Dog Days of Voodoo

A Malveaux Curse Mystery #1

by G.A. Chase

Absolutely nothing stands between a woman and her beloved dog… not even the malevolent force of a voodoo curse.
Kendell Summer, lead guitarist for Polly Urethane and the Strippers, has always been interested in the unexplained. So when she sets off on a paranormal research romp with Myles, a former classmate, to explore his skills in psychometry, she’s ready for a little adventure. But she gets more than she bargained for when her Lhasa apso, Cheesecake, is dognapped. Kendell will do whatever it takes to get her dog back.
While rescuing the pup, Kendell and Myles learn that the touristy glitz of New Orleans’ voodoo shops hides a dark history few understand—a truth that some in the city plan to use for their own gain.
Soon they uncover more than they ever wanted to know about New Orleans’ unsavory past and a curse that threatens to change everything. Only Kendell can prevent the evil they’ve uncovered from doing more damage, but she’ll need Myles’s support and psychometric abilities—and the vigilance of the ever-watchful Cheesecake.

Genres: Mystery, Paranormal, Cozy Mystery, Amazon, Ebooks, Romance, Fantasy

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 17, 2017

About the author

Greg Chase AKA G.A. Chase, is a science fiction/paranormal mystery author and glass artist living in New Orleans with his wife, fellow author Deanna Chase.


Librarians note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Louie the Mustache Matos · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dog Days of Voodoo is a pretty rough read. I was expecting a cozy murder mystery with a New Orleans backdrop and a voodoo subplot. Instead, I got a scatter-brained story that involved mystery and intrigue, but only in the most superficial and ancillary way. I hate to be snarky, but I don’t believe that the writer had a very clear idea as to what he wanted to say and do with his tale. The characters are uninteresting, self-absorbed, and flat. The story that involves some supernatural elements, should have/would have been scary in more capable hands. I read the entire story, but it was a mostly joyless experience. I’ve read worse, but I don’t want you to take the two-star rating as any sort of a recommendation. It is not. I just know that some writers live and die by the rating, and I can tell that this writer was trying to do something (although I'm not sure what that objective was), so I refuse to be a heartless jerk-wad no matter how joyless this experience may have been for me. My one-stars are for those stories that appear as if the writer is simply going through the motions.

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dog Days of Voodoo by G.A. Chase is a fun mystery with a cursed object involved. A crazy caper with lots of fun twists and a funny little doggie too. A cute book, good mystery, and I will certainly be looking for book 2. Lighthearted enough to be semi-cozy mystery, suspenseful enough to be a serial mystery, cursed object/psychic and other paranormal stuff to be great for the fantasy I love to make it just the right kind of read for me. NO romance, so that made it even better! I get so tired of romance having to be in every paranormal book! UGH! This was nice to leave it out! Just the paranormal mystery with people working together without jumping into bed together! Thank you! Thanks NetGalley for letting me read this great book!

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give Dog Days 2.5 stars, it was rough going in the beginning but picked up as it went along.

I was surprised when I started reading the book, I would not have requested Dog Days from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review based on how it started. However, the first chapter was compellingly written and I was really getting into it's rather macabre subject. Then BAM, we're
switched to something else getting no further information on what went on in the first chapter. That is my first big negative especially at the beginning of the book, scenes cut so abruptly I had to go back and read the end of the previous scene to see if I missed something. I also felt the author didn't clearly set up Kendell's situation and what/why she wants from Myles.

When the actual story line started it didn't really thrill me, but as I mention in the title of the review, the writing smoothed out, more details were given and I liked how the story line was developing.

I would only recommend this book with reservations (normally 2 stars), but I liked it so much more by the end making the last half closer to 3 stars, so I'm splitting the difference. If you do decide to pick this one up, and have the same initial reaction as I did, I'd recommend giving it a little more time. Because of my mixed response, I would consider reading the next book in the series if available on Netgalley, but wouldn't spend $4.99.

