Paranormal Payback is an anthology containing some of my favorite authors, narrators, and series. Each tale involves supernatural revenge or retribution. I loved the stories from worlds I already knew and ones that tempted me to learn more. Perfect for new and old fans alike.
by Jim Butcher, Kerrie L. Hughes, Kevin Hearne, Kim Harrison, R.L. King, Maurice Broaddus, Holly Black, Isla Jewell, Tanya Huff, Jennifer Blackman, Delilah S. Dawson
Narrator: Khristine Hvam, Alexandra Potocka, James Marsters, Will Watt, Stella Hunter, Elizabeth Wiley, Thérèse Plummer, Marguerite Gavin, Graham Halstead, JD Jackson, Hannah Curtis, Jim Butcher, Sean Patrick Hopkins
Length: 10 hours and 44 minutes
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm *affiliate
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.2x-1.5x
A superstar lineup is included in this urban fantasy collection featuring short stories from New York Times bestselling authors Jim Butcher, Holly Black, Kim Harrison, Faith Hunter, and more …
In this short story collection, our heroes get what’s due to them—with a supernatural flair.
But the injustices that have been holding them back might cost them more than they realized. . . .
In “Mister Petty,” a brand-new Dresden Files story from #1 New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher, a woman hires Goodman Grey to get back at her cheating husband. She’s about to find out that Grey isn’t your ordinary detective—he’s a professional monster. And he’s going to balance the scales.
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black, “Dying Isn’t Just for the Young” follows an elderly widow reckoning with family scheming to take away her independence in a world infected by a disease of vampirism.
New York Times bestselling author Faith Hunter’s “Razors and Revenge” finds the vampire bounty hunter Shiloh awaiting her judgement at the hands of the Dark Queen, fresh off a brutal werewolf attack and the loss of a dear friend. But Shiloh’s not just a vampire anymore—and the wolfish instincts growing inside her are howling for blood.
And Kim Harrison takes us to the #1 New York Times bestselling series of the Hollows in her story “Dog-eared.” The demon Algaliarept makes a bargain with the dangerously insane Newt, the last female demon, to punish an arrogant wizard for abusing his precious magical texts—but how ruthless is Al willing to be to get his petty vengeance?
ALSO INCLUDES STORIES BY Jennifer Blackstream * Maurice Broaddus * Delilah S. Dawson * Kevin Hearne * Tanya Huff * Kerrie L. Hughes * R. L. King * R.R. Virdi
I had the pleasure of listening and reading along to Paranormal Payback. I loved themed anthologies, and this had an all-star cast of authors. Anthologies are the perfect gift: treats from favorite worlds and authors, as well as new series and authors to discover.
- Mister Petty by Jim Butcher – If you are a fan of the Harry Dresden series, you are familiar with Goodman Grey, and I was delighted he got his own short story . Our private investigator differs from Harry, as do his clients. Goodman Grey owns Monster LLC and has his business in Chicago. Grey gets a case when Sheryl Petty walks into his office, Thursday morning, seeking revenge. The tale that unfolded was fantastic, and let’s just say everyone got their just deserts. James Marsters rocked the narration. 5 cups
- The Underground Goddess by Kevin Hearne – This one deals with a coven of Poland Witches, that those who have devoured the Iron Druid Chronicles will recognize. I loved the series and was delighted with the story. Anna is the youngest of the Three Auroras and she convinces the coven to help her when her Babcia (grandmother) is scammed out of her money. Alexandra Potocka narrates, giving us a wonderful Polish accent. I had to slow my listening down to 1.2x. 5 cups.
- Dying Isn’t Just for the Young by Holly Black – I am not sure which series this short began in, but Black provided an intriguing tale that takes place during a vampire outbreak in the United States. An older woman loses her husband and has to deal with her greedy children after a fall. I devoured this. If you know the series, let me know! Narrated by Elizabeth Wiley, who did a fantastic job of capturing Beryl Finch, our widow. 4.5 cups.
- A Midsummer Night’s Scheming by Delilah S. Dawson writing as Isla Jewell, narrated by Thérèse Plummer. – I have read none of her work as Jewell and Arcadia Falls, but love her writing as Dawson. I loved this cozy fantasy world filled with witches and will definitely pick them up. One reason I love anthologies is for this. I did not know she wrote under another name. I laughed and the thread about Gary the donkey and enjoyed this dish of cold revenge. Plummer did a stellar job with the narration and capturing the voice of Keelie King, Arcadia Falls’ newest witch. 4.5 cups.
- Contained by Tanya Huff – This story is from the Victory Nelson’s Blood Investigations series featuring a five-hundred-year-old vampire named Henry Fitzroy who aids in investigations. I have read a previous short of this author and want to try this series. When a vampire named Henry gets a message from his friend RCMP Inspector Jack Elson with an address and “get here ASAP”, he arrives on to find a grisly murder scene. Narrated by Sean Patrick Hopkins, this tale takes place in Vancouver as Henry seeks revenge for the death of a friend. 4 cups.
- Dirt by Jennifer Blackman – This was a lot of fun. Narrated by Hannah Curtis, we meet a witch and a pixie. Shade Renard, PI, is at her office when Poppy, a necromancer, stops in with a case. I was quickly pulled in and invested in the mystery. I loved the familiars. 4.5 cups.
- Black Bond by Maurice Broaddus – We meet Rashad as he is traveling through southern Indiana with his dead best friend, Jerald. Rashad loves history and traveling along The Negro Motorist Green Book, but Jerald takes them on a side trip; he has things he wants to show Rashad. Narrated by JD Jackson, this was dark, relevant and, despite being fantasy, it reminded me of Stephen King. A dark story of revenge. 4 cups.
- Dog-Eared by Kim Harrison- This short tells a tale about Al, Ciri, Nicolas Gregory Sparagmos, and Newt from The Hollows series. Narrated by Marguerite Gavin. I enjoyed this tale and have read all the books in the series. It was fun hearing Gavin’s voice, which differed from the ones in my head. Is revenge always worth it? 5 cups.
- Razors and Revenge by Faith Hunter – I have not read the Jane Yellowrock series, but love her Junkyard Cats series. This story is from the Yellowrock world and is about Shiloh and her need for revenge after she and others were attacked by wolves. Narrated by Khristine Hvam, the story pulled me in and has me wanting to begin the series. 5 cups.
- A Clean Break by R.L. King – Narrated by Will Watt, we meet Alastair Stone who finds himself stuck for the night in a less than savory hotel after a booking snafu. Not sure what series this is from, but loved this murder-mystery and our Magician Stone. 4.5 cups.
- Grave Payback by R.R. Virdi – I loved the premise of this one. A bodiless detective enters the body of a recently murdered victim and has a reset window to allow him to solve the murder. Narrated by Graham Halstead, it’s the newest Grim Report. 4.5 cups.
- The Broom by Kerrie L. Hughes – narrated by Stella Hunter. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It’s a Great Lake Grimoire Story with witches, ghost and a mystery requiring revenge. 4 cups.
A fantastic collection. I highly recommend grabbing these fantasy anthology collections whenever you can. I loved the shorts from favorite authors, like Butcher, Hearne, Dawson, Hunter, and Harrison. But also enjoyed exploring new series through shorts by other authors in this collection. A total win.
About Delilah S. Dawson
Delilah S. Dawson writes whimsical and dark Fantasy for adults and teens. Her Blud series for Pocket includes Wicked as They Come, Wicked After Midnight, and Wicked as She Wants, winner of the RT Book Reviews Steampunk Book of the Year and May Seal of Excellence for 2013. Her YA debut, Servants of the Storm, is a Southern Gothic Horror set in Savannah, GA, and HIT is about teen assassins in a bank-owned America. Her Geekrotica series under pseudonym Ava Lovelace includes The Lumberfox and The Superfox with The Dapperfox on the way. Look for Wake of Vultures from Orbit Books in October 2015, written as Lila Bowen.
About Jim Butcher
Jim Butcher is the author of the Dresden Files, the Codex Alera, and a new steampunk series, the Cinder Spires. His resume includes a laundry list of skills which were useful a couple of centuries ago, and he plays guitar quite badly. An avid gamer, he plays tabletop games in varying systems, a variety of video games on PC and console, and LARPs whenever he can make time for it. Jim currently resides mostly inside his own head, but his head can generally be found in his home town of Independence, Missouri. Jim goes by the moniker Longshot in a number of online locales. He came by this name in the early 1990′s when he decided he would become a published author. Usually only 3 in 1000 who make such an attempt actually manage to become published; of those, only 1 in 10 make enough money to call it a living. The sale of a second series was the breakthrough that let him beat the long odds against attaining a career as a novelist.
About Kevin Hearne
Kevin is the NYT bestselling author of the Iron Druid Chronicles, as well as two forthcoming series: The Seven Kennings, an epic fantasy trilogy, and Tales of Pell, a fantasy series co-authored with Delilah S. Dawson.
About Kim Harrison
Kim Harrison, author of the New York Times #1 best selling Hollows series, was born in Detroit and lived most her her life within an easy drive. She's currently working on the Peri Reed Chronicles, and when not at her desk, is most likely to be found landscaping her new/old Victorian home, in the garden, or on the links.
About Elizabeth Wiley
AudioFile Earphones Award winner Elizabeth Wiley is a seasoned actor, dialect coach, theater professor, and dedicated narrator. In addition to her growing portfolio of audiobooks, her voice can be heard in The Idea of America, Colonial Williamsburg's virtual learning curriculum; in Paul Meier's e-textbook Speaking Shakespeare; and modeling U.S.-English on one of the world's top language learning products.
About Graham Halstead
Graham Halstead is a Brooklyn-based actor and voice artist. His voice work includes animation, commercials, and Audie and AudioFile Earphones Award–winning audiobook narration. His work in the theater includes performances in New York, regionally in Washington DC, and internationally in Edinburgh and London. His most recent television work can be seen on AMC.
About Hannah Curtis
Hannah Curtis is from the UK and has been acting and narrating for over twenty years. She starred for a long time in British soap Hollyoaks. She has had roles in movies such as The Heavy and guest-starred on ER, in addition to appearing in many TV commercials across Europe and America. She has recorded many audiobooks, including Wave, Dark Eden, The Widow and Queen Anne, and The Pigeon Pie Mystery. Hannah has enjoyed narrating a range of fiction, nonfiction, comedy, and thrillers, using many different accents. She has a home studio and enjoys spending time narrating and recording from there.
About James Marsters
James Marsters, famous as Spike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, is a highly acclaimed audiobook narrator, best known for bringing Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files series to life, where he voices multiple characters and is praised for his emotional depth and performance. He also narrates books by other authors like Cassandra Clare and Oscar Wilde, earning an Earphones Award for his work.
About JD Jackson
JD Jackson is an American audiobook narrator, actor, and theater professor. For audiobook narration he won 26 Earphone Awards and 1 Audie Award. In 2020, AudioFile named him a Golden Voice Narrator. In 2022, Booklist named him a Voice of Choice Narrator.
About Khristine Hvam
Khristine Hvam is a professional voice artist whose work includes audiobooks, video games, and voice-overs, including as Professor Juniper in the Pokemon television series. Among her narrations are the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa, Dare Me by Megan Abbott, and Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor. Khristine lives in New York City.
About Marguerite Gavin
Marguerite Gavin is a seasoned theater veteran, a five-time nominee for the prestigious Audie Award, and the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones and Publishers Weekly awards. Marguerite has been an actor, director, and audiobook narrator for her entire professional career, and has over four hundred titles to her credit.
About Stella Hunter
Stella Hunter is a classically trained vocalist and a lifelong performer who loves being both on stage and behind the mic. Her voice is described as a blend of sensual and sweet, with a girl-next-door feel. She enjoys bringing to life all kinds of characters and performing all genres, from romance to paranormal/fantasy.
About Will Watt
Hailing from across the pond, Will Watt is a British voiceover artist and audiobook narrator with a talent for believable characters, intelligent delivery, and writing about himself in the third person. Although American is not his native language, he speaks it almost as fluently as he speaks English! He is also a master in the kitchen and a Jedi in training.
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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
