Voodoo Shanghai: A Kincaid Strange Novel

Kincaid Strange #3

by Kristi Charish

The third and final installment in Kristi Charish's thrilling urban fantasy series finds beloved heroine and voodoo practitioner Kincaid Strange shanghaied away from Seattle, and pursuing the ghost of a serial killer in Portland.

Just when Kincaid Strange thinks her life is back on track and she's finally put her time as a paranormal practitioner with the Seattle PD to rest, her ex (and Seattle cop) Aaron asks her for help with yet another strange and ominous case. Martin Dane, the White Picket Fence Serial Killer who terrorized West Coast families living the suburban American dream, appears to be back at it with a fresh murder in Portland. There's only one problem: Dane has been dead for three weeks.
     Kincaid can't resist a paranormal mystery. Despite her misgivings, she agrees to examine the Portland crime scene. What she discovers is a place of supernatural power unlike anywhere she's ever been--and the reason Aaron had been so tight-lipped about the case details. There's already a voodoo practitioner on the scene: Liam Sinclair, a TV celebrity of questionable talent and dubious intent.
     Kincaid wants nothing more than to finish the job and retreat to Seattle, but the deeper she looks, the less the murder adds up. When she uncovers a much more sinister mystery--missing ghosts, scores of them, whom no one is looking for--there's no turning back.
   

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Zombies, Canada, Audiobook, Supernatural, Mystery

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 18, 2020

About the author

Kristi is the author of OWL AND THE JAPANESE CIRCUS (Simon and Schuster Canada/Pocket Books), an urban fantasy about a modern-day “Indiana Jane” who reluctantly navigates the hidden supernatural world, and THE VOODOO KILLINGS (Random House Canada), an urban fantasy/mystery about a voodoo practitioner living in Seattle with the ghost of a deceased grunge rocker.

She writes what she loves; adventure heavy stories featuring strong, savvy female protagonists, pop culture, and the occasional RPG fantasy game thrown in the mix. She’s also a co-host for the Adventures in Sci-Fi Publishing Podcast.

Before becoming an author Kristi was a research scientist. She holds a BSc and MSc from Simon Fraser University in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry and a PhD in Zoology from the University of British Columbia. Her specialties are genetics, cell biology, and molecular biology, all of which she draws upon in her writing. She is represented by Carolyn Forde at Westwood Creative Artists.


FB: http://www.facebook.com/KristiCharish...
AISFP Podcast: http://www.adventuresinscifipublishin...

Reviews

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I pre-ordered my Kindle copy, and then about a week after release the author offered me an Audible code. Now you all know I don’t like to switch from book to audio because I hear the characters in my head. But ya also know Urban Fantasy is my kryptonite on audio. Since I owned the book, I figured why not got for it?

I am happy to report it wasn’t painful. Sure, it was jarring at first to hear Kincaid and other characters speak differently, but the action and keen narration quickly swept me up.

Kincaid is asked to assist the FBI in hunting down a serial killer who might be a poltergeist. The job has her working in Portland… but trouble is waiting. The story that unfolded was intense, had dark moments, and delivered plenty of action. Strange had help from local witches, a tall, dark and handsome agent, Gideon, and Noah. Spells, traps, mirrors and twisted magic await you!

With this story we saw the closing of some threads, and the author gave us insight into Kincaid’s relationship with the dead.

Susannah Jones did a stellar job with the characters and had I started on audiobook it would have been my preferred method of devouring this series.

Whether you read or listen, fans of Cecy Robson and Jim Butcher will love Kincaid Strange.

It was brilliant. Dagnabbit; I want more. The story wrapped up nicely but left the door open for more stories as Kincaid accepts a new role. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

[Helen Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plot 
Voodoo Shanghai is one hell of a thrill ride from start to finish. As usual, Kincaid gets herself into trouble, and she seems to make enemies every place she goes.  The novel opens with her dealing with an unruly ghost that's haunting her parents because they didn't make the right offering to her spirit. The designer purse was the wrong colour.  This book is full of dark and twisty plot points, but there's also quite a bit of Charish's characteristic dry humour, which is part of what makes this series such an entertaining read.

One of the major appeals of this book is the dynamic world that Charish has created. The magic has very distinct rules, and much of the book is spent explaining how it works, either through Kincaid's interactions with clients or through her lessons with the sorcerer who coerced her into becoming his apprentice for a two year term.  None of this information seems dry, as it all comes from Kincaid's point of view, which interjects quite a bit of gritty humour into every scene.

