Poison Makers

by Jimmy Olsen

In Poison Makers , as in Things In Ditches , Jimmy Olsen once again turns the traditional mystery on its head and shakes out stories of diplomats run amuck, deadly Cuban lovers, Caribbean voodoo and New York City car chases. Not a drug dealer, terrorist or serial killer in sight, but a protagonist, Edgar Espinosa-Jones (EJ), a reader can root for. A story that can be dark, but with uncontrived thrills that provoke both laughter and apprehension. Characters appear from the depth of Haitian Vodoun and Catholic Santo Domingo, and are little different from those who live next door to us, even if some are zombies. EJ accepts an assignment from his enigmatic mentor Garrett Yancy to investigate the seemly innocent death of U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Adam Quist. His first job is to interview one of the Ambassador s daughters at a secret rendezvous in Port-au-Prince, Haiti where he is drawn to her by an uncanny intensity as they travel dark streets toward a forbidden voodoo ceremony. Soon after, EJ is in terror for his life, running and hiding until he can find nowhere safe and is forced to make his last stand. Live or die. Poison Makers is anything but the usual mystery. Set in the turbulent 1970s, the Caribbean seethes with political intrigue, revolutionaries, superstition, violence and EJ s own tangled love affairs. With the help of his best friend, a crooked Dominican cop, EJ s split nationality (Dominican/American) and quirky view of life combine to solve the mysteries at whatever cost.

Genres: Mystery

348 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Lisa B.
Jimmy Olsen
Poison Makers ...
August 01, 2014

An incredible mixed genre experience for Adult Mystery fans. I'll read this one, again!

A bokor, or sorcerer, showed him his freshly dug grave. Tears streamed down his face as a pole bent the upper half of his body back. Someone held his head by his hair, while another beat his face. The pain was unbearable. He tasted his own blood. The drums synchronized and reached deafening levels. He could feel hell itself when the blood drinking mambo, or priestess, inserted the powder into his open wounds. Weak and fading fast, he was unable to speak or move. He heard them nailing the lid on his coffin and dirt falling. He was glad he knew God. Shortly after, he no longer existed.

Poison Makers, Jimmy Olsen's Adult Murder/Mystery, is so much more than the genre's normal consistence.
A unique blend of several genres, Poison Makers is worthy of recommendation to all.

Olsen is a fantastic storyteller, with meticulously created characters. His facts about the dynamics of voodoo and zombies seem irrefutable. Outside of research for Poison Makers, Jimmy lived a number of years in the Caribbean, making a home on the island of Hispaniola.

Jimmy's story reveals evidence of the ancient human plague, voodoo, how it can be contracted and that it has nearly no cure. Everyone in Haiti knows of someone who believes in the African dark magic mixed with Catholicism, called Voodoo or Vodoun.

The novel, Poison Makers, begins with it's first death.

The President of the United States appointed Marine Veteran, Adam Quist, as the U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic. One day, Quist died, face down on his desk. With his history of a mild heart condition, the doctor signed the papers with no autopsy. Cause of death, heart attack.

Garrett Yancy's, travel agency, was located in the town of Santo Domingo. Yancy did more than make travel arrangements. He was a well connected businessman and entrepreneur. People trusted Yancy. Rare opportunities presented themselves and Yancy was often able to provide a service. A private client retained him, to uncover the truth of Quist's death. Yancy called upon a reliable associate to assist him, Mr. Edgar Espinosa-Jones, EJ for short.

EJ was young and stunning and reflected everything that people found exotic in Latin men. He attended higher education in the U.S., and grew up with impeccable job ethics from his father, a Dominican tobacco farmer. Clever, with a casual persona and smile, makes EJ believable and enchanting. Fluent in English and Caribbean Dialects, EJ has his own credible connections that allow him access that others didn't have.

