A Charming Touch of Tarot (The Gin & Tarot Club, #2) by Melissa Holtz

A Charming Touch of Tarot is tense, layered, and atmospheric—a paranormal mystery steeped in danger, secrets, friendship, and just a touch of romance.

Previous Book In Series –

An Enchanting Case of Spirits (Book 1)

Synopsis

Four friends discover that their new magical skills may not be enough to save them from a stalker hell-bent on turning their lives upside down.

Alyssa, Nina, Lanie, and Corinne’s friendship is being put to the test. With Nina’s marriage falling apart, Lanie acting distant, Alyssa’s new romance, and no one quite trusting Corinne, this may be more than their bond can take. But when Nina appears at Alyssa’s door, and confesses not just a decades-old secret, but a newfound magical power, the friends know that the only way to face this is together.

Someone has been blackmailing Nina for years, but lately the threats to reveal her secret have changed to threats on her life, and on the lives of those she loves. With Alyssa contacting ghosts for insight and Nina getting used to her telepathy skills, they dash from city to city to track down the threat. There’s someone out there that will go to any lengths to keep their control over Nina, and it will take all four friends to get out of this without ruining, or losing, their lives. But with the strength of their friendship—and a little help from the beyond—these women are out to prove they’re not to be messed with.

Review

If book one was spooky fun, book two turns up the danger. The ghosts here bring more dread than charm, and the stakes are higher than ever.

The story picks up right where the first left off. Alyssa misses her date, and in the opening we get Nina’s backstory—setting the tone for what’s to come. It’s Christmas in Knox Harbor, Nick is busy locking away the culprits from book one, and the friends are enjoying the holidays… until Alyssa sees a dead young girl—a poltergeist.

Determined to keep the season ghost-free, Alyssa focuses on the festivities and her daughter Ava, who’s home for the holidays. But on New Year’s Eve, Lanie starts acting strange. She claims a nightmare warns she must perform a series of rituals to keep the coming year trouble-free for herself and her friends. Alyssa and Nina are skeptical, but they go along with it.

Meanwhile, the ghost Alyssa spotted turns out to be the niece of a captain, pulling Nick into another murder case. Then another spirit appears—Nick’s dead ex-fiancée, Isla. This time Alyssa’s abilities have evolved: her nightmares show her murders and events before they happen.

Between solving murders, helping Nina track down her lost love Ian, and giving Nick closure with Isla, Alyssa has her hands full. Most of the book takes place away from Knox Harbor, partly because of the murders’ locations and partly because of Nina’s search for Ian. The plot spirals into a dangerous secret society dabbling in drugs, money laundering, and deadly rituals, plus vengeful spirits who won’t rest.

The mystery has more layers this time, and while it sometimes feels like we’re being pulled in multiple directions, it all ties together neatly by the end.

Alyssa is still a reluctant heroine. She’s braver than before, less afraid of ghosts, but far from eager to chase them. Her new nightmare visions confuse her, yet I loved that she’s more open with her friends and Nick. Her loyalty to Nina during the search for Ian made her even more likable. I also appreciated that Isla’s presence didn’t stir unnecessary jealousy drama—Isla herself is supportive and wants Nick to be happy.

Nick remains skeptical, strangely believing Alyssa but not other mediums. It takes a tarot reader near the climax to crack his disbelief. His POV snippets add depth, especially as he struggles to say goodbye to Isla and define his relationship with Alyssa.

Nina stole my heart. Her past is heartbreaking, and her gift—seeing into people’s minds and lives through touch—is fascinating. Determined to find Ian, she’s willing to help solve murders despite her not really comfortable with her gift.

Lanie stays mysterious. Her nightmare and insistence on rituals hint at her hidden gift. Fierce and bold, she’s clearly rattled by something from her past, which ties into the main mystery in a surprising way.

The climax is sharp and satisfying. While I guessed the secret society’s role, the true culprit and their motives blindsided me. The case’s resolution connects chillingly to Lanie’s secret, setting up higher stakes for book three.

Overall, A Charming Touch of Tarot is tense, layered, and atmospheric—a paranormal mystery steeped in danger, secrets, friendship, and just a touch of romance. The murder plots are darker, the friendships stronger, and the supernatural elements creepier. It’s marketed as cozy, but honestly? It’s toeing the line.

Book Links

Goodreads | Amazon.in | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk
(Free on Audible)

Have you read this or previous book in series?
What is your favorite paranormal mystery or book in which MC have psychic/medium ability?

Just in case you missed,,,

• A Charming Touch of Tarot (The Gin & Tarot Club, #2) by Melissa Holtz
• What Could It Be? by Bharti Singh – children’s fiction with a perfect blend of humor and heart
• An Enchanting Case Of Spirits (The Gin & Tarot Club #1) by Melissa Holtz – engaging paranormal mystery

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