Shifting Shadows

Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson

By: Patricia Briggs

Narrated by: Alexander Cendese, Lorelei King

Length: 14 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

From the #1 New York Times best-selling author - including four all-new, original stories from the world of Mercy Thompson.

Mercy Thompson’s world just got a whole lot bigger…

A collection of all-new and previously published short stories featuring Mercy Thompson, “one of the best heroines in the urban fantasy genre today” (Fiction Vixen Book Reviews), and the characters she calls friends…

Includes the new stories…

"Silver"
"Roses in Winter"
"Redemption"
"Hollow"

…and fan favorites

"Fairy Gifts"
"Gray"
"Alpha and Omega"
"Seeing Eye"
"The Star of David"
"In Red, with Pearls"

©2014 by Hurog, Inc. “Fairy Gifts” © 2011 by Patricia Briggs. “Gray” © 2011 by Hurog, Inc. “Seeing Eye” © 2009 by Patricia Briggs. “Alpha and Omega” © 2007 by Hurog, Inc. “The Star of David” © 2008 by Hurog, Inc. “In Red, with Pearls” © 2011 by Hurog, Inc. (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved

Jackpot compilation of short stories

Stories in the World of Mercy Thompson.
Chapter 1-14: Intro; Silver: This story takes place so very long ago when Bran and Samuel were under the control of Bran’s witch mother; and Ariana was being terrorized by her father.

Chapter 15-19: Fairy Gifts with author intro. Butte, Montana, April 1892 and present day. A story of Thomas Hao, the Chinese vampire from San Francisco featured in Frost Burned.

Chapter 20: Gray, with author intro:
Elana the vampire moves back to the Chicago apartment she shared years ago with her husband Jack. She has to deal with the Master of Chicago- the head vampire - to do so. Takes place before Moon Called.

Chapter 21: Seeing Eye: This story first appeared in the Strange Brew anthology. Wendy Moira Keller the White Witch and Tom Franklin, 2nd in the Emerald City Werewolf Pack, first meet. Tom recruits her help to save his brother from an evil Coven. This takes place before Moon Called. They later make an appearance in Hunting Ground.

Chapter 22-24: Alpha and Omega: This is the short story version, and ties in to Moon Called, the first in the Mercy Thompson series. Bran’s son Charles Cornick goes to Chicago to find out what is going on in Leo’s pack. As enforcer for the Marroc, Charles is the bogeyman who investigates, judges, and carries out the sentence. What he didn’t expect was to find his mate, Anna Latham, who is an Omega wolf. As a bonus treat, this is also the prequel to Cry Wolf, the start of the Alpha and Omega series.

Chapter 25: Star of David: David Christiansen gets his own Christmas story. David’s estranged adult daughter calls on him for help with a very special foster child.
For some reason, the recording on this story is very flat, unprofessional.

Chapter 26: Roses in Winter: Kara Beckworth’s story takes place after Cry Wolf and Hunting Ground; and between Bone Crossed and Silver Borne. As the youngest known survivor of a werewolf change, Kara was sent to live with Bran’s pack, to help her learn to manage her wolf.

Chapter 27: In Red With Pearls: from anthology Down These Strange Streets. Warren Smith the Werewolf is acting as a Private Investigator for his significant other, Kyle. This story takes place between Silver Borne and River Marked.

Chapter 28: Redemption: Ben’s story takes place between Frost Burned and Night Broken. We get some of Ben’s backstory in England; and how Ben is evolving into a stronger human being. There’s some funny IT moments, office politics, and bass ackwards protecting of his secretary.

Chapter 29-31: Hollow: a Mercy novella that takes place after Night Broken. Mercy mourns the demise of her garage after the volcano god’s visit. But she is called in to help with a major ghost before making any decisions.

Chapter 32: Outtake from Silver Borne. Samuel and Ariana find their happily ever after. This is while Mercy is still in the Elfame.

Chapter 33: Outtake from Night Broken. Adam is very emotional when he realizes that Mercy is going to survive. He has a conversation with Coyote in the hospital cafeteria.

Cendese was a little weak on his female voices, but his personal voice is very pleasant.
Love King as a narrator.

short cut

This group of short stories answer some of my questions.the narrator do a wonderful back an forth. But there is one thing clear she pus short story from other book series making all others short story book unnecessary.

Awesome back and side stories

As much as I have loved the Mercy-verse, these stories just made them all even more richly detailed, and even more real (if only!).

Most in world of Mercy

If you could sum up Shifting Shadows in three words, what would they be?

Informative, imaginative, entertaining

What was one of the most memorable moments of Shifting Shadows?

In this collection of short stories, I most enjoyed when Cara was encouraged to change back to human by the faith of two old wolves, a rose, a song, and a blanket for modesty.

Which character – as performed by Alexander Cendese and Lorelei King – was your favorite?

Ben and his bet with Adam over a bottle of Scotch that he could go a week without cursing.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Jim realized that Moria is blind.

Any additional comments?

This is a wonderful collection of short stories. They include the background of how did that happen and when did that happen.

Mercy Mercy Me

I have always enjoyed Mrs. Briggs novel. This one did not disappoint. It added insight to both the Mercy Thompson series and the Alpha/Omega series. I can't wait for upcoming Mercy Thompson and "Dead Heat" Alpha/Omega upcoming. Happy New Year and Good Reading.

great short story collection

I love the Mercyverse, so these are great stories that fill in tidbits of story. I reread the entire story line chronologically every time a new book comes out.

Aha, so that is how that came about

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it helps to fill in gaps from the other series and gives a better cohesion to the whole world Patricia Briggs has created.

What about Alexander Cendese and Lorelei King ’s performance did you like?

Alexander could stand to make Charles sound a little less like he has a head cold.

Great short stories

This was a nice change. I enjoyed all the short stories but especially Charles and Anna. I have not ventured into the Alpha and Omega series but now I will.

amazing!

I loved all the short stories that filled in the gaps. And now I am looking forward to breaking into the Alpha and omega book series next!

This Anthology is a Must!

If you are a fan of the "Mercy Thompson Universe" than this book is a necessary must with all the precursor background information on many of the supporting characters. It contains all but one of the short stories ever written about Mercy by Patricia Briggs.There are a lot of story "fillers" that follow the main books in both the Mercy and the "Alpha and Omega" series.
I found a "Mercyverse" series time-line on the authors website and I have read all of the books and short stories in their proper sequence.
(note: I had to get some of the stories through Kindle).