Paranormal Payback Anthology edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie L. Hughes – That’s What I’m Talking About…
Audiobook review: Paranormal Payback Anthology
Paranormal Payback is a solid urban fantasy anthology, featuring short to novella-length stories that focus on balancing scales with a revenge aspect and paranormal twist. On whole, the book is entertaining. Each story is a standalone, although some (several?) are related to existing (long-standing) series. I felt a little lost/confused at the start of a couple tales because I didn’t have the same familiar background as readers who know those series have. Some tales are slower and others have more action. Each is about vengeance and revenge, but in some cases the cost may be too much.
Each story has its own narrator, which I really enjoyed. Overall, most narrators are well-suited and did a good job modifying performance based on gender and species. Here is a brief look at each story within the book.
Mister Petty by Jim Butcher, Narrated by James Marsters
I am a huge fan of the Dresden Files, but I stopped listening to the series a couple books ago. Hearing Marsters, I immediately fell back into it. Marsters is a master at voices and emotional content with the series. The story features a woman who wants revenge against her cheating husband, but she’s no innocent herself. Goodman Grey brings balance to the situation. It’s a fairly complex plot for such a short tale. Very enjoyable.
The Underground Goddess by Kevin Hearne, Narrated by Alexandra Potocka
Ana is a witch with the Sisters of the Three Auroras, a coven based in Poland and featured in Hearne’s Iron Druid Chronicles. The Sisters take on an otherworldly phone scam operation and save Ana’s grandmother from losing her savings. Potocka has a solid accent, but she is too peppy and upbeat for the nature of the story.
Dying Isn’t Just for the Young by Holly Black, Narrated by Elizabeth Wiley
The story is shared via a diary of an older woman. It starts with her husband’s death and moves forward in time for about 10 years. She journals about the birth of a vampire outbreak. The narrator is perfect for the spry elder woman who still has so much life left to live. Very fitting. I enjoyed this story a lot.
A Midsummer Night’s Scheming by Delilah S. Dawson writing as Isla Jewell, Narrated by Thérèse Plummer
I previously read another novella set in the same world as this one and really enjoyed it. Keely is going to get revenge on behalf of her sister (who was the MC in the previous novella). After a tumble into the Aurora Falls, she can hear her trusted donkey Gary and discovers she is a witch. Plummer’s narration is fitting for the generally happy and bubbly Keely. Fun story.
Contained by Tanya Huff, Narrated by Sean Patrick Hopkins
500 year old vampire Henry is out for blood after one of his own is brutally murdered. Hopkins has good range of voices and accents. But it is a little confusing because the narrator is unaccented but the MC has an accent. This story is a little darker than the others, but I enjoyed it.
Dirt by Jennifer Blackstream, Narrated by Hannah Curtis
Shade is a witch PI that deals with “other world” problems. Her client Alex balances the scales by granting vengeance to those who had been wronged, but now someone is after him. The story has a good twist. The narrator has a lovely, matronly British accent and alters based on gender and species. It is a solid fit for the MC.
Black Bond by Maurice Broaddus, Narrated by JD Jackson
Rashad is traveling with a long-time friend who is now a ghost. Rashad, a Black man, is trying to avoid white hostility and clan activity. I struggled following the story, unsure of the era and what was going on. But the reveal of how the ghost died (and why) is powerful. Jackson has a deep voice. I had a lot of difficulty figuring out who was speaking because all of the characters sounded similar, and there aren’t always dialogue tags.
Dog-Eared by Kim Harrison, Narrated by Marguerite Gavin
Demon Al is mad at human Nicholas for ruining one of his favorite books. Al seeks revenge. This is a story that is better suited to someone who’s familiar with the series. I didn’t feel completely lost, but I can tell there was a lot of information that I didn’t know and would not be made aware of. I didn’t really enjoy this story. The narrator is a gentle female voice who alters performance based on species age, gender, etc. It is interesting having a female narrator for a male character.
Razors and Revenge by Faith Hunter, Narrated by Khristine Hvam
Shiloh, a witch-vampire, was attacked by a rogue wolf who also killed her close friend. She goes after the wolf queen and discovers a trader vampire. I have read a couple books in this series but I am not familiar with any of the characters. I am familiar with Hvam who does a good job with another of Hunter’s series.
A Clean Break by R. L. King, Narrated by Will Watt
Alastair Stone is a magic wielder. Due to a reservation mistake, he is in a cheap motel where he sees the ghost of a maid who was murdered by men using a room for drug deals. Narrator fitting for Stone.
Grave Payback by R. R. Virdi, Narrated by Graham Halstead
Paranormal PI Vincent Graves, is a soul without a body. He wakes up in the bodies of people who are killed by paranormals, and he solves their deaths. I liked this one which has a twist for Graves. Narration is solid.
The Broom by Kerrie L. Hughes, Narrated by Stella Hunter
Two siblings are looking to buy property that is haunted by a woman who was killed by a serial killer. I like that the siblings consider she may be a lure for something more dangerous. The narrator uses an upbeat voice and is well suited for the story.
My Ratings
Stories: B
Narration: B
Jen
About the Book:
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
Authors: see above
Narrators: see above
Genre: Urban Fantasy, anthology, novella
Audiobook Release Date: April 14, 2026
Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio
Length: 10 hours; 44 mins
Source: publisher
Audio Speed: varies 1.1x – 1.4x