Yancy's secret client provided a letter of warning regarding personal safety, a sealed manilla envelope and a large sum of cash. Yancy spoke of his concerns to EJ, like a father to a son. He offered his advice about the dark magic and clasped EJ's, hands, in his own. Before closing the meeting, Yancy gave instructions for EJ to meet with Quist's daughter, Olivia. She would be able to answer some questions and offer more details. Given the place and time, EJ asked how he'd find this woman. Yancy said that wouldn't be necessary, as Olivia had been given a picture of him. Oliva and EJ are in for a ride and the shock of a lifetime.

Olsen expresses the graphic lifestyles of the different layers of daily life in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. As Americans, we have no concept of the livelihood or lifestyle of these beautiful and enduring people. The people and culture are continents away from our own. Their beliefs have ancient roots all over the world including the U.S.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Voodoo is alive and well in the Caribbean during the 70s. Edgar Espinosa-Jones, half American, half Dominican may not be if his stalkers have their way. EJ is investigating the mysterious death of the U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, for his benefactor, an ailing, eccentric, wealthy and powerful man who says voodoo may be involved. A non-believer, EJ is skeptical, but as he digs deeper, is poisoned, and threatened by gunpoint, his investigation takes him stateside to the Ambassador’s funeral at Arlington, to Haiti, New York and back again to have the body of the Ambassador exhumed. He is approached by the nineteen year-old daughter of the ambassador, a product of a strained and distant family who must always keep up the public persona. Poised and confident far beyond her years one moment, and a simple teen struggling to make sense of her father’s death the next, Olivia believes her father was murdered and is determined to get to the truth with EJ’s help. Steeped in superstition, violence and the twists and turns of corrupt government officials, Poison Makers by Jimmy Olsen is a dark journey into a world where zombies may actually exist.
Jimmy Olsen takes us into a world where voodoo rules, its practitioners know the art of concocting untraceable poisons, and danger could be lurking right around the corner where you least suspect it. You won’t find a constant fast pace here, but you will find a gritty look into the darker side of life as seen through the quirky eyes of EJ, an often dry and sarcastic man who craves walking on the wild side of life. I almost felt I was actually taken back in time, to the 1970s, when airport security was more relaxed, Vietnam was a fresh nightmare, and the game of politics was often a life or death issue.

Mr. Olsen fills his work with detailed descriptions, spurts of fast-paced intrigue and a colorful and intriguing dialogue between characters. He paid careful attention to developing even the most inconsequential of characters, because, who knows, perhaps they’ll be needed at the end! I enjoyed this change of pace to many writing styles today, and recommend this to anyone looking for an off the beaten-path journey to the Caribbean and back!

A review copy was provided by the author in exchange for my honest review.

Publication Date: June 15, 2011
Publisher: Hoffman House Press
ASIN: B0056AZHDY
Number of Pages: 348
Genre: Mystery/Intrigue/Adult
My rating: 4 Stars
Available at: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poison Makers by Jimmy Olsen
I agreed to read and review this book as I had just read his other works about diving around the islands.
I have read other books about voodoo in the islands so am kind of familiar but not first hand knowledge. This book described the missing knowledge that made the book not only interesting but a new learning experience.
Was a bit of diving included but I wished there had been more.
EJ is summoned to help find out about Adam Quists death. He is an ambassador for the US. Love how he not only seeks advice and information from the family but others on the islands.
Love all the hidden places-what a treasure the island holds. I can't imagine a party like the one his sisters and mother have in regards to my family-I was laughing so hard when he found out.
The enormity of the poor country hit me when his housekeeper rents a set of teeth for the party as she is the server.
Loved hearing of the Arlington Cemetery as my son was on duty there for a while. Places in NY were cool to read about as I also was in the city in the 1970's.
Love how he follows the clues to the murder mystery and gets in so deep as to what it is all really turning out to be.
Not sure I believe in the life the people were turned into but it did made for a good read.
Very detailed descriptions I felt like I was there with them on their journey.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

The poison Maker is a great read, suspenseful and the plot is good, the character are wonderful, and the description of where it takes place "Haiti" is really good, pretty much like it is , not a place you would want to live.


In this venture back to 1972 the U.S. Ambassador is found dead which is ruled natural Causes. The Ambassadors daughter however does not think this is the case and calls`EJ' Espinosa-Jones who has teamed up with Garett Yancy to go investigate on other occasions. Yancy is sent off with he knowledge of Zomies and Voodoo which he doesn't exactly believe in. EJ finds when they go to exhume the body that it is not there and begins to read the worst. so now can he remain in the living to finish the investigation or will it turn out another way? The menace becomes personal as he and his friend are poisoned, and then his family is interjected into the danger also. Read the book to find the answers.


The poisen maker is a great suspend novel as I said , you are given just enough clues without too many to give away the ending or where the book Is headed. You will enjoy the read without a doubt.





I was given this book for a honest review.

[Dan Downing · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here we have a novel filled with interesting information about voodoo and zombies and Dominican Republic politics as well as the adventures of a particularly stupid man. If the man in question had been half smart he'd have saved himself and others a great deal of trouble. Instead, the reader takes in the information, sees what the 'hero' is doing, and dispairs. How can any one man be so naive, so ignorant and so idiotic?
Anyway, the story was engaging enough to keep me reading but the hoped-for salvation never arrived.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder and mayhem in the idyllic Dominican Republic...things are about to get very sticky, and especially tricky since Edgar Espinosa-Jones, EJ, has been recruited to discreetly determine if a death is just that, a death or a murder or some sort of zombification. Welcome to the Poison Makers, very clever mystery writer Jimmy Olsen’s latest book. Olsen does not churn out yearly novels or mysteries but takes his time and we are better off waiting for his latest gem. Poison Makers is that and much more.
How should I start? A diplomat is dead in the Dominican. In fact, it is the U.S. Ambassador Adam Quist who has been found dead by the servants who we immediately take a dislike to, Dulce and Alejandro. EJ, our intrepid investigator discovers the cast of suspects is huge, mostly scary, ruthless and spans the DR, Haiti, New York and Washington. Dead by natural causes is Adam or voodoo or vodoun/spirits?
If you chose voodoo, you are spot on.
The very first paragraph of the prologue is totally idyllic then wham! Bokors, vodoun, 1970's politics, power, greed, recent revolution (neighbouring Cuba), distrust of U.S. and yes, zombies and the making of such ‘persons’. Who killed Quist, and why, for what purpose? Is it all about that investigation that some very sneaky stealthy people want to kill EJ and Mickey, too? A wild ride page after page begins. I could really have finished this book easily over two days had I not had other things to take care of like the garden, dinner, lunch, laundry, husband, and such!
Olsen sets up the story quickly and establishes most of the characters we truly need to know about early on like his cop pal and bff Mickey; Sonja, a lovely escapee Cuban gal but deadly and ruthless when irked or on a ‘mission’; Carmen, EJ’s loyal but lazy housekeeper who is truly a delightful bit of comic relief; Mr. Yancy, a mysterious ageing Aussie who recruits EJ for ‘certain’ jobs; Olivia, the dead man’s very young worldly daughter...these stand out amongst many characters who come into the story. The lush Caribbean is a dream world at times, with the ocean, the breezes, the bougainvillea and assorted tropical greenery, the skies, sunsets and bliss. Yet, EJ’s early trip with Olivia to Haiti, the DR’s uneasy neighbouring country reveals the opposite of beauty. This is a prominent underlying theme in Poison Makers, the very poor in a badly run country and it is one of those poor women in the DR, Peor, who helps EJ out near the end with a valuable clue.
So many lines, narrative and scenes stood out, so hard to choose one or two to illustrate Olsen’s exceptional writing skills, I marked so many spots to share like, “love dies, of course, if it is not tended.” or the description of Dulce: ...her chubby little butt was encased in tight, bell-bottomed jeans. She wore high-top sneakers. I thought I might be imagining things, but could two people on earth have the posture of a squatting frog? Or this timely line, “We’re at war all the time, did you know that? There is no peace. No love, peace bullshit. No hippie dream world...”
After reading two other works by Olsen, I am well acquainted with his style and wit and excellent narrative skills and pace. This book has everything you want in a stellar mystery: car chases, dark scary strolls through dripping catacombs, fire, guns, grave robbing (and the discovery a certain body is not in it’s coffin!), the perfectly described era in Nixon, Watergate, etc, a very nerve-wracking few days spent on a ledge in a hole in a cave with EJ, and, of course, the zombies and poison makers.
EJ spends many of his lives in this story and survives. He is a wonderful Latino-Americano to root for, warts and all, if you will. His interaction with his oft time lover Sonja and trysts with Olivia are like something from an old timey suspense or black and white film. Classic.
Zombies is really the essential plot of Poison Makers. But the who behind the why of zombies will come as a surprise in the last three chapters. And the end, the very end is, well, superb.
No spoilers, I promise. Here I’ll stop.
But I would encourage you to seek out Poison Makers at your earliest and read it straight through. Impossible to not enjoy it.

