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Arthur Case Wu #3
Voodoo, Ltd.
Detective Arthur Wu of Wudu, Ltd. takes on a case involving two kinky British hypnotists and a Hollywood personality who is accused of gunning down her very wealthy ex-fiance
310 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1992
5 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Ross Thomas
58 books170 followersRoss Thomas was an American writer of crime fiction. He is best known for his witty thrillers that expose the mechanisms of professional politics. He also wrote several novels under the pseudonym Oliver Bleeck about professional go-between Philip St. Ives.
Thomas served in the Philippines during World War II. He worked as a public relations specialist, reporter, union spokesman, and political strategist in the USA, Bonn (Germany), and Nigeria before becoming a writer.
His debut novel, The Cold War Swap, was written in only six weeks and won a 1967 Edgar Award for Best First Novel. Briarpatch earned the 1985 Edgar for Best Novel. In 2002 he was honored with the inaugural Gumshoe Lifetime Achievement Award, one of only two authors to earn the award after their death (the other was 87th Precinct author Evan Hunter in 2006).
He died of lung cancer two months before his 70th birthday.
Thomas served in the Philippines during World War II. He worked as a public relations specialist, reporter, union spokesman, and political strategist in the USA, Bonn (Germany), and Nigeria before becoming a writer.
His debut novel, The Cold War Swap, was written in only six weeks and won a 1967 Edgar Award for Best First Novel. Briarpatch earned the 1985 Edgar for Best Novel. In 2002 he was honored with the inaugural Gumshoe Lifetime Achievement Award, one of only two authors to earn the award after their death (the other was 87th Precinct author Evan Hunter in 2006).
He died of lung cancer two months before his 70th birthday.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 2, 2020
it is not the greatest plot but Thomas have so much charm in his characters that you don't put it down. it is witty, it is funny and Thomas is great in painting situations in lovely small episodes and he is clever. it is a smart noir with glimpses on Iraq war in the background.
November 10, 2017
Ross Thomas wrote political thrillers, but that term doesn't quite capture what his books were about; he wrote about spies, he wrote about corrupt politicians, he wrote about con men and gamblers and reporters and other adventurers. What he really wrote about was disillusionment, the shock of ideals meeting the real and sordid world of money and power. A Ross Thomas novel is all about intrigue and betrayal.
This one, set in 1991 as the first Iraq war unfolds, features the ensemble characters who appear in several of his books, the troubleshooting partnership of Artie Wu and Quincy Durant (Wudu, Ltd.) along with sidekicks Otherguy Overby (when the cops come calling, it was always the Other Guy who did it), Georgia Blue (ex-Secret Service agent turned professional femme fatale) and Brook Stallings (the retired terrorism consultant who may be the closest thing to a self-portrait Thomas produced). Wudu Ltd. (its mispronunciation by a German client gives the book its title) is in the business of getting rich people out of jams while keeping them out of the newspapers. They have their work cut out for them in this one, as Ione Gamble, the Hollywood star, is about to go on trial for killing Billy Rice, the billionaire fiance who jilted her. Even she doesn't know if she's guilty, as she was in an alcoholic blackout on the fatal night; a blackmailer claims to have evidence that will send her to the gas chamber. Brought in by her lawyer to make it all go away, Wu and Durant go to work and soon find that nobody is to be trusted, perhaps including individuals on their payroll. It all plays out in Malibu and similarly atmospheric L.A. settings, and there are twists, angles, deals and corpses galore. The humor is dry, the dialogue crisp, the logic implacable. Nobody did intrigue better than Ross Thomas.
