The Foreign Exchange

A Novel (Mambo Reina, Book 2)

By: Veronica G. Henry

Narrated by: Robin Miles

Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

A Vodou priestess turned amateur sleuth investigating a ritual murder is embroiled in an insidious case of corruption that reaches beyond the shadows of New Orleans.

After solving a crime blamed on Vodou in New Orleans’s French Quarter, Vodou priestess turned amateur detective Reina Dumond has returned to her benevolent work as a healer. But when her friend and enigmatic client Evangeline “Vangie” Stiles comes to her for a spell, Mambo Reina quickly realizes what Vangie really needs is a sleuth.

Something is amiss in the Stileses’ marriage. Five thousand dollars has inexplicably appeared in the bank account Vangie shares with her scam-artist husband, Arthur, and she smells trouble. So does Reina. Especially when her investigation into Arthur’s likely new con leads to murder. Considering the manner of death and the signs on the victim’s body, Reina recognizes it for what it is: ritual magic of the vodouisant kind.

As Reina digs deeper, she encounters a conspiracy exploiting vulnerable youth—one of whom may have abilities just like hers. With the help of her friends Darryl and Tyka, Reina must hone her ever-evolving skills to uncover a mystery that reaches further than she imagined.

©2023 Veronica G. Henry (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Robin Miles enchants as she introduces New Orleans Mambo (Priestess) Reina Dumond, who practices Vodou, Haitian-African magic. Listeners meet kindhearted Mambo and her close friends, 20-something wrestler Tyka and talkative chef Darryl.… This is an energetically rendered mystery-fantasy with mouthy, gutsy Tyka being the standout. Miles's feisty Mambo uses her ingenuity and clever magic (explanations are riveting) to uncover the city's dark underworld. Heartbreaking Katrina memories and fascinating lore add realism as Mambo uncovers a real estate scam and learns that African boys are being secretly "recruited" for the NBA. Mambo's thwarted cooking attempts provide humor…. Miles's narration is delightful.” —AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award Winner

“Urban fantasy fans will be drawn in by the vibrant NOLA setting and the charming cast.” —Publishers Weekly

“This engaging exploration of New Orleans and voodoo traditions is a delightful read.” —Booklist

awesome

Well worth your time reading. Written well and story flows nicely. Keeps you in suspense. Be sure read book one which leads perfectly into this book. So, glad I found this series.

Exciting!

Can't wait for the next book! Great and interesting storyline. Perfect choice of narrator. I'm hooked.

Love it!

Love getting a New Orleans perspective outside the Vampire Lestat. Can’t wait for the next book!

Slow start but decent finish

The plot was a little slow to gain traction, but eventually picked up in an interesting direction.

hopelessly hooked on this series

This second installment about Mambo Reina Dumond (a New Orleans voudou practitioner who has a hobby of getting tangled up in detective work in her spare time) does not disappoint. I was surprised at many plot turns. I was NOT prepared for the end and yelled, "Noooooo!" because now I will have to wait until the next book to find out what happens next!!

I read the first book in the series on Kindle, but listened to the second, this book, on Audible. The narrator was excellent, although I thought she sounded sort of mature when voicing the main character, given that Reina is still young enough to be dreaming of having a daughter of her own..."someday..." as opposed to "asap before biological clock runs out." Perhaps Reina has longer on her clock because of her healing skills and supernatural abilities? in the end, it doesn't matter, I am spellbound.

This series has so many unique, complex characters, lovely settings, the intrigued feeling of getting a small peek behind the curtain of a faith im not familiar with, and the real life background history of Katrina keep it interesting from start to finish. I do hate Reina's love interest, and can't imagine what she sees in him. But that plotline appears to have interesting things in store for the future. I can't wait.

TL; DR I wish the author would release Volume 3 immediately. i am dying to know what will happen next. This series is awesome! You should read it.

2nd in a series

Having enjoyed book one, I figured I'd try book two, which, at the end, leaves the door obviously wide open for book 3 at the end. I did feel this book ended too abruptly, otherwise nicely written. Hard to dislike a book about New Orleans, voodoo, and murder!

Loved it!!

Reading Method: Audiobook
Overall Rating: 5
Female Lead rating: 5
Genre Rating: Supernatural Suspense 5
Thoughts: The narrator really brought this story to life. It had just enough to keep you hooked with no dry moments that I can remember. I love stories based out of New Orleans and this book didn’t disappoint.