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Tarot Mystery #2
Fool Me Once
After taking over the White Magic Five & Dime, Alanis McLachlan is trying to make up for her mother’s con jobs by tracking down old customers and making amends. When Martha, one of the most loyal clients, comes looking for a way out of her abusive marriage, Alanis does everything she can to help.
But helping Martha leads to unforeseen consequences . . . including murder. When Martha’s husband is found dead, the police show up at Alanis’s door. And things only get more complicated as she tries to clear her name from the top of the suspect list. With her growing mastery of the tarot and the Fool card to guide her, can Alanis find her way to the truth before the killer gets to her first?
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2015
84 people are currently reading
404 people want to read
About the author
Steve Hockensmith
93 books528 followersSteve Hockensmith is the author of the New York Times bestseller Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls and several other novels, including the Edgar Award finalist Holmes on the Range. He lives in Alameda, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
August 18, 2015
Alanis McLachlan is back in the second “Tarot Mystery” series. In the first book, The White Magic Five & Dime, she inherited her estranged mother’s tarot shop in Berdache, Arizona. Her mother had been a well known con artist who made a career out of swindling her clients of their money. Alanis may know nothing about reading tarot cards, but she intends to make up for all the bad things her mother did and perhaps even learn more about tarot cards.
One of her mother’s clients, Marsha Riggs, seeks help from Alanis. Her husband, Bill, is abusive and Marsha wants nothing more than to get away from him. Alanis makes it her mission to make sure Bill never hurts Marsha again. When Bill turns up dead, Marsha and Alanis make the top of the suspect list. With help from some whacky friends and family, Alanis tries to find the real killer before she and Marsha end up with the same fate as Bill.
I loved the first book and I was not disappointed with this second one. The author keeps you at the edge of your seat. It’s another page turner. The mystery storyline is self-contained in this book, but I think it’s more enjoyable if you get to know Alanis by reading the first one. You will have a better understanding of her relationship with her mother and the whole story falls nicely into place.
Alanis is a great character. She keeps you laughing and she’s not afraid to take a stand against the bad guys. The secondary characters truly come to life in this book – from Alanis new-found sister to the bad guys to a couple of romantic possibilities.
The author keeps you guessing with many twists and turns. The mystery is solved at the end, but there is a cliffhanger at the end of the book (which has nothing to do with the murder mystery – you don’t have to wait for months before knowing whodunit.) I, for one, am anxiously awaiting for the next book.
FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review for this blog tour. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
One of her mother’s clients, Marsha Riggs, seeks help from Alanis. Her husband, Bill, is abusive and Marsha wants nothing more than to get away from him. Alanis makes it her mission to make sure Bill never hurts Marsha again. When Bill turns up dead, Marsha and Alanis make the top of the suspect list. With help from some whacky friends and family, Alanis tries to find the real killer before she and Marsha end up with the same fate as Bill.
I loved the first book and I was not disappointed with this second one. The author keeps you at the edge of your seat. It’s another page turner. The mystery storyline is self-contained in this book, but I think it’s more enjoyable if you get to know Alanis by reading the first one. You will have a better understanding of her relationship with her mother and the whole story falls nicely into place.
Alanis is a great character. She keeps you laughing and she’s not afraid to take a stand against the bad guys. The secondary characters truly come to life in this book – from Alanis new-found sister to the bad guys to a couple of romantic possibilities.
The author keeps you guessing with many twists and turns. The mystery is solved at the end, but there is a cliffhanger at the end of the book (which has nothing to do with the murder mystery – you don’t have to wait for months before knowing whodunit.) I, for one, am anxiously awaiting for the next book.
FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review for this blog tour. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 11, 2017
Hand auf's Herz: Eigentlich hätte das Buch rein für die Story nur 1-2 Sterne verdient. Der Kriminalfall ist ausgesprochen mager und auch nicht originell, sondern mehr die lose Rahmenhandlung um Alanis und ihre kleinen Betrügereien gekonnt in Szene zu setzen.
Warum also 5 Sterne? Ich liebe den Humor und die Personen. Alanis, die mit allen Wassern gewaschene (Ex-)Ganovin, ist einfach zu unterhaltsam. Es kommt selten vor, dass mich ein Buch zum Lachen bringen kann, aber dieses hat es geschafft und das ist mir einfach mal 5 Sterne wert.
Wer sarkastischen Humor mag und nichts gegen eine wenig gesetzestreue und wenig vorbildhafte Heldin hat, dafür aber Abstriche in der Handlung hinnehmen kann, der lese dieses Buch!
Warum also 5 Sterne? Ich liebe den Humor und die Personen. Alanis, die mit allen Wassern gewaschene (Ex-)Ganovin, ist einfach zu unterhaltsam. Es kommt selten vor, dass mich ein Buch zum Lachen bringen kann, aber dieses hat es geschafft und das ist mir einfach mal 5 Sterne wert.
Wer sarkastischen Humor mag und nichts gegen eine wenig gesetzestreue und wenig vorbildhafte Heldin hat, dafür aber Abstriche in der Handlung hinnehmen kann, der lese dieses Buch!
December 3, 2018
This second book was just as good as the first. I loooooved it!
