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Fred, the Vampire Accountant #2
Undeath and Taxes [Dramatized Adaptation]: Fred, the Vampire Accountant 2
MP3 CD Format
"After discovering just how filled with magic, intrigue, and adventure the parahuman world of being an Undead American can be, Fredrick Frankford Fletcher did exactly what was expected--he became a certified parahuman accountant. Myths and legends, as it turns out, are not so great at taking appropriate deductions and keeping their receipts, and Fred is more than happy to return to a life others view as woefully dull, expanding his accounting business to cater to various monsters and their respective financial needs. Said monsters are, unfortunately, still spectacular at pulling Fred into trouble, though. And despite merely wanting to stick with simple paperwork, Fred once again finds he is going to have to deal with enchanted weaponry, government agents, possessed houses, and one enigmatic dragon's interest. In the parahuman world, any business can turn deadly, even one as mundane as accounting. Performed by Christopher Walker, Nora Achrati, Danny Gavigan, Scott McCormick, Marni Penning, Alejandro Ruiz, Bradley Smith, Carolyn Kashner, Shanta Parasuraman, Elizabeth Jernigan, Terence Aselford, Zeke Alton, Henry Kramer, Matthew Schleigh, Michael John Casey, Ken Jackson, Matthew Bassett, Colleen Delany and Chris Stinson."1 pages, Audio CD
First published July 26, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 512 reviews
December 13, 2018
3.4 stars
Review to come once I've written a review for the first book. This book felt more like a filler with a scattered bunch of short stories than a follow up, but the characters were as enjoyable as always.
What people think vampires look like
What Fred the vampire is like
I absolutely love how this series turns the trope of supernatural creatures on their head but still makes a fun, action-packed series.
Review to come once I've written a review for the first book. This book felt more like a filler with a scattered bunch of short stories than a follow up, but the characters were as enjoyable as always.
What people think vampires look like
What Fred the vampire is like
I absolutely love how this series turns the trope of supernatural creatures on their head but still makes a fun, action-packed series.
April 7, 2021
Getting CPPA seems to be only another page in Fred's undead career. He's getting his hands full what with his wary acquaintance with:
Neil, the reformed mage extraordinaire,
Amy, the non-repentantl alchemist and mage,
Krystal, in all her claws&fire-bearing glory and the rest of the tag-alongs.
CPA & CPPA - now, Fred's in his element of tax refunds and accounting.
Q:
In a world of terrifying things, Krystal was one of the scariest. And she relished that fact. (c)
Q:
We clinked glasses, despite one of them being illusionary, and took our drinks. It didn’t matter that hers was fake, or that the image she was putting in front of my eyes was equally illusory. The sentiment was real, and that was far more important than a silly thing like corporeality. (c)
Q:
“At least you clean up nice. Just don’t get too comfy in that tux.”
“I daresay it would take a mage of legendary caliber to make such a thing viable, so I doubt it will be an issue.” (c)
Neil, the reformed mage extraordinaire,
Amy, the non-repentantl alchemist and mage,
Krystal, in all her claws&fire-bearing glory and the rest of the tag-alongs.
CPA & CPPA - now, Fred's in his element of tax refunds and accounting.
Q:
In a world of terrifying things, Krystal was one of the scariest. And she relished that fact. (c)
Q:
We clinked glasses, despite one of them being illusionary, and took our drinks. It didn’t matter that hers was fake, or that the image she was putting in front of my eyes was equally illusory. The sentiment was real, and that was far more important than a silly thing like corporeality. (c)
Q:
“At least you clean up nice. Just don’t get too comfy in that tux.”
“I daresay it would take a mage of legendary caliber to make such a thing viable, so I doubt it will be an issue.” (c)
July 21, 2016
Fred has come a long way since becoming a vampire. He's gone into business for himself as an accountant, found a girlfriend and has made a circle of dependable friends. That's not bad for a socially awkward person who used to spend most of his time alone. Now if only he could stop finding himself in positions which force him to brave - something Fred most certainly is not, then things could be perfect.
Just like The Utterly Uninteresting and Unadventurous Tales of Fred, the Vampire Accountant, Undeath and Taxes, is told through a series of short stories. This is still not my preferred format for reading and I would have liked one cohesive story from start to finish better. That being said, there was a nice flow to the mini short stories and Hayes took care to add to the meta, even if I am not pleased with what the addition turned out to be. Hayes also gave us a great sense of the hierarchy in the parahuman world and how it is policed by agents.
My largest complaint with Undeath and Taxes is the predatory child molesting tone it took in terms of Sally's relationship with Gideon the centuries old Dragon. From the beginning, Fred wonders why Gideon would chosse to cloak himself in a child's body and become Sally's playmate. In Undeath and Taxes, we learn that Sally is a Tiamet, quite literally the mother of dragons. (Go ahead and let your mind channel Daenerys Targaryen for a moment and then stroll on back.) This means that when Sally reaches maturity, she will be able to give birth to a dragon and given that the dragon birth rate is exceedingly low, this is a huge deal. Gideon has therefore struck a deal with Richard, Sally's father to grow up with Sally as her playmate and then marry her when she becomes an adult. There's only one word for this kind of scenario and it's grooming. Even if Gideon doesn't touch Sally sexually until she's and adult it's still catfishing.
