Scan barcode
lynguy1's review
3.0
Who Do, Voodoo? by Rochelle Staab is a cozy mystery set in California and featuring clinical psychologist Liz Cooper as the protagonist. Her best friend Robin finds tarot cards on her front door and is then accused of murder. So Liz teams up with her brother’s best friend, Nick, a professor and an expert in the occult, to find the real killer.
Liz and Nick were likeable characters. Readers get to see Liz’s relationship with Robin as well as her relationship with her brother and mother. Nick doesn’t have as much depth as a character.
For some reason, the book did not grab my attention like I thought it would. The most memorable character is Liz’s mom and that is mainly due to the situations she puts Liz in. The story was somewhat interesting and the conclusion pulled together all of the threads. The killer was a little too easy to determine although there is a twist or two that might take readers down another path.
Overall, this was a light and entertaining story. It was a reasonably quick read between other books, but it was somewhat predictable. Additionally, the beginning was a little slow.
Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
Liz and Nick were likeable characters. Readers get to see Liz’s relationship with Robin as well as her relationship with her brother and mother. Nick doesn’t have as much depth as a character.
For some reason, the book did not grab my attention like I thought it would. The most memorable character is Liz’s mom and that is mainly due to the situations she puts Liz in. The story was somewhat interesting and the conclusion pulled together all of the threads. The killer was a little too easy to determine although there is a twist or two that might take readers down another path.
Overall, this was a light and entertaining story. It was a reasonably quick read between other books, but it was somewhat predictable. Additionally, the beginning was a little slow.
Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
leel154's review
More and more similar reading characters were added and I got less invested. I liked the Voodoo parts, but not enough to keep reading
git_r_read's review
5.0
A slight lean into the paranormal for this cozy. It made me want to go out for a reading of my future after I finished reading it. It was as informational on the occult as it was excellent a mystery to read.
There's a murder, a missing spell book, evil spellcasters, wannabe voodoo queens and princesses, all kinds of con artists...all set in the music world in Los Angeles.
I liked watching Liz fight her abilities. She's all about logic and rolls her eyes at her mother's beliefs in tarot and her friend's belief in omens.
Liz is single and has a psychology practice with patients that she can reschedule while she goes on the investigative trail to help her prove her friend innocent. That's better than the cozies where the women have families that they can seemingly drop off with neighbors so they can prove the innocents of those found guilty. Or I could just be envious.....
You can visit Rochelle here:http://www.rochellestaab.com/
Five heading out for a tarot reading beans
There's a murder, a missing spell book, evil spellcasters, wannabe voodoo queens and princesses, all kinds of con artists...all set in the music world in Los Angeles.
I liked watching Liz fight her abilities. She's all about logic and rolls her eyes at her mother's beliefs in tarot and her friend's belief in omens.
Liz is single and has a psychology practice with patients that she can reschedule while she goes on the investigative trail to help her prove her friend innocent. That's better than the cozies where the women have families that they can seemingly drop off with neighbors so they can prove the innocents of those found guilty. Or I could just be envious.....
You can visit Rochelle here:http://www.rochellestaab.com/
Five heading out for a tarot reading beans
lakecake's review
4.0
Interesting plot and characters, although stereotypically annoying mom feels a bit overdone. I would check out a second book.
thegeekyblogger's review
4.0
Read for Fun! (BoucherCon 2012 Author)
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 3.75
Character Rating: 4.25
First Thought when Finished: Who Do, Voodoo? is a super fun read with just the right amount of mystery!
What I Thought of the Case: Who Do, Voodoo? is centered around Robin (Liz's BF) being suspected for a murder that she did not commit. I thought Liz and Nick made a pretty good crime-solving team. Nick was very knowledgeable and patient with Liz. Liz was a very good reader of people and pretty logical. The case was a little twisty/turny and had a wide variety of suspects. The Voodoo aspect was fun and really well researched. I had fun reading it though towards the end it was a little predictable.
What I Thought of the Characters: Here is where I think Rochelle Staab shined. Nick and Liz were great leading characters. I have a thing for smart, geeky, hot men and Nick fit that bill to a tee! Liz was no slouch either and was smart as a whip. They worked really well together. I really liked all the side-characters too except Robin. I am hoping that Robin grows on me if she is in future books. Liz's mom, brother, and the Voodoo Group were all very well-rounded characters. They each added something to the story. In the end, I am hoping we get to see all of them in future installments!
Final Thoughts: Who Do, Voodoo was a charming debut Cozy Mystery and I can't wait to read Liz's further adventures.
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 3.75
Character Rating: 4.25
First Thought when Finished: Who Do, Voodoo? is a super fun read with just the right amount of mystery!
