Veronica G. Henry enchants readers once again with her mesmerizing blend of mystery, magic, and cultural intrigue in "The Foreign Exchange." Set against the vibrant backdrop of New Orleans, this captivating novel follows the journey of Mambo Reina Dumond, a Vodou priestess turned amateur sleuth, as she delves into a labyrinth of corruption and dark secrets.

The story kicks off with Mambo Reina returning to her role as a healer after solving a crime in New Orleans's French Quarter. However, when her friend Vangie seeks her help with a troubling marital situation, Mambo Reina finds herself drawn into a web of deceit and danger. As she investigates, she uncovers a sinister conspiracy that threatens not only her community but also the lives of vulnerable youth.

Henry's narrative is infused with rich cultural detail and atmospheric descriptions that transport readers into the heart of New Orleans's mystique. The city itself becomes a character, its streets pulsating with energy and secrets waiting to be unearthed. Through Mambo Reina's eyes, readers are granted access to a world where magic and reality intertwine, where ancient traditions clash with modern-day struggles.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its complex and multifaceted characters. Mambo Reina is a compelling protagonist whose strength and vulnerability resonate throughout the story. Her interactions with a diverse cast of supporting characters, including the enigmatic Vangie and her loyal friends Darryl and Tyka, add depth and dimension to the narrative, creating a tapestry of relationships that drive the plot forward.

At its core, "The Foreign Exchange" is a story about resilience, community, and the power of faith in the face of adversity. As Mambo Reina navigates the twists and turns of the investigation, she must confront her own doubts and fears while staying true to her beliefs. Her journey is as much about self-discovery as it is about solving a mystery, making for a deeply satisfying and thought-provoking read.

In "The Foreign Exchange," Veronica G. Henry delivers a spellbinding tale that will keep readers spellbound from beginning to end. With its blend of suspense, mysticism, and social commentary, this is a novel that transcends genre conventions to offer a truly immersive and unforgettable reading experience. Fans of mystery, magic, and cultural fiction alike won't want to miss this enthralling addition to Henry's repertoire.

The Foreign Exchange by Veronica G. Henry is a thrilling read with New Orleans/Vodou feels that sink into your bones.
As we are greeted by Mambo Reina again, she finds herself using her magic to correct the wrongs of New Orleans. The characters are obsessive and the authors way of incorporating the vibes of New Orleans gives the magic and characters that edge that is needed to make us readers believe in what is happening.

Immersed in the intricate narrative, I journeyed through the lives of compelling characters like Lily, the infant left at a convent's doorstep and raised by nuns, and her daughter, grappling with feelings of neglect from her mother. Echoes of past tragedies reverberate as Lily, haunted by the loss of her first child, struggles to overcome her anguish, leaving a profound impact on her family.
The tale delves into the depths of generational trauma, exploring themes of loss, abandonment, and the quest for redemption. Despite the weighty subject matter, the author handles sensitive topics such as infant loss, suicide attempts, and depression with grace and empathy.
While the story is emotionally challenging, it ultimately delivers a message of resilience and hope. Through the characters' journeys of forgiveness and letting go, the narrative highlights the transformative power of releasing the past and embracing the possibilities of the future. As I closed the final pages, I felt not weighed down by sorrow, but uplifted by the profound lessons of healing and growth embedded within the narrative.

I found The Foreign Exchange by Veronica G. Henry to be an enthralling read. It's a captivating mystery that held my attention from beginning to end. Henry skillfully constructs a vivid world infused with Vodou and the ambiance of New Orleans, seamlessly blending magic with reality.
The protagonist, Reina Dumond, is a compelling and relatable character, utilizing her skills and intuition to unravel mysteries and aid others. Throughout her journey, she encounters numerous obstacles and perils, but also forges meaningful connections and experiences love.
The narrative is briskly paced, brimming with unexpected twists and turns, culminating in a satisfying resolution while leaving room for future adventures. Moreover, the book addresses weighty issues such as human trafficking, corruption, and racism with finesse, avoiding preachiness or heavy-handedness.
Overall, The Foreign Exchange is a captivating and enjoyable read, perfect for fans of mystery and fantasy alike. I highly recommend it.