Hayes treats the betrothal between Gideon and Sally as a huge secret but not because of how problematic their relationship is but because of Sally's potential to breed dragons. First off, making a female character important because of her potential reproductive ability reduces her to nothing but a womb and it's sexist and wrong. To then have Gideon grow up alongside her, sharing in her confidences, playing the role of friend and shaping who she becomes only to set himself up as a suitor once she reaches maturity is straight out of a pedophiles playbook. There's simply no other way of looking at it. It took some of enjoyment out of Undeath and Taxes for me, even if it only accounts for a small part of the book.
No matter how much Fred dislikes violence and being placed into situations where has to be brave, he always seems to end up in some sort of confrontation. Because Undeath and Taxes is written in the form of multiples short stories, it quickly becomes at least somewhat sort of repetitive. The situations vary but inevitably, Fred finds a way to out smart each story's particular antagonist, or is saved by a stronger friend. The only thing that changes from beginning to end is that with each new situation Fred becomes less and less likely to panic, resigned to the fact that this is his life now. At the end, he is even willing to sacrifice himself to save his friends, having determined that they have become a family. That's a long way from the vampire who tried to run away from the werewolves in The Utterly Uninteresting and Unadventurous Tales of Fred, the Vampire Accountant.
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Just like The Utterly Uninteresting and Unadventurous Tales of Fred, the Vampire Accountant, Undeath and Taxes, is told through a series of short stories. This is still not my preferred format for reading and I would have liked one cohesive story from start to finish better. That being said, there was a nice flow to the mini short stories and Hayes took care to add to the meta, even if I am not pleased with what the addition turned out to be. Hayes also gave us a great sense of the hierarchy in the parahuman world and how it is policed by agents.
My largest complaint with Undeath and Taxes is the predatory child molesting tone it took in terms of Sally's relationship with Gideon the centuries old Dragon. From the beginning, Fred wonders why Gideon would chosse to cloak himself in a child's body and become Sally's playmate. In Undeath and Taxes, we learn that Sally is a Tiamet, quite literally the mother of dragons. (Go ahead and let your mind channel Daenerys Targaryen for a moment and then stroll on back.) This means that when Sally reaches maturity, she will be able to give birth to a dragon and given that the dragon birth rate is exceedingly low, this is a huge deal. Gideon has therefore struck a deal with Richard, Sally's father to grow up with Sally as her playmate and then marry her when she becomes an adult. There's only one word for this kind of scenario and it's grooming. Even if Gideon doesn't touch Sally sexually until she's and adult it's still catfishing.
Hayes treats the betrothal between Gideon and Sally as a huge secret but not because of how problematic their relationship is but because of Sally's potential to breed dragons. First off, making a female character important because of her potential reproductive ability reduces her to nothing but a womb and it's sexist and wrong. To then have Gideon grow up alongside her, sharing in her confidences, playing the role of friend and shaping who she becomes only to set himself up as a suitor once she reaches maturity is straight out of a pedophiles playbook. There's simply no other way of looking at it. It took some of enjoyment out of Undeath and Taxes for me, even if it only accounts for a small part of the book.
No matter how much Fred dislikes violence and being placed into situations where has to be brave, he always seems to end up in some sort of confrontation. Because Undeath and Taxes is written in the form of multiples short stories, it quickly becomes at least somewhat sort of repetitive. The situations vary but inevitably, Fred finds a way to out smart each story's particular antagonist, or is saved by a stronger friend. The only thing that changes from beginning to end is that with each new situation Fred becomes less and less likely to panic, resigned to the fact that this is his life now. At the end, he is even willing to sacrifice himself to save his friends, having determined that they have become a family. That's a long way from the vampire who tried to run away from the werewolves in The Utterly Uninteresting and Unadventurous Tales of Fred, the Vampire Accountant.
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March 1, 2022
The various chapters feel more like connected short stories rather than one continuous narrative, which I am fine with. Vampire accounting is way more entertaining than one might assume, and I highly recommend this series.
The narration by Kirby Heyborne is likewise very good.
The narration by Kirby Heyborne is likewise very good.
February 9, 2025
Another fun, solid entry to this series! I love the world building and how our cast of misfits slowly becomes a found family, with a new character added every couple of stories or so. The stakes rise steadily along with the pacing, and we get to see some cool new powers every now and then. There are callbacks to old characters and locations, new lore added, and everything is expanding in a lovely, gradual way.
Once again the graphic audio, with cast and sound effects, added another layer of life to the audiobook which heightened my enjoyment even more.
Great reads and brilliant palette cleansers in between darker or heavier works.
Highly recommend!
Once again the graphic audio, with cast and sound effects, added another layer of life to the audiobook which heightened my enjoyment even more.
Great reads and brilliant palette cleansers in between darker or heavier works.
Highly recommend!
January 18, 2019
Well this is what happens when I go scrolling around in Audible. *sigh* I'm not mad at all. I'm loving this series, but there goes my "reading plan" and my credits and we're barely in January! And yet ... I wholeheartedly recommend this series.
This second installment surprised me. In a good way. While it continues in the same vein of "individual" comic adventures, somewhere along the line it goes deeper. The characters grow in emotional depth, and concepts like "chosen family", love, or what it even means to be alive are broached artfully and without preachiness. I don't want to spoil anything but I'll just say that Albert and Gideon are characters in completely opposite ends of the spectrum but just as compelling. Quite a feat.
Let's hear it for the B-Team, accountants, beta heroes, unbreakable bonds of friendship, and finding your tribe.
I'm forging ahead, broke, but happy.
