Publisher : 47North (March 1, 2022)
Language : English
Paperback : 287 pages
ISBN-10 : 1542033918
ISBN-13 : 978-1542033916
“…this hits the sweet spot of eschewing overdone tropes while retaining the familiar elements that draw fans to the genre. Readers will hope to see more of Mambo Reina.” ―Publishers Weekly
“The Quarter Storm conjures up an intriguing mystery that draws readers away from New Orleans’s famous tourist spots for a story filled with twists, turns, and unexpected discoveries that will leave them eager for more. Because there’s no better sleuth to handle a murder in New Orleans than a Vodou priestess.” ―Nicole Glover, author of The Conductors
“Henry gives us a captivating mystery full of fantasy and African traditional religion, as well as a bewitching investigator, rooted in her faith, dedicated to her community, and dogged in her pursuit of the truth.” ―Eden Royce, author of Root Magic
A practitioner of Vodou must test the boundaries of her powers to solve a ritual murder in New Orleans and protect everything she holds sacred.
Haitian-American Vodou priestess Mambo Reina Dumond runs a healing practice from her New Orleans home. Gifted with water magic since she was a child, Reina is devoted to the benevolent traditions of her ancestors.
After a ritual slaying in the French Quarter, police arrest a fellow vodouisant. Detective Roman Frost, Reina’s ex-boyfriend—a fierce nonbeliever—is eager to tie the crime, and half a dozen others, to the Vodou practitioners of New Orleans. Reina resolves to find the real killer and defend the Vodou practice and customs, but the motives behind the murder are deeper and darker than she imagines.
As Reina delves into the city’s shadows, she untangles more than just the truth behind a devious crime. It’s a conspiracy. As a killer wields dangerous magic to thwart Reina’s investigation, she must tap into the strength of her own power and faith to solve a mystery that threatens to destroy her entire way of life.
I received a free copy of The Quarter Storm for an honest review. What follows is my opinion and mine alone. There was no compensation for this review.
The Quarter Storm is very different from Bacchanal. Not in a bad way though. Henry’s writing style is strong and easily puts the reader into the world. And with the quarterstorm, I was sucked in. Bacchanal took a bit.
At first glance, the book is a typical mystery. Our main character Reina is a strong woman with a sense of conviction. She is a voodoo priestess, also known as a Mambo, from Haiti. There is a deep background to her that is filled with childhood trauma surrounding her parents and her choice to follow her religion. On top of that, there’s also the ex-boyfriend who happens to be the detective on the case. It’s because of the New Orleans and spiritual elements that set this book apart from other mysteries that I have read. It enriches the story, the characters, and the world itself. If anything, it just is another reason why I want to visit New Orleans.
Given that this book is the first in a series, I’m expecting great things and a wild enjoyable ride. This is definitely a book I would suggest for anyone who loves mysteries, wants to read a POC main character, or just wants a good book in their hands. This book is hard to put down and I may just read it again.
Veronica Henry was born in Brooklyn, New York, and has been a bit of a rolling stone ever since. Her work has appeared in various online publications. She is a graduate of the Viable Paradise Workshop and a member of SFWA.
Veronica is proud to be of Sierra Leonean ancestry and counts her trip home as the most important of her life. She now writes from North Carolina, where she eschews rollerballs for fountain pens and fine paper. Other untreated addictions include chocolate and cupcakes.
Veronica’s debut novel, Bacchanal, is out now and available at bookstores and libraries everywhere.
Casia's Corner 