A prowler complaint in Mechant Loup East leads to a foot chase for Officer Shade Rankin, and shots are fired. Across town, a woman is found brutally murdered and Clint Wolf is called to investigate. As the investigation unfolds, a voodoo doll is found in the vicinity of the foot chase. The doll bears the same wounds as Clint’s victim, leaving him to wonder if it’s connected to his murder case.
Before long, Clint will know for sure about the doll, but there’s one thing he won’t know until it’s too late: someone close to him will fall victim to an evil curse.
BJ Bourg is a twenty-seven-year veteran of law enforcement and has worked as a patrol cop, detective, police academy instructor, SWAT officer, sniper leader, and chief investigator for a district attorney's office. He is a former professional boxer and a lifelong martial artist.
He is the author of the London Carter Mystery Series, the Clint Wolf Mystery Series, two books featuring Detective Brandon Berger, and a stand-alone mountain mystery. Additionally, over 185 of his short stories and articles have appeared in magazines such as Woman's World, Boys' Life, Tactical Response, and LAW and ORDER.
He loves vacationing in the mountains and is especially drawn to hiking, climbing, photographing wild animals, and traversing wild rivers in anything that will float. Above all else, he is a father and husband, and the highlight of his life is spending time with his beautiful wife and wonderful kids. For more information, including a list of BJ's published works and info about new releases and upcoming events, visit his website (http://bjbourg.com/).
Clint Wolf doesn’t believe in voodoo magic. . . mostly, but then there is this case.
An unusual object is used to commit a grisly murder, which must be solved by Detective Clint Wolf and his close-knit police team. The investigation becomes more complex with more suspects—some with messy family ties; cheating husbands, women in love, loose men, etc. This section entails Clint telling a lot, with less showing—which also happens in other books of this series.
The subplot is not the usual Clint Wolf story, in that this has supernatural elements. A burglar stole dangerous voodoo dolls, whose owner wants them returned. If the cops don’t recover the dolls, the burglary victim will “take care of things.” That would be disastrous, because she’s a powerful voodoo priestess, whose speciality is black magic. Whilst questioning her, Clint often hesitates to think, consider his words, and he speaks carefully.
In Louisiana, even the law steps lightly when blood-daubed voodoo dolls, black-headed push pins, evil curses, spirits, and possible murder by voodoo are involved. I was fascinating by the inclusion of Louisiana lore about voodoo dolls, different voodoo practitioners, good magic, and black magic. I recommend this book.
It took a while—26 books, to be specific—before a book set near New Orleans embraced the area’s use of voodoo. I always feel the swamp in this series, but this time I also felt the ubiquitous culture of the area.
It was difficult to figure out how the murder intersected with the suspects, which I appreciated very much. It’s always a nice surprise when the killer and motive remain a mystery for a while. And while the voodoo doll was easy to link to the death right away, the way in which it was linked took a bit to determine too. All in all, this plot was a huge success.
As usual, the setting was rich and the characters familiar. Much as I love visiting these old friends, I hate saying goodbye to any of them, and we are forced to say a fond farewell at the end of this book. I can only hope to see this character in a spinoff.
Another exciting clutch of weird cases for Clint, Susan and the team. When a prowler manages to evade the police, including the dog team, using his impressive skill set, the team try to discover what the man had done that made him take so many dangerous risks to escape. When the investigations find a cheating husband, a best friend betrayal, a voodoo store burglary, voodoo cursed dolls and missing chicken, the team start piecing the case together to catch the killer before they strike again.
As usual, there are lots of intertwined story lines that keep you guessing as to who the villains are but they are so cleverly woven together at the end.
This story is unique to Louisiana and unique in itself.
All of the stories in this series are unique and interesting, but when I framed my reviews, they sounded uninteresting, so I couldn't submit them. This is my review for all of these wonderful stories. All the stories are unique to Louisiana and therefore have Cajuns, alligators, swamps, and bayous. They have unusual murders and outlandish situation which remain authentic and believable. The characters are well drawn and all the main characters begin to feel like friend and family members. This is an outstanding series!
