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The Fortune Teller's Daughter
Alexandra Messner is the first since Officer Nathalie Duncan’s teens to breach the iron fortress of her heart. After years of redeeming her brutal and sordid past as the fortune teller’s daughter, Nathalie can finally see the promise of a happy future. Until an innocently placed photograph of a dead woman shatters her world.
Alex knows that Nathalie carries painful scars, but she believes there is no wound of the heart that love cannot heal—until Nathalie confesses to the unthinkable. Devastated and heartbroken, Alex’s cold, bitter anger leaves no room for forgiveness.
With her mother’s criminal secrets suddenly at risk of exposure, Nathalie’s last desperate gift means confronting her childhood terrors to protect Alex from her family’s vicious intent. But can any sacrifice be enough to save Alex or ultimately redeem the fortune teller’s daughter?
Alex knows that Nathalie carries painful scars, but she believes there is no wound of the heart that love cannot heal—until Nathalie confesses to the unthinkable. Devastated and heartbroken, Alex’s cold, bitter anger leaves no room for forgiveness.
With her mother’s criminal secrets suddenly at risk of exposure, Nathalie’s last desperate gift means confronting her childhood terrors to protect Alex from her family’s vicious intent. But can any sacrifice be enough to save Alex or ultimately redeem the fortune teller’s daughter?
200 pages, Paperback
First published March 18, 2014
2 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Diane Wood
8 books3 followersDianne Wood has spent many years working in the Australian Criminal Justice system, including within maximum security settings, and has extensive connections to law enforcement that she draws upon for the authenticity of her stories. She lives in New South Wales, Australia, with her partner of nearly three decades.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 13, 2016
I truly do not know how to even begin to write about The Fortune Teller's Daughter. It actually showed up in my dreams one night, which never happens when I am reading a book, no matter how much I may like it or become immersed in its world. This is not a romance and I am glad it is not because Nathalie's story deserves to be told in the most realistic and non dewy-eyed way possible. Yes, she and Alex are deeply in love and yes, love is key to this book. But the way characters react, the things they say to each other, the things that happen...they all come together in such an uncomfortably real way the emotional effects can be very disturbing at times.
The writing is top notch and the dialogue pitch perfect. Nathalie and Alex are the kind of characters you root for and are emotionally invested in every single moment. And the way each sees life and has been through so much deeply rattles the reader. So horrific is Nathalie's past, in particular, there are moments you feel physically ill, because you feel so much for the child inside her who never healed and, worse, because you know this happens in real life to people who do not have an advocate and a partner like Alex or anyone at all to take them out of their nightmares.
The Fortune Teller's Daughter got to me so much and is still messing with me in a way that leaves me pretty much unable to write coherently about it. Maybe time will change this, but all I can say at this moment is that it is simply unforgettable and unlike anything I have read before. That must sound like a cliche, but, for now, it is all I can clearly put in writing.
The writing is top notch and the dialogue pitch perfect. Nathalie and Alex are the kind of characters you root for and are emotionally invested in every single moment. And the way each sees life and has been through so much deeply rattles the reader. So horrific is Nathalie's past, in particular, there are moments you feel physically ill, because you feel so much for the child inside her who never healed and, worse, because you know this happens in real life to people who do not have an advocate and a partner like Alex or anyone at all to take them out of their nightmares.
The Fortune Teller's Daughter got to me so much and is still messing with me in a way that leaves me pretty much unable to write coherently about it. Maybe time will change this, but all I can say at this moment is that it is simply unforgettable and unlike anything I have read before. That must sound like a cliche, but, for now, it is all I can clearly put in writing.
January 6, 2016
The Fortune Teller's Daughter by Diane Wood is a gritty read that will hold you in it's clutches till the very end. While the book is superb it should also come with emotional armour and a gallon jug of brain bleach. There are parts of this book I wish I could erase from my memory. At one point I actually gagged. While the bad parts are not overly graphic, they are disturbing enough to make even the toughest of the tough shudder. To say this book is dark would be putting it mildly. Are you still interested in reading it? Well let me explain just a little what you can expect.
Nathalie "Nat" Duncan is a lawyer who changed her path and became a police officer. She also spends her all of her free time volunteering at a local women's center. So, is she the heroine of the story? Yes, but Nathalie is severely flawed, and her flaws stem from a lifetime of horrid abuse. She has suffered insurmountably at the hands of a woman who could give Sybil's mother a run for her money. Incest, rape, child abuse, sex trafficking, and murder, all wrapped up in one crazy, evil, diabolical woman. Yep it's all there, and the details are truly harrowing. Nat is haunted by her past, right fully so, yet despite breaking free from the evil mother's grasp for years, one phone call brings in back into the world she thought she had left behind.