BTW, if you're expecting a light, fluffy, possibly funny cozy type of PNR based on the cover, I think you'll be a little disappointed. It's not really dark, but more mainstream than light and fluffy and very minimal on romance.

[Cass · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5/5

[Goth Gone Grey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paranormal Genealogy

Written with a love of New Orleans and all that it contains, this is more a paranormal genealogy lesson than a paranormal mystery or romance. There are three lead characters - not a love triangle, but Cheesecake the dog is mentioned as much as the human leads. A pipe tool with bad juju is found, and most of the book is finding the history behind it and the family line that contained it.

While I understand the purpose of establishing characters, personalities, and quirks to start a series, this one dragged a bit more than I'd like. There seem to be more characters than necessary, to the point of being a bit overwhelming, and much more talk than action. The ending didn't seem to match the rest of the book.

I enjoyed the paranormal skills of reading objects, and the band name, Polly Urethane and The Strippers, complete with individual matching names, is pun-tastic.

[Nadishka Aloysius · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like cozy mysteries. So when I saw this I thought - well I haven't tried a voodoo themed one set during Mardi Gras. I've half-read a LOT of crappy witch mysteries but never one like this. So I decided to give it a shot.
I liked the two main characters Kendall and Myles and their relationship. The story moved quite fast and there were enough 'hooks' to keep it interesting.
But... that ending! (scream in frustration!!!) There WASN't a solution to the mystery! A who-done-it without a who!
Obviously the author wants everyone to buy his next book to find the answer - but it was frustrating!

[Sharkie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well... okay, the book is fine. There's very little editing/grammar/spelling mistakes to be found, which is great.

Butttttt I found it boring. The story just felt hollow to me, and throughout the entire thing it was focused on things I really didn't care about. And the ending was just... ugh. It was bland, and didn't really fix anything.

I feel like it really had potential, and that it could be a great book to a lot of people. I'm just not the target audience, I guess.

(Also the lack of dog-adventures and real voodoo things was disappointing.)

[DelAnne Frazee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Dog Days of Voodoo - A Malveaux Curse Mystery Book 1
Author: G. A. Chase
Publisher: G.A. Chase
Published: 3-18-2017
Pages: 250
Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
Sub-Genre: Psychics; Animals; Supernatural; Cozy Mystery
ISBN: 9781940299402
ASIN: B06XQP4HF1
Reviewed For NetGalley and G.A. Chase
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 4.75 Stars


Absolutely nothing stands between a woman and her beloved dog… not even the malevolent force of a voodoo curse.

Kendell Summer, lead guitarist for Polly Urethane and the Strippers, has always been interested in the unexplained. So when she sets off on a paranormal research romp with Myles, a former classmate, to explore his skills in psychometry, she’s ready for a little adventure. But she gets more than she bargained for when her Lhasa apso, Cheesecake, is dognapped. Kendell will do whatever it takes to get her dog back.

While rescuing the pup, Kendell and Myles learn that the touristy glitz of New Orleans’ voodoo shops hides a dark history few understand—a truth that some in the city plan to use for their own gain.

Soon they uncover more than they ever wanted to know about New Orleans’ unsavory past and a curse that threatens to change everything. Only Kendell can prevent the evil they’ve uncovered from doing more damage, but she’ll need Myles’s support and psychometric abilities—and the vigilance of the ever-watchful Cheesecake.


New Orleans is known for its supernatural happenings, such as ghost. There is also the mystical religion of Voodoo wrapped in its mystique. Rich in history and culture, New Orleans has been the setting for many of my favorite paranormal series and has never failed to deliver spine tingling atmosphere.


Dog Days of Voodoo does not disappoint. Filled with suspense and humor.. Chase has used his talent with words to bring the scenes to life. Smell the rich aromatic coffee, taste the beignets and the over powering vegetation of the bayou. They are all there on the page waiting to pull the story to alive in their imagination. There is humor, love and suspense.


