My first novel by Lina Chern. I found it to be a slow burner and wished it moved along quicker.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Katie True is back again solving another murder with the help of her tarot cards. This time, the person murdered is Officer Peterson, the person who saved her life as a baby. Katie and the community are shocked by the death of Officer Peterson but Katie is even more shocked when her best friend Gina is the primary suspect. With Jamie, another fellow police officer, her brother Owen and Katie’s tarot card reading abilities, will Katie be able to solve the murder before she becomes a murder victim herself?

This is the second Katie True novel and I have to say I enjoyed this one even more. I enjoyed the backstory of how Katie learned how to read cards with her aunt Rosie, the slow burn of the budding romance of Jamie and Katie and how Katie must believe in herself even when others are throwing all sorts of doubt her way. The author has a unique way of making murder, a good mystery as well as hilarious. The characters are well created, the mystery is devised so the reader has to work through the plot to find a solution and the writing style a pleasure to read. Don’t miss this one worth the read.

Tricks of Fortune by Lina Chern is the 2nd in the Katie True series. Katie uses her tarot cards to guide her as she tries to solve the death of hometown hero, Officer Pete.
Perhaps I should have read the first in the series, because I was really unclear about the reasons that Katie seemed to almost be a partner to one of the investigating police officers. It isn’t unusual in a cozy for a citizen and a cop to sort of work together, but she seemed to think she had the right to be involved, almost like it was her job. I’m also not really sure how she was supporting herself; a tarot reading every few days doesn’t seem like it would be enough. I’m guessing that Katie is supposed to have some sort of condition, possibly ADHD, and that is why the writing seems so chaotic, but it does make it more challenging to engage with the story.
With that said, it wasn’t a bad mystery, and I did enjoy the vignettes with the café owner who loves birds. Katie’s brother is also interesting, and I would like to see more of him.
The pacing was jumpy, but the slower parts were often with Aunt Rosie who taught Katie to use the tarot cards. These were cozy scenes, and I liked the presentation of the cards and philosophy there.
Overall, I was expecting to really love this with the combination of mystery and tarot but couldn’t really connect to the story or most of the characters in the end.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine and NetGalley for the eARC.
2.5 stars

“Tricks of Fortune” was a decent sequel. I liked that interspersed through the book were chapters or partial chapters explaining when and how Katie’s Aunt Rosie taught her the tarot cards and what each card meant.

The overarching plot revolved around the death of Officer Pete (Lieutenant Matthew Peterson), who seemed to be almost universally beloved. Katie has a special connection to Peterson. One of the few people who openly disliked Peterson was Katie’s friend and former cop, Gina, who quickly becomes the prime suspect. However, as Katie and Jamie take a closer look at Peterson, they discover quite a bit of unsettling information about the “real” Peterson, as well as multiple plausible motives and suspects, along with other significant secrets.

I somehow didn’t realize that this was a part of a series, but was still able to enjoy it as a standalone. It was an interesting concept for a mystery, a little bit cozy and a little serious but not too much so. The cast of characters were interesting, as was the town, and I’ll definitely be going back to read the first one.

I really enjoyed Play the Fool, the first book featuring Katie True, and was excited to see another book in the series. Tricks of Fortune did not disappoint! Katie takes it upon herself to try to solve the murder of "Officer Pete," the cop who rescued her from a burning car when she was a baby. Things get complicated when her good friend is accused of the murder, and everyone seems to have secrets to hide, including Katie.

The characters are really well drawn and multifaceted, and the plot moves quickly and unpredictably. Can't wait to read Book #3!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The second book in the series. This one felt a little more serious than the first, but I enjoyed it! I think it’s a nice concept for a mystery!

Review of uncorrected eBook file

Katie True has taken her tarot card reading to a “reading room” in her sister’s old real estate office. But it’s a start . . . and when her best friend, Gina, arrives, Katie enjoys he catching up.

But things do not remain calm for long. The murder of police Lieutenant Matthew Peterson shakes the entire town. And Katie had a special connection to him as he’d once saved her life.

And then Gina becomes the prime suspect in the lieutenant’s murder.