What I Thought of the Case: Who Do, Voodoo? is centered around Robin (Liz's BF) being suspected for a murder that she did not commit. I thought Liz and Nick made a pretty good crime-solving team. Nick was very knowledgeable and patient with Liz. Liz was a very good reader of people and pretty logical. The case was a little twisty/turny and had a wide variety of suspects. The Voodoo aspect was fun and really well researched. I had fun reading it though towards the end it was a little predictable.
What I Thought of the Characters: Here is where I think Rochelle Staab shined. Nick and Liz were great leading characters. I have a thing for smart, geeky, hot men and Nick fit that bill to a tee! Liz was no slouch either and was smart as a whip. They worked really well together. I really liked all the side-characters too except Robin. I am hoping that Robin grows on me if she is in future books. Liz's mom, brother, and the Voodoo Group were all very well-rounded characters. They each added something to the story. In the end, I am hoping we get to see all of them in future installments!
Final Thoughts: Who Do, Voodoo was a charming debut Cozy Mystery and I can't wait to read Liz's further adventures.
karty_v's review
3.0
2.5
Pretty decent book. Loved the supernatural feel of the novel but it was dull in a lot spots and was a chore to finish reading.
Pretty decent book. Loved the supernatural feel of the novel but it was dull in a lot spots and was a chore to finish reading.
chllybrd's review
4.0
WHO DO, VOODOO? Reminded me a bit of Charlaine Harris' Aurora Teagarden series. I really enjoyed the Aurora Teagarden series so WHO DO, VOODOO? had no issues keeping my attention. Liz's best friend is being threatened by a unknown person through the use of Tarot Cards. On top of that the best friend is accused of murder. Liz with the help of a family friend (who becomes more then a friend) Nick set to work on finding out who is responsible for putting this all in motion.
I love a good mystery. I like being able to sort out the clues along with the characters and see into the their heads as they make their guesses while I make mine. I also love books with a touch (who am I kidding a LOT) of supernatural, paranormal, fantasy, etc. I was not sure if the book would be something that would match my reading preferences but WHO DO, VOODOO? had a great blend of supernatural elements and mystery to keep me reading. Liz is a Psychologist so it was fun getting into her head and seeing how she came to the conclusions she came to. Nick was frustrating at times but fit well into his role. They both felt real and well matched. There was some great romantic tension between them. Liz was not a believer in voodoo so I think it made the story a little more interesting. She rejected a lot of things and tried to find logical explanations for them. Liz mom happens to be eccentric and into card reading and all that so it was fun watching their differences play out. The story had a great pace to it and the killer actually ended up being someone I never even considered yet when it was revealed it made total sense. WHO DO, VOODOO? is the first book in a new series from Rochelle Staab and I think this is one any mystery lover will enjoy.
I love a good mystery. I like being able to sort out the clues along with the characters and see into the their heads as they make their guesses while I make mine. I also love books with a touch (who am I kidding a LOT) of supernatural, paranormal, fantasy, etc. I was not sure if the book would be something that would match my reading preferences but WHO DO, VOODOO? had a great blend of supernatural elements and mystery to keep me reading. Liz is a Psychologist so it was fun getting into her head and seeing how she came to the conclusions she came to. Nick was frustrating at times but fit well into his role. They both felt real and well matched. There was some great romantic tension between them. Liz was not a believer in voodoo so I think it made the story a little more interesting. She rejected a lot of things and tried to find logical explanations for them. Liz mom happens to be eccentric and into card reading and all that so it was fun watching their differences play out. The story had a great pace to it and the killer actually ended up being someone I never even considered yet when it was revealed it made total sense. WHO DO, VOODOO? is the first book in a new series from Rochelle Staab and I think this is one any mystery lover will enjoy.
cj_mo_2222's review
4.0
Psychologist Liz Cooper hates the occult. Her mother, Vivian, is always making ridiculous predictions that never come true. However, she does a tarot card reading that seems to have predicted the tragic death of Liz’s best friend Robin’s husband. Now, two years after Josh’s death, someone is tormenting Robin by posting tarot cards with hand-written threats on her door.
Liz turns to family friend Nick Garfield, an expert in the occult, for advice in tracking down Robin’s harasser. Right after Liz and Nick think they have found the culprit, the person is murdered and Robin is the main suspect. Liz sees a different side of her friend when observing her on the job as a representative of an entertainment talent agency. Did her good friend decide to take matters into her own hands?
This is a promising new series with interesting characters. Liz, Robin, and Nick don’t always act predictably which adds to the realism and enjoyment of the book. While Liz and Robin are best friends, they do have disagreements, just as friends in real life do, but they do support each other when times are tough. Nick is a great love interest for Liz. He was always her older brother Dave’s friend, but now that she is divorced, Liz is seeing Nick with new eyes. They make a great team when investigating the threats being made to Robin and then into the murder. However, the relationship between them builds slowly in the book and has the change to grow into something even better in future books. "Who Do, Voodoo" includes an eclectic group of supporting characters from the entertainment business and from the world of the occult that add further interest and entertainment to the book.
