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Jo Wiley thinks she has everything she needs in her quirky but tidy life in Ljubljana. Her teahouse is thriving. She's surrounded herself with chosen family and her friends, well... several of them come with benefits.

When a body is discovered at a glitzy party, Jo's carefully constructed reality starts to unravel. Her lover's murder lifts a veil on a hidden world of ghosts, demons, and forgotten gods where Jo is the link between this reality and the next. She may also be the reason her friends are turning up dead.

Jo has to use her new gift to find the killer, and fast, because there are much worse things than dying.

370 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2020

27 people are currently reading
100 people want to read

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Victoria Raschke

15 books22 followers

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5 stars
37 (47%)
4 stars
26 (33%)
3 stars
11 (14%)
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4 (5%)
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Louie the Mustache Matos.
1,427 reviews141 followers
August 25, 2024
The novel would best be described as a paranormal mystery with similar beats to the Frighteners, The Sixth Sense, and Necroscope. The trope is tried and true, possibly overused, but I'm not sure that this is the element that caused my lowered rating.

Jo Wiley is an American who has chosen to live in Slovenia. She owns a teahouse with a close-knit circle of friends who sometimes share intimacies that make them closer than friends. When one of those "more than friends" is murdered during a party, Jo finds herself emotionally shattered. She thought that she had created a barrier against such emotional complications.

Exacerbating her turmoil is the discovery that she has had a latent ability to communicate with the dead. When she is visited by her former lover, the doorway to the paranormal is blown open and the restless dead require that Jo help them find resolution, because the possibility exists that they were killed as a consequence of their proximity to Jo.

The novel is not a poorly communicated story. The problem lies in the derivative nature of the MacGuffin. It was just OK, but I gave it the third star because of the exotic locale of Slovenia.
Profile Image for catherine ♡.
1,728 reviews170 followers
June 26, 2017
*Thank you to Griffyn Ink Publishing for sending me a free e-copy in exchange for an honest review.*

Actual Rating: 2.5

The blurb for this book sounded very interesting, and that was one of the reasons why I accepted it for review. The synopsis talks about the main character, named Jo Wiley, who becomes entangled in a web of mystery when several of her friends become murder victims. And of course Jo seems to be the missing link. But there are questions left unanswered, and Victoria Raschke spins a crazy story that balances a bit of mystery and a bit of fantasy.

I think the strongest part of the story was perhaps the plot. There were definitely ups and downs and I was surprised to find that the story didn't quite fit into the genre that I had quite expected it to. After reading the book, it in fact does feel like a bit of paranormal or urban fantasy, but nevertheless the atmosphere that the author created was very unique and powerful.

I also really like the setting in which the story took place: Ljubljana. It's definitely the first time I've read a story that was surrounded by such a historical setting, and this really gave the story a different meaning.

Unfortunately, for me I felt like the characters were a weaker point of the book. Because there were definitely a lot of characters with names that were hard to remember, I personally felt a bit disconnected from each of them and I couldn't quite grasp who they were and what their characteristics were. Everything became a little bit muddled in my head as the story went on and I couldn't quite remember how each character was linked to our main character.

The writing style I thought was good; there are some scenes that I really liked and I did enjoy the very casual dialogue throughout the book, but overall, nothing really stood out to me. The pace of the story was steady, but because of the characters I couldn't quite get the full experience that this book was trying to provide. Nevertheless this book would probably be good for people who enjoy reading urban fantasy or something along those lines - and remember that it's only the first book in the series so there's definitely more to come!
Profile Image for Yvonne Aburrow.
Author 21 books72 followers
March 7, 2022
This is book one of “Voices of the Dead” by Victoria Raschke and it’s soooo good. I love the characters and the magical setup and everything. Highly recommended.

The first couple of chapters set the scene and nothing much supernatural happens, although there are hints. Then Jo, the main character, starts seeing things, and weird stuff starts to happen.

I’ve never been to Ljubljana but I want to go there now. It’s vividly described in the book. The food descriptions are great too.
Profile Image for J C Steel.
Author 7 books187 followers
October 14, 2017
Jo Wiley is one of those anomalies: an American living in Slovenia. With a group of friends, she manages a tea house in Ljubljana and keeps the various aspects of her social life strictly separate. When Jo accompanies a friend to the opening of a new archaeological exhibit in town, the worst she’s expecting to have to deal with is being polite to a slimy bar owner who fancies himself irresistible to women. She’s not expecting to see one of her lovers murdered, or to suddenly receive a warning from her dead father...

