The Mysteries of Tarot

Tea and Tarot #7

by Kirsten Weiss

How to Read the Cards for Transformation
When Tarot reader Hyperion Night sent his manuscript, The Mysteries of Tarot, to a friend to edit, it was a simple guide to reading Tarot. Hyperion couldn’t anticipate that his editor’s notes would evolve into a murder mystery, or that his friend would go missing. Shockingly, the annotated manuscript eventually made its way back to Hyperion, who forwarded it to the authorities.

Now this astonishing Tarot guide is available as a book. The Tarot guidebook features:
• Tarot basics―How to manage different interpretations of cards in a spread, how to read court cards, and a clear and simple method for dealing with reversals.
• Detailed card breakdowns― Keywords, flash non-fiction narratives, and a deep dive into the symbols of each of the 78 cards of the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana.
• Questions to apply to the cards for transforming your life―Insightful questions for each card to help you dig deeper into your Tarot reading practice.

Bonus feature: the guidebook also includes his editor’s comments on the more esoteric and philosophical interpretations of the Tarot, as well as his notes on the baffling mystery that engulfed him.

Gain deep insight from the cards, transform yourself, and solve The Mysteries of Tarot with this work of experimental fiction that’s part Tarot guidebook, part murder mystery.

Genres: Mystery, Tarot

220 pages, Paperback

Published May 31, 2023

About the author

Kirsten Weiss writes laugh-out-loud, page-turning mysteries. Her heroines aren’t perfect, but they’re smart, they struggle, and they succeed. Kirsten writes in a house high on a hill in the Colorado woods and occasionally ventures out for wine and chocolate. Or for a visit to the local pie shop.

She is best known for her cozy and witch mystery novels. So if you like funny, action-packed mysteries with complicated heroines, just turn the page…

Kirsten sends out original short stories of mystery and magic to her mailing list. If you’d like to get them delivered straight to your inbox, make sure to sign up for her newsletter at kirstenweiss.com

Feel free to follow her on Twitter @KirstenWeiss or Bookbub, get in touch on Facebook, post a picture of this book to Instagram and tag her @kirstenweissauthor, or send her an email. She’ll answer you personally…which may be a good or a bad thing, depending on your perspective.

Reviews

[Kirsten Weiss]

The book launched today! As Hyperion would say, huzzah!!!

[Kirsten Weiss]

The book launched today! As Hyperion would say, huzzah!!!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written from the perspective of Kirsten Weiss’ character Hyperion Night from the Tea & Tarot series, this is part Tarot guide and part fictional story. Each Tarot card receives a detailed explanation of its meaning and symbolism along with a question for reflection on what the card means to the reader. The descriptions are clear enough for novice Tarot readers to learn and interpret. As each card is introduced, Hyperion gives an anecdote from his (fictional) experience and how the card relates to it. Intertwined among the chapters are footnotes from the character of Tom who is also a Tarot reader. Tom is involved in a mystery of his own and is presumed dead at the end. This combination of fact and fiction makes for a unique Tarot guidebook. While fans of the Tea & Tarot series will enjoy the further glimpses of Hyperion’s & Abigail’s life, you don’t need to have prior knowledge of the characters to enjoy the storyline. Anyone with an interest in Tarot will surely enjoy this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mysteries of Tarot is a multifaceted book that many people would find interesting for many reasons. It definitely is useful for anyone not familiar with Tarot cards who would like to learn more about each card in a systematic way. It also provides brief glimpses into the history of Tarot along the way. What’s unique is that it’s narrated (& “written”) by one of the characters (Hyperion) in one of the author’s (Kirsten Weiss) cozy mystery series (Tea & Tarot).

Hyperion is a fabulous character in the series (which I enjoy) so it’s fun hearing more about his background (he brings in pieces throughout the book) and his interpretation of the cards. He also gives examples of his clients’ readings while introducing some of the cards, so it’s fun and the examples help you remember the ideas of each card (for your future use in a reading). Plus, Hyperion’s editor (Tom) provides footnotes for many of the cards, and, not only do we get bits of his take on the cards (or their history) but along the way he is giving Hyperion comments on what he is currently going through (he’s out in the woods, dealing with family issues, and falls into a murder mystery). So, there is a lot going on in the book, which keeps it interesting.

The author (Kirsten) keeps it entertaining, and, not at all confusing. The “chapters” are laid out by Tarot card, so the book can definitely be used as a reference book for each Tarot card’s possible interpretation. She provides examples of things to think about when reading each card, but doesn’t force one idea on the reader. Being a methodical person myself, I like how the information for each card is laid out in the same, brief manner. For example, roughly a paragraph or so for each topic (for each card): intro, the symbols in the card, what could the card mean for you (or a client). You get a lot from the book but it’s not confusing.

