A fresh, witty mystery featuring a snarky tarot reader-turned-amateur detective. It's funny, fast-paced, and full of heart. A delightful twist on classic mysteries.

3 stars- Good, not great. Wish the plot was more fleshed out. thanks netgalley & the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review

I loved the tarot aspect of this. I love reading tarot! However to do feel thw story could have been a little more fleshed out.

This was a good read! I loved the Tarot card aspect i just felt like at some point it did start to rush and feel like complete so I wish it felt smoother and flowed better. The first part of the book was great!

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

“People have no idea, sometimes, why they do things. If they knew, they wouldn’t get stuck doing the same things over and over.”


Play the Fool seemed like it would be a pretty interesting book. I'll admit that I don't know much about tarot cards, meaning absolutely nothing, so I was kind of intrigued to see where this would go. After meeting Katie, I just had a feeling I was going to like this girl. She was entertaining, and I wanted to know more about her connection to her cards.

Then, about halfway (ish) into the book, I just sort of stopped caring about what was going on. I wasn't really connecting to the storyline or the characters anymore. The romance fell flat for me, but maybe the sequel in this series will make me interested. The mystery, police, drama, and the overall case just had me rolling my eyes. This might be a "me" problem, though, and not necessarily the book.

In the end, I was intrigued before starting it. Then after, I just kind of felt okay. It had cute moments.

Katie is a mess of a character, but she knows she’s a mess and can grow. There are parts where she makes a wise decision but then makes a stupid decision not long after. She beats herself up over the consequences of her stupidity because she can’t get away with anything. I couldn’t help but cheer for her to make better decisions. Her growing relationship with Jamie is sweet. All the supporting characters are interesting, and Jamie is one of them. His backstory and patience with Katie made me like him as a romantic partner for Katie. The mystery is intriguing, but the suspects were a little too stereotypical bad guys.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC!

First let me say that I LOVE this cover, very attention grabbing and mainly the reason I requested this book. I went into Play The Fool blind and unfortunately I didn’t love it.

I think it started off very interesting but the plot seemed to move too fast in the first 25% and then by 50% I was left feeling lost. The twist totally threw me for a loop and I had trouble connecting with the characters.

All and all, this book did make me chuckle a few times and it was definitely a cozy mystery!

I was not invested in any of the characters. Katie and the others fell flat for me; I just kept reading for the storyline. And even that didn't redeem the novel in my eyes.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for a free and unbiased review.

This was a cute cozy mystery. Katie is a very amateur sleuth/ fortune teller who gets into a lot of messes trying to solve her friend’s murder. I figured out the ending but still had an enjoyable time reading the

Play the Fool is a fun and interesting murder mystery novel about Katie True, a young woman whose workplace friend ends up dead and Katie decides it’s up to her to figure out what happened.. Katie reads tarot cards and in the midst of trying to really get the knowledge on this beat up looking man, she discovers her friend is dead and sets out on a mission to uncover the truth about what happened. She ends up deep diving and getting involved with a crime family and learning her friend may not have been who she thought she was.

I enjoyed the beginning of the book a lot. It was different. You don’t get too many tarot card readers in novels. The little romance plot was also cute and kept me interested. I wish we could have gotten more tarot card readings or something more with that in the book instead of her just “seeing” the cards flash in her mind every time she was in a situation. I also wish we got a little more romance and feelings out there for the romance side of things. But all in all it was a decent book and kept me reading till the end. It just didn’t have me on the edge of my seat and while I didn’t expect the ending, it still kind of fell flat for me.

I want to thank NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the this ARC!

Lina Chern's Play the Fool stands out in the young adult genre with its unique blend of humor, heart, and a profound exploration of identity through the lens of the performing arts. This novel captures the essence of adolescence in a way that feels both refreshing and relatable, making it a must-read for anyone navigating the complexities of growing up.

