Rochelle StaabRecensioni

This was a nice diversion from my ordinary reads. I do love a good paranormal cozy mystery. And while I did like this book, I didn’t like it enough to finish the series. Liz is a psychologist who disdains any type of hookom. Her mother likes to read tarot cards, and now her best friend is being terrorized with them. The terror leads to muder, which leads Liz on a hunt for a killer. She will require the assistance of occult specialist Nick, while trying to stay out of her detective brother’s way. As a reader you have to pay attention to the various types of Voodoo, Vodou, and Hoodu, as they are used differently in different area and do pertain to the crimes. Overall, it was a fun read, but it easily dates itself, and it doesn’t really make you like the characters enough to revisit them.
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As some who is a practicing pagan I found the book rather offensive in tone. The main character is annoying and smug. Also as a native Los Angelean I found her it rather appalling in the illegal cell phone use while driving. Since it is quite clear she is using the handset and not using a handsfree device especially driving down Laurel Canyon. Are you nuts?

I won this book through First-Reads!

Someone before me shelved this book under the heading of "cozy-mystery"... I think that pretty much describes this book to a tee. This is the second book in the series (the first being [b:Who Do Voodoo|10740056|Who Do, Voodoo? (A Mind For Murder Mystery #1)|Rochelle Staab|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1311280197s/10740056.jpg|15651065]) and although I'm unfamiliar with the first book, that didn't cause me too much difficulty in reading this one.

Basically, a professor of Comparative Religion and a Psychologist are dating one another and get wrapped up in a complex case of murder and desirable real estate when their mutual friend, Paco, is killed. The police aren't making much headway on the case, and when Paco's widow hexes the town things get far nastier, as everyone blames her for whatever ills come to pass.

The writing is good, and the plot moves fast. The information bandied about regarding Santeira and its history was certainly fascinating, and the book is not without humor. The mystery itself was pretty good, although certain aspects of it I saw coming.

This book is an entertaining, cozy mystery that is perfect for the summer months. It won't take too long for anyone to read, and I'd be surprised if anyone didn't find at least a few of the jokes in it something to smile at.

This was a light & semi-interesting read....

But since I didn't care for the characters, I really can not remember their names.....

So Friend 1 & friend 2 come hone to Friend 2's house to find an odd tarot card on her door.... Then a 2nd tarot card shows up. The two cards are the same as showed up in her her husband Josh's reading just before his fatal car accident....

Next another card shows up as well as a photo of Friend #2 with pictures of voodoo snakes across it.

After some "investigation" they find that Voodoo "princess" is pissed because she believes that Friend #2 has been poisoning her boyfriend's mind against her....

When VP turns up dead after a huge party, Friend #2 is arrested....

Friend #1 continues to investigate and comes across a fake "medium", a group of the VP's "friends" who have all purchased "amulets" for various spells from VP, a few angry spirits... as well and a bunch of pushy men "friends"...

Meh, the story was ok, but as I said, I didn't really like or ever warm up to the characters, they were all pretty shallow & lame.

This was a good cozy mystery. The author could have gone haywire with the Santeria connection in the story, but she kept it simple. She did not make the religion seem comical. I know very little about Santeria, but the author captured the confusion people seem to have about the customs and practices. The mystery was predictable, but it was still a quick, fun read.

This book was a Goodreads giveaway.

Sorry, I couldn't get into it. I guess I expected more.

An entertaining first novel, Murder She Wrote with a light dose of magic. The magic is in the form of voodoo as Liz Cooper tries to help her best friend, Robin, who finds threatening tarot cards pinned to her door. Liz is a shrink who is a skeptic and author Rochelle Staab spends plenty of time bringing her lead character around to the reality of the voodoo curse she's dealing with so she can face it head-on. The story is an interesting puzzle, not particularly scary, and quite entertaining.

Ok, I really enjoyed this book, but I have to say the killer was screamingly obvious towards the end - like it could have ended several chapters sooner, but it seemed like the author had more to say so she kept her characters in a state of temporary stupidity until she was ready.

Beyond that, a great story - not quite as much woo woo, although the murder has a very occult spin to it. But it was restricted to the murder itself, so we don't have to read about Liz's refusal to have an open mind, which was an irritant to me in the last two books. I like Nick and the rest of the cast; they're all fun to read. I especially love that Ms. Staab doesn't feel the need for a nemesis, or a love triangle - thank you.

I was a little bit on the fence about this series after the second book, but this one has me eagerly awaiting the next book.

Great first book! Really loved the lore behind the plot and really found the whole book interesting. Good characters with room to grow (although I found the mom to be silly and annoying). I look forward to book 2.

