Thuggiana

The First Quarto, Book 5

By: Gregory Ashe

Narrated by: J.F. Harding

Pics, or it didn’t happen.

Thuggiana is a collection of short stories connected to The First Quarto. It includes the following:

• “The Slightest Folly”: This prequel provides a glimpse into Auggie’s and Theo’s lives in high school. It takes place before They Told Me I Was Everything.
• “As School-Boys from Their Books”: A series of vignettes set shortly after the events of They Told Me I Was Everything.
• “The Woodsong Fog”: A series of vignettes set shortly after the events of Yet a Stranger.
• “We Fools of Nature”: Theo and Auggie go on a float trip. This story is set after The Fairest Show.
• “Thuggiana”: Auggie takes the gang on a private, overnight ghost hunt in an abandoned prison. This story is set after A Fault against the Dead.

Please note that the first four stories were distributed previously in various formats.

“Thuggiana” is exclusively available in this collection.

©2022 Gregory Ashe (P)2026 Gregory Ashe

Very enjoyable lighter moments

It's always nice to visit with Greg Ashe's characters in a setting where you can be confident they won't end up at death's door. Which is to say, only in these short stories. These lighter moments are a lot of fun, though that cliffhanger...!

Yes, you really should listen to the short stories

The series I was most reluctant to read/listen to in Gregory Ashe's Hazardverse was The Last Quarto. I am not a fan of college-centered stories since my college experience was not the thrilling adventure described in most fiction. Still, I can't seem to resist reading everything in the Hazardverse. I enjoy the world and the characters too much to skip one series based on my less-than-fun life experiences. The Last Quarto series actually has a realistic portrayal of the perils of college life, with the exception of the number of mysteries encountered during a typical semester. I did not solve a single murder mystery on my college campus, although I did get to explore some secret tunnels. Anyway...

Thuggiana is filled with the quiet, personal interactions that happen between the moments of action showcased in The First Quarto series. Auggie and Theo survive some very intense situations, and J. F. Harding does a spectacular job of conveying the emotional tension between Auggie and Theo as they navigate their way through a slightly taboo relationship. Harding was already one of my favorite narrators, and his portrayal of Auggie has me appreciating Auggie's wit and humor even more. Thuggiana is a must-read/listen if you enjoy The First Quarto series. I recommend reading this short story collection before the next series is released, because you really don't want to miss the unsubtle hints about what new adventure Auggie and Theo will be encountering next.

Enjoyable listen

This is Book 5 of The First Quarto. It is a collection of short stories. This is not a stand alone, you need to have read the first four books. I really enjoyed revisting Theo and Auggie’s story. There are stories from before they met, during their courtship and the last two (my favorites) adventures in love. We get a little more insight as to how deep Auggie’s trauma was and how it affected his relationship with Theo. My favorites were the camping trip and the haunted prison. They are really fun and one with a shocking ending; I actually gasped. Highly recommended for fans of the series. J.F. Harding does an amazing job and gives a stellar performance.

I was given a free copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review.

Thuggiana - definition provided

The best part of being on Greg's newsletter is you get the opportunity to read short stories that go along with the main ARC series. But it's even better when they are all packaged up in a single book to read through. These stories range from before They Told I Was Everything all the way to a story post A Fault against the Dead. Each story provides a great insight into Theo and Auggie and how they have grown over time. Love that the Thuggiana has its own quick mystery. These stories will leave you craving for MORE.

Audio:
Love coming back to these guys after a bit of time. It's a great to see the progression of Auggie and Theo's relationship through the series and getting a little bit more. J.F. Harding does the greatest voice for Theo. The added gruffness for his indifferent attitude is just perfect.

Glimpses between the stories...

This is a collection of stories Gregory Ashe wrote rewarding his followers with glimpses into the inner worlds between the novels. They are all fun, funny and emotionally rewarding, however, reading the series of Theo and Auggie is definitely a requisite. That shouldn't stop you from reading or listening to the series and then enjoying the heck out of this book! J.F.Harding is masterful in his craft of distinguishing the MCs but also all secondary characters as well. I enjoyed this collection immensely and highly recommend it to anyone with knowledge of the characters ( or planning to learn!).