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The Fortune Telling Mysteries #4
The Magician's Deception
Hope and Summer Bailey are gearing up for their infamous Halloween party, but a tarot reading featuring the Magician spells doom. Especially when a dead body is found at the party venue!
Everything a magician does is an illusion. A trick. A lie . . .
With just days until Halloween, preparations are in full swing for the Bailey sisters’ annual spooktacular bash! To help a friend in need, the location has moved from Bailey’s Boutique – much to the chagrin of some of their customers. Yet Hope and Summer still plan to make the ghoulish gathering a success. That is until a Tarot reading spells doom!
The sisters try to heed the warning of the Magician card, but avoiding strangers is easier said than done when a truck load arrives on their doorstep. Soon their ‘new friends’ are causing mayhem. Especially when one of them is discovered at the party venue – dead.
With only their friends as possible suspects, Hope and Summer don’t know who to trust anymore. Did the murder victim learn something he shouldn’t have? Or was he simply collateral damage? One thing’s for sure, the sisters must be wary of magicians bearing treats!
In the fun fourth instalment of the Fortune Telling Mysteries, the Bailey sisters find themselves once again in the middle of a murder investigation foretold by the Tarot. Fans of Wendy Corsi Staub and Anne George will enjoy!
Everything a magician does is an illusion. A trick. A lie . . .
With just days until Halloween, preparations are in full swing for the Bailey sisters’ annual spooktacular bash! To help a friend in need, the location has moved from Bailey’s Boutique – much to the chagrin of some of their customers. Yet Hope and Summer still plan to make the ghoulish gathering a success. That is until a Tarot reading spells doom!
The sisters try to heed the warning of the Magician card, but avoiding strangers is easier said than done when a truck load arrives on their doorstep. Soon their ‘new friends’ are causing mayhem. Especially when one of them is discovered at the party venue – dead.
With only their friends as possible suspects, Hope and Summer don’t know who to trust anymore. Did the murder victim learn something he shouldn’t have? Or was he simply collateral damage? One thing’s for sure, the sisters must be wary of magicians bearing treats!
In the fun fourth instalment of the Fortune Telling Mysteries, the Bailey sisters find themselves once again in the middle of a murder investigation foretold by the Tarot. Fans of Wendy Corsi Staub and Anne George will enjoy!
207 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 2, 2025
2 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Carol Miller
7 books25 followersCarol Miller is the author of the forthcoming Fortune Telling Mysteries and the Moonshine Mysteries. MURDER AND MOONSHINE was named an Amazon Best Book of the Month and a Library Journal Starred Debut of the Month. Carol is an attorney and lives in Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 7, 2025
#TheMagiciansDeception #NetGalley is the first book I've read by this author.
I found Summer and Hope to be likable characters, but this story seemed to be more Sci-Fi than cozy mystery.
The plot itself was good, but I just didn't enjoy it enough to read any more in the series.
I found Summer and Hope to be likable characters, but this story seemed to be more Sci-Fi than cozy mystery.
The plot itself was good, but I just didn't enjoy it enough to read any more in the series.
May 15, 2025
Book Review: The Magician’s Deception by Carol Miller
The Magician’s Deception is the fourth installment in Carol Miller’s Fortune Telling Mysteries series, blending cozy mystery charm with a dash of theatrical intrigue. When a magician’s death during a performance reveals more than just a failed illusion, protagonist Daisy—a tarot reader with a knack for sleuthing—finds herself entangled in a web of secrets, rivalries, and sleight-of-hand deception.
Plot & Pacing
Miller crafts a tightly wound mystery where every clue feels like a magician’s misdirection. The death of the magician, mid-performance, is a brilliant hook, and the subsequent investigation unfolds with steady momentum. While the middle section lags slightly with red herrings, the final act delivers satisfying twists. Fans of classic whodunits will appreciate the fair-play clues woven throughout.
Characters & Voice
Daisy remains a standout protagonist—warm, witty, and perceptive without veering into cliché. Her tarot-reading background adds a unique flavor to her deductive process. The supporting cast, including a suspicious stagehand and a jealous rival magician, are colorful if occasionally underdeveloped. The romantic subplot is light but sweet, offering respite from the darker themes.
Atmosphere & Themes
The book shines in its evocation of backstage theater life, with vivid descriptions of smoky dressing rooms and the glittering tension of live performance. Themes of illusion vs. reality and the cost of ambition are explored with subtlety. Miller avoids heavy-handed moralizing, letting the mystery itself ask: How far would you go to protect your secrets?
