This was a cute cozy mystery. Katie is a very amateur sleuth/ fortune teller who gets into a lot of messes trying to solve her friend’s murder. I figured out the ending but still had an enjoyable time reading the

Play the Fool is a fun and interesting murder mystery novel about Katie True, a young woman whose workplace friend ends up dead and Katie decides it’s up to her to figure out what happened.. Katie reads tarot cards and in the midst of trying to really get the knowledge on this beat up looking man, she discovers her friend is dead and sets out on a mission to uncover the truth about what happened. She ends up deep diving and getting involved with a crime family and learning her friend may not have been who she thought she was.

I enjoyed the beginning of the book a lot. It was different. You don’t get too many tarot card readers in novels. The little romance plot was also cute and kept me interested. I wish we could have gotten more tarot card readings or something more with that in the book instead of her just “seeing” the cards flash in her mind every time she was in a situation. I also wish we got a little more romance and feelings out there for the romance side of things. But all in all it was a decent book and kept me reading till the end. It just didn’t have me on the edge of my seat and while I didn’t expect the ending, it still kind of fell flat for me.

I want to thank NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the this ARC!

Lina Chern's Play the Fool stands out in the young adult genre with its unique blend of humor, heart, and a profound exploration of identity through the lens of the performing arts. This novel captures the essence of adolescence in a way that feels both refreshing and relatable, making it a must-read for anyone navigating the complexities of growing up.

The story follows a young protagonist who finds solace and self-discovery in the vibrant world of theater. As she grapples with the pressures of fitting in and the desire to pursue her passions, readers embark on a journey that highlights the transformative power of creativity. Chern's portrayal of the performing arts as a sanctuary is particularly compelling, showcasing how art can serve as both an escape and a means of confronting one’s true self.

One of the book's strengths lies in its vibrant character development. The protagonist is multi-dimensional, with relatable insecurities and aspirations that resonate deeply with readers. Chern skillfully crafts a supporting cast that adds richness to the narrative, exploring the dynamics of friendship, loyalty, and the challenges that accompany the pursuit of one’s dreams. The relationships are nuanced, reflecting the highs and lows of teenage life without succumbing to cliché.

Chern’s writing is engaging and accessible, balancing humor with poignancy. The pacing is well-structured, allowing for moments of introspection alongside lively scenes that keep the reader invested. The author’s ability to weave in themes of self-acceptance and the importance of community makes the story not only entertaining but also meaningful.

However, while the novel excels in character development and thematic depth, some readers may find certain plot points predictable. The journey of self-discovery is a familiar trope in young adult literature, and although Chern infuses her voice into the narrative, some moments may feel reminiscent of other stories in the genre.

Play the Fool is a delightful and thought-provoking read that encourages readers to embrace their individuality and pursue their passions. Lina Chern has crafted a story that resonates with the challenges of adolescence while celebrating the power of creativity. This book is perfect for young adults and anyone who appreciates a heartfelt exploration of identity and friendship. If you’re seeking a novel that balances humor with emotional depth, Play the Fool is certainly worth picking up.

Centered around a fairly niche activity such as tarot card reading is definitely an attention grabber. However, this book started out well but ended quite flat. The mystery and tie in to the story was a little confusing, but overall not a bad book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

So this book... I really really liked it in the beginning, but towards the end... I was not.

The beginning with the main character was entertaining, a struggling palm reader that gets a client that may have murdered his girl friend... who she's .... SO EXCITING.. But the twist was soooooooo meh and the main character's whining got so out of hand.

By 50% of the book, I was sort of bored. I just wanted to find out what happened and be done and when I finally did. I was sort of disappointed.

Overall, interesting concept, but the author sort of tripped on the conflict resolution and ending....

Thank you to Lina Chern, Bantam, and NetGalley for an eARC of Play the Fool!

Play the fool is a fun, murder mystery with an interesting cast of characters. The book follows Katie, a tarot card reader, as she tries to solve the murder of her best friend, Marley. Katie gets close to a police officer and soon they are sharing information and getting into all sorts of hijinks.

The characters are flawed but likeable and I definitely found myself rooting even for some of the "bad guys". I had a few laugh out loud moments and also a few moments that nearly brought me to tears. Some of the situations involving family and friendships were incredibly relatable.