I think I wanted to like this far more than I actually did. I really liked where thr story was going I just didn't love it.

I had no idea that this book was a sequel before diving into it but fortunately for me I wasn’t too lost. It kinda felt like an episode of a popular to show meaning that you can watch any of them because even though there’s an underlying plot it doesn’t really impact the main mystery. However, I still didn’t really like, to be frankly honest I just don’t have anything to say about this book, it was middle of the road for me but it may just be my reading slump so I would encourage you to make up your own mind

The Foreign Exchange is the second Mambo Reina urban fantasy mystery by Veronica G. Henry.
This is a contemporary paranormal fantasy mystery with a strong and intelligent (though occasionally reckless) female lead. It takes place in New Orleans, which is a memorable setting. The author does an excellent job of background and description; the entire book is infused with the sights and sounds of New Orleans. The author's honesty in reporting on the location and culture, particularly in the aftermath and rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina, lends a lot to the account.
Mambo Reina can't turn down a needy customer, leading to her inquiry into another murder with Vodou overtones. Mambo Reina enlists the services of Darryl and Tyka to trace down the cash's connection to the dead guy as she tries to figure out why her client's spouse transferred a significant sum of money into their bank account with no explanation. Along the way, she must escape her ex-boyfriend turned current boyfriend, Detective Frost, who is not pleased with her amateur sleuthing.

Mambo Reina discovers a young man with talents similar to her own while investigating and is forced to join forces with frenemy Lucien to help him stay in the nation.

This novel was jam-packed with action.

The Foreign Exchange is the second Mambo Reina urban fantasy mystery by Veronica G. Henry. Released 28th Feb 2023, it's 287 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.The first book is also currently available on KU.

This is a modern paranormal fantasy mystery featuring a strong and intelligent (if occasionally foolhardy) female protagonist. It's set in New Orleans and the setting is absolutely indelible. The author does a wonderful job of place and description, the entire book is redolent with the sights and sounds of NOLA. The verisimilitude from the author's descriptions of the area and culture, especially in the aftermath and rebuilding after hurricane Katrina add a lot to the story.

The plotting and background are well paced and the mystery is constructed believably within the constraints of the genre, but a slightly less than satisfying denouement and resolution. It's the second book in the series, but works well enough as a standalone. The author is adept enough to provide enough backstory that readers coming into the series with this book won't have any trouble keeping up.

There are some graphic descriptions, including body horror and rough language. It's not at all derivative, but fans of Tanya Huff and Jim Butcher will find a lot to love here.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Veronica G. Henry’s “The Foreign Exchange” is a thrilling and captivating mystery novel set in the enchanting city of New Orleans. The story follows Reina Dumond, a Vodou priestess turned amateur detective, as she tries to uncover the truth behind her friend Evangeline Stiles’ marital problems. However, her investigation leads her to something much more sinister - a conspiracy that involves exploiting vulnerable youth and ritual magic of the vodouisant kind.

The writing in this book is excellent, and the world-building is impeccable. The author has done an outstanding job of creating an immersive setting that makes you feel like you are right there in New Orleans. The plot is well-crafted and highly entertaining, with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end.

What sets this book apart from other mysteries is its unique blend of Vodou/occult themes and elements. The author seamlessly weaves these into the story, giving it a fascinating depth that will leave readers thoroughly engaged.

The characters are well-developed and intriguing, particularly Reina Dumond, who is a strong and capable protagonist. Her evolving skills as a healer and sleuth make her a compelling character to follow. I also enjoyed the supporting cast of characters, including Darryl and Tyka.

Overall, “The Foreign Exchange” was an enjoyable read that held up well as a standalone novel. As someone who loves books set in New Orleans with occult themes, I found this book to be right up my alley. If you’re looking for an engrossing mystery with supernatural elements, then I would highly recommend giving this book a read!

