The Cloisters

Bookseller recommendation

“A haunting, suspenseful dark academia novel that weaves a tale of obsession, seductive power, and dangerous ambition. Give this a listen and fall under the spell of The Cloisters! ”

— Chelsea • Bromley's Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Um, yikes. Up until now, I was feeling pretty salty that I had been rejected from the internship I applied to at the Cloisters during my freshman year of college. Now, I’m thinking it was for the best. The Cloisters is an atmospheric Gothic thriller named for the lesser-known campus of The Met in NYC that specializes in medieval European art. Following a recent graduate of meager means looking to make it big in a cliquey art world, The Cloisters tackles the classic question of what one person will do when they’re at a precipice, asked to choose between anonymity and their own ambition. The story hinges on the historical uses of tarot and as the author is an art professor, she spins a believable yarn with legitimate historical backing. I really thought I could guess what was about to happen at every turn, and still, Hays surprised me.”

— Wulfe • Raven Book Store

Bookseller recommendation

“A fast-paced thriller about ancient cartomancy and dark academia. Full of mystery, intrigue, and alchemy. Perfect for a cold winter day by the fire!”

— Melanie • The Well-Read Moose

Bookseller recommendation

“In this twisty thriller, the listener is transported to The Cloisters, a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where medieval art and secrets hide. The author's description of setting places the listener into this world and you can physically inhabit this museum and all of its nooks and crannies. Using the history of tarot cards as a guiding force, this book takes listeners through a journey of fate, mysticism, and history. Great read for anyone who loves Lucy Foley or Ruth Ware!”

— Kyle • Werner Books

Bookseller recommendation

“The Cloisters by Katy Hays is what I imagine Mary Shelley might write if she lived in the 21st century. There are elements of horror, a little romance, an eerie setting, characters that will keep you guessing, and an ending you won't see coming. But more than that, The Cloisters seems to play with a lot of the same themes that Mary Shelley did - ambition and fallibility, romanticism in nature, dangerous knowledge, secrecy, and isolation. But where Shelley writes about what makes us human (or not), Hays writes about what agency we have as humans. Do we have free will? Or is everything just fate? Come tiptoe through the hushed hallways of The Cloisters, teeming with dark academia that whispers ancient secrets from the shadows. Mysteries smolder at the edges. What begins as a slow burn will have you holding your breath as you race to the end. The Cloisters is chock full of art history, architectural delights, and occult vibes.”

— Emily • The Violet Fox Bookshop

Bookseller recommendation

“Full of twists and set in my favorite New York museum, The Cloisters kept me intrigued and guessing from beginning to end. Ann steps into an unexpected summer internship and a series of events she was not expecting. This is a story full of history, mystery, the occult, and death. And even some sex, drugs, and rock and roll! A deftly woven tale with an ending that surprised me - the best kind.”

— Nancy • Raven Book Store

Bookseller recommendation

“Ann arrives in New York for a summer internship at The Cloisters, a Gothic museum and garden. The researchers there have outlandish theories pertaining to medieval tarot cards. Ann's fascination with the cards, with the sexy gardener, and with her new best friend at the museum turns to something bordering on obsession. The Cloisters explores the real and the imagined, and questions power and fate. I haven't had my nose this deep in a book since Donna Tartt's The Secret History.”

— Valerie • Tsunami Books