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Guinevere Jones #4
The Fatal Fortune
Guinevere Jones and Zachariah Justis discover their true feelings for each other when they team up to expose Madame Zoltana, a blackmailing psychic who makes big profits on her client's fears
187 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 1986
284 people are currently reading
438 people want to read
About the author
Jayne Castle
55 books2,159 followersThe author of over 40 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, JAYNE ANN KRENTZ writes romantic-suspense, often with a psychic and paranormal twist, in three different worlds: Contemporary (as Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick) and futuristic (as Jayne Castle). There are over 30 million copies of her books in print.
She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.
Ms. Krentz is married and lives with her husband, Frank, in Seattle, Washington.
Pseudonyms:
Jayne Ann Krentz
Amanda Quick
Stephanie James
Jayne Bentley
Jayne Taylor
Amanda Glass
She earned a B.A. in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Before she began writing full time she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate libraries.
Ms. Krentz is married and lives with her husband, Frank, in Seattle, Washington.
Pseudonyms:
Jayne Ann Krentz
Amanda Quick
Stephanie James
Jayne Bentley
Jayne Taylor
Amanda Glass
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
March 6, 2020
This was a solid mystery written by one of my favorite authors. It was fun to go back in time to the 1980s to visit Seattle. I was totally engaged from the first page to the last. This has been an enjoyable series and I'm glad I found these books in my TBR mountain.
December 30, 2018
The plot in this book is intriguing with a twist on fortune-telling that I never would have dreamed up myself. Watching Guinevere and Zac move through the last of their adventures and get closer to each other was fun and felt like familiar ground in that the essence of a JAK book was there throughout - unlike the first book in the series which I found delightfully unexpected, particularly in the dialogue. The only downside of the four books in this series is that there are only four books in this series. I finished the last one 48 hours ago and I'm still ready to go on to the next. Maybe some day JAK will come back to these in her "spare" time. Unfortunately that's probably like the fifth book in this series. There isn't any.
October 12, 2017
This cover though! Lol
It looks like a weird exotic Nancy Drew! I don't know why Good reads have this very old cover. My kindle has the newer one and it is a lot less laughable.
First of all I adored this book. It was my favorite out of all the books in this series. Psychics and blackmail. Super fun stuff. My only complaint is this: Too short!!!! 😫 the last couple books I didn't love the main characters love interest. He grew on me in this book.
Any time I pick up a Castle, Krentz, and Quick book (she has so many pen names) I know it will be a great read.
It looks like a weird exotic Nancy Drew! I don't know why Good reads have this very old cover. My kindle has the newer one and it is a lot less laughable.
First of all I adored this book. It was my favorite out of all the books in this series. Psychics and blackmail. Super fun stuff. My only complaint is this: Too short!!!! 😫 the last couple books I didn't love the main characters love interest. He grew on me in this book.
Any time I pick up a Castle, Krentz, and Quick book (she has so many pen names) I know it will be a great read.
December 27, 2020
An old fashioned romantic suspense, part 4 of a 4 book series. I enjoyed it on this reread, but it didn't do as good a job of holding my attention as I'd hoped.
July 30, 2012
This author is one of my "must buy" authors and I have enjoyed this series. It is too dated for me to really love but was certainly a worthwhile read!! I'm just glad Zac finally got to move in!!
September 2, 2012
Older book but cute characters. Very like "Moonlighting".
August 28, 2023
Finally (fine, over the course of maybe a day and half), I’m through with this series. Strangely, they’re not intolerable in the act of reading—I just find myself constantly irritated or glossing over Zac—but on reflection, they don’t do so well.
On our final outing with Zac and Gwen, one of Gwen’s temp workers has gotten shaken down by a psychic who was introduced to her by a coworker on her current job. Gwen’s none too happy with this, so she reassigns the girl and takes on the assignment herself.