Many people would find the book interesting: those new to Tarot, those who’d like a brief reference for each card, those who’d like a little of both plus a mystery, those reading the Tea & Tarot cozy mystery series, and those who might like a light read that provides them with lots of things to consider about their life. In that last regard, the author doesn’t hold to one belief for you to learn, she provides thought-provoking ideas. Ideas that have been around for thousands of years, which she gives credit to those in history (Socrates, the Stoics, the Neoplatonists, Greek and Roman mythology, organized religions) who contemplated the same struggles humans go through now. The fact that it’s just a brief mention of these things is what helps keep the book light and entertaining, but by mentioning them, one can see the connections and it gives you ideas if you want to research further.

Overall, the book has a light feel to it, some mystery, and thought-provoking ideas (but not heavy and jammed down your throat) to give you ideas on how you can figure out ways to make your life the life you want it to be. It’s a relatively short read, with some fun mixed in because of the character Hyperion (he’s a hoot in the Tea & Tarot series). And, when you are done, you have a nice reference book (which is just the right size, amount of info) on the different Tarot cards. I really liked it.

I received a free e-copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked the e-copy so much, I bought the paperback version.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite series by one of my authors, but this entry took me a minute to get into. It's more Tarot than tea and mystery and I almost stopped reading to pick up something else to read as my bedtime book. I'm glad I kept reading. It's really good and it's more thought-filled and a good insight into the brain of the character Hyperion, the Tarot side of Beanblossom's Tea and Tarot.
Hyperion breaks the book into each arcana, major and minor, and each card is explained with an anecdote from Hyperion with how each card he discovered pertained to him or someone he knows. It jogged memories loose in my brain too.
The editor who is helping Hyperion with the book is where the mystery comes in, bit by bit. It's subtle and it took me a minute to realize that it was occurring.
I have the paperback copy of this book too and I look forward to the many sticky notes that will start tagging pages in the near future.
I can definitely recommend this book, series and author.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Please note: I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.)

My Review:

Kirsten Weiss has written an unusual book - part mystery/suspense, part guidebook on reading the Tarot, by intertwining the two. It is part of a series as well (Tea and Tarot), but can be read as a standalone. Her main character for the series, Hyperion, presents the informative guide, with asides from Tom, a mystic and Tarot reader, who had critiqued his book.

The guide itself is fascinating. As I read through the book, I wanted my own Tarot cards beside me. It has rekindled my interest in the Tarot and there is lots to learn here.

The mystery of Tom - Is he dead? - builds through the book and you definitely get caught up in the story.

I would recommend this book for both the guide to the Tarot as well as the mystery of Tom

[Federica De dominicis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Crafted.

This book is a lot more than I expected. There is the obvious description of how to read tarots, the meaning of the cards, the philosophical and mythological background, with an amazing show of knowledge and research. Then, you get tidbits of Hyperion life as a way to explain the meanings of a reading, and then, there is the intriguing slow discovery of what happened to his friend through the notes.
Layer upon layer, the reader is brought along a ride that doesn't get boring or stale, if something is not captivating, there is always the expectation for that next bit that makes the book a gem!
Highly Recommended!

[Annalisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was phenomenal. It's a well written cozy with Hyperion as the mc. He has written a guide to tarot and sent it to his friend tom to read. He hasn't heard from Tom in awhile and is surprised when the manuscript is returned to him. Tom is missing and is wanted for questioning in a murder case. I really liked the way the plot unfolded. The twists and turns were surprising. It's definitely a wonderful read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mysteries of Tarot: A Work of the Imagination is book #7 in the Tea and Tarot Cozy Mysteries series by Kirsten Weiss.

This was unlike any other book I read from this author and it took me a while to get into the mystery. If you are interested in Tarot, I think this is a good book for you to keep handy. It has a good description of the cards.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anteia Consorto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting blend of a tarot manual and mystery. I enjoyed the clever way the mystery was blended into the guidebook. Having never used tarot cards, I found the manual to be beginner friendly and easy to understand. Happy I picked it up. The mystery definitely pulls you through the book faster than if it was a straight manual and creates intrigue.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

three books in one.

First this is an excellent tarot instruction book. It’s easy to follow and informative. Second there are Hyperion’s musings about his life, his friends and tarot. Things we haven’t learned in the series and told entirely from this point of view. Third there is the disappearance of his friend and mentor Tom involving a murder, a vast estate and two fires. It’s not as fast paced as books in the series but it’s a clever change of pace.

[Skadams9038 Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am more a tea than a tarot person

This book mostly describes tarot cards. The mystery is unsolved. Then maybe we have all got unsolved mysteries in our lives. If we view tarot cards as a way to unblock our minds to move forward then perhaps we already knew what way God was whispering to go to begin with and the tarots were just a push in whatever direction we wanted to go to begin with?

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

what was intended as a guide to tarot was transformed into not only a humorous and insightful manual

elements of mystery and murder were added

an unique blend of manual, murder mystery and more

[Sweet-Unicorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is "the mysteries of tarot". It is a great book discussing tarot and perfect for anyone looking to study the tarot cards. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed

Book ended too soon without resolving any of the issues. I feel let down and this is the first time when reading one of Kristen's books.

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book as a tarot guide. It is excellent

[Cynthia]

Different format. A teaching book of Tarot with a story line from the author's series. It was interesting and a engaging.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun and easy read but somewhat different from the other books I have read by Kirsten Weiss. I am too much of the “black and white thinker” personality to have ever had any interest in Tarot cards and have always been a sceptic of the paranormal. But this was fun. What a neat way to mix the paranormal and a very intriguing mystery.

Mystery aside, this was also a very interesting book about Tarot cards. There was very little I knew so the understanding of how they are used or “interpreted” was quite interesting.

I think this is a well-done book, and I think it takes a lot of ability to write in a different style like this.

[Carey P.W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a lot of good memories when my oldest sister would do a Celtic Cross Spread with me when I was a teenager. Although I admit that I do not see tarot card readings as ways to predict the future, this author’s book opened my eyes to new possibilities with tarot cards. In fact, it made me want to dig my own cards out from the boxes in my attic and use this book as a guide for developing my skills in readings. Reading this book made me feel that I can learn to decipher these cards, not to predict the future but more to reflect on my current situation. So what am I saying here? The author sparked a passion inside of me to want to explore tarot card readings again.

Furthermore, I got so enthralled with the tarot card descriptions that I nearly missed the murder mystery! The concept of this book is so original to me, and I applaud the author for it. In fact, I gave it 5 stars for the plot's creativity.

The book is easy-to-read and a quick read. I had a fun time imagining this tearoom where customers can have tarot readings somewhere in California. The idea of such a place is also a fun and interesting concept.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in tarot cards and in a good murder mystery that is narrated in a unique way. I was provided a free review copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hyperion Night sent his manuscript, The Mysteries of Tarot, to a friend to edit. When it was returned, it was annotated with a murder mystery. Then his friend went missing.

This book is so different from the author's usual style, I had a hard time getting started on the book. However, I became very invested in trying to figure out the mystery, based on the notes.

I usually read Kindle books these days, but I will be purchasing a hard copy of this one, as it is the kind of book that's enjoyable to flip through, or to look up things.

The book is divided into sections: Tarot basics, detailed explanation and how to use Tarot in everyday life, as well as the mystery woven into the details of each card by the friend.

The Tarot section is well written, and easy to understand, a good simple reference for learning about Tarot. The notes from Hyperion's friend are interesting, and adds a dimension of the book that I did not expect.

I recommend this book as something unique and interesting - read with an open mind!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[DeAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The concepts of the tarot organized with smaller stories and a mystery throughout all set in the world of Kirsten Weiss’ Tea and Tarot Cozy Mystery series. A wonderful blending of resource and story that lends itself for a straight read as well as a card-by-card reference during a reading.

The pictures in the book are the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck with a discussion of the symbolism used in those cards. The narrator of the book is Hyperion Night from the Tea and Tarot Cozy Mystery series. The use of a story throughout makes it easier to read straight through to truly understand the journey the cards represent. I wish I had this book three decades ago but am thrilled to have it now.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Valeri Sullivan (vsulvn29) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part guidebook to Tarot, part mini mystery...penned by Hyperion Night with editorial comments from his friend Tom is an excellent summary of exactly what each Tarot card means that might only be made better by actually having a deck handy to see each detail that is intricately described. As for the mini mystery, I was definitely invested!

[Barbara Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set aside a day for a first reading of this family-friendly introduction to Tarot, with side orders of Beanblossom's Tea and Tarot in San Borromeo, California, and the adventures of Hyperion Night's friend Tom in 2022, but I would guess you might come back to the book often until you have some experience with the cards.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Country Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a tarot reader for almost 25 year now, but I think that this is a great book to read for beginning tarot readers or to brush up your tarot skills. This book has it all. There is a section on how to read the cards and which spreads are which. Of course, it doesn't tell you what to read or how to read. The author does a great job of just explaining what her favorites are and not telling you the reader, what to do.
The rest of the book is each of the cards is from the major arcana and minor arcana of the deck. What is great about this book is that even though the author writes it based off the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot deck. You can use this book for any tarot card deck really, it holds true as long as the major and minor arcanas are the same. The book is incredibly detailed and it is a great book I feel for any tarot card reader or enthusiast!

[Liz | lizzuplans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Going into this book, I was quite sure to read an informative book on tarot. This was very much the case, with information about the different cards, meaning, interpretation, symbols, and much more.
But, it also included a very interesting mystery that (probably? must investigate) ties in to the author's other books. I was hooked, not just learning more about tarot, but also wanting to find out the story hidden in the pages.

Also, any book that has foot notes, is a winner in my book (pun intended).

A very nice experimental novel, well done author!

I received an ARC of this book (thanks!) and these are my own opinions.