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Mambo Reina #1
The Quarter Storm
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.
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.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2022
About the author
Veronica G. Henry
12 books465 followersVeronica G. Henry is the author of Bacchanal, The Quarter Storm, and The Foreign Exchange in the Mambo Reina series.
Her work has debuted at #1 on multiple Amazon bestseller charts, was chosen as an editors’ pick for Best African American Fantasy, and shortlisted for the Manly Wade Wellman Award.
She is a Viable Paradise alum and a member of SFWA and MWA. Her stories have appeared, or are forthcoming, in the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction and FIYAH Literary Magazine.
Her work has debuted at #1 on multiple Amazon bestseller charts, was chosen as an editors’ pick for Best African American Fantasy, and shortlisted for the Manly Wade Wellman Award.
She is a Viable Paradise alum and a member of SFWA and MWA. Her stories have appeared, or are forthcoming, in the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction and FIYAH Literary Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 470 reviews
February 23, 2022
I loved how atmospheric The Quarter Storm was. While we didn't get a full immersion into New Orleans, what locations we visited were always well drawn out. But my favorite part was definitely the Vodou and how it was depicted and how Veronica Henry managed to world build this novel with magic. The scenes where the main character, Mambo Reina Dumond, used her magic were the best parts of this book.
Unfortunately, I felt like the book blurb for The Quarter Storm over promised and the novel under delivered.
The murder mystery of the novel took away from the stronger writing of the setting and the Vodou, in my opinion. It distracted and the problem never felt like an actual threat until the very end. Plus, the plot felt weakly constructed. There was never a pull or an understanding as to why the MC needed to figure out what was going on instead of letting the professionals handle it. On top of that, the "love interest" was a terrible human being and it made no sense while the ex would even have been a thing to begin with and making the detective her ex who was still slightly in the picture felt forced to help move the plot.
Honestly, if this book would have been just about New Orleans and Vodou and Mambo Reina Dumond's magic and powers, I would have enjoyed it quite a bit more.
Thank you to NetGalley and 47North for the eARC in exchange for an honest review
Unfortunately, I felt like the book blurb for The Quarter Storm over promised and the novel under delivered.
The murder mystery of the novel took away from the stronger writing of the setting and the Vodou, in my opinion. It distracted and the problem never felt like an actual threat until the very end. Plus, the plot felt weakly constructed. There was never a pull or an understanding as to why the MC needed to figure out what was going on instead of letting the professionals handle it. On top of that, the "love interest" was a terrible human being and it made no sense while the ex would even have been a thing to begin with and making the detective her ex who was still slightly in the picture felt forced to help move the plot.
Honestly, if this book would have been just about New Orleans and Vodou and Mambo Reina Dumond's magic and powers, I would have enjoyed it quite a bit more.
Thank you to NetGalley and 47North for the eARC in exchange for an honest review
February 14, 2022
2 stars? 3 stars? Something in that area anyway.
I wanted, like so many other people have said in reviews, to love this book. It has so many appealing elements, New Orleans, magic, murder mystery, food. It could have been great. But it fell as flat as a pancake. I found myself skimming quite a lot of the book. The characters were a bit like Plasticine when you've sludged it all together - they were all written in the same note, so hard to remember who was which and what was what.
My main problem with the book though was that the author seems to have taken on board writing advice given to junior school children and there are just So Many Iffy Metaphors in there. Everything is "as X as a Y", and the X and Y rarely relate to each other or make sense. If ever a book were in need of a good editor this was it.
As a personal stylistic preference I am not a fan of books written in the first person, this one is and it started grating quite early on. At least it wasn't written in the present tense as well, that would have made it unfinishable for me.
Sadly, much as I love the premise of the book I'll not be trying any more from this author. I think I paid about the right price for it as a Kindle First choice. And it was better than many in that I did at least finish it.
I wanted, like so many other people have said in reviews, to love this book. It has so many appealing elements, New Orleans, magic, murder mystery, food. It could have been great. But it fell as flat as a pancake. I found myself skimming quite a lot of the book. The characters were a bit like Plasticine when you've sludged it all together - they were all written in the same note, so hard to remember who was which and what was what.
My main problem with the book though was that the author seems to have taken on board writing advice given to junior school children and there are just So Many Iffy Metaphors in there. Everything is "as X as a Y", and the X and Y rarely relate to each other or make sense. If ever a book were in need of a good editor this was it.
As a personal stylistic preference I am not a fan of books written in the first person, this one is and it started grating quite early on. At least it wasn't written in the present tense as well, that would have made it unfinishable for me.
Sadly, much as I love the premise of the book I'll not be trying any more from this author. I think I paid about the right price for it as a Kindle First choice. And it was better than many in that I did at least finish it.
March 28, 2022
A young woman enlists Reina, a Vodou priestess, to make a love charm for her. Then the man who was the target of the charm is murdered and a fellow vodou priestess is charged with his murder. Reina begins to investigate.
Corruption is rife in the New Orleans police department and her fellow practitioners want Reina to back down so as to not bring the police down on them all. But as she investigates she learns that everyone involved has secrets and some of them would kill to keep them.
This is such a great book. Deeply flawed characters who you somehow love anyway carry what is almost a hard-boiled detective story. With a strong vein of magical realism running through it, it's everything I want.
There are little things I didn't much like, but the good in the book completely blows all of that out of the water. 5 Stars.