The story follows a young protagonist who finds solace and self-discovery in the vibrant world of theater. As she grapples with the pressures of fitting in and the desire to pursue her passions, readers embark on a journey that highlights the transformative power of creativity. Chern's portrayal of the performing arts as a sanctuary is particularly compelling, showcasing how art can serve as both an escape and a means of confronting one’s true self.

One of the book's strengths lies in its vibrant character development. The protagonist is multi-dimensional, with relatable insecurities and aspirations that resonate deeply with readers. Chern skillfully crafts a supporting cast that adds richness to the narrative, exploring the dynamics of friendship, loyalty, and the challenges that accompany the pursuit of one’s dreams. The relationships are nuanced, reflecting the highs and lows of teenage life without succumbing to cliché.

Chern’s writing is engaging and accessible, balancing humor with poignancy. The pacing is well-structured, allowing for moments of introspection alongside lively scenes that keep the reader invested. The author’s ability to weave in themes of self-acceptance and the importance of community makes the story not only entertaining but also meaningful.

However, while the novel excels in character development and thematic depth, some readers may find certain plot points predictable. The journey of self-discovery is a familiar trope in young adult literature, and although Chern infuses her voice into the narrative, some moments may feel reminiscent of other stories in the genre.

Play the Fool is a delightful and thought-provoking read that encourages readers to embrace their individuality and pursue their passions. Lina Chern has crafted a story that resonates with the challenges of adolescence while celebrating the power of creativity. This book is perfect for young adults and anyone who appreciates a heartfelt exploration of identity and friendship. If you’re seeking a novel that balances humor with emotional depth, Play the Fool is certainly worth picking up.

Centered around a fairly niche activity such as tarot card reading is definitely an attention grabber. However, this book started out well but ended quite flat. The mystery and tie in to the story was a little confusing, but overall not a bad book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

So this book... I really really liked it in the beginning, but towards the end... I was not.

The beginning with the main character was entertaining, a struggling palm reader that gets a client that may have murdered his girl friend... who she's .... SO EXCITING.. But the twist was soooooooo meh and the main character's whining got so out of hand.

By 50% of the book, I was sort of bored. I just wanted to find out what happened and be done and when I finally did. I was sort of disappointed.

Overall, interesting concept, but the author sort of tripped on the conflict resolution and ending....

Thank you to Lina Chern, Bantam, and NetGalley for an eARC of Play the Fool!

Play the fool is a fun, murder mystery with an interesting cast of characters. The book follows Katie, a tarot card reader, as she tries to solve the murder of her best friend, Marley. Katie gets close to a police officer and soon they are sharing information and getting into all sorts of hijinks.

The characters are flawed but likeable and I definitely found myself rooting even for some of the "bad guys". I had a few laugh out loud moments and also a few moments that nearly brought me to tears. Some of the situations involving family and friendships were incredibly relatable.

This book is fast paced and I got through it in just a couple days. I found that I wanted to keep reading, not just to find out about what happened to Marley, but also to see how Katie would proceed with her investigation and what boundaries she would push.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and would give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Play the Fool by Lina Chern. Pub Date: March 28, 2023. Rating: 3 stars. With a storyline around tarot card reading, this novel takes the main character Katie and turns her world upside down when she thinks her friend Marley is dead following a reading. This novel is a race to figure out how and why this happened. She is an amateur sleuth who makes mistakes along the way, but overall the pace of the story flowed well. I would not call this a cozy mystery, but it does have some elements of cozy in it. All of the characters in the story were fun and fresh which helped with story building. I think this book is perfect if you are looking for a palate cleanser that packs a little bit of punch. Thanks to #netgalley and #randomhousepublishinggroup for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Man I really tore through this one. It's surprising because I thought it started off pretty bumpy. In the first 10%, I was thinking, "Ugh. This seems like it's gonna be a slog to get through." Well I'm happy to report that I was absolutely wrong!

