OK, these aren’t science fiction, but it’s psychological mystery so I took a chance and started reading.
I started reading for several reasons, actually. 1) I like the author’s other mystery series (Holmes on the Range – I’ve reviewed those on my alter ego’s blog) and 2) I like Tarot cards myself.
The premise in this series is that the heroine finds that her estranged con-artist mother has died under mysterious circumstances, leaving “Alanis” a new-age store and a teenage sister she didn’t know existed. And yes, her name is in quotation marks. “Alanis” never learned her own birth name, much less the real name of her mother. When she became old enough to escape the life she’d grown to despise, she did, cutting off all ties with Mom. Now, there’s a murder to be solved and former marks to be reimbursed, for “Alanis” is trying to be an honest woman.
There are three books so far – I am hoping Steve will return to the series sometime and give us more of these quirky characters. Each provides more clues for “Alanis” about her own childhood, her mother’s life, her new sister, and the friends she is starting to make in her new home. Can she actually trust any of these people, or should she trust her upbringing, which taught her that everyone is out for themselves only?
I’ve enjoyed reading these books. If you like kooky characters, lots of humor, Tarot cards, and cozy mysteries, you’ll enjoy Steve Hockensmith’s Tarot mysteries.
