The Fortune Teller

by Marsha Norman

Fay Morgan can see into the future. The trouble sometimes she sees things she would rather not see. Like her only daughter Lizzie leaving for California was a handsome young Brazilian, and cutting Fay out of her life forever. Fay knows who is too - he's the devil from Tarot Pack.
Just when she needs all her psychic powers to fight, her policeman lover Arnie asks for help on a case. 27 children have been kidnapped at the fairground and Arnie wants her to tell him where they are. But all the time she's struggling to see the missing children in mind, and end the tournament of their parents, she is having a terrifying vision of her own the most painful vision a mother can have of a world where, for her daughter, she no longer exists.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery

387 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Marsha Norman is an American playwright, screenwriter, and novelist. She received the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for her play 'night, Mother. She wrote the book and lyrics for such Broadway musicals as The Secret Garden, for which she won a Tony Award and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical, and The Red Shoes, as well as the libretto for the musical The Color Purple and the book for the musical The Bridges of Madison County. She was co-chair of the playwriting department at The Juilliard School until stepping down in 2020.

Reviews

[Christie Pardee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was written in the 1980s, but everything about it holds up. The story is so well-paced and the characters feel like real people. Knowing what's coming and watching it happen is so heartbreaking. I found this in a used bookstore and I'm so glad that I did!

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book and it was fun to step back 20+ years to read a mystery/thriller--before CSI,NCIS,cell phones. Marsha Norman is an amazing writer, she taught 5th grade at my elemetary school in the 70's before she became famous with 'Night, mother. This book was somewhat happier than some of her books...but her voice of the characters is so real.

[Kathy Kaylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of stuff about tarot symbolism in this novel.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating read with complex characterization and interesting philosophical ideas weaved between the action. Rich conflicts and engaging dialogue is at the heart of this novel. The end begs for a sequel although I'm not sure there is one. Lots of perspectives shared about abortion in this book, too, which is interesting since this novel was published in 1987. Marsha Norman wrote the famous play Night, Mother. If you have an opportunity to find this book, I highly recommend reading it.

[Wyatt Fields · Rating 3 out of 5]

loved the first third of this, really disappointed in the ending. i found it hard to relate to the characters and their perceptions, but that's maybe because i don't have their experiences. i found myself sympathizing with the daughter more than i think i was supposed to.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this charming, preloved book by accident, and I must say, what a pleasant surprise. Very different from what I usually read. I enjoyed the journey! I loved how it was written, the characters felt so real!

[NK · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story began well - something different. This is about a tarot card reader/psychic and her relationships with family, friends and the local police department. She assist in crime solving. About half way through the book the story took a dive into the ridiculous (ordinary Mom saves two children out on a precarious ledge in a quarry by climbing through dark holes with dead snakes to get to a narrow bridge). What? It also tosses in social/political statements about pro-abortion versus anti-abortion. It's a mess with a disappointing ending. I finished the book because there were hopeful moments when it was coherent and cohesive.

[Eileen Engel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ending was not good

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the first books I read for pleasure.