This second installment surprised me. In a good way. While it continues in the same vein of "individual" comic adventures, somewhere along the line it goes deeper. The characters grow in emotional depth, and concepts like "chosen family", love, or what it even means to be alive are broached artfully and without preachiness. I don't want to spoil anything but I'll just say that Albert and Gideon are characters in completely opposite ends of the spectrum but just as compelling. Quite a feat.
Let's hear it for the B-Team, accountants, beta heroes, unbreakable bonds of friendship, and finding your tribe.
I'm forging ahead, broke, but happy.
August 10, 2018
4 Stars
Review:
This was another sweet, light, funny, enjoyable audiobook in the series. Fred is a great, easily likeable character---I especially love how honest he is; no subterfuge, no manipulation, no hiding anything. He's just honest and trustworthy, and I love him for it. And he's so oblivious to how brave and caring he is and how everyone else sees him. I also like how sweet his relationship with Crystal is. They're so different, but they balance each other, and they respect and love each others' differences. The whole series has a really sweet friendship/found family aspect too that I like. Fred's social circle is a motley crew of characters, and it's really sweet how Fred spent his whole life being kind of alone but now has these people he cares about and who care about him. But, at the same time, I also liked how this book had more scenarios when Fred was without his friends and/or took more initiative, even being the one to save the day in one case. Last but not least, I highly recommend the audio for this series. I make no secret that I'm not a fan of audiobooks, but it works so well for this series since the story is told as a series of memoirs, and the narrator really brings the characters to life. Overall, this was another set of stories I enjoyed listening to!
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
Review:
This was another sweet, light, funny, enjoyable audiobook in the series. Fred is a great, easily likeable character---I especially love how honest he is; no subterfuge, no manipulation, no hiding anything. He's just honest and trustworthy, and I love him for it. And he's so oblivious to how brave and caring he is and how everyone else sees him. I also like how sweet his relationship with Crystal is. They're so different, but they balance each other, and they respect and love each others' differences. The whole series has a really sweet friendship/found family aspect too that I like. Fred's social circle is a motley crew of characters, and it's really sweet how Fred spent his whole life being kind of alone but now has these people he cares about and who care about him. But, at the same time, I also liked how this book had more scenarios when Fred was without his friends and/or took more initiative, even being the one to save the day in one case. Last but not least, I highly recommend the audio for this series. I make no secret that I'm not a fan of audiobooks, but it works so well for this series since the story is told as a series of memoirs, and the narrator really brings the characters to life. Overall, this was another set of stories I enjoyed listening to!
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
March 4, 2020
I enjoyed DEATH AND TAXES as a decent sequel to the original FRED THE VAMPIRE ACCOUNTANT novel. Fred is a character who wouldn't be very interesting to read about if he wasn't a vampire (as he constantly insists) but is hilarious in his deadpan reaction to things like kidnappings, sentient Overlook-esque hotels [who are really nice], superhuman conventions, sinister tests, and evil plots overthrow the dragon king of the West.
I don't think much changed characterization or plot-wise but it was a solid and dependable book. I really like Fred's relationship with Krystal even if it feels a bit sexless. They're adults, they can allude to having a bit more spice than your average Victorian-era relationship. This is a good "comfort food" fiction and worth an afternoon's read. I'm also going to be picking up the next in the series.
8/10
I don't think much changed characterization or plot-wise but it was a solid and dependable book. I really like Fred's relationship with Krystal even if it feels a bit sexless. They're adults, they can allude to having a bit more spice than your average Victorian-era relationship. This is a good "comfort food" fiction and worth an afternoon's read. I'm also going to be picking up the next in the series.
8/10
October 19, 2015
I love LOVE Fred <3
(would like to see more of him and Gideon-*fingers crossed*)
Can't wait for the next installment!
(would like to see more of him and Gideon-*fingers crossed*)
Can't wait for the next installment!
February 24, 2017
I adore this series. Told as a series of memoirs, Fred recounts his adventures (not that he was looking for any) of his not so mundane, undead life. The narration is wonderful, the cast of characters continue to grow as we get to know more about Fred and his friends who have become his family.
May 3, 2023
Only two books in and I have come to the conclusion that it's simply impossible not to be entertained by Drew Hayes' writing.
I really enjoy the episodic/short story feel of these books, because it makes them so easy to fly through! There are some moments of repetition when going from one story to the next, but I honestly don't even care all that much. Fred and co. are just absolutely delightful to follow and keep me entertained from start to finish! I really wasn't expecting such strong found family vibes from this series but I am 100% here for it.
Also, I think the humour worked even better for me in this second instalment than in the first, so I have high hopes that this positive trend continues!
Highly recommend this series if you need some real good escapism, I've been having a blast with these books!
I really enjoy the episodic/short story feel of these books, because it makes them so easy to fly through! There are some moments of repetition when going from one story to the next, but I honestly don't even care all that much. Fred and co. are just absolutely delightful to follow and keep me entertained from start to finish! I really wasn't expecting such strong found family vibes from this series but I am 100% here for it.
Also, I think the humour worked even better for me in this second instalment than in the first, so I have high hopes that this positive trend continues!
Highly recommend this series if you need some real good escapism, I've been having a blast with these books!
January 2, 2019
Solid fun. Such a different concept, too. I mean, "accountant vampire and friends" isn't a common idea! Love Albert's new job.
