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Vintage Canada is thrilled to announce the debut of a new urban fantasy series. Kristi Charish's The Voodoo Killings introduces Kincaid Strange, not your average voodoo practitioner... For starters, she's only twenty-seven. Then there's the fact that she lives in rain-soaked Seattle, which is not exactly Haiti. And she's broke. With raising zombies outlawed throughout the continental USA, Kincaid has to eke out a living running seances for university students with more money than brains who show more are desperate for guitar lessons with the ghost of a Seattle grunge rocker--who happens to be Kincaid's on-again, off-again roommate. Then a stray zombie turns up outside her neighbourhood bar: Cameron Wight, an up-and-coming visual artist with no recollection of how he died or who raised him. Not only is it dangerous for Kincaid to be caught with an unauthorized zombie, she soon realizes he's tied to a spate of murders: someone is targeting the zombies and voodoo practitioners in Seattle's infamous Underground City, a paranormal hub. When the police refuse to investigate, the City's oldest and foremost zombie asks Kincaid to help. Raising ghosts and zombies is one thing, but finding a murderer? She's broke, but she's not stupid. And then she becomes the target... As the saying goes, when it rains it pours, especially in Seattle. show lessTags
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Oh boy, this was an excellent -- almost classic -- urban fantasy.
Rather surprised me; mostly because it was a random library find in with a bunch of cozy mysteries where I thought it was going to be a cozy mystery.
This one had a feisty heroine neither an idiot or so super-powerful it was almost like reading a deus ex machina story. The worldbuilding kept an internal logic and clearly can develop into future books to make a juicy series.
Kincaid Strange is a "practitioner" -- someone who can see ghosts, the other side, and raise zombies. I know, *groan*, how many of those series are there? But, this is no Anita Blake ripoff. Kincaid has a life, friends, and a struggling business since the authorities no longer allow law enforcement to use show more consultants like her and have outlawed raising zombies (even for court appearances). A chance encounter with a newly raised zombie -- not raised by her -- launches a story that held me start to finish.
I want to read more of this world and these characters. show less
Rather surprised me; mostly because it was a random library find in with a bunch of cozy mysteries where I thought it was going to be a cozy mystery.
This one had a feisty heroine neither an idiot or so super-powerful it was almost like reading a deus ex machina story. The worldbuilding kept an internal logic and clearly can develop into future books to make a juicy series.
Kincaid Strange is a "practitioner" -- someone who can see ghosts, the other side, and raise zombies. I know, *groan*, how many of those series are there? But, this is no Anita Blake ripoff. Kincaid has a life, friends, and a struggling business since the authorities no longer allow law enforcement to use show more consultants like her and have outlawed raising zombies (even for court appearances). A chance encounter with a newly raised zombie -- not raised by her -- launches a story that held me start to finish.
I want to read more of this world and these characters. show less
What drew me to this book: I’ve been a fan of Kristi Charish’s Adventures of Owl series since I came across it last year. I was pretty excited to hear she had started a new series, and that it was out in audio. Plus, check out the cover and description! I just had to find out how Charish could combine Seattle grunge rock, Haitian Voodoo, and a Japanese geisha.
Why I kept reading: This supernatural murder mystery blew me away! The world building is fantastic, reminding me of The Hollows series by Kim Harrison in the depth of thought put behind it. Magic is out in the open, regulated by the government and policed just like everything else. The development of the rules of magic and the impact of magic on the culture hits my world show more building sweet spot.
The characters are deep and well-developed. Each one of them feels real and worthy of my attention. Much like Charish’s Owl, I occasionally wanted to smack Kincade upside the head (actually, several of them could use a good smack) as much as I was rooting for her.
The action and mystery were fantastic! I had a horrible time putting the story aside to work or sleep, I was so engaged in finding out who did it. Seriously, I went to bed one night with 4 hours left in the audio. I couldn’t fall asleep until the book was done!
The narrator, Susannah Jones, is absolutely perfect! I had not heard her prior to this book, but you can bet she’s going on my list of favorite narrators.
AND THE ENDING! That was the best “Oh, sh&^t!” ending I’ve read in a long while! It’s going to make the wait for Book 2 a KILLER!
