What do you think?
Rate this book
Tarot Mystery #3
Give the Devil His Due
Reformed con artist-turned-tarot reader Alanis McLachlan gets paid for predicting the future. Too bad she couldn't see all the trouble in hers. First a figure from her troubled past returns to drag her back into the dark world of scams and thievery she thought she'd left behind. Then her on-again off-again romance with hunky teacher Victor Castellanos hits the skids when a surprising new suitor sweeps into town and tries to sweep Alanis off her feet. And then there's the little matter of the client who gets an ominous reading from Alanis . . . and is promptly murdered. Danger is in the cards for Alanis, and she'll need all her skills as a tarot reader and a con artist � as well as a lot of luck � if she's going to survive.
336 pages, Paperback
First published April 8, 2016
61 people are currently reading
343 people want to read
About the author
Steve Hockensmith
93Ìýbooks517ÌýfollowersSteve 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
April 5, 2017
Book 3 in the series. It was okay.
I've given the series a chance, but this one just didn't work for me. I can't find it in me to care about Alanis or her sister and the plot was just ridiculously convoluted. Way too much going on, too many characters to keep up with. When it starts to feel like you need a spreadsheet to keep track, it's just too much.
I don't think I will be looking for book 4.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley*
I've given the series a chance, but this one just didn't work for me. I can't find it in me to care about Alanis or her sister and the plot was just ridiculously convoluted. Way too much going on, too many characters to keep up with. When it starts to feel like you need a spreadsheet to keep track, it's just too much.
I don't think I will be looking for book 4.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley*
March 16, 2017
Alanis McLachlan, reformed con-artist turned tarot reader, knows something is up when a ghost from her past appears at her occult shop in Berdache, Arizona. Biddle, her deceased mother's former lover, just shows up out of the blue. Alanis last saw him 25 years before being walked into the desert by thugs. She presumed he was dead. But...here he is....decades later obviously not dead. Is he there to come back into Alanis and her sister's lives? Or is he running a con of some kind? Her con-radar is jangling like crazy. You can't con a con,right? It can't be coincidence that the minute Biddle shows up, a private detective starts skulking around The White Magic Five and Dime Shop, and promptly turns up dead, murdered in his car. Alexis wonders what Biddle has pulled her into when the bullets start flying.
Everything from a velvet Elvis painting and a strange woman with an uzi is included in this book. Bad guys pop out of everywhere. And Alexis (with lots of help from her friend GW and her sister Clarice) wants to know why. It's amazing how much trouble a long-lost father figure can cause in just a few days!
This book is a fun read. Lots of humor and quirkiness. Alanis is a spunky, indepedent main character. GW, her small time crook friend, is hilarious and very protective of her. He brings his street smarts to the table, and helps with the investigation. Clarice, and her girlfriend CeeCee, are research and computer experts, helping find information on suspects in legal and illegal ways. Throughout the story, Alexis uses tarot readings to help her decide how to proceed in the investigation. The illustrations and explanations of the cards are so interesting! The tarot subplot really brought some sparkle to the story! It didn't overwhelm the mystery portion of the plot, but added to it.
This book is classified as a cozy mystery, but for those readers who don't like profanity of any kind in a cozy, this book might not be for you. There is a bit of profanity and a few instances of sexual and criminal themes in this book. I didn't find it offensive. It was nice to have a story line that was a bit different with characters that aren't completely good guys. Alexis and her friends are con-artists.....they have just turned their skills to solving crimes rather than ripping people off. The result is an edgier cozy mystery....I enjoyed it!
Give the Devil His Due is the third book in the Tarot Mystery series. The books don't necessarily have to be read in order. This is the first book in the series that I've read and I was able to easily jump right in and enjoy the story. Fun story! I will definitely be back-tracking to read the first two books in this series! I look forward to reading the continuing story as well!
Steven Hockensmith is the author of several books including the Holmes on the Range series and the the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies series. To find out more information on the author and his books, check out his website: Lisa Falco is the tarot expert of this writing duo. In addition to the Tarot Mystery series she also wrote another novel, A Mother's Promise.
**I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Midnight Ink. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.**
Everything from a velvet Elvis painting and a strange woman with an uzi is included in this book. Bad guys pop out of everywhere. And Alexis (with lots of help from her friend GW and her sister Clarice) wants to know why. It's amazing how much trouble a long-lost father figure can cause in just a few days!
This book is a fun read. Lots of humor and quirkiness. Alanis is a spunky, indepedent main character. GW, her small time crook friend, is hilarious and very protective of her. He brings his street smarts to the table, and helps with the investigation. Clarice, and her girlfriend CeeCee, are research and computer experts, helping find information on suspects in legal and illegal ways. Throughout the story, Alexis uses tarot readings to help her decide how to proceed in the investigation. The illustrations and explanations of the cards are so interesting! The tarot subplot really brought some sparkle to the story! It didn't overwhelm the mystery portion of the plot, but added to it.
