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August 28, 2008
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| Black Magic Woman by Justin Gustainis | Reviewed by Harriet Klausner |  | Publisher: Solaris
http://www.solarisbooks.com
ISBN: 9781844165414
Genre: Fiction
Subgenre: Fantasy
Release date: Jan 2008
Format: Trade
Pages: 336
Price: $15.00
| It is in Quincey Morris's blood to be a supernatural investigator; because, after all, his great-great-grandfather was one of the people who helped destroy Dracula. After cleaning out a nest of vampires in a small Texan town, he gets another client. Walter La Rue believes his house is haunted and whatever is there is trying to kill him, his wife, and their children. When Quincy examines the house, he notices charms made by Walter's mother-in-law that would keep the inhabitants from being cursed. When she died the charms lost their powers.
He consults with white witch Libby Chastain, who gets information on the charms and what is targeting the family. They learn that the descendents of Bridget Warren are being cursed by the descendents of Sarah Carter, who was convicted of being a witch due to Bridget's testimony. Sarah was burned to death; and her present day kin, Christine Abernathy, will stop at nothing to kill the La Rues, Quincey, and Libby. A magic practitioner from South Africa is in the United States killing children to make for Christine a fetish that will allow her to achieve that goal. Inspector Van Dreenan, who has a personal score to settle with his country's black witch, helps the FBI agent in charge of the case understand what they are dealing with. Libby and Quincey become Christine's targets; and both almost end up dead, which would leave the La Rues at Christine's mercy.
Urban fantasy lovers who enjoy the works of Kim Harrison, Tanya Huff, and Jim Butcher will thoroughly appreciate Black Magic Woman. Quincey and Libby risk their lives to protect humans from the evil supernatural; both protagonists are so personable and selfless that readers will want to read more of their escapades. Justin Gustainis must own a magic word processor to create such a well-thought-out, entertaining, and creative work. | | |
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