Why I recommend it: The Voodoo Killings is a masterful urban fantasy “whodunit.” It is one of the best, if not THE best, book I’ve read so far this year! If you’re a fan of the genre, it’s going to knock your socks off. And even if you’re not normally an urban fantasy reader, you have got to give this book a try. It’s so exciting and so well written, you really don’t want to miss it! show less
Why I kept reading: This supernatural murder mystery blew me away! The world building is fantastic, reminding me of The Hollows series by Kim Harrison in the depth of thought put behind it. Magic is out in the open, regulated by the government and policed just like everything else. The development of the rules of magic and the impact of magic on the culture hits my world show more building sweet spot.
The characters are deep and well-developed. Each one of them feels real and worthy of my attention. Much like Charish’s Owl, I occasionally wanted to smack Kincade upside the head (actually, several of them could use a good smack) as much as I was rooting for her.
The action and mystery were fantastic! I had a horrible time putting the story aside to work or sleep, I was so engaged in finding out who did it. Seriously, I went to bed one night with 4 hours left in the audio. I couldn’t fall asleep until the book was done!
The narrator, Susannah Jones, is absolutely perfect! I had not heard her prior to this book, but you can bet she’s going on my list of favorite narrators.
AND THE ENDING! That was the best “Oh, sh&^t!” ending I’ve read in a long while! It’s going to make the wait for Book 2 a KILLER!
Why I recommend it: The Voodoo Killings is a masterful urban fantasy “whodunit.” It is one of the best, if not THE best, book I’ve read so far this year! If you’re a fan of the genre, it’s going to knock your socks off. And even if you’re not normally an urban fantasy reader, you have got to give this book a try. It’s so exciting and so well written, you really don’t want to miss it! show less
I'm not really much for zombies and I found myself rolling my eyes during the first chapter but then it turned into a completely unexpected pleasure as our sassy narrator is tasked with finding a voodoo-skilled murderer while simultaneously babysitting a charming but recently deceased artist. Totally fun and charming.
I recieved a free copy of this book from the publisher for review.
I recieved a free copy of this book from the publisher for review.
Always on the look-out for something new in urban fantasy, Charish did not disappoint with her light-hearted take on death magic. I had previously read two books in her Owl series [b:Owl and the Japanese Circus|30172522|Owl and the Japanese Circus|Kristi Charish|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1466151439l/30172522._SY75_.jpg|42755751], a fun take on a thief trope with a more mythological/archeological focus. Verdict? Diverting. It’s a quick, summer-drink kind of book that focuses on the personal.
In true middle-rating fashion, I find myself both uninspired and lazy with little to offer in the way of summary. Tadiana has a great review that lays out the parameters of the story. In short, Kincaid show more Strange, roommate to the ghost of a Seattle grunge star, is saddled with a suspiciously alive zombie as the most likely maker–her former mentor–has disappeared. There's a very second-to-tertiary plot line with a former boyfriend that puts it firmly outside the paranormal category, which is a plus in my book.
What I will offer instead is comparisons. The set up feels just a little like early Anita Blake. Remember when she raised zombies to help resolve inheritance disputes? (you know, back before group sex). That’s where society is now with zombies. There’s ghosts, ghouls, and poltergeists (oh my), but no weres or vampires yet (a feature for some, a detraction for others). The magic system actually reminded me a great deal of Kat Richardson’s [b:Greywalker|140099|Greywalker (Greywalker, #1)|Kat Richardson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1441341730l/140099._SY75_.jpg|3150322] series. I’m not entirely sure that Charish has worked out all the finicky details with souls, religion, and such, and I’m okay with that. However, she has created a very interesting vision of an underground and undead Seattle that I found intriguing (although perhaps not on my TripAdvisor list).
What is more of a challenge is the writing style. It’s improved since Charish’s early writing, certainly. She occasionally spends too much time with adjectives, and the internal voice is that of a snarky twenty-seven year-old, but mostly it’s this strange kind of UF style that feels like inexperienced writers, or writers without editors (which sounds like a bizarre gang). It’s not bad; it’s just not great. But hey, it was better than a number of the books I tried (and even read) under quarantine brain. A random early sample (and yes, the line breaks reflect the book spacing):
“‘He glanced up from his mug, the sun catching the yellow flecks in his eye. ‘Everything comes with a price. You know that.’
And sometimes the steepest price isn’t monetary. What had Cameron had to pay?
As if reading my thoughts, Max added, ‘All you need know is we reached a mutually beneficial arrangement.’
Yeah, I’ll just bet. ‘And the fact that your services could gain you some publicity and validation was nothing to you?'”
So, read it; don’t. No skin here. You could certainly do both better and worse. But in the crowded UF field, there’s something to be said for an entertaining book without a vampire or were in sight. I’ll definitely check out the next. show less
In true middle-rating fashion, I find myself both uninspired and lazy with little to offer in the way of summary. Tadiana has a great review that lays out the parameters of the story. In short, Kincaid show more Strange, roommate to the ghost of a Seattle grunge star, is saddled with a suspiciously alive zombie as the most likely maker–her former mentor–has disappeared. There's a very second-to-tertiary plot line with a former boyfriend that puts it firmly outside the paranormal category, which is a plus in my book.
What I will offer instead is comparisons. The set up feels just a little like early Anita Blake. Remember when she raised zombies to help resolve inheritance disputes? (you know, back before group sex). That’s where society is now with zombies. There’s ghosts, ghouls, and poltergeists (oh my), but no weres or vampires yet (a feature for some, a detraction for others). The magic system actually reminded me a great deal of Kat Richardson’s [b:Greywalker|140099|Greywalker (Greywalker, #1)|Kat Richardson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1441341730l/140099._SY75_.jpg|3150322] series. I’m not entirely sure that Charish has worked out all the finicky details with souls, religion, and such, and I’m okay with that. However, she has created a very interesting vision of an underground and undead Seattle that I found intriguing (although perhaps not on my TripAdvisor list).
What is more of a challenge is the writing style. It’s improved since Charish’s early writing, certainly. She occasionally spends too much time with adjectives, and the internal voice is that of a snarky twenty-seven year-old, but mostly it’s this strange kind of UF style that feels like inexperienced writers, or writers without editors (which sounds like a bizarre gang). It’s not bad; it’s just not great. But hey, it was better than a number of the books I tried (and even read) under quarantine brain. A random early sample (and yes, the line breaks reflect the book spacing):
“‘He glanced up from his mug, the sun catching the yellow flecks in his eye. ‘Everything comes with a price. You know that.’
And sometimes the steepest price isn’t monetary. What had Cameron had to pay?
As if reading my thoughts, Max added, ‘All you need know is we reached a mutually beneficial arrangement.’
Yeah, I’ll just bet. ‘And the fact that your services could gain you some publicity and validation was nothing to you?'”
So, read it; don’t. No skin here. You could certainly do both better and worse. But in the crowded UF field, there’s something to be said for an entertaining book without a vampire or were in sight. I’ll definitely check out the next. show less
A pretty good read that starts a little slow but ratchets up the tension as the plot moves forward. For those not used to zombies, ghouls and voodoo practitioners haunting the pages of your books, just go with it and you'll be okay. If this turns out to be a series, this is more than an adequate start, Kincaid may not be a Buffy Summers but she holds her own, though not as witty.
Previous to read this book I had read Charish’s Adventures of Owl series which I really enjoy. I was excited to see a new urban fantasy series by Charish. This ended up being a well done urban fantasy series; I didn’t like it quite as much as The Adventures of Owl (which has some cool adventuring and neat locations).
I listened to this on audiobook and the audiobook was well done. The narrator did a great job of conveying emotion and giving characters unique voices.
A lot about this series is very typical urban fantasy. The heroine is broke, constantly running herself into the ground; she also likes to run headlong into danger when she should be asking for help. She’s a practitioner (a nice name for necromancer) who is struggling show more to make ends meet after some new anti-zombie laws were passed in the US. She was just very typical urban fantasy heroine to me and there wasn’t a ton to set her apart from hundreds of other UF heroines out there.
The zombie Cameron (that Kincaid is taking care of) and the ghost Nate (that is Kincaid’s roommate) were actually more interesting to me. Cameron has some serious issues and an interesting back story, as does Nate. Kincaid has an ex-boyfriend who is a cop; he serves as Kincaid’s off again, on again love interest (there isn’t much romance in this book). I also enjoyed Lee Lang who is a mysterious zombie who runs the Underground.
Some of the rune based magic that is used for raising zombies/ghosts is interesting but never all that well explained. I liked the Underground and am curious to see more about it in future books. We get a bit of background on our heroine but not a ton. There is a nice twist at the end of the book that will leave readers wanted more.
The story is fast-paced and I do enjoy how this book wraps up one case but also has a larger story. This is my favorite kind of UF series.