This one, set in 1991 as the first Iraq war unfolds, features the ensemble characters who appear in several of his books, the troubleshooting partnership of Artie Wu and Quincy Durant (Wudu, Ltd.) along with sidekicks Otherguy Overby (when the cops come calling, it was always the Other Guy who did it), Georgia Blue (ex-Secret Service agent turned professional femme fatale) and Brook Stallings (the retired terrorism consultant who may be the closest thing to a self-portrait Thomas produced). Wudu Ltd. (its mispronunciation by a German client gives the book its title) is in the business of getting rich people out of jams while keeping them out of the newspapers. They have their work cut out for them in this one, as Ione Gamble, the Hollywood star, is about to go on trial for killing Billy Rice, the billionaire fiance who jilted her. Even she doesn't know if she's guilty, as she was in an alcoholic blackout on the fatal night; a blackmailer claims to have evidence that will send her to the gas chamber. Brought in by her lawyer to make it all go away, Wu and Durant go to work and soon find that nobody is to be trusted, perhaps including individuals on their payroll. It all plays out in Malibu and similarly atmospheric L.A. settings, and there are twists, angles, deals and corpses galore. The humor is dry, the dialogue crisp, the logic implacable. Nobody did intrigue better than Ross Thomas.
August 28, 2024
In spite of the odd name, I thought this was a wonderful book. Of course, I think that about all of the Ross Thomas books, and even the relatively bad ones are very good compared to most other similar books. Add to this the fact that the audiobook is narrated by George Guidall, one of my favorite narrators.
There is a wonderful set of characters, who interact so well. They're all either smart or just devious, and usually manage to come out on top of any trouble along the way, and of course there's always trouble. In this story, many of the major characters end up dead, and some of our heroes almost do the same. It was so good, I want to immediately start this series over again, as I first read the the early books years ago and only remember I liked them. In fact, I totally understand one reviewer I read who wondered why he didn't just read these books over and over.
There is a wonderful set of characters, who interact so well. They're all either smart or just devious, and usually manage to come out on top of any trouble along the way, and of course there's always trouble. In this story, many of the major characters end up dead, and some of our heroes almost do the same. It was so good, I want to immediately start this series over again, as I first read the the early books years ago and only remember I liked them. In fact, I totally understand one reviewer I read who wondered why he didn't just read these books over and over.
January 21, 2025
Compitino
Gli altri romanzi di Ross Thomas, sempre con la coppia Artie e Quincy, li ho apprezzati. Vuoi per la trama o per la caratterizzazione, vuoi per l'umorismo o la capacità di non rendere noiosa l'inazione, sono sempre riusciti ad acchiapparmi.
Qui invece, non riuscendo a trovare nessuna delle peculiarità di cui sopra, mi sono quasi annoiato, avvolto dalla sensazione di avere tra le mani nulla più di un compitino.
Gli altri romanzi di Ross Thomas, sempre con la coppia Artie e Quincy, li ho apprezzati. Vuoi per la trama o per la caratterizzazione, vuoi per l'umorismo o la capacità di non rendere noiosa l'inazione, sono sempre riusciti ad acchiapparmi.
Qui invece, non riuscendo a trovare nessuna delle peculiarità di cui sopra, mi sono quasi annoiato, avvolto dalla sensazione di avere tra le mani nulla più di un compitino.
August 5, 2022
I would happily read another 20 Wu and Durant books but alas (and there’s a very good “alas” joke in the series) Ross Thomas only gave us three, of which this is the last. Each one is wildly different in plot while steeping the reader in the machinations and quirks of the motley not-quite-Robin-Hood-like (but sometimes almost) con artists are whose exploits they chronicle.
September 17, 2019
I could read 100 more Wu-Durant books. Thrilling, witty and impossible to put down. Everything you want in a noir-style thriller.
June 18, 2021
I really enjoyed this book for a couple of reasons. First, it's a nice time capsule of 1990s Southern California. Thomas does a great job of recreating that time and place. Maybe not recreating, because he wrote it then, but it still feels new. Second, I think the character ensemble in this book is great. I just realized this is the third book in a series so maybe the first two books add more color to the characters but you don't need them to read this book. I jumped right in and had no problem following along. But, now that I know, I feel like I need to go read those other books.
