tessa Pacelli delivers some tense, imaginative scenes that really pulled me in. Around the halfway point, I actually found myself speeding up because the story did start to pick up.

That said, I couldn’t ignore the bumps. Kayla is introduced as this sharp, poker-savvy strategist, but too often she reacts like someone unsure of her own hand. Her arc felt inconsistent to me, and I kept wanting more from her. The sci-fi elements like AI, VR, data mining...are fascinating, but sometimes they’re either over-explained or juggled clumsily, which broke the flow for me.

The pacing was another issue. One moment I was racing through high-stakes action, and the next I was slogging through exposition or detours that didn’t really pay off. I also never fully connected with most of the side characters. They felt more like placeholders than people.
Still, I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it. The concept is strong, and even with its flaws, it kept me turning pages. For me, this was a solid “good but not great” techno-thriller. Three stars.

Unfortunately this wasn't for me. I found it a bit boring and I just wansnt invested enough in the characters. It did pick up a bit at the halfway point but at the end I just felt underwhelmed

Ok… legit just finished this book three seconds ago. I will start by saying, throughout the first 50% I thought about DNFing a lot. Almost did, and that would have been my first ever DNF.

Now, with that being said I am about 80% glad I did not. And the other 20% is just blah.

The FMC - was she really this strong? I mean never once cried, made it through quite a few hard battles, then she survived everyone getting killed down underground? And don’t get me started on miles… how did he just magically show up everytime.

Sameer was basically pointless, unless when she saw his dad that will tie into another book.

Overall, I truly would like to know what happens with her training and then with miles. I also want Rizzo to get out and make her those cabinets! But I also would be fine never knowing.

Title: The Garbage Man
Author: Tessa Pacelli
Publisher: Tessa Pacelli | Zero Day Books, LLC
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"The Garage Man" by Tessa Pacelli
My Insight:

"The Garbage Man" is a fascinating blend of suspense, thriller, and science that truly sparks curiosity! While you might need to stay alert to follow the twists and turns, the journey is enriching. Kayla Mousavi, our determined protagonist, brilliantly unravels the mysteries she encounters at General Recycling. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure that promises to surprise and delight you by the end. You won't want to miss this captivating techno-thriller experience!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC and for my giving my honest opinion of the read.

Thank you to Zero Day Books & Tessa Pacelli for the gifted copy.

I unfortunately decided to DNF this one, it just wasn't for me. The only consumer site I will rate this on is NetGalley, and I won't hesitate to pick up the next book from this author!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC!
4.75⭐️ this was such a great sci fi thriller! I read it in almost one sitting and pulled me right out of a reading slump. If you want a fast paced eerie thriller that might keep you looking over your shoulder definitely pick this one up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zero Day Books for this ARC. The Garbage Man turned out to be a fast-paced, surprising read that kept me constantly on edge. From the very beginning, the writing immediately pulled me in the tension doesn’t take long to build, and I found myself flipping pages quickly to keep up with the momentum. What I really enjoyed was how the thriller elements intertwined with a subtle but effective sci-fi layer. It wasn’t overwhelming or distracting, but instead added a sharp, unexpected twist to a story that could have easily been just another chase driven thriller.

Pacelli balances action and suspense well, while also giving us a protagonist who feels grounded in very human fears. The paranoia and danger never let up, and the backdrop of technology and its hidden dangers gave the book a chilling relevance. There were moments where the sci-fi angle caught me off guard, but in the best way it elevated the tension and made me second-guess where the story might go next.

While I rounded my rating up to 4, I would say it sits more firmly at 3.5 for me. The pacing was strong, the atmosphere had me hooked, but there were times where I wished for just a little more depth in character development. Still, the sharp writing, creative twists, and relentless sense of urgency made this an entertaining and memorable thriller. If you enjoy thrillers that merge real-world stakes with just a hint of speculative danger, this one is worth picking up.

“… deep in the bowels of a Wall Street darling is an extraordinary and terrifying business that will reshape everything we believe about psychology, security, privacy, and human nature. Now, to live, Kayla will have to outsmart a ruthless genius with unlimited resources. A man who absolutely intends to change the world...just not exactly as advertised.“

A change of pace thriller with well developed suspense and storytelling. I appreciated how the author wove in tension through multiple threads and blended in themes on tech and AI with sci fi elements…. A fast read perfect for anyone looking for a plot that grabs attention. I was all in for the strong female main character… love to cheer for a smart savvy female lead!

This had the potential to be great, instead it's just good. It's fast paced and has an interesting plot but the characters are just there as filler.

The idea of your trash being monetized for data mining is interesting, the sci-fi elements are the best part of this book. There's an addictive AI, trash eating bacteria, and unethical research done on human subjects.

The way this is written it just raises issue after issue; the prison system, the rich making their own rules, development of AI, over-trashed planet and the idea of free will.

There are a few problematic problems in the book for me and that does affect the way I feel about this book. I don't love that the villain is a native and proceeds to fuck over the MC by rigging a poker game. It's not in-your-face stereotyping, but she still pulls on stereotypes. There are a few more instances where the writing throws around stereotypes instead of developing a character and it just doesn't do it for me.
....and apparently the main character doesn't have an addictive personality but she can't stop playing poker so there's that.


Thank you to NetGalley and Zero Day Books, LLC for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Garbage Man is an intriguing and unique premise that immediately captures the reader’s attention.

The novel follows Kayla Mousavi, who lands a coveted analyst position at General Recycling, a renowned tech firm at the forefront of environmental innovation. The company’s breakthrough—a trash-eating bacteria designed to eradicate the world’s towering rubbish deposits—offers not only a thought-provoking glimpse into the future of sustainability, but also sets the stage for unexpected moral dilemmas.

Kayla’s journey from enthusiastic new recruit to wary investigator is both believable and compelling. As she delves deeper into the workings of General Recycling, it soon becomes clear that there is much more to the company than meets the eye. The novel’s plot twists and sinister undertones are expertly woven, ensuring that readers are kept on their toes right until the final pages.

The narrative is fast-paced and twisty, with well-drawn characters and sharp dialogue.

Overall, The Garbage Man is a clever and entertaining thriller that stands out for its origianlity.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for the ARC

This book is a fast-paced thriller that also combines sci-fi and mystery. It has numerous twists (a lot of that didn't surprised me because I guessed it). I have to say that the FMC is great. She is a baddie. But, the minor characters were unrelevant for me.

A great depiction of the horrors of what AI could become. How controlling it can be in the wrong hands.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free ARC of this book.

The Garbage Man is a fast-paced thriller that jumps from one life-threatening situation to the next. It begins quite sedately with a luxurious dinner for aspirants to a coveted position at General Recycling, a corporate giant. At the dinner are Kayla Mousavi, the protagonist and one of the candidates for the job, and Frederick Douglas Monahan, the antagonist and the CEO of General Recycling.

The stakes rise soon after the dinner. Kayla is described as someone who was used to a life of privilege until her father was arrested and sent to prison for insider trading. Hence, the need for a steady income instead of following her dream of playing poker professionally.

The book was filled with poker terminology. Kayla constantly drew inspiration from poker strategies for her life choices. I wasn’t able to quite relate to Kayla’s inner monologue, which consisted predominantly of Poker analogies. Also, Kayla was projected as someone capable of thinking ahead and strategising, again thanks to her Poker background. Yet, the actual action repeatedly showed Kayla as a deer in the headlights, being rescued. I got that Kayla was running for her life and to avenge her fiancé, Sameer (who was killed in a plane crash, presumably caused by Monahan), so she probably wasn’t at her best. But even the various plans that Kayla came up with for the showdown with Monahan were amateurish, at best. It was disappointing.

The sentences in the book were short, crisp and to the point. It gave everything a sense of urgency, which worked very well. Also, despite the pace, I never lost the sense of place. There were short yet rich descriptions of the various parts of New York City, the sleek and ornate offices of GR and every other place that Kayla ended up in. It made me feel rooted in the story.

The plot, while good, felt unnecessarily convoluted at times. There were a lot of things happening that didn’t make sense. The poker game at the beginning, for instance, between Kayla and Monahan, felt too complicated, and I didn’t understand why it was needed. Then there was Sameer turning up out of the blue while Kayla was mired in the mystery of Olivia Chen’s (Kayla’s predecessor at General Recycling) disappearance and Resilusio (the shady VR video game), only to die in the so-called plane crash that set all the action in motion. There was no explanation for Sameer showing up other than that Kayla’s father, who was in prison, had called him. It got even more confusing later in the book when it became clear that it wouldn’t have been possible for Kayla’s father to call anyone.

Despite the irking plot holes, the book was a page turner. There was not a moment of respite. It was go, go and go. Difficult not to want to know what happens next. I did put the book down from one action-packed sequence to the next just to reflect on everything. The climax, after the eventful build-up, was a slight let-down. As mentioned earlier, the expectation that Kayla would dazzle with a brilliant plan to thwart Monahan never came to fruition.

Overall, even though a few plot points niggled and Kayla’s character was a letdown, I enjoyed the breakneck speed of the action in this book. I also liked the descriptions and the writing style. Any fans of constant, page-turning action with the ability to ignore minor plot holes will be satisfied with this book. But a nitpicker who can’t let go of minor errors or someone expecting surprising twists will not find this book too compelling.

This thriller was definitely a bit sci-fi with trash eating bacteria! There was action, a botched hit on the FMC, Kayla, who is right out of college working for General Recycling, which was an amazing feat, but not one she really desired. Then she starts digging into the women who used to have her job, and that is when this book went off the rails (in a good way). I could not put it down! This was a page turner for sure, and I am hoping (wondering) if there will be a next book?!? I need it now!

The Garbage Man by Tessa Pacelli tells the story of Kayla Mousavi a recent Harvard grad on a job interview at General Recycling. She is an avid poker fan and loses to the CEO of the company and has to work for him for 3 years.

There is a lot going on at this company including having a VR room to escape from work environment.

This book was a bit more sci-fi than I like. The story line held my attention but lost it about 3/4 of the way through. It seemed the author dragged out the plot more than what was needed. I was really sure who were the good guys and who were the bad guys.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zero Day Books for this ARC.

I have just begun to get involved with Booktok and will be starting one on there and Instagram with reviews. I am so excited to build my following and share the wonderful books through Net Galley. I’m 65, a woman and disabled so I feel with all my years of reading for pleasure I will add a different perspective.

I truly enjoyed this book. I must admit at one point it got confusing as to who ran the 3 groups and who was the good guys but in the grand scheme of things, all of the options were not “good” so to speak.

I felt that in the way AI and VR technology is becoming more prevalent the plot is highly plausible in our world today. The fear it will fall into the wrong hands is so pervasive within society, especially among people my age as I grew up in the “Big brother is watching you” era. It’s deeply thought provoking, tantalizing, the right amount of espionage and I look forward to hopefully another book.

It’s a book that is great for those that love sci fi and thriller and especially both genres.
It intertwines themes of addiction, corporate deception and AI.
It showcases a cautionary tale about AI which I thought was quite appropriate for today’s society.
The FMC is compelling, strong and relatable, which I enjoyed as well.
It looks like there will be a sequel after reading the ending which is something I do look forward to!
Despite everything, it did take me a while to get hooked compared to other books.
Thank you NetGalley and the author for kindly providing me this book ✨

4.5 rounded up

The Garbage Man took turns that I did not expect. I knew this was a thriller filled with suspense - but this one. this was good!!!

Kayla - lands a job that she truly didn't have much fo a desire for. She aspired to play poker. But she ended up with the career of a life time, working for General Recyclying the leading tech company. There were soooo many folks fighting for this number one spot and Kayla "won" it by losing her dream and baby did that take a turn.

My girl was running for her life, once she started to dig into the woman who previously had her position and what "happened" to her. She got herself into some MESS and played the game a bit smart and well. Bodies started dropping and things got REAL. I had NO idea what the garbage man was really about to get into or be about but I can really say that even though it started slow, it had me on the edge of my seat until the end.

I would most definitely read a part two to find out what happens next - I need more!!!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley.

Garbage Man by Tessa Pacelli was an okay read overall. The premise was interesting and there were some engaging moments, but the story didn’t fully hold my attention throughout. Others may enjoy it.

What would you do if you landed the job of your dreams—only to discover it was a nightmare? That’s exactly the situation Kayla Mousavi faces in The Garbage Man, a fast-paced thriller that kept me turning pages to see how it all ends.

Fresh out of Harvard Business School, Kayla beats out thousands of candidates to land a coveted role at General Recycling, America’s hottest tech company. She quickly proves herself smart, determined, and resourceful—qualities that make her an engaging heroine. I admired her wit, her passion, and her complicated but touching love for her father, despite his past mistakes. Her determination to succeed in such a cutthroat environment was one of the book’s highlights for me.

The story introduces fascinating futuristic concepts, including a dangerously addictive virtual reality game called Resilusio, and a legendary CEO, Frederick Douglass Monahan, whose ambition casts a long shadow. I also enjoyed the unexpected romance subplot, which brought warmth to a thriller otherwise filled with danger and intrigue.

Although I loved the premise, there were moments where the story dragged. The heavy technical explanations sometimes felt overwhelming, and at times I was confused about who was speaking or even what was happening in a scene. Some of the themes promised in the setup—like psychology, security, and privacy—could have been more seamlessly integrated.

I also have to say—I really love the cover design. It perfectly captures the book’s futuristic, high-stakes vibe.

Overall, The Garbage Man delivered strong suspense, a compelling futuristic setting, and twists that kept me reading, but the heavy technical explanations and uneven pacing kept it from leaving a lasting mark.

Thanks to NetGalley and Zero Day Books for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.