Customer Reviews

Evil Ways (Quincey Morris 2)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Written in the third person, the complex story is told from the perspective of all the major players, heroes and villains alike, which gives a lovely sense of depth and an emphasis on the mystery/crime aspect as well as a better understanding of what exactly is happening and what's at stake if Quincey and Libby fail to solve the mystery and stop the bad guys. Knowing not only who the villains are, but their plans and motivations helps ramp up the tension.

I love Quincey and Libby, and I really really love the relationship between the two of them. There's no romance here. The two are very close friends, they've worked together many times before and as a result, they're able to read each other's moods and expressions, especially in a crisis. The banter between them is wonderful, and while they're protective of each other, neither is at all interested in starting up romance (or even a little sex). It strikes me as a little sad that this is such an unusual relationship to read about, but on the up side, it's handled very, very well here. I could probably read an entire book just about Quincey and Libby hanging out on their down time.

Something else that filled me with unspeakable glee? All the fictional character cameos. From Silence of the Lambs's Jack Crawford to Millennium's Frank Black to Harry Dresden, there's no shortage of genre-related in-jokes. These are hidden references of the best sort: anyone who gets them will get a giggle, but if you miss the significance, it won't hinder your understanding of the story.

Even better than the cameos is Gustainis's depth of understanding of his genre, both in the supernatural and mystery solving. I love that there isn't one type of mysticism; the witches studies and methods vary depending on what culture and background they come from, whether it be wiccan or shamanistic or something else entirely. The magic has complex rules and limitations, and stays within there. There's no "chosen one" for whom the rules don't apply.

I think it's safe to say I very much enjoyed Evil Ways (as well as its predecessor, Black Magic Woman). Alright, the line editing could have been a little tighter, what with minor characters randomly changing names in the middle of scenes and things like that, but we can't exactly fault the author for that. The fast pace, the depth of the world, and the wonderful sense of humour made for a book I stayed up too late on more than one night reading "just one more chapter." We all know it's never just one.

This Book was just a waste of money and time. The first book was a good read but this one is all over the place. The plot (if there is one) is lost completely in gratuitous sex and torture. Putting this book in Harry Dresden's world was pathetic. You mean That Harry and the white council is Oblivious to the end of the world coming? How did this so powerful wizard escape their notice? The 2 FBI agents are decidedly NOT FBI agents in behavior or in procedure. I could not suspend my belief enough to give this plot any credibility at all. I mean if you cut your major artery you bleed out in 5 minutes. The author could not even make up his mind as to where the bad guys estate was.

I think that EVIL WAYS improves on BLACK MAGIC WOMAN, not that BLACK MAGIC WOMAN was at all horrible. Writer Justin Gustainis has tweaked a couple of things, and the result is that EVIL WAYS is a more exciting, more suspenseful read. In this paranormal thriller, the stakes get about as high as they can get.

It starts off with a daring heist which costs the Baghdad National Museum one of its most mysterious artifacts, the Book of Shadows (which resurfaces in a bit). In Los Angeles, occult troubleshooter-for-hire Quincey Morris - and, yes, his ancestor was the very same Quincey Morris featured in Bram Stoker's classic horror novel - is "convinced" by the FBI to help investigate the new rash of ritualistic child murders. Meanwhile, followers of the Right-Hand Path - that is, the benevolent white witches - are being targeted and assassinated, and this means that Morris's friend and sometimes case partner, Libby Chastaine, is in grave peril. Libby figures the best way she can stay alive is if she kept Quincey company. She helps him on his case. He watches her back.

The FBI works the child murders from another angle. Special Agent Fenton is back from BLACK MAGIC WOMAN and he's a bit more used to the paranormal stuff now. It doesn't hurt that his new partner of eight months, she seems to be up on what's weird and mystical. She's certainly nursing a secret. Unlike in the first book, Special Agent Fenton's investigation actually loops him into the main story arc. On Walpurgis Night - or to go with its more ominous name, the Witch's Sabbath - the very-out-of-their-jurisdiction federal agents, and Morris and Chastaine, and their allies converge in Idaho for one of those supernatural all-hell-breaks-loose kind of showdowns. And the Book of Shadows? It plays a key part in all this.

Thick in the mess of things, the shadowy figure who had been pulling strings in BLACK MAGIC WOMAN finally steps into the light; we find out what his deal is. We also find out that he isn't the big player we perceived him to be. Rather, it's that whole "the power behind the throne is the one really calling the shots" deal. We figure this out pretty early on.

So, several cool things. The writer has several really interesting characters to play with. Quincey and Libby's interactions - with their platonic relationship a steady undercurrent - continues to be a fun strength of the series. Gustainis also puts in the work in exploring the Wiccan element, and we're also introduced to several of Libby's Wiccan associates, some of whom don't get to stick around (because they get murdered). I like that Libby, although she's got mad skills, isn't really the most powerful witch around. Her limitations as a practitioner of strictly defensive magic serve the story in that she isn't always relegated to the deus ex machina role. Which means that Quincey Morris, a mere mortal, gets to do more than his share of saving the day. Morris isn't some do-it-all superhero of a guy. He gets results and survives because he's pretty savvy about how the supernatural world works.

Another very intriguing character is the icy monster slayer Hannah Widmark. She's hired by Morris to act as his and Libby's bodyguard. And she's a pretty fascinating person, and may actually have more ties to what's going down than just her being hired as muscle.

The coolest thing Justin Gustainis may have done here is in sneaking in cameos of characters from other authors' works and even from a short-lived paranormal television series. For this sentence, here's the SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER tag - those whom I recognized are folks like Harry Dresden, Lamont Cranston, and Frank Black. I probably missed a few others. But I absolutely salivate at the concept of a shared urban fantasy landscape inhabited by all these characters. Utterly cool.

Gustainis certainly employs a lot of earthy language, but then again people actually do talk like so in everyday conversations. But if you're easily offended... Also, Gustainis doesn't shirk from following thru, and this just might make you uncomfortable with how certain events unfold. Basically, he's saying that you do what you have to do to get the job done. EVIL WAYS is a dark and violent urban fantasy, and chances are you'll end up cringing in spots, although it's a toss-up whether it's supernatural bats or an FBI agent's methods in drawing a lead from an inmate which'll give you the willies. I can't wait for the third novel. It's title is SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL, as the author seems to have gone away from Santana and is now effing around in Rolling Stones territory.

The main characters of this series are only on the page a bit over a third of the time. Much of the novels are spent exploring demineralization minds, other humans, and the dark fantasy version of out world. If you enjoy novels that span far these are great, if you prefer to stick mostly with the main characters you will not like these. I tend to prefer the latter, thus only 3 stars for me. Well written, but too unfocused for me.

This is the second in the Morris/Chastain series, and they keep getting better.
In the first in the series, Quincey Morris and Libby Chastain (I love that name!) were introduced, and fought against an Unspeakable Evil. They solved crimes, and foiled some truly evil villains, but had no idea what they were truly up against.
It is difficult to sustain interest in a series, and fork over for the next one in a series if you do not like the characters, by the way. I had that problem with the Harry Turtledove alternate history series. Brilliant plotting, but unlikeable characters. Gustainis does Turtledove better here, with very good plotting, PLUS likeable heroes.
It is not a SPOILER to reveal that Walter Gropius, the Bond Villain of the series so far, has something really bad in mind. What is the worst that can happen if a super rich bad guy has a team of crack Black Path cultists assembled to summon Something on a once in 30 years Walpurgis Nacht? I will leave it to your imagination.
Gustainis assumes that you have read the grisly details in the first book, so you know what "parts and accessories" they are assembling. Let me assure you that there is no moral ambiguity or equivalency here. Evil is evil.
The plotting is good, and the ending is satisfying. You are not left hanging in the last paragraph for a sequel, like Ludlum does. The ending is wrapped up. However, Gustainis kindly provides a few pages of the next in the series, so we know that Morris and Chastain ride again.

A few things intrigued me.
The first is that Quincy and Libby met briefly in Harry Dresden's favorite watering hole. It would be fun to see Gustainis and Butcher enlarge the cameos, and perhaps join forces. As far as I know, the Sisterhood are not part of the Unseely Accords... The White Council should think this over. They sure do need help.
The other thing I found interesting is that the SWAT team that is assembled is entirely female. As are the Bad Guys they must foil. Card carrying chauvinist opig that I am, I never thought of this, but it makes sense. Maybe I am getting enlightened.

Anyway, I am looking forward to the next in the series, "Sympathy for the Devil".

In this sequel to Black Magic Woman, Quincey Morris must once again search for killers involved in black magic. When Libby Chastain is attacked in her own home, she and Quincey soon discover that other white witches across the country are being killed. And the FBI is investigating another child killer. Both trails lead back to an extremely powerful man with extremely evil plans.

Evil Ways is very fast-paced, and jumps around many characters and their stories. This makes is a bit hard to keep track at first. But after a couple chapters, it becomes apparent who the main characters are. Then flow of the story is easier to follow.

I found this installment considerably more exciting than the first, with even more powerful bad guys and dire situations. The adventure leads to a thrilling showdown. And Gustainis even gives a nod to Chicago's famous, resident wizard. Quincey isn't a wizard, but has some powerful friends and a great knowledge of things that go bump in the night.

Quincey Morris Supernatural Investigation is a fun new dark, urban fantasy series. Quincey is a unique character; and I hope to see more of his personal life and backstory in upcoming releases.

Evil Ways (Quincey Morris 2) by Justin Gustainis is the 2nd book in his Quincey Morris series. Like the first book, Black Magic Woman (Quincey Morris, Book 1), _Evil Ways_ follows supernatural investigator Quincey Morris as he and his good friend (and occasional business partner) Elisabeth "Libby" Chastain try to protect people caught on the wrong side of the tracks in the supernatural realms.


The plot in _Evil Ways_ picks up shortly after _Black Magic Woman_ leaves off. In _Black Magic Woman_, none of the people trying to track down Cecilia Mbwato were aware her last job was for a very rich and reclusive businessman, Walter Grobius. Most of _Evil Ways_ follows Quincey and Libby as they independently stumble onto more parts of Grobius' very large and far-flung scheme, and then try to piece together what is actually going on.

Agent Dale Fenton of the Behavioral Sciences Unit of the FBI is again a major part of the story. This time he has a new partner, Agent Colleen O'Donnell. After the events at the end of _Black Magic Woman_, Agent Fenton is grudgingly willing to admit that perhaps magic and myth are not completely imaginary. Agent Fenton approaches Quincey Morris early on about another series of child murders. While Quincey and Libby make private inquiries, Agents Fenton and O'Donnell track down official leads through regular law enforcement channels.

Complicating all this are repeated attempts to kill Libby Chastain. While a number of white witches all across North America are killed as part of Grobius' plan, one of the bad guys also has a very personal grudge against Chastain.

The stories take place in the modern day world. Gustainis does a great job blending in references to previous detective/horror books and shows. Quincey himself is a descendant of the Quincey Morris who was killed while trying to help Van Helsing and Jonathan Harker in Bram Stoker's Dracula (Bram Stoker's Dracula (Collector's Edition)). In _Evil Ways_, Quincey and Libby almost get to meet Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden (Storm Front (The Dresden Files, Book 1)), (he leaves an apology note, an emergency took him out of the country) and a bar owner who gives them some good information is Frank Black from the Millenium TV series (Millennium: Seasons 1-3) (and Gustainis does a VERY good characterization of Black in the scenes where he appears -- appearance, habits of speech, everything).

And I do hope to see Hannah Widmark in future novels, she was a very interesting character.

So, all in all, great plot, great characters, great story. And Gustainis has an excellent eye for detail. Sometimes he has too good of an eye for detail. There is a fair amount of gore, torture, and violent degradation in this book, and there were a lot of times I wished Gustainis would have glossed over some of those details. For instance, it would have been enough to know a minor-league bad guy was killed by a higher-up bad guy for being sloppy, without having to read the police detectives describe the minor-league bad guys' death as looking like he was turned inside out. It would have been enough to read about a law enforcement agent breaking the rules to have sex with an informant in return for information, without said law enforcement agent describing both in conversation and in reminisces how it's no big deal because her dad taught her how to have meaningless sex when she was much younger. There are other scenes and storylines like that -- we as readers could have gotten the general impression without needing THAT much detail. That is the reason why I give _Evil Ways_ four stars, instead of five, and also why I mentioned a strong stomach in the title for this review.

Also, there's a whole chapter where the author (or maybe proof-reader??) confuses Iowa and Idaho several times.

But nitpicks and complaints about too much detail in unpleasant places aside, _Evil Ways_ is a very good book. Great characters, great plot, very descriptive of characters and settings, great pacing, all in all it was a real page-turner. I just wish there'd been less detail in the gore.

After BLACK MAGIC WOMAN, I raced to pre-order Justin Gustainis' sequel EVIL WAYS and anxiously awaited its arrival. I loved it! The urban fantasy genre tends to be dominated by female authors that I identify personally with so it is a refreshing when a male author conquers it as well. An absolute must read for urban fantasy junkies!

"Evil Ways", the latest Morris and Chastain Investigation tale from Justin Gustainis, is a delightfully, devilish read. Quincey Morris and Libby Chastain team up once again as they take us on a witch hunt that leads to Walpurgis Night and beyond to places of unspeakable darkness. Our favorite FBI agent, Fenton, makes a repeat appearance, as well as a host of new characters, some of whom I surely hope will show up in future Morris and Chastain tales (like the widow Widmark). Stay up late reading this book, give yourself a good scare, Quincey and Libby will keep you company in bed. Buy this book, it'll be like spending the night with old friends.

Quincey Morris and Libby Chastian are together again. After Libby is attacked in her shower, she turns to Quincey for help. It isn't long before they discover white witches are being murdered around the country. I was pleased to see Agent Dale Fenton of the FBI brought back. In Black Magic Woman he was exposed to the paranormal and grudgingly became a believer. Unknown to him, his new partner, Cecilia, is a white witch. The POV switches back and forth between the two sets of partners as well as the bad guys. I liked knowing what motivated each side in to making the choices they made. The people killing the witches were truly evil and had a sinister plan to carry out. Quincey and Libby were determined to stop them as well as save the lives of all the other witches.

One thing that brought a smile to my face is when several characters from other series were brought in or mentioned. I recognized Harry Dresden right away but there was another character that had me whopping out loud. I won't give it away so that the next person who sees it will be as surprised as I was. Unfortunately, I never have found another person who has seen the movie so it was a big surprise when I ran across the name. I hope this is something that Justin Gustainis does in all the books. It makes me wonder if he did this in the first book (Black Magic Woman) and I missed it. It's an added bonus to the story.

Several things happened in Evil Ways that made me wonder if they were going to be major plot devices for future books. I hope so! This was a very good book that I recommend to everybody who like a little woo woo in their reading.