My rating of "Dog Days of Voodoo" is 4.75 out of 5 stars.


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[Sharon Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dog Days of Voodoo is the first book in the Malveaux Curse Mystery series by G.A. Chase. Absolutely nothing stands between a woman and her beloved dog, not even the malevolent force of a voodoo curse. Kendell Summer, lead guitarist for Polly Urethane and the Strippers, has always been interested in the unexplained. So when she sets off on a paranormal research romp with Myles, a former classmate, to explore his skills in psychometry, she’s ready for a little adventure. But she gets more than she bargained for when her Lhasa apso, Cheesecake, is dognapped. Kendell will do whatever it takes to get her dog back. While rescuing the pup, Kendell and Myles learn that the touristy glitz of New Orleans’ voodoo shops hides a dark history few understand—a truth that some in the city plan to use for their own gain. Soon they uncover more than they ever wanted to know about New Orleans’ unsavory past and a curse that threatens to change everything. Only Kendell can prevent the evil they’ve uncovered from doing more damage, but she’ll need Myles’s support and psychometric abilities—and the vigilance of the ever-watchful Cheesecake.

Dog Days of Voodoo is not a cozy mystery, it is not too heavy but it is certainly more in depth than a traditional cozy. I feel like readers get a good understanding of the main players, and the city. However, I do feel like we could have gotten a bit more about Kendell, she seems just a little too understanding and perspective, almost perfect, for the situations she finds herself in. Myles was a little more fleshed out in my mind, I feel like i came to understand him a little bit more. I found the mystery surrounding the curse, and the family ancestry was well developed, and believable with the type of power some families still wield in certain areas. I found the danger and adventure that Myles and Kendell dealt with the be well done and entertaining. I do think it started off a little slow, but once things got going it stayed fairly well paced. I liked the fact that while friendship developed between the main characters, they hinted at the possibility of more but romance never became the main focus of the story, but remained a background thread that occasionally came through inner thoughts but never overwhelmed te rest of the story.

Dog Days of Voodoo is a good start to a new series. There was a slow start, and the series promise some series political and family dynasty drama alongside the mystical mysteries. I think there are many people that are looking for mysteries with this combination of magic and danger, but without the cozy feel.

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 2 out of 5]

Miles had paid for the charter and wanted to dive where they were. He told Vanessa there was a WWII plane sunk in the water and he saw the plane and it was down in the water in this location. Myles told Vanessa and Charlie they had agreed to come with him and he said if there was nothing down there they would spend the next day diving wherever Vanessa and Charlie wanted to. Kendell reread the article in the alumni paper. She didn’t care about the story but recognized the guy with the couple in the picture. He had shared a class with Kendall. He too had fallen for a made up college class. The class had been the dumbest mistake a music student could make. Kendall loved her guitar and could play from classical music to david Bowie. Kendall decided to call Myles. Myles sat in the funky coffee shop lined with books. Frenchman’s Street wasn’t one of Myles’s usual New Orleans hangouts. Myles tried to place the spunky girl behind the counter-Kendall. Apparently they had went to college together. It had taken all Myles’s time and energy to get his Archaeology degree. Kendall thanked Myles for meeting with her. Myles said it was no problem as he worked in the Quarter as a bartender. Myles said he had always been lucky finding things. Kendall said “if you can’t explain what you did could you show me”? Myles told her he didn't know if that would work. Kendall said they could take it on as a scientific experiment. For someone that was just learning about how energy affects them kendall was remarkably perceptive. Kendall had a gig that night she was in a band called Polly Urethane and The Strippers. Kendall adores her elderly dog named Cheesecake but then she’s dognapped and Kendall was determined to get her dog back. Then there is a murder that looks like a tragic accident because of the cursed object Kendall and Myles had found. There are a lot of mysteries and curses around the Voodoo Shops in New Orleans.
I wasn’t crazy about this book. I thought from the cover it would be more light hearted. There were a lot of twists and turns.This book dragged for me. It just didn’t give me what I was looking for at the time. I will say the second half was a little better than the first half as far as reading this went. I just found this a little boring for me and had problems keeping my attention on what I was reading unfortunately. I am sure other will enjoy this a lot more than I did this book just wasn’t meant for me.

[Alia Therese Lazo · Rating 3 out of 5]

History is just a mystery waiting to be solved

Kendell believes that an object leaves behind energy that could help a person learn its history yet she hadn’t been able to prove it yet until she finds Myles. A guy who is able to see the energy.

Wanting to prove that she is right, she drags Myles into a pawn shop and buys the object that interest her the most. An ordinary pipe.

As soon as Myles reads the energy, a mystery as old as the town itself begins to boggle them. Will they be able to solve?

Kendell is an interesting character. She’s quite, passionate about a few things specially her dog cheesecake and an introvert by morning. At night, she rocks her bass guitar in her band at joint houses. I love how she never gave up on solving the mystery despite the dangers they encountered.

Myles had some weird power of being able to see into an objects past if he concentrated enough. As a person, he was loyal and was always ready to help.

The writing was great. Though there were times when I was confused by some sudden change of events like the first chapter. At first they were out at sea finding a mysterious object then next their meeting in a coffee shop. What exactly happened to the object they were looking for in the first chapter? More importantly, how did they even meet each other?

I liked how their relationship started with being partners rather than both of them falling in love quickly. The romance was subtle yet enough to keep me smiling every time something romantic happened.

The Mystery itself was complicated and I liked how their investigations lead them to weird places. That said, the mystery about the family was confusing and I didn’t really remember the whole family history. More details would have been helpful in keeping track of the family history.

[Jae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dog Days of Voodoo is the first installment in GA Chase's "Malveaux Curse" mystery series. Story is told in third-person pov, and the perspective alternates between the main characters, Kendell and Myles.

Kendell is a barista and the lead guitarist for the girl band Polly Urethane and the Strippers. She's always been interested in the paranormal, and when she learns that Myles, a former classmate of hers, may have psychometric abilities, she looks him up and asks him to explain and demonstrate his talent. When visiting an antique shop in search of an item that Myles can read, they come across a small pipe tool that Myles is drawn to. From reading the object, Myles sees that a young girl died while handling it. Her death was ruled a suicide, but Myles isn't convinced she meant to kill herself. As Kendell and Myles begin asking questions about the tool, they come to the attention of some of New Orleans' less than savory denizens, one of whom steals Kendell's dog, Cheesecake. Now it's up to Kendell and Myles to rescue the dog and learn the truth behind the Malveaux Curse.

I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this book. I enjoyed the characterizations, the paranormal elements, and the burgeoning relationship between Kendell and Myles. However, the plot did not flow in a smooth fashion, there was precious little action except for their quest, and no overall resolution. This is just the first in a series, so we can expect more resolution in future installments. I hope.

It was a fun story, but conflicts were resolved quickly and without much in the way of building suspense. Not a bad read, but nothing exceptional about it, either. Average score.

[Kat (Ginger Bibliophile on YouTube) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but nothing to write home about. A pair of post grads in New Orleans find an item in an antique shop that Myles feels a psychic energy from. After taking a joke of a class about human energies in objects, and sometimes feeling like he's reliving past deaths when near certain things, Kendell decides to buy the pipe tool to test him. Big mistake, they spend the rest of the book trying to pretend they aren't interested in each other like a pair of high school kids and delving into ancient family history of some of the more affluent and evil families over the past century or two, especially after a dognapping and a murder that looked like a tragic accident thanks to the cursed object. If you're big into history, I guess this would be amazing, but it's mostly voodoo and dirty laundry of entitled society.

[Rosemary K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kendell Summer has an adventurous spirit. She's interested in psychometry and when she runs into an old college classmate, she decides to try an experiment. Can Myles discover facts from touching the antique pipe bowl of Baron Malveaux? The answer is yes. The Voodoo Curse is alive and well. Now these two now must find a way to stop the evil from killing more victims. I like Kendell. She's feisty and won't back down from danger. After all she has her Lhasa apso, Cheesecake, and Myles to protect her. He likes being with Kendell. They are developing a romantic bond which I enjoyed. Myles flashbacks added to the suspense. The story is well written and filled with danger. I liked the characters as well as the curse and murder. The author did a good job with the setting and the atmosphere I'm looking forward to the second book in the Malveaux Curse mysteries.

[Jewel Prescott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story

The characters are written so you will fall in love with them. The plot was interesting and fun. The only thing I disliked was the hate words about the fortune tellers, lumping them all together referring to them as fake was distasteful to me for two reasons...1) I hate stereotyping and 2) as an energy reader who actually works in Jackson Square in the French Quarter giving spiritual advice to people using tarot cards, palms, aura readings and crystals and stones, I felt like this book was calling me and all other energy workers and book learned readers fake. Do not get me wrong there are fake readers here along with all over the world but to stereotype all of us as fake is hurtful and tasteless.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dog Days of Voodoo was my first book by GA Chase so I truly had no idea what to expect. From the cover though I thought I would be reading a funny, quirky paranormal mystery. I’m not sure that is how I would describe it though. I found the beginning to be slow going, with a little pick up through to the end. The characters are engaging, with Kendell and Myles finding an intriguing artifact. Can't forget Kendell's dog named Cheesecake, who is dognapped! Mysteries and curses abound in the heart of New Orleans' Voodoo Shops. I voluntarily reviewed Dog Days of Voodoo as an advanced copy from the author. 3.5/5

[scifiladygj_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This first book in the Malveaux series if fun. If you know New Orleans, it makes it more fun. A lot of intrigue, history, and some bad mojo make the read interesting and well worth the read. If you can suspend your beliefs, it is better. This is the type of book that begs your indulgence and yet carries with it a believable search and outcome. I especially enjoyed the search into ancestral records. That has become quite the rage these days and this book gives a look into ways to search for geneaology records. Of course, what would a story set in NOLA be without some aspects of the culture...ie Mardi Gras, curses, partying, etc. All of this makes the book a good read. Well done!

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is just not for me. I so wish that I could have loved it, but honestly, I just couldn’t. Don’t get me wrong: It’s not a bad book in fact, there are several aspects of this story that was great! The storyline was interesting and quite unique. The premise holds so much potential!! And it has potential, for me it just missed that little something that would have transformed it from “alright” to “fantastic”. Partly, I think it’s the lead characters that feel too “flat” for my personal preference. The beginning was a bit all over the place, and I suppose the writing style took a while for me to get used to. Again, sorry to say but this was not for me.

[Bette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mystery is set in New Orleans. The main characters Myles and Kendall are exploring Myles psychometry ability. They find a pipe knife in an antique store that Myles reads, it shows him the death of a child. Where did the pipe knife come from?

I generally don’t buy cartoony book covers because I have found them to be over-the-top cozy mysteries that have no substance and are just irritating. But, I chose this to meet the criteria of a challenge, and I am glad I did.

Clever writing with a plot that just drew me in and now I am going to have to purchase more of the series.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first G.A. Chase book but I realized as I read more about the author that I have read several books by his wife Deana Chase. Kendall and Myles take you on a fun trip around New Orleans trying to solve the Malveaux Curse. They met as students but soon learn they have a connection that neither can quite put a name to. Throw in Kendall's dog name Cheescake and you have an adventure waiting to happen.

Dog Days of Voodoo is a fun, easy read. The mystery takes you through history to learn about the curse. Recommend if you are looking for a light read.

[Amy Hannagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this isn't my usual genre to read, I was pleasantly surprised. The writing was good for the most part but a touch convoluted in places. Some scenes I felt as though I was missing something. But I loved the sense of humor about the story and the mystery that had me keep turning the pages. And I enjoyed it well enough to happily read the next in the series. I really enjoyed the characters. Kendell and her band Polly Ethuline and the Strippers are really fun. I believe Myles will lose some of his stuffiness. And never count Cheesecake out! This is a truly fun read.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting concept

An interesting concept for a book story. Kendall purchases an antique pipe tool that, history says, has a curse on it. Kendall meets up with Miles who can read the energy of objects like Kendell's pipe tool. He did a reading on it and found its already caused one young child to comment suicide and a woman killed herself in front of people with this tool. How can Kendall and Milesi prove that these were both murders before they get caught up in the curse and killed?

[Carole Mckee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Page Turner

Although not a fan of the paranormal or supernatural, I found this story to be quite intriguing. I get the impression that there is a lot of paranormal activity in New Orleans, where this story takes place. In this book you will find mystery, action, intrigue, and murder. But there is also a subtle but if romance. I truly believe the perfect relationship starts with friendship and a common cause. If meant to be, ends up in romantic love. This couple starts out like this, and they become good friends. I really enjoyed this one.

[Nicole Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light and entertaining

In this story, New Orleans is just as much a character as the human (and canine) ones. Which was fine with me, as I’m fascinated by her southern, genteel, but not-afraid-to-get-her-hands-dirty ways. I thought the story was pretty good, in a light sense, well plotted, and good characterization. It danced the line between witchcraft, the X-Files, and Men in Black, but finally accepted its voodoo heritage near the end. I look forward to reading the next story in the series.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boy meets girl. Boy and girl meet cursed object. Boy, girl, and object run around New Orleans investigating family lines and the source of the curse. The story was interesting enough. The writing just seemed a tad lacking in polish. The timing of the story sometimes felt just a bit off. it wasn't a bad story. Certainly not the worst thing I've read this week ... but I don't feel inspired to run out and get the next book in the series.

[Lonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keep reading or delete?

For me, the book was okay. The female lead was annoying at times as were her interactions with her dog. Maybe I'm just not a dog person. She meets a guy with psychic abilities of reading inanimate objects, coercing him to read what turns out to be a cursed item. They in turn work together to uncover the mystery of the curse. Rather than deleting a story i invested so much time in, I elected to see it through. Sorry, no more in this series for me.

[nora m malotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dog Days of Voodoo

As I usually go for what I refer to as HARD SUPERNATURAL HORROR THRILLERS I must admit it, I truly enjoyed this VOODOO MYSTERY. The story line , the mystery and yes, the romance were all part of the fun read and I also got quite a bit of knowledge regarding searching into cursed objects, which I had never before given a thought to. Something others might find interesting too. So ENJOY ! I RECOMMEND.

[Michael Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, Enjoyable, Paranormal Mystery

This looks to be the start of a great series. A young couple reunite after meeting at University (at a paranormal class, for which they were both denied credit), as both remain fascinated by the paranormal, specifically the ability for objects to retain energy. This is relatively light and enjoyable read on a dark area. I look forward to reading more.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

[Sharon M. Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cheesecake and Voodoo!

This will be a series to follow. New Orleans at its best or worst? Two people who were students at one time in New Orleans get together and compare sensitive feelings and as a test they go to an antique store and focus on an old pipe cleaner that belonged to an old important family. The things that follow leave the reader wondering. Dog? Yes, there is a dog that plays an important part in the story. Read on. I'm going to.

[Krystyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The object of desire or revenge

Great start! Does psychometry exist? Can an object be induced to be evil and seek out to kill certain people? A really nice different start to a series and the hero and heroine display all the normal human reactions ie disbelief. The dog is a masterstroke and adds even more dimension to the book. For all who want to read a "novel" paranormal cozy mystery. This is definitely for you.