The Shambling Guide to New York City

By: Mur Lafferty

Narrated by: Mur Lafferty

Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

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 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.

©2013 Mur Lafferty (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

Member of the Podcast Pickle Hall of Fame

2006, One of the Top Ten Savvy Women in Podcasting, Runner-up

2012, John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer, Nominated

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

"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

"The hip, knowing and sometimes hysterically funny narrative, interspersed with excerpts from the guide of the title, lurches along in splendid fashion. Combine wit, style and acute observation: the result is irresistible."—Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

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.

you won't regret this read!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Shambling Guide to New York City to be better than the print version?

I think that the audio version is way better when the author reads their work. There is nothing nicer than hearing the way they pronounce names and the way a conersation was meant to be spoken.

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

I loved the way it reminded me of Dougas Adams Hitchhikers guide series. It didn't have any rip off moments, but it flowed along in a very simar fashion. The humor is also very witty.

Which character – as performed by Mur Lafferty – was your favorite?

The main character Zoe.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I would say, overall, it brightened my day.

Any additional comments?

Love the book, cannot wait for the next one! Keep them coming!

Funny and Compelling!

If you like Connie Willis or Neil Gaiman you will enjoy Mur Lafferty.

Mur Lafferty is one of the people who inspired me to begin podcasting, so I am used to consuming her work in the audio format. She is an excellent narrator whose voice transports the listener into whatever slightly odd world she has created. I actually listened to "The Shambling Guide to New York City" at normal speed, instead of speeding it up like I usually do when listening to fiction.

I have been following Mur Lafferty's writing for several years, but I can honestly say that "The Shambling Guide to New York City" is her best work yet. It has her trademark humor along with a completely realized world, well-rounded characters, and a compelling story.

What makes Mur Lafferty's writing stand out from the current rash of fantasy novels is her sense of humor. "The Shambling Guide to New York City" represents her most mature and compelling work. She has a created a complex, believable version of New York City. In addition, her protagonist is fully realized and immensely likable, but she also has inner reserves of strength and courage that make the reader care about her future. I can't wait to see what will happen in the next book.

AWESOME and FUNNY

What made the experience of listening to The Shambling Guide to New York City the most enjoyable?

The fact that the author was reading the book.

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

no comparison. it's unique.

What about Mur Lafferty’s performance did you like?

her voice was pleasing and she told the story well.

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

yes

Any additional comments?

This books is hilarious, Mur Lafferty is a great author and I cannot recommend her books enough!

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.

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.