River Woman, River Demon

A Novel

By: Jennifer Givhan

Narrated by: Kyla Garcia

Award-winning Mexican-American and Indigenous author Jennifer Givhan brings us an exquisitely written, spell-binding psychological thriller—weaving together folk magick with personal and cultural empowerment—that is perfect for fans of Mexican Gothic.

When Eva’s husband is arrested for the murder of a friend, she must confront her murky past and embrace her magick to find out what really happened that night on the river.

Eva Santos Moon is a burgeoning Chicana artist who practices the ancient, spiritual ways of brujería and curanderisma, but she’s at one of her lowest points—suffering from disorienting blackouts, creative stagnation, and a feeling of disconnect from her magickal roots. When her husband, a beloved university professor and the glue that holds their family together, is taken into custody for the shocking murder of their friend, Eva doesn’t know whom to trust—least of all, herself. She soon falls under suspicion as a potential suspect, and her past rises to the surface, dredging up the truth about an eerily similar death from her childhood.

Struggling with fragmented memories and self-doubt, an increasingly terrified Eva fears that she might have been involved in both murders. But why doesn’t she remember? Only the dead women know for sure, and they’re coming for her with a haunting vengeance. As she fights to keep her family out of danger, Eva realizes she must use her magick as a bruja to protect herself and her loved ones, while confronting her own dark history.

River Woman, River Demon is a mysterious incantation of reckoning with the past and claiming one’s unique power and voice.

©2022 Jennifer Givhan (P)2022 by Blackstone Publishing

Critic reviews

Good Housekeeping Pick

We Are Bookish Pick

This story…….

This was such a beautiful story mixed with intrigue and magic. The author is great at story-telling which for me is the what reading and listening are all about. The narrator did a beautiful job as well.

Story lacking imagination.

Didn’t care for the main character. She was too easy to give up on her husband. Loved the narration.

Amazing

Damn this was a great book. I finished it in 3 days. I would highly recommend it.

Not my usual genre but I loved it.

Incorporating experiences of BIPOC folks real life sets this book apart. I was recommending it to others before I even finished.

Keeps you guessing

There were so many times I thought I had things figured out in the plot, but then it took an exciting turn. It's easy for a mom to see herself in the protagonist; she's the badass maternal figure we all hope to be for our own "X's". As someone who lived/taught in Albuquerque for 2 years, it was cool to hear the legitimate landmarks referenced in the book; the New Mexico details and imagery are spot on. It was only at the very end of the book (literally the last 10 minutes) that I felt the plot "jumped the shark" and actions of some characters were far fetched. That said, others will surely still feel the say I do overall in terms of thoroughly enjoying her writing style and this twisted whodunit.