The fortune teller : a novel

Title:

Author:

Womack, Gwendolyn, 1970- author.

Summary:

"Semele Cavnow appraises antiquities for an exclusive Manhattan auction house, specializing in deciphering ancient texts. And when she discovers a manuscript written in the time of Cleopatra, she knows it will be the find of her career. Its author tells the story of a priceless tarot deck, now lost to history, but as Semele delves further she realizes the manuscript is more than it seems. Both a memoir and a prophecy, it appears to be the work of a powerful seer, describing devastating wars and natural disasters in detail thousands of years before they occurred. The more she reads, the more the manuscript begins to affect Semele's entire life. But what happened to the cards? As the mystery of her connection to it deepens, Semele can't shake the feeling that she's being followed. Only one person can help her make sense of it all: her client, Theo Brossard. Yet Theo is arrogant and elusive, concealing secrets of his own, and there's more to Semele's desire to speak with him than she would like to admit. Can Semele even trust him? The auction date is swiftly approaching, and someone wants to interfere--someone who knows the cards exist, and that the Brossard manuscript is tied to her. Semele realizes it's up to her to stop them: the manuscript holds the key to a two-thousand-year-old secret, a secret someone will do anything to possess"-- Provided by publisher.

General Note:

Subtitle taken from cover.

Edition:

First edition.

Physical Description:

357 pages : map ; 21 cm

Genre:

Thrillers (Fiction)

Paranormal fiction.

Subject Term:

Auction houses -- Fiction.

Antiquities -- Fiction.

Tarot cards -- Fiction.

Prophets -- Fiction.

Publisher:

Picador,

Publication Date:

2017

ISBN:

9781250099778

Publication Information:

New York : Picador, 2017.

Call Number:

WOMACK

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003273649	Adult Fiction	WOMACK	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

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Summary

NOW A USA TODAY AND LOS ANGELES TIMES BESTSELLER

From the award-winning author of The Memory Painter comes a sweeping and suspenseful tale of romance, fate, and fortune.

Semele Cavnow appraises antiquities for an exclusive Manhattan auction house, deciphering ancient texts--and when she discovers a manuscript written in the time of Cleopatra, she knows it will be the find of her career. Its author tells the story of a priceless tarot deck, now lost to history, but as Semele delves further, she realizes the manuscript is more than it seems. Both a memoir and a prophecy, it appears to be the work of a powerful seer, describing devastating wars and natural disasters in detail thousands of years before they occurred.

The more she reads, the more the manuscript begins to affect Semele's life. But what happened to the tarot deck? As the mystery of her connection to its story deepens, Semele can't shake the feeling that she's being followed. Only one person can help her make sense of it all: her client, Theo Bossard. Yet Theo is arrogant and elusive, concealing secrets of his own, and there's more to Semele's desire to speak with him than she would like to admit. Can Semele even trust him?

The auction date is swiftly approaching, and someone wants to interfere--someone who knows the cards exist, and that the Bossard manuscript is tied to her. Semele realizes it's up to her to stop them: the manuscript holds the key to a two-thousand-year-old secret, a secret someone will do anything to possess.

Author Notes

Originally from Houston, Texas, Gwendolyn Womack studied theater at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. She holds an MFA in Directing Theatre, Video, and Cinema from California Institute of the Arts. Her first novel, The Memory Painter, was an RWA PRISM award winner in the Time Travel/Steampunk category and a finalist for Best First Novel. She now resides in Los Angeles with her husband and her son.

Reviews (2)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Semele Cavnow, an expert in historical manuscripts, thinks the only complication of her job in Switzerland is the inappropriate sexual chemistry between her and Theo Bossard, her client. Grieving her father's sudden death and hurt by a fight with her mother, Semele retreats into her work. When she discovers a prophetic manuscript on her last day of the job, she embarks on a quest that stretches back through her personal history and all the way to the ancient world. The prophecy, written by a seer with ties to the library of Alexandria, contains vignettes from throughout history. These are much more interesting than Semele's story, which is both predictable and slightly melodramatic. With considerable attention to historical detail, Womack gives the readers windows into life in ancient Gundeshapur, Renaissance-era Milan and Paris, and revolutionary Russia. The destination isn't very satisfying, but the journey is delightful. Agent: Brianne Johnson, Writers House. (June) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Library Journal Review

Semele Cavnow works as an appraiser of ancient manuscripts, and she's given the assignment of a lifetime. A renowned collector has died, and Semele is sent to his castle in Switzerland to sort out his perfectly maintained treasures. The man's son, the handsome and mysterious Theo, wants no part of the collection and makes plans for it to be auctioned in Manhattan. As Semele does her work, she comes across a hidden cache containing an ancient manuscript. The document seems to foretell the future, and it also describes a long-lost deck of tarot cards. Semele realizes that this manuscript holds some sort of powerful magic that will change her life in ways she cannot yet imagine. Many elements are at play here: mystery, antiquity, history, prophecy, crime, and the occult. Add in wealth and beauty, and romance is bound to happen. Semele and Theo develop a long-smoldering attraction to each other. VERDICT Traveling around the world and across many lifetimes, this ambitious historical romance makes it clear that Womack has done some extensive research. Fans of Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" series may become swept up in this labyrinthine tale. [See Prepub Alert, 1/8/17.]-Susanne Wells, Indianapolis P.L. © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.