This book is fast paced and I got through it in just a couple days. I found that I wanted to keep reading, not just to find out about what happened to Marley, but also to see how Katie would proceed with her investigation and what boundaries she would push.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and would give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Play the Fool by Lina Chern. Pub Date: March 28, 2023. Rating: 3 stars. With a storyline around tarot card reading, this novel takes the main character Katie and turns her world upside down when she thinks her friend Marley is dead following a reading. This novel is a race to figure out how and why this happened. She is an amateur sleuth who makes mistakes along the way, but overall the pace of the story flowed well. I would not call this a cozy mystery, but it does have some elements of cozy in it. All of the characters in the story were fun and fresh which helped with story building. I think this book is perfect if you are looking for a palate cleanser that packs a little bit of punch. Thanks to #netgalley and #randomhousepublishinggroup for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Man I really tore through this one. It's surprising because I thought it started off pretty bumpy. In the first 10%, I was thinking, "Ugh. This seems like it's gonna be a slog to get through." Well I'm happy to report that I was absolutely wrong!

I'm not sure what it was, but the mystery totally hooked me. I only started suspecting what happened about 75% in and I actually liked suspecting it, because it pushed me to get the reveal quicker to see if I was right.

I also love to see some neurodiversity rep in the books I read so I loved that I had no clue going in that she would have an autistic brother. Not only that, but a fully capable autistic brother who is accepted just as he is. She doesn't ever make up excuses for him or acts embarrassed of him. (I also think she was coded as ADHD without overly implying it.) Their relationship was lovely and it was really sweet that he kind of saw her place as a safe haven where he could just be himself.

As for the mystery - it definitely had several red herrings that got me. But I enjoyed that they tricked me! Showed me that this book had something else up its sleeve that I wasn't seeing yet. It was a good time, a fun ride, and I think it's a really positive start for a debut author.

This was just okay for me. I liked the premise and uniqueness of the tarot aspects of it and thought the quirkiness was interesting. In the end the plot felt divided as if the focus was split which made for a fragmented story that didn't feel as deep as it could have. It started out better than it ended but I didn't dislike it all.

Lina Chern blends the intriguing world of tarot cards with a murder mystery, crafting a charming yet occasionally uneven narrative. As someone intrigued by tarot cards and their mysticism, diving into Katie True’s journey was a welcome escape. While I’m not adept at reading them myself, following Katie’s adventure proved to be enjoyable.

Katie True, a middle child grappling with her place among her ambitious family’s expectations, is stuck in a dead-end mall job. Her dream of owning a tarot card business seems far-fetched until a sudden turn of events thrusts her into a murder mystery involving her best friend Marley. The story unfolds with Katie reluctantly teaming up with a sympathetic cop to uncover the truth behind Marley’s untimely demise.

Chern’s writing style is engaging, infused with humor that makes it easy to root for Katie, despite occasional concerns about her life choices. The integration of tarot card imagery throughout the narrative adds a whimsical and mystical layer to the otherwise straightforward mystery. Katie’s unique ability to envision tarot cards that reflect people and situations she encounters adds a captivating twist to her amateur detective work.

However, "Play the Fool" does have its shortcomings. The storyline occasionally stretches into implausible territory, demanding a significant suspension of disbelief. The blending of genres—mystery and a hint of romance—sometimes feels disjointed, leaving some plot aspects underdeveloped or unresolved. Katie’s close involvement in the investigation, alongside a police officer, can strain credibility at times, considering their initial interactions. Yet, Katie’s flawed yet relatable personality and determination will resonate with readers who appreciate imperfect protagonists.

While I had a hunch about the ending early on, the journey to reach it was still engaging, thanks to Katie’s quirks and mishaps. Chern successfully balances light-hearted moments with the darker undertones of a murder investigation, making "Play the Fool" a quick and entertaining read.

If you enjoy mysteries that blend a touch of magic with humor, or if you appreciate protagonists navigating their own unique struggles, then "Play the Fool" is a book worth picking up.

Play the Fool felt like gritty thriller with a cozy, small town mystery hidden underneath, much as our gothy protagonist's prickly exterior envelops as sweet empathetic girl who's had one too many hard knocks. While the plot and happenings sometimes felt a little too predictable yet far-fetched, I nevertheless enjoyed following Katie's quest for the truth.

I first picked up the book for its tarot motif, and I was quite fond of the way the cards were used in this book. Much like how I do, I liked how Katie does not necessarily believe in the magic of tarot but more the guiding of thought that the cards allow. I thought this was a fun and was used to good effect throughout the book. Regarding Katie herself and the other characters, I felt they were a bit flat alone, but I did enjoy the way they interacted and bounced off one another. Some of my favorite scenes were some of the quieter ones where characters have heart-to-heart confessions/discussions rather than the larger action pieces.

I would be happy to pick up another work by this author to see what she has in store (especially if it means more fun tarot appearances). Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this ARC

I struggle with this book attempting it several times I just could not get into it or make myself care about the fates of the characters. This one was a pass for me

Man, this book was so unexpectedly funny! I don’t read many mystery books in this vein, but I’m glad I nabbed this one. The characters are so perfectly imperfect and fit their roles so well. There were twists I didn’t see coming at all. I’d love to see more from Katie and Jamie.