Corruption is rife in the New Orleans police department and her fellow practitioners want Reina to back down so as to not bring the police down on them all. But as she investigates she learns that everyone involved has secrets and some of them would kill to keep them.
This is such a great book. Deeply flawed characters who you somehow love anyway carry what is almost a hard-boiled detective story. With a strong vein of magical realism running through it, it's everything I want.
There are little things I didn't much like, but the good in the book completely blows all of that out of the water. 5 Stars.
February 12, 2022
Thank you to 47North and NetGalley for providing me access to an eARC to review!
I picked this up because I've had Bacchanal on my radar for a little while and thought this might be a good way to introduce myself to the author. Maybe my lack of enjoyment was partly my fault as I wanted to go into it pretty blind so I was expecting this to lean more fantasy/horror like Bacchanal seems to, but it is definitely in the crime/mystery camp (with some fantasy/magical bits sprinkled in).
There were some elements I enjoyed though. The book deals a lot with the city of New Orleans and its development post-Hurricane Katrina, and there were some interesting conversations about gentrification, community, and the commodification of voudou. The main character was also dealing with issues of belonging and identity, especially as she finds herself losing memories each time she uses voudou to try and find her missing mother. The voudou rituals and local dishes themselves were also described in a lot of detail, and the author had clearly done her research in this regard!
I did find the mystery and characters a bit lacking though. A lot of the story is the protagonist just going around talking to people, them warning her away from her investigation, and then her convincing herself that she must continue anyway. Despite all the history included, I feel that the book read at times like you were being presented a lot of facts about New Orleans and its people without being fully immersed in the more intimate elements of the setting. When a lot of the book is the protagonist having conversations with people, I feel you need to really connect with the characters and the situation and I found this unfortunately lacking. I think in particular I didn't understand a lot of the main character's motivations or personality traits - she has a cop ex-boyfriend who is nothing but a douchebag to her and openly discredits her voudou practices but she still swoons over him when he does the bare minimum (he also threatens to beat up her teenage friend and she doesn't seem concerned in the slightest), in the beginning there are a few paragraphs which interrupt the story to explain how much the character wants a child of her own but then we never talk about it again, and she didn't seem to be particularly passionate about her voudou business (though maybe this is part of the commentary on the commercialisation of her spirituality). I was also surprised that the main character is never considered a suspect in the murder despite interacting with his girlfriend the day before and doing a voudou ritual for her, and also being a witness to another murder - perhaps this may have added more tension to the story rather than just having everyone trying to chase her off?
Apart from the rather gory description of the murder, this read a lot like a cozy mystery, but without the charm. In Daisies for Innocence there was murder, complicated relationships with exes, and a main character with a small business, but there was also time spent with friends and doing leisurely tasks which made you feel more connected to the characters and the community. I think this would have benefitted from the protagonist having more down time alone or with friends where she was doing things she loved, instead of her being so focused on the mystery the whole time. I also didn't find the mystery element itself very compelling (the dark magic working against her that's mentioned in the blurb never really appeared in my opinion) so I think more elements like the above could have strengthened the overall story. While there was a little of this right at the end, I don't think enough time was spent fleshing out the main characters and the setting to make me want to continue with the series.
I think Henry tries to tackle some big topics - commercialisation of spiritual practice, police brutality/abuse of power, poverty - but these are not interwoven with the central mystery enough to fully explore them and flesh out the world of the story. The inclusion of cultural elements like food and voudou were interesting to read about, but I didn't find the mystery compelling or the characters particularly interesting.
CW: mentions of police murders/brutality, description of dismembered corpse, gun violence, neglected children
I picked this up because I've had Bacchanal on my radar for a little while and thought this might be a good way to introduce myself to the author. Maybe my lack of enjoyment was partly my fault as I wanted to go into it pretty blind so I was expecting this to lean more fantasy/horror like Bacchanal seems to, but it is definitely in the crime/mystery camp (with some fantasy/magical bits sprinkled in).
There were some elements I enjoyed though. The book deals a lot with the city of New Orleans and its development post-Hurricane Katrina, and there were some interesting conversations about gentrification, community, and the commodification of voudou. The main character was also dealing with issues of belonging and identity, especially as she finds herself losing memories each time she uses voudou to try and find her missing mother. The voudou rituals and local dishes themselves were also described in a lot of detail, and the author had clearly done her research in this regard!
I did find the mystery and characters a bit lacking though. A lot of the story is the protagonist just going around talking to people, them warning her away from her investigation, and then her convincing herself that she must continue anyway. Despite all the history included, I feel that the book read at times like you were being presented a lot of facts about New Orleans and its people without being fully immersed in the more intimate elements of the setting. When a lot of the book is the protagonist having conversations with people, I feel you need to really connect with the characters and the situation and I found this unfortunately lacking. I think in particular I didn't understand a lot of the main character's motivations or personality traits - she has a cop ex-boyfriend who is nothing but a douchebag to her and openly discredits her voudou practices but she still swoons over him when he does the bare minimum (he also threatens to beat up her teenage friend and she doesn't seem concerned in the slightest), in the beginning there are a few paragraphs which interrupt the story to explain how much the character wants a child of her own but then we never talk about it again, and she didn't seem to be particularly passionate about her voudou business (though maybe this is part of the commentary on the commercialisation of her spirituality). I was also surprised that the main character is never considered a suspect in the murder despite interacting with his girlfriend the day before and doing a voudou ritual for her, and also being a witness to another murder - perhaps this may have added more tension to the story rather than just having everyone trying to chase her off?