Voodoo Shanghai is the third and final instalment in the Kincaid Strange series, and it sure does go out with a bang. Unfortunately, while the major plotline for this book was resolved (no spoilers!) there was still a cliffhanger hinting at what's to come.  I want to see what's to come! Gah, Vintage Books Canada better order more books in this series, stat.

Characters
Kincaid is a tough-as-nails practitioner, and she won't let herself be controlled by the men in her life. That said, even her love interest, the Seattle PD detective Aaron, tries to control her to a degree, and I'm glad to see that she still doesn't back down on what she believes in, even when Aaron pushes her.  It was interesting to see her starting to try to be more professional in this book, even wearing a blazer to meetings with clients, and she tries so hard to not always say exactly what's on her mind. Is that character development, Kincaid? Even with the subtle softening of her character, she's still the Kincaid I've grown to love.

We also get a deeper look into Gideon Lawrence, the thousand-year-old ghost of a sorcerer who took Kincaid on as his apprentice in the previous book. Before, we thought he was simply "evil", but it becomes clear over the course of this novel that he has his own moral code, as grey as it may be, and we get a taste of the past that has made him who he is today.

Setting 
This time, the novel isn't all set in Seattle, but a good chunk of the storyline is set in Portland, since Kincaid is summoned to work on a federal case.  As mentioned in the Plot section, the America that Charish has created is incredibly unique, authentic feeling, and three-dimensional.  The world of Kincaid Strange is similar to ours, but for paranormal elements which are all seamlessly interwoven into our reality, making for a believably dark and compelling alternate universe.




I recommend this book to those who want a gritty paranormal mystery with a strong female lead, dynamic worldbuilding, and lots of the undead.



* Thank you to OLA Super Conference, Vintage Books Canada, and the author for the arc to review! *

This review appeared first on https://powerlibrarian.wordpress.com/

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[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Source: Author

I learned on Kristi Charish's Instagram that Voodoo Shanghai would be the last book in the Kincaid Strange series. Which made me sad and also made me wonder if we would be a clean wrap up at the end of this installment. The way Voodoo Shanghai ended leads me to believe she did not know her publisher would not pick up another book. It ends on a huge cliffhanger. I'm hoping maybe we will see at least one more installment via self-publishing.

The Kincaid Strange series is truly a great and unique urban fantasy series. Don't let the fact that it was "canceled" stop you from trying it. I believe it's an unsung series that needs more attention. It has everything a UF fan wants, a strong and likable heroine, action, a mystery to solve in each installment and with Voodoo Shanghai, Ms. Charish had me guessing who the killer was to the very end (I usually figure out the bad guy within the first few chapters of about 90% of the books I read).

Kincaid is working with the FBI on a murder case that takes her from Seattle to Portland. They believe it's a cut and dry case of a serial killer, but she's not so sure. With the help of her ghost friend and roommate, Nate (90’s grunge rocker), Gideon (a ghost who is training her on more advanced skills) and FBI agent Wolf she works the case to find out the whole story of the murder and missing ghosts in the Portland area all while trying to not becoming one of the missing herself. As I mentioned, Charish does a great job weaving the mystery into a hard to guess "who done it" that includes paranormal creatures such as ghosts, zombies, poltergeist, and witches. 

While the case is wrapped up there are unfinished storylines within the series do to the cliffhanger. I really want to know what happens next. Fingers crossed that Ms. Charish continues The Kincaid Strange series at some point. 

The Kincaid Strange series is an audio-only series for me all thanks to Susannah’s brilliant delivery of the characters. After becoming a fan of Susannah's narration work on this series I plan on trying more of her work. Fans of Khristine Hvam would surely enjoy Susannah's voice and pacing as they have a similar sounding voice.

[Mogsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2020/03/30/...

So I was already in quite a shock when I heard that Voodoo Shanghai was going to be the final installment in the Kincaid Strange series, but it wasn’t until I reached the end of the book that I learned the meaning of true pain. What a cruel cliffhanger! My guess is that Kristi Charish originally had a lot more planned before the publisher pulled the plug, which is a shame because this might have been the best one yet.

