Review: Fool Me Once by Steve Hockensmith with Lisa Falco

Fool Me Once
by Steve Hockensmith with Lisa Falco

Fool Me Once
(A Tarot Mystery)
2nd in Series
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Midnight Ink (August 8, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-0738742236

Synopsis

After taking over the White Magic Five & Dime, Alanis McLachlan is trying to make up for her mother’s con jobs by tracking down old customers and making amends. When Martha, one of the most loyal clients, comes looking for a way out of her abusive marriage, Alanis does everything she can to help.

But helping Martha leads to unforeseen consequences . . . including murder. When Martha’s husband is found dead, the police show up at Alanis’s door. And things only get more complicated as she tries to clear her name from the top of the suspect list. With her growing mastery of the tarot and the Fool card to guide her, can Alanis find her way to the truth before the killer gets to her first?

My Review

I liked so much this mystery set in the world of tarot, a fascinating world but I do not know it. It's a likeable, fast-paced book.

The illegal activity of her mother has hurt many people and Alanis tries to remedy. She wants to track people as possible and help them solve their problems. One of the customers who was cheated by her mother is Marsha. She's  victim of domestic violence  but is a weak woman, devoid of initiative and can not rebel. Alanis persuades her to leave her husband and their home. Her husband tries to convince her to return but Alanis and her sister keep her from returning with him. When the  man is found dead, killed by a hit with the baseball bat, the main suspect is Marsha. Alanis will investigate on their own to exonerate the woman.

This is Book Two of the Tarot Mystery series. It can be read as a stand alone but I recommend that you first read Book 1 for a greater understanding of the character of Alanis and her activities.

I loved the pictures at the beginning of each chapter and phrases from "Roads to Infinite Knowing", the best guide to read tarot cards written by Alanis's  mother.

This is a compelling mystery with suspense, humor and a little romance. The plot flows beautifully and will keep the reader turning pages.

I received a free version of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

About The Author

Steve Hockensmith’s first novel, Holmes on the Range, was a finalist for the Edgar, Shamus, Anthony and Dilys awards. He went on to write four sequels as well as a pair of bestselling follow-ups to the international publishing sensation Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. More recently, he wrote (with collaborator “Science Bob” Pflugfelder) the middle-grade mysteries Nick and Tesla’s High-Voltage Danger Lab and Nick and Tesla’s Robot Army Rampage.

Author Links:
Website – http://www.stevehockensmith.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/steve.hockensmith.7
Twitter – https://twitter.com/MrHockensmith
GoodReads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/146628.Steve_Hockensmith

Purchase Links
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