The plot is probably a little beyond belief but it's nothing crazier than you normally find in these types of books. Thomas is really really good with dialogue which helps drive the story forward. I recommend this book. It's probably a great summer read.
The plot is probably a little beyond belief but it's nothing crazier than you normally find in these types of books. Thomas is really really good with dialogue which helps drive the story forward. I recommend this book. It's probably a great summer read.
Read
July 13, 2019It's Los Angeles during Iraqui War of 1991. Artie Wu's finances are low, so when German entrepreneur Enno Glimm (who pronounces Wudu, Inc as Voodoo, Ltd.) shows up offering money, Artie gathers the gang - Otherguy Overby, Quincy Durant, Georgia Blue (just out a Phillippines jail), and Booth Stallings - to go to Malibu where Ione Gamble is accused of killing her ex-fiancee millionaire Billy Rice. Gamble knows she was at Rice's house that New Year's Eve, but has no memory of the murder because she was drunk.
Gamble's attorney, Howard Moody, has hired two British scammer hypnotists to try to get at the truth. They disappear and eventually blackmail Gamble for tapes they say prove she admitted the murder under hypnosis. Wudu Ltd rents Rice's house as headquarters; put out the word that they're looking for salacious videos; and start throwing money around to attract attention.
Interesting bit players include Colleen Cullen, owner of a sawed-off shotgun, who runs an inn which is a hideout for crooks, a place to buy guns, and a hideout for the hypnotists. It is also the place of a showdown between Georgia Blue, Quincy Durant and Otherbuy Overby which leaves both Cullen and the blackmailer Jack Broach, Ione's Gamble's manager and attorney, who has embezzled money from Gamble. He admits before he dies that there were no tapes.
Another player, who turns out to be critical, is Rick Cleveland, a has-been actor who lives across the street from Billy Rice's house, who is bitter about Rice building a monstrosite house that ruined his view. He claims to have seen Gamble's car at Rice's house two times the night of the murder. Stallings traps Cleveland into admitting the murder by renting an expensive car identical to Gamble's.
Gamble's attorney, Howard Moody, has hired two British scammer hypnotists to try to get at the truth. They disappear and eventually blackmail Gamble for tapes they say prove she admitted the murder under hypnosis. Wudu Ltd rents Rice's house as headquarters; put out the word that they're looking for salacious videos; and start throwing money around to attract attention.
Interesting bit players include Colleen Cullen, owner of a sawed-off shotgun, who runs an inn which is a hideout for crooks, a place to buy guns, and a hideout for the hypnotists. It is also the place of a showdown between Georgia Blue, Quincy Durant and Otherbuy Overby which leaves both Cullen and the blackmailer Jack Broach, Ione's Gamble's manager and attorney, who has embezzled money from Gamble. He admits before he dies that there were no tapes.
Another player, who turns out to be critical, is Rick Cleveland, a has-been actor who lives across the street from Billy Rice's house, who is bitter about Rice building a monstrosite house that ruined his view. He claims to have seen Gamble's car at Rice's house two times the night of the murder. Stallings traps Cleveland into admitting the murder by renting an expensive car identical to Gamble's.
May 16, 2019
This is the third and, alas, final outing for Ross Thomas' tough and delightful soldiers of fortune, Artie Wu and Quncy Durant, and I was sad to see them go. The first two books, "Chinaman's Chance" and "Out on the Rim," are both funny and unpredictable. This one had some funny moments, but the plot is all too predictable, focusing on a murder mystery that's not much of a mystery.
A famous actress is accused of murdering her ex-fiance. She submits to hypnosis to help her recall what happened that night. Then the hypnotists disappear. Wu & Durant's company, WuDu Ltd., is hired by the man who provided the hypnotists to track them down and figure out what happened. (He's the one who mispronounces the company name as "Voodoo.") Artie and Quincy recruit the same gang of allies who populated "Out on the Rim": terrorism expert Booth Stallings, ex-Secret Service agent Georgia Blue and the one holdover from the first novel, con man extraordinaire Maurice "Otherguy" Overby.
