Evil Ways

by Justin Gustainis

Book Overview

Following the success of Black Magic Woman, Quincey Morris returns to investigate a serial killer of kids, assassinations of white witches and a major attempt to bring back you-know-who.

A Morris and Chastain Investigation

Supernatural investigator Quincey Morris and his partner, "white witch" Libby Chastain, are each in pursuit of a vicious killer. One is murdering small children for their bodily organs; the other is hunting...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1844167658
• ISBN13: 9781844167654
• Release Date: December 2009
• Publisher: Solaris
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 4.1" x 6.5"

Customer Reviews

Gustainis is getting better and better!

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".

Exciting paranormal fantasy

Gustainis is carving out a niche in a genre dominated by women (don't get me wrong, I LOVE that women dominate!). Evil Ways is an exciting read. His characters, both male and female are fully developed. I highly recommend this series and I'm anxiously awaiting the third!

Loved it!

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!

exciting urban fantasy

In Baghdad on the eve of the American invasion, five mercenaries use the unrest to break and enter the Iraqi National Musuem. They climb down three flights of stairs and open up a tamper-proof safe. They steal the Book of Shadows that was locked inside. The team leader Miles Hawkins takes it to black magic practitioner Pardee in the States on beealf of his dying client multi-billionaire Walter Grobius, who hopes the tome contains a spell to save his life. Supernatural investigator Quincey Morris completes a mission in which he sees the preserved hearts of eight murdered children, Two FBI agents Dale Fenton and Colleen O'Brien inform him that children across the country are being killed. Quincey's partner white witch Libby Chastain is also almost killed while taking a shower; eight white witches have been slaughtered and three more have vanished. The FBI investigates the murders using physical clues; while Quincey and Libby apply their paranormal skills to seek the same information of identfying the culprit. Meanwhile Libby's life remains in danger from a person who never forgot she defeated him in a contest of magic. All roads lead to Iowa where Pardee and Grobius are approaching a critical moment on Walpurgis's Night of the full moon. The Sisterhood uses their magic to try and avert a catastrophe while Quincey wants to do likewise but also save Libby from being a sacrifice and the Feds try to keep the summoning from happening. EVIL WAYS, a worthy successor to BLACK MAGIC WOMAN, focuses throughout on the supernatural in the mundane realm with a myriad of subplots that tie together in a terrific battle between good and evil. The key to this exciting urban fantasy is both sides of the conflict contain fully developed key characters. Quincey and Libby are a dynamic team who bring plausibly to the plot even though they can move mountains when working in unison; in this case they may have to move the Great Plains with what Pardee and Grobius plan. Justin Gustainis makes his world seem real as the Field of Dreams turns into a nightmare. Harriet Klausner

Take a spin on the dark side

"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.