Who by Water layers realistic fantasy and fantastic reality over the ancient setting of Slovenia’s capital, weaving in allusions to the Catholic Inquisition, witch hunters, and older than both, the Roman settlement of Iulia Aemona that preceded the city. Victoria Raschke’s writing provides an eminently plausible scenario of ancient artifacts and psychic abilities drawn to Ljubljana’s historic nexus, with Jo Wiley, our pragmatic protagonist, front and centre with a talent for speaking to the dead that she wasn’t aware she possessed. I found the pacing of the novel was excellent, and while some of the characters hinted at far more backstory than was actually explored in the book, the story was well-written and a highly enjoyable start to the series.

Reviewed for By Rite of Word.
Profile Image for Michelle Willms.
553 reviews45 followers
March 21, 2018
Engrossing and intriguing

The women in Jo's family can communicate with the dead. Jo seems to have made it almost to middle age with no signs of the family curse. Since her mother lost her mind when Jo was a child, the sight of her murdered friend drinking tea and chatting normally at Jo's table leads Jo to begin questioning her own sanity.

Great series starter, though the mystery was much of a mystery. I liked the characters, the country, and the lead-in to future tales with even more interesting creatures and people.
Profile Image for Rosie Amber.
Author 1 book83 followers
July 31, 2020
Who By Water is an urban fantasy set in Slovenia and is book one of a series. It features Jo Wiley, an American who has recently developed the ability to speak to ghosts. Jo runs a tea house and lives a bohemian lifestyle with a lively collection of friends and lovers.

The death of a close friend triggers her psychic abilities, but a stolen museum artefact poses a worse threat; a demon has been released and it is likely to be after Jo.

I enjoyed the unusual setting for this story; the author shows her love for Ljubljana (Slovenia’s capital city). There were a lot a characters, which was a drawback as I often found it difficult to remember who they all were. The plot had a promising start, but as the story progressed it became overpowered by too much mundane detail; nothing really happened until half way through the book. I also thought that other significant characters could have been made more three-dimensional; most had such minor roles that I was left wondering who they really were. I understand that I might learn more about them in the next books in the series, but the first book in the series needs enough spark to compel you to read on, and, sadly, I found this lacking.
Profile Image for Linda Raedisch.
Author 14 books39 followers
November 3, 2023
Recently, I was a guest on the author's podcast. I did a little reconnaissance before our conversation, which is how I discovered her fiction. Urban fantasy isn't really my bag, but I was intrigued by the setting--the city of Ljubljana in Slovenia--so I gave it a try. This was Victoria Raschke's first novel, and when I mentioned I was reading it, she said, "I cringe when I read that one," which is a little harsh, I think. Can she write? Absolutely! In fact, I think description is her forte, both when it comes to describing the old city, the countryside, and small things like the reflection of party lights in a glass of slivovitz. I found myself actually wanting more description and less dialogue. The archaeology and pre-Christian religion of the area does figure into the plot, but I wanted more of that. I suspect she may have cut the manuscript down a lot, which is usually a wise move when it comes to a first novel, but more space would have allowed her to better balance the mystic, ancient elements with the contemporary setting, a la Phil Rickman's Merrily Watkins novels. There were a few too many characters, most of them good-looking--are there no ugly men in Slovenia?? I met Igor and Milo first, and I liked them a lot before they were crowded out by Matjaz, Leo, Rok, etc. (Re: Rok: If anyone should get their own novel, it's him! "A mountain goat with knitting needles"! What's not to love?) As for the main character Jo, I wanted to like her more than I did. She's an expat American making a life in a city most Americans have never heard of. She's a pastry chef, so there are lots of interesting scenes in the kitchen of the tea house where she works--don't worry, it's not cozy! She's promiscuous, which on the one hand is refreshing, and on the other, was bit too much for me, though the sex is 90% closed door, thank goodness! She's in her 40's, which is also refreshing. She's an orphan and a single mom, which has made her tough on the outside and soft on the inside, which seems to be typical of the urban fantasy genre. I, personally, prefer main characters who are tough on the inside and soft on the outside. I took one whole star off for the continual musical references, which is a personal peeve of mine. There are lots of mentions of Leonard Cohen and Rancid and I forget what else. If you like these bands, you'll get them, I suppose. If you don't, you'll feel, as I did, like you're not one of the cool kids. Bottom line: if you're a fan of the urban fantasy genre, Who by Water is one of the better choices.
Profile Image for A.R. Ashworth.
Author 2 books14 followers
July 23, 2017
"The past is never dead. It's not even past."