They rent the murder victim's own beach house and set to work. Prety soon it's obvious what happened to the hypnotists, a couple of the slimiest characters Thomas ever invented. Meanwhile, well before the book's end you'll figure out who the killer was.
As I finished the book, I wondered if Thomas didn't write any more Wu-Durant stories because he'd grown bored with inventing adventures for them. It's too bad because they're fun characters, but if this plot was the best he could come up with for them, then perhaps it's best they faded away. In the meantime, I'm moving on to other Thomas novels, trying to work my way through all of them this year.
A famous actress is accused of murdering her ex-fiance. She submits to hypnosis to help her recall what happened that night. Then the hypnotists disappear. Wu & Durant's company, WuDu Ltd., is hired by the man who provided the hypnotists to track them down and figure out what happened. (He's the one who mispronounces the company name as "Voodoo.") Artie and Quincy recruit the same gang of allies who populated "Out on the Rim": terrorism expert Booth Stallings, ex-Secret Service agent Georgia Blue and the one holdover from the first novel, con man extraordinaire Maurice "Otherguy" Overby.
They rent the murder victim's own beach house and set to work. Prety soon it's obvious what happened to the hypnotists, a couple of the slimiest characters Thomas ever invented. Meanwhile, well before the book's end you'll figure out who the killer was.
As I finished the book, I wondered if Thomas didn't write any more Wu-Durant stories because he'd grown bored with inventing adventures for them. It's too bad because they're fun characters, but if this plot was the best he could come up with for them, then perhaps it's best they faded away. In the meantime, I'm moving on to other Thomas novels, trying to work my way through all of them this year.
January 1, 2018
Why hasn’t anyone made a movie of these books? Artie Wu and Quincy Durant come to the rescue of Ione Gamble, actress, director and murder suspect. Of course they assemble a team that includes Georgia Blue and Otherguy Overby. I think I have to get a cat just so I can name it Otherguy Overby.
This book was slender, like That F’ng Durant and did not disappoint. It was less complicated than Out on the Rim, but nuclear physics is less complicated than the Rim. The only sad part of Voodoo Ltd. is that it’s the last I’ll ever read of Artie, wise, benevolent Buddha of larceny that he is. Although I’ve been looking for a real life tall, dark and mysterious Durant all my life, it’s probably best for everyone’s safety that I’ve yet to meet him. Would it hurt me to read it again? I’ll let you know.
This book was slender, like That F’ng Durant and did not disappoint. It was less complicated than Out on the Rim, but nuclear physics is less complicated than the Rim. The only sad part of Voodoo Ltd. is that it’s the last I’ll ever read of Artie, wise, benevolent Buddha of larceny that he is. Although I’ve been looking for a real life tall, dark and mysterious Durant all my life, it’s probably best for everyone’s safety that I’ve yet to meet him. Would it hurt me to read it again? I’ll let you know.
December 23, 2023
This is the third and, sadly, the last of Ross Thomas's novels featuring Arthur Wu and Quincy Durant, after Chinaman's Chance and Out on the Rim. Wu and Durant could best be described as "operators" who are into a little of this and a little of that and, usually, a whole lot of trouble.
In this case, the two have established a firm in Britain, Wudu, Ltd., and the book's title comes from a German character who pronounces the company's name as "Voodoo, Ltd." Wudu Ltd. specializes, or would have one believe that they specialize, in protecting the reputations of wealthy people who may find themselves in compromising situations.
The story takes place in 1991 as the Gulf War is under way, and the prospective client is a beautiful American actress/director named Ione Gamble who is found sitting in a chair in the fabulous home of her very wealthy ex-boyfriend in Malibu. Unfortunately, she is holding in her lap the gun with which her boyfriend had just been shot. Even worse, Ione was in an alcoholic blackout at the time and has no idea whether she actually shot the guy or not.
Gamble is quickly indicted for the killing and released on bail. Through a couple of intermediaries, Wu and Durant are engaged to fly to Southern California and save her and her reputation from the consequences of her actions. To do so, they will again engage the services of Otherguy Overby, Booth Stallings, and Georgia Blue, all of whom have appeared in earlier of these novels and none of whom is completely trustworthy.
The cast also includes a couple of shady hypnotists, unscrupulous Hollywood agents, sharp-eyed lawyers, a completely bizarre innkeeper, and a very cute rental car agent. The plot has several great twists and turns, crosses, double-crosses, and maybe triple-crosses. It's smartly written and funny as hell, and is probably one of Thomas's best books. I was very sorry to see it end, especially knowing that I would not see these characters in a new story again. A solid 4.5 stars.
In this case, the two have established a firm in Britain, Wudu, Ltd., and the book's title comes from a German character who pronounces the company's name as "Voodoo, Ltd." Wudu Ltd. specializes, or would have one believe that they specialize, in protecting the reputations of wealthy people who may find themselves in compromising situations.
The story takes place in 1991 as the Gulf War is under way, and the prospective client is a beautiful American actress/director named Ione Gamble who is found sitting in a chair in the fabulous home of her very wealthy ex-boyfriend in Malibu. Unfortunately, she is holding in her lap the gun with which her boyfriend had just been shot. Even worse, Ione was in an alcoholic blackout at the time and has no idea whether she actually shot the guy or not.
Gamble is quickly indicted for the killing and released on bail. Through a couple of intermediaries, Wu and Durant are engaged to fly to Southern California and save her and her reputation from the consequences of her actions. To do so, they will again engage the services of Otherguy Overby, Booth Stallings, and Georgia Blue, all of whom have appeared in earlier of these novels and none of whom is completely trustworthy.
The cast also includes a couple of shady hypnotists, unscrupulous Hollywood agents, sharp-eyed lawyers, a completely bizarre innkeeper, and a very cute rental car agent. The plot has several great twists and turns, crosses, double-crosses, and maybe triple-crosses. It's smartly written and funny as hell, and is probably one of Thomas's best books. I was very sorry to see it end, especially knowing that I would not see these characters in a new story again. A solid 4.5 stars.
May 23, 2024
The third book of the series is a comedown from the first two, particularly the greatness of Chinaman's Chance. All the regular characters are here (Wu, Durant, Overby. Blue, Stallings) and all as engaging as ever, and Ross Thomas' prose is strong. But the story itself is far less satisfactory.
Durant continues to (unprofessionally) have sex with his female clients, which seems less likely every time it happens.
The author introduces a new, potentially interesting character, and casually kills them off for no particular reason.
And primarily ... and speaking as someone who does NOT read mysteries to try to figure out whodunnit ... the identity of the master criminal was completely obvious, and their death had absolutely no emotional payoff.
Worth reading to check in with the characters, but not for much else.
Durant continues to (unprofessionally) have sex with his female clients, which seems less likely every time it happens.
The author introduces a new, potentially interesting character, and casually kills them off for no particular reason.
And primarily ... and speaking as someone who does NOT read mysteries to try to figure out whodunnit ... the identity of the master criminal was completely obvious, and their death had absolutely no emotional payoff.
Worth reading to check in with the characters, but not for much else.
January 21, 2024
This is one of those pot-boiler reads where the characters and plot flow along unbelievingly smooth but you don't care because it all feels so incredibly comfortable. I would have loved to have read more of their adventures but it was somewhat fitting that it ends the way it does.
February 21, 2024
Wu and Durant (WuDu) are hired to help a movie star who has been accused of murder. And of course they assemble the usual gang. This is another 5 star effort from Thomas who can create the most intricate and fascinating plots around. Highly recommended.
