When Riga Hayworth’s lover is arrested, she’s determined to unearth the truth, no matter the cost. But life – and death – get in the way.
All Riga wants is to clear the name of her almost-fiancée, Donovan Mosse. But a death faerie has other plans for her, and Riga is forced to protect a shaman with a house full of murderous relatives. The only way to stop this killer is to figure out who he, or she, is before the next strike. As the two cases become entangled, Riga must choose between facts and faith, and decide just how far she’s willing to go for love.
The Shamanic Detective is a paranormal mystery set in Lake Tahoe, and explores shamanism, the shadow, and the world of the fae.
Kirsten Weiss writes laugh-out-loud, page-turning mysteries. Her heroines aren’t perfect, but they’re smart, they struggle, and they succeed. Kirsten writes in a house high on a hill in the Colorado woods and occasionally ventures out for wine and chocolate. Or for a visit to the local pie shop.
She is best known for her cozy and witch mystery novels. So if you like funny, action-packed mysteries with complicated heroines, just turn the page…
Kirsten sends out original short stories of mystery and magic to her mailing list. If you’d like to get them delivered straight to your inbox, make sure to sign up for her newsletter at kirstenweiss.com
Feel free to follow her on Twitter @KirstenWeiss or Bookbub, get in touch on Facebook, post a picture of this book to Instagram and tag her @kirstenweissauthor, or send her an email. She’ll answer you personally…which may be a good or a bad thing, depending on your perspective.
My Thoughts: While there were a few more editing glitches in this one, I was very happy to see that the author had corrected the misinformation about the Death card from Tarot. I was a bit annoyed by both Riga's and Sal's many too stupid to live (TSTL) moments. I mean, why do these people always do this? Oh, someone wants to kill me so I'll make it easy? Gheesh...
I had to admit, despite the fact that I mostly thought she was a brat, that I sort of missed Pen and her amusing T-shirts in this book. However, we did have Sal's family, who were very fun (despite the fact that one might have been trying to kill her), blunt and sarcastic and just very entertaining to watch.
There were a couple minor plot points that were missed in the editing process. First of all (and this is a very minor spoiler), why didn't anyone ever ask Sal where that box of chocolates came from? That might have solved the mystery right there. Secondly, when Sal and Riga were calling the corners, Sal specifically said she would take North, South and Center, and that Riga would take East and West, but after Sal called North, Riga immediately called South. Not only was that incorrect, but it was out of order. When calling the corners, one needs to go in order: North, East, South, West for a regular circle, or North, West, South, East for a banishing/widdershins circle. So that knocked a star off.
However, despite those issues, and despite Riga's and Sal's TSTL moments, I enjoyed this book a lot. I'm very much looking forward to book four, but disappointed that will be all (for now? I have no idea if any more are planned). Still, if you like your mysteries with a touch of the supernatural, then definitely check out this series.
Series Information: Riga Hayworth Paranormal Mysteries Book 1: The Metaphysical Detective, review linked here where formatting allowed Book 2: The Alchemical Detective, review linked here where formatting allowed Book 3: The Shamanic Detective, picked up on Amazon during KDP promotion Book 4: The Infernal Detective, received from author for review
Disclosure: I picked up a copy on Amazon during a KDP promotion. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: When Riga Hayworth’s lover is arrested, she’s determined to unearth the truth, no matter the cost. But life – and death – get in the way.
All Riga wants is to clear the name of her almost-fiancée, Donovan Mosse. But a death faerie has other plans for her, and Riga is forced to protect a shaman with a house full of murderous relatives. The only way to stop this killer is to figure out who he, or she, is before the next strike. As the two cases become entangled, Riga must choose between facts and faith, and decide just how far she’s willing to go for love.
After reading the first two books in the Riga Hayworth Paranormal Mysteries series I was really excited to read the third, The Shamanic Detective. Well, excited, but disappointed too. I have really loved this series, and apparently, it's over!
Riga has two mysteries to solve in this edition, which comes immediately after the end of the Alchemical Detective. First, just at a truly special point at the end of Alchemical, Donovan is drug away by the FBI for a crime we all know he didn't commit. What is Riga, unlicensed in the state of Nevada, to do now that her lover-boy has been taken away? How can she help clear his name?
Secondly, Ankou, a Fae whose job it is to collect the souls of the dead, had decided that his servant on Earth is in trouble and he requires Riga to protect her. Of course, who else could it be but her old buddy, the Fae Shaman Sal, who has come to Nevada from San Francisco to have a very dangerous family reunion? Riga is torn in two as she tries to meet the expectations of the Fae Ankou in order to save lives and her deep need to help Donovan to overcome the charges against him. Weiss does an exceptional job of handling the guilt and remorse of Riga having to split her attention when all she wants to do is help Donovan. We meet a couple of new characters, learn more about Donovan's family and the relationship between Riga and Sal that has been a teaser through the first two books.
Weiss does her normal, wonderful job of blending layers of myth, shamanism and modern life into a story which keeps you interested, keeps you guessing and is a great way to spend a few hours of cherished reading time. As always, she does a great job of research of myths and legends and puts them to good use. We get a bit more of the romance in this third edition, as Riga and Donovan move forward in their relationship, handled with a deft and sophisticated hand.
Throughout this story Riga is called to face her fears, both as they relate to her life and her magic and as it relates to the Fae. For some reason, Riga is terrified/horrified by the Fae, but we still don't get any information on WHY she is so upset by them. Does this mean we just will never know, or is Weiss planning more Riga books? I wrote to ask her – I am just terribly interested in Riga and her past as Weiss sees it!
There are a few important matters that are tied up in this book, one of which is deeply important to Donovan and helped him find closure of a deeply personal kind. There is a tense moment towards the end where one of the minor characters I had really come to like nearly destroys his own life through the machinations of another and the “bad guy” at the end is not who I thought it was through most of the book.
All in all, another beautifully written installment in the Riga series. The last one? Well, I would absolutely buy another if Weiss wrote one!
Oh, and I would REALLY like to add an Ovcharka to my family! Cuddling up to a 150 lb. bear-like dog on a cold winter's night would be a true treat!
The Shamanic Detective is book #3 in a series of paranormal romantic mysteries which I'm currently enjoying.
This book takes place in lake Tahoe, Nevada. Riga's new fiance, Donovan Mosse has just been arrested for money laundering and there's no way Riga will sit back without trying to solve the case herself.
Riga Hayworth is a metaphysical detective, but as well as Mosse's dilemma, she's approached by a dark Fae who wants her assistance. He has a hold on Riga and she makes a bargain. Riga must go and help an old friend of hers and a Shaman whose life is currently being threatened.
There's lots going on in this mystery, Riga's time is split between the threats on her friend Sal, her own tight squeezes with danger and her search for the truth behind Donovan's arrest. With the help of ghosts and spirits and a few red herrings sent by mischievous Fae, Riga needs to keep one step of the game.
If you like a good dose of paranormal with your mystery and prefer one without too must blood and gore, then this series might be for you.
I liked it. And I didn’t like it. There wasn’t enough Donovan in it, his appearance scarce during Zo his legal problems. Rigas other case with the Shaman was very interesting, especially their trips to fairyland and the Hints of something that had happened before. But it stayed with hints, leaving a lot of questions open. As it is, the ending felt rushed. First 200 pages of questions and unraveling cases, then suddenly bam, there were the answers to those, but so much left open or unsaid. A shame. I would have preferred a bit more Love and time for the end. My only hope is, that some answers will be given in the next book - or at least books.
Overall a pretty good lite fantasy mystery, although I knew from the very beginning who the villain was, and so that detracted a bit from my enjoyment as it was so obvious I couldn’t believe the actual detective took so long to figure it out. I really like the main characters of Riga and Donovan though, and am curious where this series will continue to propel their story and Riga’s personal journey as she continues evolving with her magics.
I’m on a quest to read the Riga Hayworth series! This book picks up precisely where the Alchemical Detective left off which is great if one has bought the entire series. Great marketing ploy Kirsten and Brigitte. I love a tough heroine. Lots going on in this one. Overlapping mysteries with a palpable sense of time running out. Enjoyable read...on to Book 3.
Riga is trying to find out who is trying to frame Donovan fraud and terrorism charges before his reputation is permanently damaged but she is threatened by a death God and forced into protection of a shaman she has a rocky history with and keep her from being killed. Can she possibly solve both at the same time?
I read her first book in this series and was hooked. I bought the rest of them. Well written, keeps your interest. If you love mysteries and the paranormal, this is for you.
Fast paced with so many twists and turns you can hardly catch your breath and just when you think you know who the murderer is things twist again and you have no idea. Keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. Highly recommend.
This is a great story. There is mystery, romance, and a paranormal flavor all in one. The plot is easily followed, the characters are growing with each book, and the premise is a good one. I definitely recommend this book!
Getting tired of this story. As usual so many secrets. If people would just talk, it would be so much better. Already own next book, so read it. But will be done with the series.
Great book. I'm reading them in a row and I think I accidentally praised some of this books quirks in a different review. I like Sal and hope to see her more.
I like this series so far although I didn't like the beginning. It's growing on me. I'm looking forward to what's up next. I still am a bit confused on what shamanic and metaphysical means.
I am devouring this series, book after book, and it just keeps getting better and better. This one, in particular, I really enjoyed! Can't wait to read more by this author!
I enjoy this series so much. In this book Riga is challenged by Faries (not the kind you are thinking of) and a Shaman from her past. The mysteries are dark and wonderful, a combination from the world we know mixed with mysteries from the world in Kirsten's imagination. Riga is the kind of character I wish I could call up and chat with.
Taking up the story directly from the end of The Alchemical Detective, the book opens as Riga Hayworth must now deal with two new mysteries: one involving her newly affianced love Donovan, who has been arrested on suspicion of money laundering, and the second involving death threats against a Shaman, who is actually an estranged friend of Riga's.
A Death Faerie who sees this Shaman as his earthly servant hires Riga (she who is deathly afraid of the Fae herself) and claims he is cashing in her marker on a favor owed to the spirit world from an incident occurring in Book 2. This is not spoiler - it all comes out in the very beginning.
Riga has no true choice in the matter and must accept her new client on his terms which are nothing short of blackmail. Riga is truly caught between a rock and a hard place, she must help Donovan for his sake as well as her own, and the contract with the Death Faerie means she must help the Shaman for Donovan's sake as well.
Throughout this story, Riga is called to face not only her worldly fears, but also her supernatural ones. But underneath the surface, the theme throughout is one of Love. Not the sappy or sizzling type of love, but Love of Family, Love of Self, Love of Other, Parental Love, Love in Friendship, Love in Enemyship, Sibling Rivalry-Sibling Love, Requited and Unrequited Love, Love Sought, and Love Found, along with questions of trust, betrayal, and fear, and love in spite of fear. Unless I am reading more into it than is really there.
And you can ignore all that and just read it for a very interesting paranormal mystery, involving people in a romantic relationship.
I picked up Kirsten Weiss’ magical detective series, featuring PI protagonist Riga Hayworth, with the latest, The Shamanic Detective. I was immediately hooked by the premise: an investigator with magical powers that allow her to peer past the veil and connect with things not on the surface: ghosts; fairies, the underworld. As if her resemblance to Rita Hayworth wasn’t magic enough!
The story weaves two plot lines. Riga uses her magical powers to help her fiancé, Donovan Mosse, the CEO of his family’s casino in Stateline Nevada, absolve himself of a crime he didn’t commit. At the same time, she’s also helping her friend Sal, a shaman and the CEO of a sportswear company, figure out who is after her for trying to sell the company. This journey puts Riga in the sights of an evil fae (fairy) who demands a soul.
The cast of characters is complex: ghosts, fairies, humans. The plot is well-crafted, shifting between magical and non-magical events. And the setting of deep, heavy snow emphasizes the unworldly aspect of the story.
Definitely put this on your to-read list. Ms. Weiss’ imagination is amazing. She’s constructed an entire alternate paranormal universe and has wrapped it up in the boundaries of a mystery series.
Each book in this series gets progressively better, and I loved The Shamanic Detective. Riga Hayworth is a no-nonsense metaphysical investigator being pulled in two directions -- forced to help a shaman with a household of murderous relatives while trying to save her fiance from a murder/terrorism rap. The author manages to knit these two cases together.
Another thing I like about this series? Character development. Too often, serial characters are stuck with the same old problems, book after book. But these characters grow with each book, while never losing the traits that make me want to sit down and have a cup of coffee with them.
As an added bonus, I learned a lot about shamanism, a subject the author obviously researched.
This book is fun, and almost impossible to put down.
I'd place this book squarely in the mystery category, and I'd consider it a little more mainstream than her earlier books. Just a little. In this one, the magic and shamanism are a parallel part of the story, but they are not THE story. The book is cohesive, easy to follow and was hard for me to put down. The characters you met in earlier books continue to develop, and Rigas issues with her magic continue to evolve. Although I knew whodunit before the reveal, it wasn't that obvious, and knowing didn't spoil the ending. If you want to read this book, and I hope you do, read books one and two in the series first. It will help you understand nuances in the story. Good read!
Loved this book! Riga's story continues like skiing down an icy mountain with an avalanche behind you. Not that I know what that would feel like but I think this comes close. Love the characters and the twists and turns that kept me reading non-stop. Finished several cups of tea with a large bag of cookies (I'm so ashamed!) while enjoying this book. Quite a cast of characters - sort of a "Murder By Death" kind of scenario with nefarious bad guys, relatives, employees and magic. Great combination!
If you've read the other Riga books, you are going to love this one.
I am about to finish the next book in this series and realized I had never reviewed this one. I love Kirsten Weiss' character, Riga Hayworth. She is so down-to-earth, and in this book even more so in that she makes a few trips to the underworld :-)
I'm not super into the paranormal but I like it when it is well done, and in this series it is presented as a plausible (and certainly interesting) part of Riga's life, but she is a fully-fleshed out and very human character. And her best bud, a live gargoyle named Brigitte, is a hoot!
I love this series, I love the strength of the main character, Riga Hayworth...and the fact that her best friend is a gargoyle (yeah, I know, but it works!) This third book in the series was especially fun because she had to solve two mysteries at the same time. Figuring out who was framing her rich, handsome fiance should have been her main priority, but there was a little thing called a death fae that derails those plans! Highly recommend!
Riga Hayworth's Mysteries are awesome. They will make you laugh cry, and think yes think come along for the rode of your life and try to help figure out what's going on by using your own skills, you will not be disappointed. From the supernatural to the mundane you will try your hardest to put these books down, but warning it is impossible! Graet writing from Kristen Weiss you won't be sorry! Start at the beginning of this series you wont be disappointed!
I have only one word. AWESOME! Enjoying the hell out of this series. Good mysteries. This one I was proud that I figured out who dun it, but though I had the right person, I had the wrong reason. Well played!
Riga's relationship with Donovan, and with her magic, and with Bridgette all come together in the 3rd book. I hope there are more coming, love the characters and the world building and the mystery.