Title: The Cloisters
Author: Katy Hays
Genre: Mystery/ Thriller
Publisher: Bantam Press
Pages: 320
Release Date: 19 January 2023
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Hello fellow book lovers, today I'm sharing my review of Katy Hays' The Cloisters, a rich and decadently indulgent tale of obsession, murder and the occult that’s literally dripping with the most gorgeously moody (and gothic imagery) that I genuinely couldn’t get enough of!
Synopsis
Ann Stilwell arrives in New York City, hoping to spend her summer working at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Instead, she is assigned to The Cloisters, a gothic museum and garden renowned for its medieval and Renaissance collections.
There she is drawn into a small circle of charismatic but enigmatic researchers, each with their own secrets and desires, including the museum's curator, Patrick Roland, who is convinced that the history of Tarot holds the key to unlocking contemporary fortune telling.
Relieved to have left her troubled past behind and eager for the approval of her new colleagues, Ann is only too happy to indulge some of Patrick's more outlandish theories. But when Ann discovers a mysterious, once-thought lost deck of 15th-century Italian tarot cards she suddenly finds herself at the centre of a dangerous game of power, toxic friendship and ambition.
And as the game being played within the Cloisters spirals out of control, Ann must decide whether she is truly able to defy the cards and shape her own future . . .
Review
I’ve been on a bit of an academicmystery/thriller kick lately so quite a few of my recent reads have a gothic-y atmospheric tone that I’m completely vibing with. And Katy Hays’ The Cloisters—which is centred around a summer assistant’s deadly game of ambition in the halls (and gardens) of the New York’s titular gothic museum —has probably been my favourite (in terms of atmosphere) so far.
I genuinely loved the dark and sinisterly atmospheric vibes that Katy Hays manages to create, with some incredibly decadent descriptions that had me wanting to visit New York ASAP. I was fascinated by Ann’s version of the city but, it was her heavily romanticised view of The Cloisters (and it’s vast collections) that really drew me in. It felt almost like a love letter to the world of art history and academia, (which makes sense given Hays’ background in Art History) and I think it’s because of this that it felt more tangible for me.
Likewise, many of the characters we meet are also connected to the museum (as employees and scholars) and I loved navigating the subtleties in their roles and how each intersects in different ways. I also enjoyed delving into some of the more mundane, day-to-day tasks through the lens of someone just as new and naive (Ann) to it’s inner workings as us readers.
Ann, our protagonist and sole POV throughout was such a complex character that I felt definitely kept her cards close to her chest, and as such lent and air of mystery that kept me intrigued throughout the entire book. Her emotional journey and grief over the death of her father is what seems to spur her decision to leave the small college town she grew up in and I found her need to reinvent herself (into someone more confident and easy going) quite relatable, despite my reservations on her reliability as a narrator.
Rachel (who acts as a sort of mentor and aspirational figure for Ann) is the well connected, wealthy and charismatic ‘IT’ girl who’s attention in Ann and their subsequent work together on an upcoming exhibition involving Tarot really spurs the suspenseful and obsessively plot twisty narrative.
I also really enjoyed Ann’s intense flirtation/romance with The Cloisters’ gardener Leo—whose rebellious, devil may care attitude was incredibly compelling, as was his mysterious history with Patrick and Rachel. But despite all the mysterious,bad boy bravado he was probably to most up front (and honest) character of them all.
The Pacing was a little slower than anticipated but it did help with setting up the necessary info surrounding the history of tarot and it’s importance within the plot—which I enjoyed though I wish the supernatural elements played a larger role.
Overall, an evocatively immersive debut that’s perfect for fans of slow burn psychological mystery/ thrillers.
Also, a huge thank you to Izzie Ghaffari at Transworld/ Bantam Press for the proof
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
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