Bruja Brouhaha (A Mind For Murder Mystery #2)

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Bruja Brouhaha (A Mind For Murder Mystery #2)

by Rochelle Staab (Goodreads Author)

3.56 of 5 stars 3.56 · rating details · 129 ratings · 39 reviews

Practical psychologist Liz Cooper and occult professor Nick Garfield are enjoying the sixteenth wedding anniversary celebration for their charming hosts Paco and Lucia Rojas, devout Santeria practitioners who own the historic Botanica Rojas near MacArthur Park. But the small group of friends is left horrified and confused when the evening ends in tragedy.

Devastated by los...more

Mass Market Paperback, 296 pages

Published August 7th 2012 by Berkley

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Aug 22, 2012 Jeannie and Louis Rigod rated it 5 of 5 stars

Everything seems to be going wrong lately for Liz and Nick and their friends. Could it be life or is it the curse that their dear friend, Lucia threw at the community to avenge her husband's death? If you know Liz Cooper and Nick Garfield, you will realize that there might be two answers to that question.

Liz Cooper is a Psychologist and Nick, her boyfriend is a Professor of Occult studies. They live in Studio City and North Hollywood. Liz volunteers for a counseling session at the clinic across...more

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Aug 06, 2012 Yvonne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Psychologist Liz Cooper believes in science and facts. Occult professor Nick Garfield believes in the supernatural. They couldn’t be more opposite, but the old saying is that opposites attract and that’s certainly the case with these two. However, when tragedy strikes a family friend, their beliefs quickly clash.

Lucia Rojas, a Santeria priestess, is devastated by the loss and in a moment of seeking justice – she puts an evil hex on the entire community. She blames all of them for the tragedy and...more

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Mar 27, 2013 Amber rated it 1 of 5 stars

The first book in this Rochelle Staab series was kind of fun and cutesy, I didn't mind it. The second one, I couldn't finish. It seemed like she was creating situations out of nothing, bringing new characters in that did not exist in the first book, but are the most important thing ever in the second book.

I also always find it a challenge when you have a complete layperson, someone with no training, abilities, or skills, who believes that they should be the one to interfere with a police investi...more

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Aug 01, 2012 Cathy Cole rated it 4 of 5 stars

First Line: Nick Garfield, my boyfriend and college professor of mainstream, arcane, and bizarre forms of religion, took four chunks of unshelled coconut from the Santeria altar and set them in my hand.

Practical psychologist Liz Cooper and occult professor Nick Garfield are celebrating the sixtieth wedding anniversary of their hosts, Paco and Lucia Rojas, devout Santeria practitioners who own the historic Botanica Rojas near MacArthur Park in Los Angeles. The evening turns to tragedy for the sma...more First Line: Nick Garfield, my boyfriend and college professor of mainstream, arcane, and bizarre forms of religion, took four chunks of unshelled coconut from the Santeria altar and set them in my hand.

Practical psychologist Liz Cooper and occult professor Nick Garfield are celebrating the sixtieth wedding anniversary of their hosts, Paco and Lucia Rojas, devout Santeria practitioners who own the historic Botanica Rojas near MacArthur Park in Los Angeles. The evening turns to tragedy for the small group of friends when Paco is killed in a drive-by shooting.

Lucia, completely devastated by her loss, blames the locals for the growing crime in the area, and she casts a hex on the neighborhood. Strange things begin to happen, accidents are on the rise, and Lucia's neighbors begin calling her "bruja" (witch). They turn on the elderly woman who's always been their friend, and they want her gone.

With the way the locals are behaving, Lucia is definitely in harm's way, and it's up to Liz and Nick to solve Paco's murder before anything happens to Lucia.

I often hear talk of a "sophomore slump" when referring to the second books in series. These second books allegedly tend to be weaker than the first, but that most certainly is not the case with Bruja Brouhaha. Two minor annoyances in the first book were not present in the second (Liz's preoccupation with the color and application of her lipstick, and her mother trying to get Liz back with her alcoholic ex-husband), and I quickly settled down to a very enjoyable read.

The Santeria religion is an interesting one, and I wish there'd been a little more about it in the book, but Staab does an excellent job of showing the behavior of its practitioners and how their beliefs color their perceptions. This series is not a paranormal one; the author focuses on a little-known religion in each book, giving a bit of its history and how it is used by its followers. This allows Nick to flex his professorial muscles while Liz puts her knowledge of psychology to good use.