=========

This book, second in the author’s “Play the Fool Mystery” series, takes advantage of the real-world truth of the murder of police Lieutenant Joseph Gliniewicz. But the unfolding story, derived of imagination, is the author storytelling. Readers will be pleased to know that, despite being a sequel, the book works well as a standalone.

Katie’s tarot card readings add a unique component to the telling of the tale, an intriguing counterpoint to the twisting plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats and to the secrets that are slowly revealed as readers wonder who can be trusted and who is hiding what.

Readers who enjoy mysteries, especially with a dose of uniqueness, will find much to appreciate here.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine / Bantam and NetGalley
#TricksofFortune #NetGalley

I love a mystery that keeps me guessing up until the main character figures everything out. And this is one of those books. But what really made this book special for me was the tarot card aspect. Rosie's "lesson" and Katie's readings made me want to pick up a deck and study them, The tarot messages really added to the story.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book!

In this captivating read, Chern draws readers into a suspenseful world filled with secrets with a sprinkling of trickery and magic! A web of dangerous secrets and morally ambiguous choices will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Chern skillfully crafts a cast of characters that embodies the duality of human nature, with ulterior motives often expertly masked. The interplay between desperation and ambition drives the plot forward, inviting readers to explore themes of trust, deception, and the lengths one will go for a chance at keeping secrets hidden. This book is perfect for fans of shady and deceitful characters, magic, fortune, and the occult.

Tricks of Fortune has a sense of mystics from the tarot card readings which are amazing to someone not knowledgeable to the art as they ate tied to the events happening on the story. The murder mystery is inviting but not exceptional .

I was really excited to get this second book in the Katie True mystery series. I really enjoyed Play the Fool and was eager to see Katie's next adventure. But I'm not sure what my issue Tricks of Fortune was. I read it in two days, dropping all my other books to read it, but I was left feeling like there wasn't much here to the story. Normally when a whodunit is easy to figure out, the why becomes the meat of the story. I figured out the murder suspect early on, but I never felt the why ever coming to the forefront. It just felt like there was a piece missing.

My other issue with this book is that it clearly takes place about a year after Katie's first book, but I still get the feeling that she's a failure to launch character. It's obvious that Katie and her siblings are all neurodivergent and that character trait is reflected on throughout the story. But she doesn't seem to realize that she's an adult and that there are responsibilities. How is she really supporting herself and paying for her apartment and food and her car and her medical care. She talks about rich parents...are they essentially still supporting her? It just bothered me and felt like I couldn't pay attention to the plot. Her siblings also felt like two dimensional stock characters with ND as their only personality trait. Even the romance brewing with Jamie felt a bit tepid.

Overall, I just felt like the book was lackluster. I liked it just fine, but I'm going to forget about it by next week.

Thank you to Random House/Ballantine Books and Netgalley for the arc for review purposes.

Sequel of play the fool — I really enjoyed how the author tied the tarot cards into each chapter of the story, but i wish it was a bit more magical. I really wanted this book to be a magical and mysterious masterpiece, but the magical aspect of the story fell a little flat for me.
Lina chern has a very enjoyable and unique writing style. Although i felt as if some descriptions were unnecessarily detailed, i also appreciated that additional depth in some areas as well.

This book was a very interesting mystery. It features elements of tarot which i was not very familiar with before and have now learned more about.
The murder mystery portion had a lot of twists and turns as well as connections you dont see coming.
With that being the writing feels a bit disjointed and like the writer is still trying to find their voice. There were large portions that fell flat especially with the jokes.

A big thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I promise I’ll get into the plot but I have to say this first. If there is not a restaurant named “Kabob’s Your Uncle” then this world is not complete. I spent a good couple of minutes laughing when I read it.

Okay, into the plot we go! I did not realize this was the second book in a series. If it had featured more prominently on the cover, I would have read the first book first. She does mention she solved a murder before with Jamie, so you aren’t totally lost. But again, I don’t know what I’m missing but it does FEEL like I’m missing key information as I’m reading.

