The Foreign Exchange by Veronica G Henry – a Review

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Description:
A Vodou priestess turned amateur sleuth investigating a ritual murder is embroiled in an insidious case of corruption that reaches beyond the shadows of New Orleans.

After solving a crime blamed on Vodou in New Orleans’ French Quarter, Vodou priestess turned amateur detective Reina Dumond has returned to her benevolent work as a healer. But when her friend and enigmatic client Evangeline “Vangie” Stiles comes to her for a spell, Mambo Reina quickly realizes what Vangie really needs is a sleuth.

Something is amiss in the Stileses’ marriage. Five thousand dollars has inexplicably appeared in the bank account Vangie shares with her scam-artist husband, Arthur, and she smells trouble. So does Reina. Especially when her investigation into Arthur’s likely new con leads to murder. Considering the manner of death and the signs on the victim’s body, Reina recognizes it for what it is: ritual magic of the vodouisant kind.

As Reina digs deeper, she encounters a conspiracy exploiting vulnerable youth—one of whom may have abilities just like hers. With the help of her friends Darryl and Tyka, Reina must hone her ever-evolving skills to uncover a mystery that reaches further than she imagined.

Review:

The Foreign Exchange by Veronica G. Henry is the 2^nd book in her Mambo Reina series.  I did not read the first book, but this one read very well as a standalone; though knowing more about the heroine in this series, would have been more informative.

Reina Dumond (Mambo Dumond), a Vodou priestess, who is a healer, as well as an amateur detective in New Orleans French Quarter.  Reina creates spells, tinctures of protection for her clients, as her shop is filled with magic Vodou healing traditions. When her friend and client ask for help regarding her husband, Arthur, who is scam-artist, Reina finds herself once again trying to solve a murder. She discovers a conspiracy, and recognizes the signs on the murdered victim’s body that dark ritual magic was used.  Reina will ask for help from other Houngans and Mambo’s in her investigations.

Reina comes across a young boy, who to her surprise, seems to have abilities like her and Lucien.  When the boy disappears, the race is on to find him, and together the two of them can help train him.  I really liked her friends Darryl and Tyka, who are always willing to help her.  Roman, her cop boyfriend, has been busy on the job, so she relies more on her friends for help.

The Foreign Exchange was a unique story, taking place in New Orleans dealing with Vodou and a mystery, in an excellent urban fantasy/paranormal thriller.  I really liked Reina, who was tough and smart heroine, with amazing abilities. There was so much going on, that you need to read this in its entirety.  The Foreign Exchange was very well written by Veronica G. Henry.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publicist