September 21, 2022
Rating 4.0 stars
I liked this one better than the first. Fred uses his accounting skills more to solve problems in this one. I don't like how people around him call him a coward. I just think he doesn't like violence, that doesn't make him a coward. I like that he is changing. That his friends are making him more outgoing. That is how friendships are supposed to work. The best ones anyway. They should challenge and support. I like how the story is separated. This reads like a memoir. So there are different parts of the story. I think this one in broken up into 5 substories. Interesting parts of Fred's life. I like Fred's friends. Still not a huge fan of his GF or any of the other agents. They just seem like they don't care about other people's feelings when the job comes into play.
I liked this one better than the first. Fred uses his accounting skills more to solve problems in this one. I don't like how people around him call him a coward. I just think he doesn't like violence, that doesn't make him a coward. I like that he is changing. That his friends are making him more outgoing. That is how friendships are supposed to work. The best ones anyway. They should challenge and support. I like how the story is separated. This reads like a memoir. So there are different parts of the story. I think this one in broken up into 5 substories. Interesting parts of Fred's life. I like Fred's friends. Still not a huge fan of his GF or any of the other agents. They just seem like they don't care about other people's feelings when the job comes into play.
December 20, 2024
This series is just brilliant.
Hilarious, witty and entertaining.
The graphic audio take the stories to a new level and I cant help feeling this series is becoming an obsession.
Fred is just someone I wish was my friend
Hilarious, witty and entertaining.
The graphic audio take the stories to a new level and I cant help feeling this series is becoming an obsession.
Fred is just someone I wish was my friend
August 30, 2016
My review and an extended sample of the audiobook are posted at Hotlistens.com.
An Accountant in the Warehouse
Fred has gotten certified as a “Certified Public Parahuman Accountant”. He is now your official guy to find you all of those paranormal tax deductions. His first client with his new credentials is king of the therians (were-creatures) in the area. We met Richard and his daughter Sally in the first book. There is also Gideon, who is a very old, very powerful dragon who likes to disguise as a playmate for Sally. When someone tries to kidnap Sally, and Fred since he was there, things go awry.
An Agent at the Convention
In this story, Krystal, Fred and Bubba go to setup at the convention, which is the paranormal’s version of ComicCon. In this story, we meet Krystal’s ex-fiance’s sister is already setting up the booth. We learn more about mages, witches, therians and other creatures. When someone steals some of the weapons of destiny, the gang needs to hunt them down before the Con officially starts.
What I loved most in this story, was how they kept normal humans from finding out about this Con. Parahumans tried to keep the “veil of disbelief” about themselves.
A Sword in the Catacombs
I can’t say a huge about this story as it could spoil the previous story. I’ll just say that someone finds out that they are to become the new wielder of the Blade of the Unlikely Champion. The Agency has Krystal bring the gang in so that this new wielder could be tested and likely recruited to the Agency.
A Lawyer in the Manor
When Fred is asked to come to a meeting at the Charlotte Manor, which is now a bed and breakfast, to basically interview for the job of accountant for investment firm. When the person from the investment firm starts talking about buying this B&B, the “employees” decide this is not want they want and take matters into their own hands. Fred solves this problem in a way that truly suits Fred.
A Dragon in the Office
When Fred goes to “gala” at Richard’s home, Fred notices that Gideon is not what it seems. Fred goes on the hunt to try to figure out what is going on.
Once again, I really enjoyed this story. It is a light-hearted read with plenty of laugh out loud moments. If you’re looking for a paranormal read that is funny with some action and less romance, this is the story for you. The story format of several small stories that build on each other is different, but I find it works really well with this series.
Narration
Now when I listened to the first book, I mentioned that Kirby Heyborne didn’t do a very good job with female characters. I’m not 100% sure what changed, but I found that his narration with female voices didn’t bother me as much in this story. I think he is a great voice for Fred. He sounds exactly what I think Fred would sound like. He does a really good job of the big trucker and werebeast, Bubba.
An Accountant in the Warehouse
Fred has gotten certified as a “Certified Public Parahuman Accountant”. He is now your official guy to find you all of those paranormal tax deductions. His first client with his new credentials is king of the therians (were-creatures) in the area. We met Richard and his daughter Sally in the first book. There is also Gideon, who is a very old, very powerful dragon who likes to disguise as a playmate for Sally. When someone tries to kidnap Sally, and Fred since he was there, things go awry.
An Agent at the Convention
In this story, Krystal, Fred and Bubba go to setup at the convention, which is the paranormal’s version of ComicCon. In this story, we meet Krystal’s ex-fiance’s sister is already setting up the booth. We learn more about mages, witches, therians and other creatures. When someone steals some of the weapons of destiny, the gang needs to hunt them down before the Con officially starts.
What I loved most in this story, was how they kept normal humans from finding out about this Con. Parahumans tried to keep the “veil of disbelief” about themselves.
“Red tape usually,” Krystal said. “Lost applications, extra fees piled on top of extra fees, constantly changing dates, and overall horrendous customer service. We make the experience so terrible, no one wants to come. Let alone, try again the next year.”
“I think my cable company has been stealing plays from your book,” Bubba remarked as he set a fourth box on the pile.
“Other way around. Every couple of years, we have someone set up a Castcom account, just to see if they’ve come up with any new tactics. They never fail to disappoint.” Krystal replied.
A Sword in the Catacombs
I can’t say a huge about this story as it could spoil the previous story. I’ll just say that someone finds out that they are to become the new wielder of the Blade of the Unlikely Champion. The Agency has Krystal bring the gang in so that this new wielder could be tested and likely recruited to the Agency.
A Lawyer in the Manor
When Fred is asked to come to a meeting at the Charlotte Manor, which is now a bed and breakfast, to basically interview for the job of accountant for investment firm. When the person from the investment firm starts talking about buying this B&B, the “employees” decide this is not want they want and take matters into their own hands. Fred solves this problem in a way that truly suits Fred.
