The Voodoo Killings by Kristi Charish

June 1st, 2016 Kimberly Review 66 Comments

1st Jun
The Voodoo Killings by Kristi Charish
The Voodoo Killings
by Kristi Charish
Series: Kincaid Strange #1
Narrator: Susannah Jones
Length: 11 hours and 43 minutes
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Author
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
Narration: 4.5 cups

Random House 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 27. 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 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.

urban ZOMBIE paranormal mystery

I devoured the audio of The Voodoo Killings  written by Kristi Charish and narrated by Susannah Jones. By devoured I mean I listened to all 11 hours and 43 minutes in a single day. Urban fantasy and audio mesh perfectly for me. Charish quickly pulled me into this world and I cannot wait for more.

The Voodoo Killings is the first novel in the Kincaid Strange series set in rain-soaked Seattle. featuring Zombies, ghosts and Voodoo practitioners. Hells yes!

Fans of Georgia Kincaid, Kim Harrison and Ilona Andrews will feel right at home slipping into Kincaid Strange’s world. The setting and world had aspects that I am familiar with making it easy to lose myself in the story. Charish added a nice spin to it with the voodoo, world building, and summoning rituals.

Kincaid is twenty-seven, broke, single and living in Seattle with a ghost. She is a Voodoo Practitioner who aids police by raising the dead to find out who murdered them. She also does odd jobs like resolving will disputes and more. I immediately liked Kincaid. She is quirky, does her own thing and on occasionally loses her cool. I loved Nate, her ghostly roommate and Charish did a fantastic job of sharing their friendship. They worked wonderfully on the case together.  Think Rachel Morgan and Jenks. It quickly becomes clear that Kincaid is more comfortable around the deceased than the living.

The world building is solid, and something I have begun to expect from this author. I was surprised this was not set in NOLA, but that also tells you I agreed to review this by the author’s name alone. If you have not read her series, Adventures of Owl I totally recommend them. Back to the review- we are in Seattle, in a world where the paranormal, zombies, ghouls and ghosts exist. Laws are in place regarding the raising of zombies and holding séances but the new Chief of Police wants to ban Voodoo and denies the paranormal exist.

It looks like each novel will surround a case, and in Voodoo Killings a stray zombie turns up in Kincaid’s neighborhood. Cameron Wight has no idea how he died and why he is a zombie. Finding her number at a local bar he calls Kincaid for help. This puts Kincaid in a bit of pickle because being caught with an unauthorized zombie could land her in jail. Kincaid’s problems only escalate as a rash of murders targeting zombies and voodoo practitioners puts her and the entire Underground City (a paranormal hub located under Seattle) in danger. The story was fast paced, filled with snark, danger and relationship tension. I thought the mystery was well done, and even the villains were creepy, bitchy and fleshed out. Charish had me engaged with the characters and even managed to tug at my heartstrings. I am curious about Kincaid’s relationship with a certain detective.

Susannah Jones narrates The Voodoo Killings and I think she is a perfect match for this series. Her voice for Kincaid rocked and reminded me a little of Georgina Kincaid. She had just the right mix of snark and sweet. I liked her pacing, and listened to this at 1.2X. She provided different voices for the characters, even some of the scary paranormal ones, which only enhanced my enjoyment. The story unraveled in vivid 3D for me as I listened. My only issue and it is a small one, was that I kept hearing a noise. At first, I thought it was paper or pages turning. About 50% in I realized it was Jones swallowing. I have heard narrators catch their breath or exhale, but most of the time it is edited. It is silly, but it distracted me a little and I found myself waiting for her to swallow again.

The Voodoo Killings delivered all that I hoped for and more. Fans of urban fantasy, the paranormal and mysteries will enjoy this one immensely. When I pulled out my earbuds, I only had one question for the author, “When is book two being released?”

You can listen to a sample here: Voodoo Killings

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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66 Responses to “The Voodoo Killings by Kristi Charish”

  1. Verushka

    Oooh, what an exciting new series! I haven’t been excited about an urban fantasy series like this in awhile!

  2. Kim

    I need this in my life, lol. I love Kristi’s other series and can’t wait to read/listen to this new series. Glad you loved it Kimba 🙂

  3. Lorna

    I’ve not read her Owl series although I am aware of it. This one has me really wanting to read it or listen-although her swallowing might be off putting!

