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Daughter of the Tarot

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✨ Brand new from the bestselling author of THE HOUSE OF THE WITCH. Perfect for fans of The Midnight House and The Square of Sevens. ✨ Two women, linked by the cards 🃏, unravel a secret spanning the decades...

1644: Portia is living in London, having escaped an abusive man in Italy, with just baby Vittoria and the clothes on their backs. Making her living reading tarot cards, she starts to realise there are other women like her – who need help. As she delivers the Devil card to their door, each has the chance to escape… But to what future? Because Portia is a woman with secrets. And they are about to come back to haunt her.

After her mother’s death and father’s hasty plans to remarry, Beatrice has left home to open a tarot shop in London. But when she’s unpacking, she finds a set of cards she’s never seen before, one that’s evidently been handed down through generations of her family. It’s a set that is missing a card though… the Devil’s Card. She begins to search for the lost card, but she also starts to hear rumours of that very card being linked to a series of murders of women in 17th century London… 

Will she find the truth… or will she only see the illusions the cards are suggesting?

Readers love Clare ‘I was completely hooked by this brilliant timeslip novel. Unmissable!Bestselling author, Louise Douglas

A haunting tale of one woman’s struggle to be independent at a time when strong women were seen as a threat and dealt with accordingly… Gripped me from the first page and refused to let go.Bestselling author, Jenni Keer

'A page turning historical novel that kept me guessing until the very end.’ Bestselling author, Rachel Burton

I absolutely loved this book… Historical fiction at its best. I loved the two strong women bound by place and history. I read [it] in two sittings, it was hard to put down!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Wow!!! I was totally hooked from the very first page… A real page turner!Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A wonderful timeslip novel, that reminds me of Barbara Erskine… Highly recommended.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Captivating… [A] gripping story of courage, resilience, history, triumph, discovery and hard-fought freedom. I highly recommend it!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Wonderful!… A totally absorbing tale, I read it in a day… I absolutely loved it.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Amazing and fascinating… So atmospheric… So many brilliant twists, and breath-holding moments, I really struggled to put down this fantastic book!’ *Reader Review *⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

314 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 18, 2025

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Clare Marchant

9 books167 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
Profile Image for Srivalli (Semi-Hiatus).
Author 23 books742 followers
August 22, 2025
3.5 Stars

One Liner: Got its moments!

1644: After escaping an abusive man in Italy, Portia is living in London with baby Vittoria. She makes a living by reading tarot cards and realizes there are women like her who need help. Portia delivers the Devil card to each door as a chance to escape. But where do they go when their secrets will continue to haunt them?

Now: Beatrice moved to London to open a tarot shop after her mother’s death and her father’s plans to remarry in haste. She finds a strange pack of tarot cards, clearly a family set passed from one generation to another. But the Devil is missing, and Beatrice begins to search for it. This leads her to rumors about a series of murders of women in the 17th century. Can she find out the truth?

The story comes in Portia and Beatrice’s third-person POVs.

My Thoughts:

I grabbed this book mainly for the tarot appeal. In that context, the book delivers well. The interpretations are accurate, and the story uses tarot reading seamlessly. We see both FMCs giving readings to others, which I enjoyed.

The dual timeline in the third-person POV made it easier to keep their voices separate, though it shouldn’t have been hard since the characters are different from each other in many ways.

The core premise in the past timeline was interesting, even if it wasn’t something new. Still, the idea of using the Devil card to help women escape from abusive homes was well done.

The contemporary timeline was easy to read and had a bit of a love track (doesn’t dominate the plot). I wish my tarot business (side hustle) grew as quickly as hers. I’d love it if I earned enough from it one day to commission a custom-designed deck. Sigh!

There were a couple of revelations that added to the intrigue, though a few developments were guessable. My issue was with how a certain character was made to act to suit the plotline. It felt a bit contrived and hard to believe at times. Frustrating at other times. No parent ever saved a child by hiding the truth from them if it meant life or death.

Luckily, both tracks had a positive ending, so that was a relief. Still, a certain thread didn’t go anywhere or seemed like it didn’t matter towards the end. I wish it were also tied up with the rest.

To summarize, Daughter of the Tarot is an engaging read with some dark themes contrasted by hopeful developments in another timeline. This keeps the pace steady.

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley #DaughterOfTheTarot
Profile Image for ABCme.
385 reviews55 followers
July 20, 2025
In 1629 Portia and her baby girl Vittoria flee Milano for London.
In 2025 Beatrice runs an esoteric shop and finds an antique tarot deck when unpacking her late mother's possesions. It's missing one card though and Bea is determined to find it.
What follows is a dual timeline, London in 1644 and 2025, the stories of both women and the journey of the missing card.
Daughter of Tarot is a fast paced cosy read, exploring family, freedom and spirituality in different centuries. An exciting story set in beautiful surroundings. I felt a bit let down by the abrupt ending.

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.
Profile Image for Lisa .
849 reviews52 followers
July 4, 2025
Reading "Daughter of the Tarot" on a rare, rainy day felt like a wonderful gift. Clare Marchant has worked her magic once again, transporting me to another continent and a different century. This is the story of two women, separated by 500 years but connected through time by a set of Italian tarot cards. Death and betrayal were the catalysts for both Portia and Beatrice to make drastic changes in their lives. As Beatrice searches for the lost Devil card missing from the ancient pack, she unknowingly traces the life of her Italian ancestor. The writing is flawless, with each piece of the genetic puzzle falling into place until the final one is put in its rightful position. In Portia's story, we learn of an underground sisterhood of women helping each other escape abusive marriages. For Beatrice, the journey is learning how to move beyond grief to find the life she was meant to have. For both women, reading the tarot cards and accepting their message is at the center of who they are. This story will resonate with women of all ages because the struggles are universal. I highly recommend Daughter of the Tarot, even if you don't have a rainy day.

My thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC. The review and all opinions are entirely my own.
Profile Image for Susan.
338 reviews100 followers
August 19, 2025
Review to follow nearer publication date.

5 stars
I loved this story by Clare Marchant, another great historical dual timeline book. I have an interest in Oracle and Tarot cards myself so I loved finding out about the different cards and their meanings.
Portia was my favourite character, her helping other women touched me. I really enjoyed the way the story took shape through one of the missing cards.
I enjoy Clare Marchants books and this is my favourite.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Published yesterday, I recommend this book highly.
Profile Image for Rick.
39 reviews
November 28, 2025
Mettons 2.5. J’ai pas full aimé comment c’était écrit. L’histoire aurait pu être bonne mais… je sais pas
Profile Image for Mohammad Anas.
136 reviews3 followers
September 30, 2025
[NetGalley Read #47]
4.25 ⭐️

"People like to have something nobody else does."

Brilliant.

This was a slow burn. Quite an enjoyable one. This one story has elements of historical fiction, romance, mystery, and thriller. And that isn't evident as you start reading, because, in the earlier chapters, a lot of it just feels like a small snippet of two people's lives, in different times, that you've been allowed to look through, but then it unfolds quite beautifully. Takes its time, raises the stakes in one story and the mystery in the other and eventually reaches a satisfying conclusion.

Characters are great. Whether it's Bea, coping with change and loss, or Portia, dealing with fear, secrets and love and helping women with her tarot cards, these characters were a joy to read. Also liked the little stories both Portia and Bea's customers brought with them.

The dialogue didn't work for me at times. It was fine in other chapters and quite good in the last few chapters. Anyway, it's not that big of a problem. There are other elements of the story I found more enjoyable that made up for any shortcomings I felt there were in the dialogues (exposition-heavy or just felt...unnatural).

There are tons of elements to like in this story. The contrast between Bea and Portia's stories. At one point, things were going at an upward trajectory for one character and a downward one for the other. And reading that in alternative chapters with elements of a thriller in one story and the potential unfolding of a mystery in the other, sprinkled with a bit of romance in both stories was quite an experience. And alternating chapters are handled quite well. I didn't find myself wishing to skip or hasten through a chapter to get to the next.

If you, like me, find yourselves wanting to DNF this book in the earlier parts or think the story isn't going anywhere, don't. Stick with it. I don't generally DNF books and this is the second time I'm really glad I didn't. It rewards you with its intricately woven tale of two women in different times, their relationships, and themes of love, fear, loss, and redemption.

It's a short-ish book (270+ pages). Easy to read.

Recommended. 👍
Profile Image for Sonja.
8 reviews
October 26, 2025
It was a cute story idea, a little fast paced, though I really wish the main character (early 30’s) wasn’t portrayed with the emotional maturity of a teenager throughout 99% of the story.
1,747 reviews112 followers
September 13, 2025
Wow, this was such a a good story. I got immersed straight away. It was a dual time line which ticked all the boxes and had romance as well. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Inspiredbypmdd Fiona.
134 reviews5 followers
July 5, 2025
With Tarot in the title I just had to dive into this story by Clare Marchant. I have a vast collection of Oracle, Fortune and Tarot cards, so this element was always going to pull me in.
It’s told in two time lines, 1600s Italy and England and 2025 London.
Portia’s story takes place in the former and Beatrice’s in the latter time frame.
I was gripped by the strength and determination that Portia shows in running from her old life to her new life with Marie and Vittoria by her side and the lengths she goes through to protect women from abuse with the help of her trusted tarot cards and the often misrepresented Devil card.
Beatrice took herself off to London to escape her fathers’ decisions and embrace the dream her deceased mother had carried within; in her honour she really makes a go of it. Whilst unpacking she discovers a maternal family heirloom handed down from one female to another, it’s there she discovers a mission card.
A search for the missing card begins and a quest to uncover the trust about the dead women linked to the card. Along the way she forms a strong bond with Jack who is a book-seller and totally engrossed in the mystery of the card.
Will both women find the present they deserve, whilst dreaming of a future and running from the past? Interesting, page turning and informative.
Profile Image for Cindy Spear.
610 reviews48 followers
July 23, 2025
Once again Clare Marchant dazzled me with her incredible skill in writing a dual timeline historical mystery in Daughter of the Tarot. What a mesmerising story! The descriptions as always transported me to the heart of the setting and I felt very much a part of the scene. Atmosphere galore pulled me in, too. It was effortless moving between past and present making it a seamless and enjoyable experience as I learned about these two women divided by time.