I started this book, got half-way through the first chapter and then put it down again for weeks. Can't really explain why, but when I picked it up again I was immediately absorbed in the story. While the basis of the plot centered on a Santaria hex, the investigation of the mystery really didn't include a large amount of information about Santaria, which I would have enjoyed. Still, it was a very good mystery with a lot of kinks to keep you guessing who exactly the culprit was. I like Liz more now than I did in the first book, although I still want to smack her mother and tell her to mind her own business. I'll be looking for book 3 with anticipation.

Paco and Lucia Rojos are practice Santeria along with their Catholicism. They hold a big party to celebrate their 60 wedding anniversary. There is a drive by shooting which plunges Lucia into shock and Lucia puts a hex on everyone in the neighborhood. Some unfortunate things happen and people are beginning to hate Lucia for the hex. She is called bruja which is witch in Spanish.

We have the some of the same characters from the first in the series, Liz Cooper, divorced psychologist, her friend Robin Bloom and Liz’s ex-husband and Nick, her love interest and professor of occult religions. He adds to the knowledge of those particular religions but this book is not paranormal and that is partly why I love it. We learn some of the history and the practices of Santeria.

Rochelle Staab gets you hooked on the story early on and doesn’t let you go. She is a master storyteller. There is a little romance but there are some troubles in Liz and Nick’s relationship. Lucia is an excellently drawn character with the woman in a strong state of denial and yet she is a very strong woman.

I loved this second installment of this series and hope to read the third in the future. I wonder what occult religion will be featured. I checked and there are at least 42 occult religions. That could make for a very long series!

“Who Do Voodoo?” is the first in a cozy series by Rochelle Staab. I don’t usually like books with a paranormal slant so I was a little bit leery of this cozy. But I loved the cover so I decided to plunge in. Clinical psychologist Liz Cooper gets together with her best friend, Robin Bloom. They have known each other since the 5th grade so when Robin gets an ominous tarot card attached to her front door, Liz Cooper thinks it must be a prank. But when Robin gets more of the tarot cards and gets hang up phone calls, Liz gets worried. Liz goes to her brother Dave for help and he refers her to Nick Garfield, an occult specialist and a professor in religious philosophy. Together they set out to determine where the cards are coming from because they are not the usual kind of Tarot cards sold by dealers. When one of the people who they interviewed about the cards gets murdered and Robin gets detained and later held as a suspect, the two have to find the real killer fast.

This book has been well researched on a type of Hoodoo that originates in New Orleans or black magic and Voudo, an Afro-Haitian religion that has its roots in West Africa. Neither one is related to tarot cards. I have previous done some reading on religions of West Africa so I was really pulled into the book when I got to that explanation.

The characters are realistically portrayed and the book keeps you reading to find out what was going to happen next. Nick Garfield becomes a romantic interest that both Liz’s mother and brother are cautious of and they warn Liz against him. I didn’t guess the killer until the news was broken at the end. I am eager to read the next in this series, Bruja Brouhaha. That book is already sitting on my shelf ready to read.

I highly recommend this cozy to cozy fans including readers who don’t care for books with an occult theme.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. It was a fast read which is why I love cozies. But, I may or may not read the next book in this series.

I think my biggest issue with this book is that Liz does not act like a psychologist. At all. I have read too many books in which the main character is a psychologist and Liz does not measure up at all. I'm not saying that psychologists can't also believe in ghosts, but her acceptance of something otherworldly happened way too fast.

The mystery was interesting and I have to say, I saw it coming a little too soon. But that's okay. I still enjoyed watching Liz and Nick solve it. As for Nick, his character was a little too perfect for me. I have a problem with perfect characters.

I also really enjoyed learning the difference between voodoo, Vodou, and hoodoo. Nick is a religion and philosophy professor and so I really enjoyed it when he was giving Liz lessons.

If you are looking for a fast book to read that is entertaining, you should give this book a try. You may like it.

In Staab’s mystery novel, psychologist Liz Cooper and her significant other Nick Garfield are at a Dodger’s game with her parents celebrating her father’s birthday—a very welcomed break from all the home renovations she’s up to her neck in. Among the thousands of baseball fans filling the stands, two stand out—an ex-friend from her married days and her ex-husband currently sitting in the Dodger’s bullpen. Baseball players are superstitious to the core and when Jarrett violates one of his superstitions while on the way to the mound, a series of incidents unroll one after another including a murder at his house with everything pointing to Liz as the murderer.

A spellbinding who dunnit that includes a blast from the past and a cryptic homicide clue. Another fabulous installment to the A Mind for Murder series.

This is the first book in the new series A Mind For Murder from first time author Rochelle Staab.

Even though I'm not into Voodoo, the subject matter is well handled to appeal to any mystery reader. Stabb does an excellent job of explaining about Voodoo and it's history. I enjoy reading a story and at the same time learning something new.

Liz Cooper is a psychologist, because of her profession she is not necessarily a believer in the occult, even though her mother is a reader of tarot cards. Liz,and her best friend, Robin, are mourning the two anniversary death of Robin's husband. When they arrive at Robins home they find a tarot card similar to one Robin's husband had gotten the night before his death from Liz's mother. A couple more cards are received and it is suggested that Lix contact Nick Garfield, a professor of religion and occult.

As Liz is beginning to learn about the occult, Robin's boss' girlfriend is murdered after they had had a major disagreement. The victims blood is found on Robin's purse and Robin is arrested. Now Liz and Nick in earnest dig into the occult surrounding this event. It seems that the dead girl had conjured some spell and some of the people she had occult dealings with. Two of who have already died. It is up to Liz and Nick to find a way to have these spells removed.

Very much looking forward to the next book in the series.

Hex on the Ex is the 3rd book in the A Mind for Murder Mystery series.

Lix Cooper is not really looking forward to attending Cubs-Dodgers baseball game. Yes it is her father's birthday, that's good. But on the other hand her ex, Jarrett, is the star reliever for the Dodger's and the ex friend, Laycee, that caused the breakup of Liz's marriage will also be in attendance. As Liz goes to get drinks, she literally runs into Laycee spilling the drinks on Liz. Liz's parting words to Laycee were you're dead to me.

The next morning Liz needs to stops by Jarrett's to pick up a box of books that has been in his garage since their divorce. Shortly after arriving home, she sees on the TV that Laycee was found dead in Jarrett's bedroom. Having been seen leaving Jarret's home, Liz immediately becomes a person of interest, as does Jarrett.

The baffling thing for everyone is the strange symbol that is found on Laycee. Liz enlists the help of Nick, her boyfriend, to learn what the symbol represents, while she is looking into what illegal activities are going on at a local gym that Jarrett is a part owner of and if there is some connection to the murder.

Another exciting addition to his series. I will be looking for the next book when it comes out.

I had this on my to-read list for quite awhile and was excited when I won it in the Goodreads first reads giveaway. As I am always looking for a new series to add to my TBR pile, I was hoping this book would fit the bill. I am extremely happy to say it did. Mystery, paranormal elements, likeable characters, this book had it all. If you are not a fan of paranormal elements, don't be afraid to pick this up, however. They don't overwhelm the reader. All in all, this is a wonderful, well-plotted, cozy mystery with occult/paranormal elements. Pick it up today!

BRUJA BROUHAHA is a clever title that fits this book perfectly. The bruja (witch) in question is Lucia Rojas who puts a hex on her neighborhood to avenge her husband's murder in front of their home. Soon after, the residents begin blaming her hex for every misfortune that befalls them. Lucia refuses to lift the curse, believing it is the only thing that will bring Paco's killer to justice.

Fearing that their elderly friend will become the target of an angry mob, Liz Cooper and Nick Garfield step in to help. Liz is a psychologist who works weekends at the clinic across from Lucia's building, and Nick is a professor of religious studies specializing in the occult.

When one of the doctors at the clinic goes missing after Paco's wake, Liz and Nick start digging for clues to see if the disappearance could be connected to the murder. If the two incidents are related, then there may be more to Paco's death than random gang violence.

BRUJA BROUHAHA is a fantastic follow up to WHO DO, VOODOO. This time around, the religion of Santeria is explored. I enjoyed how the author blended Santeria beliefs, practices and history into the story. This is not a paranormal mystery, though supernatural elements are explored. Practical Liz doesn't want to believe in things like hexes, but she's quick to wear an anti-hex protection bracelet made by Lucia. ;-)

The characters in this book are all engaging and well-drawn. I definitely get the sense that I know them and care what happen to them. Nick and Liz make a great couple, and their relationship progresses in this book, though they've got important issues to work through.

BRUJA BROUHAHA is a smart, well-written mystery and an entertaining continuation of the series. I can't wait to see what's next for Liz and Nick!

Review copy courtesy of the publisher.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

I've been eagerly anticipating the release of WHO DO, VOODOO, ever since it showed up on my radar two months ago. The story is set in and around Hollywood. As a psychologist, Liz Cooper prides herself on being logical and level-headed, so when someone pins threatening voodoo-themed tarot cards on her friend Robin's door, she assumes it's a prank. Robin is scared that it may be much more, so Liz contacts her brother's old friend, Nick Garfield, for help. Nick is a professor and an expert in the occult. While Liz and Nick set out to find the owner of the unique tarot cards, a young woman is murdered, and Robin is the prime suspect. Liz is faced with the possibility that she may need supernatural help in solving the case.

WHO DO, VOODOO is an impressive debut from Rochelle Staab. I thought that the occult aspects of this story were so interesting and well-researched. This book offered a fresh and unique approach to paranormal cozy mysteries. I learned the difference between Vodou, voodoo and hoodoo, and the inner workings of spells and curses. The solid mystery combined with supernatural elements captured my attention. I liked the characters; they seemed very genuine, and there was a nice romance forming between Nick and Liz. Liz's mother was a pistol, but she made for some funny moments. WHO DO, VOODOO is the first book in Ms. Staab's Mind For Murder series, and I'm looking forward to more!

I received my copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

BRUJA BROUHAHA is a clever title that fits this book perfectly. The bruja (witch) in question is Lucia Rojas who puts a hex on her neighborhood to avenge her husband's murder in front of their home. Soon after, the residents begin blaming her hex for every misfortune that befalls them. Lucia refuses to lift the curse, believing it is the only thing that will bring Paco's killer to justice.

Fearing that their elderly friend will become the target of an angry mob, Liz Cooper and Nick Garfield step in to help. Liz is a psychologist who works weekends at the clinic across from Lucia's building, and Nick is a professor of religious studies specializing in the occult.

When one of the doctors at the clinic goes missing after Paco's wake, Liz and Nick start digging for clues to see if the disappearance could be connected to the murder. If the two incidents are related, then there may be more to Paco's death than random gang violence.

BRUJA BROUHAHA is a fantastic follow up to WHO DO, VOODOO. This time around, the religion of Santeria is explored. I enjoyed how the author blended Santeria beliefs, practices and history into the story. This is not a paranormal mystery, though supernatural elements are explored. Practical Liz doesn't want to believe in things like hexes, but she's quick to wear an anti-hex protection bracelet made by Lucia. ;-)

The characters in this book are all engaging and well-drawn. I definitely get the sense that I know them and care what happen to them. Nick and Liz make a great couple, and their relationship progresses in this book, though they've got important issues to work through.

BRUJA BROUHAHA is a smart, well-written mystery and an entertaining continuation of the series. I can't wait to see what's next for Liz and Nick!

In Staab’s mystery novel, practical psychologist Liz Cooper and occult professor Nick Garfield are enjoying the sixtieth wedding anniversary celebration for friends, Paco and Lucia Rojas, who own the historic Botanica Rojas near MacArthur Park. Regardless of the festivities, the evening ends in tragedy.

Blaming escalating crime in the area, Lucia casts a vengeful hex on the neighborhood, leading strangers and friends both to nickname her bruja—Spanish for witch—and turn on the elderly woman. Now in harm’s way, Lucia must rely on Nick and Liz to solve a mysterious disappearance, murder and betrayal.

A sexy, funny, supernatural, engaging whodunit. A great addition to the A Mind for Murder Mystery series.

Read from August 26 to 29, 2012

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.

First Line: Nick Garfield, my boyfriend and college professor of mainstream, arcane, and bizarre forms of religion, took four chunks of unshelled coconut from the Santeria altar and set them in my hand.

Practical psychologist Liz Cooper and occult professor Nick Garfield are celebrating the sixtieth wedding anniversary of their hosts, Paco and Lucia Rojas, devout Santeria practitioners who own the historic Botanica Rojas near MacArthur Park in Los Angeles. The evening turns to tragedy for the small group of friends when Paco is killed in a drive-by shooting.

Lucia, completely devastated by her loss, blames the locals for the growing crime in the area, and she casts a hex on the neighborhood. Strange things begin to happen, accidents are on the rise, and Lucia's neighbors begin calling her "bruja" (witch). They turn on the elderly woman who's always been their friend, and they want her gone.

With the way the locals are behaving, Lucia is definitely in harm's way, and it's up to Liz and Nick to solve Paco's murder before anything happens to Lucia.

I often hear talk of a "sophomore slump" when referring to the second books in series. These second books allegedly tend to be weaker than the first, but that most certainly is not the case with Bruja Brouhaha. Two minor annoyances in the first book were not present in the second (Liz's preoccupation with the color and application of her lipstick, and her mother trying to get Liz back with her alcoholic ex-husband), and I quickly settled down to a very enjoyable read.

The Santeria religion is an interesting one, and I wish there'd been a little more about it in the book, but Staab does an excellent job of showing the behavior of its practitioners and how their beliefs color their perceptions. This series is not a paranormal one; the author focuses on a little-known religion in each book, giving a bit of its history and how it is used by its followers. This allows Nick to flex his professorial muscles while Liz puts her knowledge of psychology to good use.

I liked seeing how a group of people banded together to help a grieving, elderly friend while they still kept their own lives going. Liz, for example, gets notice that she has to move out of her condo, so on top of job and Lucia, she's got that worry to contend with.

I found that I could spot the villain(s) in the book rather quickly; what I couldn't do was piece everything together to know the why. I found myself reading faster and faster in a fruitless effort to figure things out before Liz and Nick. I've grown to enjoy the company of those two; I love learning about little-known religions; and I love watching Liz's mind for murder solve a mystery. When's the next book?