This book is classified as a cozy mystery, but for those readers who don't like profanity of any kind in a cozy, this book might not be for you. There is a bit of profanity and a few instances of sexual and criminal themes in this book. I didn't find it offensive. It was nice to have a story line that was a bit different with characters that aren't completely good guys. Alexis and her friends are con-artists.....they have just turned their skills to solving crimes rather than ripping people off. The result is an edgier cozy mystery....I enjoyed it!
Give the Devil His Due is the third book in the Tarot Mystery series. The books don't necessarily have to be read in order. This is the first book in the series that I've read and I was able to easily jump right in and enjoy the story. Fun story! I will definitely be back-tracking to read the first two books in this series! I look forward to reading the continuing story as well!
Steven Hockensmith is the author of several books including the Holmes on the Range series and the the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies series. To find out more information on the author and his books, check out his website: Lisa Falco is the tarot expert of this writing duo. In addition to the Tarot Mystery series she also wrote another novel, A Mother's Promise.
**I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Midnight Ink. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.**
May 19, 2017
This was a real treat for a number of reasons. Just finished a big, old stream of consciousness novel that was challenging. Life gets me down sometimes these days--so murder and thievery are good diversions. I want to talk in real life like Hockensmith's characters do, especially Alanis. And not the least of all, Steve Hockensmith himself sent me my copy of this novel, which he also autographed. He's a good guy, but I've known that for years and years. This is the third of the tarot series and I really felt it was the best for integrating the card readings with the plot. I want to find a good reader right this very moment! These are characters that I could revisit often. No matter what direction he takes now--more tarot series, further adventures of Big Red and Old Red, Nick and Tesla--I'll be reading it.
September 26, 2017
4.5
*Book source ~ Library
Alanis McLachlan has inherited her con artist mother’s occult-themed store and so far she’s been spending her time paying back the money her mom has swindled out of people. Oh, and then there’s the murders she’s been caught up in. Now, a blast from her past is back and bringing trouble with him. Once again Alanis is smack dab in the middle of yet another murder investigation that revolves around her dear departed mother.
I’m really enjoying this cozy mystery series and hope there will be more. Alanis and her crew are unusual and everything motley. Growing up with a con artist gives Alanis a set of skills you don’t see every day and she puts them to good use in her quest to find answers. But this puts her at the top of the local cops� naughty list and they’d like nothing more than to pin a murder or two on her questionable head. But Alanis is nothing like her mom. This story furthers that part of her character when her mom’s past comes strolling back into town.
The mystery unravels slowly and with enough twists and turns to keep it interesting. Alanis has two possible love interests and I can’t honestly pick which one I’d hope for her. They are very different and each has their own qualities. Though she may have screwed up her chance with one of them in this book and it’s not certain she wants the other one. All of the characters have dimension. There aren’t any who are just props. And I love the tarot card explanations at the beginning of each chapter. All-in-all an entertaining read.
*Book source ~ Library
Alanis McLachlan has inherited her con artist mother’s occult-themed store and so far she’s been spending her time paying back the money her mom has swindled out of people. Oh, and then there’s the murders she’s been caught up in. Now, a blast from her past is back and bringing trouble with him. Once again Alanis is smack dab in the middle of yet another murder investigation that revolves around her dear departed mother.
I’m really enjoying this cozy mystery series and hope there will be more. Alanis and her crew are unusual and everything motley. Growing up with a con artist gives Alanis a set of skills you don’t see every day and she puts them to good use in her quest to find answers. But this puts her at the top of the local cops� naughty list and they’d like nothing more than to pin a murder or two on her questionable head. But Alanis is nothing like her mom. This story furthers that part of her character when her mom’s past comes strolling back into town.
The mystery unravels slowly and with enough twists and turns to keep it interesting. Alanis has two possible love interests and I can’t honestly pick which one I’d hope for her. They are very different and each has their own qualities. Though she may have screwed up her chance with one of them in this book and it’s not certain she wants the other one. All of the characters have dimension. There aren’t any who are just props. And I love the tarot card explanations at the beginning of each chapter. All-in-all an entertaining read.
February 28, 2017
This review was originally published on NetGalley.
Wow! Never judge a book by its cover, especially not this out-of-box novel! This was my first time reading a Tarot Mystery novel and I definitely want to read the previous novels and that comes next!
Imagine that instead of a clean-record type of characters, you have a family of successful con-artists. After the death of their mother, Alanis and her half-sister Clarise try to keep a straight life by running the occult shop left by their mother, The White Magic Five and Dime shop. Things run smoothly until Biddle, the sisters father figure, comes back after years and shows up at their shop. The thing is he also came with a scheme that can get them into a hell of trouble. In aroller-coasterr of emotions, Alanis is lost in what to do, until a client’s dead body is found. Let the adventure begin, including a crazy lady, old lovers and a small town.
I really enjoyed this steady-paced cosy-mystery. Completely new and refreshing to have a main female character that actually doesn’t fit the usual box of “the good girl�. The characters are great, they have depth and it was very easy to connect with them. The writing also helped in connecting to the storyline and the characters. The description of the emotions and the line reasoning of Alanis only made her more likeable to me and it made me rot for her all the way. The humorous lines and witty counter-backs add colour and spice to the story, they were a delight to read!
The illustration of the tarot cards and their meaning were amazingly used, even if some of those meanings weren’t completely accurate. Even so, I can’t describe my satisfaction in seeing a deeper use of the tarot cards and how they influence the story. Absolutely loved it!
I can say that this book has a bit of everything: drama, humour and mystery. I definitely recommend this novel to all the fans of cosy-mysteries with a twist!
Wow! Never judge a book by its cover, especially not this out-of-box novel! This was my first time reading a Tarot Mystery novel and I definitely want to read the previous novels and that comes next!
Imagine that instead of a clean-record type of characters, you have a family of successful con-artists. After the death of their mother, Alanis and her half-sister Clarise try to keep a straight life by running the occult shop left by their mother, The White Magic Five and Dime shop. Things run smoothly until Biddle, the sisters father figure, comes back after years and shows up at their shop. The thing is he also came with a scheme that can get them into a hell of trouble. In aroller-coasterr of emotions, Alanis is lost in what to do, until a client’s dead body is found. Let the adventure begin, including a crazy lady, old lovers and a small town.
I really enjoyed this steady-paced cosy-mystery. Completely new and refreshing to have a main female character that actually doesn’t fit the usual box of “the good girl�. The characters are great, they have depth and it was very easy to connect with them. The writing also helped in connecting to the storyline and the characters. The description of the emotions and the line reasoning of Alanis only made her more likeable to me and it made me rot for her all the way. The humorous lines and witty counter-backs add colour and spice to the story, they were a delight to read!
The illustration of the tarot cards and their meaning were amazingly used, even if some of those meanings weren’t completely accurate. Even so, I can’t describe my satisfaction in seeing a deeper use of the tarot cards and how they influence the story. Absolutely loved it!
I can say that this book has a bit of everything: drama, humour and mystery. I definitely recommend this novel to all the fans of cosy-mysteries with a twist!
March 16, 2017
Entertaining enough, but very, very very busy. There are so many people going in so many directions that it is sometimes hard to keep up with. I like the main characters and the story.
"I requested and received this book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."
"I requested and received this book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."
February 13, 2017
I like this series. Alanis and her half sister Clarise are still living over the occult shop left to them when their mother died. The girls were accomplished con artist along with her and are now going straight trying to run a legitimate business. When Biddle, her father figure from childhood, returns to involve them into another scam it's touch and go as the bullets start flying. Each story gets better and better as the girls deal with their past and set goals for a lawful future. This small Arizona town is set near Sedonia and plays upon the mystic surroundings. The illustrations from various Tarot cards are beautiful.
March 19, 2017
This book was good, but was way too busy of a plot to really stand out. There were so many characters coming and going and being introduced and going in different directions you almost had to have a paper listing who was who and going where, been where to even try to keep up. All that being said, I did enjoy catching up with Alanis and her half-sister and seeing how things were progressing with their lives. Sometimes when your mother was a con-artist and you're trying to make things right things aren't so simple. A few curveballs get thrown in Alanis and Clarise's lives and the cards try to reveal how things will work out.
I received an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley.
I received an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley.
April 7, 2017
Give the Devil His Due is another fun addition to the Tarot Mystery Series. I must say that I am really enjoying this series! I will point out though that it is 100% possible to jump into this series at any point. Hockensmith does a great job of catching the reader up with the main characters and story arcs so you won’t feel like you’re missing anything if you skip the first two books in the series.
That said, as the first two books were thoroughly enjoyable, I definitely recommend not skipping them
That said, as the first two books were thoroughly enjoyable, I definitely recommend not skipping them
July 19, 2017
I absolutely adored this trilogy! These books have been hilarious, sarcastic, clever and action-packed. The third book was just as excellent as the other two.
This series is worth reading - and got the 5-star rating - for the hysterically funny "explanations" of the cards in the Tarot deck alone. I howled with laughter at the snarkily funny perspective on Tarot in each card which began a chapter. If you don't care about Tarot, or know nothing about Tarot, you will find yourself nodding as well as laughing when you see them. They are more than worth the price of admission on these books!
