The White Magic Five and Dime by Steve Hockensmith Series: Tarot Mystery #1
Published by Midnight Ink on July 8, 2014
Genres: Mystery
Format: Kindle or ebook
Source: the publisher
Much to Alanis McLachlan's surprise, her estranged con-woman mother has left her an inheritance: The White Magic Five & Dime, a shop in tiny Berdache, Arizona. Reluctantly traveling to Berdache to claim her new property, Alanis decides to stay and pick up her mother's tarot business in an attempt to find out how she died.
With help from a hunky cop and her mother's live-in teenage apprentice, Alanis begins faking her way trough tarot readings in order to win the confidence of her mother's clients. But the more she uses the tarot deck, the more Alanis begins to find real meaning in the cards ... and the secrets surrounding her mother's demise.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher.
REVIEW:
The White Magic Five & Dime captured and held my attention from the first chapter to the last. It’s an absorbing, character-driven, and rather clever mystery. It’s also surprisingly funny, employing a cynical, sometimes dark form of snark delivered by the main character/narrator, Alanis McLachlan:
I don’t have any cats. They remind me too much of my mother. Beautiful, finicky, aloof, and you’re the one who always has to clean up their crap.
And there were these words: The White Magic Five & Dime. Divination * Revelation * Bargains.
For obvious reasons, Mom had left off her true stock in trade. Lies.
. . . I took it Detective Logan was a popular man. Given his looks, I wasn’t surprised. He was like a taller, younger George Clooney, only not so homely.
Alanis’ narrative voice is perfect; it never wavers off-pitch, even on the relatively rare occasions when she drops the sarcasm and cynicism for a few moments. In fact, one of the joys of the book is the moments when she allows herself to be soft, to be caring. It’s not something that comes easily to her, and as she reveals her backstory to you through flashbacks, you’ll come to understand why.
The plot appears straightforward: estranged daughter seeks justice for murdered mother. But there is much more going on, and several twists that I did not see coming. I did, however, spot the murderer fairly quickly — although to be fair, there were a number of other possibilities and I kept an open mind until nearly the end.
The tarot plays an integral part in the plot, and the descriptions and interpretations of various tarot cards, taken from a (fictitious) book by “Miss Chance”, are often hysterical and occasionally thought-provoking. Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with the tarot deck; almost all the important cards appear as illustrations somewhere, although in my Kindle version they’re not always connected with the relevant text. Pay attention to the cards and descriptions; they can serve as hints of what’s to come.
Overall, I don’t know that I would class The White Magic Five & Dime as a cozy mystery. Alanis’s background, the fact that it’s her mother’s murder she’s investigating, and the rather shady milieu she finds herself working in all make the book lean more toward “regular” mystery with a comic but not facetious bent. Cozy or not, it’s sometimes insightful, cleverly plotted, and always entertaining.
Goodreads notes that the book is the first in the Tarot Mystery series. I’m curious as to how a sequel will work. There’s plenty of scope for one, given the denouement and wrap-up, but on the other hand, much of the strength of The White Magic Five & Dime is in the character of Alanis and the slow revelation of her past. A good quarter or third of the book is spent in flashbacks. It’s hard to tell whether the next one, assuming it focuses more on the mystery now that Alanis’ past is known, will have the same appeal. Regardless, book two is going on my TBR list as soon as it’s announced. And that’s despite the fact that this is decidedly not my usual sort of mystery. Kudos to Hockensmith and Falco for grabbing and keeping my interest outside of my usual comfort zone.
The White Magic Five & Dime TOUR
July 8 – Socrates’ Book Reviews – Review
July 9 – The Bookwyrm’s Hoard – Review, Book Giveaway
July 10 – StoreyBook Reviews – Review, Guest Post, Book Giveaway
July 11 – Melissa’s Eclectic Bookshelf – Review, Tarot Reading Giveaway
July 12 – Michelle’s Romantic Tangle – Review, Guest Post
July 13 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Review, Interview, Book Giveaway
July 14 –Chloe Gets A Chloe – Guest Post
About Steve Hockensmith
Steve Hockensmith’s first novel, Holmes on the Range, was a finalist for the Edgar, Shamus, Anthony and Dilys awards. He went on to write four sequels as well as a pair of bestselling follow-ups to the international publishing sensation Pride and Prejudice and ZombiesK/i>. More recently, he wrote the middle-grade mystery series Nick and Tesla (with collaborator “Science Bob” Pflugfelder) and the Tarot Mysteries series (co-written with Lisa Falco.)
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- COYER Summer Vacation 2014
- Cruisin' Thru the Cozies 2014
lilysbookblog.com
Awe I actually hasn’t heard of this one before but it sounds like you really enjoyed it! Plus I’m a fan of when books are told in flashbacks so I’ll have to see if I ever get around to this one! 🙂
Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard
It was very good; I hope you enjoy it!
Katherine P
This sounds like a fun read! I’m always looking for new mysteries and this sounds unusual but not too cutesy! I will definitely be on the lookout for it.
Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard
Definitely not cutesy, but good. There’s a great blend of humor and more sober reality.
Libby Dodd
This does sound like a good read.
Raffelcopter does not like those of use who do not tweet.
Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard
That’s why I always offer several other ways to enter; you don’t have to be on Twitter to use Rafflecopter or to enter the giveaway. At the least, there’s the freebie entry – just click it and you’re entered. (You do have to create a Rafflecopter account, I think, but when I signed up, all I had to give them was my name and email address, and create a password.)
Betty Louise Davenport
This book sounds interesting and I am going to add to my TBR list.
Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard
Oh, good! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Catherine @ Book Club Librarian
Sounds like an entertaining read–I’ll have to check it out.
Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard
Definitely worth reading! Thanks for stopping by!
Bea
Oh, I love those samples of Alanis’ humor. It definitely doesn’t sound like a cozy but it does sound good. Based on what you said, I also question how this can continue as a series but I’m curious to see how it pans out.
Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard
Me too! Steve Hockensmith is an experienced (and good, judging from this book) writer, so I’m sure he and Lisa Falco will make it work somehow.
kimbacaffeinate
This sounds fantastic from the setting to the strong mystery. I love when a book grabs you from the beginning.
Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard
Kimba, it’s not necessarily your usual book type, either, but I really think you’d like it! Alanis has a distinctive voice and while she’s no angel, she gets under your skin and makes you care for her.
Ronna Lord
Enjoyed the Sherlock on the Range books. This one looks fun too. Ronnalord(at)msn(dot)com
Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard
I haven’t read any of his other books, but I might check those out!
Anne Bennett
Sure, you asked if you could tag me on some blogger question thingy. Sure. I’m game. Thanks for asking and for visiting my blog. Anne at Head Full of Books
Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard
Oh, great! Thank you! It will post next Thursday.
Yvonne
I loved this one, too. I really think it’s a straight mystery and not a cozy. Good point about a sequel. I’m interested in seeing how this works out too.
Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard
He’ll figure out a way to make it work, I think. Play up the interaction between Alanis and the teenager, maybe?
Kuzlin
Sounds like a good read…thanks for the giveaway.
Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard
The giveaway is thanks to the publisher and tour organizer, but I’m delighted to be able to offer it!
Berls
Sounds really interesting, Lark! I’ve recently become a fan of one cozy mystery series and though you said this one isn’t a cozy exactly, but I think it shares some of the elements that make me really enjoy cozies. Thanks for the great review!
Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard
I agree that many readers who like cozies will enjoy this, as long as they’re prepared for a more complex MC than is typical. But it will also appeal to readers who prefer “regular” (i.e. not cozy) mysteries. I hope you give it a try!
traveler
Thanks for this wonderful giveaway which captured my interest for its intriguing story and Alanis, a character whose life I would follow. This novel is captivating and special. What I like is the story and the cover artwork is dramatic and beautiful evoking another time and place. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard
Glad you enjoyed the book and giveaway. Good luck!
bn100
Nice review
Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard
Thank you! And thanks for stopping by.
cyn209
a definite ‘must-read’ for me!!
congrats, Steve!!!!
Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard
I think you’ll really enjoy it!