Swing Shift

De: William D. Arand

Narrado por: Andrea Parsneau

Reports to write, forms to fill, coffee to drink, leads to run down.

Gus’s life was a tedium and boredom he’d grown comfortable with. One that he sought out after he’d come back from his tour of duty.

A detective in the paranormal investigations department. A job he could work day in and day out in relative peace. One cold and forgotten cup of coffee at a time.

It was an environment that made some sense to him. At least in comparison to civilian life where almost nothing did. On top of that, it gave him a chance to hide what he was from the rest of the world.

An apex predator that made the entirety of the paranormal world fear him. His very species was often killed as soon as they were found out.

By government and citizen alike.

He’s a Boogieman.

A name that made humans laugh, and vampires curse. It was a strange life to be sure.

Now though, Gus’s stable non-life is about to be kicked over. Whether he likes it or not, he’s about to be handed a case that’s going to mess up his already screwed up life.

©2019 William D. Arand (P)2019 William D. Arand

This is a Harem story.

This is a well written and well plotted story, probably not picked up by a publisher due to the harem relasionships. However I think that all the individuals generally have been portrayed with respect. I really liked the overall mood of the story, a bit Noir reminding me of The Wolf Among Us.

A novel in the noir genre

The 1940s radio noir drama come to the 21st century. As a big fan of those old radio crime dramas, this book will satisfy your needs for that snarky performance again.

paranormal done right.

I like how the mc is powerful but in a very limited fashion. I enjoyed how the romance was done as most men who don't take an aggressive role tend to be considered weak or "Beta" this is one of those books you have to watch out or you will get sucked in and forget important things like sleeping.

His Best Work Yet

If your a William D. Arand fan your going to love this. Its a well developed story best doesn't brow beat you with sexy time and let the character grow . I cant wait for the next one.

Its a harem book without a lot of graphic sex

It's a harem book. I dig harem books. A lot of folks seem to get very high-brow about that but honestly, there's nothing wrong with harem books. I personally dig juvenile fantasy in the same way some women like trashy romance novels. Ya like what ya like. William D Arrand can tell a great story and I like his characters and the way he builds the arcs. The ONLY trouble with this series (both this book and the second) in the series is the author has developed a style of writing these harem stories without graphic sex scenes. I'm guessing he's doing this to reach a wider listener base since blatant sex scenes can be a little tough to push he's come up with this style of zero sex scenes and the after report of sex the next day - very '80s sitcom style. Still love his storytelling but if you are looking for the dirty I'd check out series like Wild Wastes and Super Sales on Super Heros instead.

Harem story with humor

Not what I expected, interesting story & entertaining enough I’ll probably get the next story in the series when I’m bored with the same ole’ same ole’. I like most of the characters & the humor that’s in it, not a lot but enough to make me smile from time to time.
The narrator does a good job - brings the story & characters to life better than I imagine reading alone would do.

Arand's first modern world setting is a win

William D. Arand's first foray into a modern world setting in a fictional country similar to the US, but not named as such. Arand takes us into the life of a Boogieman, a creature not usually seen in literature and his efforts to thwart a terrorist plot. excellently done, fantastic New chapter in the Runnerverse.

A knock out urban fantasy thriller.

I have become a cynic when it comes to urban fantasy. I'm very picky with what gets me invested into a world of monsters living among us. The Dresden Files I love for Harry Dresden and the way the stubborn wizard doesn't quit on people and elevates his friends. The Iron Druid Chronicles got me with Atticus O'Sullivan and the way he coped with immortality and the worlds of the gods. Other Series have struggled to grip me in such ways, especially when a series splashes in Erotica. When done well, erotica is such a wonderful genre and can add amazing things to a book that doesn't strictly deal with romance or sensuality. When executed poorly...it turns a good mystery with strong characters into a backdrop for mediocre porn.

Swing Shift has given me what I love in Urban Fantasy along with a delicate sprinkling of what I love in smut. The world feels believable even though the book seems to that the DC comics route of using fictional cities and never quite stating countries or states. The world building is solid and the exposition doesn't feel ham fisted. The characters are wonderful, each one having a vibrant personality and each possessing their own goals, motivations and unique ways of handling both internal and external conflicts. The quality of the characters leads to quality romance among them and allows the relationships formed to be believable. The mystery at the core of the book is well constructed as well, with seeds of the conspiracy at large sprinkled through out the chapters starting from the very first point of action.

I love this book and while it's by no means a perfect read I will happily give it five stars because to me it was worth my time to listen and enjoy the book and the narrators performance. I will easily be picking up the next book and noting how the story develops.

SWING SHIFT

Love all the characters and would love the second book to be on audible. melody is adorable

Good plot but offset by the harem

The narration was great, but I have to admit the harem sections didn’t add to the story and was a bit misogynistic