Julia Bonati is an astrologer living and working in San Francisco. She has private clients who come to her for advice and she writes an astrological advice column for the local paper. She finds herself being targeted by a new religious cult as an agent of the devil. Its members stage demonstrations outside her apartment and also outside a New Age shop where she has consultations with her clients. Gradually all the healers, therapists and astrologers in the area become the targets of the cult.
Fearing for the safety of the people who live in her apartment block, Julia takes refuge with Dorothy, a friend and client who is looking after two elderly aunts – one of whom seems to be under the influence of the Reverend Roy. As the violence escalates and Julia’s life and livelihood are threatened she vows to expose the cult for what it is.
This is an entertaining and quite frightening mystery showing how fanatical beliefs can get totally out of hand to the extent that they damage everyone who comes into contact with the people holding those beliefs. I found the undercurrents in this well written mystery to be very dark and disturbing. I liked Julia as a character and I shall hope to read more of her adventures in the future. I also enjoyed the astrological background to the story though you don’t actually need to know much about astrology to understand what is going on.
This is a cozy mystery with added depth and some cozy mystery fans may find it too dark for their taste but I enjoyed it. I received a free copy of the book from NetGalley for review.
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