  4. lisa thomson

    This sounds intriguing. It would be a real departure for me to read anything with zombies–LOL but I could use a departure from my boring classics. 🙂

  5. Melissa (My World...in words and pages)

    Ooooh. Now this sounds like my kind of read. And I love Susannah’s work too! 😀

  6. Michelle

    I don’t usually read UF or listen to audio but you have me thinking I might want to try this because it sounds VERY interesting! Great review, Kim!

  8. Emma

    These aren’t normally my type of book but it t does sound fun. I like strong, sassy, female characters.

  9. Cyn

    Ahh, I’ve been thinking of picking this one up! It seriously sounds like a great paranormal read. Glad this was a good listen, lovely review Kim!

  10. Candace

    OWL is on my list to get but this sounds amazing as well! I wish I could just find more time to listen! Though lately I have been listening to audiobooks more then reading. Still, not enough.
    I’m glad I’m not the only one that notices those small things like the swallowing. I always notice when there’s been an edit and the tone is slightly different or something. I guess that comes with being a person who listens to a lot of audiobooks.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Yes…I hope you end up enjoying them as much as I have Candace! I constantly have an audio going. Whenever I cannot hold a kindle or book I listen

  11. Lauren

    Yes, I’m so glad you enjoyed it too. I’ve not heard anything bad about it 🙂 I can’t wait to read it.

  12. Bookworm Brandee

    Charish is on my must read list but now I don’t know which series I’ll start with. And that’s saying something because I don’t typically like anything to do with zombies. 😉 But Kincaid seems like a fantastic heroine and I’d like to see how she deals with things. Plus, you compared her relationship with Nate to Rachel and Jenks…SOLD! 😀

  15. Katherine

    This sounds awesome and I’m seriously impressed you listened to all 11 + hours in a single day! It must have been quite a page turner. I like snark and I like sweet and I love the cover so this sounds perfect for me!

  16. Melanie Simmons

    11 hours in one day. I haven’t done that since my roadtrip listen to The Martian last year (it was a relisten for me and a first-time listen for DH). This looks like a great book. Yet another one you’re adding to my TBR list. LOL 🙂

  17. Jennifer

    I really enjoyed this one too. So much so I’ve requested her first OWL book on audio for review. Not the same narrator but I’m hoping the writing is similar.

  18. Kathy

    This really looks good, and I was immediately taken in by the title. I think I’ll listen to a sample of this one and see how it goes for me.

  20. Braine Talk Supe

    I love this one as well. I’m not a zombie person, but I didn’t really mind it in this one. Love how she protrayed the ghouls… yuck!

  21. Leona

    This sounds a lot like the Anita Blake series – which for the beginning books I loved. I don’t know if I’d be able to read this since the earlier books in the Anita Blake series will always be my reign supreme. I’m glad you liked this read 🙂

  22. Melissa (Books and Things)

    Oh this sounds so good! I don’t think I could do it on audio in one sitting. Oh and I’ve had that happen (the swallowing or extraneous noise) and it is distracting, but it was on an independent audio. I’m really going to have to look out for this series. Off to the library! 😀

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I am glad I am not the only one hearing things like that..LOL Maybe because I listened all day it was more pronounced..

  25. Tyler H. Jolley

    You said it’s the perfect amount of snark and sweet. I wondered if it was a book that would make you lol. The blurb is whimsical, it definitely grabbed my attention.

  26. LeKeisha

    Can’t remember who reviewed this one, but remember wanting it. I think I’ll add it to my list now. Great review!

  27. Stormi

    I have seen this around and I really want to read it. I find that I can do UF better on audio than reading and this sounds like a great one for audio. 🙂

  28. Debbie Haupt

    Ok 27, single, broke living in Seattle with a ghost. Who could not want to read this. LOL
    Great review Kim 🙂

  29. kindlemom1

    If you listened to this in one day then I know it must have been good. I’ll have to see if I can get a copy. 😉

  30. Kristin

    Ahhhh, the “Owl” lady!! I was wondering why/how you picked this one up! I still need to read the Owl books, too… now say it with me everyone, “UGH!!”

  33. ailyn

    glad to see that it is good, i was a little bit apprehensive after Laurell Hamilton 😛