A Dragon in the Office
When Fred goes to “gala” at Richard’s home, Fred notices that Gideon is not what it seems. Fred goes on the hunt to try to figure out what is going on.
Once again, I really enjoyed this story. It is a light-hearted read with plenty of laugh out loud moments. If you’re looking for a paranormal read that is funny with some action and less romance, this is the story for you. The story format of several small stories that build on each other is different, but I find it works really well with this series.
Narration
Now when I listened to the first book, I mentioned that Kirby Heyborne didn’t do a very good job with female characters. I’m not 100% sure what changed, but I found that his narration with female voices didn’t bother me as much in this story. I think he is a great voice for Fred. He sounds exactly what I think Fred would sound like. He does a really good job of the big trucker and werebeast, Bubba.
February 28, 2020
I really like Fred and these books are fun, but I am finding it more irksome in this second installment that Hayes feels the need to recap before each new "story." I don't mean each new book, but, literally, each new story. These books are divided into different adventures, and I can only imagine they were published individually first because Hayes gives you the broad outline before each section. I thought I would skip over that, but he introduces it in such a way that if you skip, you miss the beginning details of this new adventure as well.
*sigh*
What I like most about these is that Fred is just a guy who becomes a vampire. I love the paranormal, but in most cases those who become paranormal are already extraordinary in some way. Not so here. Fred is just a sweet, unprepossessing young man. It's only when he becomes a vampire and makes new friends that he comes into his own. He cares deeply, and is loyal beyond all belief. That's the wonder of these little tales. The fact that everyone is special, not just those that pretend to be ordinary!
*sigh*
What I like most about these is that Fred is just a guy who becomes a vampire. I love the paranormal, but in most cases those who become paranormal are already extraordinary in some way. Not so here. Fred is just a sweet, unprepossessing young man. It's only when he becomes a vampire and makes new friends that he comes into his own. He cares deeply, and is loyal beyond all belief. That's the wonder of these little tales. The fact that everyone is special, not just those that pretend to be ordinary!
March 16, 2016
A continuation of what came before.
The second installment continues on the same track as the first novel. Fred & Friends slowly make their way into the world of the parahumans. You learn a bit more about each character and see them develop, reveal strengths and weaknesses while remaining well written fun to read.
If you liked the first book, Read the second book and you won't be dissapointed
The second installment continues on the same track as the first novel. Fred & Friends slowly make their way into the world of the parahumans. You learn a bit more about each character and see them develop, reveal strengths and weaknesses while remaining well written fun to read.
If you liked the first book, Read the second book and you won't be dissapointed
July 6, 2021
Undeath and Taxes was an absolutely delightful sequel. It's so much fun. Fred is quickly on his way to becoming one of my favorite fictional vampires. I really appreciate his professionalism and his straightforwardness. This also has a really cool reference to the authors Spells, Swords, and Stealth series which was really cool in its own right. I highly recommend this series especially on audiobook as the narrator is extremely talented at what he does.
September 15, 2020
Can't believe a vampire book would still be able to surprise me but here it is. Thought the first book was a fluke but after reading this I can safely say that this series is going to be a blast.
Kinda has the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris vibes but much better. Considering this read one of the good things of 2020.
Highly Recommended by yours truly :)
Kinda has the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris vibes but much better. Considering this read one of the good things of 2020.
Highly Recommended by yours truly :)
April 22, 2025
‘Undeath and Taxes’ by Drew Hayes, #two in the Fred, the Vampire Accountant series, is much like the first novel in the series, The Utterly Uninteresting and Unadventurous Tales of Fred, the Vampire Accountant, except, of course, with different stories. The book has interconnected short stories collected together in one volume about Fred’s very interesting and adventurous life, contrary to his beliefs about himself.
Fredrick Frankfort Fletcher was a shy man with a dull life when he was human. But he was attacked by a vampire, a story which is told in the first book, and now he is a vampire too. He rearranged his life to accommodate his new body, quitting his day job working for an accounting firm. He started his own accounting business, working from his home in order to continue to support himself. He could not bring himself to attack people, so he drinks blood bank blood.
Fred lived quietly as a human, and his new vampire life was continuing in much the same manner - until he met the love of his life, Krystal, an agent of a top secret department of the CIA that deals with problems created by parahumans! She is fully trained in martial arts, an absolute necessity because her life is one of doing battle with criminal parahumans. Through her, Fred meets other parahumans for the first time. Some of them have become close friends, while others try to kill him! The first book describes how he meets these interesting magical creatures, such as a mage and a zombie. In this collection of stories, he learns for the first time he has more powers than he had known! For example, the dragon Gideon inadvertently pushes Fred into a new awareness of what is possible in having powers in a story included in this book. In another interesting adventure, Fred learns a new meaning to the phrase, “haunted house!”
Fredrick Frankfort Fletcher’s life will never be uninteresting or unadventurous again! Especially that now he is a certified CPPA in addition to his CPA license! Parahumans need to fill out forms and pay income taxes too. Many of them are popping into Fred’s life, needing an accountant, but they sometimes bring on complications. Scary complications…
I have copied the book blurb:
”The sequel to the Amazon bestseller THE UTTERLY UNINTERESTING AND UNADVENTUROUS TALES OF FRED, THE VAMPIRE ACCOUNTANT.
After discovering just how filled with magic, intrigue, and adventure the parahuman world of being an Undead American can be, Fredrick Frankford Fletcher did exactly what was expected--he became a certified parahuman accountant. Myths and legends, as it turns out, are not so great at taking appropriate deductions and keeping their receipts, and Fred is more than happy to return to a life others view as woefully dull, expanding his accounting business to cater to various monsters and their respective financial needs.
Said monsters are, unfortunately, still spectacular at pulling Fred into trouble, though. And despite merely wanting to stick with simple paperwork, Fred once again finds he is going to have to deal with enchanted weaponry, government agents, possessed houses, and one enigmatic dragon’s interest. In the parahuman world, any business can turn deadly, even one as mundane as accounting.”
This is a humorous lighthearted series despite the dangers Fred faces. It does have graphic violence, but such scenes are brief. I recommend reading the books in order since there are threads which continue from book to book.
Fredrick Frankfort Fletcher was a shy man with a dull life when he was human. But he was attacked by a vampire, a story which is told in the first book, and now he is a vampire too. He rearranged his life to accommodate his new body, quitting his day job working for an accounting firm. He started his own accounting business, working from his home in order to continue to support himself. He could not bring himself to attack people, so he drinks blood bank blood.
Fred lived quietly as a human, and his new vampire life was continuing in much the same manner - until he met the love of his life, Krystal, an agent of a top secret department of the CIA that deals with problems created by parahumans! She is fully trained in martial arts, an absolute necessity because her life is one of doing battle with criminal parahumans. Through her, Fred meets other parahumans for the first time. Some of them have become close friends, while others try to kill him! The first book describes how he meets these interesting magical creatures, such as a mage and a zombie. In this collection of stories, he learns for the first time he has more powers than he had known! For example, the dragon Gideon inadvertently pushes Fred into a new awareness of what is possible in having powers in a story included in this book. In another interesting adventure, Fred learns a new meaning to the phrase, “haunted house!”
Fredrick Frankfort Fletcher’s life will never be uninteresting or unadventurous again! Especially that now he is a certified CPPA in addition to his CPA license! Parahumans need to fill out forms and pay income taxes too. Many of them are popping into Fred’s life, needing an accountant, but they sometimes bring on complications. Scary complications…
I have copied the book blurb:
”The sequel to the Amazon bestseller THE UTTERLY UNINTERESTING AND UNADVENTUROUS TALES OF FRED, THE VAMPIRE ACCOUNTANT.
After discovering just how filled with magic, intrigue, and adventure the parahuman world of being an Undead American can be, Fredrick Frankford Fletcher did exactly what was expected--he became a certified parahuman accountant. Myths and legends, as it turns out, are not so great at taking appropriate deductions and keeping their receipts, and Fred is more than happy to return to a life others view as woefully dull, expanding his accounting business to cater to various monsters and their respective financial needs.
Said monsters are, unfortunately, still spectacular at pulling Fred into trouble, though. And despite merely wanting to stick with simple paperwork, Fred once again finds he is going to have to deal with enchanted weaponry, government agents, possessed houses, and one enigmatic dragon’s interest. In the parahuman world, any business can turn deadly, even one as mundane as accounting.”
This is a humorous lighthearted series despite the dangers Fred faces. It does have graphic violence, but such scenes are brief. I recommend reading the books in order since there are threads which continue from book to book.
August 18, 2023
New Car Smell is gone - but it's still a lean swift machine
Ayo Vampire Fred, ole buddy.... ole pal! It's tax season somewhere in the world. How I have missed our page-turning hangouts. Seriously though can't believe you were certain your undead life was boring dude. Perish the thought.
So Frederick has been up to shenanigans in that way he does in that he just gets swept up in them like a raft at sea. Let's see, what do we have here, ah yes, GIDEON ever the petrifying dragon makes an opening cameo. Honestly, Fred, the least you could do is put together one of your famous cheese-plates and dish all the dirt about the King if The West.
Eh...I've still not warmed up to Krystal and I'm beginning to think I never will. She's basically a bastardized Ghostrider with her devil riding shotgun in her body and that is mighty sweet but her character is nails on a chalkboard. Makes me want to set fire to the building housing the chalkboard. Zombie-boy Albert got more page time and he brought all the giggles. Parahuman society deep dive and a couple of new threats really put the death in Undeath and Taxes. I feel like Richard could be so much more and the nuances of that relationship with Gideon - baaahhh you got me! who am i kidding, I just wanna see a were-creature therian throw down with a dragon.
Fight fight fight! Huzzah!
**************************************************
Review Breakdown: 3.75
General Plot: +1 I'm going with satisfactory. Things happened. Exciting very not-boring-things. This was B-plus adventuring.
Characters:+1 Bubba seems to have fallen by the wayside. What's up with that? Favorites: Everyone on Team Fred except that one. Least Favorite: Krystal. The arrogant swagger is TOO DAMN MUCH.
Style/Grammar: +1 Very accountant-ish which is very Fred. It's a fast paced read.
Overall Flow: +1 As always Fred is meticulous in his retelling of his life's misadventures and I read this in one sitting
Quotes: Undead or Alive, everyone needs the cobwebs swept.(Fred on sleep)
Memorable Scene: Fred tied up in silver and strapped to a chair just, well collapsing and passing out from fear at the sight of 8 year old Gideon in the warehouse. I mean a dragon is a dragon but still a big vampire deathly afraid of a kid, the visual is hilarious. The kidnapping of Sally and Fred was the perfect opener.
StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Fantasy Books
Ayo Vampire Fred, ole buddy.... ole pal! It's tax season somewhere in the world. How I have missed our page-turning hangouts. Seriously though can't believe you were certain your undead life was boring dude. Perish the thought.
So Frederick has been up to shenanigans in that way he does in that he just gets swept up in them like a raft at sea. Let's see, what do we have here, ah yes, GIDEON ever the petrifying dragon makes an opening cameo. Honestly, Fred, the least you could do is put together one of your famous cheese-plates and dish all the dirt about the King if The West.
Eh...I've still not warmed up to Krystal and I'm beginning to think I never will. She's basically a bastardized Ghostrider with her devil riding shotgun in her body and that is mighty sweet but her character is nails on a chalkboard. Makes me want to set fire to the building housing the chalkboard. Zombie-boy Albert got more page time and he brought all the giggles. Parahuman society deep dive and a couple of new threats really put the death in Undeath and Taxes. I feel like Richard could be so much more and the nuances of that relationship with Gideon - baaahhh you got me! who am i kidding, I just wanna see a were-creature therian throw down with a dragon.
Fight fight fight! Huzzah!
**************************************************
Review Breakdown: 3.75
General Plot: +1 I'm going with satisfactory. Things happened. Exciting very not-boring-things. This was B-plus adventuring.
Characters:+1 Bubba seems to have fallen by the wayside. What's up with that? Favorites: Everyone on Team Fred except that one. Least Favorite: Krystal. The arrogant swagger is TOO DAMN MUCH.
Style/Grammar: +1 Very accountant-ish which is very Fred. It's a fast paced read.
Overall Flow: +1 As always Fred is meticulous in his retelling of his life's misadventures and I read this in one sitting
Quotes: Undead or Alive, everyone needs the cobwebs swept.(Fred on sleep)
Memorable Scene: Fred tied up in silver and strapped to a chair just, well collapsing and passing out from fear at the sight of 8 year old Gideon in the warehouse. I mean a dragon is a dragon but still a big vampire deathly afraid of a kid, the visual is hilarious. The kidnapping of Sally and Fred was the perfect opener.
StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Fantasy Books
November 26, 2018
I enjoyed this sequel quite a bit. I listened to the audiobook, and I loved how the narrator did the voices. The overall story was fantastic. I loved listening to the relationships between the characters grow and flourish. I loved the new additions to the cast as well. I liked the episodic nature of the book. However, it was hard to stop listening to the tales of Fred and his friends. The audiobook is around 9 hours long, so pretty short. If anyone is looking for a quick read that is entertaining, then this is the book for you. I have really enjoyed the series so far, and I am looking forward to starting this next one. I can't wait to listen to more of Fred's adventures.
February 14, 2019
If you know Drew Hayes (NPCs), you know exactly what you are going to get with this book.
This book was a fun romp that gently pokes fun at some stereotypes of this type of story.
Characters: 4.5*
Universe: 4.2*
Plot: 3.8*
This book was a fun romp that gently pokes fun at some stereotypes of this type of story.
Characters: 4.5*
Universe: 4.2*
Plot: 3.8*
February 23, 2025
I really enjoy this series. The characters are all likable in different ways. This installment ends on a cliffhanger, which is frustrating, especially since most of the books have disappeared from Amazon and Kindle.
I hope to find book three soon (what did Gideon do?!) so I can continue following Fred's adventures.
I hope to find book three soon (what did Gideon do?!) so I can continue following Fred's adventures.
April 11, 2021
Het tweede deel van de Fred, the Vampire Accountant serie is weer een geniaal deel waarbij de laatste twee verhalen de allerbeste tot nu toe zijn. Fred komt weer in veel situaties terecht die totaal niets voor hem zijn, maar zijn character arch is enorm leuk om te volgen en gebeurt ook zeer organisch.
April 15, 2021
Not sophisticated, not groundbreaking, still so much fun.
Basic urban fantasy, but nicely done
Basic urban fantasy, but nicely done
April 11, 2023
what’s not to love?!
I love these books. Not only are the characters interesting, but Hayes has a great gift in creating stories that give you adventure, mystery twists and turns, where you cheer for the underdog and are amazed at the end result. I’m all in with these books.
I love these books. Not only are the characters interesting, but Hayes has a great gift in creating stories that give you adventure, mystery twists and turns, where you cheer for the underdog and are amazed at the end result. I’m all in with these books.
October 21, 2019
Mein Rating liegt irgendwo zwischen 3 und 4.
Manche der Stories fand ich extrem unterhaltsam und innovativ - hallo, das Haus? Während andere, wie die letzte, die sich um Drachen dreht nicht so die Tasse Tee sind.
Im Grund hat doch jetzt jeder der parahumanen Scooby-Gang eine mysteriöse Aufgabe oder Job, oder?
Ich bin gespannt auf den nächsten Band! Fred, mein männliches Buchhalter-Alter-Ego!
Manche der Stories fand ich extrem unterhaltsam und innovativ - hallo, das Haus? Während andere, wie die letzte, die sich um Drachen dreht nicht so die Tasse Tee sind.
Im Grund hat doch jetzt jeder der parahumanen Scooby-Gang eine mysteriöse Aufgabe oder Job, oder?
Ich bin gespannt auf den nächsten Band! Fred, mein männliches Buchhalter-Alter-Ego!
November 12, 2023
Like a nice merlot at the end of a busy day
September 20, 2015
Undeath and Taxes (Fred, the Vampire Accountant Book 2)
by Drew Hayes
Fred, the Vampire Accountant, is back with his friends, Bubba, the werehorse, Neil, the budding necromancer, Amy, the weird but wonderful mage and Neil's current tutor, Albert, Fred's Zombie assistant and Neil's best friend, and, of course, Krystal, the demon agent of "The Agency," Fred's former high school friend and his current girlfriend. Add into the mix Richard, the head therian (were folk) of his area, his daughter, Sally, and, his houseguest, Gideon, the dragon, plus a couple of Krystal's co-workers, June, the sister of Krystal's former fiance, and the mysterious Arch. We also get to meet a sentient house, another dragon, and a couple of Fred's former co-workers from before his life -- or death -- transformation. Buckle up, Buttercup, the ride gets bumpy from here!
Fred is certainly putting a new twist on the "nothing is certain but death and taxes" cliche, as it seems the undead, and other paranormal sorts, must still pony up to Uncle Sam at tax time. Fred has just completed his training and received his CPPA certificate (Certified Public Parahuman Accountant). He is expanding his already growing business by specializing in doing the complicated taxes of other parahumans, and his first client is none other than Richard Alderson, head therian (short for therianthropes) in Winslow, Colorado. His adventures in this book will take him into the good graces of a very scary dragon, into the deeper workings of the therian bookkeeping process, to a paranormal convention, encounters with several different "Swords of Destiny," one in particular of which will result in a gladiator-like trial for Albert. He will spend some time with former co-workers in a pissed-off sentient house, and engage in a battle between two warring dragons. Yes, try as he might to stay "utterly uninteresting and unadventurous," Fred simply can't seem to avoid trouble.
Once again Hayes has crafted an exciting, action filled novel that still manages to be full of his trademark brand of humor. For instance, this timely contemporary remark made by Krystal. She's been asked how the Agency keeps non-parahumans from applying to the convention the Agency hosts. As she explains the tactics, Bubba remarks that it sounds like his cable company and he wonders if they copied from the Agency. Krystal responds, "Other way around. Every couple of years, we have someone set up a Castcom account, just to see if they've come up with any new tactics." (724 on my Kindle) Yep, last time I had to call my cable company (with a suspiciously similar sounding name), I think I hung up on them.
In the two books of this series, Hayes has even coined a new ethnic profiling term for the PC-oriented: Undead American. Think the next time I have to fill out a form where there is a place to write in "other," I'll use that.
I did find a couple of proof-reading errors in this one, two for sure and another I questioned. Mr. Hayes, if you'd like to know where, just send me a message. But for the most part, I was simply enthralled with the book. Such great characters, seamless plotting, and fantastic presentation. Yep. Loved it.
Kudos, Mr. Hayes -- another great read. Hope Fred will get a third set of adventures!
by Drew Hayes
Fred, the Vampire Accountant, is back with his friends, Bubba, the werehorse, Neil, the budding necromancer, Amy, the weird but wonderful mage and Neil's current tutor, Albert, Fred's Zombie assistant and Neil's best friend, and, of course, Krystal, the demon agent of "The Agency," Fred's former high school friend and his current girlfriend. Add into the mix Richard, the head therian (were folk) of his area, his daughter, Sally, and, his houseguest, Gideon, the dragon, plus a couple of Krystal's co-workers, June, the sister of Krystal's former fiance, and the mysterious Arch. We also get to meet a sentient house, another dragon, and a couple of Fred's former co-workers from before his life -- or death -- transformation. Buckle up, Buttercup, the ride gets bumpy from here!
Fred is certainly putting a new twist on the "nothing is certain but death and taxes" cliche, as it seems the undead, and other paranormal sorts, must still pony up to Uncle Sam at tax time. Fred has just completed his training and received his CPPA certificate (Certified Public Parahuman Accountant). He is expanding his already growing business by specializing in doing the complicated taxes of other parahumans, and his first client is none other than Richard Alderson, head therian (short for therianthropes) in Winslow, Colorado. His adventures in this book will take him into the good graces of a very scary dragon, into the deeper workings of the therian bookkeeping process, to a paranormal convention, encounters with several different "Swords of Destiny," one in particular of which will result in a gladiator-like trial for Albert. He will spend some time with former co-workers in a pissed-off sentient house, and engage in a battle between two warring dragons. Yes, try as he might to stay "utterly uninteresting and unadventurous," Fred simply can't seem to avoid trouble.
Once again Hayes has crafted an exciting, action filled novel that still manages to be full of his trademark brand of humor. For instance, this timely contemporary remark made by Krystal. She's been asked how the Agency keeps non-parahumans from applying to the convention the Agency hosts. As she explains the tactics, Bubba remarks that it sounds like his cable company and he wonders if they copied from the Agency. Krystal responds, "Other way around. Every couple of years, we have someone set up a Castcom account, just to see if they've come up with any new tactics." (724 on my Kindle) Yep, last time I had to call my cable company (with a suspiciously similar sounding name), I think I hung up on them.
In the two books of this series, Hayes has even coined a new ethnic profiling term for the PC-oriented: Undead American. Think the next time I have to fill out a form where there is a place to write in "other," I'll use that.
I did find a couple of proof-reading errors in this one, two for sure and another I questioned. Mr. Hayes, if you'd like to know where, just send me a message. But for the most part, I was simply enthralled with the book. Such great characters, seamless plotting, and fantastic presentation. Yep. Loved it.
Kudos, Mr. Hayes -- another great read. Hope Fred will get a third set of adventures!
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