The Recluse

INSTANT BESTSELLER NEW YORK TIMES
A DARK AND CAPTIVATING STORY OF OBSESSION WITH TAROT CARDS, INFUSED WITH OCCULTISM AND RENAISSANCE MAGIC
CRITICS AND READERS COMPARE THE NOVEL TO DONNA TARTT'S «THE SECRET HISTORY»


They say you cannot change fate. But what if that is not true?

Aspiring art historian Ann Stilwell arrives in New York, hoping to spend the summer interning at the famous Metropolitan Museum of Art. But instead, she is sent to one of its branches, The Cloisters – a gothic museum-castle known for its collections of medieval and Renaissance art.
Thus, Ann finds herself among a small circle of mysterious reclusive researchers studying the art of divination with Tarot cards. Initially, she is skeptical of them, until she discovers a mysterious deck of Italian Tarot cards from the 15th century, which is said to contain the key to predicting fate. A race ensues among colleagues to be the first to unlock the mystery, and then a corpse is found in the museum.
Standing on the brink of a major scientific discovery, under the influence of the ancient deck's magic, Ann must decide whether she is truly capable of challenging the cards and creating her own future…

A cunning antique dealer, a museum gardener moonlighting in selling poisonous plants, a suspicious death, a mysterious medieval document, and the feeling that no one, not even Ann, is telling us the whole truth – all of this adds atmosphere and plot twists... Is it an occult mystery or a thriller about a psychopathic killer? The answer shocks and surprises. – The New York Times

A mesmerizing, atmospheric, and gripping story. – Kate Moss

A tale of academic obsession, Renaissance magic, and ruthless quests for power. A charming thriller in every sense of the word. – Sarah Pierce

A dark and unsettling tale... Readers will be enchanted by the atmosphere as well as the behind-the-scenes glimpses into museum curation and the ruthless games of academia. A successful debut. – Publishers Weekly

A captivating novel… A seductive layout of lies, envy, and the allure of the occult. This story does with Tarot what «The Secret History» did with Greek class. A sharp, dark book held me captive from start to finish. – Sarah Slighar

Your search for a book with a plot that will consume you, providing you with the coolness of medieval stone and cold intrigue, is over. Hayes has written just such a novel. It's a substantial story tied to science and art, although on every page you expect a twist (or a dead body). – Polina Pars, book blogger.