The story deserves 5 stars even tho it was not one of my favorites. It seemed that Clint took a back seat to Amy in this one, Amy getting more attention than in previous books. She is the only one of the characters that I find somewhat annoying. Her attempts at humor about age, etc., are childish and not funny. While she is a good detective in her own right, she seems to forget that Clint is largely responsible for her rise to full detective and treats him as if she is the more capable of the two. I find her childish and needing to learn a little humility.
Another chapter in the life of Clint Wolf, his family and co-workers takes several unexpected turns that, at the end, all come together to surprise you, Combining voodoo, siblings, business partnerships and other strange ties, made this one of the most fun books to read. There was no way to know when it started that you would be lead down so many different paths that finally converge. Cannot wait for the next book and where that one leads.
Another whirl wind, action packed, suspense fill book. Like going through a gigantic maze filled with mystery, intrigue and twists. For those of you that love a n excellent thrilling read this is DEFINITELY a series you need to read. Make sure you have plenty of time because you will NOT want to put it down.
I believe this to be one of the more complicated Clint Wolf books. The ending was totally different from what I had imagined. I thoroughly enjoyed it as it roamed around until the end. Another great BJ Bourg book. Looking forward to the next Clint Wolf book in this great series.
Once again, BJ Bourg does it again with a very interesting story. There are lots of twists and turns in this novel and the identity of the perpetrator of the crime is very unexpected. Even after reading 26 novels (including the current one) his stories continue to keep the reader glued. Eagerly waiting to read his 27th (last) novel.
Shade is chasing a prowler who took a couple of shots at him, while Clint investigates missing vodoo dolls and is called to a murder. Multiple investigations which seem interconnected but Clint can not seem to unravell. Is voodoo involved or is it an affair of the heart. Great reading with a suprise ending
I really enjoy Bourg's writing, and this book was no exception. My only complaint is that the crime was TOO COMPLEX. It took pages to explain it and if it were not for the confession at the end, I don't think it would have been solved at all. Even with this comment the background of voodoo traditions was well woven into the story - with a surprise ending.
Having read the first 25 Clint Wolf novels I was quite familiar with the characters. I have to say the plotting of this one was every bit strong and twisty as any of the others. The blending of more of the idiosyncacies of south Louisiana culture (there are many throughout all of the Wolf books) with the usual dark motives for homicide was great fun for me to read. The only problem is that I had to finish it before I went to sleep, now it is 3 am, about 6 hours past my usual bedtime!
BJ Bourg writes suspense in a manner that you can't put the book down. Along with the suspense there is humor, a little romance. He keeps your interest and you can't wait for the next book to be released.
This is another great Count Wolf book. I have never been disappointed by one of these books . These are a great set of mystery books a nd I have read everyone. I highly recommend this book and series. I'm ready for the next one.
We’ll worth the wait. The tight knit police department worked another murder, burglary, and a suicide trying to put all the pieces together. One of BJ Bourg’s best books. Now waiting for the next one due out in March!
This is book 26 and it's amazing how BJ Bourg pumps these out with continued intensity. Always anxious for the next. Hard to put down for a break. Great "who done it" and love the family interaction. Bring on the next!
Great mystery that keeps you guessing and great turn around that is unexpected but still connected. Side stories are always good. That ending was just fabulous. Waiting for the next with great anticipation. You've got great talent BJ Bourg.
Full of twists and surprise throughout! Great characters and s very surprising ending! I love this author and his series! !looking forward to the next in this series!
26 books into this series and still the stories are fresh and enjoyable. The characters have evolved over the time to the point that you can almost picture them in your minds eye. It will be like loosing an old friend when this series ends.
Excellent writing and gripping story lines. Holds your attention and keeps you guessing. Definitely worth reading the whole series together. The audio books are starting to come out and they are excellent to listen too on a road trip
Typical Clint Wolf as he barrels through the tale with very little professional approach to the solution other than eliminating possible suspects by a variety of means. Set the scene well for a take-off book about the action of Amy.
As always, a very riveting story! BJ Bourg is a fantastic author. If you have not read his books, do yourself a favor and try them out. Excellent series!