Nat's love interest in the story is Alex Messner. Alex just happens to be a psychologist that begins volunteering at the very same women's center. Her attraction to Nat is immediate, and this is the first time she has felt anything in two years since she lost her longtime partner to cancer. Alex is everything that Nat is not. She is grounded, open and has nothing but love in her heart. She has set her sights on Nat and will do everything she can to bring happiness to Nat's life. Nat just needs to trust her, and let her in.
So love conquers all? Sure, but I don't think I would classify this as a romance. It doesn't follow the standard romance formula. This book has love, sure, but this story is very multi-faceted. To me it leaned heavy towards an intrigue or a mystery. The romance of Alex and Nat is definitely not on the main stage. Plus, there is also a sub-plot of a lesbian targeting serial killer. Nat just happens to be on the task force hunting this murdering SOB. I told you it was heavy!
So overall this book is very good. Dark and twisty, and at times very hard to stomach. Would I re-read this book, no never again, brain bleach remember. Would I read another book by this author, oh yes I would.
Nathalie "Nat" Duncan is a lawyer who changed her path and became a police officer. She also spends her all of her free time volunteering at a local women's center. So, is she the heroine of the story? Yes, but Nathalie is severely flawed, and her flaws stem from a lifetime of horrid abuse. She has suffered insurmountably at the hands of a woman who could give Sybil's mother a run for her money. Incest, rape, child abuse, sex trafficking, and murder, all wrapped up in one crazy, evil, diabolical woman. Yep it's all there, and the details are truly harrowing. Nat is haunted by her past, right fully so, yet despite breaking free from the evil mother's grasp for years, one phone call brings in back into the world she thought she had left behind.
Nat's love interest in the story is Alex Messner. Alex just happens to be a psychologist that begins volunteering at the very same women's center. Her attraction to Nat is immediate, and this is the first time she has felt anything in two years since she lost her longtime partner to cancer. Alex is everything that Nat is not. She is grounded, open and has nothing but love in her heart. She has set her sights on Nat and will do everything she can to bring happiness to Nat's life. Nat just needs to trust her, and let her in.
So love conquers all? Sure, but I don't think I would classify this as a romance. It doesn't follow the standard romance formula. This book has love, sure, but this story is very multi-faceted. To me it leaned heavy towards an intrigue or a mystery. The romance of Alex and Nat is definitely not on the main stage. Plus, there is also a sub-plot of a lesbian targeting serial killer. Nat just happens to be on the task force hunting this murdering SOB. I told you it was heavy!
So overall this book is very good. Dark and twisty, and at times very hard to stomach. Would I re-read this book, no never again, brain bleach remember. Would I read another book by this author, oh yes I would.
September 3, 2016
Nathalie is a trained lawyer but chose to work for peanuts for the police instead. She also volunteers at a women's center. All this is supposedly penance for a past life of teenage depravity, sex and drug use. At the women's center she meets Alex, who is her polar opposite. As Nat is dark and damaged, Alex is pure, unsullied and full of love. Can Nat get past her shame? Can she let Alex in? Can Alex stand Nat's terrible nightmares? Just when happiness finally seems to be within Nat's reach, a gut-wrenching twist threatens to take everything away.
This is Ms. Wood's second novel. And I'm liking her style--dark, gritty and realistic. Occasionally even repulsive. Its guaranteed to elicit a visceral reaction from the reader. In her first book, Web of Obsessions, she insulated the lead characters from the darkness, but here, one of the MCs is literally buried in it. The author doesn't sweep the dirt under the rug. The MC and other characters here are seriously flawed but very real. That's not to say Nat and Alex aren't sympathetic or likeable. Their rocky, angsty journey is the heart of this book. Be ready with the tissues!
But, the love story apart, this is not an easy read. The subject matter made me uncomfortable throughout. Couple that with the not-so-black-and-white characterizations and the outright sleazy ones, and ugh, I started to have homicidal thoughts. :)
Some other observations: I like the plotting. Detailed and a little messy. Not too neat. A lot like real life. There are no super sleuths or spectacular busts here. Just good old fashioned police work and the occasional dumb luck. The side plot about the serial killings felt more like a storytelling device or a way to extend the page count so its a good thing it wasn't too distracting.
If you can't decide whether to take a chance on this book, just head on to amazon and download the Prologue. If you don't feel like throwing up after reading it, then you're good to go. That is as bad as it gets. Fortunately there are no graphic descriptions of violence or lurid scenes. Most of the horrific incidents happened in the past and are simply related by speakers. The rest are either fade to black or just implied. This is one time when telling rather than showing felt more appropriate.
