Book 52: Eight of Swords (Tarot Card Mysteries) by David Skibbins.
Book 52: Eight of Swords (Tarot Card Mysteries).
Author: David Skibbins, 2005.
Genre: Mystery. Tarot.
Other Details: 274 pages.
I've been interested in the Tarot for many years and have a collection of cards and books on the subject. So when I heard of this series of mystery novels based on the Tarot, I was intrigued. Its unlikely investigator is Warren Ritter, a weekend reader of tarot cards on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley. He doesn't actually believe in any occult properties of the cards considering what he does as 90% observation and 10% inspiration. Despite this scepticism he admits "sometimes the cards reach up and grab me by the throat. The cards in front of me were screaming that my client was heading straight for Armageddon." The client in question is teenager Heather Wellington, who sits down for a reading just for fun. Ritter feels increasingly disturbed by her cards, especially the Eight of Swords (as shown on the book cover) that comes up as the card for her immediate future. At the end of the reading he gives her that card, pasting a label on the reverse with his contact details.
As she walks away he doubts he'll ever hear from her again. However, later in the day he sees her face on a TV news report with the word 'Kidnapped!' across the screen. Aware that he is likely the last person to see Heather, he contacts the police. Despite this co-operation he soon finds himself a suspect both in the kidnapping and a related murder. He is certain that someone is trying to frame him. Ritter's situation is complicated by the fact that he has a past that he needs to keep hidden. In the late 1960s he was a leader in the Weather Underground and after faking his death has spent the last 30 years avoiding the Feds and his former radical associates. While he could just change identities he rather likes the life he has established in Berkeley. So utilising his considerable hidden resources he undertakes his own investigation into the crimes hiring brilliant hacker Sally McLaughlin to assist him.
While this is a conventional mystery with Ritter and his associates following clues to solve the case alongside the police investigation; Ritter is a very unconventional protagonist. Aside from his radical past, Ritter is bi-polar. The story is told from the first person with Ritter being very candid about his condition and especially the seduction of its manic phase. Skibbins handles the mental illness of his lead character as well as Sally's paraplegia with insight and sensitivity. Ritter is a character that is easy to warm to; he's an ageing hippie but not one out of touch with the contemporary world. He has a dry humour and while he seeks to avoid relationships because of his past, he also is willing to challenge his behaviour. Information about the Tarot is also integrated smoothly into the plot. In terms of its setting, while I've never visited Berkeley a number of folk have commented on the accuracy of Skibbins portrayal. Overall I found this a well-written mystery with interesting main and supporting characters and already have obtained the first sequel: The High Priestess.
Read Chapter One on David Skibbins' web site.