I liked seeing how a group of people banded together to help a grieving, elderly friend while they still kept their own lives going. Liz, for example, gets notice that she has to move out of her condo, so on top of job and Lucia, she's got that worry to contend with.

I found that I could spot the villain(s) in the book rather quickly; what I couldn't do was piece everything together to know the why. I found myself reading faster and faster in a fruitless effort to figure things out before Liz and Nick. I've grown to enjoy the company of those two; I love learning about little-known religions; and I love watching Liz's mind for murder solve a mystery. When's the next book?
(less)

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Aug 16, 2012 LORI CASWELL rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2012

Paco and Lucia Rojas own the historic Botanica Rojos near MacArthur Park and are devout Santeria practitioners who mix up potions for many rituals like love, success and safety. They have gathered with their friends to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. Lucia is also teaching Liz how to make tamales.

The party comes to an end quickly when tragedy strikes. a devastated Lucia lashes out at the community by casting a vengeful hex on the entire neighborhood. They quickly give her the label of...more Paco and Lucia Rojas own the historic Botanica Rojos near MacArthur Park and are devout Santeria practitioners who mix up potions for many rituals like love, success and safety. They have gathered with their friends to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. Lucia is also teaching Liz how to make tamales.

The party comes to an end quickly when tragedy strikes. a devastated Lucia lashes out at the community by casting a vengeful hex on the entire neighborhood. They quickly give her the label of "Bruja" - Spanish for witch. Soon this elderly woman is alone with the exception of her friends Nick and Liz. They need to protect her and get to the bottom of a lot of strange happenings in the community including a murder and a missing person before more lives are lost.

Dollycas's Thoughts

This author has a way of writing that just draws you in and holds on tight. The setting for this story really drove the mystery.

A close knit community dealing with a few unscrupulous residents and some rival gangs members looking for trouble. The residents rally together to help Lucia showing the such strong friendship, putting themselves in danger to save her and her Botanica.

I also was drawn by the education we receive about a religion I knew nothing about. The beliefs and practices of a Santeria priestess were very interesting.

While Nick is an expert in the occult I do not classify these stories as paranormal. Like most readers Liz is not savvy to all these different beliefs so we can feel as if we are learning right along with her. She definitely learned more from Lucia than how to make a great tamale.

The romance between Liz and Nick hit a few bumps this time out. I would call them growing pains as there relationship grows the trust in one another has to grow as well. The way this is written makes the characters so real and easily identifiable. Character development is perfectly paced.

I have to say I really enjoyed the character of Lucia. A strong woman suffering a devastating lost. It takes her time to come to grips with the many changes in her life. She did have a little help holding her back from accepting the truth but as a reader seeing her come out even stronger after her ordeal was inspiring.

Just like the first installment the clever plot spiced with a little humor made this a perfect cozy. I can't wait to see where the author takes us next! According to Amazon Hex on the Ex (A Mind for Murder Mystery) hits stores May 7, 2013.(less)

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Jul 31, 2012 Fox rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, fiction, mystery, series, 2012

I won this book through First-Reads!

Someone before me shelved this book under the heading of "cozy-mystery"... I think that pretty much describes this book to a tee. This is the second book in the series (the first being Who Do Voodoo) and although I'm unfamiliar with the first book, that didn't cause me too much difficulty in reading this one.

Basically, a professor of Comparative Religion and a Psychologist are dating one another and get wrapped up in a complex case of murder and desirable real...more

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Aug 06, 2012 Anna Janelle rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

A special thanks to Berkley Prime Crime Mystery publishers and author Rochelle Staub for allowing me this GoodReads First Reads win. I sincerely loved reading this second installment in the A Mind fot Murder series.

Without going into too much detail (I don't want to spoil a thing in this eerie page-turner), the plot centers around psychologist Liz Cooper and her occult college professor boyfriend Nick Garfield. Side note: the blooming romantic relationship between these two greases the plot of t...more A special thanks to Berkley Prime Crime Mystery publishers and author Rochelle Staub for allowing me this GoodReads First Reads win. I sincerely loved reading this second installment in the A Mind fot Murder series.

Without going into too much detail (I don't want to spoil a thing in this eerie page-turner), the plot centers around psychologist Liz Cooper and her occult college professor boyfriend Nick Garfield. Side note: the blooming romantic relationship between these two greases the plot of the already tightly-woven mystery. On the eve of their friends' sixtieth wedding anniversary, a drive-by shooting occurs that leaves two victims, one of the victims being the husband of the aforementioned celebrating couple. Both are practicioners of Santeria - the details and history of the religion is highlighted throughoutthe book, making this easy, cozy-armchair read both fun and informative. When the grieving widow Lucia casts a hex on the neighborhood at her husband's wake, things begin to go awry. Liz and Nick set out to protect Lucia, find Paco's killer and stop the hex before more deaths and/or disappearences occur.

