Karen Engelmann's historical fiction novel The Stockholm Octavo (#244) is something a bit different. It's 1791 in Stockholm, which has had its own bloodless revolution, but the situation in France is watched with interest by King Gustav. Many of the nobles are plotting against him to regain their power, but much of it is done by unconventional means in this intriguing novel.
Emil Larsson has escaped from an abusive situation in the Swedish countryside to make his way to "The Town". He's done well for himself, and bought a nice position in the Customs and Excise Civil Service, with just enough money to be introduced to Mrs. Sparrow, proprietress of an exclusive gambling house. She also happens to be a Seer. After Emil renders her a small favor, she reads his Octavo - a set of cards dealt from a Tarot-like deck. Whichever direction the Octavo points to in his future, Emil must swear an oath to carry his destiny through to the end. The cards will also reveal the roles eight people will play in this destiny, but he must figure out who they are, and how they intersect his life. Who is a benefactor, who an enemy, who his promised love? Are they known to him now, or will they appear in the future? Drawn into a world of wealth and intrigue, he finds himself an unwilling player in a plot against the king. Can he prevent the assassination, or are other forces at work here?
Ms. Engelmann delves into cartomancy - the foretelling of the future through cards, Divine Geometry and mathematics, revolutionary politics and French connections, and the graceful language of the fan in this book, with a whiff of inexplicable power. I've never read anything quite like it before, but who knew that the Stockholm of 1791 - 1792 could be quite so full of secrets? You'll just have to see for yourself!
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