[L.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Posted first on Blog Critics as Book Review:'Poison Makers' by Jimmy Olsen.

In Poison Makers by Jimmy Olsen, we are taken into the machinations of an old belief system of voodoo and zombies that still exist today in regions of the Dominican Republic today.

When Adam Quist, U.S ambassador to the Dominican Republic dies, there seems very little mystery. Yet Edgar Espinosa-Joes (E J) is given the assignment to interview his daughter. She seems to believe there is more involved, more at stake then known. E J occasionally does odd investigations for his mentor Garrett Yancy. Yet this investigation is somewhat out of the ordinary.

As EJ has a clandestine interview with Quist’s daughter, he is left with more questions than answers. She believes her father has been murdered–or even worse, turned into a zombie. E J isn’t laughing though, he is from the Dominican Republic and has seen the violence and ceremonies involved with the ages old voodoo movement.

When the grave is exhumed and the body found missing, E J begins to fear the worst. With the help of his best friend, a crooked Dominican cop, he begins the long and dangerous trek of discovery. The menace becomes personal as he and his friend are poisoned, and then his family is interjected into the danger. The drums are beating, drawing him further into peril and madness. He becomes the victim and is pursued as he tries to find the answers. His family carries on with their own antics, while he slips through the clutches of his adversaries, only to find even deeper mysteries.

Can he get to the bottom of this strange and sinister disappearance? Can he keep the Ambassador’s daughter safe as he untangles and age old web of deceit before his own life is forfeit?

Olsen takes you into the heart of a culture that is very different from our own, and yet alike in many ways. There is a hunger and need that many never have to experience that shape the thoughts and beliefs of the people. The descriptions of the events are chilling yet Olsen interjects a bit of the ridiculous which also occasionally draws a chuckle.

His characters are rich in both bravado and flaws, but real to the point of conviction. The humor seems like it would be out of place, and yet it adds character and believability to a strange incredulous investigation.

If you enjoy murder mysteries, and are interested in voodoo cultures and zombies you will find yourself immersed and charmed in the chapters in this novel. It would be great reading for a book club, with a varying set of situations to draw from.

[Liz Terek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jimmy Olsen draws upon his own recollections of Haiti in ‘Poison Makers’ (having met many Haitians while living on the Island of Hispaniola’). In this novel, we venture back to the Haiti of 1972.
U.S. Ambassador Adam Quist has died. To the naked eye & most doctors, the death of this man in his sixties appeared quite natural. Looks can be deceiving & this is such an occurrence. Mr. Quist’s death was a homicide. The why’s are to be determined.
Edgar ‘EJ’ Espinosa-Jones receives a phone call from his associate, Garrett Yancy right around the time of Mr. Quist’s demise. Having teamed up before for many an adventure, EJ is only surprised by what he’ll be looking into this time. It seems Olivia, Adam’s daughter, doesn’t believe that he died of natural causes. She’d like it investigated.
Despite his confusion as to his own involvement in this matter, he agrees. Yancy sends him on his way with some information on voodoo & zombies- neither of which thrill EJ. Although he’s aware of Haiti’s reputation in these areas, he’s not exactly a believer. But to find the truth of Mr. Quist’s departure, he’ll have to confront it head-on. Can EJ close the investigation & remain in the land of the living?
From the beginning, ‘Poison Makers’ is loaded with goose-bump giving suspense. Readers are supplied just enough information to guide us without giving away too many hints of where it is we’re headed. Deep characters abound as is customary with Jimmy Olsen’s novels.
Haiti is portrayed realistically as readers are sure to know that it isn’t exactly paradise there. However, despite the unconventional religions practiced on the island, the residents of Haiti are described respectfully & Mr. Olsen has done right by them.
Great plot, dynamic characters, beautiful descriptions- ‘Poison Makers’ is another 5 star novel from Jimmy Olsen.
I was provided with an eBook copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