**ARC Via NetGalley**

Title: The Foreign Exchange
Author: Veronica G. Henry
Release Date: February 28th, 2023
Page Count: 286
Format: Netgalley and Audiobook
Start Date: April 24th, 2023
Finish Date: May 2nd, 2023

Rating: 5 Stars

Review:

I really enjoy books like this. It's a cozy mystery. This one has a lot of culture ingrained in it. Books like these make me want to go to New Orleans and just enjoy the atmosphere. I also really loved getting to know these characters better. This is the sequel to The Quarter Storm. They can be read independently, but I strongly recommend reading them in order. I really can't wait to see other books in this series released. I would also like to make a nod to the narrator. I loved her performance. It really put that much flair to the series in my opinion. I fully recommend these books. I'm glad I found them. The cover is gorgeous as well!

Important to Note: Violence

New Orleans and Vodou yes please! This book was very good mystery book - can’t wait to read the third in the series!!!

I received a copy of this work from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Foreign Exchange is the second book in the Mambo Reina series and is best approached after reading the first in the series. Both are magical mystery novels, with a Vodou priestess as the main character. The author does a very good job with fleshing out the series' setting of New Orleans, and of being respectful to the main character's religion. Unfortunately the character development within the novel (and over the series thus far) has been underwhelming. The "mystery" component is also fairly weak.

Despite those issues its still an enjoyable read, and would likely be very interesting to someone into Vodou priestesses, New Orleans, or magical mystery novels in general. For me however it was a bit of a struggle to get through. Overall a 7 out of 10.

From the publisher:
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.

The Foreign Exchange by Veronica G. Henry was released February 28th, 2023 by 47North.

My thoughts:

The main character, Mambo Reina, is a fully fleshed out character. She has her good points and her flaws. Often she rushes in where angels fear to tread seemingly without thought to the possible consequences. Despite the flaws, she is a likeable amateur detective. Her beau, Roman, I didn't like as much. I don't think they are well suited for each other, but time will tell. Her found family on the other hand, including Darryl and Tyka, are a perfect fit. And Houngan Lucien is full of surprises.

The pace of the novel was good. It started out slow and speeded up as the book went on. It did slow down again towards the end, but I think that's because it was setting up possibilities for a sequel.

I did like the plot. I felt it was quite original and the author points out in the afterword that something similar had been in the news at one point, but unsurprisingly I missed it. I liked how she was set on her course by a question from Miss Vangie. And that led to a whole domino chain of events. Also, in this book it shows just how strongly her desire to find her mother motivates Reina.

Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. There is more than one mystery to solve even though they are connected. The plot idea is original as is Mambo Reina. It moves along at a good rate once it gets going. And I'm looking forward to book 3. I need to see where some of the loose ends will be sewed up.

If you enjoy paranormal cozies with a fleshed out female lead, this could be a good book for you as well as the previous book in the series, Quarter Storm. It's definitely worth a read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my review.

Many thanks to 47North, Veronica G. Henry, and NetGalley for an Advanced Review Copy in exchange for an honest review. My review/reaction is voluntary, all thoughts are mine and unbiased, and receiving the Advanced Review Copy does not influence my rating and/or recommendation.

What Worked for Me - Found Family

I enjoyed the small moments we got with Darryl and Tyka, and wish we had more. I’m a sucker for friendships where friends make time for each other. The last time they were together was memorable and important to me as a reader because we got to see how people show up for Reina outside of the sleuthing.
I highlight this because most of the book creates a visual of Reina being a character that is lonely and surrounded by people. Many of her relationships are heavily transactional. It was good to see that that isn't always so.

I hope there's more of this trio in the next book and I'm equally curious as to whether they did more together in the first one.

What Did Not Work for Me - Pacing

The book is under 300 pages and seemed stilted for most of my reading experience. I think the location descriptions and character movement negatively impacted the pacing. It felt similar to listening to someone speak and not saying much, resulting in an interaction that feels longer than it really is.
When going into this book, to get past the pacing issue, remember that there is a mystery central to the story, and the most important thing is to consume the meat and leave the bones.

3.5/5 stars, I recommend this book. The Foreign Exchange was reminiscent of a cozy mystery with Haitian voodoo elements. I must share that I did not know that this book was part of a series, and I'm sure my rating would vary if I did. In addition, the pacing of the book was slow and felt oddly chaotic.
One redeeming quality of the book was the reveals between the 65% and 93% marks. Somewhere around there, there was a shift in my perspective and attention to the storyline. It also helps that, although how the story ended was not my favorite, the cliffhanger got me curious.

I enjoyed the author’s writing style and am looking forward to other books by her. I’m excited to experience whatever storyline she develops for the next book in this series.

The Foreign Exchange

Duly initiated Vodou priestess Mambo Reina Dumond is back & ready to catch a second murderer.

This is the very-recently-released second book in the Mambo Reina series & after finishing it I’ve decided that I need the third one published ASAP!

Mambo Reina can’t turn down a client in need, and that’s what starts her investigation into another murder with signs pointing to Vodou. As she tries to figure out why her client’s husband has deposited a large sum of cash into their bank account with no explanation, Mambo Reina enlists the help of Darryl & Tyka (so happy to see these characters from The Quarter Storm return for the sequel!) to track down the cash’s connection to the murdered man. Along the way she has to avoid her ex-boyfriend turned current boyfriend again, Detective Frost - he’s not so happy about her amateur sleuthing (side note: I’m with Tyka & Darryl on this one, not a fan of Frosty).

In the course of her inquiries, Mambo Reina also discovers a young man with powers similar to her own & has to join forces with frenemy Lucien to help him stay in the country.

This book was action-packed & I could write a much longer review if I were to include a more detailed play-by-play, but here are the highlights for me:
- the scheme that Mambo Reina uncovers is wild
- Mambo Reina’s dedication to her practice & her relationship with Erzulie is amazing
- New Orleans is once again a fantastic backdrop to this story, filled with tragic history & rich community
- That tantalizing hope of finding out about her mother at the end has me anxiously awaiting the third installment

Thank you to NetGalley & 47North for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Here’s a mystery series with a unique main character - a vodou (voodoo) priestess (“mambo”) based in New Orleans! This is the second book in what looks to be a continuing series, starring Reina. I loved all the New Orleans atmosphere and details, the Haitian heritage, and the supporting characters like Tyka and Darryl.

Reina winds up investigating the doings of the husband of one of her clients, to help out her client and she gets sucked into some dangerous situations where she has to call on her vodou powers/magic. I really enjoyed learning more about vodou and its traditions. Reina’s powers revolve around water and New Orleans, with its high humidity, is the perfect spot for someone like Reina.

In addition to the mystery, there are some rather funny sections dealing with Reina’s continuing failures in the kitchen. Reina’s love interest, on the other hand, is a downer. I’m not on “Team Roman.” There are also quite a few references to the long-term effects of Hurricane Katrina.

There’s a bit of a cliffhanger ending, which is not something I like, but it does make you hope for a third book not too far in the future.

When I first heard of this series, I thought that it might be a cozy mystery series, because of Reina being an amateur sleuth, but these books are a bit too dark to be considered cozies.

Since it’s the second book in the series, I chose to read the first book first (The Quarter Storm). If you think you’ll want to read the first one, I suggest you do that before reading The Foreign Exchange, because there are references here that will spoil the first book’s mystery for you. If you want to jump in with this book, the author provides enough background for that to work well.

Thank you to NetGalley and 47North for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Ok so I decided to read this book because I read the first book, and was interested to see how Mambo Reina's new "investigation" went. The first book left off as a cliffhanger, so duh I would want to read the second.

Now, this book read EXACTLY like the first one.. except, there were bits and pieces missing.
The climax was very anti-climatic to say the least; I was bit surprised at who the "bad guy" was but I wish there was more to that.

Another part was introducing the new hougan, and then that was it. He never pops up again so will there be a third book?

And lastly, the ending.. UGH THE ENDING! It ends with a cliffhanger, which I wish was wrapped up into a nice epilogue.. especially if there isn't going to be a third book. If there is going to be a third book that picks up from the cliffhanger, gives some type of back story on the new hougan, and wraps up Mambo Reina's life then I'll definitely read it.

All in all, a decent book but only if you read the first one. Don't read this one without read Quarter Storm first.

