The Cloisters by Katy Hays
The Cloisters by Katy Hays, first published in 2022 by Bantam. This book has all the ingredients to make a fantastic Gothic novel, yet somehow it just doesn't come together. It is set, mainly, in the Cloisters museum in New York, complete with its poison garden, and the setting is wonderfully described. The weather is smouldering, with occasional thunderstorms. There is dangerous rivalry, obsession, mental imbalance, hints of the supernatural, tarot cards and murder. Ann, the main protagonist, arrives in New York from Walla Walla in Washington State to take up a summer residency at the Metropolitan museum. There is a problem, and she is seconded to the Cloisters. There she meets Patrick, the curator and his assistant, the rich and talented Rachel. Patrick is having an affair with Rachel and initially he appears to be an interesting character, but his character is not developed. This is partly because the story is told through Ann's eyes, and she is only interested in his aca...