Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood books for a chance to read this book . I loved that it was told in a duel timeline and I found this very informative . This is a good historical mystery and I really got to love the main character Portia and her daughter . This is the first book I’ve read of Claire’s and it won’t be the last .

Daughter of the Tarot by Clare Marchant caught my eye because I love historical fiction, especially if there is a magical element and though there is less "magic" in the story than I expected it is still a charming tale. The dual timeline narrative takes us from seventeenth century Italy to modern day London and shows how two different families are linked by a single set of tarot cards.
Beatrice has moved to London still grieving the mother she lost several years before. Her biggest connection to her mother is tarot, reading the cards is a skill they both shared, and so she decides to open a tarot shop, selling cards and doing readings, While unpacking she finds a tarot deck that has been handed down for generations, beautifully hand painted and priceless not just because of their age but even more so because of their links to her mother and the generations of women who had gone before. Unfortunately the deck is not complete, the Devil card is missing. Determined to track down the missing card Bea embarks on a quest that will take her back to Italy and uncover a story of love, strength and compassion.
Centuries before her ancestor Portia fled from Italy to London, bringing little more than the clothes on her back, her deck of cards and her newborn daughter. Fleeing both the plague that was decimating Italy and the cruelty of the man who fathered her child she sets herself up in a new home and establishes a reputation not just for her tarot readings but also for helping other women in desperate circumstances to escape. For years Portia and her daughter live in relative peace until one day a chance encounter on the streets of the city brings the past back into their lives and threatens the peace and comfort they have found in their new home.
I really enjoyed the use of dual timelines in this story and I think the author did a very good job of bringing the two stories and the two timelines together. The writing style is very descriptive, almost too much so at first, in the early chapters of the book I felt like the author did a little too much telling rather than showing and I was worried that I would find the writing too stilted but that did ease as the story progressed and was far less noticeable as the book went on and the author found their flow. Both characters were well crafted and I enjoyed both timelines, though I think I preferred the historical setting a little more, and I appreciated seeing that the trait of wanting to help others through the cards passed down the generations and the parallels between the two women despite the centuries that separated them.
This book is a great blend of historical fiction, mystery and just a touch of romance and I can imagine that many other readers will enjoy it as much as I did.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

2025 sees Beatrice still grieving the loss of her mother, the selling of the family home and her father’s new life with another woman beginning. She makes the decision to move to London, leaving all she loved about life in Nottingham behind her.
She has found the perfect place to set a small shop selling Tarot Cards, reading Tarot cards and making a new life for herself. Her mother was a Tarot reader, as was her grandmother and great grandmother, Bea being taught at a young age by her mother to learn the cards, the secrets held within and how to interpret their messages.
Bea is left a very old set of cards with one missing, the Devil Card and one with what appears to be dried blood stains. She decides that she should try to find out more about this set of cards that date back to the 16th century which sets off a series of events that help her understand better the real meaning in the Tarot’s messages for her.
Portia is a woman on the run; it is Milan in 1629, the Plague is everywhere, people are dying and not being buried, and she has a newborn babe to care for. The father is a Nobleman, dangerous and ruthless, a man running from the City leaving the women and new born child behind.
Leaving Milan undiscovered, eventually finding safety in England, she raises her daughter, conducting Tarot readings for those who come asking, leading a dangerous double life helping women escape brutal and violent marriages.
Both these stories come together in a captivating tale of love, life, fate and understanding in Daughter of the Tarot as Bea learns that life is not always about certainties, that when one journey ends another new one is just beginning.
Claire Marchant was inspired to write a slightly different historic fiction as her sixth novel based on her love of Tarot cards. Portia evolved as a mysterious Italian woman living in London, a woman of secrets and knowledge, Her modern-day Portia had to be another strong woman, but one who needed to learn from the past.
Together these women make a page turner of a book which is very difficult to put down.

A single deck of cards changed the fate of generations of women. The tarot cards, created in 16th-century Italy, will connect two women separated by centuries. One was a woman in 17th-century London, originally from Milan, who used the cards to rescue women from abusive relationships. The other is a woman from modern-day London starting her life anew when she comes across an old tarot card deck with a missing card. What began as a hunt for a missing card will connect the two women and change lives forever. The cards hold secrets to the past, but will they bring hope or disaster? This is the premise for Clare Marchant’s latest dual-timeline novel, “Daughter of the Tarot.”

I would like to thank Boldwood Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I recently read her novel, “The Shadow on the Bridge,” which I enjoyed, so when I saw this novel, it had such an intriguing description that I wanted to read it. I am not familiar with the history of tarot cards, and I have not read many novels set in the 17th century, so I was excited for a new adventure.

As this is a dual-timeline novel, there are two protagonists from two different periods: Portia from 17th-century England and Beatrice from 21st-century England. We begin in Milan in 1629, which has just been hit by the plague, where we are introduced to Portia and her baby daughter, Vittoria, who are struggling to survive. The next time we see Portia and Vittoria, iits 1644 and they are living in London. Vittoria is 15 years old, and Portia is using her talent with tarot cards to help those in need. What Vittoria does not know is that Portia uses her readings to help women escape abusive relationships by using the Devil’s Card as a message for the boatsman Jack, who is in love with Portia. Secrets and truths slowly begin to reveal themselves as someone from Portia’s past has come to London and may destroy her relationship with Vittoria.

In the modern storyline, we meet Beatrice, or Bea, who is starting a new life in London and is opening her own antiques shop. Bea has been avoiding her father and his new love interest since her mother died. She has the gift of reading tarot cards, and one day, she comes across an old deck of cards. The only problem is that it is missing a key card, the Devil’s Card. Bea and her landlord, Jack, search high and low for the missing card and find exactly what they are searching for, and some surprises.

It took me a while to get into this book as it was a slower pace than the previous novel that I read by Marchant. While I enjoyed the modern storyline, the 17th-century portion felt a bit slower, and it didn’t feel like the 17th century to me, but more like the 16th century. Overall, I think it was a decent novel with an interesting pair of protagonists. If you want a story about the 17th century with a unique premise, I recommend you read “Daughter of the Tarot” by Clare Marchant.

This author has quickly become a favorite!
This was another good dual timeline story, with both strong female characters. I thought the tarot card readings were interesting. I can’t say I knew too much about them before this book. This book had a bit of a mystery to solve and new romance. I enjoyed it!

"Daughter of the Tarot” by Clare Marchant is a fantastic 5-star historical fiction read! The year is 1644, and Portia and her daughter are living in London after narrowly escaping from Italy. Portia supports her family by performing tarot readings and helping women in other ways. Meanwhile, in the present day, Beatrice has also moved to London, where she opens a tarot shop and begins offering readings. She discovers an extremely old set of tarot cards and becomes determined to uncover their history. But the more she searches, the more questions she finds instead of answers.

As a huge fan of Clare Marchant, this story did not disappoint! I enjoyed learning about tarot cards and the many ways they can be interpreted based on a person’s unique situation. The dual timeline kept the story moving at a fantastic pace. While primarily historical fiction, there is also an intriguing mystery surrounding the tarot cards, along with romance in both the past and present. The two timelines weave together beautifully to bring everything to a wonderful conclusion. I cannot wait to see what Clare Marchant writes next!

Thanks to Boldwood Books, Clare Marchant, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.75 stars)
Historical fiction? Yes please. Add tarot to the mix and I'm already turning pages before I've even had a coffee. Clare Marchant's The Daughter of the Tarot hooked me right away and held on tight.

Told in a dual timeline, the story weaves together the lives of two women, Portia in 1644 and Beatrice in 2025, both connected by a mysterious tarot deck and a missing Devil card. Marchant does a great job balancing both timelines, with each one feeding into the other in a way that kept me invested throughout.

Portia's story, set in 17th-century London, was the standout for me. Her strength, her quiet defiance, and the way she helped women escape abusive homes by slipping them a hand-painted Devil card were powerful and moving. She was layered, resilient, and her part of the story felt grounded and well-paced. I appreciated how Marchant handled her character and the very real danger she lived in.

Beatrice's modern-day storyline also pulled me in, especially the mystery surrounding the tarot deck she inherits after her mother's death. There's a subtle, slow-burning romance that adds just the right touch without overpowering the main plot. I enjoyed watching her piece together the history behind the cards, particularly as it connected to the dark secrets of Portia's time.

What worked for me was the theme of women helping women, even across centuries. If you enjoy stories about strong, resilient women, family secrets, and just the right amount of mysticism woven into your historical fiction, this one's worth picking up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I’m so sad to see this book come to an end because I absolutely love a good mystery, especially one that explores love between two women who find their way back to each other after time apart.

This is my first read by this author, so I didn't know what to expect, but it’s safe to say that Clare Marchant has gained a new fan in me. The writing was beautiful and easy to follow, and I really enjoyed the characters—I was rooting for them throughout the story.

My only critique is that the ending felt a bit rushed. However, overall, it was an amazing read. You’ll love this book if you appreciate history mixed with a healthy dose of mystery and a touch of romance.

I just loved this dual timeline novel! Talk about girl power! Portia has escaped an abusive relationship in Milan and fled to London. Her tarot cards guide her life and help her with difficult decisions. When women come to her door seeking help from the cards, Portia sees that there are others like her who need help to escape abusive husbands, fathers and more and feels compelled to help them. With the help of a boatman who supports her cause, Portia helps these women to escape to safer lives.

In present day London, Beatrice is a practitioner of tarot. She too is escaping, not her past, but the loss of her mother and her father's plan to remarry, which she considers a betrayal. She opens a small tarot shop, where she gives readings and sells unique tarot cards. Among her mother's things Beatrice finds a very old tarot deck. One of the cards is missing, and the deck feels bereft without this card. Very much a believer in tarot, and that the cards choose the person, Beatrice feels a compulsion to find the missing card and reunite it with the pack.

I know nothing of tarot, but Daughter of the Tarot brings the world of tarot alive. Beatrice's search for the card captivated me, with its twists and turns. Portia's story is heart wrenching but uplifting at the same time. Daughter of the Tarot is some of the best historical fiction I've read!

This dual timeline book was incredibly well researched, and I was quickly absorbed in the historical story. There were some great details about how women in the 1600s were treated in marriage, and the twists kept coming. I liked the characters in the historic parts, and enjoyed the way the plot moved through the book at a nice pace, revealing more and more about Portia and her tarot cards, and how she helped other women.
The modern storyline had me less gripped. For me, each story in a dual timeline should be able to stand alone, but this part of the story was a simple romance with a bit of a search for a tarot card. The stories do come together, albeit conveniently and briskly, and at times I felt that our modern character Bea was a bit unlikeable and pouty. She seemed to create problems in her family where there were none.
I did like the moments where she did her tarot readings, and I wish that this had been the focus and the romance had just been cut. I think it would have worked better for me if she was learning to stand on her feet, and she doesn’t need a man for that. The historical story builds such a beautiful community of women and family that it would have been nice to reflect that in Bea’s story too. Maybe she could have been escaping a relationship that put her in danger. Or helping other women do the same. And I felt that the locations could have been twinned in the two parts of the story.
That said, I would certainly seek out more work by this author because the research was excellent and the historical story was enough on its own for me to give it 4 stars.

Another fabulous read by clare Marchant ! Becoming addicted to her writing style. She has such a great way of story telling with adding realistic day to day life's problems. She creatures such strong leading female characters that you just want there story to end well for them.
Even the smaller characters in the book are just as important as the leading.
This novel is my first book with tarot cards involved and i really enjoyed that element, making it completely different to my usual historical novels or witches and fantasy.
If you loved clare marchant's the house of the witch ! You will love this one equally.

Cool cover, exciting blurb – and since I'd already enthusiastically read a "time-slip novel" by Ms. Marchant, I jumped at this one :-). I like this kind of plot, when stories unfold on two temporal levels that are then gradually brought together.
Here, we have one level in the here and now, and one that takes place a few centuries earlier in roughly the same setting, each featuring a strong female character. So, the two protagonists are connected across the centuries. Okay, the author didn't reinvent the wheel with this structure of her novel – but it didn't need to; the story was definitely new in itself and captivated me!

We're (mostly) in London, and Beatrice plays the main role in the present day. She's recently moved to Hampstead and opened a shop for tarot cards and readings. While unpacking her moving boxes, she finds a long-forgotten deck of cards that has been passed down through the generations in her family. Historical, old, and therefore valuable—but not really useful, because one card is missing. The Devil. Beatrice decides to search for this card....
The second time frame takes place in 1644. 15 years ago, the Italian woman Portia fled from Milan to London with her daughter Vittoria and friend Maria under dramatic circumstances, and earns her living by reading tarot cards. But not only that—she also helps other women in need to escape domestic violence, and a special tarot card serves as a distinguishing symbol here...that of the Devil.

This much can be revealed about the plot: it quickly becomes clear that the tarot cards are the link between the narrative threads—and following the journey of the two women becomes fascinating and exciting. The Devil card, as we readers have now learned, represents the big question: what is real and what is illusion in life? A question that Portia and Beatrice have to ask themselves again and again....

My reading impression: Very, very exciting. I found the historical part particularly interesting. A household of only women that manages to survive in these times is fascinating in itself, and Portia has done some really cool things. Overall, the novel was – as expected from the author :-) – very fluid and grippingly written, and the story grabbed my attention. We also had a love story in both narrative strands, each without any unnecessary drama, which I really liked; it was beautiful, romantic, and fitting – and, as I said, the romance fit well with the rest of the story. The story was about the cards and the connection between the two women, and about the things that women can achieve, about personal freedom, and the love stories were nice "surroundings," but the novel would have worked wonderfully without them.

Yes, overall, a really good story, a great novel that kept me wonderfully entertained. I'm looking forward to Ms. Marchant's next books!

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy!

Daughter Of the Tarot is an enchanting dual time-line novel. In 1629, Portia has fled Italy, the Plague, and the violence of a man called Lorenzo. She brought with her something that he will hunt her down for; her infant daughter. Now living in London in 1644, Portia makes her living by reading the Tarot for those who seek the truths in their lives..but what is truth and what is illusion? That is the question represented by the Devil card. This card is also the card Portia gives to those women who come seeking more than a reading; this is the card for those seeking flight from their own violent relationships.
In 2025, Beatrice has moved to London. Two years after the death of her mother, her father has announced his engagement to his new girlfriend and sold Beatrice's childhood home. Beatrice hopes to start a new life in a flat above her new business: a shop where she will give Tarot readings and sell decks of Tarot cards. She has inherited her card reading talent from her mother, as well as a fascinating antique Tarot deck from Italy. Unfortunately, the deck is missing one card: the Devil.
The author weaves the alternating storylines into a colorful thread that twists and turns, keeping the reader guessing and flipping pages (perhaps more breathlessly as Beatrice befriends Jack, the intriguing bookseller across the street..)
I thought Daughter of the Tarot was a very entertaining read that hits on so many points of interest; historical, mysterious, romantic you name it, all tied up with the timeless mystique of the Tarot. I was excited to have the opportunity to read and review this ARC. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher. All opinions are honest and my own.

This story was of two different women in different times. The tarot cards are the link between the two. The first woman has many secrets that protect other women. Will she find happiness? Or will her secrets bring about her demise? Will the second woman find happiness and the answers she seeks?

I enjoyed this story. It kept me guessing. I hope you will read.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this dual timeline book.

It’s 1644, we meet Portia, who is living with Vittoria, her daughter and Maria, who she’s known a long time, also her friend.

When the plague was taking over the city, they left, but Aldi because of the father of Vittoria’ who wasn’t a nice man. Portia reads tarot cards to earn a living, helping women leave their homes when they’re in a dangerous situation.

Now in 2025 Bea, who is related to Portia has recently moved to London and is opening a shop so that she can fulfil her mother’s dream, she will be doing tarot card readings. Bea lost her mother and isn’t happy that her father is soon getting married again as well as her own life isn’t that good yet.

When she’s unpacking, she finds a pack of tarot cards that are really old, these have been passed down the generations. But the pack is incomplete, the devil card is missing. Bea decides to investigate and hopefully find it.

I was completely hooked from the beginning, unsure of how each timeline story would end. I loved how both characters lives were linked.

I highly recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this eCopy to review.

I just finished Daughter of the Tarot by Clare Marchant, and I’m completely spellbound. This dual-timeline historical mystery is rich, atmospheric, and emotionally resonant

The story weaves together two women’s lives across centuries. In 1644, Portia has fled an abusive husband in Italy and now lives in London with her baby daughter, Vittoria. She earns a living reading tarot cards, but her true mission is far more daring: helping other women escape violent homes. Her calling card? The Devil card—misunderstood by many, but for Portia, a symbol of liberation and truth. As women begin disappearing under mysterious circumstances, Portia’s secrets threaten to unravel everything.

Fast forward to 2025, and we meet Beatrice, Portia’s descendant, who’s grieving her mother and uneasy about her father’s upcoming remarriage. She opens a tarot shop in London and discovers a centuries-old deck—missing the Devil card. As she investigates its origins, she uncovers a chilling link to the disappearances in 17th-century London and begins to question what’s illusion and what’s truth.

What I loved:

🃏 The tarot symbolism is beautifully woven throughout. It’s not just mystical—it’s deeply personal, passed down through generations of women who used it to survive and empower.

🕰️ The dual timeline is seamless. Both Portia and Beatrice are compelling, courageous, and emotionally complex. I was equally invested in both narratives.

🌫️ The atmosphere is stunning. London in both eras is vividly drawn—gritty, mysterious, and full of secrets.

💪 The themes of female resilience and generational strength are powerful. This is a story about women helping women, even across time.

This book had everything I love in historical fiction: mystery, emotional depth, strong female leads, and a touch of the supernatural. If you enjoy timeslip novels with heart and intrigue, Daughter of the Tarot is an absolute must-read.

I really enjoyed this book. The way the 2 storylines flowed was easy to follow, and both plots were interesting with good characters. I was surprised by how much I learnt and enjoyed the Tarot card element.

I definitely recommend Clare Marchant and will be looking out for her future novels!

A moving tale of bold women throughout the ages.

I really enjoyed The House of the Witch by Clare Merchant and so when I saw her new book available on @netgalley I jumped at the chance to read and review. The title alone is alluring and the historical occult mystery premise had me drawn right in.

I love a dual timeline and the two perspectives, of the present day and 17th century London intertwined smoothly to tell a beautiful story of bravery and resilience. The flow was at a perfect balance to set a vivid scene of 17thc London and also entice the reader in a page turning mystery. The history and workings of the tarot were woven in throughout seamlessly and so I was enthralled in the history and mystery of it all.

| loved this and it was a 5 star read for me.
We follow two different timelines relating to the tarot cards, 1640s and today. I loved the 1640s story in particular but the unraveling in both timelines was at a really good pace and my interest was peaked throughout. I loved how the years intertwined with each other and all the mysteries that come up get solved. I also love the strong female characters. I will be looking out for more from the author and I quite fancy getting into reading the tarots now!

Title: Daughter of the Tarot
Author: Clare Marchant
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Release Date: August 18, 2025
Genre: Dual Timeline Historical Mystery
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 @boldwoodbooks @claremarchantauthor

{𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒}

Clare Marchant has done it again! Daughter of the Tarot is a richly layered dual timeline mystery that hooked me from page one. With her signature lyrical prose and deep historical insight, Marchant weaves together two haunting narratives—one set in 1644 and the other in 2025—each featuring courageous women connected by blood, Tarot cards, and an ancient secret.

Once again, Clare Marchant proves herself a master of dual timeline storytelling. Daughter of the Tarot is a beautifully woven historical mystery that enchants from the very first page. Atmospheric, haunting, and deeply emotional, this novel draws you into two unforgettable journeys—one set in 1644, the other in 2025—each centered on women bound by lineage, loss, and the power of the Tarot.
In 1644, we meet Portia, a courageous woman using her Tarot skills not only to survive, but to help others escape abusive homes. Her readings are both lifelines and acts of quiet rebellion, and the mysterious Devil card becomes a symbol of freedom, not fear. Marchant creates a rich and tense setting where disappearances hint at something darker—and Portia’s bravery shines through.
In the modern day, Beatrice, Portia’s descendant, inherits a pack of ancient Tarot cards and uncovers a legacy steeped in mystery. Her connection to the cards is visceral and generational, and as she digs into the past, she begins unraveling secrets linked to the very card Portia once used to change lives—the Devil. What follows is an entrancing puzzle full of history, danger, romance, and ancestral magic.
Marchant’s ability to write believable, heartwarming relationships adds further depth. Both timelines feature gentle, steadfast men who support these strong women without overshadowing them—Jack and John were lovely touches.
With vivid descriptions, gorgeous writing, and seamless transitions between centuries, Daughter of the Tarot kept me spellbound until the final page. Fans of mystical historical fiction, strong female leads, and stories rich in atmosphere will adore this!

⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣{𝐇𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐒}
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