Unfortunately, not all of the characters are entertaining or even likeable. Liz’s brother Dave, a Los Angeles Police Department detective, comes off like a jerk. Liz wants his help to look into a potentially dangerous situation and he won’t leave his couch and the football game he is watching to assist. However, he does tell her not to date Nick because she will get hurt. I couldn’t tell if he was concerned about Liz or just controlling. There are a few things that suggest Dave does have Liz’s best interests at heart, so there is potential for this character. One the other hand, I don’t think there is any hope for Liz’s ballplayer ex-husband. Jarret is supposed to be the bad guy, but his antics when trying to win Liz back become irritating and start to detract from the story. Liz’s ditsy, but opinionated mother is even worse. She knows Jarret’s history with drinking and womanizing, yet continues to take his side over Liz, doing whatever she can to throw them together. Even if she has reservations about Liz and Nick becoming a couple, her blind allegiance to Jarret seems to be self-serving and not out of love for Liz.
The voodoo angle of the book and the information about voodoo, hoodoo, and the occult is explained clearly and thoroughly, but remains entertaining. It’s fun to see Liz slowly change from a total non-believer dismissing all of Nick’s theories about the power of voodoo to someone who actually embraces a powerful event she experiences at a séance. The book has a nice balance between the mystical and reality and the result is a fun book with elements of the supernatural that isn’t too far over the top. The debut book in the "Mind for Murder" mystery series is a good one that will appeal to those who like authors Madelyn Alt and Victoria Laurie.
This review was originally written for The Season E-Zine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
Liz turns to family friend Nick Garfield, an expert in the occult, for advice in tracking down Robin’s harasser. Right after Liz and Nick think they have found the culprit, the person is murdered and Robin is the main suspect. Liz sees a different side of her friend when observing her on the job as a representative of an entertainment talent agency. Did her good friend decide to take matters into her own hands?
This is a promising new series with interesting characters. Liz, Robin, and Nick don’t always act predictably which adds to the realism and enjoyment of the book. While Liz and Robin are best friends, they do have disagreements, just as friends in real life do, but they do support each other when times are tough. Nick is a great love interest for Liz. He was always her older brother Dave’s friend, but now that she is divorced, Liz is seeing Nick with new eyes. They make a great team when investigating the threats being made to Robin and then into the murder. However, the relationship between them builds slowly in the book and has the change to grow into something even better in future books. "Who Do, Voodoo" includes an eclectic group of supporting characters from the entertainment business and from the world of the occult that add further interest and entertainment to the book.
Unfortunately, not all of the characters are entertaining or even likeable. Liz’s brother Dave, a Los Angeles Police Department detective, comes off like a jerk. Liz wants his help to look into a potentially dangerous situation and he won’t leave his couch and the football game he is watching to assist. However, he does tell her not to date Nick because she will get hurt. I couldn’t tell if he was concerned about Liz or just controlling. There are a few things that suggest Dave does have Liz’s best interests at heart, so there is potential for this character. One the other hand, I don’t think there is any hope for Liz’s ballplayer ex-husband. Jarret is supposed to be the bad guy, but his antics when trying to win Liz back become irritating and start to detract from the story. Liz’s ditsy, but opinionated mother is even worse. She knows Jarret’s history with drinking and womanizing, yet continues to take his side over Liz, doing whatever she can to throw them together. Even if she has reservations about Liz and Nick becoming a couple, her blind allegiance to Jarret seems to be self-serving and not out of love for Liz.
The voodoo angle of the book and the information about voodoo, hoodoo, and the occult is explained clearly and thoroughly, but remains entertaining. It’s fun to see Liz slowly change from a total non-believer dismissing all of Nick’s theories about the power of voodoo to someone who actually embraces a powerful event she experiences at a séance. The book has a nice balance between the mystical and reality and the result is a fun book with elements of the supernatural that isn’t too far over the top. The debut book in the "Mind for Murder" mystery series is a good one that will appeal to those who like authors Madelyn Alt and Victoria Laurie.
This review was originally written for The Season E-Zine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
parttimebloggerbookgeek's review
3.0
I have mixed feeling about this book. On the one hand I did enjoy it, it was an easy read at only 292 pages, the writing wasn't terrible. On the other hand, things just seemed to prefect, no real conflict among the characters, no real obstacles put in the way of the main character(s) Liz and Nick, hindering their search for the real killer. No false leads to track down. This book hovers between a 2 and 3 star book, if you like cozy mysteries, you'd probably enjoy this book. I'm undecided if I'll continue the series, but this first one didn't completely turn me off to the idea of finding out what happens next which is a plus given the complete book slump I've been in lately.
roary47's review
3.0
This one took me longer than I wanted. It is my first real read of a voodoo themed book so I am glad it informed along the way. There is a few deaths, two of which were because of a curse. I’m not a fan of the main character so probably won’t continue this series.