Veronica G. Henry interviews Mambo Priestess and Amateur Sleuth, Reina Dumond

The Quarter Storm

Haitian-American Vodou priestess Mambo Reina Dumond runs a healing practice from her New Orleans home. Gifted with water magic since she was a child, Reina is devoted to the benevolent traditions of her ancestors.

After a ritual slaying in the French Quarter, police arrest a fellow vodouisant. Detective Roman Frost, Reina’s ex-boyfriend—a fierce nonbeliever—is eager to tie the crime, and half a dozen others, to the Vodou practitioners of New Orleans. Reina resolves to find the real killer and defend the Vodou practice and customs, but the motives behind the murder are deeper and darker than she imagines.

As Reina delves into the city’s shadows, she untangles more than just the truth behind a devious crime. It’s a conspiracy. As a killer wields dangerous magic to thwart Reina’s investigation, she must tap into the strength of her own power and faith to solve a mystery that threatens to destroy her entire way of life.

Author Veronica G. Henry interviews Mambo Priestess and Amateur Sleuth, Reina Dumond.

VGH:

I get the sense that you’d much rather me interview anyone else other than you. Am I right?

RD:

Tyka, Sweet Belly, Lucien. I mean, even that Mambo over in the French Quarter. Any of them would be a better interview than me. And I’ve got a client appointment soon. I’m really just a very private person.

VGH:

And yet, you’re the star of the show. 

RD:

That I am. To be fair though, the city of New Orleans deserves a mention. And I’d like to add that the lwa are the real stars. Particularly Erzulie, she’s the spirit, I’m just her vessel.

VGH:

For those who may not be familiar with Vodou, what is a Mambo and for that matter, who are the lwa?

RD:

(after a sigh) A Mambo is a duly initiated Vodou priestess. It takes years of study and practice, along with a pretty rigorous initiation process. After that, a Mambo serves the god Bondye, and the spirit messengers, the lwa. 

VGH: 

You light up when you mention your patron, the goddess, Erzulie. Why don’t you tell us about her?

RD:

(A smile creeps onto her face) Ours is a sacred tradition, older than magic, with more spirits than even I can name. Erzulie is the lwa of love and women and water. She is a fierce protector of children, a healer of maladies, lover of arts in all forms. A piece of her is always with me, that makes me a Beninite.

VGH:

And what is a Beninite?

RD:

Benin is the source. It’s where our tradition was born, you know? Typically the lwa come and go, using our bodies as they see fit. But when you maintain a connection, that piece of your god or goddess with you, that makes you a Beninite.

VGH:

You mentioned Lucien earlier. Isn’t he the only other Beninite in New Orleans.

RD: 

(after a long exhale) Houngan Alexander’s patron lwa is Agassou, The Priest King. Look it up if you want to know more, Think of him as the male equivalent of a Mambo. He’s pompous, he’s insufferable. 

VGH:

And…

RD:

Okay, he’s good at what he does. Is that what you want to hear?

VGH:

Sounds like a sore spot to me but we’ll move on. Tell me how you came to solve the French Quarter Murder.

RD:

I knew that crime scene was staged the minute I saw it in the water gazing bowl. My tradition was under attack, by an interloper, no less. The lwa demanded I do something about it and I did. I’m just happy to return to my practice. 

VGH:

And about Detective Roman Frost–

RD:

(rustling in the background). That’s my client. Can we wrap this up soon?

VGH:

Sure. I would never want to keep you from your practice. Before you go, can you tell us about what service you’ll be providing your client?

RD:

I could, but I won’t. You know that privacy thing I mentioned earlier? I’m a healer for the mind and the body. For me, it doesn’t get much more private than that. 

VGH:

I can respect that. Thank you for your time.

BUY HERE

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Veronica G. Henry was born in Brooklyn, New York, and has been a bit of a rolling stone ever since. She is a graduate of the Viable Paradise Workshop, a member of SFWA, and an Author Spotlight interviewer for Fantasy Magazine. Her work has appeared in various online publications. The author of the novel Bacchanal, she now writes from North Carolina, where she eschews rollerballs for fountain pens and fine paper. Other untreated addictions include chocolate and cupcakes. For more information, visit www.veronicahenry.net.