Voodoo Summer

LeGarde Mysteries, Book 11

De: Aaron Paul Lazar

Narrado por: Erik Synnestvedt

Every family has its secrets.

Summer, 1966: For 13-year-old Gus LeGarde, summertime always means Loon Harbor, his grandparents' idyllic fishing resort on Great Pond. The season is a grand tradition of swimming, boating, and new adventures with his best friends, twins Siegfried and Elsbeth. But this summer, everything changes when a new lodge down the shore threatens the resort - and triggers a chain of events that will transform Gus and his friends forever.

Customers are leaving Loon Harbor in droves for The Seven Whistles, owned by the wealthy LaFontaines. The Baton Rouge family arrives with better amenities and a much larger staff - among them Wilhelmina "Willy" DuPont, a young black girl whose family works for the LaFontaines. Gus and the twins immediately bring Willy into their circle - but their friendship is soon challenged when events at The Seven Whistles take a terrifying turn.

A mysterious figure haunts the windows of women and young ladies at both camps, escalating from peeper to dangerous stalker. Then the LaFontaines' spoiled and demanding daughter goes missing - and Willy's innocent older brother is arrested.

Gus soon discovers that dark secrets lurk beneath the surface of the LaFontaine family, and the stakes are higher than ever imagined as they race to exonerate Willy's brother and find the real perpetrator - before he finds them.

The author's alternate suggested listening order for the LeGarde Mysteries series:

1. Double Forté 2. Upstaged 3. Mazurka 4. FireSong 5. Tremolo 6. Don't Let the Wind Catch You 7. The Liar's Gallery 8. Spirit Me Away 9. Under the Ice 10. Lady Blues 11. Voodoo Summer

©2016 Aaron Paul Lazar (P)2017 Aaron Paul Lazar

Great teen book

Where does Voodoo Summer rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Near the bottom because I felt it was for a juvenile audience.

Would you recommend Voodoo Summer to your friends? Why or why not?

I felt it would be appreciated by teens more.

Which scene was your favorite?

At the end when Gus beats up the bully.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It's sad how cruel kids can be to one another.

Any additional comments?

"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review”.

The Frailty of Innocence

Aaron Paul Lazar’s Voodoo Summer explores the innocence of children. The plot follows preteens through the vastly different realities of their home life and the outside world. More often than not, the collision guides children’s social compass as they mature.

The book’s main character, 13-year-old Gus LaGarde, has had a few run-ins with the harsh realities of the world before his adventure starts during the Summer of 1966. He’s no stranger to the evils of arson and murder, but now rape, incest, and racial bigotry have been added to the list of his ethical dilemmas when he meets Willy. Their budding friendship immerses him into the taboos of the South, and Gus takes on bullies of all ages to preserve his perception of right and wrong.

I recommend Aaron Paul Lazar’s, Voodoo Summer: a Gus LeGarde Mystery, for any reader looking to remind themselves of the frailty of innocence. - N. Coney

“I requested this audiobook from Audiobooks Unleashed and have voluntarily left this review.”

Good YA Mystery

Intriguing plot when Gus was young. Spending the summer with Elsbeth and Siegfried at his grandfather. and the lake. Willy was in a canoe that overturns and Gus dives in,to right it. Finding a voodoo dolls with pins in it after she rows away. A plot that touches on racial, a new resort coming in and the changes that happen that summer for these three. Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

Exquisitely enthralling entertainment...

This story is the 11th book in the Gus LeGarde series but can absolutely be enjoyed as a standalone masterpiece of mystery featuring Gus as a young teen full of innocence and admirable values. The story is set in 1966 with Gus and his two best friends, Siegfried and Elsbeth, all vacationing with their families at his grandparents’ idyllic resort, Loon Harbor. The author paints an enticing picture of a simpler time replete with characters both warm and wicked that captivate the reader and guide us on a journey full of twists and turns, emotional epiphanies, and exciting exploits. There is plenty of suspense and danger; there are heart-warming friendships, estimable loyalties, and detestable deeds which are all deliciously combined to compel the reader/listener to savor each word of this absorbing adventure. As would be expected with a story unfolding from the perspective of a 13-year-old hero, there is no offensive language. There are persons of despicable character, but they are integral to the plot. There are unsavory situations and instances of violence, but none are graphically depicted. The talented narrator adds even more dimension to the story. Through voice, enunciation, and accents, he deftly imparts a unique individuality to each character. Overall, this is a gripping tale that can be enjoyed by a wide audience from young adult to seniors. Aaron Lazar is a creative and masterful storyteller who has gifted us, once again, with a beguiling and memorable entertainment experience.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the author and the above is my voluntary and unbiased review.

Different but the Same

The story is different; the adventure is different; some of the characters are different; the events are different; but the story, excitement, the thrill of the adventure, all of the characters, the mystery throughout the story, the life events, are all the same as always, making the book (audio) as wonderful as all the rest,