July 25, 2024
Ross Thomas's books are so hard to track down. A local library had Voodoo, Ltd., a nice romp with Wu and Durant hired to find a couple of vanishing hypnotists who may or may not be blackmailing a Hollywood star. Lots of humor in this byzantine plot and, of course, a high body count.
February 22, 2019
Damn fine!
February 19, 2021
Another great thriller by Ross Thomas, master storyteller. Interesting characters, good dialogue, murder, blackmail, and double crosses.
May 3, 2020
Fun & well-written.
December 27, 2025
This is the third time I have read this but as the last time was 26 years ago I did not remember the story at all though I did remember some inconsequential scenes. This book features the main characters from "Out on the rim" but is set five years later mainly in southern California.
The story is more straighforward with no political intrigue and deals mainly with murder and blackmail though as ever there are plenty of twists and turns before the end. It's a shame the author died three years after he wrote this so there would be no more books featuring these characters but for me this is probably my favourite book of his.
The story is more straighforward with no political intrigue and deals mainly with murder and blackmail though as ever there are plenty of twists and turns before the end. It's a shame the author died three years after he wrote this so there would be no more books featuring these characters but for me this is probably my favourite book of his.
June 7, 2014
This book was fun, but very unrealistic and a little difficult to follow. Artie Wu and his partner Quincy Durant take on a possible blackmail situation in Los Angeles involving an actress/director accused of murdering her wealthy ex fiance. Other characters include a female ex FBI agent who has just been released from jail in the Philippines. There are lots of deaths and fast action. It wasn't really clear to me why the German financier was funding the entire episode, but thousands of dollars are bouncing back and forth.
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July 1, 2009I'm now reading this book a second time. About 14 years ago, I read four of Ross Thomas's novels and liked them all. They're very intelligent, complex thrillers with well-rounded characters and fascinating plot twists. They're also set in Southern California, not far from where I live, so the familiar settings make them even more enjoyable to me.
June 22, 2017
As usual, Thomas's humor works on a number of levels, providing everything from tiny smiles to side-splitting laughter. The thing I love about his books is that they work as a quick read, because you can follow the plot and get some of the humor, but they also work as a slower read because there's so much subtlety in the plot and the comedy. Thomas sometimes even makes his punctuation funny.
June 20, 2012
One of the greats. Thomas could put a story together and keep you reading until the sun comes up. He created mood, great characters, and told it the way it is. It's almost like a handbook for the real world and it's wicked ways. No wonder he was the head honcho for the Mystery Writer's of America. He could weave a yarn.
March 1, 2015
A quick, slick read with the snap that likens it to Soderbergh's Ocean's 11, and just enough cynical political commentary to know that Mr. Thomas spent his fair share of time in Washington. Thomas is an author for those who like questionable heroes who drink their whisky with a little bit of water, and rarely feel conflicted about a double-cross.
November 15, 2015
Should be a 4.5 star but I don't know how to do that. Nobody beats Thomas for tight prose. Solid mystery story and the only things I disliked about it was it was set in the 90's and there was no McCorkle/Padillo banter; not that it lacked sarcasm. From any other author I may have gone with 5 stars.
March 7, 2014
The inimitable Ross Thomas--murky situations, great characters, and snappy dialogue. Artie Wu and his merry band of mercenary friends try to sort out a blackmail attempt in Los Angeles. It's all a bit over the top, but who cares? It's fun.
books-abandoned
September 23, 2014As with the other Ross Thomas books I have begun and failed to finished, I am impressed by his technical skill as a storyteller, but have no interest in his characters or in the story Thomas tells. I lasted in this one for more than a third of the way, but giving up was a relief.
August 15, 2009
While still a good read, Voodoo, Ltd. does not have the plot intricacies of Chinaman's Chance and Wu and Durant no longer have the novelty that was compelling in that first adventure.
November 16, 2017
A fine offering from a unique writer
October 10, 2011
I'm sad that Ross Thomas was only able to write three books about Wu, Durant, and friends.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews