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Amber Gambler by Hailey Edwards Narrator: Candace Joice
Series: The Body Shop #2
Published by Tantor Audio on March 24, 2025
Genres: Mystery, Mythology, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Length: 10 hours and 3 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
Purchase Links: Amazon*Kobo*Chirp
Goodreads
The other family business at The Body Shop is slow after word gets out that Frankie had clients die—cease to exist?—on her watch. Considering they were dead to begin with, she understands why the news shook the spirit community’s faith in her, but it’s a hard hit to her bottom line.
When a spirit appears in her office, ready to sign a contract, she’s eager to please. Until she learns why he wants to hire her. He heard about her clients’ deaths, yes, but he also learned Frankie was instrumental in bringing their killer to justice.
The spirit’s human granddaughter has gone missing, and he wants Frankie to find her before it’s too late. Frankie’s no detective, but her schedule is wide open. The job is to save the girl, but with so many gods and monsters prowling the streets of Thunderbolt these days, she’ll be lucky if she can save herself.
Also in this series: Fair Market Value
Amber Gambler is book two in The Body Shop by Hailey Edwards and narrated by Candace Joice. It picks up right after the conclusion of the first book.
Each audiobook in the series brings us a new mystery to enjoy. We’re treated to quirky characters, relationships and an overall series arc, you won’t want to miss a thing, so I’d recommend reading in order.
Overall, Amber Gambler is an interesting story, and I enjoy the premise of the series, but there are issues with the execution this time around.
Frankie’s ghostly business isn’t booming since the ghostly plane has heard about the deaths that previously happened. When a grandfather ghost stops by asking for help in finding his lost living or dead granddaughter, Frankie jumps on the mystery.
Frankie claims to be over her ex Harrow, she also has feelings for Kierce, but she’s also so busy protecting her family that her feelings are all muddled. Harrow still blames Kierce for his uncle’s death and Kierce is off healing. I’m not happy with Harrow nor with his actions in Amber Gambler. Then we have Kierce and that attraction.
In the last novel the Mary’s learn that their friend was not who he seemed and he was using them. In this novel they are still dealing with that betrayal while Carter and Harrow investigate the dead missing girls, along with Frankie. The mystery was suspenseful.
Things that bothered me: Frankie can be annoying at times. I appreciate an empathetic heroine; however, she spends way too much time worrying about other people’s feelings and how other people are treating others instead of doing what she needs to do to solve the case or move forward. Then there’s a lot of personal drama in this novel; between Frankie, Kierce, and Harrow. It overwhelms the story and takes away from the mystery.
Narration: The story is shared via the first person POV of Frankie. Candace Joice utilizes a soft voice for Frankie that fits the character; however at times it comes across as whiny or exhausted. Joice does a great job adjusting her voice for each character and tone for gender. She expresses emotion well.
All and all, I’m still interested in The Body Shop series despite having issues with Amber Gambler. It was an enjoyable listen.
Rated: 3 Stars
Was this review helpful? If so, please consider liking it on Goodreads (Angela)!
About Candace Joice
I’m a hopeless romantic, and I mean this in a Jane Austen kind of way – give me skies with the threat of storm, a cozy fireplace, a dog stretched out on a blanket, and an adventure on the horizon, and I’m a happy gal. I love to travel, to explore, to get lost in finding something new.
I embrace my own duality, so when I say I’m an introvert who loves to have friends over for game night; who doesn’t shy from a tool belt but also loves a tea party; and who doesn’t want to go camping but gets excited about a day hiking or kayaking – well, let’s just say I’m absolutely okay with not fitting into a box.
I have a Master’s degree in Theatre, and like a lot of actors, I’ve also worked a lot of other fascinating jobs alongside my stage and screen work: professional home organizer, education director at a non-profit focused on preventing child abuse, even program manager at an internationally famous dinosaur track site.
Delighted to be a full-time storyteller at this stage in my life, I act and direct for the stage, and narrate books. What could be better?
About Hailey Edwards
USA Today best-selling author Hailey Edwards writes about questionable applications of otherwise perfectly good magic, the transformative power of love, the family you choose for yourself, and blowing stuff up. Not necessarily all at once. That could get messy.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
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I feel like I saw some other so-so reviews of this one. But glad you enjoyed it enough to go on in the series. Will be interested to see how the next one works for you.
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2025/07/07/e-galley-review-the-great-misfortune-of-stella-sedgwick-by-s-isabelle/
Ya, I also saw some so so reviews too. Will see how the next in the series turns out.
Thanks for checking out my review.
I guess this was the dud of the series. Hopefully, the next book is back to all you love about the series.
I hope so too. Thanks for visiting and check out this review!
Nice review. You are a bit more kind than I was. I struggled with this one, but I did read the third book.
I really struggled with this one. My mind kept wondering and not really focusing on this second novel. I plan to listen to book 3. Will see! I did catch your review.
Thanks for visiting.