Scan barcode
tamarant4's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
One thing I had learned for sure about tarot readings: Doing them while driving wasn’t a great idea. [p. 131]
This was a quick and entertaining read - I was kept guessing by the plot, and am sad to discover that there are no further novels in the series (yet). Will Alanis decide which of her suitors (boring Victor, petty criminal G.W.) is worthy? Will Clarice live up to her potential? Will the White Magic Five and Dime ever break even?
One niggle: persons in the middle of an investigation who don't answer the phone / check their voicemail. (This also came up in The Widows of Malabar.) Obviously they're not expecting any urgent plot points updates about their case...
mpr2000's review against another edition
3.0
I've always been curious on how to read Tarot cards, this book was quite original because they explain you every card they read and their meaning, I love it!
This is the third book of the Tarot Mysteries series, in the beginning you are quite lost but you will get quickly on the action, so no worries!
I was a little bit lost when they were talking about Alanis' love live, she is not quite decided to who should she date; Victor or GW... I am not sure which one I prefer... and ex-con or a man who goes with his mum to the dates... and you? ;)
Alanis McLachlan's life seems getting dangerous for moments, lucky her, she had an amazing sister and friend, and a couple of possible lovers that will help her in this life or death threat... My favourite character in this book was Ceecee, she is so innocent and trusting! I would love to be like her, I am sure being paranoid and scared of life is not a way to live!
In this book there's mystery, action, a little bit of melodrama and humour, perfect for anyone searching a good read!
Do you believe in the Tarot?
This is the third book of the Tarot Mysteries series, in the beginning you are quite lost but you will get quickly on the action, so no worries!
I was a little bit lost when they were talking about Alanis' love live, she is not quite decided to who should she date; Victor or GW... I am not sure which one I prefer... and ex-con or a man who goes with his mum to the dates... and you? ;)
Alanis McLachlan's life seems getting dangerous for moments, lucky her, she had an amazing sister and friend, and a couple of possible lovers that will help her in this life or death threat... My favourite character in this book was Ceecee, she is so innocent and trusting! I would love to be like her, I am sure being paranoid and scared of life is not a way to live!
In this book there's mystery, action, a little bit of melodrama and humour, perfect for anyone searching a good read!
Do you believe in the Tarot?
drkaren's review against another edition
4.0
These Tarot mysteries are so fun - Can't wait for more.
And why isn't Miss Chance's Infinite Roads to Knowing available as a separate Tarot guide? It's hilarious and helpful. ;-)
And why isn't Miss Chance's Infinite Roads to Knowing available as a separate Tarot guide? It's hilarious and helpful. ;-)
morticia32's review against another edition
2.0
Book 3 in the series. It was okay.
I've given the series a chance, but this one just didn't work for me. I can't find it in me to care about Alanis or her sister and the plot was just ridiculously convoluted. Way too much going on, too many characters to keep up with. When it starts to feel like you need a spreadsheet to keep track, it's just too much.
I don't think I will be looking for book 4.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley*
I've given the series a chance, but this one just didn't work for me. I can't find it in me to care about Alanis or her sister and the plot was just ridiculously convoluted. Way too much going on, too many characters to keep up with. When it starts to feel like you need a spreadsheet to keep track, it's just too much.
I don't think I will be looking for book 4.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley*
lunifur's review against another edition
3.0
**I voluntarily reviewed this ARC**
This book was good, but way too convoluted to follow easily. It ends up feeling like every character is secretly planning their own con - understandable with how many main characters are conmen - and there is too much to keep track of. But it does have some shocking reveals, and what I could follow of the mystery was good.
This book was good, but way too convoluted to follow easily. It ends up feeling like every character is secretly planning their own con - understandable with how many main characters are conmen - and there is too much to keep track of. But it does have some shocking reveals, and what I could follow of the mystery was good.
lareads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
aurora_182's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ireadwhatuwrite's review against another edition
4.0
Owner of the White Magic Five and Dime Shop, Alanis is just trying to get by, set a good example for her younger sister and make up for the wrongs of her con artist mother. Things get bumpy when a mysterious stranger gets a tarot reading from her, that seems to be threatening and then ends up dead on the same night that her long dead step father shows up out of the blue. The adventure will see her life threatened by an old lady with a less than firm grasp on an uzi, have her investigating an old art theft and willing to deal with maybe even the devil himself to see that her loved ones are safe from harm.
Though not necessarily a bad thing, this is is not a typical cozy. The heroine is not a classic good girl, there is loads of profanity and plot just can’t seem to decide which direction it wants to go in. There is this great magic shop with a tarot spin, and there is a con a minute theme running a long game with Biddle at one end and GW at the other conning the money guy, looking for one last score, etc. Finally, there is the private eye vibe with Alanis being undercover along with her teen cyber detection team and the obvious mob connections. It does all tie together, but it makes for a very busy un-cozy like story line.
That said there are many great things about the book to recommend it, including a cast of clever and surprising characters. The main characters are fabulous, but they are nothing compared to the color characters; a stodgy lawyer with a billing fetish who knows more than he is willing to tell, an investigative reporter with an unexpected ax to grind, an art collector who isn’t what he seems, among others. I also felt that that the tarot cards were a fabulous way to introduce the chapters. I enjoyed seeing what the cards looked like as I have zero experience with tarot in general. This was was a good enough story to make me curious about the first books in the series and I certainly am willing to come back and visit these characters again someday.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
andyn5's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally published on NetGalley.
Wow! Never judge a book by its cover, especially not this out-of-box novel! This was my first time reading a Tarot Mystery novel and I definitely want to read the previous novels and that comes next!
Imagine that instead of a clean-record type of characters, you have a family of successful con-artists. After the death of their mother, Alanis and her half-sister Clarise try to keep a straight life by running the occult shop left by their mother, The White Magic Five and Dime shop. Things run smoothly until Biddle, the sisters father figure, comes back after years and shows up at their shop. The thing is he also came with a scheme that can get them into a hell of trouble. In aroller-coasterr of emotions, Alanis is lost in what to do, until a client’s dead body is found. Let the adventure begin, including a crazy lady, old lovers and a small town.
I really enjoyed this steady-paced cosy-mystery. Completely new and refreshing to have a main female character that actually doesn’t fit the usual box of “the good girl”. The characters are great, they have depth and it was very easy to connect with them. The writing also helped in connecting to the storyline and the characters. The description of the emotions and the line reasoning of Alanis only made her more likeable to me and it made me rot for her all the way. The humorous lines and witty counter-backs add colour and spice to the story, they were a delight to read!
The illustration of the tarot cards and their meaning were amazingly used, even if some of those meanings weren’t completely accurate. Even so, I can’t describe my satisfaction in seeing a deeper use of the tarot cards and how they influence the story. Absolutely loved it!
I can say that this book has a bit of everything: drama, humour and mystery. I definitely recommend this novel to all the fans of cosy-mysteries with a twist!
Wow! Never judge a book by its cover, especially not this out-of-box novel! This was my first time reading a Tarot Mystery novel and I definitely want to read the previous novels and that comes next!
Imagine that instead of a clean-record type of characters, you have a family of successful con-artists. After the death of their mother, Alanis and her half-sister Clarise try to keep a straight life by running the occult shop left by their mother, The White Magic Five and Dime shop. Things run smoothly until Biddle, the sisters father figure, comes back after years and shows up at their shop. The thing is he also came with a scheme that can get them into a hell of trouble. In aroller-coasterr of emotions, Alanis is lost in what to do, until a client’s dead body is found. Let the adventure begin, including a crazy lady, old lovers and a small town.
I really enjoyed this steady-paced cosy-mystery. Completely new and refreshing to have a main female character that actually doesn’t fit the usual box of “the good girl”. The characters are great, they have depth and it was very easy to connect with them. The writing also helped in connecting to the storyline and the characters. The description of the emotions and the line reasoning of Alanis only made her more likeable to me and it made me rot for her all the way. The humorous lines and witty counter-backs add colour and spice to the story, they were a delight to read!
The illustration of the tarot cards and their meaning were amazingly used, even if some of those meanings weren’t completely accurate. Even so, I can’t describe my satisfaction in seeing a deeper use of the tarot cards and how they influence the story. Absolutely loved it!
I can say that this book has a bit of everything: drama, humour and mystery. I definitely recommend this novel to all the fans of cosy-mysteries with a twist!
krisrid's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely adored this trilogy! These books have been hilarious, sarcastic, clever and action-packed. The third book was just as excellent as the other two.
This series is worth reading - and got the 5-star rating - for the hysterically funny "explanations" of the cards in the Tarot deck alone. I howled with laughter at the snarkily funny perspective on Tarot in each card which began a chapter. If you don't care about Tarot, or know nothing about Tarot, you will find yourself nodding as well as laughing when you see them. They are more than worth the price of admission on these books!
But the story itself continues the mayhem, double-crosses, scamming, family drama [on acid!] and multiple villains all running around with, around, and against Alanis and her merry band of loonies as they all try to out-scam one another.
Trying to explain what goes on would not only ruin the fun, but would also be confusing. If you haven't read the first two books in the series, you wouldn't have a clue what is going on or why anyway, so go start at the beginning. If you HAVE read the first two books, I will just say that things are wrapped up pretty much how you would expect them to be, given who these people are and what they've been up to. What I WILL say is that this third book is a hell of an entertaining ride, and things continue in the same vein they have in the earlier books. There are a few small surprises along the way, and plenty of action and drama.
I loved these books, and I'm only sorry the trilogy is now done. This series was a hoot and well worth checking out if you like your cozy mysteries irreverent, hilarious and slapstick-esque. Highly recommended!!
This series is worth reading - and got the 5-star rating - for the hysterically funny "explanations" of the cards in the Tarot deck alone. I howled with laughter at the snarkily funny perspective on Tarot in each card which began a chapter. If you don't care about Tarot, or know nothing about Tarot, you will find yourself nodding as well as laughing when you see them. They are more than worth the price of admission on these books!
But the story itself continues the mayhem, double-crosses, scamming, family drama [on acid!] and multiple villains all running around with, around, and against Alanis and her merry band of loonies as they all try to out-scam one another.
Trying to explain what goes on would not only ruin the fun, but would also be confusing. If you haven't read the first two books in the series, you wouldn't have a clue what is going on or why anyway, so go start at the beginning. If you HAVE read the first two books, I will just say that things are wrapped up pretty much how you would expect them to be, given who these people are and what they've been up to. What I WILL say is that this third book is a hell of an entertaining ride, and things continue in the same vein they have in the earlier books. There are a few small surprises along the way, and plenty of action and drama.
I loved these books, and I'm only sorry the trilogy is now done. This series was a hoot and well worth checking out if you like your cozy mysteries irreverent, hilarious and slapstick-esque. Highly recommended!!