But the story itself continues the mayhem, double-crosses, scamming, family drama [on acid!] and multiple villains all running around with, around, and against Alanis and her merry band of loonies as they all try to out-scam one another.
Trying to explain what goes on would not only ruin the fun, but would also be confusing. If you haven't read the first two books in the series, you wouldn't have a clue what is going on or why anyway, so go start at the beginning. If you HAVE read the first two books, I will just say that things are wrapped up pretty much how you would expect them to be, given who these people are and what they've been up to. What I WILL say is that this third book is a hell of an entertaining ride, and things continue in the same vein they have in the earlier books. There are a few small surprises along the way, and plenty of action and drama.
I loved these books, and I'm only sorry the trilogy is now done. This series was a hoot and well worth checking out if you like your cozy mysteries irreverent, hilarious and slapstick-esque. Highly recommended!!
This series is worth reading - and got the 5-star rating - for the hysterically funny "explanations" of the cards in the Tarot deck alone. I howled with laughter at the snarkily funny perspective on Tarot in each card which began a chapter. If you don't care about Tarot, or know nothing about Tarot, you will find yourself nodding as well as laughing when you see them. They are more than worth the price of admission on these books!
But the story itself continues the mayhem, double-crosses, scamming, family drama [on acid!] and multiple villains all running around with, around, and against Alanis and her merry band of loonies as they all try to out-scam one another.
Trying to explain what goes on would not only ruin the fun, but would also be confusing. If you haven't read the first two books in the series, you wouldn't have a clue what is going on or why anyway, so go start at the beginning. If you HAVE read the first two books, I will just say that things are wrapped up pretty much how you would expect them to be, given who these people are and what they've been up to. What I WILL say is that this third book is a hell of an entertaining ride, and things continue in the same vein they have in the earlier books. There are a few small surprises along the way, and plenty of action and drama.
I loved these books, and I'm only sorry the trilogy is now done. This series was a hoot and well worth checking out if you like your cozy mysteries irreverent, hilarious and slapstick-esque. Highly recommended!!
April 23, 2017
Alanis is still living in tiny tourist town Berdache, trying to atone for her grifter mother's crimes, making a home for her half-sister, and learning about the Tarot, when her mother's long-lost partner in crime appears in her shop. Biddle had helped raise her, had presented the only stability she knew during her childhood, and--she was sure--had died thirty years ago. Now someone is trying to kill Alanis, she's mixed up with an eccentric German billionaire, some East Coast thugs, and two murdered men. Yes, Biddle is back in her life, all right, and she has to figure out if the con-man who taught her everything is trying to con her now.
April 14, 2017
I was really torn reading this. I LOVE tarot cards, and have been a reader for the better part of 20 years. The little tarot insights are what made me request this book from Netgalley (thank you NG for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review) I really enjoyed the characters, especially GW and I'm curious to see which way him and Alanis go. However, I didn't care for Biddle or the story line. Toss in a writing style that I just couldn't jive with, and you get a 3 star book. It just didn't mesh for me, I tried, I really tried, but it was largely a miss.
June 27, 2017
Title: Give the Devil His Due - Tarot Mystery Book 3
Author: Steve Hockensmith With Lisa Falco
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Published: 4-8-2017
Pages: 362
Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
Sub-Genre: Paranormal; Mystery; Suspense
ISBN: 9780738742243
ASIN: B01FOR0X9Y
Reviewed For NetGalley and Midnight Ink
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 4.25 Starts
Alanis has given up her bunko ways and now gives honest readings. Then the father she thought dead shows up unexpectedly. Now she suddenly has a new sister looking for their father. Then dead bodies begin popping up around town and a new suitor is on the scene. There goes the peace she had come to enjoy.
Alanis is a likeable character that bring the readers sympathies to the forefront. The suspense and intrigue woven into the story has you turning the pages not wanting to wait to see what happens next. There are plenty of clues to find, but you still might have a bit of trouble coming up with the real killer ad seeing the motives behind the actions of some who want to be close to Alanis. Too bad her gift doesn't always reveal what her own future holds.
My rating of "Give the Devil His Due" is 4.25 out of 5 stars.
Amazon Link:
B&N Link:
GoodReads Link: /book/show/2...
The Reading Room Link:
Twitter Link:
Author: Steve Hockensmith With Lisa Falco
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Published: 4-8-2017
Pages: 362
Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
Sub-Genre: Paranormal; Mystery; Suspense
ISBN: 9780738742243
ASIN: B01FOR0X9Y
Reviewed For NetGalley and Midnight Ink
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 4.25 Starts
Alanis has given up her bunko ways and now gives honest readings. Then the father she thought dead shows up unexpectedly. Now she suddenly has a new sister looking for their father. Then dead bodies begin popping up around town and a new suitor is on the scene. There goes the peace she had come to enjoy.
