From The Mystery/Suspense Shelf
Voodoo Shack: A Michigan Mystery
Terri Martin
Modern History Press
9781615997213, $29.95, HC, 150pp
Synopsis: When 11-year-old Iris Weston discovers a ramshackle hunting cabin deep in Hazard Swamp, she and her friends decide it’s perfect for a secret clubhouse. The gang dubs it the Voodoo Shack and meets there to swap stories and play card games.
Ol’ Man Hazard, who was the former owner, died under mysterious circumstances, and the kids speculate whether it was an accident, suicide or maybe even murder! The gang believes that cash from an unsolved crime may have been stashed within feet of the cabin. Even as things go badly awry, feisty Iris learns how to use her wit and independence to put things right, discovering what family really means in this adventurous and often humorous coming-of-age story set in rural Michigan in 1962.
Critique: A fun and original read from first page to last, “Voodoo Shack: A Michigan Mystery” is a thoroughly age-appropriate mystery for mystery buffs ages 8-12. While also available for personal reading lists in a paperback edition (9781615997206, $16.95) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $4.99), “Voodoo Shack: A Michigan Mystery is a strongly recommended pick for elementary school, middle school, and community library Mystery/Suspense collections for young readers.
Editorial Note: Terri Martin (www.terrilynnmartin.com) and her husband moved to Upper Michigan 22 years ago and have no desire to live anywhere else, in spite of the 250 inches of snowfall each winter. Voodoo Shack reflects a setting in rural Michigan similar to where Terri grew up. Terri has an additional middle-grade children’s book, The Home Wind, which is a U.P. Notable Book recipient. “Moose Willow Mystery: A Yooper Romance” is Terri’s first full-length adult novel, which is set firmly in Upper Michigan’s culture. Terri is a regular contributor to UP Magazine (Porcupine Press) where she finds an outlet for her humorous writing. Many of her stories from UP Magazine have been anthologized in her two books: “Church Lady Chronicles: Devilish Encounters” (2020) and “High on the Vine” (2022). Terri has a master’s degree in English and has taught college success courses, tutored English at the college level, and served as an aide for college composition classes.
