Was it fate? Ann Stillwell couldn't wait to leave her hometown in Washington State.  When the Met offered her a summer position, she couldn't wait to live in New York City.  Once there, she was told the position was no longer available.  Unexpectedly, the curator from the Cloisters offers her a position.  From that moment on, Ann Stillwell enters a new world.

The story deals with the art world and academia with an emphasis on the history of tarot.  The subject matter is fascinating.  In this character-driven novel, the characters are intriguing.  All are deeply flawed, so much so that readers are captivated.  At first, it seems that Ann is a fish out of water in the NYC art world and to some extent this is true.  However, she is a fast learner and as the story progresses she reveals her true self.  She becomes caught up in the web Rachel Monday, the assistant curator, weaves.  Carefully depicted, Rachel might be considered the most terrifying character.  But is she, really?  Leo Bitburg, the Cloister's gardener, is a rough-around-the-edges man with an interesting take on the world.  When the curator is murdered, there is no shortage of suspects.  Why and who had the most to gain?

I found THE CLOISTERS by Katy Hays to be an interesting and engrossing story. The plotline is so well written that I was placed into a world and a place I knew little about. As for the conclusion, be prepared to be surprised. Highly recommended.

Book Summary