[Katherine C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being asked to write a book review is always a pleasure and a privilege. But, it can also be challenge. You want desperately to love every page and to scream out loud “well done” and tell everyone to “read it now”. In this case I am happy to say that is exactly what I recommend. After reading three of Mr. Olsen’s books; The Poison Makers, Things in Ditches and The Hero of Blind Pig Island, and other island stories, I found all of his works of fiction to be skillfully written, descriptive and often pushing me to the edge of my seat. He does not tell the tale of a murder as you would expect and that is what makes his books stand out. The unexpected is welcome and can even be educational. It is the Island book that became my favorite though. The stories of a scuba diver / instructor and the adventures on land and sea soon had me hooked. We are quickly reminded that the sea can be both “friend and enemy”. This collection of stories could only be written by a true adventurer and lover of the sea. Mr. Olsen is a scuba diver, instructor and adventurer himself and that is the key that opens the door to these well written stories. Love, hate, life lessons, loss and island life are depicted in a way that transports you through words. Soon you can almost hear the waves crashing as group of students make their way into the frigid waters. Or the palpable sensation you get in your chest when a boy cries out for his grandfather in rough waters. Or the sadness you feel at the loss of someone’s life and dream. Each story different from the next but written with a pen surely dipped in salt water. Copyright© KatherinesCorner.com

[Ava Rogers]

Published by a small Minnesota press, Hoffman Press, this novel is a gem that readers need to polish by reading. Olsen, reminiscent of faulkner and Hemingway, delivers prose that sweeps the plot into our hearts, and the plot and characters are simply unique and divine. Treading into the field of Voudun, or Voodoo, Olsen does not stereotype but presents clear information that tangles itself into a plot that sizzles. This is one of my best reads of the year. And if you like Poison Makers, don't miss Olsen's previous novel, Things in Ditches. Reminds me of E Annie Proulx in originality. A+ Ava Rogers, The Review Broads

[Theresa Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't know what kind of book I was going to be reviewing before I started. I am not particularly fond of voodoo and vampires. I think this lead to my rating. I also was turned off by the setting. It was not somewhere I could relate to and there was a LOT of information about it.
The book did have a lot of action and adventure and if you like zombies then you would probably like this one.
I preferred Jimmy Olsen's book "Things In Ditches".

I received a copy of "Poison Makers" in exchange for my honest review.

[Kasey Cocoa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good blend of genres with a touch of fantasy and plenty of voodoo. The setting will be more familiar to older readers and a bit strange for younger readers. It's well written with plenty of excitement and vividly described locations. Parts are quite exotic while others are dark and creepy. The overall read is enjoyable and one that is not easy to set aside. While not a typical genre the blending is very well done and makes for an interesting read. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced my opinion.

[Ana · Rating 2 out of 5]

It has a great plot but I was disappointed with the writing. Boring and the author did not build up the suspense. Zombies and voodoo is an amazing topic but it was not descriptive enough. I didn't give it one star because you can tell the author did the research but no spice in the writing. There is action and danger around every corner but it wasn't built up.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an interesting and entertaining combination of mystery, intrigue, politics, scenery and voo-doo. I expected the voodoo element to be handled differently and was pleasantly surprised. The whole book was a pleasure and certainly a worthy read.

[Joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bizarre story. Not what I was hoping it would be or expecting. Could have been better, but still a bit of an interesting story.