Writing Style
Miller’s prose is accessible and engaging, with a conversational tone that suits the cozy genre. Occasional bursts of lyrical description (e.g., “the cards fell like a prophecy in reverse”) elevate the text. Dialogue crackles with personality, though some exchanges feel overly expository.
Score Breakdown (Out of 5)
-Originality: ⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5/5) – Familiar cozy mystery tropes refreshed by the magician angle.
-Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Strong start and finish, minor drag in the middle.
-Character Depth: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Daisy sparkles; some side roles lack dimension.
-Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – Immersive theater-world ambiance.
-Thematic Resonance: ⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5/5) – Entertaining but not profound.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – A delightful escape for mystery lovers, perfect for fans of Ellery Adams or Mystic Notch series.
Ideal Readers:
-Cozy mystery enthusiasts
-Theater and magic aficionados
-Those who enjoy light paranormal twists
Acknowledgments:
Thank you to NetGalley and Carol Miller for providing an advance review copy of The Magician’s Deception in exchange for an honest review.
The Magician’s Deception is the fourth installment in Carol Miller’s Fortune Telling Mysteries series, blending cozy mystery charm with a dash of theatrical intrigue. When a magician’s death during a performance reveals more than just a failed illusion, protagonist Daisy—a tarot reader with a knack for sleuthing—finds herself entangled in a web of secrets, rivalries, and sleight-of-hand deception.
Plot & Pacing
Miller crafts a tightly wound mystery where every clue feels like a magician’s misdirection. The death of the magician, mid-performance, is a brilliant hook, and the subsequent investigation unfolds with steady momentum. While the middle section lags slightly with red herrings, the final act delivers satisfying twists. Fans of classic whodunits will appreciate the fair-play clues woven throughout.
Characters & Voice
Daisy remains a standout protagonist—warm, witty, and perceptive without veering into cliché. Her tarot-reading background adds a unique flavor to her deductive process. The supporting cast, including a suspicious stagehand and a jealous rival magician, are colorful if occasionally underdeveloped. The romantic subplot is light but sweet, offering respite from the darker themes.
Atmosphere & Themes
The book shines in its evocation of backstage theater life, with vivid descriptions of smoky dressing rooms and the glittering tension of live performance. Themes of illusion vs. reality and the cost of ambition are explored with subtlety. Miller avoids heavy-handed moralizing, letting the mystery itself ask: How far would you go to protect your secrets?
Writing Style
Miller’s prose is accessible and engaging, with a conversational tone that suits the cozy genre. Occasional bursts of lyrical description (e.g., “the cards fell like a prophecy in reverse”) elevate the text. Dialogue crackles with personality, though some exchanges feel overly expository.
Score Breakdown (Out of 5)
-Originality: ⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5/5) – Familiar cozy mystery tropes refreshed by the magician angle.
-Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Strong start and finish, minor drag in the middle.
-Character Depth: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Daisy sparkles; some side roles lack dimension.
-Atmosphere: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – Immersive theater-world ambiance.
-Thematic Resonance: ⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5/5) – Entertaining but not profound.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – A delightful escape for mystery lovers, perfect for fans of Ellery Adams or Mystic Notch series.
Ideal Readers:
-Cozy mystery enthusiasts
-Theater and magic aficionados
-Those who enjoy light paranormal twists
Acknowledgments:
Thank you to NetGalley and Carol Miller for providing an advance review copy of The Magician’s Deception in exchange for an honest review.
August 29, 2025
4/5 stars: This is the third entry in Miller's Fortune Teller Mysteries series, which is a Paranormal Cozy Mystery that takes place in North Carolina and features a pair of sisters, one's a palm and tarot card reader and the other creates custom tea blends and herbal remedies, who's mystic shop and home are located in a magical brownstone. The sisters find themselves turning sleuths after an ominous tarot card reading featuring the Magician, that warns of a deceitful and dangerous stranger, precedes the discovery of a stranger dead at their annual Halloween spooktacular bash's party venue. With only their friends as possible suspects, the women don’t know who to trust but they'll have to work fast to catch the killer before they can strike again. With plenty of twists and turns, Miller has crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Miller's writing and character work are excellent; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining likable. It's great catching up with Hope and Summer, their family (especially the sister's Gram and her beau, Morris), the quirky clients of Bailey’s Boutique and their friends and neighbors in Asheville. It's also nice seeing the sister's romantic relationships moving along. This book's full of Halloween spooky fun and tons of fall vibes. While this is a Paranormal Cozy it's very very light on the magic and supernatural elements. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, The Fool Dies Last.
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Severn House in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Severn House in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
July 16, 2025
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free copy*
I hadn’t read the previous books of this series, but I don’t believe it’s completely necessary to read this one. That said, the first chapter alone was almost enough to completely turn me away.