February 24, 2020
Light, fun, good. Am requesting the third one from the library now. I'm hooked
September 26, 2017
4.5
*Book source ~ Library
After Alanis McLachlin inherits her estranged mother’s shop, the White Magic Five & Dime, in Berdache, Arizona she tries to track down and make things right with old customers her mother has conned. After sort of adopting an abused wife that was one of those customers, Alanis then needs to find the real killer of Martha’s husband when Martha is arrested for his murder. In only a few short weeks since hitting town, Alanis is once again smack in the middle of a murder investigation. She barely survived her last nose poking. Will she be so lucky this time?
I have to say, I’m loving this series. Alanis is a different kind of “heroine.” She doesn’t fit any kind of mold. In fact, she may have broken the mold. She goes about things in a way I never expect and it’s all because of the way she grew up. I can’t even begin to imagine her childhood, so she keeps me on my toes. The murder mystery kept me guessing and there are great secondary characters. All-in-all an excellent way to spend an afternoon.
*Book source ~ Library
After Alanis McLachlin inherits her estranged mother’s shop, the White Magic Five & Dime, in Berdache, Arizona she tries to track down and make things right with old customers her mother has conned. After sort of adopting an abused wife that was one of those customers, Alanis then needs to find the real killer of Martha’s husband when Martha is arrested for his murder. In only a few short weeks since hitting town, Alanis is once again smack in the middle of a murder investigation. She barely survived her last nose poking. Will she be so lucky this time?
I have to say, I’m loving this series. Alanis is a different kind of “heroine.” She doesn’t fit any kind of mold. In fact, she may have broken the mold. She goes about things in a way I never expect and it’s all because of the way she grew up. I can’t even begin to imagine her childhood, so she keeps me on my toes. The murder mystery kept me guessing and there are great secondary characters. All-in-all an excellent way to spend an afternoon.
March 31, 2017
I loved the second book in this series even more than the first! Everything I loved in the first book is ramped up in this one.
This series is like a cozy mystery . . . on acid! Seriously, everything about this story is extra sarcastic, extra funny, and extra ridiculously awesome, and I loved every single page of it.
Alanis is one of the best characters I've ever read. I love her backstory, which makes everything she says and does utterly and completely plausible, even though it all should be ridiculous or crazy or simply a bad idea. And all that makes for a crazy entertaining read!
The humour in this series totally SLAYS me! I laughed out loud [for real!] all the way through this book. From the hilarious "meanings" for the cards of the tarot that begin each chapter, to the completely snarky things Alanis says and thinks about what's going on, to the classic tv memories that are worked into the story in clever amusing ways, this book is one of the funniest I've read in a while. The extra cool thing is that even though most of the snark could stand on its own, it actually WORKS in the development of the story and totally fits with what's going on. That's what you call really great writing, which this series has in spades.
The pacing is also terrific in this series. It's a fast, easy-to-read snappy story that zips along easily and makes you really want to keep reading once you start, with many chapters ending with small cliffhangers.
Truly, I love everything about this series. I absolutely can't wait to read the third book, especially with how this one ends! Highly recommended if you like your cozies with smart, well-written characters, a terrific story line and a whole bucket full of sarcastic laugh-out-loud humour.
This series is like a cozy mystery . . . on acid! Seriously, everything about this story is extra sarcastic, extra funny, and extra ridiculously awesome, and I loved every single page of it.
Alanis is one of the best characters I've ever read. I love her backstory, which makes everything she says and does utterly and completely plausible, even though it all should be ridiculous or crazy or simply a bad idea. And all that makes for a crazy entertaining read!
The humour in this series totally SLAYS me! I laughed out loud [for real!] all the way through this book. From the hilarious "meanings" for the cards of the tarot that begin each chapter, to the completely snarky things Alanis says and thinks about what's going on, to the classic tv memories that are worked into the story in clever amusing ways, this book is one of the funniest I've read in a while. The extra cool thing is that even though most of the snark could stand on its own, it actually WORKS in the development of the story and totally fits with what's going on. That's what you call really great writing, which this series has in spades.
The pacing is also terrific in this series. It's a fast, easy-to-read snappy story that zips along easily and makes you really want to keep reading once you start, with many chapters ending with small cliffhangers.
Truly, I love everything about this series. I absolutely can't wait to read the third book, especially with how this one ends! Highly recommended if you like your cozies with smart, well-written characters, a terrific story line and a whole bucket full of sarcastic laugh-out-loud humour.
March 15, 2016
A lot of fun with this sequel in what I hope will be an ongoing series with Tarot cards, independent investigators, bizarre characters and situations, and humor tinged with feminism. Really enjoyed book 1 and book 2 did not disappoint.
Recommended if you like strong female characters and an odd twist on Tarot cards in your mysteries.
Recommended if you like strong female characters and an odd twist on Tarot cards in your mysteries.
December 19, 2019
Excellent second entry in this series, with a great twist at the end. Only one complaint, and not one that affects the number of stars: the ebook desperately needed proofreading to fix an extraordinary number of typos, missing words, and extra words that slipped through. Since these tend to jerk the reader out of the story, it's a real shame no one caught them before publication.
January 21, 2017
So glad I picked the first in this series up a short while back. Good stories, with enough snark to keep it interesting. Great characters with lots of baggage that keep a good story rolling and interesting. Recommend!
