Member Review

‘Something Powerful Is Coming.’ - cover tag line.

My thanks to Bedford Square Publishers for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Knowing’ by Emma Hinds.

1866, Five Points, New York City. Florence lives with tattoo artist, Jordan, who is associated with the infamous Dead Rabbits gang. Flora reads the Tarot for customers and is the only lady tattooist in the city. One day circus performer, Minnie, comes to the shop and requests that Flora ink her.

Minnie offers Flora refuge from the abusive Jordan in an opulent townhouse that is home to the menacing Chester Merton. Flora earns her keep reading tarot cards for his guests and struggles to harness her gift, the Knowing - an ability to summon the dead. Soon, she, Minnie, and Chester end up in a dark love triangle…

In addition, at her first public séance in the notorious Hotel du Woods, Flora is possessed by the spirit of a murdered boy prostitute setting off a deadly train of events.

I found ‘The Knowing’ an atmospheric historical thriller. I appreciated the inclusion of the Tarot and the way that the author approached Flora’s gifts with respect to her communicating with the dead. The story took some fascinating turns.

While I know very little about 19th Century New York City, I felt that Emma Hinds established a strong sense of the period setting both there and later when they relocate to Manchester, England. The relationship between Flora and Minnie was quite moving.

On a side note the cover art was stunning.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.