Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Lipstick Voodoo by Kristi Charish Series: Kincaid Strange #2
Published by Penguin Random House on January 8, 2019
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Horror
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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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...
With the world and characters established, I enjoyed this second book in the Kincaid Strange series even more than The Voodoo Killings.
I feel Kincaid is still so alone. No one, even her friends, seem to help her. Throughout Lipstick Voodoo, I worried who would hurt her or betray her. She seems to constantly have new issues thrown at her and spends lots of time reacting rather than being able to set forth with purpose. For her level of talents, I’m surprised often at how much she doesn’t know. The great thing is there is so much character growth ahead for her.
The plot was like real life, a mish mash of multiple happenings all at once. I love the complexity these layers give. Kincaid had her problem with Nate the zombie/ ghost. Aaron calling her in to work murder cases, for FREE, with the lure of getting back to her police consulting. Gideon providing lessons and tasks for her to learn but also to assist him.
Finally, I feel she and Nate were truly working together. I hope she has her first real ally. Gideon is a conundrum. What is he really about? Sometimes he seems terrifying and evil; sometimes he even acts like a mentor or friend. Aaron was a douche, is a douche and likely will continue to be a douche.
So, this was really exciting and I can’t wait to see what is next for our girl. The ending sets up the next wild adventure. She has so much potential. If she can dump the douche, curb Nate’s worst meanderings, and survive Gideon.
“… There is always corruption in the ruling class. Even in your United States today.”
“Except the US is a democracy where we vote on our leaders. They aren’t elected by their family members.”
Lee made a derisive noise. “Never mind that two families, the Bushes and the Cintons, have appeared in all your elections since 1988 and split the presidency between themselves for twenty years, and the orange man has instated his offspring in positions of power. No, there is certainly no corruption or nepotism occurring in hte choosing of your candidates.”
Giveaway:
About Kristi Charish
Kristi is the author of OWL AND THE JAPANESE CIRCUS (Simon and Schuster Canada/Pocket Books), an urban fantasy about a modern-day “Indiana Jane” who reluctantly navigates the hidden supernatural world, and THE VOODOO KILLINGS (Random House Canada), an urban fantasy/mystery about a voodoo practitioner living in Seattle with the ghost of a deceased grunge rocker.
She writes what she loves; adventure heavy stories featuring strong, savvy female protagonists, pop culture, and the occasional RPG fantasy game thrown in the mix. She’s also a co-host for the Adventures in Sci-Fi Publishing Podcast.
Before becoming an author Kristi was a research scientist. She holds a BSc and MSc from Simon Fraser University in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry and a PhD in Zoology from the University of British Columbia. Her specialties are genetics, cell biology, and molecular biology, all of which she draws upon in her writing. She is represented by Carolyn Forde at Westwood Creative Artists.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Such a great review, Anne. And an author I’m wanting to try. The story sounds intriguing and I do like a strong character that grows as the series progresses.
Thank you Laura! I’m enjoying this series.
Oh yes that’s a series I’m so curious to try!
It’s UF which a favorite and I really am enjoying this series.
This series looks and sounds great. I’ve got it on my TBR. Great review!
This series is just so creative and not quite like others which makes it even more fun. I hope you enjoy it too!
I haven’t read anything by this author yet but I am loving the sound of this series. I am glad you enjoyed this one even more than the first book.
First books can be tough with assimilating all the world building and characters, not that The Voodoo Killings was tough this way. Voodoo is something not in every UF series and I like something new.
New author and series…Yea! Sounds like a great read
It has interesting and unusual paranormal aspects. It’s not like every other UF book. I like that.
This series does sound pretty good. I may need to pick up the first book. Thanks!
I hope you like it. I certainly enjoyed it.
I read the first in her Owl series and enjoyed it. This one sounds good as well.
This is the second in this series and I liked it even better than the first! I’m enjoying it a lot. Thanks for visiting.
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