August 19, 2017
Im Vergleich zum ersten Band war Alanis zweiter Fall eine ziemliche Enttäuschung. Der gesamte Plot war so hanebüchen und der Kriminalfall und deren Aufklärung absolut lächerlich. Zum Ende hin wirkte es zudem sehr übereilt und passte irgendwie nicht recht zum sonst so gemütlichen Verlauf der Geschichte.
Was mich im Endeffekt bei der Stange hielt, war der grandiose Humor. Ich liebe Alanis als Protagonistin sowie ihren schrägen Humor. Auch ihre Dynamik mit Clarice ist toll, kam in diesem Band aber leider etwas zu kurz.
Miss Chance war auch wieder mit von der Partie. Ihre zynischen Deutungen einzelner Karten war herrlich!
Was mich im Endeffekt bei der Stange hielt, war der grandiose Humor. Ich liebe Alanis als Protagonistin sowie ihren schrägen Humor. Auch ihre Dynamik mit Clarice ist toll, kam in diesem Band aber leider etwas zu kurz.
Miss Chance war auch wieder mit von der Partie. Ihre zynischen Deutungen einzelner Karten war herrlich!
March 14, 2018
Yeah, more Alanis McLachan and her odd life :) Last book, we learned all about Alanis' childhood with her con artist mom, and then the aftereffects of her mom's subsequent murder. Poor Alanis is still dealing with the fallout of mom's choices, and her attempts to help Marsha, one of the women her mother conned, might not be going the way that she planned. Marsha is arrested for murdering her husband, and Alanis needs to prove her new friend's innocence! Fool Me Once is a fun romp. Not too hard to figure out, but I'm never too fussed about being surprised with mysteries. The tarot addition continues to add a nice flash of difference and nuance to these books as well.
April 11, 2017
Still enjoying Alanis’ unique take on life and complex relationships. The tarot content here is fun and helps move the plot forward or offers nice framing for the chapters. I was a little surprised the events in this book follow so closely on the first book. I’m a bit worried about where book 3 will take us. I love this series but at some point it’s going to need something more than dealing with the aftermath of Athena’s death. Fun and enjoyable read!
August 19, 2021
3.5. This book was slow and I only kept reading because I liked the 1st so much. Loved the last few chapters.
December 14, 2025
The second was just as fun as the first :)
October 23, 2015
http://openbooksociety.com/article/fo...
Fool Me Once
Tarot Mystery series, Book #2
By Steve Hockensmith
ISBN13: 9780738742236
Author’s Website: http://www.stevehockensmith.com
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Synopsis:
After taking over the White Magic Five & Dime, Alanis McLachlan is trying to make up for her mother’s con jobs by tracking down old customers and making amends. When Martha, one of the most loyal clients, comes looking for a way out of her abusive marriage, Alanis does everything she can to help.
But helping Martha leads to unforeseen consequences . . . including murder. When Martha’s husband is found dead, the police show up at Alanis’s door. And things only get more complicated as she tries to clear her name from the top of the suspect list. With her growing mastery of the tarot and the Fool card to guide her, can Alanis find her way to the truth before the killer gets to her first?
Review:
The easy flow of the series continues while reading this second book, Fool Me Once, in the Tarot Mystery series by Steve Hockensmith☺. Alanis has a good heart and is trying to right the wrongs as a result of her deceased mother’s (Athena) con’s of times past, one wrong at a time.
The opening paragraph certainly grabbed my interest and got me excited for another enjoyable read in this series:
Anyone who says “I’m going to kill you,” Biddle used to tell me, isn’t going to kill you. Why would they be talking to somebody who’s practically dead already? The ones who really mean it just say it with their eyes-and then they do it. Learn to recognize that look, Biddle would say, and you’ll have the edge you need to save yourself. Or at least you won’t die surprised.
There was no further expansion of a romantic angle for this story. In the first book of this series, Alanis and Berdache Police Department detective Josh Logan were dancing around each other, but in this second book – no mention of Josh.
This book revolves around the murder of Bill Riggs (his wife Marsha is a friend of Alanis). I must say that I was seething at Bill (Marsha’s horrid husband)! When he went running after his wife, I was left cold in the actions of this despicable husband. I do not condone his actions or words but I was heartened by Alanis’ actions and words…standing up for her friend in grand style!:
“Get back here this instant!” Bill called after her.
“Don’t you run away from me!”
He took a step to the left.
I blocked him.
He took a step to the right.
I blocked him again.
“I can do this dance all day, Bill,: I said.
“You’re not getting past me.”
And that’s when he turned The Look on me.
“You scheming [female sexual organ],” he said, “I oughta break your neck.”
“[Female sexual organs] don’t have necks, Bill,” I said.
“You know what I mean.”
I did.
There was consistency between books in the series with respect to each chapter beginning with a picture of one of the tarot cards and a brief description of the card…according to Miss Chance, the author of Infinite Roads to Knowing. I must admit, this time I found it a bit redundant. I was looking for another tarot card gimmick to catch my interest. But at least the verbiage was interesting :)
We are introduced to another fine law enforcement official of the Berdache Police Department, Detective Burby. Right from the get go there was friction between Burby and Alanis. And truth be told, since the love interest between the detective in the first book was not strong, I enjoyed the friction between them even more. The reader was also introduced to another “character” – G.W. Fletcher. Fletcher knew Alanis’ mother (seems like everyone did actually). On their first meeting he let his irresistible smile shine through. That relationship is certainly one to watch as the series continues.
