False Profit

About This Audiobook

In *False Profit*, Steven Campbell crafts a darkly comic urban fantasy where the moral decay of society mirrors the physical rot of a crumbling metropolis. Hank Ryland—part-time gravedigger, full-time scavenger, and occasional grave robber—is a protagonist who’s equal parts desperate and endearing, a man navigating a world where the dead outnumber the living and corporate greed outstrips basic decency. Campbell’s world-building is razor-sharp, blending noir sensibilities with supernatural stakes, all wrapped in the grime and cynicism of a city that’s long since sold its soul for profit. It’s not just a fantasy; it’s a scathing indictment of late-stage capitalism disguised as an adventure.

Liam Owen’s narration cracks this audiobook wide open. His voice crackles with the weariness of a man who’s seen too much but can’t look away, perfectly capturing Hank’s dry wit and simmering frustration. Owen doesn’t just read the lines—he inhabits them, toggling between Hank’s sardonic inner monologue and the broader, almost Dickensian ensemble of misfits and villains that populate the story. The pacing is relentless, with enough twists to keep you guessing but enough detail to make the world feel lived-in. This isn’t just a morality tale; it’s a darkly funny, fast-paced ride through a city where the only thing more dangerous than the undead might be the people running the show.