Gwen manages to see this psychic fairly quickly, and Zac is able to offer an explanation for any initial phenomena, if you will. Then, Gwen gets a blackmail note, complete with fabricated photos of her with this dude from her past that’s been sexually harassing her at this job (JAK does not sell me on the 1980s here, between this guy and Zac). Gwen, quite reasonably based on existing behavior, assumes that Zac is incredibly jealous, doesn’t trust her, and will never believe that she’s not had an affair with this guy. That clocks for me more than JAK seems to intend it to.
In the one tiny point in his favor, once he figures out what’s going down, Zac immediately knows that it’s not real, partially because he believes in Gwen, but also because the woman’s body doesn’t look like Gwen’s, which she somehow didn’t notice. Whatever. At this point, psychic gal is on the run, as well as some other work colleague who has potentially been her informant, and dude from the pics is basically stalking Gwen, but why tell anyone? I dunno, this one’s not my favorite. They work it out.
On our final outing with Zac and Gwen, one of Gwen’s temp workers has gotten shaken down by a psychic who was introduced to her by a coworker on her current job. Gwen’s none too happy with this, so she reassigns the girl and takes on the assignment herself.
Gwen manages to see this psychic fairly quickly, and Zac is able to offer an explanation for any initial phenomena, if you will. Then, Gwen gets a blackmail note, complete with fabricated photos of her with this dude from her past that’s been sexually harassing her at this job (JAK does not sell me on the 1980s here, between this guy and Zac). Gwen, quite reasonably based on existing behavior, assumes that Zac is incredibly jealous, doesn’t trust her, and will never believe that she’s not had an affair with this guy. That clocks for me more than JAK seems to intend it to.
In the one tiny point in his favor, once he figures out what’s going down, Zac immediately knows that it’s not real, partially because he believes in Gwen, but also because the woman’s body doesn’t look like Gwen’s, which she somehow didn’t notice. Whatever. At this point, psychic gal is on the run, as well as some other work colleague who has potentially been her informant, and dude from the pics is basically stalking Gwen, but why tell anyone? I dunno, this one’s not my favorite. They work it out.
January 3, 2023
Gazing into her crystal, the psychic predicted money, but not murder.
GUINEVERE JONES -- Fortune-telling seemed a harmless game. But when it became clear that Madame Zoltana was making big profits by playing on her clients' fears. Gwen knew she had to stop the cruel scam.
ZACHARIAH JUSTIS -- Success meant calling in an office decorator and hosting a catered affair -- until a close call with death convinced him that real success meant survival -- and calling Gwen his very own.
A young woman's dark secret, a diary, a crystal bowl -- they put the daring duo on the trail of a cunning charlatan -- a blackmailer and killer out to destroy every trace of the past.
Heather's Notes
I finally finished this series. I did enjoy the story but sometimes Guinevere could do really stupid things. Still good one in the end and the boy got the girl. I am glad I finished the series.
GUINEVERE JONES -- Fortune-telling seemed a harmless game. But when it became clear that Madame Zoltana was making big profits by playing on her clients' fears. Gwen knew she had to stop the cruel scam.
ZACHARIAH JUSTIS -- Success meant calling in an office decorator and hosting a catered affair -- until a close call with death convinced him that real success meant survival -- and calling Gwen his very own.
A young woman's dark secret, a diary, a crystal bowl -- they put the daring duo on the trail of a cunning charlatan -- a blackmailer and killer out to destroy every trace of the past.
Heather's Notes
I finally finished this series. I did enjoy the story but sometimes Guinevere could do really stupid things. Still good one in the end and the boy got the girl. I am glad I finished the series.
July 9, 2018
CONCLUSION!!!
The Guinevere Jones were a series in a earlier time period. There were still pay phones and no cell. The story did not lose anything by the dated technology, but it was interesting to see the obstacles we dealt with. As a writer Castle has come a long way.
The Guinevere Jones were a series in a earlier time period. There were still pay phones and no cell. The story did not lose anything by the dated technology, but it was interesting to see the obstacles we dealt with. As a writer Castle has come a long way.
August 18, 2020
I love this book. This whole series is just plain fun. I enjoyed the growing relationship between the hero and heroine. The mysteries in each book were thankfully completed in each book. They were good mysteries also. This books for me are definitely a keeper.
October 7, 2019
This was not my favorite Jayne Castle book ...seemed a bit rushed and shorter than normal. It was entertaining, though, and well-written.
May 26, 2020
Cute
I knew this was an older story going in and I found it a very enjoyable read. A good glimpse into the author’s development and early versions of her staple characters.
I knew this was an older story going in and I found it a very enjoyable read. A good glimpse into the author’s development and early versions of her staple characters.
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October 26, 2020Classic J.A.K. LLC novels'.
January 25, 2025
they unite... take the next steps in their relationship... and uncover the mystery of a medium...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2025
Lots of fun. One of her earlier works, so not as polished, but still great.
August 20, 2012
The last of the Guinevere Jones & Zac Justis "mysteries"
This series is really a glance back at the 1970s. One forgets how the technology has changed not only our lives but the way characters in our books interacted and lived.
Gwen is, an excellent example, she's not exactly a feminist but clearly sees herself as a strong modern woman, who has parlayed a spotty career history into the perfect qualifications to open her own temp agency; she not only knows what to look for in a good bar-maid, typist, word-processor or even executive secretary but can fill in herself when necessary.
Zac is a strong, silent, intense man with a caring and sensitive side. He used to be a special agent of some some sort and has opened a one-man corporate security firm, because he wants a more ordered life.
In this book Gwen's and Zac's companies are finally doing well. Zac is staying over with Gwen most nights and they are clearly part of each others lives.
Gwen gets Zac embroiled, reluctantly, with a black-mailing 'psychic' counselor, and with the other books Gwen's gentle feminine (empathetic) heart cause her to take on a 'case'; in this case one of Gwen's employees is being 'protected' from something dark in her past by Madam Zoltana, and Gwen relises that protection is really only a slightly modified form of blackmail and is determined to stop it. Zac only gets fully involved when Gwen's safety is threaten.
This series is really a glance back at the 1970s. One forgets how the technology has changed not only our lives but the way characters in our books interacted and lived.
Gwen is, an excellent example, she's not exactly a feminist but clearly sees herself as a strong modern woman, who has parlayed a spotty career history into the perfect qualifications to open her own temp agency; she not only knows what to look for in a good bar-maid, typist, word-processor or even executive secretary but can fill in herself when necessary.
Zac is a strong, silent, intense man with a caring and sensitive side. He used to be a special agent of some some sort and has opened a one-man corporate security firm, because he wants a more ordered life.
In this book Gwen's and Zac's companies are finally doing well. Zac is staying over with Gwen most nights and they are clearly part of each others lives.
Gwen gets Zac embroiled, reluctantly, with a black-mailing 'psychic' counselor, and with the other books Gwen's gentle feminine (empathetic) heart cause her to take on a 'case'; in this case one of Gwen's employees is being 'protected' from something dark in her past by Madam Zoltana, and Gwen relises that protection is really only a slightly modified form of blackmail and is determined to stop it. Zac only gets fully involved when Gwen's safety is threaten.
July 31, 2024
After reading all four of the Guinevere Jones books, I've come to the conclusion that the series was ahead of its time. The relationship develops over the course of the four books, and it features a heroine who kept the relationship moving slowly and also aimed to be a girl-boss.
Given the technology level, it's what I like to call a historical contemporary, but I really enjoyed it. While these were written under the Castle name, they are really more akin to the Krentz books. Fans of Absolutely, Positively, Flash, and/or Wildest Hearts will likely enjoy this series as well.
Given the technology level, it's what I like to call a historical contemporary, but I really enjoyed it. While these were written under the Castle name, they are really more akin to the Krentz books. Fans of Absolutely, Positively, Flash, and/or Wildest Hearts will likely enjoy this series as well.
