Thank you Libro.fm / Macmillan Audio, for the ALC and St. Martin’s Press, #partner for the advanced copy of The Fortune Seller in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press / Macmillan Audio
Published: February 13, 2024
Summary:
Middle-class Rosie Macalister has worked for years to fit in with her wealthy friends on the Yale equestrian team, but when she comes back from her junior year abroad with newfound confidence, she finds the group has been infiltrated by the mysterious Annelise Tattinger.
A talented tarot reader and a brilliant rider, the Annelise is unlike anyone Rosie has ever met–but when one of their friends notices money disappearing from her bank account, Annelise’s place in the circle is thrown into question. As the women turn against each other, the group’s unspoken tensions and assumptions lead to devastating consequences.
It’s only after graduation, when Rosie begins a job at a Manhattan hedge fund, that she begins to uncover Annelise’s true identity–and how her place in their elite Yale set was no accident. Is it too late for Rosie to make right what went wrong, or does everyone’s luck run out at some point? Set in the heady days of the early aughts, The Fortune Seller is a haunting examination of class, ambition, and the desires that shape our lives.
My thoughts:
This is the second book I’ve read by this author and I definitely enjoy her writing style. I somehow missed the book she wrote in-between this one and her debut, The Ingenue, but I plan to get to that one soon.
I loved the dark academia vibes this one had. That has definitely become a favorite trope of mine lately and it is done quite well here, coupled with the tarot card, which admittedly can be a bit hit or miss for me – though it was a hit here. Having each chapter open with a snippet from a different card led to foreshadowing of what was to come, often giving an ominous tone and I could not get enough of this.
I love how this book examines class and ambition all seen through the lens of the Yale equestrian team. While I was never competitive athlete myself, I find it extremely interesting to read about them and the challenges they face. The author here does such a great job showcasing not only what these athletes experience on the equestrian team, but we also get characters that have such varied backgrounds which really made for such a fun reading experience.
This is a slow-burn mystery that kept me completely engaged as we learn the secrets that everyone is hiding. I really enjoyed it. It’s full of tension and suspense and the character study is top-notch. If you haven’t picked this one up yet, I highly recommend doing so.
Audio thoughts:
This was great on audio, narrated by a new-to-me narrator, Stephanie Cannon. I thought she did a great job bringing the story to life.
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