Loved everything about this book—from the dry/dark humor, the tarot elements woven in, the characters, and the clever plot.

First off the cover and tarot cards are what pulled me in to ask to review this book. The plot itself was interesting but I felt could've used an overall darker feel. I enjoyed the characters and the atmosphere of the book. The use of the senses and the addition of the tarot readings were a choice that brought a different aspect to this mystery. While some moments felt predictable I did guess at the twists a little bit. I did overall enjoy this book and gave it 4 stars.

I was intrigued by the book’s description and was therefore excited to try “Play the Fool”. I appreciated the humor and vantage point of the protagonist in this book, but the story was a bit confusing. Several outside characters were introduced that added to this level of confusion. I really wanted to like this one, but the mystery element of it really didn’t develop in the way that I hoped. 3 stars ⭐️. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the copy for review.

Play the Fool, by Lina Chern is a murder mystery with more than one delicious twist. Katie True, whose ability to read tarot cards verges on (and plunges headlong into) the supernatural, is the classic underachiever in an upwardly mobile, hyperconventional middle-class family. Her world of one dead-end job after another takes a surprising turn with a new friendship. Marley is free-wheeling, mysterious, and absolutely comfortable in her own skin. Their burgeoning relationship gives Katie hope that she, too, can one day live an authentic, irreverent, and joyous life.

Then a hapless young man stumbles into the shop where Katie works, claiming to be the boyfriend Marley intends to break up with. Katie takes pity on his evident distress and agrees to do a tarot reading for him. She discovers a photo on his phone. It’s of Marley, murdered by a gunshot wound to her head.

Shocked and grief-stricken, Katie determines to find Marley’s killer. Even if it means taking reckless chances and ignoring the advice of the gorgeous, emotionally bottled-up cop to stay out of it.

Throughout the thriller whodunit that follows, Katie’s first-person voice shines through. In her quest to discover Marley’s killer, she must come to terms with her own lack of purpose, fend off her well-meaning but domineering family, and stay alive through one dark, dangerous plot twist after another.

Katie’s luminous voice elevates a well-written mystery to something more. I didn’t care whether or not she possesses supernatural clairvoyance or an exceptional ability to read people. What matters is her brilliant insight coupled with all-too-human vulnerability. The fact that she is both kind and hilariously funny adds to the delicious tone.

And I did not see the ending coming at all.

This book was so unique. The tarot cards were a fun addition to the mystery. She teams up with the cop to solve the murder, and even though it’s a friend she hasn’t known very long, it was clear she valued the friendship. I was super intrigued in the beginning, but it started to feel repetitive so I got lost. Especially with Jamie’s on and off again friendship. Plus, what is this girl doing investigating a murder on her own? Because she thinks she’s good at reading people? Meh. The ending wasn’t worth the ride.

I, like many others, was initially drawn in by the really cool cover. I love the neon lights and the physic parlor feel. And how often do you read a book where tarot readings are a central part?

Play the Fool was a completely entertaining read. I do recommend managing expectations as the whodunit is more quirky cozy mystery than a thriller mystery. I really liked Katie as a character and of course the tarot reading elements that lead to a whole lot of shenanigans. Katie's relationship with her brother and the author's humor were also highlights for me. It reminded me a bit of when I picked up the first Stephanie Plumb book. Just the pure joy of escaping into a story.

Overall this is a solid debut and fun read that I devoured in a day. Dare I say, it would also make a very entertaining series?

100% will check out more from Lina Chern!

🔮 PLAY THE FOOL by Lina Chern 🔮

★★★☆☆

📖 About: A clever whodunit where Katie True, a cynical tarot card reader, takes center stage. Back in the suburbs after a failed attempt at adulting, Katie's life takes a dark turn when her mysterious and worldly friend Marley is found dead. A photo with a gunshot wound becomes a chilling puzzle, and Katie, armed with her tarot cards and razor-sharp instincts, sets out to unravel the truth behind Marley's death.

🍹 Drink Pairing: A shimmery mystical marg of course. Who needs to see the future when you could just enjoy the moment with a delish spooky drink instead?

🌟 Review: This story sounded right up my alley so I was so excited to receive a copy! A girl working at a strange Russian tchotchke shop, who then accidentally falls into solving a murder mystery with a strange cast of characters, settings, and with some spookiness weaved in — sounds like my kind of story. The first third of the book was SO good - it had me extremely entertained and I couldn’t wait to see what happened. Things get pretty wacky and unpredictable after that so I don’t want to give away too much, but if you love strange mysteries then definitely give this one a try!

Thank you to Ballantine and Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review!