In the opening passage of this well-written and captivating novel, one of the characters muses that “the hidden” seem to never want to stay hidden. Why not? Is that good, bad, or indifferent? If they’re trying to reveal themselves, who has the job of keeping them veiled? Is the past--with its deities, demons, and dead—truly past? As I read I couldn’t help thinking about Faulkner’s quote--which is the title of this review--and I kept reading. And kept reading.

Jolene Wiley is a forty-something ex-pat Tennessean who owns a teahouse in Ljubljana, Slovenia. She’s independent and tough, with a good life, a son, friends, and enough lovers to keep her nights busy. Her life seems set until a murder victim comes to call and her life is forever changed.

Raschke has created a vivid world in which people are separated from the dead, the demonic, and the mythological by a porous membrane, indeed. The novel is well-written in an energetic and mature voice. The author uses her obvious love of Slovenia, its people and their language to bring her setting to life. Her dialog rings true. I did some head-scratching as I tried to keep track of all the characters, many of whom had unfamiliar names. It didn't get in the way; I concentrated on Jolene and the other main actors.

"Who by Water" is a gripping and satisfying debut novel. I’m looking forward to reading the next installment in this series.
Profile Image for Eric Suchyta.
70 reviews1 follower
May 24, 2020
As a book, Who by Water gets off to a good start. It is an interesting combination of Slovenian and American, with a main character originally from East Tennessee living in Ljubljana. The punk rock tea shop that the characters run is super charming, with a great European city vibe. The characters are well written with excellent representation.

However, I didn't think the action in the last third to half was especially compelling. Things happened rather quickly, and I don't think felt like they carried as much weight as they should have. I also feel like there's a possible pseudo hole in the ending; it doesn't need to be, but a certain party seems to pass on an opportunity that is at least conceivably desirable. Maybe there's more with this to come in the series though, or maybe a character gave faulty information.

Totaling what I liked and didn't like, I'd call this is an interesting indie read, especially if your in East Tennessee. It's not the best thing I've ever read, but it's a respectable debut.
Profile Image for Steve Bradshaw.
2 reviews
March 22, 2018
Because Jolene Wiley is an American living in Slovenia, I instantly felt at home in the grand, old European City—Ljubljana. At first I was a tourist eavesdropping. Then WHO BY WATER drew me in with seamless dialogue as robust settings took shape and the storyline gathered momentum. Jo is realistic, interesting, and a likeable character—a free spirit. Because she is so real, her fantastical experiences with the dead flow with strength. It makes the web of mysteries even more powerful for readers who do not suspend belief easily. This author has a rare skill. The words fall off the pages as the reader melds into her world. Although character trait development is good throughout the book, I especially liked Jolene’s discovery process—how she learned to accept her gift. The balance between sleuth and vulnerability only magnified the suspense! I look forward to reading book two: OUR LADY OF THE VARIOUS SORROWS
Profile Image for Summer Albin.
3 reviews
August 23, 2018
I want to start with how lovely of a writer Victoria Raschke is. She truly knows what she writes about and delivers it with a cool, deliberate hand. Nothing is contrived and that authenticity gives the reader a well rounded story to sink ones teeth into. Now on to this great book. The cleverness of this book doesn't begin and end at the title, which is a subtle nod to the late and great Leonard Cohen. Victoria builds a solid foundation with interesting characters and relationships, which she promptly sets you spinning on the mystery and adventure. I found myself thinking about the story and itching to get back to it. That is always a good sign to me. I have already read the second book, Our Lady of Various Sorrows, and I can attest it is a satisfying continuation of the first book. I'm currently waiting with baited breathe for the third release.
Profile Image for D.B..
Author 32 books128 followers
May 4, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed being swept away to an old European city that, like so many, blends the old with the new, the living with the dead. Jo Wiley is the perfect guide. An outsider who's made a comfortable life for herself in the foreign land, she soon finds herself at the center of a slew of mysteries, not the least of which involve her communing with the dead. It could help her catch a dear friend's killer, but will she be caught in the crosshairs?

And will the secret guardians of the paranormal world ensnare Jo in their web?

Joe Wiley is the kind of heroine I like to call a cerebral badass. She's tough and thoughtful by turns, and I enjoyed spending time in her world inhabited by ghosts, friends with benefits, and a side of hot tea. Can't wait for more!
Profile Image for Mystie.
240 reviews5 followers
May 11, 2017
Jolene Wiley is a self made woman with a lot of spunk! Usually she uses that spunk in her cooking, taking care of her family, and definitely in the bedroom ;)
This first book of I HOPE an healthy ongoing series, introduces all of the fun main characters, living and working together as Jolene discovers some secrets about herself and her family.
I enjoyed this new female lead paranormal, as it delved into Slovenian culture, new gods, and a twisty adventure, which kept me reading until the very end.
Read this one, it is worth it. Personally I am looking forward to seeing how Jolene learns to deal with her new life and powers, and see what other gods and 'creatures' turn up!
109 reviews
March 7, 2020
Don't let the dour cover put you off, this isn't a literary crime novel, but a witty, adult paranormal suspense/urban fantasy. It was a bit slow to get going, but once it did, I really enjoyed it. The Slovenian setting was unique and the main character was an interesting free-spirited single mother, not your usual protagonist for this sort of story. There probably a couple too many characters introduced, many of whom didn't seem necessary, but I get that it was setting the table for future storylines. Will most likely read book two.
Profile Image for Cindy.
408 reviews1 follower
March 18, 2021
I came to this series backwards, via the companion cookbook The Renegade Tearoom. (Great recipes and voice.) This first novel is terrific and I've already begun the second. The atmosphere of Slovenia and the spunky characters pulled me right in, most especially Jo, who owns a tearoom and is fierce in her loyalties. Once I cared about all the characters, magic was afoot. I'd call it Buffy from a Slovenian tearoom -- thoughtful, well-written, in a wonderful voice, and full of surprises. Now, off to that second book . . .
Profile Image for A.J. Scudiere.
Author 65 books389 followers
May 12, 2017
Raschke has a voice that's bell clear and sweet sounding as she describes the lovely Ljubljana, Slovenia. She also rings true following Jo (our heroine) as she learns she can see and talk to the dead. (It's an old family trait Jo didn't quite get looped in on . . .) The death of one of Jo's closest friends unleashes and ancient power and Jo has to figure out how to stop it.
The story is a page turning mystery told with a voice that walks a fine edge bordering on literature.
1,612 reviews32 followers
July 4, 2021
This is my first opportunity reading this particular author - be prepared once you start you will not want to put the book down - and if you are not a good sleeper like me to begin with - you will be caught of the trap of just one more page, oh let's finish this chapter! The storyline was strong and the characters full developed. I strongly encourage to add this author and her books to your reading list!
Profile Image for Laura Medeiros.
17 reviews
March 16, 2018
Ljubljana is really fun to say. The sound rolls around in my head when I read it. It took a hot minute to get used to the pronunciations, but once that was figured out, it was all good.
Good story with plenty of "I did not expect that" moments to keep me reading, I was pulled in by the "whats going to happen next."
On the one hand, I think I'd like to be Jo when I grow up, she handles her situation with an attitude that was both suborn and resigned. Then again, she has to deal with some stuff that I would nope right out of the country if I had to face.
I look forward to the next book.
88 reviews
August 4, 2018
On the fence

There were times when I had no idea what was going on or who the author was talking about because of the amount of characters thrown in. There wasnt enough time to process before a new one was spoken of. However, it was a decent story once you get a handle on it.
Profile Image for Kat M.
5,193 reviews18 followers
June 15, 2021
i enjoyed getting to know Jo and learn about the world that she was in, it was a lot of fun to read as the story was great and kept me interested. I look forward to more from the author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
142 reviews
May 28, 2022
I really enjoyed this series starter book. The story revolves around a middle aged woman who is suddenly pulled from her normal life into a battle against evil. The characters were interesting and funny and well-devoloped.
Profile Image for Samantha.
77 reviews
July 17, 2019
Loved it! I couldn’t put it down and I can’t wait to start the next one. It’s so nice to have a female lead who actually comes across as a real person. ❤️
Profile Image for Peter McKenna.
Author 5 books14 followers
January 8, 2022
In this supernatural mystery, set in the small Russian village of Ljubljana, Jo Wiley, a woman in the prime of her life, suddenly discovers that she has the innate ability to communicate with the dead after the mangled body of one of her lovers is found murdered. This gift—or maybe it’s a curse, Jo hasn’t entirely decided yet—thrusts the promiscuous medium into the investigation, unraveling a whole world of spirits and demons that she never knew existed and now has to come to terms with before completely losing her sanity. As the bodies continue to drop, leading a trail directly to her, Jo needs to find the culprit and bring them to spiritual justice using her newfound power before she, herself, is the next victim.

“Who by Water” was an excellent introduction to the “Voices of the Dead” series. I thought that Victoria Raschke did a great job of fleshing out the characters, specifically the protagonist, Jo. Jo’s internal monologue provided great commentary on the people and things around her and this, along with dialogue between characters, was witty and sarcastic, exactly my kind of humor. If you’re a fan of the supernatural mystery genre, you are missing out if you’ve not read this one.
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