Alanis is a likeable character that bring the readers sympathies to the forefront. The suspense and intrigue woven into the story has you turning the pages not wanting to wait to see what happens next. There are plenty of clues to find, but you still might have a bit of trouble coming up with the real killer ad seeing the motives behind the actions of some who want to be close to Alanis. Too bad her gift doesn't always reveal what her own future holds.
My rating of "Give the Devil His Due" is 4.25 out of 5 stars.
Amazon Link:
B&N Link:
GoodReads Link: /book/show/2...
The Reading Room Link:
Twitter Link:
April 9, 2017
This was an interesting addition to the series. It adds a bit of color to the cozy mystery genre.
Fortune telling, tarot cards and reading tea leaves all leads up to catching a murderer in Give the Devil his Due.
Fortune telling, tarot cards and reading tea leaves all leads up to catching a murderer in Give the Devil his Due.
September 13, 2017
I enjoyed the tarot parts of the book, really fun! But I couldn't get into the rest too much. I think I'm just not much of a cozy reader anymore, but this was written very well for anyone who is into cozy mysteries!
March 1, 2020
Good enough but somehow sluggish after the first two books. What this series really made me want to do is to read the first few Stephanie Plum mysteries again.
April 13, 2017
Hockensmith elevates the craft of cozy storytelling in "Give the Devil His Due." There is so much humor with Alanis, his protagonist, and it always remains smart and quick. I love that her relationship with the tarot is evolving. But it is her relationship with Biddle that makes this book in the series stand out. It is amazing how invested a reader can become in a long-dead character, and how gratifying and bittersweet a story can be at the same time. And, now for the long slog as I await the next book in the series....there better be a next book.
December 27, 2018
I absolutely loved this series, but this last book had me wanting more after its rushed ending. Too many loose ties for me -- I needed more info! I wish there was at least one more book in this series, but I think this is the last. If it turns out that there's another book, I'll come back and change this to 5 stars.
February 16, 2017
Readers who have followed the Tarot series to its third volume will be delighted to find out that Alanis' mysterious father figure, Biddle makes an appearance. Alanis is deeply shocked to see Biddle as she believed he died years ago. Torn between happiness and distrust, she finds it difficult to deal with Biddle even though he seems to be chest-deep in the latest mystery surrounding her and her shop, The White Magic Five and Dime.
Authors Hockensmith and Falco give us another solidly satisfying entry in the White Magic Five and Dime series. You won't want to miss it. And if you haven't read the other books in the series, The White Magic Five and Dime and Fool Me Once, you will want to do that immediately!
Authors Hockensmith and Falco give us another solidly satisfying entry in the White Magic Five and Dime series. You won't want to miss it. And if you haven't read the other books in the series, The White Magic Five and Dime and Fool Me Once, you will want to do that immediately!
August 14, 2017
Ramblings:
The series has ended, but there's still two suits in the deck. Maybe the Grandi family can cover the Suit of Swords and the Suit of Coins. I know, I'm like a dog with a bone!
Summary:
It's been three weeks since anyone's tried to kill Alanis McLachlan, owner of The White Magic Five and Dime, and she's long overdue. When an old frenemy pays a visit, the universe takes note. Now, she's got a car that keeps trying to use her as a speed bump, tracks to cover, and no choice but to call in "The Fixer."
Review:
Give the Devil His Due is the final installment in the Tarot Mystery series by author Steve Hockensmith and coauthor Lisa Falco (tarot expert). Book three uses images from the Suit of Cups. The brief and funny summaries give the reader clues regarding what's about to happen.
I've often asked myself if the authors found a stash of laced brownies and helped themselves. I mean, who comes up with this stuff?! I could not stop laughing when Alanis calls all the local hotels. She needs information on a guest, but their policy is not to divulge any particulars. So, what's a girl to do? Creatively lie. Again and again. And I'm not even getting into the breaking and entering, where we discover the name of GW's dog.
Hockensmith and Falco have written a story with likeable, off-the-wall characters and laugh-out-loud dialogue. The mystery's good too! You'll wonder: Who are the mystery men who visited her shop? Who wants to run Alanis over? Why?! Where's the priceless painting everyone's after? All questions are answered in due course.
You'll like this story if:
#1 You found laced brownies and helped yourself (jk)
#2 You liked books one and two (goes without saying)
#3 You read mysteries (cozy or murder)
#4 You enjoy zany-fun stories
#5 You love quick-witted, snarky-ish heroines
Disclosure:
I won this novel in a newsletter giveaway. Neither author requested a review. I reviewed it because I enjoyed the first two in the series and had to know how it ends.
The series has ended, but there's still two suits in the deck. Maybe the Grandi family can cover the Suit of Swords and the Suit of Coins. I know, I'm like a dog with a bone!
