In Poison Makers by Jimmy Olsen, we are taken into the
machinations of an old belief system of voodoo and zombies that still exists in regions of the Dominican Republic today.
When Adam Quist, U.S ambassador to the Dominican Republic dies,
there seems very little mystery. Yet Edgar Espinosa-Joes (E J) is given the assignment
to interview his daughter. She seems to believe there is more involved, more at
stake then known. E J occasionally does
odd investigations for his mentor Garrett Yancy. Yet this investigation is somewhat out of the
ordinary.
As EJ has a clandestine interview with Quist’s daughter, he
is left with more questions than answers. She believes her father has been
murdered–or even worse, turned into a zombie. E J isn’t laughing though, he is from the
Dominican Republic and has seen the violence and ceremonies involved with the
ages old voodoo movement.
When the grave is exhumed and the body found missing, E J
begins to fear the worst. With the help of his best friend, a crooked Dominican
cop, he begins the long and dangerous trek of discovery. The menace becomes
personal as he and his friend are poisoned, and then his family is interjected
into the danger. The drums are beating,
drawing him further into peril and madness.
He becomes the victim and is pursued as he tries to find the answers. His family carries on with their own antics,
while he slips through the clutches of his adversaries, only to find even
deeper mysteries.
Can he get to the bottom of this strange and sinister disappearance?
Can he keep the Ambassador’s daughter safe as he untangles and age old web of deceit
before his own life is forfeit?
Olsen takes you into the heart of a culture that is very
different from our own, and yet alike in many ways. There is a hunger and need
that many never have to experience that shape the thoughts and beliefs of the
people. The descriptions of the events
are chilling yet Olsen interjects a bit of the ridiculous which also
occasionally draws a chuckle.
His characters are rich in both bravado and flaws, but real
to the point of conviction. The humor seems like it would be out of place, and
yet it adds character and believability to a strange incredulous investigation.
If you enjoy murder mysteries, and are interested in voodoo
cultures and zombies you will find yourself immersed and charmed in the
chapters in this novel. It would be
great reading for a book club, with a varying set of situations to draw from.
Rating 4/5
This book was received free from the author. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the information.
1 comment:
Dear Leslie,
I read your review of Jimmy Olsen book Poison Makers and feel that you did a great job. In my judgment, your review was balanced, fair and well-thought out. You have demonstrated a justified objectivity, giving a reader a clear impression of what to expect from the novel. I will be following your other reviews with interest.
Thanks!
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