I also chuckled quite a bit when a previous customer of Athena came in essentially wanting a re-do for removing a curse on her money. Athena’s solution was to have the customer “give her all or some of the money to the medium…who would (supposedly) return some or all (ha!) When the curse had lost its power.” I was glad that Alanis came up with a viable solution that satisfied the customer as well as her higher moral compass…. (I.e. not ripping the customer off).
I do hope that future books of this series add a bit of a spark as the story was GOOD but I am hoping for a bit more zest in the lives of Alanis and her sister. A solid read which provided a requisite mystery, which I was not able to fully conclude until the end. A success in my opinion. Thank you Steve Hockensmith!
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
Fool Me Once
Tarot Mystery series, Book #2
By Steve Hockensmith
ISBN13: 9780738742236
Author’s Website: http://www.stevehockensmith.com
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Synopsis:
After taking over the White Magic Five & Dime, Alanis McLachlan is trying to make up for her mother’s con jobs by tracking down old customers and making amends. When Martha, one of the most loyal clients, comes looking for a way out of her abusive marriage, Alanis does everything she can to help.
But helping Martha leads to unforeseen consequences . . . including murder. When Martha’s husband is found dead, the police show up at Alanis’s door. And things only get more complicated as she tries to clear her name from the top of the suspect list. With her growing mastery of the tarot and the Fool card to guide her, can Alanis find her way to the truth before the killer gets to her first?
Review:
The easy flow of the series continues while reading this second book, Fool Me Once, in the Tarot Mystery series by Steve Hockensmith☺. Alanis has a good heart and is trying to right the wrongs as a result of her deceased mother’s (Athena) con’s of times past, one wrong at a time.
The opening paragraph certainly grabbed my interest and got me excited for another enjoyable read in this series:
Anyone who says “I’m going to kill you,” Biddle used to tell me, isn’t going to kill you. Why would they be talking to somebody who’s practically dead already? The ones who really mean it just say it with their eyes-and then they do it. Learn to recognize that look, Biddle would say, and you’ll have the edge you need to save yourself. Or at least you won’t die surprised.
There was no further expansion of a romantic angle for this story. In the first book of this series, Alanis and Berdache Police Department detective Josh Logan were dancing around each other, but in this second book – no mention of Josh.
This book revolves around the murder of Bill Riggs (his wife Marsha is a friend of Alanis). I must say that I was seething at Bill (Marsha’s horrid husband)! When he went running after his wife, I was left cold in the actions of this despicable husband. I do not condone his actions or words but I was heartened by Alanis’ actions and words…standing up for her friend in grand style!:
“Get back here this instant!” Bill called after her.
“Don’t you run away from me!”
He took a step to the left.
I blocked him.
He took a step to the right.
I blocked him again.
“I can do this dance all day, Bill,: I said.
“You’re not getting past me.”
And that’s when he turned The Look on me.
“You scheming [female sexual organ],” he said, “I oughta break your neck.”
“[Female sexual organs] don’t have necks, Bill,” I said.
“You know what I mean.”
I did.
There was consistency between books in the series with respect to each chapter beginning with a picture of one of the tarot cards and a brief description of the card…according to Miss Chance, the author of Infinite Roads to Knowing. I must admit, this time I found it a bit redundant. I was looking for another tarot card gimmick to catch my interest. But at least the verbiage was interesting :)
We are introduced to another fine law enforcement official of the Berdache Police Department, Detective Burby. Right from the get go there was friction between Burby and Alanis. And truth be told, since the love interest between the detective in the first book was not strong, I enjoyed the friction between them even more. The reader was also introduced to another “character” – G.W. Fletcher. Fletcher knew Alanis’ mother (seems like everyone did actually). On their first meeting he let his irresistible smile shine through. That relationship is certainly one to watch as the series continues.
I also chuckled quite a bit when a previous customer of Athena came in essentially wanting a re-do for removing a curse on her money. Athena’s solution was to have the customer “give her all or some of the money to the medium…who would (supposedly) return some or all (ha!) When the curse had lost its power.” I was glad that Alanis came up with a viable solution that satisfied the customer as well as her higher moral compass…. (I.e. not ripping the customer off).
I do hope that future books of this series add a bit of a spark as the story was GOOD but I am hoping for a bit more zest in the lives of Alanis and her sister. A solid read which provided a requisite mystery, which I was not able to fully conclude until the end. A success in my opinion. Thank you Steve Hockensmith!
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
September 11, 2023
I enjoyed the book. The characters are fun and things move along well. I have to say that anyone thinking about using a scenario involving gasoline and matches should be aware that the fumes ignite. The flame does not have to come in contact with the actual liquid.
September 9, 2015
I hate it when I want to read the next book in a series immediately after finishing the newest book in a series. So it is with Fool Me Once, the latest entry transcribing the escapades of Alanis McLachlan, recovering hustler and (relatively) new owner of the White Magic Five & Dime, inherited from her late grifter mother.
