by Kristi Charish
Series: Kincaid Strange #2
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Kincaid Strange, not your average voodoo practitioner, is back in the freshly imagined and hugely entertaining second installment of Kristi Charish's urban fantasy series.
Kincaid Strange cannot catch a break. After dealing with a spate of paranormal murders, there's barely time to recuperate--let alone sleep in--before there's a new problem in Kincaid's world of paranormal activity. When her roommate, Nathan Cade--the ghost of a grunge-rocker with a pathological lack of self-control--comes home bound to a dead body, it's up to Kincaid to figure out how to free him. Ideally before her new mentor, Gideon, a powerful sorcerer's ghost, discovers that Nate is trapped in the body he'd coveted for himself.
When Aaron, a Seattle cop on the afterlife beat--and Kincaid's ex--calls her in to help out with a cold case, she takes the chance to mend fences with the police department. The problem: they want to interview Nate's ghost, which she can't produce. Then people from Nate's past start showing up dead, and what's killing them doesn't seem to be human. And the way it's killing them is especially brutal.
Nate's hiding something, but he's Kincaid's friend and she wants to help him. But she also wants to stay alive....
Kristi Charish has become a go-to author for me for urban fantasy and quirky female protagonists. Lipstick Voodoo is the second novel in the Kincaid Strange series. The story takes place in Seattle and features a Voodoo practitioner with a ghostly sidekick.
Lipstick Voodoo was an addictive, snarky, whodunit filled with paranormal woo-woo and characters you’ll want more of. Charish does urban fantasy just right. Fans of Richelle Mead, Jim Butcher and Dannika Dark will want to explore Kristi Charish worlds and characters.
I listened to the first novel, The Voodoo Killings but scheduling had me reading this time around. Because this is urban fantasy and a lot of what happens in Lipstick Voodoo results from what occurred in book one.
I love this series from Nate, her ghostly friend to the scary and intriguing Gideon. I have to confess Gideon has me perplexed, but page time with him was one of my favorite things in this story. For those who don’t know Gideon is a powerful dead sorcerer. Kincaid find herself indebted to him, and it appears she will work as his apprentice.
Kincaid is a powerful and skilled practitioner who seems to fly by the seat of her pants. She is smart, but not well-rounded in her knowledge. She tends to learn as she goes. Nate is in serious trouble and hiding things from Kincaid.
Despite her relationship ending with Seattle PD, Kincaid’s ex, Aaron a paranormal detective calls her in when a cold case has possible ties to Nate, her ghost. Before you know it Kincaid is secretly helping him with a strange murder that also leads back to Nate and his singing career.
The author mixes in humor and snark as Kincaid gets herself out of predicaments and works to solve the case. After, the events in the previous book she needs a win. Some training scenes with ghouls, a ghost and time spent with Lee and her partner offered some interesting history on supernatural creatures from Wraiths to zombies.
I loved the twisted Otherside, the undead city below Seattle and watching Kincaid investigate. I have a feeling we are just witnessing the beginnings of what Strange is capable of and the ending set up the next book leaving me longing for its release.
Lipstick Voodoo by Kristi Charish brought deals with demons and a bizarre murder-mystery that somehow involves Nate. All of this provided an addictive installment that I devoured. #NewRelease #MustRead Share on X
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
Mary @StackingMyBookShelves!
I haven’t read this author before. This sounds like it would be interesting to read. I will have to add this one to my list too!
Mary
Daniela Ark
yay! happy to hear this one is so good! my second WIP is about Santeria and Voodoo so I was super curious! I’m so reading it!
Kimberly
You can never go wrong with Voodoo in your story?
Angela @ Simply Angela
Ooh this one sounds good. I need to get my hands on this series.
Kimberly
I am really enjoying this series. Have you read her Owl series?
Annie
This sounds like a fantastic urban fantasy series. I’ve not heard of this author before! I really love stories with strong female protagonists and especially ghost stories. My favourite urban fantasy all of that at the moment is JR Ward, but she sounds a little darker than this.
Kimberly
Yes, Ward is darker. I didn’t know she wrote UF. I always think of her series as paranormal romance.
Jennifer
Starting it tonight. I had hoped to do a relisten to book 1 but I didn’t find time to do it.
Kimberly
Yay, she does a lovely recap.
Olivia Roach
Wow, I love that colourful cover! Also, I love that she has a ghostly friend. That sounds fun to me and I don’t read enough ghosts stories although I did read a very good one last year. I like that there is so much humor included in the story too. Great review x
Kimberly
This is a fun series from the setting to the mystery.
Anne
I really enjoyed this one as well. I’m not sure yet about Gideon since everyone seems to betray her. Nate may finally be on her team. Aaron can swim with rocks. Great review! Anne – Books of My Heart
Kimberly
Hahaha… I love your breakdown!
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
I’ve been wanting to read this author for awhile and this looks so fun! I love paranormal woo woo – especially when there is snark and likable characters.
Kimberly
This is a fun series Katherine. I hope you start it soon.
Sophia Rose
This is an author that I want to read at some point. Both Owl and Charish sound like great characters.
Kimberly
Heck yes, you need to snag both series!
Angela Adams
I like the title! Thanks for sharing this post.
Kimberly
Me too. For some reasons I am drawn to the word Voodoo. LOL I hope you had a lovely holiday. Happy New Year!
Angela
This series sounds interesting. Thank’s for sharing. I like the cover.
Kimberly
I hope you try this author Angela.
sherry fundin
Love the title and everything else about the book sounds great. A city under Seattle,,,has my attention.
Kimberly
This is a fun series and with only two books released now it the time to jump in!
Debbie Haupt
The Pacific NW is the perfect setting for some of these stories, it’s sort of the US’s version of Avalon. Great review this is my kind of story so it’s going on my list, yes that list 😉
Kimberly
Agreed. A few awesome series are set there.
Melliane
That’s a series I really want to try! So curious!
Kimberly
Ooo I hope you do Melliane. I have a feeling you will enjoy this one!
Mary Kirkland
A ghost friend would be interesting. Sounds like a good story.
Kimberly
Right. It would explain why I talk to myself all the time!?
Jen
I need to find time to check out this series. Several of my trusted reviewers enjoy it. thanks!
Kimberly
I love this author. She has several awesome series and I’ve heard they are awesome on audio as well!
Nadene
Oh, mam this looks yummy. I am going to add this to my wish list. Great review, Kim.
Kimberly
Yay. I hope you do!