Summary:
It's been three weeks since anyone's tried to kill Alanis McLachlan, owner of The White Magic Five and Dime, and she's long overdue. When an old frenemy pays a visit, the universe takes note. Now, she's got a car that keeps trying to use her as a speed bump, tracks to cover, and no choice but to call in "The Fixer."
Review:
Give the Devil His Due is the final installment in the Tarot Mystery series by author Steve Hockensmith and coauthor Lisa Falco (tarot expert). Book three uses images from the Suit of Cups. The brief and funny summaries give the reader clues regarding what's about to happen.
I've often asked myself if the authors found a stash of laced brownies and helped themselves. I mean, who comes up with this stuff?! I could not stop laughing when Alanis calls all the local hotels. She needs information on a guest, but their policy is not to divulge any particulars. So, what's a girl to do? Creatively lie. Again and again. And I'm not even getting into the breaking and entering, where we discover the name of GW's dog.
Hockensmith and Falco have written a story with likeable, off-the-wall characters and laugh-out-loud dialogue. The mystery's good too! You'll wonder: Who are the mystery men who visited her shop? Who wants to run Alanis over? Why?! Where's the priceless painting everyone's after? All questions are answered in due course.
You'll like this story if:
#1 You found laced brownies and helped yourself (jk)
#2 You liked books one and two (goes without saying)
#3 You read mysteries (cozy or murder)
#4 You enjoy zany-fun stories
#5 You love quick-witted, snarky-ish heroines
Disclosure:
I won this novel in a newsletter giveaway. Neither author requested a review. I reviewed it because I enjoyed the first two in the series and had to know how it ends.
December 2, 2016
A Tarot Mystery featuring Anias MacLachlan, who's inherited the White Magic Five & Dime in tiny Berdache, Arizona, from her estranged con artist mother. As a child, her mother & Biddle, her con scam partner, dragged Alanis around the country, either using her in the cons or neglecting her, leaving her to 'live' for a week in a mall, and other abusive behaviors. Biddle acted more like a parent than her mother, so Alanis is
filled with conflicting emotions when Biddle shows up at her store.
Anias has spent the last months repaying money her mother conned from marks, and solving murders. She also has a younger half-sister, who's convinced Biddle is her father. There's a lot going on in Alanis's world, but when a customer is found murdered, she realizes that Biddle's visit is not just social call, and they're off and running on another murder investigation. Thrown in are G.W., one of her lovers, some east coast old school mafiosi, and some woman trying to kill Alanis. Has her mother's past come back gunning for her?
Full of offbeat characters and lots of humor, readers can't help but be rooting for Alanis & her motley crew to come out on top. Totally engrossing with plenty of accurate tarot card meanings, although some are tongue-in-cheek. Alanis must ask herself some hard questions & face some unpleasant truths, which gives her character added dimension. Although this was the first Tarot Mystery I've read, it certainly won't be my last. I highly recommend Give the Devil His Due to readers who enjoy some witty rompÌý alongside the gravity of murder in their cozy mystery. Well written, this enjoyable book will solidify existing fan's opinions and win over new ones.
Many thanks to Midnight Ink, publishers, and Netgalley for providing this reader with an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinions & review.
filled with conflicting emotions when Biddle shows up at her store.
Anias has spent the last months repaying money her mother conned from marks, and solving murders. She also has a younger half-sister, who's convinced Biddle is her father. There's a lot going on in Alanis's world, but when a customer is found murdered, she realizes that Biddle's visit is not just social call, and they're off and running on another murder investigation. Thrown in are G.W., one of her lovers, some east coast old school mafiosi, and some woman trying to kill Alanis. Has her mother's past come back gunning for her?
Full of offbeat characters and lots of humor, readers can't help but be rooting for Alanis & her motley crew to come out on top. Totally engrossing with plenty of accurate tarot card meanings, although some are tongue-in-cheek. Alanis must ask herself some hard questions & face some unpleasant truths, which gives her character added dimension. Although this was the first Tarot Mystery I've read, it certainly won't be my last. I highly recommend Give the Devil His Due to readers who enjoy some witty rompÌý alongside the gravity of murder in their cozy mystery. Well written, this enjoyable book will solidify existing fan's opinions and win over new ones.
Many thanks to Midnight Ink, publishers, and Netgalley for providing this reader with an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinions & review.
February 19, 2017
**I voluntarily reviewed this ARC**
This book was good, but way too convoluted to follow easily. It ends up feeling like every character is secretly planning their own con - understandable with how many main characters are conmen - and there is too much to keep track of. But it does have some shocking reveals, and what I could follow of the mystery was good.
This book was good, but way too convoluted to follow easily. It ends up feeling like every character is secretly planning their own con - understandable with how many main characters are conmen - and there is too much to keep track of. But it does have some shocking reveals, and what I could follow of the mystery was good.