Alanis has been on the level for some time, trying to atone for Mom's crimes by returning scammed monies to their rightful owners. Sad sack Marsha Riggs is one of the former patsies Alanis is attempting to assist. When Marcia's abusive husband Bill turns up dead, Alanis feels responsible for uncovering the real killer. Her long history as a con-girl stands her in good stead as she uses means both legal and not-so to solve the crime.
This second book in the series is packed with tarot interpretations from a fabricated-for-the-series tarot book, Infinite Roads to Knowing, authored by mom and Alanis' newly discovered half-sister, Clarice. The card descriptions are unique, spot on, and quite clever. They add significantly to my enjoyment of the series, which I probably wouldn't even have investigated had it not included the tarot element. Having said that, I think this book would appeal to any cozy mystery lover who appreciates a strong female protagonist.
Alanis is just that, yet she never seems inauthentically rugged--points to the male author for this feat. The romantic element is fairly dry and rote; the chemistry (or lack thereof) is a match for the lifeless Bill Riggs. (Would that be a dead match?) The lack of sizzle seems to me to be more emblematic of a masculine author to me.
Maybe I'm projecting, but I read a lot of women writers, and the aridity factor seems blatant in comparison.
I don't really care about that aspect of the book, though, since the mystery itself is reasonably well-constructed. Its greatest charm is the flow of the writing. Fool Me Once is a very quick and engaging read, and while I could use some more bonding moments with the peripheral characters, especially Clarice, the author has managed to sew things up nicely and plant a cliff-hanger simultaneously. A neat trick, that.
Another neat trick would be to greatly expand and publish Infinite Roads to Knowing. Based on reading the acknowledgments, it seems Falco is the tarot authority, and I'd love to see a tarot book by her. That's a commercial tie-in I would gladly support. It would pacify me somewhat until the third book in the series is published.
Alanis has been on the level for some time, trying to atone for Mom's crimes by returning scammed monies to their rightful owners. Sad sack Marsha Riggs is one of the former patsies Alanis is attempting to assist. When Marcia's abusive husband Bill turns up dead, Alanis feels responsible for uncovering the real killer. Her long history as a con-girl stands her in good stead as she uses means both legal and not-so to solve the crime.
This second book in the series is packed with tarot interpretations from a fabricated-for-the-series tarot book, Infinite Roads to Knowing, authored by mom and Alanis' newly discovered half-sister, Clarice. The card descriptions are unique, spot on, and quite clever. They add significantly to my enjoyment of the series, which I probably wouldn't even have investigated had it not included the tarot element. Having said that, I think this book would appeal to any cozy mystery lover who appreciates a strong female protagonist.
Alanis is just that, yet she never seems inauthentically rugged--points to the male author for this feat. The romantic element is fairly dry and rote; the chemistry (or lack thereof) is a match for the lifeless Bill Riggs. (Would that be a dead match?) The lack of sizzle seems to me to be more emblematic of a masculine author to me.
Maybe I'm projecting, but I read a lot of women writers, and the aridity factor seems blatant in comparison.
I don't really care about that aspect of the book, though, since the mystery itself is reasonably well-constructed. Its greatest charm is the flow of the writing. Fool Me Once is a very quick and engaging read, and while I could use some more bonding moments with the peripheral characters, especially Clarice, the author has managed to sew things up nicely and plant a cliff-hanger simultaneously. A neat trick, that.
Another neat trick would be to greatly expand and publish Infinite Roads to Knowing. Based on reading the acknowledgments, it seems Falco is the tarot authority, and I'd love to see a tarot book by her. That's a commercial tie-in I would gladly support. It would pacify me somewhat until the third book in the series is published.
August 8, 2015
Dollycas’s Thoughts
We return the The White Magic Five and Dime in this 2nd Tarot Mystery. Alanis‘ Tarot Card reading skills are improving but her main concern is helping people her mother conned out of their hard earned cash. Martha comes to Alanis to escape her abusive husband but when the husband is found dead she becomes the prime suspect and they think Alanis could be an accomplice. Thankfully she has a good lawyer for Martha, a friend not afraid to do a little breaking and entering, a sister with an internet hacker connection, and a keen sense to track down the real killer.
This story is so easy to easy to get caught up in. You know Alanis’ heart is in the right place and she does go to great lengths to right her mother’s wrongs. She is also quite savvy and doesn’t get tripped up but those trying to con her or take advantage of her. She has grown quite a bit over the course of these books. The secondary characters are very interesting as well and the author brings them all together with an extraordinary plot with plenty of red herrings.
Each chapter starts with a excerpt from Alanis’ mother’s book, Miss Chance, Infinite Roads in Knowing. that Alanis is reading and to give us a little insight into the Tarot Cards. These are quite humorous.
The author did something I just hate :) he leaves is with a hook for the next book in this series! I hate that because we have to wait a year to get the rest of the story!!
For now this is a terrific mystery. While it can be read as a stand alone I truly recommend you start with The White Magic Five and Dime, you can read my review here. Then we can wait for the next installment together.
We return the The White Magic Five and Dime in this 2nd Tarot Mystery. Alanis‘ Tarot Card reading skills are improving but her main concern is helping people her mother conned out of their hard earned cash. Martha comes to Alanis to escape her abusive husband but when the husband is found dead she becomes the prime suspect and they think Alanis could be an accomplice. Thankfully she has a good lawyer for Martha, a friend not afraid to do a little breaking and entering, a sister with an internet hacker connection, and a keen sense to track down the real killer.
This story is so easy to easy to get caught up in. You know Alanis’ heart is in the right place and she does go to great lengths to right her mother’s wrongs. She is also quite savvy and doesn’t get tripped up but those trying to con her or take advantage of her. She has grown quite a bit over the course of these books. The secondary characters are very interesting as well and the author brings them all together with an extraordinary plot with plenty of red herrings.
Each chapter starts with a excerpt from Alanis’ mother’s book, Miss Chance, Infinite Roads in Knowing. that Alanis is reading and to give us a little insight into the Tarot Cards. These are quite humorous.
The author did something I just hate :) he leaves is with a hook for the next book in this series! I hate that because we have to wait a year to get the rest of the story!!
For now this is a terrific mystery. While it can be read as a stand alone I truly recommend you start with The White Magic Five and Dime, you can read my review here. Then we can wait for the next installment together.
August 10, 2015
Fool Me Once is a great follow up to The White Magic Five and Dime!
Alanis is settling in to life running her mother’s shop, trying to help right the wrongs caused by her mother’s cons and living with her new sister when she manages to stumble upon a very unpleasant murder. Could her client, the wife and primary suspect, really be to blame?
Alanis jumps right in to investigate and the tale just takes off from there.
Hockensmith’s writing style really sets this series apart..it’s beyond quirky and has a vibe that may not be completely consistent with the “cozy mystery” image but nonetheless works to keep the reader engaged and having fun.
Secondary characters make this one. From Detective Burby who’s all business, to G. W. Fletcher who can be counted on to do the wrong thing yet still manages to step up, to straight arrow Victor…we enjoy every moment of this investigation in their company.
The Tarot once again is featured heavily which makes the story that much more fascinating.
Not your typical cozy mystery…Fool Me Once combines mystery, great characters, the tarot and most surprisingly a healthy dose of humor. All of these elements add up to a terrifically fun read. I can’t wait for the next in this series.
Alanis is settling in to life running her mother’s shop, trying to help right the wrongs caused by her mother’s cons and living with her new sister when she manages to stumble upon a very unpleasant murder. Could her client, the wife and primary suspect, really be to blame?
Alanis jumps right in to investigate and the tale just takes off from there.
Hockensmith’s writing style really sets this series apart..it’s beyond quirky and has a vibe that may not be completely consistent with the “cozy mystery” image but nonetheless works to keep the reader engaged and having fun.
Secondary characters make this one. From Detective Burby who’s all business, to G. W. Fletcher who can be counted on to do the wrong thing yet still manages to step up, to straight arrow Victor…we enjoy every moment of this investigation in their company.
The Tarot once again is featured heavily which makes the story that much more fascinating.
Not your typical cozy mystery…Fool Me Once combines mystery, great characters, the tarot and most surprisingly a healthy dose of humor. All of these elements add up to a terrifically fun read. I can’t wait for the next in this series.
September 18, 2015
Tarot shop owner and former con artist Alanis returns for a second entertaining mystery in FOOL ME ONCE, in which Alanis tries to help a friend accused of murdering her abusive husband. This new book brings back characters we met in the first White Magic Five and Dime story and expands our understanding of them, especially Alanis' friend, Marsha, and potential love interest, Victor. Some new faces also pop up, most notably the handsome GW Fletcher, whom we will certainly see more of in upcoming installments. Hockensmith blends elements of the cozy genre with his usual humor to create a fresh and funny series that will please fans of 80s TV murder shows like Hart to Hart, Simon & Simon, and Magnum PI.
April 13, 2020
Funny with Tarot
Book number two of the Tarot Mysteries series continues with funny tarot sarcasm and being a tarot reader myself is the reason this series caught my attention. I love seeing how the cards are used, however, do not feel you need to understand cards in order to read the series. Hockensmith explains the cards in a way a devout Catholic would comprehend and enjoy. The stories are enjoyable and humorous. As they come to a fulfilling ending, you are left wanting more which leads me to Book 3!
Book number two of the Tarot Mysteries series continues with funny tarot sarcasm and being a tarot reader myself is the reason this series caught my attention. I love seeing how the cards are used, however, do not feel you need to understand cards in order to read the series. Hockensmith explains the cards in a way a devout Catholic would comprehend and enjoy. The stories are enjoyable and humorous. As they come to a fulfilling ending, you are left wanting more which leads me to Book 3!
January 23, 2016
Lightweight and a tad contrived - you wonder over how many books they can keep up the Tarot schtick - but a likeable protagonist and fast paced prose, set around a cute central idea, make this a fun, very enjoyable crime book. I'm interested in Tarot but I think even if you're not, there's a lot to like. I'll definitely check out the rest of this series.
November 23, 2015
Just what I needed in the way of a delight! I hope that Steve and Ms. Falco continue this series---even though I don't find the characters as memorable as the Amlingmeyers.
