Sandie Herron and I both read Diane A.S. Stuckart’s new mystery, the first in a series, Fool’s Moon. It’s not my type of book because I’m not fond of talking animals. However, Sandie had a much better reaction than I did. So, instead of sharing my review, I’m sharing Sandie’s today.
Written by Diane A.
S. Stuckart
S. Stuckart
The Tarot Cats
Mystery Series #1
Mystery Series #1
Midnight Ink
November 8, 2018
FOOL’S MOON is the charming first entry in the
Tarot Cats Mystery series. The action
starts immediately with two sibling black cats being thrown away in a box onto
the streets. While they’d been adopted
as kittens by a wealthy, elderly woman and had enjoyed her mansion and grounds,
she recently died. The two are split up right away with Ophelia being rescued
by a white pit bull on her walk with Ruby Sparks, half sister to the owner of
Botanica Santa Rosa, a New Age shop offering tarot card readings. Brandon is taken in by a pawn shop owner
nearby. However the brother and sister
do not know where the other has gone.
Tarot Cats Mystery series. The action
starts immediately with two sibling black cats being thrown away in a box onto
the streets. While they’d been adopted
as kittens by a wealthy, elderly woman and had enjoyed her mansion and grounds,
she recently died. The two are split up right away with Ophelia being rescued
by a white pit bull on her walk with Ruby Sparks, half sister to the owner of
Botanica Santa Rosa, a New Age shop offering tarot card readings. Brandon is taken in by a pawn shop owner
nearby. However the brother and sister
do not know where the other has gone.
Zuki, the gentle pit bull, introduces Ophelia
to her home and housemates which include a psychic koi who will answer but one
question a day, in verse. The animals
talk to each other but not aloud in human language. However, a suspension of disbelief is
required to follow the animals communicating with each other. Ophelia closely watches Ruby do tarot card
readings and discovers a hidden talent for turning cards herself.
to her home and housemates which include a psychic koi who will answer but one
question a day, in verse. The animals
talk to each other but not aloud in human language. However, a suspension of disbelief is
required to follow the animals communicating with each other. Ophelia closely watches Ruby do tarot card
readings and discovers a hidden talent for turning cards herself.
Zuki helps Ophelia find Brandon with clues
from Philomena, the koi fish. My own
heart quickened during these journeys, and I cheered at their reunion. They immediately put together the clues from
their life at the Palm Beach mansion with what their former housekeeper Luciana
had shared during her own tarot reading with Ruby. She suspects her former
employer, Hilda, did not die an accidental death but was murdered. When Luciana dies under suspicious
circumstances, Ruby gets involved because of what she had shared during their
reading. Hilda’s family members also get
involved as does the pawn shop owner Luis who claims Brandon is his cat.
from Philomena, the koi fish. My own
heart quickened during these journeys, and I cheered at their reunion. They immediately put together the clues from
their life at the Palm Beach mansion with what their former housekeeper Luciana
had shared during her own tarot reading with Ruby. She suspects her former
employer, Hilda, did not die an accidental death but was murdered. When Luciana dies under suspicious
circumstances, Ruby gets involved because of what she had shared during their
reading. Hilda’s family members also get
involved as does the pawn shop owner Luis who claims Brandon is his cat.
Four special animals and two human beings all
are looking into why the two women died.
The journey from mansion to new age shop was quite compelling, and the
journey from shop back to the mansion is more gripping. First the cats return with secret help separately
from Zuki and Luis and Ruby, and then they return covertly with the same three,
but this time all are searching for answers together. What they find is a surprise to all but the
koi, who knew all along.
are looking into why the two women died.
The journey from mansion to new age shop was quite compelling, and the
journey from shop back to the mansion is more gripping. First the cats return with secret help separately
from Zuki and Luis and Ruby, and then they return covertly with the same three,
but this time all are searching for answers together. What they find is a surprise to all but the
koi, who knew all along.
Diane Stuckart, also the author of the Black
Cat mystery series written under the name of Ali Brandon, has penned a delightful
and enchanting adventure. The reader
learns a bit about tarot card reading while getting to know the cats and pit
bull. When not just one but two
suspected murders take place, the animals deploy their skills and get their
humans involved. All together they solve
both mysteries in a surprising and satisfying finale. I highly enjoyed this heartwarming story and
hope for many more entries in the Tarot Cats Mystery series.
Cat mystery series written under the name of Ali Brandon, has penned a delightful
and enchanting adventure. The reader
learns a bit about tarot card reading while getting to know the cats and pit
bull. When not just one but two
suspected murders take place, the animals deploy their skills and get their
humans involved. All together they solve
both mysteries in a surprising and satisfying finale. I highly enjoyed this heartwarming story and
hope for many more entries in the Tarot Cats Mystery series.
Diane A.S. Stuckart’s website is https://www.dianestuckart.com
Fool’s Moon by Diane A.S. Stuckart. Midnight Ink, 2018. ISBN 9780738757087 (paperback), 336p.
I have this on hold at the library in print
I hope you enjoy it, Sandy.
Lesa, thanks for letting Sandie share her review. I know talking critters aren't everyone's cuppa. 🙂
Of course, Diane. You're welcome.
You know, you could do what Barry and I have done when we both have read the same book–run it as a double feature review. Put hers on top as your guest and then yours underneath it with a sperate intro. Those deals are super popular on my blog. It just is hard to time it out right for us as we both read very different things.
Just an idea.
Kevin
Great idea, Kevin! As you said, Sandie & I usually aren't reading the same titles, but if we do that again, I'll remember this. Great idea! Thank you.