I enjoyed reading this, but for a lot of it, I felt as if it was a lot of information to process with the rituals and spells. Maybe it was because I hadn't read the first one.
The characters were good, and it was good to follow Mambo Reina with her mystery of finding out about Arthur's antics, I enjoyed the detective side of Reina and the actual mystery itself just didn't like the magic side as much.

The Foreign Exchange
Veronica G. Henry
Pub Date feb 28
47 North
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. This is the second book in the series so that’s my bad, I highly recommend this book if you like mystery with a bit of magic. There is some real voodoo outside the realms of Hollywood too.
The book was too long- the last 50 pages unnecessary.
3 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher 47North - pub date 2/28/2023. Unfortunately, I am a nitwit and didn't realize this was #2. Whoops. As I am of the opinion that most books in a non-epic mystery series should be readable without having read all the previous installments, I plunged ahead.

Besides the book has some of the best things - New Orleans, atmosphere, Voudou, a mystery-solving Mambo with a found family - so I could not resist. TL:DR - Overall, the book was a fast and relatively enjoyable read but, if I stopped and thought too much, I wanted to howl at how the solid setting/world, the sweet main character, and the high stakes main mystery get buried under the smaller pieces of chaff like a house under tree branches from a bad storm. Those last 50 pages? Unneccesary.

Good points about this book:
1. An impeccable and realistic and evocative feeling of New Orleans permeated the book. The author does a fantastic job painting the city in real colors and not its tourism clothing. She pays attention to everything from the landscape to the sounds and the odors. It feels real and rich and can make anyone who has been there homesick.
2. The author does not shy away from the ugly parts of the setting and is utterly honest when dealing with the long, slow climb back from Katrina.
3. The detailed, researched elements of Voudou. There is no cheapening of the relgion and its practices. It is respectful. It is balanced. It is organic. It is varied. Most importantly, like all religions and all magic and all belief, it can be used well and used badly but the use is not the fault of the source but the fault of the wielder.

Bad points : Well, it doesn't fully stand up without reading the first book but it's clear enough (and repeats enough points a few times) that you can get along without reading the first.
1. The plot and pacing are a bit... confused as to what they want to be. The main plot (the murder, the smuggled kids, what's going on with Ms Vangie's husband) - that all toodles along just fine with dashes of what you think are sub-plots (Reina's love life, Reina's friendship circle and their problems, dealing with fall-out from book one). It's a really good plot, too. It builds from small stakes to big stakes and has a suitably upsetting villain. But then the climax zips by in a handful of pages and you think it's over but the book keeps dawdling on for another 50 or so pages that bulk up those side quests to Big Things which only serves to make the climax smaller and make me wonder where it all is going. "Are we there yet, Mom?"
2. Reina is the sweetest of darlings and cares about things and wants so badly to do right and I rather like her and... I want to shake the hell out of her. This is her second "case". You would think she would have more sense in pursuing things. She nearly gets shot, jumps into things before she has proper protections, doesn't approach situations with a plan B and she fibs her head off left and right to the people who she should be most honest with. The fact that they lie to her as well is just distressing. I am hard-pressed to think of anyone who I feel actually cares for Reina fully and completely and without strings. Maybe Odi. Strangely, maybe Lucien. Call me crazy but I think if you actually love someone (romantically or platonically), you should not be spending half of your time self-editing or lying to them. The fact that she deliberatelly lies to her boyfriend and suspects he lies to her and then she justifies it as being totally sensible is very disheartening. She has no business being with Roman and vice versa. Just about every relationship Reina has is a game of "who has what control over the other person" and that gets exhausting. No wonder poor Reina gets wiped out so much. Reina, girl, it's okay to be single. It's okay to make demands of your friends.
3. ... Reina, I can't believe you honestly dismissed the obvious answer because of THAT reasoning. Are you that prideful or is it stupidity or is there something in this world that absolutely precludes it?

I didn't realise this was the second book in a series but I still enjoyed it immensely. Great characters and a totally engrossing story. Plus the atmosphere was fantastic and I always love a book set in New Orleans. I'm off to find the first book in the series. Recommended.