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Fatal Fortune
No one in Cheyenne, ND believes in Lottie Baldwin’s psychic abilities; especially not Harlan Erikson, Lottie’s boyfriend, and sergeant in the Sheriff’s Office. When a friend’s husband disappears, Lottie can’t leave it to Harlan. Armed with her courage and her tarot cards, she tries to solve the mystery herself, regardless of who attempts to stop Harlan, her friend—or the criminal.
250 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
1 person is currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Delisi
20 books40 followersElizabeth Delisi has wanted to be a writer since she was in first grade, and probably would have written in the womb if she could have convinced her mother to swallow a pencil. But life hasn't always gone the way she planned, and on her road to publication she worked as a motel maid, waitress, secretary, administrative aide, substitute teacher, and newspaper reporter.
Elizabeth's novels include a FATAL FORTUNE, first in the Lottie Baldwin paranormal mystery series; LADY OF THE TWO LANDS, a time-travel romance; and SINCE ALL IS PASSING, a suspense. She's written contemporary and paranormal romance novellas for ONE TOUCH BEYOND; ENCHANTED HOLIDAYS; HOLIDAY HEARTS; HOLIDAY HEARTS 2; and CUPID'S CAPERS, and has also published a speculative short story collection, THE MIDNIGHT ZONE. In addition to her writing, Elizabeth teaches online writing courses for Writer's Digest.
Elizabeth lives in New Hampshire with her husband and feisty parakeet. She enjoys hearing from her readers at elizabeth@elizabethdelisi.com and invites everyone to visit her website at www.elizabethdelisi.com.
Elizabeth's novels include a FATAL FORTUNE, first in the Lottie Baldwin paranormal mystery series; LADY OF THE TWO LANDS, a time-travel romance; and SINCE ALL IS PASSING, a suspense. She's written contemporary and paranormal romance novellas for ONE TOUCH BEYOND; ENCHANTED HOLIDAYS; HOLIDAY HEARTS; HOLIDAY HEARTS 2; and CUPID'S CAPERS, and has also published a speculative short story collection, THE MIDNIGHT ZONE. In addition to her writing, Elizabeth teaches online writing courses for Writer's Digest.
Elizabeth lives in New Hampshire with her husband and feisty parakeet. She enjoys hearing from her readers at elizabeth@elizabethdelisi.com and invites everyone to visit her website at www.elizabethdelisi.com.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 15, 2012
Lottie Baldwin knows how to read tarot cards and has an uncanny sense of dire things happening in the past or present. And she's got this awful sense that something terrible is going to happen today and actually knows it is going to happen to Harry, her good friend, Janet's husband, Harry. Sure enough, Harry is reported to be missing. While he won't be found for a while, Lottie and her boyfriend, Harlan are investigating by speaking to everyone who knew Harry. But Harlan is getting upset with Lottie; he grudgingly admits she has a definite gift but doesn't want her interfering with police work. Lottie complies...well, somewhat...
The plot moves along with a great deal of repetition, mainly to reinforce the idea that Harry had a past history that leads others to believe he's just faded away for a while but will be back. But Lottie and Harlan know Harry gave up his bad habits years ago and has been entirely reliable and clean for several years now.
Others are not so convinced, however. For instance there's one character in a wheelchair because of Harry. Another character is a drunk who thinks he's been duped out of money donated to build the local college, money that he should have inherited. Several characters have motives to hurt Harry and others have motives to destroy the new building project for the local college. How does Harry fit into the latter? Will Harry be found?
Fatal Fortune is a slow mover at first but picks up in the second half of the novel to provide an intriguing plot depicted in a mystery-style presentation that draws in the reader into an intense desire to see how this mystery will be resolved. Nicely done, Elizabeth Delisi!
The plot moves along with a great deal of repetition, mainly to reinforce the idea that Harry had a past history that leads others to believe he's just faded away for a while but will be back. But Lottie and Harlan know Harry gave up his bad habits years ago and has been entirely reliable and clean for several years now.
Others are not so convinced, however. For instance there's one character in a wheelchair because of Harry. Another character is a drunk who thinks he's been duped out of money donated to build the local college, money that he should have inherited. Several characters have motives to hurt Harry and others have motives to destroy the new building project for the local college. How does Harry fit into the latter? Will Harry be found?
Fatal Fortune is a slow mover at first but picks up in the second half of the novel to provide an intriguing plot depicted in a mystery-style presentation that draws in the reader into an intense desire to see how this mystery will be resolved. Nicely done, Elizabeth Delisi!
August 28, 2014
Having a few tarot decks of my own I found the idea of a fortune telling woman with some paranormal abilities as the main character of this story a pleasant surprise. Lottie is a bright, spirited, fun loving woman who will do just about anything for her friends. She has a man in her life on the police department and has helped him from time to time with her “feelings” and visions. Harry is a lovable guy who tries hard to protect Lottie from her impetuosity fearing it might lead her into trouble. In this story her friend Janet’s husband disappears and Lottie becomes involved in trying to find him or at least find out what happened to him. There are a number of people on the suspect list and some sleuthing to be done. I enjoyed the dynamics between Lottie and Harlan and the friendship between Lottie and Janet. This was a good story with a few twists and turns and one that ends happily for Lottie and her man.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
October 1, 2014
I wanted to read Fatal Fortune by a different author and I'm glad I had the mix up. Set in Cheyenne, North Dakota where Lottie Baldwin is considered a little different. No one believes in her psychic abilities especially her boyfriend. He, being the Chief Deputy in the Sheriff's department, thinks Lottie's "abilities" are only in her head. When a friend's husband disappears the tarot cards come out and Lottie becomes involved . . .
July 21, 2012
Fatal Fortune by new to me author, Elizabeth Delisi, is marketed as the first in a series. This book was just O.K. for me. I didn’t hate it but I didn’t love it. While reading, I felt myself being pulled out of the story due to the repeated references of past events. It made me feel like I was missing the beginning of the story and because of that I didn’t feel connected to the characters as much as I would have liked.
I did like Lottie and Harlan. Their relationship is comfortable and you can tell they have been together for a while. They are so different from one another, but fit together perfectly, like peanut butter and jelly. They are also both equally stubborn people, though as a cop, I expect Harlan to be. A pet peeve for me in any mystery or thriller or suspense is when characters that are not trained as investigators, go off and investigate on their own. Sometimes, they invite more trouble and danger to themselves, than if they had just stayed out of it, especially when they aren’t that great at it. Lottie narrowly misses becoming another victim because she doesn’t stay out of it. I get she wants to help her friend and in her place, most of us would do the same thing, but were it not for Harlan’s timely appearance, Lottie would be dead.
The mystery was decent and held a few surprises for me. I was way off on my pick for the villain, but there were many possible candidates to choose from, which I like. A mark of a good mystery is when the reader is not able to figure out the entire plot in the first chapter. It took me most of the book and I was surprised, not only at who it was, but why.
Avid mystery fans will enjoy the mystery, but overall, this book is a rocky start to a series that hopefully will develop into something more with the next book.
I did like Lottie and Harlan. Their relationship is comfortable and you can tell they have been together for a while. They are so different from one another, but fit together perfectly, like peanut butter and jelly. They are also both equally stubborn people, though as a cop, I expect Harlan to be. A pet peeve for me in any mystery or thriller or suspense is when characters that are not trained as investigators, go off and investigate on their own. Sometimes, they invite more trouble and danger to themselves, than if they had just stayed out of it, especially when they aren’t that great at it. Lottie narrowly misses becoming another victim because she doesn’t stay out of it. I get she wants to help her friend and in her place, most of us would do the same thing, but were it not for Harlan’s timely appearance, Lottie would be dead.
The mystery was decent and held a few surprises for me. I was way off on my pick for the villain, but there were many possible candidates to choose from, which I like. A mark of a good mystery is when the reader is not able to figure out the entire plot in the first chapter. It took me most of the book and I was surprised, not only at who it was, but why.
Avid mystery fans will enjoy the mystery, but overall, this book is a rocky start to a series that hopefully will develop into something more with the next book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews