North and Shaw: Out of Office, Volume 2

Borealis: Without a Compass

By: Gregory Ashe

Narrated by: Charlie David

Short stories from Borealis: Without a Compass North and Shaw: Out of Office Volume 2 is a collection of short stories. It includes the following: “Couple Friends” As a (relatively) new couple, North and Shaw learn what it means to have friends as a couple—and how to be friends in a relationship. This story takes place before Indirection. “Good Friends” North and Shaw spend the day together for Shaw’s (make-up) birthday. This story takes place before Misdirection. “Just Friends” North and Shaw figure out how to be just friends while helping a pair of older men recover their stolen money. This story takes place before Redirection. “Boyfriends” North and Shaw track down Teddi’s missing boyfriend. This story takes place before Codirection. “North and Shaw: Out of Office” North and Shaw go to a continuing education convention for private investigators and bump into some old friends. This story takes place after Codirection. Please note that the first four stories were distributed in a preliminary form to mailing list subscribers. “North and Shaw: Out of Office” is exclusively available in this collection.

©2021 Gregory Ashe (P)2025 Gregory Ashe

Great Addition to the series

This is a collection of short stories in North & Shaw’s 2nd series, Borealis Without A Compass. IMHO these are not standalone stories as they reference details from the series. So I would recommend listening to the series first. These stories are really a gift to fans of the series. This collection focuses on North & Shaw’s relationship evolution from friends to boyfriends, just like the series. And of course, there is a mystery and lots of laughs. There are revelations in the series that carry over to some of these stories, but the best is the story featuring my favorite couple, Emery Hazard & John Somerset. When these couples get together havoc and laughs ensue. It’s wonderful. But GA being GA, he has to throw in a little nugget of WTFism that is priceless. I really enjoyed these stories, and they made me want to relisten to the series.

Charlie David once again does an amazing job in bringing these stories to life. A++++

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

Back for More

How can you not jump on additional short stories about North and Shaw. It's been a while since I read these books, but listening to this I jumped right in. And the fact that Charlie David was back to narrate - chef's kiss. Love the dynamic between the two men and even love the story with Hazzard and Sommers. Back in Missouri and loving every minute of it!

A good performance of some fun short stories

As I said in my review of the written version of this, short stories aren't my preferred reading material—the longer the better, as far as I'm concerned. That said, Gregory Ashe does a great job with these interstitial stories to give readers extra glimpses into the lives of his series protagonists. I enjoyed the heck out of this collection, where in some ways I felt I got a better idea of the relationship between North and Shaw than I do in the novels... not to mention some utterly delightful Hazard and Somerset interaction. If you're enjoying the series, you won't go wrong with this addition. 4.5 stars, highly recommended.

My thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this audiobook.

Insider View...great!

These are the stories between the novels- and they grant us such amazing insight and delight! Charlie David is magnificent in his narration- I fell in love with North and Shaw all over again. Thanks Greg for these delights!

Charlie David's voice is soothing.

I meant to write this review quite a while ago, but life has been chaos. Packing up your home of fifteen years while you are fighting a migraine requires some soothing distractions, which is precisely what this audiobook was for me. The antics of North and Shaw actually kept me sane during the packing and moving process. The added bonus was Charlie David's soothing voice. I needed this book, and I give it credit for helping me work through a very stressful few days. Listening to North and Shaw explore their relationship in this collection of short stories is comforting. The ups and downs in their lives serve as a poignant reminder that things don't always go as planned; having a trusted companion nearby eases the stress. If the day is getting too intense and you need a break, I recommend listening to the North and Shaw: Out of Office audiobooks. Charlie David's calming voice narrating North and Shaw's escapades is an entertaining way to step back from stress.