In Aftermarket Afterlife, the thirteenth audiobook in the InCryptid series by Seanan McGuire, we get Mary Dunlavy story. Mary has been the babysitter for Price children for four generations. Did I mention she is also a ghost? Attacks, danger, loss and more await you in this gripping installment.
by Seanan McGuire
Series: InCryptid #13
Narrator: Emily Bauer
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 4.5 cups Speed: 1.5x
Seanan McGuire's New York Times -bestselling and Hugo Award-nominated urban fantasy InCryptid series continues with the thirteenth book following the Price family, cryptozoologists who study and protect the creatures living in secret all around us
Mary Dunlavy didn't intend to become a professional babysitter. Of course, she didn't intend to die, either, or to become a crossroads ghost. As a babysitting ghost, she's been caring for the Price family for four generations, and she's planning to keep doing the job for the better part of forever.
With her first charge finally back from her decades-long cross-dimensional field trip, with a long-lost husband and adopted daughter in tow, it's time for Mary to oversee the world's most chaotic family reunion. And that's before the Covenant of St. George launches a full scale strike against the cryptids of Manhattan, followed quickly by an attack on the Campbell Family Carnival.
It's going to take every advantage and every ally they have for the Prices to survive what's coming—and for Mary, to avoid finding out the answer to a question she's never wanted to where does a babysitting ghost go when she runs out of people to take care of?
Narrated by Emily Bauer, McGuire continues the saga of the Price family. The family has made it their mission to protect multiple species of in-cryptid who live hidden amongst humans. The story is involved and I encourage you to listen to the series in the order of their release. I love the parallel universes, diverse creatures, but most of all, the Price family.
When Mary was sixteen, she died and met a crossroads witch and agreed to become a crossroads ghost, provided she could be there when the family needed her. Which is how she became the babysitter for the Price family. With her first charge returned home and the crossroads gone, she has a lot to consider, but before she can, the Covenant of St. George attacks Manhattan and all hell breaks loose.
I loved getting Mary’s point of view as she scrabbled from here to there, aiding how she could. Aftermarket Afterlife was a darker novel than its predecessors and I admit to shedding a tear or two. The Prices are tired, have suffered too much loss, and the Covenant can suck an egg. Sarah and Mary play heavily in the story as they can transport to family members in need.
I like Mary but the repeating of her role, love for the children, etc, etc was grating. Mary helps to drive their reaction to the Covenant, but at a terrible cost. I love this series and the last book ended on such a high note that when I finished this audio; I was left feeling blue.
Emily Bauer does a lovely job with the narration and, as always, I recommend listening. The novella that follows Dreaming of You in Freefall was not included in the audio version, so I will need to check it out later.
Update: Yesterday, Ms. McGuire announced more books in the Incryptid series & the Toby Daye series. She signed a deal with Tor. The first book, Installment Immortality, will release in the spring of 2025, followed by a Toby Daye book in the fall. I am over the moon excited and hope they deliver audiobooks as well.
About Seanan McGuire
Seanan McGuire is a native Californian, which has resulted in her being exceedingly laid-back about venomous wildlife, and terrified of weather. When not writing urban fantasy (as herself) and science fiction thrillers (as Mira Grant), she likes to watch way too many horror movies, wander around in swamps, record albums of original music, and harass her cats. Seanan is the author of the October Daye, InCryptid, and Indexing series of urban fantasies; the Newsflesh trilogy; the Parasitology duology; and the "Velveteen vs." superhero shorts. Her cats, Lilly, Alice, and Thomas, are plotting world domination even as we speak, but are easily distracted by feathers on sticks, so mankind is probably safe. For now.
About Emily Bauer
Lauded as a prolific narrator by the Audiobook Publishers Association, Emily Bauer has a passion for truthful, honest storytelling and creating memorable characters across all genres. Emily graduated from New York University majoring in Theatre and Business. The recipient of multiple “Golden Earphones” , “Listen-Up Awards”, and Publishers Weekly starred reviews, she is well-known for her animation work on shows such as “Pokemon”, “Clifford”, and “Wallykazam”, as well as many of Miyazaki’s animated masterpieces, to name just a few. Among her over 300 audiobooks, recent favorites include the iconic '“Baby-Sitters Club” series as Mary Anne Spier, the beautifully tragic Beth in “Little Women”, The Incryptid Series by Seanan McGuire, and the Razorland Series by Ann Aguirre. Non-fiction work includes “Constitutional Grounds for Presidential Impeachment” and Lauren Mcgoodwin’s bestseller, “Power Moves”.
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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
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
I have got to hurry up and read this author! So many good books and series out there to get started on. Thanks for sharing this one, great review!
Maureen @ Maureen's Books
I haven’t heard about this author before. Sounds like you have been enjoying this series. I’ll have to check it out!
Laurel-Rain Snow
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Debi O'Neille
It sounds interesting, so it might make it to my towering TBR list 🙂
Mary Kirkland
I haven’t read this but it sounds good.
Anne - Books of My Heart
Robin also reads and reviews this series which I think I would like. I’ve also thought of it for a Read-along.
Sophia Rose
When you described the sadness and sorrow of this one, I was hoping it was a set up book with more hope and upbeat victory in the next. Looks like that will happen for you. Often ghost characters do seem to have those bittersweet stories and it makes sense.
Debi O'Neille
I do love me a good ghost story. Thanks for the recommendation.