Audiobook review: Fair Market Value by Hailey Edwards
For most of the world, Frankie and her siblings, Josie and Matty, run an auto body shop; however, special clients know that Josie runs a body shop: she loans bodies to spirits so they can move around the human plane. The siblings live under the radar until one of her loaners appears to kill a vampire. Now she must work with the ex who betrayed her in order to save herself.
Overall, I really enjoyed Fair Market Value. The story and mythology are engaging. Although the book appears to be set in the same world as Edwards’s other necromancy series (of which I’ve only read a couple books) there’s no need to understand the previous series to enjoy this book.
Frankie is a likable character, she wants to do right. Her moral compass is strong, and if she has to cross a line, it’s only as a last resort and to save others. She’s lonely, but now it appears she may be able to widen her circle a little and trust a few more people. She makes for an excellent reluctant heroine.
There are a handful of supporting characters. I like both of her siblings, who together form a great family unit. I like how they stand up for and help one another. Matty and Josie also have unique talents, and it’ll be interesting to see how they change as the series progresses. Her ex, Harrow, annoys me, but he’s dealing with some secrets and pain, so I may forgive him. New acquaintance Carter from the supernatural police adds humor and gives Frankie a sounding board. Then there is the mysterious Kierce, with whom Frankie feels a kinship. Edwards gives Frankie two protective men that seem to also have strong feelings for her. While there is no romance in the book, it has a “love triangle“ vibe, which I don’t care for.
Narration: The story is shared via the first person POV of Frankie. Joice has a solid feminine voice that is fitting for Frankie. She adjusts her voice effectively to express emotion. Joice alters her tone during dialogue for gender and regional accents, making characters unique sounding. She is far more effective creating additional and identifiable female characters than male ones.
In the end, Fair Market Value is an engaging story and I look forward to finding out what will happen next.
My Ratings
Story: B
Narration: B
Jen
About the Book:
Forgot to feed your goldfish before your untimely demise? Need to jot down a will? Say a goodbye? See the Grand Canyon? Then come visit us at The Body Shop, where unfinished business is our business.
Mary Frances Talbot—Frankie—is a necromancer, probably. Hard to say since she never met her parents. She can see the dead, talk to the dead, and a few other things that aren’t strictly legal. It’s fine. No worries. As long as she doesn’t get caught.
The whole not getting caught thing was going well until Samuel Harrow blew back into town wearing a Savannah Police Department uniform. He might be a witch, but he hates magic. He’s not a fan of Frankie either. Which explains why he’s her ex.
When Frankie’s less than legal side gigs result in dead vampires, she knows she’s in trouble. Big trouble. And that’s before Harrow offers to help. With him waving a Get Out of Jail Free card in her face, Frankie doesn’t have much choice but to accept.
But that doesn’t mean she has to forgive. She’ll certainly never forget him breaking her heart or turning her over to the police or… Yeah. They were doomed from the start. Something tells her this investigation will be too.
Author: Hailey Edwards
Narrator: Candace Joice
Series: Body Shop series #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Audiobook Release Date: December 10, 2024
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
Source: publisher
Audio Speed: 1.25x
Purchase info:
Audible/Amazon (affilate link)