I really liked the integration of the tarot cards into how Katie thinks about herself and the people around here. I especially enjoyed the flashbacks with her Aunt Rosie explaining the major and minor Arcana cards. (We could all benefit from having an Aunt Rosie.) And the way she navigated the myths around reading tarot. I appreciated that it was based in reality and not “fortune telling”.

The mystery and murder is baffling. Her best friend is arrested for killing the police officer that saved Katie’s life as an infant. There’s more than just a beloved neighborhood cop to the victim and Katie works to find out who really wanted Officer Pete dead. Trigger warning, there are themes that deal with sexual assault and sexual harassment that are key to the central story. They are not explicit, however you are the best judge of your tolerance for those subject matters. That said, I enjoyed reading this book a lot. I got immediately sucked in and blew through half of the book in a single afternoon. Katie True is engaging and not afraid to use dry sarcasm as a conversational weapon. I very much related to her as a main character. I feel like this is one people could easily underestimate. They shouldn’t. Highly recommend reading Tricks of Fortune when it’s available in early July!

IWhen I realized this book was the second in a new series, I had to read Play the Fool first. It was a nice little cozy mystery, which I love for light reading and a fun whodunit. Tricks of Fortune was no different! A great, light read.

Tricks of Fortune should have been the first in the series, however, as it takes us back to how the main character came to be a tarot card reader. It switches between past and present as the current case overlays with her experience learning tarot in childhood.

Fingers crossed Lina Chern will continue to write this series as it’s a winner!

Lina Chern's Tricks of Fortune is a cozy mystery that follows tarot card reader Katie True as she becomes involved in solving the murder of a beloved police officer. The novel combines elements of suspense, humor, and personal growth, offering readers an engaging experience.

Katie's character development is notable; transitioning from the tumultuous events of the previous year, she now operates her own tarot reading room. This setting provides a unique backdrop for the unfolding mystery. The plot weaves together various themes, including a murder investigation, tarot readings, a real estate deal, and hints of a love triangle, which adds depth to the narrative.

The pacing of the story is commendable, maintaining reader interest through a balance of character-driven moments and plot progression. The incorporation of tarot lessons as flashbacks is a creative touch, enriching the storytelling by blending symbolism and imagery effectively.

However, some readers might find certain plot developments, such as the introduction of Katie's childhood rescue by Lieutenant Peterson, to be less seamlessly integrated, feeling somewhat disconnected from the main storyline. Additionally, while the novel is part of a series, it can be enjoyed as a standalone, though familiarity with the first book may enhance the reading experience.

In conclusion, Tricks of Fortune is an enjoyable read for fans of cozy mysteries, offering a mix of suspense, character development, and unique thematic elements. While it has minor areas that could be refined, it remains a solid contribution to the genre.

This book had promise based on the the first book and the description of the second, However, the writing style did not flow well for me. Maybe I am not the right reader for this book!

The mystery/thriller aspect fell flat for me. I had trouble sticking with this book.

"It's why the cards work. It's not magic, but it's real."

In this fantastic sequel to Play the Fool, Katie True finds herself embroiled in the murder of a man credited with saving her life as a baby.

My favorite part of this book isn't the compulsively readable voice Lina Chern writes with (though it very is), and it isn't the mouth-watering banter between Katie and Jamie, Katie and Gina, Katie and Owen (Katie is clever AF and I wish I was her), it's the unique way the author incorporates tarot into Katie's story.

There is no woo-woo, no That's-So-Raven premonitions, no psychic/hardened cop duo you find in most books in this vein--instead, Katie uses the cards as a tool, an ice-breaker, a way to sort out her own thoughts and to help others plumb the depths of their innermost feelings. In Katie's own words, it's not magic, but it's real. As a long-time tarot reader, this is how I have always seen the cards--not as a way to see the future, but a way to make sense of the present, to reckon with the past, and to pave the way for what is to come.

You don't have to read Play the Fool in order to make sense of this story, but why in God's name would you do yourself such a disservice?

I really liked this book! It was very entertaining and had the elements of a good thriller book. I think it was a very well written book, and it did keep me entertained all the way throughout the read!!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!