I'm not sure what it was, but the mystery totally hooked me. I only started suspecting what happened about 75% in and I actually liked suspecting it, because it pushed me to get the reveal quicker to see if I was right.

I also love to see some neurodiversity rep in the books I read so I loved that I had no clue going in that she would have an autistic brother. Not only that, but a fully capable autistic brother who is accepted just as he is. She doesn't ever make up excuses for him or acts embarrassed of him. (I also think she was coded as ADHD without overly implying it.) Their relationship was lovely and it was really sweet that he kind of saw her place as a safe haven where he could just be himself.

As for the mystery - it definitely had several red herrings that got me. But I enjoyed that they tricked me! Showed me that this book had something else up its sleeve that I wasn't seeing yet. It was a good time, a fun ride, and I think it's a really positive start for a debut author.

This was just okay for me. I liked the premise and uniqueness of the tarot aspects of it and thought the quirkiness was interesting. In the end the plot felt divided as if the focus was split which made for a fragmented story that didn't feel as deep as it could have. It started out better than it ended but I didn't dislike it all.

Lina Chern blends the intriguing world of tarot cards with a murder mystery, crafting a charming yet occasionally uneven narrative. As someone intrigued by tarot cards and their mysticism, diving into Katie True’s journey was a welcome escape. While I’m not adept at reading them myself, following Katie’s adventure proved to be enjoyable.

Katie True, a middle child grappling with her place among her ambitious family’s expectations, is stuck in a dead-end mall job. Her dream of owning a tarot card business seems far-fetched until a sudden turn of events thrusts her into a murder mystery involving her best friend Marley. The story unfolds with Katie reluctantly teaming up with a sympathetic cop to uncover the truth behind Marley’s untimely demise.

Chern’s writing style is engaging, infused with humor that makes it easy to root for Katie, despite occasional concerns about her life choices. The integration of tarot card imagery throughout the narrative adds a whimsical and mystical layer to the otherwise straightforward mystery. Katie’s unique ability to envision tarot cards that reflect people and situations she encounters adds a captivating twist to her amateur detective work.

However, "Play the Fool" does have its shortcomings. The storyline occasionally stretches into implausible territory, demanding a significant suspension of disbelief. The blending of genres—mystery and a hint of romance—sometimes feels disjointed, leaving some plot aspects underdeveloped or unresolved. Katie’s close involvement in the investigation, alongside a police officer, can strain credibility at times, considering their initial interactions. Yet, Katie’s flawed yet relatable personality and determination will resonate with readers who appreciate imperfect protagonists.

While I had a hunch about the ending early on, the journey to reach it was still engaging, thanks to Katie’s quirks and mishaps. Chern successfully balances light-hearted moments with the darker undertones of a murder investigation, making "Play the Fool" a quick and entertaining read.

If you enjoy mysteries that blend a touch of magic with humor, or if you appreciate protagonists navigating their own unique struggles, then "Play the Fool" is a book worth picking up.

Play the Fool felt like gritty thriller with a cozy, small town mystery hidden underneath, much as our gothy protagonist's prickly exterior envelops as sweet empathetic girl who's had one too many hard knocks. While the plot and happenings sometimes felt a little too predictable yet far-fetched, I nevertheless enjoyed following Katie's quest for the truth.

I first picked up the book for its tarot motif, and I was quite fond of the way the cards were used in this book. Much like how I do, I liked how Katie does not necessarily believe in the magic of tarot but more the guiding of thought that the cards allow. I thought this was a fun and was used to good effect throughout the book. Regarding Katie herself and the other characters, I felt they were a bit flat alone, but I did enjoy the way they interacted and bounced off one another. Some of my favorite scenes were some of the quieter ones where characters have heart-to-heart confessions/discussions rather than the larger action pieces.

I would be happy to pick up another work by this author to see what she has in store (especially if it means more fun tarot appearances). Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this ARC

I struggle with this book attempting it several times I just could not get into it or make myself care about the fates of the characters. This one was a pass for me