Rochelle Staab

BBRUJA BROUHAHA is a clever title that fits this book perfectly. The bruja (witch) in question is Lucia Rojas who puts a hex on her neighborhood to avenge her husband’s murder in front of their home. Soon after, the residents begin blaming her hex for every misfortune that befalls them. Lucia refuses to lift the curse, believing it is the only thing that will bring Paco’s killer to justice.

Fearing that their elderly friend will become the target of an angry mob, Liz Cooper and Nick show more Garfield step in to help. Liz is a psychologist who works weekends at the clinic across from Lucia’s building, and Nick is a professor of religious studies specializing in the occult.

When one of the doctors at the clinic goes missing after Paco’s wake, Liz and Nick start digging for clues to see if the disappearance could be connected to the murder. If the two incidents are related, then there may be more to Paco’s death than random gang violence.

BRUJA BROUHAHA is a fantastic follow up to WHO DO, VOODOO. This time around, the religion of Santeria is explored. I enjoyed how the author blended Santeria beliefs, practices and history into the story. This is not a paranormal mystery, though supernatural elements are explored. Practical Liz doesn’t want to believe in things like hexes, but she’s quick to wear an anti-hex protection bracelet made by Lucia.

The characters in this book are all engaging and well-drawn. I definitely get the sense that I know them and care what happen to them. Nick and Liz make a great couple, and their relationship progresses in this book, though they’ve got important issues to work through.

BRUJA BROUHAHA is a smart, well-written mystery and an entertaining continuation of the series. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Liz and Nick.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. show less

I’ve been eagerly anticipating the release of WHO DO, VOODOO, ever since it showed up on my radar two months ago. The story is set in and around Hollywood. As a psychologist, Liz Cooper prides herself on being logical and level-headed, so when someone pins threatening voodoo-themed tarot cards on her friend Robin’s door, she assumes it’s a prank. Robin is scared that it may be much more, so Liz contacts her brother’s old friend, Nick Garfield, for help. Nick is a professor and an show more expert in the occult. While Liz and Nick set out to find the owner of the unique tarot cards, a young woman is murdered, and Robin is the prime suspect. Liz is faced with the possibility that she may need supernatural help in solving the case.

WHO DO, VOODOO is an impressive debut from Rochelle Staab. I thought that the occult aspects of this story were so interesting and well-researched. This book offered a fresh and unique approach to paranormal cozy mysteries. I learned the difference between Vodou, voodoo and hoodoo, and the inner workings of spells and curses. The solid mystery combined with supernatural elements captured my attention. I liked the characters; they seemed very genuine, and there was a nice romance forming between Nick and Liz. Liz’s mother was a pistol, but she made for some funny moments. WHO DO, VOODOO is the first book in Ms. Staab’s Mind For Murder series, and I’m looking forward to more!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. show less

First Line: Nick Garfield, my boyfriend and college professor of mainstream, arcane, and bizarre forms of religion, took four chunks of unshelled coconut from the Santeria altar and set them in my hand.

Practical psychologist Liz Cooper and occult professor Nick Garfield are celebrating the sixtieth wedding anniversary of their hosts, Paco and Lucia Rojas, devout Santeria practitioners who own the historic Botanica Rojas near MacArthur Park in Los Angeles. The evening turns to tragedy for the show more small group of friends when Paco is killed in a drive-by shooting.

Lucia, completely devastated by her loss, blames the locals for the growing crime in the area, and she casts a hex on the neighborhood. Strange things begin to happen, accidents are on the rise, and Lucia's neighbors begin calling her "bruja" (witch). They turn on the elderly woman who's always been their friend, and they want her gone.

With the way the locals are behaving, Lucia is definitely in harm's way, and it's up to Liz and Nick to solve Paco's murder before anything happens to Lucia.

I often hear talk of a "sophomore slump" when referring to the second books in series. These second books allegedly tend to be weaker than the first, but that most certainly is not the case with Bruja Brouhaha. Two minor annoyances in the first book were not present in the second (Liz's preoccupation with the color and application of her lipstick, and her mother trying to get Liz back with her alcoholic ex-husband), and I quickly settled down to a very enjoyable read.

The Santeria religion is an interesting one, and I wish there'd been a little more about it in the book, but Staab does an excellent job of showing the behavior of its practitioners and how their beliefs color their perceptions. This series is not a paranormal one; the author focuses on a little-known religion in each book, giving a bit of its history and how it is used by its followers. This allows Nick to flex his professorial muscles while Liz puts her knowledge of psychology to good use.

I liked seeing how a group of people banded together to help a grieving, elderly friend while they still kept their own lives going. Liz, for example, gets notice that she has to move out of her condo, so on top of job and Lucia, she's got that worry to contend with.

I found that I could spot the villain(s) in the book rather quickly; what I couldn't do was piece everything together to know the why. I found myself reading faster and faster in a fruitless effort to figure things out before Liz and Nick. I've grown to enjoy the company of those two; I love learning about little-known religions; and I love watching Liz's mind for murder solve a mystery. When's the next book? show less

You may also read my review here: http://www.mybookishways.com/2011/10/suspense-sunday-review-who-do-voodoo-by-roc...

When Liz Cooper’s childhood friend,Robin,begins finding tarot cards with menacing messages tacked to her door,she doesn’t know what to think. What she does know,as the cards,and the stakes,grow higher,is that she needs to find out just who is harassing her best friend. Her search for answers will put her in touch with Nick,an old friend and theology professor who sidelines show more in occult studies. They soon discover that Robin’s tormentor has voodoo leanings,but voodoo and the Tarot don’t mix,and after a visit to a palm reader and charlatan who may have the key to the Tarot deck used in the threats,things get even more confusing. Not only are the threats escalating,but Liz is fighting a growing attraction (and frustration) to Nick and a mother that hounds her at every turn. Add to that an ex-husband that just won’t give up and eventually murder,and Liz will have to use everything in her resources to get to the truth.

I really enjoyed this debut novel from former music industry exec Rochelle Staab! Liz is my kind of reluctant sleuth,and her wit and tenacity kept me turning the pages. Nick frustrated me at times with his dogged devotion to the letter of the law,but provided a perfect contrast to Liz,complementing her and at the same time keeping some nice sexual tension into play,and also proving that you certainly don’t have to be in your 20’s to romance and be romanced. Liz’s mom provided a quirky (if at times annoying),but always loving,presence,even if she does keep hounding Liz to get back with her sports superstar (and cheating) ex. The voodoo elements are fascinating,and the author obviously did her homework,treating the subject with respect and attention to detail. The added fun of L.A. as the backdrop created a constant sense of urgency and fun,and Ms. Staab obviously knows the ins and outs of her setting. I’ll admit,I’m a fairly jaded mystery reader,but this one kept me on my toes,and I didn’t really get an idea of whodunit until the end,and all the clues were definitely there. To me,that’s important. Red herrings are fine,as long as they aren’t scattershot,and as long as you can look back,once the killer is revealed,and say “Ohhh,yep,those clues were there (head smack for not seeing them:). Bravo to Ms. Staab for a sparkling,fun,and solid debut mystery! show less