December 17, 2016
4.5. Anxiously waiting for the next one.
May 16, 2017
Ramblings:
There's one book left in the series. Call me hard-to-please, but I want more! Can't there be a sequel epilogue titled Infinite Roads to Knowing, or Fooled Twice? What about Thrice is for Mice? No, I got it! A spin-off series featuring the Grandi family. That's doable, right?
Summary:
Alanis McLachlan the crime-fighting fortuneteller extraordinaire is back, but this time with sidekicks. Good thing, too! She's going to need them when her friend, Marsha, is wrongly accused of murder. GW (sidekick one) "totally" gets Alanis. He's an ex-con. Victor (the other accomplice) "doesn't" get her at all, but there's a chance he'll die trying. Together, they'll break all the rules to exonerate Marsha. Two of three are perfectly fine with that. They were born breaking rules.
Review:
Fool Me Once is the second installment in the Tarot Mystery series by author Steve Hockensmith and coauthor Lisa Falco (tarot expert). Book two revolves around the Suit of Wands.
This story is as funny and zany as its predecessor. It's easy to read. I'd average about 86 pp. per sitting. Alanis suffers from the same speech impediment I have before my morning cup of joe. Busted another rib laughing in that scene! The authors give us a mystery full of ex-cons, unlikely assassins, cats as big as tractors, and lots of breaking and entering. Oh, and the Grandis. They're like the mafia of fortunetellers.
You'll like this story if:
#1 You liked book one (goes without saying)
#2 You like crime-solving team-ups like Joanne Fluke's Hannah & Norman in the Swensen series
#3 You enjoy cozy mysteries
#4 You're into murder mysteries
#5 You want a fun, easy read that'll make you chuckle or break a rib, whichever
Will I read book three? Goes without saying.
Next in the series: Give the Devil His Due.
Disclosure:
I won this novel from a Hockensmith contest. The authors did not request a review as part of the contest stipulation. I reviewed it because Alanis "is" my kind of Witchy Woman!
There's one book left in the series. Call me hard-to-please, but I want more! Can't there be a sequel epilogue titled Infinite Roads to Knowing, or Fooled Twice? What about Thrice is for Mice? No, I got it! A spin-off series featuring the Grandi family. That's doable, right?
Summary:
Alanis McLachlan the crime-fighting fortuneteller extraordinaire is back, but this time with sidekicks. Good thing, too! She's going to need them when her friend, Marsha, is wrongly accused of murder. GW (sidekick one) "totally" gets Alanis. He's an ex-con. Victor (the other accomplice) "doesn't" get her at all, but there's a chance he'll die trying. Together, they'll break all the rules to exonerate Marsha. Two of three are perfectly fine with that. They were born breaking rules.
Review:
Fool Me Once is the second installment in the Tarot Mystery series by author Steve Hockensmith and coauthor Lisa Falco (tarot expert). Book two revolves around the Suit of Wands.
This story is as funny and zany as its predecessor. It's easy to read. I'd average about 86 pp. per sitting. Alanis suffers from the same speech impediment I have before my morning cup of joe. Busted another rib laughing in that scene! The authors give us a mystery full of ex-cons, unlikely assassins, cats as big as tractors, and lots of breaking and entering. Oh, and the Grandis. They're like the mafia of fortunetellers.
You'll like this story if:
#1 You liked book one (goes without saying)
#2 You like crime-solving team-ups like Joanne Fluke's Hannah & Norman in the Swensen series
#3 You enjoy cozy mysteries
#4 You're into murder mysteries
#5 You want a fun, easy read that'll make you chuckle or break a rib, whichever
Will I read book three? Goes without saying.
Next in the series: Give the Devil His Due.
Disclosure:
I won this novel from a Hockensmith contest. The authors did not request a review as part of the contest stipulation. I reviewed it because Alanis "is" my kind of Witchy Woman!
November 14, 2017
I definitely enjoyed this cosy read (2nd in series) about a woman trying to set things right with her con artist mother's former victims. Sanctioned violence has its place, but this is sanctioned conning, with a definite helping of humor. Alanis McLachlan manages the card and touchy feely accessory shop in Sedona that was the site of many of her mother's crimes and which her mother inexplicably left to her after death. One of my favorite aspects of the book was that each chapter started with a picture of a psuedo Tarot card and a hilarious "fortune" describing it. For instance, for the 1 of Wands card, showing a hand grasping a leafing wand, the fortune starts "Behold: the magic cucumber! ....The hand of Fate offers you either a walking stick for a new journey or a club for beating the stuffing out of an old problem....." In this particular book, Alanis tries to clear the name of a former victim who's an abused wife arrested for the murder of her husband. But the plot is incidental to the fun Alanis has with two guys helping her (one all good and one a little bit too bad) and dealing with her half sister, a blackmail scheme, and a giant cat called Son of Kong. Very enjoyable light read!
May 2, 2019
Vorsicht Stufe knüpft zwei Wochen nach den Ereignissen aus Band 1 an. Alanis versucht sich als rechtschaffene Bürgerin und kämpft mit den Vorurteilen ihrer Nachbarn. Passend dazu möchte Lucia, eine ehemalige Kundin ihrer verstorbenen Mutter, Alanis mit ihrem Sohn Victor verkuppeln, der jedoch so gar nicht begeistert ist von den Plänen seiner Mutter. Er wusste, dass Alanis‘ Mutter Athena damals Lucia all ihren Schmuck abgeschwatzt hatte und auch Alanis‘ erfolgreiches Aufstöbern und Zurückbringen des Schmucks, waren kein Grund für ihn, ihr zu vertrauen.
