The Shambling Guide to New York City

By: Mur Lafferty

Narrated by: Mur Lafferty

A travel writer takes a job with a shady publishing company in New York, only to find that she must write a guide to the city -- for the undead!

Because of the disaster that was her last job, Zoe is searching for a fresh start as a travel book editor in the tourist-centric New York City. After stumbling across a seemingly perfect position though, Zoe is blocked at every turn because of the one thing she can't take off her resume -- human.

Not to be put off by anything -- especially not her blood drinking boss or death goddess coworker -- Zoe delves deep into the monster world. But her job turns deadly when the careful balance between human and monsters starts to crumble -- with Zoe right in the middle.

Critic reviews

"If Buffy grew up, got therapy and found a real job, it would look like this."—Scott Sigler

"Mur Lafferty's debut novel is a must-read book for those who like their urban fantasy fast, furious, and funny. Terrific stuff!"—Kat Richardson

"This is a great start to what promises to be one of the gems of the comic urban fantasy crown. The Shambling Guide sets the wonderful world of the supernatural--and the slightly more esoteric world of travel guide publishing--on its ear, and the result is nothing short of delightful."—New York Times bestselling author Seanan McGuire

"An engagingly funny, and fun, romp through NYC. You'll love Zoe... to bits."—New York Times bestselling Tobias S. Buckell

"Shows exactly why so many writers have been buzzing about Mur Lafferty for so many years: an unbeatable mixture of humor, heart, imagination, and characterization. I want to live in Mur's New York."—Cory Doctorow

"Without Mur Lafferty, the SF genre would be a much duller place. Mur is constantly inventive, always great fun and deserves every success."—Paul Cornell

"A wild ride through the secret side of New York City, Mur Lafferty's mighty debut is urban fantasy the way it should be: fast, funny, with bags of action and characters you'll love. A total delight from cover to cover."—Adam Christopher

"The Shambling Guide to New York City is a monstrously fun romp by one of our most engaging new authors."—Tim Pratt

"Zombies and vampires and golems, oh my! The Shambling Guide to New York City rounds up the biggest cast of the undead and never-quite-alive ever to appear in a single novel, along with a wisecracking heroine whose picture belongs over the dictionary entry for spunky. This is a comic tour-de-force by a writer who lives and breathes popular culture. Mur Lafferty is throwing a monster party and you're invited."
—James Patrick Kelly, Hugo and Nebula Award Winner

"Mur Lafferty is a bright, shining light in speculative fiction. She brings a warm, humourous and startling fresh voice to the genre in The Shambling Guide to New York City."
—Kaaron Warren

"Looking for a very different kind of travel guide? One that shows you the real Manhattan? The one the tourists haven't discovered yet, but the vampires and the watersprites have? Then The Shambling Guide to New York City is just what you need!

With really interesting restaurant recs and sightseeing suggestions, and unusual (to say the least) takes on the Statue of Liberty and Grant's Tomb, it's got everything you need to know for the trip of a lifetime--or longer! And with the smart and intrepid Zoe to show you around, how could you possibly get in trouble? I give it 5 Michelin stars and 8 Zombie Planet Thumbs Up (with real thumbs)!"
—Connie Willis

definitely waiting on this movie

This was such a great mix of monsters and humans and the lore we attribute to both. I loved the story but not the author's voice.

Some authors should not read their books!

The story was just so so. The reading was flat and boring. I think I must be a masochist since I finished the book.

Unique story

Zoe Norris is in New York City searching for a job as a travel book editor after her last job ended badly. She learns of a new publishing company which needs a travel editor and feels she would be perfect for the job. The owner is hesitant to hire her. He informs her that these travel books are meant for the undead. Zoe doesn't care and takes the job anyway. Her boss is a vampire. He orders the other creatures (Coterie) who work for him not to harm her or eat her. Zoe works with zombies, water sprites, an incubus, and other undead while she learns about the undead hot spots scattered around New York City.

Well, this was different. I decided to read this book to fulfill a reading challenge. I found it had a unique plot and was amusing in places. As Zoe learns etiquette when dealing with various creatures, she is called to meet the newly hired Coterie Resources Manager. The manager was sewn together using various body parts (think Frankenstein's monster). Zoe is shocked when she realizes he is wearing her ex-boyfriend's head. She didn't even know her ex-boyfriend had died. The CR Manager makes it clear he doesn't like Zoe. She realizes someone is messing with her and wants to know why.

I listened to this audiobook which was narrated by the author. It was a straight reading, so she didn't change her voice at all for the various characters. There were many characters in this story, all with an explanation about what kind of creature they were and how to approach them. It got kind of confusing after a while. Overall, it was an OK book. I'll give the second book in the series a try. My rating: 3 Stars.

Good Story...Well Written

I was really surprised by this book. I thought it was well written and funny. It had good character development and a nice pace. I liked the fact that this was not the same cookie cutter paranormal/urban fantasy set up. I also agree with the other reviewers, the author's narration is not bad, but does not provide the same depth as a professional narration can.

Terrible dialogue.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Really bad dialogue. Whenever a character speaks it makes me cringe a bit. The story is rather forced along. The world made is rather interesting, but filled with holes.

Marvelous MUR MAGIC

Would you listen to The Shambling Guide to New York City again? Why?

Funny; interesting characters; unique take on coterie type stuff
Would definitely read again

What other book might you compare The Shambling Guide to New York City to and why?

Travelers Guide to the Universe

What about Mur Lafferty’s performance did you like?

Pleasant voice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy meets Buffy

Any additional comments?

That headline is totally stolen from another reviewer somewhere, but it sums up this book remarkably well.The author does an excellent job of rooting the main character in the real world with her mundane struggles of life, love, and career, while smoothly introducing her to the truth of this urban fantasy world and balancing it all out with tidbits from the book she's working on to give the world a sense of history and true character.

very interesting

completely authentic view of the paranormal. Had no idea the direction the story was heading but enjoyed the journey

Saucy but uneven; will watch this author

Nice instagram-generation take on the undead, but a little bit choppy. e.g. the very very filmic climax left me feeling like I was having CGI described to me rather than life, and it was never really convincing to me about why Phil the vampire wanted to start up a business despite being very rich and risk his life to save a balance between humans and undead that it was not clear that he benefited from. That stuff all felt a little arbitrary.
However, the gags were good and fast, the perspective fresh; I will follow Mur Lafferty's future books for sure.

Fun Urban Fantasy Romp

This was a great urban fantasy story with a strong female character, but without glittery vampires or sexy werewolves. Thank goodness. The main character is realistic and interesting. She has real reactions to mind-boggling situations and to any injury incurred during the story.

I would equate it to a more light-hearted version of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere - set in New York City. I can't wait for her next one! This might be a series I actually finish.