I love that fact that one woman has been saved and she goes on to help others achieve the same freedom. For one, she knows what it is like to live in fear of an abusive husband. In 1644 there weren’t many options so Portia puts her heart into helping those who have fallen to the same horrors as herself. She has a gift of reading tarot cards and she uses her skill to make a living. At the same time she gives other women courage to pursue a new life. It is interesting that the card she delivers to those who need to escape is the Devil card. When she turns it over for a woman who seeks her direction and answers, the woman recoils when she sees the horns and fiery tail but Portia reassures her, ‘This is not a terrible card…It tells us of a new life. What is the truth in your world, and what is shown to others, the illusion.’

A number of women go missing in the middle of the night while husbands are away or out in taverns, etc. What has happened to each of them? For their beds appear to be slept in but their clothes are still in the wardrobes? Mystery and suspicion surround these women of 1644 as a pattern is realised.

Fast forward to 2025 and we meet Beatrice, a future generation relative of Portia. She has lost her mother and dealing with grief and the fact her father is remarrying (which she does not approve of as nobody can equal her mother). She moves to a new location, gets a shop and begins her new life. While unpacking boxes she finds a package of unique Tarot cards that are unlike any she has seen before. They are very old, from Italy, and although she has heard they had been packed away in the attic, she never saw them previously. But her mother talked about the tarot cards, and others in general, how she learned to use them from her own mother and grandmother: a skill passed down from mother to daughter for many years and generations. Beatrice also has the gift and offers readings in her shop. When asked if she gives lessons, she says, 'No'. ‘Reading the cards was something in her blood, as though she’s always been able to do it. She could not teach that to someone else, it was part of who she was, and that wouldn’t happen with just anyone.’ It is quite interesting to read of the descriptions of the connections that Beatrice feels with her pack of tarot cards.

Beatrice consults a tarot card historian, about her find. He writes to her of an ancient pack with a missing Devil card. Various sightings have been recorded over the years. This card has been ‘reputed to have the power to make people disappear.’ And that it caused women to be murdered. The mystery begins and Beatrice cannot help but follow the trail of clues to find the answers and missing card. Some lead to even more mystery and illusion (like the card itself). The more she digs, the more secrets unfold—including information about Portia. But one thing Beatrice knows is that tarot cards are meant as an aid for people and not meant to bring about death. So what is going on here?

Two good men, one in each timeline, play a gentle part as support to these two women. A romance blossoms for each which adds a sweet ingredient to the mix of tragic events. Nothing else matters to Jack but books, coffee and friends and he surrounds himself in their beauty. But he falls for Beatrice and is on the journey with her to find the truth about the card she seeks to re-join with her pack. In the past, John is a wonderful kind man who would do anything for Portia. There is a particular heart-warming scene I loved that shows his dedication when Portia is in danger.

As with all of Clare Marchant’s dual timeline books, I truly enjoyed the journey through past and present and how the two stories come together. And what a tense lead up to the climax in 1644 and an exciting resolution in 2025! This is another exceptional delivery that pulled me in with its mystical theme, stunning plot, vivd descriptions and believable characters. This book will resonate with many and I am so glad I read it! Highly recommend. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for a review copy.
Profile Image for Celine Weir.
16 reviews
December 27, 2025
This was... ok? The premise of the story was good but it was ultimately let down by stiff dialogue and lukewarm characters. I did enjoy the 1644 side of the story more as the formal character conversations suited the period more and I felt the relationship between the characters were more fleshed out.

The 2025 sections were a hard read and I felt myself starting to skim over it so I could get it done quicker. I found Beatrice to be quite stiff and the dialogue between her customers felt cold for someone who's set up their business to help others. More so, the conversations between her and Jack were so business like I don't understand at all how they ended up together?

I'm also a little confused how she seemed to have endless time and money to spend searching for the card when she consistently says she has neither? Also what happened to the other person chasing the card? did the author forget about that plot line?

Not for me but I can see why others may like it.
Profile Image for Janet.
503 reviews
July 26, 2025
Clare’s books are always an absolute joy to read and lose myself in.
Having been a huge fan since her first book, The Secrets of Saffron Hall, I eagerly await each new release.
Daughter of the Tarot is another fantastic dual timeline novel, where Clare’s talent for writing absorbing, meticulously researched historical fiction shines through the pages. I absolutely loved it, both the historical part set in 1644 and the part set in the present.

My heart was in my mouth as in 1644 Portia, who herself escaped a dangerous life, helps married women with abusive husbands escape their life threatening lives with the help of her tarot cards. A chance meeting puts her own life in danger again, but can she escape a second time?
In the present timeline, Bea has opened a shop selling tarot cards and offering readings. She finds an antique set of hand painted cards in her mother’s possessions but the Devil card is missing. She sets out on a mission to find it and make the set whole again, and at the same time finds romance.

I paced myself as I wanted this book to last as long as possible but I couldn’t resist finishing it today!

Wonderful!

Huge thanks to the publisher for my advance copy of the book.
Profile Image for Tonya Bryant Gillon.
469 reviews7 followers
November 1, 2025
The characters were well developed and the scenes so splendidly drawn, I couldn’t help but feel I was there. The dual time line and the plot timeline were handled perfectly.

This was a good story and I enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Staceywh_17.
3,724 reviews12 followers
September 2, 2025
I absolutely loved Marchant's The House of the Witch, so when I saw her latest release had a tarot theme I knew I had to read it!

It's a timeslip read that takes place across dual timelines, 1644 and modern day.

I found the story to be absolutely captivating and before I knew it I'd finished. I did like how the two different threads of the story wound seamlessly together with the p̶i̶e̶c̶e̶s̶ cards complete together at the end.

Fabulous.
Profile Image for Cheyenne Wildt.
105 reviews18 followers
November 29, 2025
As a tarot reader of over 10 years, I really wanted to love this book. I was excited by the concept, but its execution didn't live up to my expectations. While the "past" sections of the book were colorful and interesting, the "modern-day" narrative couldn't quite capture my attention. We're told that Beatrice's family history is steeped in tarot and that it connected her with her late mother, yet she "hadn't realized" that tarot cards were originally playing cards until she did a quick Google and cracked open a couple of books? Huh??? She has a shop that ONLY sells tarot cards and readings, including antique sets, yet somehow doesn't know any of the history behind the thing she's set up her whole life around. While I think the book does a pretty good job with its interpretations of the cards during scenes with readings, this part was frustrating for me. I understand that authors often communicate information that readers may not already know in this way, but there are other ways to do it. She could have already known the history of tarot and explained this fact to her boyfriend.

There is also the issue of believability when it comes to the way she runs her very new small business. Again, Beatrice ONLY sells tarot, unlike many metaphysical/witchy/spiritual shops who sell a range of items (not only tarot but books, crystals, incense, etc.) and draw in customers of various beliefs and backgrounds. I struggled to understand how her business was staying afloat with the amount of times she closed the store to take a trip to talk to some antiques dealer. We're told numerous times that her boyfriend (I have already forgotten his name) can't accompany her because he's needed at his bookstore. He already has an established business with staff to help him run it. Beatrice is running a brand new small business by herself. So how is it that she can afford to take all of this time off? I know that she opened the business with money she got from her father after the sale of their family home. But surely that money is not enough for her to be spending so much throughout the book Commissioning an entire set of custom tarot cards, which will take at the very least around 80 hours to produce but probably much more, is not cheap. And at one point she is planning on offering at least five grand to buy back her missing tarot card.

I really enjoyed Portia's story but the ending was very anticlimactic for me after the somewhat glacial pacing of other parts of the book. I'm not sure what I was expecting to happen, but I didn't think the reason for the missing card would be what it was. I don't even understand why Caterina stole the card and then passed it down through her family. Why would you steal this card and then pass the story down through generations? What's the point? It seemed like it was just a convenient way for Beatrice to learn the full history of the cards, but it doesn't make sense why it happened the way it did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for tinalouisereadsbooks.
1,063 reviews14 followers
September 8, 2025
1644, Portia is living in London with her daughter Vittoria after fleeing Milan and her abusive husband. For a living she reads tarot card. With the turn of The Devil card she helps women escape their own abusive husbands. In the present Beatrice has left home to open a tarot shop. She uncovers a pack of tarot cards but The Devil card is missing.

This is the third book which I have now read by Clare Marchant. The House of the Witch is still my favourite. This book I found just ok.

The format of this book is very much the same as the other two I've read. The story is told in both past and present with both time periods having a connection. For me I again enjoyed reading Portia's story the best but found it did drag on slightly. The story with Bea had a romance but nothing too much. As I've found with the other two books the present story has been my least favourite parts.

I quite enjoyed the tarot aspect of the story. Having an interest myself and having my own cards I did enjoy the readings in the story both in the past and the present.

I didn't dislike the book by all means but I did find that this one did drag slightly. I would read more by the author in the future.
Profile Image for Tracey.
Author 2 books37 followers
October 8, 2025
I really enjoyed Clare Marchant’s House of the Witch, so I was excited to see a new book from her featuring the world of tarot. Huge thanks to Boldwood Books for providing me with a copy to read and review.

Daughter of the Tarot is a dual-timeline story set in 1644 and the present day. As someone interested in tarot, I appreciated the historical details about the cards and their meanings, as well as the readings woven throughout the story. I especially liked the way the Devil card was used symbolically to help women find the courage to escape abusive situations. I found this a thoughtful and empowering touch.

That said, I found Beatrice a little difficult to warm to; she came across as somewhat spoilt and self-centered at times. I also struggled to believe how quickly her shop became such a success. It just felt a bit too convenient.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read with an intriguing premise and some lovely historical detail, but it didn’t quite capture the magic of House of the Witch for me.
Profile Image for Monika Caparelli-Hippert.
286 reviews4 followers
August 11, 2025
Cool cover, exciting blurb – and since I'd already enthusiastically read a "time-slip novel" by Ms. Marchant, I jumped at this one :-). I like this kind of plot, when stories unfold on two temporal levels that are then gradually brought together.
Here, we have one level in the here and now, and one that takes place a few centuries earlier in roughly the same setting, each featuring a strong female character. So, the two protagonists are connected across the centuries. Okay, the author didn't reinvent the wheel with this structure of her novel – but it didn't need to; the story was definitely new in itself and captivated me!

We're (mostly) in London, and Beatrice plays the main role in the present day. She's recently moved to Hampstead and opened a shop for tarot cards and readings. While unpacking her moving boxes, she finds a long-forgotten deck of cards that has been passed down through the generations in her family. Historical, old, and therefore valuable—but not really useful, because one card is missing. The Devil. Beatrice decides to search for this card....
The second time frame takes place in 1644. 15 years ago, the Italian woman Portia fled from Milan to London with her daughter Vittoria and friend Maria under dramatic circumstances, and earns her living by reading tarot cards. But not only that—she also helps other women in need to escape domestic violence, and a special tarot card serves as a distinguishing symbol here...that of the Devil.

This much can be revealed about the plot: it quickly becomes clear that the tarot cards are the link between the narrative threads—and following the journey of the two women becomes fascinating and exciting. The Devil card, as we readers have now learned, represents the big question: what is real and what is illusion in life? A question that Portia and Beatrice have to ask themselves again and again....

My reading impression: Very, very exciting. I found the historical part particularly interesting. A household of only women that manages to survive in these times is fascinating in itself, and Portia has done some really cool things. Overall, the novel was – as expected from the author :-) – very fluid and grippingly written, and the story grabbed my attention. We also had a love story in both narrative strands, each without any unnecessary drama, which I really liked; it was beautiful, romantic, and fitting – and, as I said, the romance fit well with the rest of the story. The story was about the cards and the connection between the two women, and about the things that women can achieve, about personal freedom, and the love stories were nice "surroundings," but the novel would have worked wonderfully without them.

Yes, overall, a really good story, a great novel that kept me wonderfully entertained. I'm looking forward to Ms. Marchant's next books!

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy!
Profile Image for Heidi Malagisi.
438 reviews23 followers
August 16, 2025
A single deck of cards changed the fate of generations of women. The tarot cards, created in 16th-century Italy, will connect two women separated by centuries. One was a woman in 17th-century London, originally from Milan, who used the cards to rescue women from abusive relationships. The other is a woman from modern-day London starting her life anew when she comes across an old tarot card deck with a missing card. What began as a hunt for a missing card will connect the two women and change lives forever. The cards hold secrets to the past, but will they bring hope or disaster? This is the premise for Clare Marchant’s latest dual-timeline novel, “Daughter of the Tarot.”

I would like to thank Boldwood Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I recently read her novel, “The Shadow on the Bridge,” which I enjoyed, so when I saw this novel, it had such an intriguing description that I wanted to read it. I am not familiar with the history of tarot cards, and I have not read many novels set in the 17th century, so I was excited for a new adventure.

As this is a dual-timeline novel, there are two protagonists from two different periods: Portia from 17th-century England and Beatrice from 21st-century England. We begin in Milan in 1629, which has just been hit by the plague, where we are introduced to Portia and her baby daughter, Vittoria, who are struggling to survive. The next time we see Portia and Vittoria, iits 1644 and they are living in London. Vittoria is 15 years old, and Portia is using her talent with tarot cards to help those in need. What Vittoria does not know is that Portia uses her readings to help women escape abusive relationships by using the Devil’s Card as a message for the boatsman Jack, who is in love with Portia. Secrets and truths slowly begin to reveal themselves as someone from Portia’s past has come to London and may destroy her relationship with Vittoria.

In the modern storyline, we meet Beatrice, or Bea, who is starting a new life in London and is opening her own antiques shop. Bea has been avoiding her father and his new love interest since her mother died. She has the gift of reading tarot cards, and one day, she comes across an old deck of cards. The only problem is that it is missing a key card, the Devil’s Card. Bea and her landlord, Jack, search high and low for the missing card and find exactly what they are searching for, and some surprises.

It took me a while to get into this book as it was a slower pace than the previous novel that I read by Marchant. While I enjoyed the modern storyline, the 17th-century portion felt a bit slower, and it didn’t feel like the 17th century to me, but more like the 16th century. Overall, I think it was a decent novel with an interesting pair of protagonists. If you want a story about the 17th century with a unique premise, I recommend you read “Daughter of the Tarot” by Clare Marchant.
Profile Image for Annette Jordan.
2,843 reviews53 followers
August 17, 2025
Daughter of the Tarot by Clare Marchant caught my eye because I love historical fiction, especially if there is a magical element and though there is less "magic" in the story than I expected it is still a charming tale. The dual timeline narrative takes us from seventeenth century Italy to modern day London and shows how two different families are linked by a single set of tarot cards.
Beatrice has moved to London still grieving the mother she lost several years before. Her biggest connection to her mother is tarot, reading the cards is a skill they both shared, and so she decides to open a tarot shop, selling cards and doing readings, While unpacking she finds a tarot deck that has been handed down for generations, beautifully hand painted and priceless not just because of their age but even more so because of their links to her mother and the generations of women who had gone before. Unfortunately the deck is not complete, the Devil card is missing. Determined to track down the missing card Bea embarks on a quest that will take her back to Italy and uncover a story of love, strength and compassion.
Centuries before her ancestor Portia fled from Italy to London, bringing little more than the clothes on her back, her deck of cards and her newborn daughter. Fleeing both the plague that was decimating Italy and the cruelty of the man who fathered her child she sets herself up in a new home and establishes a reputation not just for her tarot readings but also for helping other women in desperate circumstances to escape. For years Portia and her daughter live in relative peace until one day a chance encounter on the streets of the city brings the past back into their lives and threatens the peace and comfort they have found in their new home.
I really enjoyed the use of dual timelines in this story and I think the author did a very good job of bringing the two stories and the two timelines together. The writing style is very descriptive, almost too much so at first, in the early chapters of the book I felt like the author did a little too much telling rather than showing and I was worried that I would find the writing too stilted but that did ease as the story progressed and was far less noticeable as the book went on and the author found their flow. Both characters were well crafted and I enjoyed both timelines, though I think I preferred the historical setting a little more, and I appreciated seeing that the trait of wanting to help others through the cards passed down the generations and the parallels between the two women despite the centuries that separated them.
This book is a great blend of historical fiction, mystery and just a touch of romance and I can imagine that many other readers will enjoy it as much as I did.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Anne.
2,210 reviews
August 18, 2025
I was entirely immersed in this book from its opening pages – the very best dual time writing, and a tale that entirely gripped me to the very last page.

In 1629, abandoned by the man who should have provided protection and with Milan in the grip of the plague, Portia flees for her life with baby Vittoria – and we encounter them again living in 1640s London. Portia reads tarot cards, but the women who visit her are often looking for more tangible help – with the assistance of boatman John (a man she really trusts, and to whom she’s growing closer), she helps them escape their lives of neglect and abuse in the dead of night, giving each of them a Devil card as proof of their identity. Rumours abound about the women’s disappearance, and her task becomes increasingly difficult – but then the threat is increased by a chance meeting when her past begins to catch up with her, and threatens both her relationship with Vittoria and her life.

In the present day, Bea is finding her feet with a new venture – a small shop where she sells tarot cards and offers readings – still trying to come to terms with the loss of her mother and her father’s decision to make a fresh start. Her delight at finding an antique set of tarot cards is only dimmed when she finds its Devil card is missing, making them unusable – and, with the support of landlord Jack who owns a nearby bookshop and becomes a close friend, she embarks on a mission to find the missing card, with a number of false leads and obstacles along the way. And, during her search, she gradually uncovers Portia’s amazing story.

The storylines are wonderfully wrapped around each other, equally compelling and involving – and the pacing of the whole story, with its seamless shifts between past and present, is so perfectly handled. The historical setting is vividly drawn, very atmospheric, bringing the period to life – and the connecting thread of the tarot cards is absolutely fascinating. Both Portia and Bea are beautifully drawn, very real and wholly sympathetic – and I enjoyed too the romantic elements to both their stories. There are some particularly well written moments of drama that had me on the edge of my seat – but plenty of emotional moments too, all handled with the perfect touch. There are a number of recurring themes – reality and illusion, interpreting the truth – and I’ll leave them for you to discover, but I really loved the way they were mirrored in both stories, everything perfectly balanced.

I’m so impressed by the author’s writing – this was a book I really loved, undoubtedly one of my books of the year, and would very much recommend to others.
Profile Image for Andrea.
289 reviews
September 28, 2025
Clare Marchant does it again.....spellbound in the mystical world of tarot this time. I have previously read "The Mapmakers Daughter" and "The House of the Witch", so was super keen to read Clare's 2025 release "Daughter of the Tarot", which is her sixth book.
Again a dual timeline story set in the 1600s and modern day, The ability to read tarot cards and one beautifully painted set, binds generations of the same family, of Italian descent.
In 1629 Milan was in the depths of the plague, killing many and causing seperation amongst families. Those with money escaped to their hillside villas. Those with a moral compass remained to care for others, until they could flee to countries abroad. And so we meet Portia, who has come to London, bringing Vittoria, Maria and her mother's tarot cards. Her gift for reading the cards, provides the refocus of thoughts for many who approach her, seeking to solve the questions in their lives.
Beatrice has inherited this same set of cards and also has the ability to read and transform lives. Two women bound by 1 set of tarot cards....with the elusive Devil card missing by the time the set reaches Beatrice. This ominous sounding card actually speaks of what is real and what is an illusion. What might not be as it appears. Coupled with other cards speaking of worries, anxiety, a time to take control and make the right choice for oneself it can lead to a decision point and turning point.
Portia hides many secrets. She has worked hard to cover her past running from an abusive husband. She can relate to the many women who approach her, looking for the same escape and has found a way to help them.
Beatrice is determined to find this missing Devil card, so she can begin to use the full set of beautiful ancient cards in her new business. Twists and turns and many disappointments, take her back to the start of Portia's troubles. (A little romance is thrown in too).
400 years pass in this book, but the strength of women striving for independence, reinventing and stretching their resilience never changes across the generations.
A magical, mystical and often heart stopping book of family secrets, for which I thank Boldwood Books, Clare Marchant, and NetGalley for my copy.
The tarot symbolism has me hooked and I am keen to track down a tarot reader as soon as possible
331 reviews17 followers
August 16, 2025
2025 sees Beatrice still grieving the loss of her mother, the selling of the family home and her father’s new life with another woman beginning. She makes the decision to move to London, leaving all she loved about life in Nottingham behind her.
She has found the perfect place to set a small shop selling Tarot Cards, reading Tarot cards and making a new life for herself. Her mother was a Tarot reader, as was her grandmother and great grandmother, Bea being taught at a young age by her mother to learn the cards, the secrets held within and how to interpret their messages.
Bea is left a very old set of cards with one missing, the Devil Card and one with what appears to be dried blood stains. She decides that she should try to find out more about this set of cards that date back to the 16th century which sets off a series of events that help her understand better the real meaning in the Tarot’s messages for her.
Portia is a woman on the run; it is Milan in 1629, the Plague is everywhere, people are dying and not being buried, and she has a newborn babe to care for. The father is a Nobleman, dangerous and ruthless, a man running from the City leaving the women and new born child behind.
Leaving Milan undiscovered, eventually finding safety in England, she raises her daughter, conducting Tarot readings for those who come asking, leading a dangerous double life helping women escape brutal and violent marriages.
Both these stories come together in a captivating tale of love, life, fate and understanding in Daughter of the Tarot as Bea learns that life is not always about certainties, that when one journey ends another new one is just beginning.
Claire Marchant was inspired to write a slightly different historic fiction as her sixth novel based on her love of Tarot cards. Portia evolved as a mysterious Italian woman living in London, a woman of secrets and knowledge, Her modern-day Portia had to be another strong woman, but one who needed to learn from the past.
Together these women make a page turner of a book which is very difficult to put down.

90 reviews
July 22, 2025
Daughter of the Tarot is a richly atmospheric dual-timeline mystery. Set in 1644 and the present day, this novel weaves together the stories of Portia—an Italian woman who escapes into 17th-century London and earns her living reading tarot cards—and Beatrice, her modern-descended relative who opens a tarot shop and discovers a centuries-old deck missing a crucial card: the Devil’s Card.

Marchant skillfully uses tarot as both metaphor and narrative device, binding two eras through secrets that threaten to repeat themselves across generations. Portia's storyline is gritty and harrowing, revealing a woman determined to survive and assist other marginalized women through coded tarot messages. In contrast, Beatrice’s contemporary narrative is more introspective—delving into family legacy, identity, and an eerie series of murders linked to the missing card. The generational link between them creates a suspenseful, sometimes chilling echo that drives the novel’s emotional impact.

The novel excels at creating authentic historical setting and emotional resonance. It is haunting, gripped me from the first page, and a real page-turner that’s hard to put down. Marchant is praised for crafting strong, courageous heroines and for building atmospheric tension that transcends time periods. The tarot elements feel more than ornamental—they become tools of liberation, revelation, and danger.

The pacing is slightly uneven between timelines. While Portia’s story is urgent and action-packed, Beatrice’s present-day investigation unfolds more slowly.

Overall, Daughter of the Tarot stands out as an immersive and emotionally rich historical mystery. Readers who enjoy books like those by Jeanette Winterson or Barbara Erskine will appreciate its lush detail, psychological depth, and the timeless pull of the tarot’s mysteries. It’s an evocative, compelling read—perfect for those seeking mystery, feminine resilience, and a touch of magical realism.
1,635 reviews25 followers
August 18, 2025
***I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review

This is a dual-timeline story, with the first timeline in 1644, and the second timeline is in present day. In the 1644 timeline, Portia is living in London, having escaped living with an abusive man in Italy, and with just baby Vittoria. The man in question was her sister's husband, and when he believed that his wife died of the plague before giving birth, he fled, leaving Portia there to die. What he didn't know was that his wife had given birth to a daughter. So Portia fled with the baby, and has been passing her off as her own daughter. Making her living reading tarot cards, she starts to realise there are other women like her - women who need help getting away from terrible men. So she comes up with a system ; she gives them a Devil's Card out of a tarot deck and tells them when to meet her friend at the docks. They are to leave home in the middle of the night and give him the Devil's Card as proof that she sent them, and he will carry them away to a new life in another town. The rumours begin about a series of murders of women as a result of all of the disappearances. In present day, Beatrice has left home to open a tarot shop in London, after her mother’s death and father’s hasty plans to remarry, But when she’s unpacking, she finds a set of cards she’s never seen before, one that’s evidently been handed down through generations of her family. It’s a set that is missing a card though… the Devil’s Card. She begins to search for the lost card, but she also starts to hear rumours of that very card being linked to a series of murders of women in 17th century London…

I always enjoy this author's books. I enjoyed the 1644 timeline much more than the present day timeline. I loved the idea of using the tarot card as a means of helping spirit women away in the night. Portia was such a brave and ingenious woman. If you enjoy historical fiction, then you should definitely check this out!
Profile Image for The Starry Library.
466 reviews33 followers
August 11, 2025
Daughter of the Tarot by Clare Marchant is a historical fiction dual timeline story about a woman whose Tarot cards deal fates and escapes to women in need.

In seventeenth century England, Portia lives an obscure life in hiding with her daughter, reading Tarot cards for women who seek out her help. The Tarot cards help the women escape their predicaments until Portia herself must also escape from a dangerous situation. In the present day, Beatrice a Tarot reader, is searching for a missing Devil card belonging to a centuries old Italian Tarot deck she inherited from her mother. Her research uncovers that the missing card is connected to a series of murders that took place in seventeenth century England, shocking Beatrice into discovering the truth about the origins of the cards.

I always enjoy a good occult mystery and Daughter of the Tarot was exactly that. I loved the premise of a woman using Tarot cards to help other women. I liked that the author utilized the Italian origins of the Tarot as a basis for the story. For that reason, I enjoyed Portia’s story more than Beatrice’s, which I felt didn’t contribute much to the overall mystery. I also thought that Niccolo’s admission was a plot issue. He did not need to reveal the secret to Portia because he could have continued to play her ignorance to his advantage. This is where the story lost some of its impact for me. With that being said, I really liked this book, its originality and how the Tarot was implemented.

I would recommend for fans of occult and historical fiction.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Jo.
87 reviews2 followers
August 3, 2025
This dual timeline book was incredibly well researched, and I was quickly absorbed in the historical story. There were some great details about how women in the 1600s were treated in marriage, and the twists kept coming. I liked the characters in the historic parts, and enjoyed the way the plot moved through the book at a nice pace, revealing more and more about Portia and her tarot cards, and how she helped other women.
The modern storyline had me less gripped. For me, each story in a dual timeline should be able to stand alone, but this part of the story was a simple romance with a bit of a search for a tarot card. The stories do come together, albeit conveniently and briskly, and at times I felt that our modern character Bea was a bit unlikeable and pouty. She seemed to create problems in her family where there were none.
I did like the moments where she did her tarot readings, and I wish that this had been the focus and the romance had just been cut. I think it would have worked better for me if she was learning to stand on her feet, and she doesn’t need a man for that. The historical story builds such a beautiful community of women and family that it would have been nice to reflect that in Bea’s story too. Maybe she could have been escaping a relationship that put her in danger. Or helping other women do the same. And I felt that the locations could have been twinned in the two parts of the story.
That said, I would certainly seek out more work by this author because the research was excellent and the historical story was enough on its own for me to give it 4 stars.

I received an e-arc of this book in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for DustyBookSniffers -  Nicole .
367 reviews61 followers
August 15, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.75 stars)
Historical fiction? Yes please. Add tarot to the mix and I'm already turning pages before I've even had a coffee. Clare Marchant's The Daughter of the Tarot hooked me right away and held on tight.

Told in a dual timeline, the story weaves together the lives of two women, Portia in 1644 and Beatrice in 2025, both connected by a mysterious tarot deck and a missing Devil card. Marchant does a great job balancing both timelines, with each one feeding into the other in a way that kept me invested throughout.

Portia's story, set in 17th-century London, was the standout for me. Her strength, her quiet defiance, and the way she helped women escape abusive homes by slipping them a hand-painted Devil card were powerful and moving. She was layered, resilient, and her part of the story felt grounded and well-paced. I appreciated how Marchant handled her character and the very real danger she lived in.

Beatrice's modern-day storyline also pulled me in, especially the mystery surrounding the tarot deck she inherits after her mother's death. There's a subtle, slow-burning romance that adds just the right touch without overpowering the main plot. I enjoyed watching her piece together the history behind the cards, particularly as it connected to the dark secrets of Portia's time.

What worked for me was the theme of women helping women, even across centuries. If you enjoy stories about strong, resilient women, family secrets, and just the right amount of mysticism woven into your historical fiction, this one's worth picking up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Jasmine Martin.
77 reviews
August 5, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed this read spanning two time lines, following Portia in 1644 and Beatrice in 2025 as we learn the story of the tarot deck that connects them, and a story of generations of women passing down their family history.

I loved jumping between the timelines, and learning the story of the cards alongside Beatrice. Portia's story was beautifully told and I really felt the heartache of her situation. The parallels between Beatrice customers' stories in the present timeline with Portia's story intertwined perfectly and really helped the story develop and to build the emotional connection to the characters.

At times, the narrative in Beatrice timeline was repetitive which made those chapters drag a little, but on the whole this was a really enjoyable read. Alongside the evolving story of Beatrice' families' history with tarot, the book explores the process of grief and the complexities of changes in family dynamics. This felt to be handled well, I found myself frustrated with Beatrice at times but enjoyed the progression of her thoughts and processes as her story evolved.

The history of tarot was very enjoyable to learn of and I'm feeling inspired to delve into this world more! I will definitely read more from Clare Marchant. Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Daughter of Tarot publishes on 18th August and I highly recommend for any fans of historical fiction or with an interest in the history and practice of Tarot!
Profile Image for Nova McCormack .
156 reviews2 followers
August 17, 2025
Historical fiction perfection. This was beautifully depicted, heartfelt, and absolutely stunning.

London 1644

London was a fresh start for Portia, carrying a new daughter in her arms. Escaping an abusive man and the life she knew, she fled under the cover of night. London became a new beginning… until it wasn’t. That’s when the disappearances started. They called them murders, but Portia and her tarot knew the truth.

London 2025

London was also a fresh start for Bea, lost after her mother’s passing and her father moving on. Her anchor was her tarot. Opening her new store—the tarot shop of her mother’s dreams—she discovers a mysterious family deck, missing one card: the Devil. That card holds a dark history. Along with her new friend Jack, Bea embarks on a hunt that reveals far more than she expected.


As a tarot lover, this book truly captured me. The energy, intuition, and significance of the cards were highlighted beautifully across past and present, connecting each woman’s journey to the family deck. I savored this read, immersing myself fully, and by chapter five, I was rushing to get my own tarot deck.

Claire Merchant writes delicately, richly, and thoughtfully. Quiet little moments stole my heart, while the tension of the mystery and the emotional depth kept me hooked. The swoon-worthy romance across timelines was the perfect touch. The ending left my heart bursting and tears flowing. A completely unforgettable read.

Thank you to NetGalley, and Clare Marchant for this gifted e copy. Adored!!!
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