Building upon the events from the previous books, Voodoo Shanghai returns to the extraordinary life of paranormal practitioner Kincaid Strange, who has once more been tapped by the Seattle PD to help out on a mysterious case. In a recent murder investigation that has all the police baffled, a young woman has been found dead by the same MO as all the victims of a notorious serial killer named Martin Dane. The only problem? Dane himself has been dead for three weeks. If he’s still committing murder, it means he’s doing it from beyond the grave, which spells bad news for the city indeed—not to mention it throws a wrench into everything Kincaid thought she knew about ghosts and how they operate.

But soon after traveling out to see the crime scene for herself, Kincaid realizes with chagrin that she had been hoodwinked. Exploiting the soft spot she still has for her cop ex-boyfriend Aaron, the vindictive chief of police had managed to manipulate her into the working with the FBI on the Martin Dane case, knowing full well they would ask her to bind a ghost—and that is a line our protagonist has vowed never to cross. Still, against her better judgment, Kincaid finds herself intrigued by the many bizarre details of the investigation and agrees to hang around and lend a hand on other matters, if only to satisfy her own professional curiosity. After all, it’s not every day a voodoo practitioner gets to work with a bona fide witch or help crack the mystery of a swampful of missing ghosts.

Like I said, it’s a real pity that things have to end with Voodoo Shanghai, because it’s hands down my favorite Kincaid Strange novel. It’s also, I think, the darkest. The character’s quirky interactions with ghosts as well as the series’ overall entertainment factor sometimes make it easy to forget that Kincaid is constantly surrounded by death. However, it is not so with this third book, where death (or the threat of it) is always at the forefront. Even the main premise itself is disturbing, as Kincaid is first called out to help the unresponsive ghost of the young woman who was brutally murdered by Martin Dane. Named the White Picket Fence killer for the way he targeted his victims from middle-class suburban families, Dane was a real sick fuck in life, and being dead has done nothing to change that. In fact, as Kincaid soon learns, being a ghost has only made him an even more terrifying opponent.

Then, of course, there’s the matter of ghost binding. I believe the author has touched upon this concept before in previous books, but here it is explored in much greater detail, highlighting its barbaric uses and the way it robs a ghost of all freedom. It’s something our protagonist has refused to ever do on principle, even when it results in no small amount of workplace conflict as well as costs to her future career prospects. Expanding upon this storyline, though, has allowed Charish to work in a whole lot of additional world-building elements as well as background information regarding Kincaid’s personal life and her connection with magic and the Otherside. Again, it saddens me that this is the final book when we’re just now starting to learn more about the character’s history and what makes her tick. Plus, given all the introduced concepts and revelations, it feels like the doors have been flung wide open to allow all sorts of new ideas, but instead, we now have to say goodbye.

It’s frustrating to say the least, not only because this is a fantastic series which I wish didn’t have to end, but also because of the abrupt ending Voodoo Shanghai leaves us with. Still, while I believe it’s important to inform others that things end on a cliffhanger, I hope that won’t turn anyone off from checking out these books. They’re definitely worth reading for the entertainment, the adventure and the thrills—and that goes double for you urban fantasy fans. All in all, this series has been a fun and exciting journey full of new experiences and surprises, and maybe, just maybe, one day Kincaid Strange will ride again. Hey, I can always hope! What’s not in question though, is Kristi Charish’s talents for storytelling, world-building and character development, which are always top-notch, and I’ll be on board for whatever project she writes next.

[Maggie Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Voodoo Shanghai is almost a perfect urban fantasy novel save for the fact that it's publisher decided not to contract more ofthe series. Kincaid Strange is such a fun protagonist and there's so much left to explore in her world! I am heartbroken that Charish is just scratching the surface of ghost and zombie shenanigans. That's two series that she's been shafted on! Buy this women's books because they are fun and smart additions to the genre and I want moooooooooooooore.

[Anne - Books of My Heart · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 hearts

I was going to review this on the blog but no energy today. I enjoyed this and it was action packed. Kincaid is very emotional here and I can't blame her but it doesn't help her sometimes. There is much more learned about her sorcery, ghosts, binding and witches. I guessed the bad guys quickly but not the big bad behind them. The good guys did a somewhat poor job of working together, sharing information and safeguarding each other too. And I can't believe this is the end (of the series) with the cliffhanger at the end setting up another adventure.

[Avra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear Kristy,

I never would have thought that after reading the first Kincaid Strange book that I would be hooked. I am not a fantasy series kind of girl. But now that I’ve blown through the three books in *checks dates* 2 weeks, I guess I can’t say that anymore. And I swear I picked the first book up on a whim. (cover design really does matter!)

Kincaid reminded me a little of Veronica Mars, if Veronica Mars solved paranormal mysteries and had a ghost for a sidekick instead of a dog. I dig the noir.

And like the (early) Veronica Mars series, you were cancelled before the series was properly resolved, and from the looks of the reviews, your fans all want something that bridges them over the huge cliff you left them on and helps wrap up the stray plot lines. (They feel like loose golden threads to me). Is there a Kickstarter campaign somewhere?

I definitely didn’t expect the ending or the reveal of the ultimate villain in this book, which made me happy because I hate being able to predict the ending before it happens.

I can’t imagine how you could write yourself back into the urban part of urban fantasy with the doozy of the cliffhanger you left. (Unless Marks really is behind everything. There’s something suspicious about his OTT hatred for the paranormal.) But maybe like Kincaid you have some more tricks up your sleeve.

Thanks for the ride!

PS to my friends who can’t believe I wrote this much about a book I read….well….the ghosts made me do it 👀💕📚🤣

[K.A. Wiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zombies meet serial killer thriller for an exciting and crowd-pleasing paranormal mystery. Fans of the Kincaid Strange series will enjoy this latest entry (possibly capping off the trilogy?) while newcomers should find their feet quickly.

While not normally a fan of zombie fiction, the broader paranormal world and lack of pandemic tropes means this series really works for me as a fun and pacey thriller. As always, I appreciate Charish's attention to the lived realities of women and the familiar challenges of professionals and west-coast life. Seattle, and now Portland, are portrayed with recognizable grit, their personalities and neighbourhoods enjoyably twisted for a fresh (and fairly dark) take.

Mildly spoilerish, but there's a pretty strong ending hook that could frustrate some if the series *doesn't* continue on. This book's story arc does wrap up in a satisfying way (breathless race to the finish!) but there are some character and plot threads that certainly have space to be explored and expanded upon if the author and publisher so choose. Get out there and buy this book so we can have more!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breaking up with the Seattle PD and her ex (a Seattle cop) Aaron is hard to do... but Kincaid Strange is used to doing hard things. Living and working between the dead and the living, she's built her life on hard. Invited to Portland to consult the FBI about a strange case... Martin Dane, the White Picket Fence Serial Killer, and recently deceased is just accused of a fresh murder. Despite her misgivings, she agrees to examine the Portland crime scene. What she discovers is a place of supernatural power unlike anywhere she's ever been - and the reason Aaron had been so tight-lipped about the case details. The FBI is more incline to treat her like bait than a professional...

Why I started this book: Clearing out my purchased books for the New Year, and actually reading them...

Why I finished it: Despite being away from this series and world for a while, it was easy to jump back into the action. And little bit a cliff hanger... so I'm glad that I waited as there still isn't any indication of when or if there will be a next book

[Lara Kleinschroth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big fan of Kristi Charish, having read her Owl series and now this one. Read Voodoo Killings several years ago when it first came out and was impressed with her take on urban fantasy. I won Voodoo Shanghai through the Giveaways and it went awol during the early days of Covid so Penguin Canada very graciously sent me all 3 books. Super cool. So I started over from the beginning and must say they got better as they went. I love how you can tell when an author has gone to great lengths of research and imaginative construction in the fantasy genre, and in this case especially, urban fantasy, and leads you the reader into their world with full believability. And then proceeds to take you on a page turning journey of adventure. As well as the fascinating, dark and moody world she has created these books are sharply written too, with spot on character and plot developments. Huge life long fan.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off if I don't get a fourth book I'm going to be very upset can't leave me hanging I'm not gonna give any spoilers but I need more Kincaid strange. I really liked this book and the last 2 altogether the trio has made for a great story Ups and downs, moments where I was on the edge of my seat, heartache. The one thing that really gets me is that Kincaid strange is a strong woman And I kind of feel sometimes the men in her life didn't quite understand that which is what I feel a lot of women get in real life, be a good girl just listen, just do as you're told. I loved her relationship with Nathan, I feel he brought a little bit of Comic Relief to some of the tenser moments in the book. I really feel that this series can go a lot further this character can flourish a lot more! Heck, there's more to be said for Kincaid strange. So I guess at this moment all we can do is sit back and wait and see if there is a fourth or not I truly hope so.

[Madeleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved the entire Kincaid Strange series, but this one hit it out of the park for me! I grew to love Kincaid even more as she learns more about her own abilities and holds her own in new and stressful situations. Throughout the book I was pleasantly surprised with how eager I was to see more of Gideon. This series has the benefit of well-written and complicated characters that make you question how you feel about them, and love or hate them through their good and bad decision-making. I am a frequent mystery and thriller reader, and I love to guess which directions the twists will take the story. Voodoo Shanghai brought the story in directions I couldn’t even guess, which kept me on my toes the whole story. By the end I couldn’t put it down and had to know how the story ended! I can’t wait for the next instalment and see what happens to Kincaid next…

[Rachna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series. It's fun, entertaining, interesting and gripping. I just wish the books would be more tightly edited. This book was a touch longer than it needed to be and dragged in some spots. It was a fun ride and that cliffhanger! It's too bad the author indicated she isn't signed on to write anymore so we may never know what happens to Kincaid Strange. I hope the author finds a way to self-publish or something. In any case, I love the growth of Kincaid and Nate's friendship. I am glad Aaron is out of the picture, I didn't particularly like him. I love the introduction of witches. Gideon is starting to grow on me. I hope the next installment gets approved, I truly want to see what happens next. 3.5/5

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Source* Borrowed Library
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 4.0

*Thoughts*

Voodoo Shanghai, by author Kristi Charish, is the third and final, unfortunately, installment in the authors Kincaid Strange series. As the story beings, trouble is on the horizon for Kincaid. First, she is hired to take care of a problem ghost named Astrid Young. Astrid is desperately spoiled and an angry zombie who her parents are tired of having around. Astrid has been manipulating everyone around her for most of her life. Astrid, unfortunately doesn't understand that people really don't like her or want her around which leads to all sorts of issues for Kincaid.

*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*

https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...

[Gloria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book as well as the 1st two in the series. I enjoyed the first and 2nd book. This one started out with a bang and I thoroughly enjoyed reading until about half way through when I found it to be dragging too slowly, little seemed to progress the story. The end was a surprise for me.

[Wendy Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not the type of book I have ever read but it was wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Kept me riveted to the end to find out what would happen. I loved all the books in the trilogy. Ghosts and all the paranormal you could possibly think of.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Andrea Thatcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love the Kincaid Strange series and was so disappointed to see this was the last one! Then I got to this cliffhanger and was SURE the story was meant to go on. I’m not a big thriller or mystery person but Kristi Charish draws me into the story and her villains are so entertaining, and Kincaid is the badass I’d want solving my murder.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent - so disappointed that it’s the final book in the series. It ends on a cliff hanger, so hopefully the author might consider self-publishing the follow-up? I’d buy it! (My 4 star ratings are misleading - 5 stars are restricted to my ‘can’t live without’ list. so 4 is very, very good)

[Kate Hearn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This can't be the final installment! It can't end like that!!

I loved this whole series...but the way this one ended...noooo. I need more Kincaid.

If you enjoy paranormal and ghosts, take a peak at this series

[Rachel Chiapparine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book from amazon because I had to know what happens next and boy o boy does this book end on a cliffhanger.

I am not going to give this book a normal review because in my personal opinion it's basically the setup to the forth book and or possibly the end of the series.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real shame there isn’t a fourth book in the works. The ending suggested an amazing storyline for Kincaid Strange. I really wanted to see how this played out. Come on readers and publishers! Let’s green light #4!

[Melindeeloo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great installment. I've really enjoyed this and am sad that there won't be more. This is still worth reading, just skip the last chapter with the cliff-hanger set up for future books that never were:(

[Joe Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a way for this series to go out and my favorite of all of them. I am going to miss Kincaid.

[Veronica McLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world of Kincaid Strange was an easy one to fall in love with.

[Tammy Buchli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in this really outstanding series. Charish is a fantastic world builder and this series is one of the best I’m currently following.

[Tatiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite story. The series just gets better and better!

[Brianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

*5/5*

Ummmm EXCUSE THE EFFFFFF OUTTA ME!!!!!!
the ending.. I'm dead.

I loved this installment. Way more than book 2.. but I need more. I need to know what happens next.

[EJ MACK · Rating 4 out of 5]

What the heck!!!!! what was with the end??? and this is final?

[Kelleigh Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Kristi Charish novel. This one further explores the adventures of Kincaid Strange as she winds her way through the underworld of Seattle.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like this series. From the ending it looks like there is going to be at least one more book.