Overall this is a decent start to a new urban fantasy series. I probably would have given this a higher review if I hadn’t read First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones right before this one; that book has many similar themes to this one but had a lot more personality and I ended up enjoying that book a lot more than this one. However, given that...this is a decent UF; I enjoyed the magic around raising the dead and some of the settings like the Underground. I wasn’t a huge fan of the characters and honestly enjoyed Charish’s Adventures of Owl series more. I do plan on reading the next book in this series because sometimes it takes me a couple books to really get into a UF series and I think this one has potential. show less
I listened to this on audiobook and the audiobook was well done. The narrator did a great job of conveying emotion and giving characters unique voices.
A lot about this series is very typical urban fantasy. The heroine is broke, constantly running herself into the ground; she also likes to run headlong into danger when she should be asking for help. She’s a practitioner (a nice name for necromancer) who is struggling show more to make ends meet after some new anti-zombie laws were passed in the US. She was just very typical urban fantasy heroine to me and there wasn’t a ton to set her apart from hundreds of other UF heroines out there.
The zombie Cameron (that Kincaid is taking care of) and the ghost Nate (that is Kincaid’s roommate) were actually more interesting to me. Cameron has some serious issues and an interesting back story, as does Nate. Kincaid has an ex-boyfriend who is a cop; he serves as Kincaid’s off again, on again love interest (there isn’t much romance in this book). I also enjoyed Lee Lang who is a mysterious zombie who runs the Underground.
Some of the rune based magic that is used for raising zombies/ghosts is interesting but never all that well explained. I liked the Underground and am curious to see more about it in future books. We get a bit of background on our heroine but not a ton. There is a nice twist at the end of the book that will leave readers wanted more.
The story is fast-paced and I do enjoy how this book wraps up one case but also has a larger story. This is my favorite kind of UF series.
Overall this is a decent start to a new urban fantasy series. I probably would have given this a higher review if I hadn’t read First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones right before this one; that book has many similar themes to this one but had a lot more personality and I ended up enjoying that book a lot more than this one. However, given that...this is a decent UF; I enjoyed the magic around raising the dead and some of the settings like the Underground. I wasn’t a huge fan of the characters and honestly enjoyed Charish’s Adventures of Owl series more. I do plan on reading the next book in this series because sometimes it takes me a couple books to really get into a UF series and I think this one has potential. show less
Full Review at Tenacious Reader: http://www.tenaciousreader.com/2016/06/20/review-voodoo-killings-by-kristi-chari...
Voodoo Killings is a fun and refreshing urban fantasy featuring ghosts and zombies. At the center of this story is Kincaid Strange, a voodoo practitioner struggling to make ends meet in Seattle. Now, what makes her story fun is a combination of her personality (and snark) and the people we encounter through her.
Kincaid is definitely the type of protagonist I enjoy. She’s had a life that keeps her expectations and outlook on things in check and from getting too crazy (in other words, she is a realist rather than an idealist). She also has a knack for finding herself in the middle of chaos.
The pacing in this book works show more very well. The story just keeps going and entertaining until the end. I found the rainy, grunge-y setting of Seattle to be fun change of pace. It added to the general down and out feel of the story.
Overall, I really don’t have any complaints. It was an enjoyable start to a new series, and I look forward to the next one. I also think perhaps I should bump the Owl books by Charish up my TBR a bit. show less
Voodoo Killings is a fun and refreshing urban fantasy featuring ghosts and zombies. At the center of this story is Kincaid Strange, a voodoo practitioner struggling to make ends meet in Seattle. Now, what makes her story fun is a combination of her personality (and snark) and the people we encounter through her.
Kincaid is definitely the type of protagonist I enjoy. She’s had a life that keeps her expectations and outlook on things in check and from getting too crazy (in other words, she is a realist rather than an idealist). She also has a knack for finding herself in the middle of chaos.
The pacing in this book works show more very well. The story just keeps going and entertaining until the end. I found the rainy, grunge-y setting of Seattle to be fun change of pace. It added to the general down and out feel of the story.
Overall, I really don’t have any complaints. It was an enjoyable start to a new series, and I look forward to the next one. I also think perhaps I should bump the Owl books by Charish up my TBR a bit. show less
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Author Information
8+ Works 459 Members
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Series
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Voodoo Killings
- Original title
- The Voodoo Killings
- Original publication date
- 2016-05-08
- People/Characters
- Kincaid Strange; Cameron; Maximillian Odu; Nathan Cade; Lee Ling; Anna Bell (show all 7); Gideon Lawrence
- Important places
- Seattle, Washington, USA
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 114
- Popularity
- 286,082
- Reviews
- 9
- Rating
- (3.80)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 5
- UPCs
- 1
- ASINs
- 2