Als Marshas Mann ermordet aufgefunden und Marsha des Mordes angeklagt werden soll, macht sich Alanis auf die Suche nach dem Mörder. Mit Victors Hilfe, der davon nicht sehr begeistert ist, weil er sein ruhiges Leben sehr mag, und mit Hilfe von Fletcher, einem Kleinkriminellen, der mit Marshas Mann kurz im Gefängnis saß.
Fazit:
Die Handlung ist wie in Band 1 eher hanebüchen und überschaubar, aber die liebenswürdigen Figuren, der Humor und Alanis‘ großes Mundwerk machen das Ganze wieder wett. Ich glaube, in diesem Genre liest man nicht unbedingt wegen einer spannenden Ermittlung sondern wegen dem Drumherum. Vorsicht Stufe ist ein echter Wohlfühlkrimi.
Als Marshas Mann ermordet aufgefunden und Marsha des Mordes angeklagt werden soll, macht sich Alanis auf die Suche nach dem Mörder. Mit Victors Hilfe, der davon nicht sehr begeistert ist, weil er sein ruhiges Leben sehr mag, und mit Hilfe von Fletcher, einem Kleinkriminellen, der mit Marshas Mann kurz im Gefängnis saß.
Fazit:
Die Handlung ist wie in Band 1 eher hanebüchen und überschaubar, aber die liebenswürdigen Figuren, der Humor und Alanis‘ großes Mundwerk machen das Ganze wieder wett. Ich glaube, in diesem Genre liest man nicht unbedingt wegen einer spannenden Ermittlung sondern wegen dem Drumherum. Vorsicht Stufe ist ein echter Wohlfühlkrimi.
January 22, 2024
“I am a fraud,” I said. “And my mother was a con artist. But that doesn’t mean I won’t help you.” [p. 41]
I'd enjoyed The White Magic Five and Dime, so when I unexpectedly scored another three months' free Kindle Unlimited I decided to read the rest of the series. Fool Me Once begins with an angry husband dragging his wife, Marsha, out of one of her regular tarot readings. Our narrator Alanis (the person reading the cards, and beginning to wonder if she's actually faking it at all) takes exception to this -- which makes her a person of interest when Marsha's husband is killed. Alanis and Marsha, together with Alanis' half-sister Clarice and Clarice's girlfriend Ceecee, need to identify the real murderer before (a) anyone else is kiled (b) Alanis goes to prison.
It's a fairly standard mystery setup, but much enlivened by the tarot readings (provided by Lisa Falco: the spreads are all illustrated and Alanis' commentary is full of insight) and by Alanis herself, who's a likeable character despite a criminal past. She's trying to make amends for her dead mother's cheating and manipulation, and re-examining her own past, especially her relationship with the father-figure she knew as Biddle. And she's trying to find a professional killer, who turns out (in a delightful critique of ageism) to be a 'little old lady'. With an Uzi in her shopping bag. Kudos!
Warning: this novel ends with a massive cliffhanger: I immediately started reading the next book ...
August 20, 2019
Fake it 'til you make it
First came out as The White Magic Five and Dime.
A wonderful read. Loved the tarot readings, the plot (nice, tight and well thought out) and the characters. Earthy, real and so believable whilst also showing you how easy it is to part normal people from their money by letting their own actions work against them.
She received a call that her mother had died. Murdered! Plus she had left all her money and goods to her. Including a tarot reading shop. She forgot to mention the tenant and the fact that they hadn't spoken in 20 years. Nor the fact that she was the queen of cons. Regardless she still felt obliged to find her killer and try to make good on the cons that her mother had left. Threats, blackmail, a sister and attempted murder. Will she make good? Will her taking over the shop lead her to the killer? Will she stay or will she go?
First came out as The White Magic Five and Dime.
A wonderful read. Loved the tarot readings, the plot (nice, tight and well thought out) and the characters. Earthy, real and so believable whilst also showing you how easy it is to part normal people from their money by letting their own actions work against them.
She received a call that her mother had died. Murdered! Plus she had left all her money and goods to her. Including a tarot reading shop. She forgot to mention the tenant and the fact that they hadn't spoken in 20 years. Nor the fact that she was the queen of cons. Regardless she still felt obliged to find her killer and try to make good on the cons that her mother had left. Threats, blackmail, a sister and attempted murder. Will she make good? Will her taking over the shop lead her to the killer? Will she stay or will she go?
June 20, 2019
If you enjoy snarky side comments and a nice use of sarcasm in general twisted into a decent murder mystery with a really interesting protagonist then you will enjoy reading all of the books in Steve Hochenheim and Lisa Falco’s tarot mystery series. I truly enjoyed the first book but this book had me laughing so much and so often that at one point I had to stop reading because my ribs ached so hard. Is the story a perfect one? No but it’s a decently plotted mystery and thoroughly enjoyable to read. The main character is deep and interesting. The story solid and well constructed. I highly recommend you read the books in the series in order if possible. While it’s true the can all stand on their own there are little snippets that mean more with the back story of the previous books.
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