Yellow Moon

In the second book in her fantasy-tinged New Orleans trilogy, Rhodes delivers a taut narrative with the creepy fantastical twists her fans will recognize and expect. Marie Levant, great-granddaughter of New Orleans voodoo queen Marie Laveau, is an ER doctor and voudooienne in her own right. When a spectral force starts killing people, she teams up with Det. Daniel Parks to solve the murders. However, she soon discovers that the force, summoned by music, is actually an African vampire with a personal link to Laveau. Marie is a strong heroine well matched by skeptical Parks, and her Crescent City is rife with music, danger, lust and mystery. While some of Rhodes's characters feel wooden, the plot sizzles, and the themes explored are grand. A solid installment to a strong series. (Aug.)