by W.R. Gingell
Series: The City Between #1
Narrator: Zehra Jane Naqvi
Length: 7 hours and 43 minutes
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 4 cups Speed: 1.5X
When you get up in the morning, the last thing you expect is to see a murdered guy hanging outside your window. Things like that tend to draw the attention of the local police, and when you’re squatting in your parents’ old house until you can afford to buy it, another thing you can’t afford is the attention of the cops.
Oh yeah. Hi. My name is Pet.
It’s not my real name, but it’s the only one you’re getting. Things like names are important these days.
And it’s not so much that I’m Pet.
I’m a pet.
A human pet: I belong to the two Behindkind fae and the pouty vampire who just moved into my house. It’s not weird, I promise—well, it’s weird, yeah. But it’s not weird weird, you know?
Between Jobs by W.R. Gingell is the first novel in the City Between, an edgy urban fantasy series. Dark humor, an Australian setting and an unusual cast of characters kept me engaged.
A young seventeen-year-old girl working a crappy job and squatting in her parent’s abandoned home witnesses a murder that changes her life.
Her parents were murdered seven years ago while she slept in her hidden bedroom behind the bookshelf. Now three psychos have moved in and they’ve named her Pet.
Pet calls them psychos, but Zero and Zero’s steward, Athelas are Fae. JinYeoung refuses to speak English and is a vampire. They are Enforcers from the Behindkind sent to investigate murders.
“She does make a good cup of tea, after all. Let’s have her as a pet.”
Zero said coolly, “Don’t go giving it a name and patting it on the head. Don’t get fond of it. It’ll die soon enough.”
Between Jobs was a cool mix. A murder-mystery involving supernaturals and the worlds of Humans, the Between and the Behind. It offered a unique world and twist on paranormals while mixing in elements of humor.
Set in Hobart, Tasmania. I loved the Australian setting. The world building unfolded as Pet learned. On the plus side it kept the pace fast and light despite the dark grisly murders and freakishness of the Behind. There is more to be discovered and Gingell succeeded in making me want more.
I loved the characters. Each has a distinct personality and I enjoyed watching the dynamics that developed as they interacted. Even the Hobart police detective who seems immune to glamour added to the tale. It is clear there is something different about Pet. Zero is the leader of the psychos and we learn some interesting tidbits about him. JinYeoung only speaks Korean but his interaction with Pet is hilarious. Athelas cracks me up. He kind of sits back and finds humor in the interactions of the others, only stepping in when necessary.
Zehra Jane Naqvi narrates and did a splendid job capturing the voices of these characters, particularly our heroine Pet.
The story wrapped up fairly well concerning the books plot, but left lots of threads and questions. I am looking forward to listening to the next novel.
Between Jobs by W.R. Gingell is the first #audio in the City Between, an edgy urban fantasy series w/ dark humor, and an Australian setting. #loveaudiobooks Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Mary @StackingMyBookShelves!
I like that this is the start of the series. I will have to check this one out.
Mary
Jen
Wow. This sounds so different than other UF’s I’ve read. I’m going to check out your review of book two and decide if I want to put it on my wish list. Thanks for the review.
Angela @ Simply Angela
I read your review for the second book first then had to make a mad dash to Audible to pick these up!
Carole @ Carole's Random Life in Books
I haven’t heard of this one before but it sounds great! I like that there are so many different elements worked into this story. I will have to look for this one.
Anne - Books of My Heart
This sounds on the edge of things which I might really love or not. Wonderful review. It sounds really interesting.
Daniela Ark
I think giving each character a distinct voice is a very hard thing to do! Insta-character-love 🙂
blodeuedd
Ohh this one is new to me, interesting.
Tanya @ Rantings of a Reading Addict
Oh I like the sound of this one! I love having a thread of humor through my books, especially with a good narrator!
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra
This sounds like fun. I love the idea of an urban fantasy murder mystery with a little humor sprinkled in.
Lily
This sounds kind of crazy but fun? very different. The Australian setting sounds really good.
Lindy@ A Bookish Escape
This sounds like a great read Kim! I’ve been in the world for Fantasy/Urban Fantasy! I love how it has a unique setting and different types of supernaturals! I love when you get any story with humor also. I love to laugh and this sounds like it was very entertaining! You have me curious about Pet and what’s different about her. Great Review Kim 🙂
sherry fundin
sounds great and i think i would enjoy it
Stephanie Jane (Literary Flits)
This sounds like an unusual fantasy set up and I love details like the vampire only speaking Korean! The Australian setting appeals to me 🙂
Maureen Bakker
This sounds like a very fun and different read. I’ll have to check this one out!
Heidi
Well this is a different kind of UF. I am going to hunt it down.
Mary Kirkland
A few supernatural beings always make a book more interesting to me. This sounds really good.
Angela - Angel's Guilty Pleasures
This sounds interesting. Thank’s for the review. I’m adding to my TBR.
Lorna
Ohhh! This is new to me and sounds awesome. I notice you used 1.5 on the speed and wondered why? Is the narrator just really slow or something? A comical urban fantasy! Now that’s pretty unique.
Kimberly
I always listen at normal speed and then adjust to where I am most comfortable. I added this, because I had a few people ask me. This narrator works better for me at higher speeds and some work lower. I rarely listen at regular speed after my initial assessment.
Sophia Rose
Now doesn’t this sound good. The setting would grab me, but it’s neat how she makes the supernaturals to be truly different from the human.
Melliane
I love UF so it’s always great to find new books like that!
Melliane
I bought it thanks to you!
Kimberly
Sweet!! Enjoy. I look forward to hearing what you think!
Noel
Well now that’s going on the TBR!!
kindlemom1
This does sound unique and I like that it is a bit darker and of course the setting is awesome. I will look this one up. This is the first I’ve heard of it.
Debbie Haupt
Ok I’m intrigued, what a fabulously weird storyline thanks Kim you always find the really out there reads/listens
Cynthia
I would love to go to Australia , the setting sounds fantastic. Your review makes me want to start reading this one. Thanks for sharing your great review!
Nick
I think I’d like this just for the Australian setting. I love reading books set in Australia. I think the mix of supernatural and murder mystery is also fun. Glad you enjoyed!
Ailyn Koay
what? That is such a cool intro i almost want to go buy it. But I will be looking for it in my local library instead because u only put 4 cups for it
Kimberly
I hope they have it, but it’s worth purchasing.
Naomi Hop
A story set in Australia, my own neck of the woods, sounds like fun. Looks like the narration was done well, and that you enjoyed Pet’s adventure. Great review!
Ailyn Koay
have to say,, if Pet lives in Brisbane, One Nation would be having a ball