First off the cover and tarot cards are what pulled me in to ask to review this book. The plot itself was interesting but I felt could've used an overall darker feel. I enjoyed the characters and the atmosphere of the book. The use of the senses and the addition of the tarot readings were a choice that brought a different aspect to this mystery. While some moments felt predictable I did guess at the twists a little bit. I did overall enjoy this book and gave it 4 stars.

I was intrigued by the book’s description and was therefore excited to try “Play the Fool”. I appreciated the humor and vantage point of the protagonist in this book, but the story was a bit confusing. Several outside characters were introduced that added to this level of confusion. I really wanted to like this one, but the mystery element of it really didn’t develop in the way that I hoped. 3 stars ⭐️. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the copy for review.

Play the Fool, by Lina Chern is a murder mystery with more than one delicious twist. Katie True, whose ability to read tarot cards verges on (and plunges headlong into) the supernatural, is the classic underachiever in an upwardly mobile, hyperconventional middle-class family. Her world of one dead-end job after another takes a surprising turn with a new friendship. Marley is free-wheeling, mysterious, and absolutely comfortable in her own skin. Their burgeoning relationship gives Katie hope that she, too, can one day live an authentic, irreverent, and joyous life.

Then a hapless young man stumbles into the shop where Katie works, claiming to be the boyfriend Marley intends to break up with. Katie takes pity on his evident distress and agrees to do a tarot reading for him. She discovers a photo on his phone. It’s of Marley, murdered by a gunshot wound to her head.

Shocked and grief-stricken, Katie determines to find Marley’s killer. Even if it means taking reckless chances and ignoring the advice of the gorgeous, emotionally bottled-up cop to stay out of it.

Throughout the thriller whodunit that follows, Katie’s first-person voice shines through. In her quest to discover Marley’s killer, she must come to terms with her own lack of purpose, fend off her well-meaning but domineering family, and stay alive through one dark, dangerous plot twist after another.

Katie’s luminous voice elevates a well-written mystery to something more. I didn’t care whether or not she possesses supernatural clairvoyance or an exceptional ability to read people. What matters is her brilliant insight coupled with all-too-human vulnerability. The fact that she is both kind and hilariously funny adds to the delicious tone.

And I did not see the ending coming at all.

This book was so unique. The tarot cards were a fun addition to the mystery. She teams up with the cop to solve the murder, and even though it’s a friend she hasn’t known very long, it was clear she valued the friendship. I was super intrigued in the beginning, but it started to feel repetitive so I got lost. Especially with Jamie’s on and off again friendship. Plus, what is this girl doing investigating a murder on her own? Because she thinks she’s good at reading people? Meh. The ending wasn’t worth the ride.

I, like many others, was initially drawn in by the really cool cover. I love the neon lights and the physic parlor feel. And how often do you read a book where tarot readings are a central part?

Play the Fool was a completely entertaining read. I do recommend managing expectations as the whodunit is more quirky cozy mystery than a thriller mystery. I really liked Katie as a character and of course the tarot reading elements that lead to a whole lot of shenanigans. Katie's relationship with her brother and the author's humor were also highlights for me. It reminded me a bit of when I picked up the first Stephanie Plumb book. Just the pure joy of escaping into a story.

Overall this is a solid debut and fun read that I devoured in a day. Dare I say, it would also make a very entertaining series?

100% will check out more from Lina Chern!

🔮 PLAY THE FOOL by Lina Chern 🔮

★★★☆☆

📖 About: A clever whodunit where Katie True, a cynical tarot card reader, takes center stage. Back in the suburbs after a failed attempt at adulting, Katie's life takes a dark turn when her mysterious and worldly friend Marley is found dead. A photo with a gunshot wound becomes a chilling puzzle, and Katie, armed with her tarot cards and razor-sharp instincts, sets out to unravel the truth behind Marley's death.

🍹 Drink Pairing: A shimmery mystical marg of course. Who needs to see the future when you could just enjoy the moment with a delish spooky drink instead?

🌟 Review: This story sounded right up my alley so I was so excited to receive a copy! A girl working at a strange Russian tchotchke shop, who then accidentally falls into solving a murder mystery with a strange cast of characters, settings, and with some spookiness weaved in — sounds like my kind of story. The first third of the book was SO good - it had me extremely entertained and I couldn’t wait to see what happened. Things get pretty wacky and unpredictable after that so I don’t want to give away too much, but if you love strange mysteries then definitely give this one a try!

Thank you to Ballantine and Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review!

I loved the cover of the book but felt the story was lacking. There was a few parts that just didnt line up with the plot but overall I thought it was an entertaining read

I had SUCH high hopes for this one based on the cover, but I was left disappointed....nothing was suspenseful and I just left just really bored.

This book showed a lot of promise but ultimately fell apart about halfway through. I liked how quirky this book was, but the story was so convoluted. I would read from this author again, but she needs to reel it back. Less is more.

This was unlike anything I'd ever read. I don't know much about Tarot cards. I thought this was fast paced and kept me guessing. This whodunit with likeable characters was lovely.

*Arc provided by Random House Publishing/Ballentine Books in exchange for an honest review.*

This book was a cute mystery/thriller that was just a fun read. There's something about a fake fortune teller trope that gets sucked into solving a crime that just feels comforting. Maybe it's just my household but that little bit of superstition that feels like too much of a coincidence makes it feel a bit more real even though you know practically that this is not real life.

I would read this book again in the fall just for the spooky vibes.

I would like to thank Random House for providing a digital copy of this novel via NetGalley. Play the Fool tells the story of Katie, who is determined to find he culprit of her friend's demise. The beginning chapters set up this main premise as well as delving into how they became friends. In order to find the culprit, Katie attempts to explore why someone would want her friend gone. She goes into her friend's past digging for answers. As a result, she discovers she didn't know her friend as well as she previously thought. Helping her along is a police officer she becomes attached to. He plays an important role in the resolution of the case. The story is pretty lighthearted despite the premise of a murder mystery. It was well paced and a fun read.
3.5/5

The main character of this novel, Katie, is a sort of aimless underachiever, back in her hometown in her 20s, and working one dead end job after another while also being a tarot card reader. At the start of the book, she discovers that Marley, a friend she has made working at her mall job, is dead, and she gets caught up trying to investigate it herself while also developing a bit of a flirtatious friendship with a police officer also investigating.

I really enjoyed this one - lots of quirky characters including not just Katie but the people around her, and I enjoyed both the amateur sleuth angle and how her tarot card skills (whether her ability to suss out people or perhaps a touch of something more) helped. If you enjoy the Finlay Donovan series, I think you might enjoy this one too. I finished it thinking I hoped there would be a sequel, and indeed looks like there is going to be one in fall of 2024!

I have a soft spot for books that seem like straight reality until they take a turn into the magical and mystical, and this one fits right into that subgenre. Centered around tarot and things that aren't as they seem, this is the story of two new friends, until it takes a turn into the seemingly supernatural. A great debut from Chern, this was surprising, suspenseful and satisfying.

I loved this cover and the premise of the book. I was hooked at the beginning of the book but it slowed down toward the second half of the book

I know virtually nothing about tarot, but I don't think it's necessary to enjoy this sparky debut. Katie True is flailing a bit career-wise and feels like the outlier in her high-achieving family, but that matters less when she ends up embroiled in a murder that she seems to be the only person who believes happened. There are great character dynamics and relationships built in this story (I was very happy to discover that there's a sequel in the works), and Katie's dogged pursuit of information leads to situations that range from dangerous to madcap. This isn't quite a cozy mystery, but there's definite crossover appeal.

A fun read! Felt a little lost in some places and you do need to suspend belief a bit, but overall a quick, enjoyable read. I love the tarot component of the story and how Katie visualizes the wheels of cards in her mind whenever we meet a new character and how she describes their demeanor and energy as it relates to the cards

Thank you Ballantine and NetGalley for the eARC of Play the Fool! All opinions in this review are my own.

I really liked the tarot card aspect of this mystery because it made the inclusion of the main character in the search for her friend make more sense. Katie doesn't know what she is doing but she uses her cards to help her make decisions and her ability to read people to find out more about her friend Marley. The ending was insane and I did not see that twist coming!

I really love this cover! This was an enjoyable whodunit and I liked the take on it using tarot cards. I think this would
Make a super fun tv series!
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Thank you #randomhouse and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Although the premise sounded interesting, the execution didn't work for me. I DNF'd around 25%. I tried this book twice before, starting from the beginning both times, before deciding to DNF it.