Apart from the rather gory description of the murder, this read a lot like a cozy mystery, but without the charm. In Daisies for Innocence there was murder, complicated relationships with exes, and a main character with a small business, but there was also time spent with friends and doing leisurely tasks which made you feel more connected to the characters and the community. I think this would have benefitted from the protagonist having more down time alone or with friends where she was doing things she loved, instead of her being so focused on the mystery the whole time. I also didn't find the mystery element itself very compelling (the dark magic working against her that's mentioned in the blurb never really appeared in my opinion) so I think more elements like the above could have strengthened the overall story. While there was a little of this right at the end, I don't think enough time was spent fleshing out the main characters and the setting to make me want to continue with the series.
I think Henry tries to tackle some big topics - commercialisation of spiritual practice, police brutality/abuse of power, poverty - but these are not interwoven with the central mystery enough to fully explore them and flesh out the world of the story. The inclusion of cultural elements like food and voudou were interesting to read about, but I didn't find the mystery compelling or the characters particularly interesting.
CW: mentions of police murders/brutality, description of dismembered corpse, gun violence, neglected children
October 17, 2022
This is the first book I have read with a vodou subject matter. I am very happy it involved a mystery because I like mysteries and suspense. My knowledge expanded about this reglion. I did not knowyou can spell vodooo many differnt ways, for example, Vodou, Vodoun, and Vodun. The Americanized spelling is Voodooo.
Mambo Reina Dumond is a vodouisant and priestess in New Orleans. She was born in Haiti where her father started training her to be a vodouisant at the age of three. Forced to leave Haiti after political unrest, she and her family settled in New Orleans. This is where her skills and training are honed. Reina can siphon water into her pores from the air and release the sangswe for the benefits of others. She is one with the water. Erzulie is the water god.
Sophie Thibault is a new client for Mambo Reina. She is requesting that Reina make a poppet for her because she needs her boyfriend to love and stay with her. The next day her boyfriend is find died in their apartment and Mambo Salimah Genade is arrested for murder. His death was not an oridnary death. It reeked of Vodou. Reina is determined to find the killer and save the resputation of all vodouisant. Vodouisant's are not murders. She finds out surprising information about Salimah pass and find that the police, Houngan Lucien, and others do not want her help and threats her to stay out of the case. This is a thrilling and enjoyable read.
Quotes:
My life remained stubbornly fixed on a tightrope between broke and bankrupt.
"Am I talking to myself? Cat got your tongue or something, girl? You act like you didn't just hear me say the cops got one of us, one of you, locked up. And you gone mute like I'm passing time talking about the weather or some such nonsense."
I put my hand on the doorknob with effort. Love could be an ugly thing, showing up when it was least wanted and abandoning you when it grew tired.
And sometimes what people thought they wanted didn't match up at all with what they needed.
Mambo Reina Dumond is a vodouisant and priestess in New Orleans. She was born in Haiti where her father started training her to be a vodouisant at the age of three. Forced to leave Haiti after political unrest, she and her family settled in New Orleans. This is where her skills and training are honed. Reina can siphon water into her pores from the air and release the sangswe for the benefits of others. She is one with the water. Erzulie is the water god.
Sophie Thibault is a new client for Mambo Reina. She is requesting that Reina make a poppet for her because she needs her boyfriend to love and stay with her. The next day her boyfriend is find died in their apartment and Mambo Salimah Genade is arrested for murder. His death was not an oridnary death. It reeked of Vodou. Reina is determined to find the killer and save the resputation of all vodouisant. Vodouisant's are not murders. She finds out surprising information about Salimah pass and find that the police, Houngan Lucien, and others do not want her help and threats her to stay out of the case. This is a thrilling and enjoyable read.
Quotes:
My life remained stubbornly fixed on a tightrope between broke and bankrupt.
"Am I talking to myself? Cat got your tongue or something, girl? You act like you didn't just hear me say the cops got one of us, one of you, locked up. And you gone mute like I'm passing time talking about the weather or some such nonsense."
I put my hand on the doorknob with effort. Love could be an ugly thing, showing up when it was least wanted and abandoning you when it grew tired.
And sometimes what people thought they wanted didn't match up at all with what they needed.
February 6, 2022
Human Stew... It's What's for Dinner...
No spoilers. 3 1/2 stars. Vodou, similar to Voodoo, is a religion believing that everything is spirit and its practice encompasses philosophy, medicine and justice as well as religion...
The setting for this story is current-day New Orleans where our main character, Mambo Reina Dumond practices Vodou from her house for money...
One day...
Reina learns that an undercover policeman has been murdered in the French Quarter. Someone has cut his body up with some vegetables and made him into a stew...
... because the crime was committed in the apartment above a Vodou shop owned by Mambo Priestess Saliman, Saliman is arrested for the crime...
... and the entire Vodou community is under scrutiny and being blamed by law enforcement along with Saliman...
Reina believes in the innocence of the priestess and is using her powers to get her released...
... much to the displeasure of her one-time boyfriend and policeman Roman Frost...
The reason I started this review with the definition of Vodou was to clear up some confusion. One reviewer falsely stated that Vodou is misspelled; it isn't and further, it is similar but slightly different from Voodoo.
I like a good story about New Orleans and its unique population but this one was a so so story for me. While the author drops the reader atmosphericly into the city of New Orleans, most of the action takes place in the heads of the characters instead of on the streets.
I found the story to be a little confusing at times... a lot of jumping around between scenes. Overall, the story was mediocre and needed more structure and action.
The last 20% was like beating a dead horse; it should have ended at the 80% mark. Know when the stew is ready!
No spoilers. 3 1/2 stars. Vodou, similar to Voodoo, is a religion believing that everything is spirit and its practice encompasses philosophy, medicine and justice as well as religion...
The setting for this story is current-day New Orleans where our main character, Mambo Reina Dumond practices Vodou from her house for money...
One day...
Reina learns that an undercover policeman has been murdered in the French Quarter. Someone has cut his body up with some vegetables and made him into a stew...
... because the crime was committed in the apartment above a Vodou shop owned by Mambo Priestess Saliman, Saliman is arrested for the crime...
... and the entire Vodou community is under scrutiny and being blamed by law enforcement along with Saliman...
Reina believes in the innocence of the priestess and is using her powers to get her released...
... much to the displeasure of her one-time boyfriend and policeman Roman Frost...
The reason I started this review with the definition of Vodou was to clear up some confusion. One reviewer falsely stated that Vodou is misspelled; it isn't and further, it is similar but slightly different from Voodoo.
I like a good story about New Orleans and its unique population but this one was a so so story for me. While the author drops the reader atmosphericly into the city of New Orleans, most of the action takes place in the heads of the characters instead of on the streets.
I found the story to be a little confusing at times... a lot of jumping around between scenes. Overall, the story was mediocre and needed more structure and action.
The last 20% was like beating a dead horse; it should have ended at the 80% mark. Know when the stew is ready!
February 27, 2022
I almost DNF'd this book multiple times. This book had such a fascinating premise, but ultimately just doesn't live up to its potential.
The basic premise teases an urban fantasy set in a post-Katrina New Orleans. The main character, a mambo who guides us through the world of Vodou, becomes involved in a murder investigation that suggests a cover-up of sinister events which took place amid the chaos of Katrina. The problem, however, is that the above description is far more intriguing than any of the actual events in the book.
Part of the issue for me was simply the writing style, which seems to spend too much time focusing on mundane pieces of the main character's life without ever using these details as building blocks for more compelling plot points. This is all the more a let down when you consider the potential for world-building, and the lost opportunity to craft a universe in which Vodou and its influence was more fully explored.
But the main disappointment is how the premise is set up to unfurl an intriguing, twisty tale, but ultimately just tells a quite pedestrian story without any great elegance to how the story is unfurled. There are many interesting ideas brought up, and several very timely real-world concerns, but these points never seem to be woven into anything more. Pretty disappointing for a concept that seemed to have some great potential.
The basic premise teases an urban fantasy set in a post-Katrina New Orleans. The main character, a mambo who guides us through the world of Vodou, becomes involved in a murder investigation that suggests a cover-up of sinister events which took place amid the chaos of Katrina. The problem, however, is that the above description is far more intriguing than any of the actual events in the book.
Part of the issue for me was simply the writing style, which seems to spend too much time focusing on mundane pieces of the main character's life without ever using these details as building blocks for more compelling plot points. This is all the more a let down when you consider the potential for world-building, and the lost opportunity to craft a universe in which Vodou and its influence was more fully explored.
But the main disappointment is how the premise is set up to unfurl an intriguing, twisty tale, but ultimately just tells a quite pedestrian story without any great elegance to how the story is unfurled. There are many interesting ideas brought up, and several very timely real-world concerns, but these points never seem to be woven into anything more. Pretty disappointing for a concept that seemed to have some great potential.
March 9, 2022
DNF @ 44%. This book has so much potential for me and it started off like it was gonna be a page turner but after while, it got boring and confusing. I couldn’t keep up with the lapse of present time and then the magic time and then characters was just not meshing to what was going on in the story at that time.
I don’t force to read a book that fails at keeping my interest just for the sake of finishing a book.
I don’t force to read a book that fails at keeping my interest just for the sake of finishing a book.
February 27, 2022
The Quarter Storm by Veronica Henry was my Kindle First Read selection for February 2022...
The Quarter Storm is an atmospheric read set in one of my absolute favorite cities (New Orleans) and I loved being transported there. I swear I could just about smell Bourbon Street--HA... kidding. It features Voodou, a ritualistic murder-mystery, and some good old Cajun cooking (not to sound like a psycho, but all things I happen to find very interesting, if not enjoyable).
Interesting little tidbit, and I'm sure this was probably a source of inspiration for the author, but the heinous murder at the center of this story (which occurred in the apartment above a Voodou shop) is extremely similar to a real life French Quarter homicide that haunted me for a long time after reading about it. It occurred on North Rampart Street in 2006 in an apartment above a former house of voodoo and shared a lot of the same grisly characteristics. Google "Zack and Addie New Orleans" and you'll see a ton of links if you're curious.
Anyways, The Quarter Storm appears to be the first in a series the author intends to write and I look forward to revisiting Mambo Reina in NOLA in future books.
P.s. Apparently Netflix made a documentary about Zack and Addie in 2018 so you know what I'm doing next, if I can find it.
☆☆☆☆
The Quarter Storm is an atmospheric read set in one of my absolute favorite cities (New Orleans) and I loved being transported there. I swear I could just about smell Bourbon Street--HA... kidding. It features Voodou, a ritualistic murder-mystery, and some good old Cajun cooking (not to sound like a psycho, but all things I happen to find very interesting, if not enjoyable).
Interesting little tidbit, and I'm sure this was probably a source of inspiration for the author, but the heinous murder at the center of this story (which occurred in the apartment above a Voodou shop) is extremely similar to a real life French Quarter homicide that haunted me for a long time after reading about it. It occurred on North Rampart Street in 2006 in an apartment above a former house of voodoo and shared a lot of the same grisly characteristics. Google "Zack and Addie New Orleans" and you'll see a ton of links if you're curious.
Anyways, The Quarter Storm appears to be the first in a series the author intends to write and I look forward to revisiting Mambo Reina in NOLA in future books.
P.s. Apparently Netflix made a documentary about Zack and Addie in 2018 so you know what I'm doing next, if I can find it.
☆☆☆☆
April 9, 2022
The Quarter Storm is not for the faint of heart. The crime is set in New Orleans, primarily in the French Quarter but more on the fringe where you either know to go for the authentic Quarter or know to avoid it because you fear it. Everyone knows there is voodoo (not the proper spelling) in New Orleans, right? Few know how far reaching the beliefs reach. The Quarter Storm will take you deep into the belly of that world, into the layer of the Quarter that tourists rarely see.
There are parts of the book that I absolutely loved, truly, and since moving to the northern part of the US, it reminded me of how much I miss our frequent treks down to the French Quarter. The atmosphere is so thick in this book that I could smell the beignets and hear the music - no lie. There were parts, however, that did make me feel uncomfortable. I'm a pagan, I know white magic witches. Voodoo is different. Or least for me it is. Maybe it shouldn't be. Maybe that's racist of me - probably it is. For this reason, I struggled. But, overall, I really did like the writing style and did like the book. I think. I may read it again. LOL!
There are parts of the book that I absolutely loved, truly, and since moving to the northern part of the US, it reminded me of how much I miss our frequent treks down to the French Quarter. The atmosphere is so thick in this book that I could smell the beignets and hear the music - no lie. There were parts, however, that did make me feel uncomfortable. I'm a pagan, I know white magic witches. Voodoo is different. Or least for me it is. Maybe it shouldn't be. Maybe that's racist of me - probably it is. For this reason, I struggled. But, overall, I really did like the writing style and did like the book. I think. I may read it again. LOL!
February 11, 2022
3.5 stars
First things first, we do not go piggy dippin. ESPECIALLY if that piggy is disrespecting your whole ass religion when he doesn’t even practice his.
So we got a murder mystery with heaping helping of vodou magic thrown in. I really liked how the magic was depicted, especially at the end. However, I felt like I spent most of the book waiting for something to happen. It dragged. Even when things were happening, it dragged.
The red herrings were great in keeping me guessing who the killer was, but in the end it left me a little confused about why certain people were killed based on what the motive ended up being.
Also, I’m not done with Reina’s cop ex-boyfriend. He is so fucking abusive and manipulative and trash. He’s the guy that goes “sup girl ur hot” and when you say “no thank you I am not interested” he calls you a bitch. Like ew. EW! And how they met?? eeeEEEWWWW
N E WAYS this one wasn’t really for me, but it may be for someone ✌🏽
First things first, we do not go piggy dippin. ESPECIALLY if that piggy is disrespecting your whole ass religion when he doesn’t even practice his.
So we got a murder mystery with heaping helping of vodou magic thrown in. I really liked how the magic was depicted, especially at the end. However, I felt like I spent most of the book waiting for something to happen. It dragged. Even when things were happening, it dragged.
The red herrings were great in keeping me guessing who the killer was, but in the end it left me a little confused about why certain people were killed based on what the motive ended up being.
Also, I’m not done with Reina’s cop ex-boyfriend. He is so fucking abusive and manipulative and trash. He’s the guy that goes “sup girl ur hot” and when you say “no thank you I am not interested” he calls you a bitch. Like ew. EW! And how they met?? eeeEEEWWWW
N E WAYS this one wasn’t really for me, but it may be for someone ✌🏽
April 18, 2022
I received an ARC from Wunderkind PR in exchange for an honest review.
The Quarter Storm (Mambo Reina #1) by Veronica Henry is a decent urban fantasy mystery series opener. It didn't quite hit all the right notes for me but for the most part it was an engaging read. My favorite aspect was easily the world-building of the New Orleans itself. I felt really absorbed in the location. It almost felt like a character on its own. I didn't find myself nearly as invested in any of the cast members though. The murder mystery didn't quite stick as well either. Overall, this wasn't quite as good as I was hoping it was going to be based on the description. That said though, I may like to try more from Veronica Henry in the future.
The Quarter Storm (Mambo Reina #1) by Veronica Henry is a decent urban fantasy mystery series opener. It didn't quite hit all the right notes for me but for the most part it was an engaging read. My favorite aspect was easily the world-building of the New Orleans itself. I felt really absorbed in the location. It almost felt like a character on its own. I didn't find myself nearly as invested in any of the cast members though. The murder mystery didn't quite stick as well either. Overall, this wasn't quite as good as I was hoping it was going to be based on the description. That said though, I may like to try more from Veronica Henry in the future.
April 21, 2022
A solid 3 star rating for a murder mystery/supernatural story. The author does a nice job describing New Orleans and it felt like I was experiencing that atmosphere. The story main character, Mambo Reina, is relateable and interesting as a Vodou Priestess. The magic and ritual surrounding the practice of Vodou was the most interesting to me. The "murder mystery" part was a bit mundane and I wish the author would have worked on that angle a bit more. It did not feel like part of the novel most of the time and it did not integrate wholly into the entire story for me. I feel like the murder actually detracted from the potential richness of the Vodou culture and the characters.
It was interesting, however, the jury is out whether or not I will read other novels by this author.
It was interesting, however, the jury is out whether or not I will read other novels by this author.
February 16, 2022
Veronica G. Henry works her magic with her second novel, The Quarter Storm, by bringing a fresh cast of characters, intrigue, and fantastical elements to a solid murder mystery. Henry cleverly spins a tale loaded with conspiracy, secrecy, and thrills with elegant and concise storytelling. She also balances the suspense-filled plot with magnetic and delightful characters that bring the story to life.
In this novel of death, magic, and secrets, Henry moves readers through the backdrop of post-Katrina New Orleans with Reina Dumond who is equally relatable—kind, honest, fallible—and impressive as a powerful Vodou priestess adept in water magic. Reina is pulled down by a past of broken hearts and promises but is pushed forward by a sense of duty and honor. Her dedication to her beliefs and community drives her actions, making her desire to solve the mystery realistic and just, rather than meddlesome. Her sincere heart, impassioned efforts, and logical caution are welcomed additions to literary amateur sleuths. Reina isn’t just some nosy neighbor, she’s a leader in her spiritual community and will do what it takes to set things right.
Along with Reina, The Quarter Storm is populated with a cast of well-rounded characters. Even those with the smallest roles are individual with dreams, desires, and goals (and motives) who either help or hinder Reina on her quest to discover the truth. Henry’s awesome ability to create impactful and endearing characters is obvious with each new person readers meet on Reina’s journey. Good or bad, friends or foe—they are all human in their flaws and talents, misfortunes and luck, courage and greed.
The scenery used in The Quarter Storm is beautifully used to help place characters, who they are sometimes corresponds with where they are from. With contemporary New Orleans as a magical and majestic setting, Henry skillfully weaves scenery and fantastical elements into the novel, illustrating the city’s storied history and culture with admiration and allure. The varied eco-systems and architecture of New Orleans thrive throughout The Quarter Storm, creating an enthralling venue of a bustling metropolis, tight-knit neighborhoods, and flourishing wetlands—all enchanting and vibrant.
For lovers of murder mysteries, fantasy stories, and compelling characters, The Quarter Storm is brilliant and entertaining read from start to finish. Readers who are especially interested in strong female protagonists with intelligence and heart, Henry’s novel of intrigue, greed, and passion is sure to satisfy.
This review is based on the ARC of The Quarter Storm received in exchange for an honest review.
In this novel of death, magic, and secrets, Henry moves readers through the backdrop of post-Katrina New Orleans with Reina Dumond who is equally relatable—kind, honest, fallible—and impressive as a powerful Vodou priestess adept in water magic. Reina is pulled down by a past of broken hearts and promises but is pushed forward by a sense of duty and honor. Her dedication to her beliefs and community drives her actions, making her desire to solve the mystery realistic and just, rather than meddlesome. Her sincere heart, impassioned efforts, and logical caution are welcomed additions to literary amateur sleuths. Reina isn’t just some nosy neighbor, she’s a leader in her spiritual community and will do what it takes to set things right.
Along with Reina, The Quarter Storm is populated with a cast of well-rounded characters. Even those with the smallest roles are individual with dreams, desires, and goals (and motives) who either help or hinder Reina on her quest to discover the truth. Henry’s awesome ability to create impactful and endearing characters is obvious with each new person readers meet on Reina’s journey. Good or bad, friends or foe—they are all human in their flaws and talents, misfortunes and luck, courage and greed.
The scenery used in The Quarter Storm is beautifully used to help place characters, who they are sometimes corresponds with where they are from. With contemporary New Orleans as a magical and majestic setting, Henry skillfully weaves scenery and fantastical elements into the novel, illustrating the city’s storied history and culture with admiration and allure. The varied eco-systems and architecture of New Orleans thrive throughout The Quarter Storm, creating an enthralling venue of a bustling metropolis, tight-knit neighborhoods, and flourishing wetlands—all enchanting and vibrant.
For lovers of murder mysteries, fantasy stories, and compelling characters, The Quarter Storm is brilliant and entertaining read from start to finish. Readers who are especially interested in strong female protagonists with intelligence and heart, Henry’s novel of intrigue, greed, and passion is sure to satisfy.
This review is based on the ARC of The Quarter Storm received in exchange for an honest review.
February 26, 2022
A ghastly New Orleans murder mystery swirling in spiritual practices, core beliefs and encompassing all things Vodou.
August 2, 2022
Vodou priestess Mambo Reina Dumond learned the practices and customs of Vodou as a child from her father, while her family was living in Haiti. She is inhabited by the spirit of Erzulie, which makes her a gifted practitioner of water magic. Reina operates a small business behind her home in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans for both tourists and locals alike.
Shortly after an unusual session with a first time client, Reina is informed that a crime has been committed in the apartment above one of the more high-profile Vodou shops in the French Quarter. The tenant of the apartment is found murdered. But not simply killed, he has been found dismembered.
Mambo Salimah Grenade, the owner of the shop, is a relatively new vodouisant, only practicing in the area for a bit over a year. When Mambo Grenade found her tenant dead, she called the police herself. However, because of her ties to the Vodou community, the police took her into custody immediately.
While Reina hasn’t known Salimah long, she doesn’t believe she is capable of murder. And she knows that no one who practices her faith is capable of what Salimah has been accused. Reina believes strongly that Salimah has been accused solely on the basis of her faith. And if that has happened to her, it can happen to anyone in the area. Reina knows that to save her community, and ultimately herself, she must prove that Salimah is innocent and discover the identity of the real killer.
In The Quarter Storm, Veronica G. Henry provides a top notch mystery along with an interesting spin on urban fantasy. By choosing to root her fantasy in the world of Vodou, Henry not only is able to recount and comment on the history of Africans in America, she is also able to reference how Vodou, and so many other elements of African culture brought to the Americas have regularly been co-opted, vilified, demonized and misrepresented in dominant culture for use and amusement while simultaneously damning its practitioners for their beliefs.
As the first in a proposed series, Henry does a lot of world building in the novel. Her descriptions of New Orleans, in general, and Tremé, in particular, are vivid and evocative. Henry has also assembled a wonderful cast of supporting characters, including Detective Roman Frost, with whom Reina has a very complicated relationship; Tyka, a street urchin Reina has befriended and relies upon almost as much as the girl relies on her; and Darryl “Sweet Belly” Boudreaux, the proprietor of a local bar, The Lemon Drop, who is a font of community information and requires an offering of candy when approached for information. The level of the information given is commensurate to the quality of the candy offered.
Read an interview with the author here.
Reviewed by Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library,
Shortly after an unusual session with a first time client, Reina is informed that a crime has been committed in the apartment above one of the more high-profile Vodou shops in the French Quarter. The tenant of the apartment is found murdered. But not simply killed, he has been found dismembered.
Mambo Salimah Grenade, the owner of the shop, is a relatively new vodouisant, only practicing in the area for a bit over a year. When Mambo Grenade found her tenant dead, she called the police herself. However, because of her ties to the Vodou community, the police took her into custody immediately.
While Reina hasn’t known Salimah long, she doesn’t believe she is capable of murder. And she knows that no one who practices her faith is capable of what Salimah has been accused. Reina believes strongly that Salimah has been accused solely on the basis of her faith. And if that has happened to her, it can happen to anyone in the area. Reina knows that to save her community, and ultimately herself, she must prove that Salimah is innocent and discover the identity of the real killer.
In The Quarter Storm, Veronica G. Henry provides a top notch mystery along with an interesting spin on urban fantasy. By choosing to root her fantasy in the world of Vodou, Henry not only is able to recount and comment on the history of Africans in America, she is also able to reference how Vodou, and so many other elements of African culture brought to the Americas have regularly been co-opted, vilified, demonized and misrepresented in dominant culture for use and amusement while simultaneously damning its practitioners for their beliefs.
As the first in a proposed series, Henry does a lot of world building in the novel. Her descriptions of New Orleans, in general, and Tremé, in particular, are vivid and evocative. Henry has also assembled a wonderful cast of supporting characters, including Detective Roman Frost, with whom Reina has a very complicated relationship; Tyka, a street urchin Reina has befriended and relies upon almost as much as the girl relies on her; and Darryl “Sweet Belly” Boudreaux, the proprietor of a local bar, The Lemon Drop, who is a font of community information and requires an offering of candy when approached for information. The level of the information given is commensurate to the quality of the candy offered.
Read an interview with the author here.
Reviewed by Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library,
April 20, 2023
I love to read about Haiti and vodou. Unfortunately, Hollywood and cheap fiction exploits both. Not this book. It not only describes Haiti and vodou authentically, it uses the occasional kreyol phrase properly.
Haitian-born Mambo Reina Dumond has a struggling vodou practice in New Orleans and becomes embroiled in a strange murder case involving another vodouisant. A real page turner, as she deals with crooked cops and vodou culture in NOLA.
Haitian-born Mambo Reina Dumond has a struggling vodou practice in New Orleans and becomes embroiled in a strange murder case involving another vodouisant. A real page turner, as she deals with crooked cops and vodou culture in NOLA.
March 12, 2022
A Good Story
I enjoyed most parts of this tale and also learned some things. My problem was that it was so, so wordy. There was so much introspection and description that I wasn't even fully aware of what was actually going on and who was who until fully a third through the book. I was more comfortable through the center and the plot thickened nicely and provided some excellent tense reading for a while. Alas, the last few chapters also dragged and went on for a long time. There was no cliffhanger, which is a blessing. I did like Reina and the story too. And the characters were individuals and full of personality. It just was too wordy for me to give it four stars.
I enjoyed most parts of this tale and also learned some things. My problem was that it was so, so wordy. There was so much introspection and description that I wasn't even fully aware of what was actually going on and who was who until fully a third through the book. I was more comfortable through the center and the plot thickened nicely and provided some excellent tense reading for a while. Alas, the last few chapters also dragged and went on for a long time. There was no cliffhanger, which is a blessing. I did like Reina and the story too. And the characters were individuals and full of personality. It just was too wordy for me to give it four stars.
March 29, 2022
2.5 Stars
This was just okay...this is my second time reading a book by Veronica Henry and they both had similar issues.
I was hoping for more of the mystery in this story but it seemed to get lost behind other parts of the story.
I loved the Voudou history and the times when Mambo Reina used her powers. I was hoping for more information about her magic but we really didn't get a lot of information about it. I'm not sure if I want to continue with this series.
This was just okay...this is my second time reading a book by Veronica Henry and they both had similar issues.
I was hoping for more of the mystery in this story but it seemed to get lost behind other parts of the story.
I loved the Voudou history and the times when Mambo Reina used her powers. I was hoping for more information about her magic but we really didn't get a lot of information about it. I'm not sure if I want to continue with this series.
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April 19, 2022A fun mystery set in New Orleans. I loved the characters, setting, and vodoun parts. It was just magical enough to quench my thirst. Looking forward to book 2!
March 23, 2022
This is a quick read and I feel like that was part of the why it ended up falling a bit flat for me. While the beginning was slow, I found the plot and characters interesting and things were getting good and then the past of the book felt a bit flat. I think if the authors had written a few more chapters then maybe I would've enjoyed it a little but the ending felt rushed and I didn't feel like things were tied up. In all, it's still a good quick read but I just wished things were fleshed out more.
December 11, 2023
This was ok. I really liked Veronica G. Henry's writing and the magic and food descriptions. I unfortunately wasn't that invested in the mystery and I felt that the reveal was done a little cheap.
I also couldn't stand Roman AT ALL and it got on my nerves how Reina still held a torch for him. The man had no redeeming qualities.
Overall, I didn't enjoy this as much as I did Bacchanal, but I'm still curious enough to read the second book.
I also couldn't stand Roman AT ALL and it got on my nerves how Reina still held a torch for him. The man had no redeeming qualities.
Overall, I didn't enjoy this as much as I did Bacchanal, but I'm still curious enough to read the second book.
March 6, 2022
The Quarter Storm
The Quarter Storm started a bit slow for my tastes. But the longer I read, an amazing group of characters were introduced. Mango Reina was determined to not let Salimah be found guilty of a crime she didn't commit. Against everyone warnings she is determined to find out what was going on. As the facts unfold, the danger to Mango Reina increases.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.
The Quarter Storm started a bit slow for my tastes. But the longer I read, an amazing group of characters were introduced. Mango Reina was determined to not let Salimah be found guilty of a crime she didn't commit. Against everyone warnings she is determined to find out what was going on. As the facts unfold, the danger to Mango Reina increases.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.
February 26, 2024
This book started off interesting then as the story went along I became kind of bored with it. There wasn’t enough action. Once the action came again it started to get a little bit more interesting but that feeling left quickly as it subsided. It didn’t leave me wandering more or in the edge of my seat. The ending had me feeling like okay….that’s it? Nothing intriguing to have me wanting to read the next book.
March 10, 2022
I did not like this book at all. It was just very confusing and it feels like the author trying to cram a bunch of stuff into this book. I like the mystery aspect and the fact that they had to figure out who killed somebody. The rest of it was just confusing. I would definitely not recommend this book
June 16, 2024
3.5 stars. I loved the elements of New Orleans culture being included along with a bit of a who-done-it. The FMC’s internal monologue was a bit long-winded and was tedious at times. Not a bad read.
March 5, 2023
Having New Orleans as the setting of this book was perfect! Learning about Vodou was fascinating, and I loved Mambo Reina’s fierce commitment to her practice & her chosen family. I would’ve liked more insight into how she & Detective Frost first fell for each other, but am definitely going to read the sequel.
July 31, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
May 25, 2022
I got this book for free from Amazon First Reads and I was so excited for this one. I loved the idea of it being set in Louisana (almost any book set in Louisana or New Orleans are immediate reads for me). Plus it promised voodoo, magic, and murder - like who wouldn't want to read that?
My excitement about this was quickly dulled when I had such a hard time getting into the book. The mystery itself was interesting and I loved that it incorporated real voodoo practices instead of a complete fantasy dark version of it. But the book felt like it dragged on with a bunch of side characters and information we didn't really need.
I really wanted to find out who committed the murder so I pushed through (for 2 months) to finish this book. In the end, I wished it would have been more exciting and pushed the fantasy aspect a little more - just something to make it more exhilarating so I didn't want to keep setting it down.
It gets a 2-star rating from me. In the end, I wish I would have just not finished it.
You can find more reviews on my Instagram at www.instagram.com/spellboundbooks_
My excitement about this was quickly dulled when I had such a hard time getting into the book. The mystery itself was interesting and I loved that it incorporated real voodoo practices instead of a complete fantasy dark version of it. But the book felt like it dragged on with a bunch of side characters and information we didn't really need.
I really wanted to find out who committed the murder so I pushed through (for 2 months) to finish this book. In the end, I wished it would have been more exciting and pushed the fantasy aspect a little more - just something to make it more exhilarating so I didn't want to keep setting it down.
It gets a 2-star rating from me. In the end, I wish I would have just not finished it.
You can find more reviews on my Instagram at www.instagram.com/spellboundbooks_
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