December 1, 2016
I gave the first book in the series an OK rating, the second I enjoyed enough to give a like rating. I'm back to just OK here. The mystery had a lot of unexpected twists which was good including a blast from Alanis' past. That was what kept me reading. I didn't find the characters likable or interesting. They were just too one dimensional, even the recurring characters.
I read an ARC I received from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review and there were some glitches, extra words, missing words, that I hope are cleaned up in the final version. There were some Say What? moments too: Alanis pretends to be someone else yet the people she's visiting ask for forgiveness, how did Ulf have someone's phone number and know he could reach Alanis by calling it.
I'm also on the border about the Tarot cards and descriptions at the start of every chapter. I feel compelled to read them since they're part of the book and then I feel bored. I acknowledge that the authors tied them into the story line (kudos) and that they can be a bit snarky like Alanis, but they (obviously) leave me ambivalent. I like the t-shirt slogans in the Charlie Davidson series by Darynda Jones, they're short, and funny, but really not necessary and add nothing to the story line. But I dislike the POV of the animals in the stories by Carol Nelson Douglas and Rita Mae Brown which add to the story line more so than in this series. The ones here just confirm elements of the story and characters and don't, at least in this book, add anything to the story line. My thought is that they're added to support the Tarot Mystery series brand since tarot is mentioned only two or three times in the story and used to primarily serve as an ominous warning in the beginning to set up the coming events.
I read an ARC I received from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review and there were some glitches, extra words, missing words, that I hope are cleaned up in the final version. There were some Say What? moments too: Alanis pretends to be someone else yet the people she's visiting ask for forgiveness, how did Ulf have someone's phone number and know he could reach Alanis by calling it.
I'm also on the border about the Tarot cards and descriptions at the start of every chapter. I feel compelled to read them since they're part of the book and then I feel bored. I acknowledge that the authors tied them into the story line (kudos) and that they can be a bit snarky like Alanis, but they (obviously) leave me ambivalent. I like the t-shirt slogans in the Charlie Davidson series by Darynda Jones, they're short, and funny, but really not necessary and add nothing to the story line. But I dislike the POV of the animals in the stories by Carol Nelson Douglas and Rita Mae Brown which add to the story line more so than in this series. The ones here just confirm elements of the story and characters and don't, at least in this book, add anything to the story line. My thought is that they're added to support the Tarot Mystery series brand since tarot is mentioned only two or three times in the story and used to primarily serve as an ominous warning in the beginning to set up the coming events.
June 25, 2020
Enjoyable!
Book three and still a pleasure to read, with the usual sarcasm and humor that makes the story flow perfectly. Another mystery Alanis is a suspect in and another case solved by her and her family team.
Book three and still a pleasure to read, with the usual sarcasm and humor that makes the story flow perfectly. Another mystery Alanis is a suspect in and another case solved by her and her family team.
September 14, 2021
Loved this.
May 3, 2017
Give the Devil His Due by Steve Hockensmith with Lisa Falco is the third book in A Tarot Mystery series. Alanis McLachlan is a former con artist who now runs The White Magic Five and Dime. One afternoon a man comes into the shop and Alanis is suspicious that he may be a cop. She ends up giving him a reading and sending him on his way. Then an older gentleman enters and asks to use the restroom. Alanis is then shocked when she sees Biddle walk in. She had presumed he was dead especially since she has not seen him in thirty years. Alanis knows that Biddle must have an agenda if he is returning now (after her mother passed away). After agreeing to meet Biddle for drinks, Alanis goes searching for the older man. He has disappeared, and he did not leave by the front entrance. After making sure her half-sister, Clarice is taken of for the evening, Alanis heads out to meet Biddle (she is trying to keep Clarice and Biddle apart). On her way home, a car tries to run her over not once, but twice. The next morning, Detective Daniel Burby of the Berdache Police Department arrives. He wants to question her about the man she gave a reading to the previous afternoon. He was found dead in a hotel parking lot with her card in his pocket. Alanis has a feeling that everything that has happened in the last twenty-four hour relates to the reason Biddle has suddenly returned to her life. Alanis needs to find out who is behind these incidents before they come after her sister.
Give the Devil His Due is a jam packed with activity (there was just one thing after another). There are more players in the book than in a three-ring circus (at least it felt like it). I was not a fan of the characters. I could not like them or care what happened to them. Give the Devil His Due is the third book in the series, and it is best to read the book in order. If you try to start the series with Give the Devil His Due, you will be confused (especially in the beginning). I found this book difficult to get through. The pace was slow and the way it was written was not enjoyable. There are several tarot card readings in the book and each card is explained (along with their possible meanings). I rate Give the Devil His Due 2 out of 5 stars. The author tried to make the mystery complicated, but I thought it was a cinch to solve. One detail stood out and provided the answer to the whodunit. I found information to be repeated frequently throughout. I do want to warn readers that there is an extensive amount of foul language in Give the Devil His Due (which is abnormal for cozy mysteries). A Tarot Mystery series is just not the right fit for me.
