I've read a lot of "prequel novellas" - the short set just before the first book in a new series that introduces you to a character, maybe sets up a bit of what's to come. 
 This one was better than most. i think I'd give it a 3.5. 
 Finley is hired by a woman who is offering way more money than she should, and overlooking quite a few damaging employment history issues, but Finley takes the job anyways. There's a couple of fight scenes, a little bit of homage to Shelley's Frankenstein, and a tiny intro to Finely's world. 
 If you are curious about this series, the short is a good taste of what you'll get.