August 3, 2014
Guinevere Jones discovers that one of the girls at her temp agency is being scammed by a fortune-teller. Madam Zoltana is making a big profit by playing on her client's fears. To stop the scam, Gwen asks Zac Justis to help her feret out the charlatan. Soon they uncover a crystal bowl, a black-mailer, and secrets that may destroy Gwen and Zac's relationship.
I thought this was the best of the series. It's a light mystery with a Nancy Drew feel to it...if Nancy was 30 years old. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
I thought this was the best of the series. It's a light mystery with a Nancy Drew feel to it...if Nancy was 30 years old. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
July 5, 2008
Sometimes fascinating, sometimes humorous trip back to the 80s, 1980s that is. "The Fatal Fortune" by Jayne Ann Krentz writing as Jayne Castle is the final of a 4 book short series written to appeal to female fans of Remington Steele and Moonlighting.
She runs a temp employment agency and he's a security consultant, but she keeps dragging him into investigations as the two continually grow closer in their own relationship.
Cute series.
She runs a temp employment agency and he's a security consultant, but she keeps dragging him into investigations as the two continually grow closer in their own relationship.
Cute series.
September 13, 2014
Fourth book in the series and Gwen decides to take on her own case. One of her employees has fallen under the spell of a crooked psychic. Gwen is determined to prove to the young woman that the psychic is just manipulating her and has no special powers. As usual, Gwen involves Zac and the investigation becomes dangerous. Nice ending and it's always lovely to see romantic characters make progress in a relationship instead of just stying in a status quo for books on end.
December 5, 2014
I read the first Guinevere Jones story a few days ago, and had to buy and read the others. Well written, humorous and just the slightest bit sexy they're perfect reads. Guinevere considers herself a worldly business business woman, yet she's very sweet and unexpected. Zac Justis isn't the typical hero either; he isn't wealthy and sought after but his persistence and tenacious nature make him sexier than Christian Gray.
June 10, 2015
My favorite in all four. I didn't want it to end , the book was extremely entertaining and the mystery got me thinking quite hard though I have to admit the conclusion wasn't the wow I was waiting for but it was still pretty good. It was hard saying goodbye to both Guinevere and Zach .. I definitely wanted more , can't believe I postponed reading those books for so long , I absolutely loved them.
October 31, 2012
One of Gwen's temps is being scammed by a psychic, so Gwen decides to investigate against Zach's advice. She also runs into a former flame while filling in for her temp. Some nice old-fashioned social engineering, since this is set in the 80s. A nice end to the series that shows good progression of their relationship.
January 15, 2015
This had an interesting little plot with a quick wrap up. Again I really enjoyed a look into the early writings by Jayne Castle and I liked the Guinevere Jones series. I wish they have been more developed books but they are cute fun reads as they stand. If your looking for a blast to the past on a beach day this series is totally worth trying.
September 17, 2017
So, this book was poorly titled. It should have been the title of the previous book in the series. However, I did enjoy seeing the relationship between Zac and Gwen continue to develop. The story was a bit farfetched, but still somehwhat entertaining.
September 2, 2012
I have enjoyed reading this series. I can see so many hints at things this author has used in later books. I find that I still enjoy them here. The villain was a bit too obvious for me but it was still an enjoyable read.
July 13, 2014
The last of the Guinevere Jones and Zac Justis series, and the best. It has as interesting plot that moves along quickly, and the characters are finally showing a glimmer of the charm that Krentz is known for.
September 13, 2014
A book with a strong woman who collides with a strong man and get entangled in murder and mayhem always gets my attention. This one does it with style and class with Ms. Castle/Krentz's genius storytelling and writing.
July 31, 2013
Narrated by Kate Rudd - Narration 5*s
Story - 3.5 rounded up
Story - 3.5 rounded up
August 18, 2012
Another pretty good Guinevere Jones novella.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews