Review: Black Magic Woman by Justin Gustainis

Black Magic Woman
Author: Justin Gustainis
Publication: Solaris; Reprint edition (November 25, 2008)


Description: 

Supernatural investigator Quincey Morris and his partner, white witch Libby Chastain, are called in to help free a desperate family from a deadly curse that appears to date back to the Salem Witch Trials. To release the family from danger they must find the root of the curse, a black witch with a terrible grudge that holds the family in her power.

The pursuit takes them to the mysterious underworlds of Boston, San Francisco, New Orleans and New York, stalking a prey that is determined to stay hidden. After surviving a series of terrifying attempts on their lives, the two find themselves drawn inexorably towards Salem itself ­ and the very heart of darkness.

My Thoughts: This was a great urban fantasy. The world Gustainis creates is very near our own but witches and curses are real. So are vampires and werewolves and zombies. The world was well-drawn and very realistic. 


Quincy Morris is a descendant of one of the people who killed Dracula. His family has been hunting the monsters for generations. He works as a consultant when people have problems that traditional routes have failed to solve. He often calls in Libby Chastain as a consultant when he needs questions answered by a practicing white witch. 


This case has them trying to end a curse that has been cast on a family. It looks like the roots of the curse date back all the way to the Salem Witch Trials. They travel around the US trying to get a lead on the black witch who is trying to get revenge for actions taken against an ancestor.


Following the case from a different angle are FBI Special Agent Dale Fenton and Detective Sergeant Garth Van Dreenan from South Africa. Van Dreenan has come on the trail of a African black witch who is kidnapping and killing children to harvest their organs. Fenton and Van Dreenan and following her trail and Van Dreenan, who believes in magic, is trying to convince Fenton that it is all real. 


The book is filled with action and great characters. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more stories about Morris and Chastain.


Favorite Quote:

"Well, naturally, you can't stage a black mass without having some kind of orgy afterwards," Duval said. "People expect it. And as long as they are willing to pay for the privilege..."

Libby Chastain smiled. "I was just wondering," she said, "what Satanists might say at the point of orgasm. 'Oh, God!' hardly seems appropriate, does it?"

I bought this one. You can get your copy here.