4.5
This is Ms. Wood's second novel. And I'm liking her style--dark, gritty and realistic. Occasionally even repulsive. Its guaranteed to elicit a visceral reaction from the reader. In her first book, Web of Obsessions, she insulated the lead characters from the darkness, but here, one of the MCs is literally buried in it. The author doesn't sweep the dirt under the rug. The MC and other characters here are seriously flawed but very real. That's not to say Nat and Alex aren't sympathetic or likeable. Their rocky, angsty journey is the heart of this book. Be ready with the tissues!
But, the love story apart, this is not an easy read. The subject matter made me uncomfortable throughout. Couple that with the not-so-black-and-white characterizations and the outright sleazy ones, and ugh, I started to have homicidal thoughts. :)
Some other observations: I like the plotting. Detailed and a little messy. Not too neat. A lot like real life. There are no super sleuths or spectacular busts here. Just good old fashioned police work and the occasional dumb luck. The side plot about the serial killings felt more like a storytelling device or a way to extend the page count so its a good thing it wasn't too distracting.
If you can't decide whether to take a chance on this book, just head on to amazon and download the Prologue. If you don't feel like throwing up after reading it, then you're good to go. That is as bad as it gets. Fortunately there are no graphic descriptions of violence or lurid scenes. Most of the horrific incidents happened in the past and are simply related by speakers. The rest are either fade to black or just implied. This is one time when telling rather than showing felt more appropriate.
4.5
September 1, 2016
A disturbing story of child abuse and incest, some very dark secrets and painful memories. This book was not an easy read for me, but it was definitely worth it because it turned out to be very well written with strong plot and complex characters.
April 5, 2015
I've loved the author's first novel - Webs of Obsession and was excited to see her second novel coming out.
This book is a lot darker comparing to her last, and it is one of those books you must read from the beginning, have patience and don't jump ahead because it will kill the plot/ suspense. You may find the first chapter a little bit "creepy", but don't skip, it is an important part to the plot, and if you can get pass the first chapter, I can promise you the rest is going to be better.
Nat had a really disturbing childhood that left her with emotional scars and nightmares. Working hard to re-establish herself in a new life, she has chosen to be in law enforcement instead of being an attorney. At the same time, she is also devoting time to help other less fortunate at a women's shelter, where she met Alex. Alex is in every sense a polar opposite of Nat - comes from a loving family, grounded, got a great sense of humor and loyal to those who care about. Nat and Alex are undeniably attracted to each other, but a very devastating secret has torn them apart with Nat leaving the relationship believing it's for the best. There are so many twist and turns as the story progresses, often leaving you wondering what's going to happen next. Make sure you spare a day to finish the book in one sitting and with a box of tissue.
This book is a lot darker comparing to her last, and it is one of those books you must read from the beginning, have patience and don't jump ahead because it will kill the plot/ suspense. You may find the first chapter a little bit "creepy", but don't skip, it is an important part to the plot, and if you can get pass the first chapter, I can promise you the rest is going to be better.
Nat had a really disturbing childhood that left her with emotional scars and nightmares. Working hard to re-establish herself in a new life, she has chosen to be in law enforcement instead of being an attorney. At the same time, she is also devoting time to help other less fortunate at a women's shelter, where she met Alex. Alex is in every sense a polar opposite of Nat - comes from a loving family, grounded, got a great sense of humor and loyal to those who care about. Nat and Alex are undeniably attracted to each other, but a very devastating secret has torn them apart with Nat leaving the relationship believing it's for the best. There are so many twist and turns as the story progresses, often leaving you wondering what's going to happen next. Make sure you spare a day to finish the book in one sitting and with a box of tissue.
January 22, 2022
Anything evil, this book has in loads, I don't even know what the author was trying to put forward. Here's the list;
- Rape
- Incest
- Drug
- Racism (Raping a black CHILD, just because she's black)
- Murderer
- Homophobia
- Paedophilia
- Sex trafficking
- Blackmail
And any trauma that you can think of that victims experience, is right there.
I feel... numb.
- Rape
- Incest
- Drug
- Racism (Raping a black CHILD, just because she's black)
- Murderer
- Homophobia
- Paedophilia
- Sex trafficking
- Blackmail
And any trauma that you can think of that victims experience, is right there.
I feel... numb.
December 1, 2024
I like dark and twisted books but this one was something else
April 28, 2015
The first chapter of this book pissed me off so much that I deleted the book from my tablet. Two weeks later I tried again and this time I finished it. I am glad that I did. It's a well written book with a good plot and I will be reading more of Diane Wood's work.
May 22, 2014
This started off a little weird for me but I was intrigued and couldn't put the book down. In the end I thought this was fantastic!!! Very well written. Kept me wondering the whole time.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews