"Di Marco crafts an intricate, twisting plot and layers on the astrological details that fans of psychic mysteries so enjoy."
―Booklist
"Di Marco's series starter features a clever plot and a smart and feisty heroine with feet firmly planted on the ground while she searches the stars."
-Library Journal
"This smartly written debut from di Marco sets the stage for a promising series."
-Kirkus Reviews
"Danger figures in the stars for Julia, along with mixed astrological energies, some wolves in sheep's clothing and an amiable stranger with a down-under accent."
-BookPage
"Five stars for fast pacing, great plot consistency, and excellent imagery."
-Books That Hook
"All the signs point to my revisiting Julia and Co. in the future!"
-Back Porchervations
"A great read is in the stars! With the Zodiac Mysteries, Connie di Marco gives us a bright and interesting heroine and a mystery with plenty of twists and turns. Lots of action and well-written suspense equal good fortune for readers."
-Casey Daniels, author of the Pepper Martin Mysteries
"With The Madness of Mercury, Connie di Marco begins a fascinating new series set in the intriguing world of astrology in San Francisco. I really loved this book! The writing is clever and compelling and the protagonist is smart and gutsy. The villains are seriously sinister and the darkly intricate plot will keep you turning pages late into the night. I'm looking forward to many more in this series. Connie di Marco knows her stuff!"
-Kate Carlisle, Author of the Bibliophile Mysteries and the Fixer-Upper Mysteries
"Connie di Marco blends real-life tragedy, heart-rending betrayal, loyal friends, and the kindness of strangers in this fast-paced, entertaining read."
-Leslie Budewitz, two-time Agatha Award-winning author of the Seattle Spice Shop Mysteries
"The stars may not align for the unlucky characters in The Madness of Mercury, but they certainly do for readers who discover this book. An astrologer with her eyes on her charts and her feet planted firmly on the ground, Julia Bonatti is an original sleuth, juggling astrological readings with a mysterious death and a Jim Jones-like cult leader. Dark wit and darker motivations unite to create a satisfying read."
-Kim Fay, Edgar Award finalist for The Map of Lost Memories
06/18/2018
In di Marco’s solid third Zodiac mystery (after 2017’s All Signs Point to Murder), professional astrologer Julia Bonatti, who lacks a steady income, welcomes an offer of a temp job from David Meyers, her old boss at the San Francisco law firm where she used to work. Julia has barely set foot in Meyers, Dade & Schultz when she hears a scream. In the litigation section, someone has plunged a letter opener into the neck of attorney Jack Harding. At David’s request, Julia agrees to do some snooping when he reveals that Jack, who was deservedly unpopular, had received a death threat, though several other people at the firm were also threatened. Julia has already seen problems in David’s chart and is willing to work with PI Adam Schaeffer, who has handled other cases for the firm. Meanwhile, a random clue in the unsolved hit-and-run that killed Julia’s fiancé reopens that wound, but which case is putting Julia’s life in jeopardy? Di Marco does a good job keeping the reader guessing whodunit in this psychic cozy. (Aug.)
2018-05-28
An astrologer relies on the stars to guide her investigation into the murder of an attorney at her former employer's firm.Doing a favor for her former boss David Meyers, Julia Bonatti agrees to fill in for a vacationing secretary at his law firm, Meyers, Dade & Schultz, LLP. The law firm is a far cry from Julia's current focus: She's an astrologer with both private clients and a robust advice column, "AskZodia." Julia doesn't mind the extra cash even if the lawyer culture is a little more cutthroat than her day job, but that description becomes a little too literal when Jack Harding, one of the firm's litigation attorneys, is murdered. Given Julia's past success in crime-solving (All Signs Point to Murder, 2018, etc.), David's so keen to keep her on in order to help get to the bottom of Jack's death that he even pairs her with Adam Schaeffer, the firm's go-to investigator. A consultation with the stars makes Julia warn David that the worst is yet to come, and she and Adam work together to try to figure out who had a grudge against Jack—though it seems easier to determine who didn't—before the killer can strike again. But the murder at her own law firm isn't the only mystery in Julia's life. Gale, her friend and longtime mentor, has a new love interest who seems all too attentive, and Julia is convinced that there's something nefarious behind the charm. Julia's distracted from her investigations of Jack's death and Gale's paramour by her own love life when she hits it off with Adam. But is she ready to start dating just a few years after her fiance Michael's sudden death? Her friends would say yes, but Julia's just not sure.A by-the-numbers cozy distinguished only by its San Francisco setting and astrological appeal.