The MASSIVE amount of exposition dumping in the first opening paragraphs and the way it was executed made me groan. I understand that for episodic type of books, it’s typical for some recap of the place, characters, and story thus far to get all readers up to speed.
However, the way it was written in this book was very poor- The characters talk like they don’t trust each other to remember basic information, so they have to say it out loud as if the information is brand new. They also all talk like they’re trying to describe everything to a third person.
The end monologue of the killer was almost a page long with no breaks. The end was abrupt and the only thing missing was canned laughter. l crawled my way to the finish line. Mysteries can be hit or miss for me, and this was a miss.
I hadn’t read the previous books of this series, but I don’t believe it’s completely necessary to read this one. That said, the first chapter alone was almost enough to completely turn me away.
The MASSIVE amount of exposition dumping in the first opening paragraphs and the way it was executed made me groan. I understand that for episodic type of books, it’s typical for some recap of the place, characters, and story thus far to get all readers up to speed.
However, the way it was written in this book was very poor- The characters talk like they don’t trust each other to remember basic information, so they have to say it out loud as if the information is brand new. They also all talk like they’re trying to describe everything to a third person.
The end monologue of the killer was almost a page long with no breaks. The end was abrupt and the only thing missing was canned laughter. l crawled my way to the finish line. Mysteries can be hit or miss for me, and this was a miss.
November 13, 2025
The Magician's Deception is the fourth book in the Fortune Telling Mystery series by Carol Miller. It didn't feel to lost getting into it, so I do believe it can be read as a stand alone. Set during Halloween and centering around a witchy shop in Ashville that sisters Hope and Summer Bailey run. Their yearly party is being moved to a struggling local restaurant to help boost their sales. Then an old friend comes into ton with their paranormal chaser friends to add more romantic and literally conflict.
A mysterious tarot reading brings the threat of danger that turns reality when a body is discovered murdered.
Normally I love a paranormal cozy and this book should have ticked all my boxes, but I really struggled with this one. I found it difficult to follow and there wasn't enough development of the mystery. I found the focus heavy on jealousy and the dating aspects, but I wasn't interested enough in the characters to care about that. This one wasn't my favorite, but others may love it.
A mysterious tarot reading brings the threat of danger that turns reality when a body is discovered murdered.
Normally I love a paranormal cozy and this book should have ticked all my boxes, but I really struggled with this one. I found it difficult to follow and there wasn't enough development of the mystery. I found the focus heavy on jealousy and the dating aspects, but I wasn't interested enough in the characters to care about that. This one wasn't my favorite, but others may love it.
October 5, 2025
I had an inkling of what might be going on, but we really weren’t given enough clues to figure it out—and I appreciate that. When you can guess the murderer right from the start, it often takes the fun out of the mystery. This one didn’t do that.
That said, I did find it a little muddled at times. It almost felt like the author was trying to leave a lot of possibilities open for future books in the series. This is the fourth book, but it’s the first one I’ve read, so that may have played a part.
I also found one element a bit problematic: one of the characters has a particularly annoying habit that even another character calls out as annoying. Maybe that was the author’s way of saying, “Yes, I know,” but it didn’t really add depth to the character—it just made them come across as shallow.
Still, it was a fun Halloween read—definitely cozy, and I’m always up for a cozy. I’d recommend it to readers looking for a light, seasonal mystery.
That said, I did find it a little muddled at times. It almost felt like the author was trying to leave a lot of possibilities open for future books in the series. This is the fourth book, but it’s the first one I’ve read, so that may have played a part.
I also found one element a bit problematic: one of the characters has a particularly annoying habit that even another character calls out as annoying. Maybe that was the author’s way of saying, “Yes, I know,” but it didn’t really add depth to the character—it just made them come across as shallow.
Still, it was a fun Halloween read—definitely cozy, and I’m always up for a cozy. I’d recommend it to readers looking for a light, seasonal mystery.
September 2, 2025
When an old friend rolls into town, Hope and Summer find themselves and I most uncomfortable situation. While the tarot cards, tell them something is up, they’re not quite sure who to trust or what it really means. But when one of the members of their friends group is murdered, they find themselves looking for clues and trying to figure out exactly what the cards mean. Can the girls figure it out before one of them is next?
I love how the author brings Tarot cards into play in each entry in the series. It has been enjoyable and I love all of the characters, though the house itself is probably my favorite. I’m looking forward to the next century in the series. As soon as I finish a book in this series, I’m always looking forward to the next one.
I love how the author brings Tarot cards into play in each entry in the series. It has been enjoyable and I love all of the characters, though the house itself is probably my favorite. I’m looking forward to the next century in the series. As soon as I finish a book in this series, I’m always looking forward to the next one.
September 3, 2025
The Magician's Deception is book #4 in The Fortune Telling Mysteries series by Carol Miller.
This is the first book I’ve read in the series and there’s enough information given about the characters that I didn’t feel lost. I was drawn to this because I was interested in the Tarot part of the description. I really liked the characters and the mystery was interesting. The Halloween vibes in this book are getting me ready for the fall. I plan to go back and read the earlier books so that I can be all caught up when the next book comes out.
Thank you to the author, Severn House, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This is the first book I’ve read in the series and there’s enough information given about the characters that I didn’t feel lost. I was drawn to this because I was interested in the Tarot part of the description. I really liked the characters and the mystery was interesting. The Halloween vibes in this book are getting me ready for the fall. I plan to go back and read the earlier books so that I can be all caught up when the next book comes out.
Thank you to the author, Severn House, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
October 30, 2025
Carol Miller’s The Magician’s Deception, the fourth installment in The Fortune Telling Mysteries, delivers a delightfully suspenseful blend of charm, wit, and tarot infused intrigue. Hope and Summer Bailey’s annual Halloween celebration becomes the stage for a chilling murder one eerily foretold by the Magician card.
Miller captures the essence of cozy mystery storytelling with flair, balancing humor and heart amid escalating tension. The tarot motif adds a fresh, mystical twist that deepens both the plot and the sisters’ dynamic, while the small-town atmosphere and relatable cast make the danger feel deliciously close. The Magician’s Deception is a clever, entertaining, and satisfyingly unpredictable mystery that will leave readers eager for the next card in the deck.
Miller captures the essence of cozy mystery storytelling with flair, balancing humor and heart amid escalating tension. The tarot motif adds a fresh, mystical twist that deepens both the plot and the sisters’ dynamic, while the small-town atmosphere and relatable cast make the danger feel deliciously close. The Magician’s Deception is a clever, entertaining, and satisfyingly unpredictable mystery that will leave readers eager for the next card in the deck.
June 15, 2025
I was happy to see Summer and Hope again, and a little bit of Olivia which I wished was a little more. An old friend and some new ones arrives just in time for a murder at a bar all while trying to plan a Halloween party. This is a simple mystery series where the protagonists don’t do a lot of investigating, but the fun they do have makes up for the lack of pursuing answers. This is a simple, fun cozy mystery series, and this latest is a wonderful installment. Fans of the series will like this latest. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
September 25, 2025
3.75⭐
Cute paranormal cozy, but light on paranormal aspects after the initial tarot card reading that warned sisters, Hope and Summer, of the arrival of a magician (or stranger.) And of number of strangers appear, some in an Airstream with crashing pottery just in the for the annual Halloween party. I have enjoyed all four of the books in the series. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Cute paranormal cozy, but light on paranormal aspects after the initial tarot card reading that warned sisters, Hope and Summer, of the arrival of a magician (or stranger.) And of number of strangers appear, some in an Airstream with crashing pottery just in the for the annual Halloween party. I have enjoyed all four of the books in the series. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 15, 2025
This is book 4 in the Fortune Telling Mystery series. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the previous books. Hope and Summer are planning their annual Halloween party but are changing the location from their boutique to a new site. When a dead body is found before the party it puts a kink in their plans. The Tarot reader warned them of disaster, they just didn't think it would be a murder.
November 18, 2025
An enjoyable mystery that is filled with the Halloween spirit but just tinged with magic in the form of warnings and feelings. The mystery is solved by mundane investigation and a real life human murderer. I found the characters engaging and would like to read more of this series. I did get a little lost at first with all the names but eventually I got them mostly sorted.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
October 31, 2025
This book was my first foray into this series and will be my last. The characters weren’t terribly engaging. I found the plot unexciting to the point where I wasn’t interested enough to try to guess the guilty party.
September 1, 2025
I’ll admit, I was first drawn in by the tarot aspect (and yes, the cozy murder mystery vibe of the cover definitely caught my eye on NetGalley). This book has that perfect mix of cozy mystery and a touch of magical intrigue that I love.The story follows sisters Hope and Summer Bailey as they prepare for their big Halloween party. But things take a dark turn when a tarot reading warns of doom and a dead body shows up at the party venue. Suddenly, their friends might be suspects, strangers cause chaos, and the sisters have to figure out whether the murder was tied to secrets the victim uncovered or something else entirely.It was such a fun, spooky, and twisty read that really scratched my cozy mystery itch while keeping the magical theme alive. Definitely recommend if you like tarot, murder mysteries, and a festive Halloween setting!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews