by 
The Madness of Mercury
The Zodiac Mysteries – Book #1
by Connie di Marco.
(Mystery)
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“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
San Francisco astrologer Julia Bonatti’s life is turned upside down when she becomes the target of the city’s newest cult leader, Reverend Roy of the Prophet’s Tabernacle. Driven out of her apartment in the midst of a disastrous Mercury retrograde period, she takes shelter with a client who’s caring for two elderly aunts. One aunt appears stricken with dementia and the other has fallen under the spell of the Reverend Roy. To add to the confusion, a young man claiming to be a long-lost nephew arrives. The longer he stays, the more dangerous things become. Is the young man truly a member of the family? Can astrology confirm that? Julia’s not sure, but one thing she does know is that Mercury wasn’t merely the messenger of the gods—he was a trickster and a liar as well.
A Word from the Author
The Madness of Mercury was inspired by the Jim Jones years in San Francisco. I was living in the city at the time and was horrified by the events that transpired. That history was the ‘jumping off’ point for my story. I was intrigued by the phenomenon of a guru-type figure who demands obedience from his followers. I’m equally appalled by those who willing give up autonomy over their own lives.
In The Madness of Mercury, the Reverend Roy, a preacher, recently-arrived to the city, has created an adoring cult of followers willing to turn over their property and life savings to him. He cultivates relationships with politicians, society people and law enforcement. And the powers that be in the city are very well aware he controls an army of followers who will do his bidding.
Julia Bonatti, my San Francisco astrologer, writes an advice column for the Chronicle. When she receives a letter from a woman concerned about her mother, who has joined a ‘church’ and is required to turn over her life savings, Julia speaks out vehemently. She advises the woman to investigate this so-called church and to beware of false prophets. What Julia soon realizes is that she has become a target of the Reverent Roy who will stop at nothing to silence those who speak out against him.
(Connie di Marco, December 2020)
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