I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect when I picked up Next in Line by T.W. Baker going by the cover. As it turns out, this is a workplace comedy novel that tackles the chaos of pharmacy life through oodles of dry wit and sharp observational humor. I would say it’s probably written primarily for fans of shows like The Office and Superstore, or anyone who’s survived working in retail or customer service. It’s a book that superficially has a pretty unexciting premise, but somehow feels like it’s constantly making fun of how boring it is.
The book follows the staff of Mortar and Pestle RX, a small-town pharmacy held together by caffeine. Mik, the exhausted head pharmacist, presides over a team of lovable misfits: Monika, fiercely competent and perpetually furious; Janice, terminally apathetic and glued to her phone; Bronco, a charismatic flirt who can charm anyone except his workload; and Sammy, a kind-hearted but catastrophically clumsy intern. Across a series of escalating mishaps, including missing medications and bizarre customers, the pharmacy becomes a pressure cooker of comedy and reluctant teamwork.
Firstly, I appreciate that Baker brings his own pharmaceutical industry experience to this book. As mentioned in his author bio, he has over 20 years working as a Pharmacy Technician at one of the top specialty pharmacies in the nation. This isn’t someone imagining what pharmacy work is like, this is someone who has clearly survived it and found the humor in the mundane. Although I have no experience in this environment, I found the book to be an interesting look into what it would be like to work in a pharmacy, although no doubt oft exaggerated for comedy.
The writing itself is largely very well done, clean and comedically honest. Baker has a knack for capturing small, absurd moments that reveal character without heavy-handedness. The prose moves smoothly, favoring deadpan observation over elaborate description. That said, at 296 pages with quite small font, it’s not exactly too long but it can feel a bit heavy going at points. Some readers may find certain sections dull, particularly when the episodic structure means similar types of chaos repeat. I didn’t find this too much of a problem, but readers who prefer tight plot progression may struggle with the meandering pace.
The book is absolutely full of funny lines. Consider this gem, “The bell above the door jingled, announcing the arrival of a woman who looked like she’d personally wrestled a badger and lost.” Or this customer outburst at poor Sammy: “Are you trying to sabotage my bowel movements? Is this some kind of elaborate conspiracy? Are you in cahoots with the manufacturers of inferior laxatives?” These moments had me laughing out loud. The annoying customers and “Karens” are one of the best parts. They’re rendered with such specificity that anyone who’s worked retail will recognize them instantly. The book will probably make you think about how you talk to and treat retail employees.
Baker’s prose style favors these intimate, understated observations over complex literary flourishes, which suits the comedic tone perfectly. You get the sense the author doesn’t take the subject matter too seriously at all, and that’s exactly what makes it work. The book seems to satirise how pharmacy work can be, turning tedious inventory checks into comedic set pieces. Though readers who prefer more lyrical prose or psychologically complex characters may find it a touch spare at times. The book also has its fair share of surreal moments that I particularly enjoyed. These moments prevent the book from becoming too predictable while maintaining the overall comedic tone. They’re odd choices, but they work.
The novel’s exploration of workplace bonds is one of its most well-done elements, handled with real warmth beneath the sarcasm. Baker examines camaraderie from multiple angles. The characters feel like real people you would find in this sort of workplace setting, and by the end, their found-family dynamic feels earned. As the book puts it, “They were a team, a quirky, dysfunctional, yet remarkably resilient team, and that was a comfort in itself.” All of the characters are likeable, even if at times you may wish the author would take them more seriously, rather than walking punchlines.
I found Next in Line to be a very enjoyable and easy to get into read, and indeed quite unique despite its on the surface not particularly imaginative premise. It definitely gives off sitcom vibes of an ensemble cast navigating workplace dysfunction with deadpan humor. For me, it also had strong A Confederacy of Dunces and Catch-22 element in its absurdist writing. The slow pacing is deliberate, the tone observational, although some may want more traditional plot structure at times. Overall, this is a great book to pick up and read a couple chapters before bedtime.
It’s worth noting, however, this is a niche book. I can imagine not everyone will gel with it. If you’re looking for fast-paced plot, character transformation, or tidy endings, look elsewhere. But if you want a thoughtful, often hilarious meditation on workplace survival and the strange bonds forged in service jobs, Next in Line is well worth your time. In these troubled times, it’s a rare privilege to find a book this laugh-out-loud funny.
Final verdict: Readers of workplace comedies, those interested in observational humor, anyone who has worked retail or customer service, and fans of shows like The Office and Superstore will love Next in Line by T.W. Baker. Also for fans of writers like David Sedaris, Nick Hornby and Joseph Heller.
You can get your copy of Next in Line by T. W. Baker here!
