The Fairest Show Audiobook By Gregory Ashe cover art

The Fairest Show

The First Quarto, Book 3

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The Fairest Show

By: Gregory Ashe
Narrated by: J.F. Harding
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A murdered coach. His missing daughter. A sadistic killer.

After a summer apart, Theo and Auggie reunite at the beginning of another school year, determined to make a relationship work in spite of their age difference—and other obstacles. When Wroxall College’s athletic director strongarms Theo into tracking down the school’s missing football coach, Theo is determined to keep Auggie safe, no matter how much they hate it. Theo has lost too much already.

Everywhere Theo and Auggie go, someone seems set on stopping their search. First, a masked man attacks them and steals important financial paperwork. Then, a small-town cop tries to run them off. Even the football players seem determined to keep their silence. And the deeper Theo and Auggie dig, the more they suspect that something much darker is taking place.

An attack on Auggie’s roommate raises a terrifying possibility—that the killer has targeted Auggie as his next victim. Theo and Auggie must hurry to uncover the truth before the killer can silence them, but even if they succeed, the pressure of the investigation and the danger to Auggie’s life may shatter the fragile bond they are building.

©2022 Gregory Ashe (P)2023 Gregory Ashe
Compelling Character Development • Intriguing Murder Mystery • Excellent Performance • Mature Emotional Relationship
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Phew. That was intense. Gregory Ashe's series tend to ramp up in emotional intensity with each volume. This series is no exception. Both Theo and Auggie are dealing with the aftermath of the last book, and life isn't going to give them a break because they have another mystery to solve.

So much of what happens in this story is a reflection of real-world everyday conflicts. Issues such as managing substance abuse, dealing with sexual assault, managing unhealthy family relationships, and navigating under the table deals in college athletics are all explored in a careful and realistic manner. It is easy to relate to many of the situations that Theo and Auggie encounter as they navigate the changes in their relationship and try to find a missing football coach.

I found myself getting a bit stressed every time Auggie returns to California for school breaks. I could relate to his older brother's frustration because I had siblings who seemed determined to get into trouble in college. (Thankfully not as much trouble as Auggie). Poor Fern really needs a break.

I was touched by how Theo and Auggie are learning to navigate the difficult parts of their relationship. Gregory Ashe has done a wonderful job of creating a strong emotional and physical connection between them, and JF Harding does an amazing job of adding personality to their characters with his excellent performance. I am looking forward to the next audiobook and I will be rereading/listening to this series many times.

Great story. Great narration.

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Listener received this title free

This is the third book in The First Quarto series featuring my favorite dysfunctional couple. Auggie and Theo are back and still putting the “fun” in. I have to be honest, this is NOT for people who want a nice sweet MM romance book. This is a messy, complicated telling of the relationship between two mean that tests the patience of the reader. Many times I questioned whether these two should even be together. And oh yeah, there is a murder mystery entwined between the assaults, murders, murder attempts and arguments - that basically boil down to “Stop treating like a child!” and “Stop acting like a child!” Both men have a point.

The murder mystery is really disturbing, focused around a missing football coach and the two most ill-suited detectives in history. Seriously, there are a few TSTL moments in their handy work. The murder reveal secrets and corruption within the college Theo hopes to have a career. But Theo’s need for money and job security launches the couple into a lot of danger. Poking into this murder results in not only physical danger, but an emotional whirlwind that brings out Theo’s demons. It is very clear that they deeply love each other, but the 10 year gap in their ages is on full display. We also get a glimpse into Auggie’s very dysfunctional family life.

This said, as usual, I needed to trust GA to somehow make sense out of what seemed like a dumpster fire. And, as usual, he does. After a very disturbing resolution of the murder mystery, that I did NOT see coming, I was satisfied with the HFN ending and look forward to the next installment.

J.F. Harding gives another amazing performance. I can’t imagine any other voice for these men.

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

Amazing and Disturbing

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School is back after summer break and Auggie and Theo are making a go at a relationship despite everything. Theo has been coerced into finding the missing football coach and despite trying to protect Auggie they find themselves once again working together to solve the mystery.

This was a good installment in this series. I enjoyed the mystery though it turned out to be all a lot darker than I thought. Theo made some good steps towards the end of this book. Why he hadn’t been in therapy all along was beyond me. But I still really hate how poorly he treats Auggie. It’s like reverse ageism. Is that a thing? I could psychoanalyze these two forever so maybe that’s why I can’t stop reading this story. I’m addicted and it’s such good character development. I love Gregory Ashe’s ability to write flawed characters you root for even when it makes me want to pull my hair out sometimes.

JF Harding can do no wrong when narrating.

These two are a hot mess and I'm addicted

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I was so excited when I saw this book was available to listen to. I love this series and after seeing a glimpse into Theo and Augie's future in another series by GA, I couldn't wait to continue this storyline. Having read all of Shakespeare's plays, it was fascinating how GA used Pericles as inspiration for this book. Great mystery and relationship development. J. F. was amazing at narrating as usual.

Another great book by GA

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Listener received this title free

In this book Auggie and Theo admit they love each other and try working on their relationship.
Once again Auggie and Theo find themselves involved in solving a mystery that turns into murders. This time I did NOT figure out who the bad guys were. Really enjoyed this audio.

More Mystery and Murders

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Listener received this title free

This is a really great series and this book is just as good as the previous (check them out too!!) if not better! The story is interesting and is even better with the fantastic narration.

Excellent!

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Listener received this title free

This was my second time with the book. I read it first and now listened to the audio. So good. The narrator just brings it to the next level. From start to end you’re just captivated. Oh Auggie and Theo my heart hurts for you both. Can’t wait for the next book to wreck me( in the best way)!

So Good!

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Listener received this title free

This is the third book in The First Quarto series, and I like the MCs more every book. I especially liked Auggie's development in this book. During the series he grew up, and in the current book he turns 21 and becomes a mature young adult, who is ready to protect himself as well as those he loves - and not just to receive protection and support from others.

Both Auggie and Theo start with problematic, and sometimes traumatic, backgrounds to begin with, and go through additional traumatic experiences throughout the books, which I sometimes feared would damage them irreparably. But throughout this book it seemed that the traumatic experiences sometimes also have this other side - it can help to develop the relationship in a more complete and mature way, and little by little Auggie and Theo learn how to treat one another carefully and attentively, and grow as a couple from their separate and shared traumatic experiences.

The mysteries still aren't an integral part of Auggie and Theo's life - unlike some of the other Ashe's series, the MCs here are not professional detectives, and they just always finding themselves pushed into a mystery almost against their will. But over time I think they also have an internal motivation for it, especially Auggie who is not only curious but also has a very strong sense of justice, and wants to reveal the truth and stop the killers because of that. So over time I learned to appreciate his involvement in mysteries, even though I'd still rather he didn't have to deal with such things.

All and all, I really appreciated where Auggie and Theo ended up at the end of this book, and I look forward to see their relationship develop more in the next one.

The narrator was wonderful, and read the story in a very expressive and sensitive way. I loved especially the attention to details, like whispering when said so, sound of crying or laughter, etc.

love the characters' development, great narration

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Listener received this title free

Greg's books are always good. "Then" Theo and Auggie aren't my favorites of his characters—I keep wanting them to grow up and get on with things (that is, turn into the characters we later see in the Hazard and Somerset books). But "not my favorites" is a pretty high bar, so take that into account. Bottom line, I enjoyed reading The Fairest Show and now revisiting it in audio.

My thanks to the author for an advance copy of this audiobook.

Another excellent performance of a Greg Ashe book

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Listener received this title free

Book Review: If you read the first two books, I definitely recommend returning for a visit to read more about Theo and Auggie. They both have grown up some - not enough, but some - that's what makes for a good story. But this mystery impacts them more than any other in the past. I would call out you should be careful of triggers with this one. But boy-oh-boy does it add to the story and make it such a pearl clenching one. You will certainly go through a range of emotions as you read this one. But as much as it was a roller coaster of emotions while reading, I absolutely loved the story.

Audio Review: J.F. Harding is an amazing narrator, and this is a great example of it. He brings the right mix to both Auggie and Theo. I just love his cadence and performance. I could listen to this over and over.

J.F. Brings the book to life

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