Give the Devil His Due is a jam packed with activity (there was just one thing after another). There are more players in the book than in a three-ring circus (at least it felt like it). I was not a fan of the characters. I could not like them or care what happened to them. Give the Devil His Due is the third book in the series, and it is best to read the book in order. If you try to start the series with Give the Devil His Due, you will be confused (especially in the beginning). I found this book difficult to get through. The pace was slow and the way it was written was not enjoyable. There are several tarot card readings in the book and each card is explained (along with their possible meanings). I rate Give the Devil His Due 2 out of 5 stars. The author tried to make the mystery complicated, but I thought it was a cinch to solve. One detail stood out and provided the answer to the whodunit. I found information to be repeated frequently throughout. I do want to warn readers that there is an extensive amount of foul language in Give the Devil His Due (which is abnormal for cozy mysteries). A Tarot Mystery series is just not the right fit for me.
January 23, 2024
One thing I had learned for sure about tarot readings: Doing them while driving wasn’t a great idea. [p. 131]
Warning: this entire review is basically a spoiler for .
What about the German tycoon who's taking an interest in the town? And the stolen Van Gogh that Alanis may unwittingly hold the key to recovering? And the delightful Fixer, gun for hire? (Not to mention the two ageing thugs who muscle in on Alanis' investigation: 'They weren’t old. Not so long as somebody feared them.')This was a quick and entertaining read - I was kept guessing by the plot, and am sad to discover that there are no further novels in the series (yet). Will Alanis decide which of her suitors (boring Victor, petty criminal G.W.) is worthy? Will Clarice live up to her potential? Will the White Magic Five and Dime ever break even?
One niggle: persons in the middle of an investigation who don't answer the phone / check their voicemail. (This also came up in .) Obviously they're not expecting any urgent plot points updates about their case...
June 22, 2017
This is the third installment and I must admit, I liked the first two better... This one was fine: it was still entertaining, the characters were still fun. But the plot felt a bit more contrived and the pacing wasn't quite as spot-on for a cozy-crime story as it was in the previous two books. This one was also substantially longer - 500+ pages, as opposed to 300+ for the previous two - and I think that's the issue. It felt like it rambled on a bit, where the other two felt tighter. I also think (personal bias) that books like this should restrain themselves to 300/so pages max. This isn't the great American novel; it's a fun cozy-crime read. It is designed to entertain, and shouldn't take days to finish. The resolution felt unnecessarily drawn out, and while that didn't render it unenjoyable, it did change its tone just enough that I have to admit that I prefer the shorter installments...
July 19, 2018
This is the third book in the series about a reformed grifter and her quest to make good on her family's long term arc through the shadowy world of cons. She has settled in the small town of Berdach, AZ where her other owned and operated a Fortune Telling/Occult business fleecing the unsuspecting. By this book Alanis has settled in, gained a half sister and a fairly normal life except that murder and mayhem follow her and people from her past reappear again. Interspersed are a cast of characters that range from slightly normal to off the wall odd and unusual.
While the story is a bit implausible, I was drawn in by the reluctance of the main character to actually believe what she is seeing and feeling and her attempts to keep grounded while the world spins around her. She keeps looking in the fish tank where her mother's ashes are holding down the fort just to be sure she isn't pulling strings from the grave. Quirky, fun, a bit mysterious, a cast of oddballs and some love disguised and hidden make this one a quick and enjoyable read. I look forward to book #4.
While the story is a bit implausible, I was drawn in by the reluctance of the main character to actually believe what she is seeing and feeling and her attempts to keep grounded while the world spins around her. She keeps looking in the fish tank where her mother's ashes are holding down the fort just to be sure she isn't pulling strings from the grave. Quirky, fun, a bit mysterious, a cast of oddballs and some love disguised and hidden make this one a quick and enjoyable read. I look forward to book #4.
October 20, 2019
In the third book of this kinda cozy mystery series, Alanis (our skeptical and principled protagonist) is visited by a man who she thought was dead—a man who was the closest thing she ever had to a father. He's a conman, of course. Her mother's former partner...with benefits. But that happened later. He's not her biological father, although he is.... Never mind. It doesn't really matter much to the plot of this story, which involves murder (of course), and a painting stolen from a museum several years before and then re-stolen from the crooks who stole it initially. And a multimillionaire (and somewhat eccentric) German art collector. And a hit man who happens to be an elderly woman who tries to off Alanis. And several returning characters from the previous books. It's an enjoyable ride.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.