If I could, I would give this novel an enthusiastic three-and-a-half stars. It's not a short-coming of the novel or the author. I would readily recommend this book to those in search of a fluffy, fun book to read at the beach or on vacation. It was an escape, but as I mentioned previously, it had bits and pieces of occult and religious fact riddled throughout the narritive. I haven't read the first in the series at the time of this review, but I'd definately like to in the future. The knowledge of the first book's plot or character development wasn't nesessary to enjoy the book. Kudos to the author for being able to segway the series in this masterful manner. I'd eagerly pick up a sequel if only to find out how Nick, Liz and Erzulie the kitten are progressing. As my previous status updates suggested, the end of the book was a whirlwind of activity. I almost didn't want things to be wrapped up so asily, so quickly - a definate sign of a good read and good characters.(less)

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Nov 02, 2012 Kim rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: super-natural-mystery

This is book 2 of an o.k. series. It will not be one I will seek out for my order list, but if I find it, I won't ignore it either. The best thing going for these books is the removal of myth and misunderstanding of two religions so far, and the truthful explanation of them over the two books. That is what makes me want to keep reading them, not the characters for whom I still do not have much feeling for, but they may come along as the series does, so I am trying to be fair, but they are a litt...more

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Sep 06, 2012 Debbie Heaton rated it 4 of 5 stars

In Staab’s mystery novel, practical psychologist Liz Cooper and occult professor Nick Garfield are enjoying the sixtieth wedding anniversary celebration for friends, Paco and Lucia Rojas, who own the historic Botanica Rojas near MacArthur Park. Regardless of the festivities, the evening ends in tragedy.

Blaming escalating crime in the area, Lucia casts a vengeful hex on the neighborhood, leading strangers and friends both to nickname her bruja—Spanish for witch—and turn on the elderly woman. Now...more

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Oct 13, 2012 Sharon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Liz and Nick are enjoying the 60th wedding anniversary celebration for their charming hosts. Paco and Lucia Rojas, devout Santeria practioners who own a historic botanica Rojas, near Macarther Park. The the small group of friends are left horrified and confused when the evening ends in tragedy.

With the murder and mayhem going on it will keep you wondering who dun it and why.

Liz is a clinical psychologist and Nick is a college professor of all sorts of religion.

Although this a second book for...more

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Sep 24, 2012 Brenda Mengeling rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 48, ebook, fiction, mysteries

Bruja Brouhaha is the second mystery to feature psychologist Liz Cooper. This story is darker than Who Do, Voodoo?, but I enjoyed it very much, and the mystery was quite good.

The characters and crime is quite believable. Again, characters who practice occult religions are part of the story, but this is not a paranormal mystery.

Ms Staab does a good job of blending the burgeoning romance between Liz and Nick into the story, and the secondary characters, although a little stereotyped, the stereot...more

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Oct 17, 2012 Diana Leigh rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: witchy-witches, cozy-mystery

BRUJA BROUHAHA is a clever title that fits this book perfectly. The bruja (witch) in question is Lucia Rojas who puts a hex on her neighborhood to avenge her husband's murder in front of their home. Soon after, the residents begin blaming her hex for every misfortune that befalls them. Lucia refuses to lift the curse, believing it is the only thing that will bring Paco's killer to justice.

Fearing that their elderly friend will become the target of an angry mob, Liz Cooper and Nick Garfield step...more

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Oct 19, 2012 Dru Ann Love rated it 5 of 5 stars

Santeria, murder and deceptions plays in a role in this whodunit that I could not put down. I enjoyed the easy and fast-paced flow of this well-written mystery that was filled with plenty of twists and turns. The author did a good job in keeping me in suspense as the story moved forward towards its conclusion. This was a great read and I look forward to the next book in this delightfully charming series.

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Oct 17, 2012 Lori rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is such an unusual series with the occult or different religions in each book. There were some things in this book that I first saw when I moved to the south. They finally make sense to me, I used to get people asking to touch my eyes. Now I finally understand why!!

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Aug 08, 2012 Kristin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery, series

This is 2nd in this cozy series. It focuses on different religions like Voodoo and Santeria. The thing I like about cozies is that while they have a theme and a mystery they are more relationship books. I like the characters in this series even though I don't know them very well yet.

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Nov 06, 2012 Jess rated it 5 of 5 stars

A great follow up to Rochelle's "Who Do, Voodoo?"! I had a feeling though, when I finished her first book that I would get happily stuck on her series of "Mind for Murder Mysteries"! As usual, she kept me turning pages and racing to the end to see if I my guess "who did it" would be right... and just like before she through me for a pleasant loop! I liked everything about the book, the setting, the usual suspects... I mean characters and of course some new friends that were added in this book. I...more

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Mar 22, 2013 Alex Kent rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: rochelle-staab, detective, supernatural

Curses, and murders, and lies - oh my!

Rochelle Staab's "Bruja Brouhaha" is a fast paced romp around LA with Liz Cooper who is trying to solve a mystery while squeezing in some real day-to-day living. Sandwiched between house hunting and buying pastries she has her hands full sorting out the dastardly deeds being heaped on the residents of Westlake. You see, her friend Lucia Rojas is a witch... a practioner of Santeria, and has just hexed the neighbourhood in her grief.

As hellacious as our lives...more

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Nov 26, 2012 Sallee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

I enjoyed this cozy mystery, second in a series. The story moved along in realistic time, characters were well rounded and the conclusion was a nice surprise. Different cultural diversities abound making for an interesting read.

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Sep 21, 2012 ❂ Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: cozy-mystery, paranormal-mystery

I started this book, got half-way through the first chapter and then put it down again for weeks. Can't really explain why, but when I picked it up again I was immediately absorbed in the story. While the basis of the plot centered on a Santaria hex, the investigation of the mystery really didn't include a large amount of information about Santaria, which I would have enjoyed. Still, it was a very good mystery with a lot of kinks to keep you guessing who exactly the culprit was. I like Liz more...more

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Aug 07, 2012 Lynn rated it 4 of 5 stars

A GoodReads First Read win!! I really enjoyed the first book in this series and can't wait to start this one! :-)! - This was a great follow-up to the first book in the series. When Liz and Nick are celebrating with friends, a drive-by shooting occurs leaving a neighborhood favorite dead. A hex is placed on all who are near and sets more horrible events awry. Soon Liz and Nick find themselves engrossed in the local gang culture while trying to help Liz's mother and friend, Carmen with a fundrais...more

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Aug 22, 2012 Sue Em rated it 3 of 5 stars

While I enjoyed the main characters (Liz, Nick, her mother and brother), several of the plot points that were unveiled in the resolution pushed the limit of what I could accept/believe.

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Aug 01, 2012 Conny rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

I was a first read winner and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I think this would make the perfect summer read. Its a murder mystery with a good plot and interesting characters, the fast pace of the book makes it impossible to put down. Plus I always enjoy when you learn something new. I highly recommend it.

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Feb 17, 2013 Kimberlee rated it 4 of 5 stars

http://www.girllostinabook.com/2012/1...

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Jul 17, 2012 Lulu marked it as to-read

I won this book from the first reads giveaways and I am so excited to read it. Thanks.

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Jan 03, 2013 Heather Z rated it 3 of 5 stars

A quick, cozy little read.

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Nov 09, 2012 Paty rated it 4 of 5 stars

Loved it!

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Jul 29, 2012 Stephanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

Fast paced, great cliff hangers at the end of each chapter. I couldn't put the book down. I found myself anxiously waiting to solve the mystery.

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Jan 12, 2013 Melanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

good second book in series.

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Jan 20, 2013 Nichole Bennett added it

Another great book. Love the characters and the inter-personal relationships.

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Feb 15, 2013 Jaret rated it 3 of 5 stars

This was a good cozy mystery. The author could have gone haywire with the Santeria connection in the story, but she kept it simple. She did not make the religion seem comical. I know very little about Santeria, but the author captured the confusion people seem to have about the customs and practices. The mystery was predictable, but it was still a quick, fun read.

This book was a Goodreads giveaway.

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About Rochelle Staab

Rochelle Staab, former radio programmer and music industry executive, combined her love for mystery with a strong curiosity about the supernatural in her bestselling Mind for Murder Mystery series featuring psychologist Liz Cooper and occult expert Nick Garfield.

WHO DO, VOODOO? the first novel in the series earned Anthony, Agatha, Eureka! nominations for Best First Mystery along with a Golden Hear...more

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Books by Rochelle Staab

Who Do, Voodoo? (A Mind For Murder Mystery #1)

Hex on the Ex (A Mind For Murder Mystery #3)

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Bruja Brouhaha (A Mind For Murder Mystery #2)

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