The Fortune Teller

April 3, 2017
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.

April 1, 2017
An ancient manuscript seems to predict the future--including the dangerous journey set in motion by the woman who discovers it.Semele Cavnow works for a prestigious New York auction house. When she's called to Switzerland after the death of a famous manuscript collector, she makes an amazing discovery in his library: a manuscript dating back to the time of Cleopatra, written by the daughter of a librarian at the great Library of Alexandria. Even more amazing--the script's writer is an oracle, able to trace her progeny's stories forward in time from ancient Egypt through World War II. As the oracle traces her line, and reveals the history of an ancient set of symbols that eventually come to comprise the modern tarot deck, Semele's professional interest is piqued. When the manuscript suddenly addresses Semele by name, she becomes obsessed with discovering the connections between the manuscript's fortunetellers and her own life. As Semele learns more about the tumultuous histories of the oracle's descendants, she also learns that the people she thought she could trust are not what they seem. Womack (The Memory Painter, 2015) alternates back and forth between a whirlwind history that spans thousands of years and the suspense of Semele's search--but without one constant character threading the historical narrative, those sections can leave readers itching to get back to the contemporary mystery, which unfolds at a thriller's pace. However, Semele herself can be a vague protagonist. Her characterization frequently feels haphazard and belated--for the first 150 pages, we know little about her personality other than that she favors vintage clothing that's "elegant yet comfortable"--but the book ultimately pleases based on clever details and a galloping plot. A well-worn template with entertaining embellishments.

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May 1, 2017
Sent to Switzerland to catalog a manuscript collection for her auction-house employer, Semele Cavnow nearly overlooks its greatest treasurea volume written by Ionna, the daughter of a librarian at the Library of Alexandria. Womack (The Memory Painter, 2015) weaves the stories of these two women together as Semele translates the ancient text. Upon Semele's return to Manhattan, her employer inexplicably removes her from the project, but by then she has already become attached and continues to work from her unauthorized digital copy. What began as memoir becomes prophecy, and Semele is amazed to realize that Ionna accurately foresaw events occurring generations after her death. When the original client reaches out, Semele begins to piece together the events that connect past to present. Beginning as a clever mystery based on an ancient manuscript and evolving into a family epic spanning centuries, an international thriller, and destined romance, The Fortune Teller has something for everyone. Offer it to fans of A. S. Byatt's Possession (1990) and Lauren Willig's Pink Carnation series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)

February 1, 2017

Antiquities appraiser Semele Cavnow discovers a manuscript dating from the time of Cleopatra that mentions a fabulous deck of tarot cards and also seems to prophesy the cataclysms of the next two millennia. Following the RWA PRISM-winning The Memory Painter.

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2017

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 Journal, LLC Used with permission.