The Spoil of Beasts

Iron on Iron, Book 3

By: Gregory Ashe

Narrated by: Charlie David

A jailhouse slaughter. A relentless killer. And way too much jackassing around.

When word comes that two key witnesses in an investigation are dead, North and Shaw are surprised—and pleased—to learn that their friend, John-Henry Somerset, is interested in hiring them as freelance contractors for the Wahredua police department. The department is stretched thin, and the investigation into the Cottonmouth Club (and the criminal organization operating there) is collapsing. Not to mention—in North and Shaw’s opinion, anyway—they’re the best detectives around.

Tracking down the killer won’t be easy, though. The trail ends at the doors of a megachurch, where the close-knit family of the pastor is keeping more than one secret. Worse, a local politician seems to be involved, and he’s got secrets of his own. On top of that, a sheriff’s deputy has gone missing, and North and Shaw are convinced he knows who is orchestrating events.

Pressing the investigation takes North and Shaw into the crosshairs—literally. And when their friends become targets as well, North and Shaw must hurry to learn the truth before the killer can strike at the people they care for most.

Because when it comes to his friends, the only one who gets to mess with them is North McKinney.

©2023 Gregory Ashe (P)2024 Gregory Ashe

Change of narrators!!!

It was weird to have another narrator read Emory with a soft voice when on previous audio books he sounds gruff!!

The avengers endgame of these four couples is coming to a boil

With a writer who’s narratives often for their own “tv season” style serialized stories I am thoroughly amazed at how the crossover of all his characters manages to be both funny, heartbreaking and captivating.

North & Shaw's book

This is the third book in GA’s love letter to his fans, the crossover series, Iron on Iron. This book focuses on North & Shaw of the Borealis series. Although not necessary to enjoy these books, it certainly helps if you familiar with all the couples and their “unique” personalities.

The mystery that began with the Cottonmouth Club continues. But in it’s wake three new murders have happened. As this happens at the end of the 2nd book I won’t say who as that would be a spoiler, but it is certainly shocking. John Henry hires North & Shaw to help investigate as this situation that began with Jem visiting the Cottonmouth Club is getting out of hand. People John Henry cares about are getting hurt and he feels responsible.

Although the other couples contribute to the investigation, the main focus is on North and his handling of this new “found family.” He is not handling it well and his caustic personality rubs everyone the wrong way. It’s just North’s defensive mechanism but only Shaw knows that. North struggles to help solve the mystery but keeps running afoul of John Henry and putting Shaw in danger. The investigation leads to a mega church and the body count ramps up. It’s has many twists and turns and trips to the hospital. It comes to a salifying conclusion with a burning desire for Emery & John’s final book.

The narrator for this book has changed to Charlie David; the narrator for the Borealis series. It was great hearing the recognized North & Shaw voices, but jarring for the other couples. Charlie David did a wonderful job overall it was an A+ performance. That said, I hope Tristan James is the narrator for the final book. That is the only voice for John & Emery I can imagine. We will see.

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

North struggling to belong

Nice chaotic Borealis fun and mayhem, combined with the group dynamic development central to this series. Really interesting stepping back to North’s trust-issued and distanced perspective, knowing in detail what kind of people the other guys really are from all the previous books.

While Charlie David’s reading of Emery Hazard’s lines in a soft voice was admittedly confusing/distracting (why didn’t anyone notify him?), I really appreciate getting to listen him narrate the North&Shaw episode. Hoping to hear Tristan James next!

The Plot Thickens

There's never a dull moment with the dynamic duo producing absolute clownery for the forced enjoyment of anyone in the vacinity. Just when you think you know what's going, you do but you don't. There's always something more. Also to he able to thrown in that much character development when dealing with entire cast of main characters is a feat to be admired.