Dorothy Gilman is most well-known for her Mrs. Pollifax mysteries which I like--but I like Madame Karitska even better and wish she would do a few more books featuring this main character. Madame Karitska is a true clairvoyant who sets up shop in an interesting neighborhood and of course encounters a murder plot. Enjoyable and easy to read with a very likable main character.

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In this carefully calibrated mystery, Madame Karitska makes a very clairvoyant reappearance. After a violin prodigy dies in an apparent accident, the countess-seer begins to piece together the real story from psychic clues. To deal with all the thorny complications, she enlists the help of Detective Lieutenant Pruden to investigate a sinister cult. But even her prescience and his help can't keep this likable immigrant out of danger's path. Gilman's Karitska mysteries aren't just paranormal gimmickry. They feature winning and frequently quirky characters, fast-breaking action, and well-timed plot surprises.

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This novel features the Countess Karitska, whom we met in The Clairvoyant Countess. She is as unique and busy as ever; helping solve crimes, match-making romances and helping her friends - both those old and new with their lives. Kaleidoscope is as funny and well-written as the first and a wonderful book to read.

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A Madame Kariska mystery. She is back blessed with her powerful gift of prophecy who attracts a stream of men and woman desperate to know what the future holds

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Like the first book in the series, Kaleidoscope is a light, fun read. There is no need to read The Clairvoyant Countess first; we are reminded who the characters are, but otherwise the plots are self-contained.

Book one was published in 1975 and book two in 2003, and this causes the only complaint I have about Kaleidoscope. In the story line, one year has passed, but I'm not sure the author knew what year to set the second plot. I think she wrote it set in 1976, realized it was out of date, and went back in to add 'modern' touches, like the mention of Y2K, computers, and hackers. Unfortunately she forgot to take out other details specific to 1976. For instance, a young woman has a mother born in 1921, another girl is asking if she can get a good job because she did well in shorthand in high school. There is no mention at all of cell phones, and people still walk to the corner to use a pay phone (because absolutely nobody owns a cell, and the business doesn't have a land line, either). I didn't realize pay phones still existed in this century.

Other than constant confusion over the year, I liked this book, and would get a third if there was one.

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Great book. Lovely characters and story line. A must read

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Superb sequel to the The Clairvoyant Countess, with recurring characters from the original book. I recommend it to all Gilman fans.

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I didn't enjoy this book one bit. It just seemed that there was no substance to it and everything seemed "magically" solved. It did help me sleep though.

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Like the first book in the series, Kaleidoscope is a light, fun read. There is no need to read The Clairvoyant Countess first; we are reminded who the characters are, but otherwise the plots are self-contained.

Book one was published in 1975 and book two in 2003, and this causes the only complaint I have about Kaleidoscope. In the story line, one year has passed, but I'm not sure the author knew what year to set the second plot. I think she wrote it set in 1976, realized it was out of date, and went back in to add 'modern' touches, like the mention of Y2K, computers, and hackers. Unfortunately she forgot to take out other details specific to 1976. For instance, a young woman has a mother born in 1921, another girl is asking if she can get a good job because she did well in shorthand in high school. There is no mention at all of cell phones, and people still walk to the corner to use a pay phone (because absolutely nobody owns a cell, and the business doesn't have a land line, either). I didn't realize pay phones still existed in this century.

Other than constant confusion over the year, I liked this book, and would get a third if there was one.

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Dorothy Gilman wrote "Kaleidoscope" as the second in a series. I thoroughly enjoyed this light reading book. Most every chapter had an individual storyline but by the end of the book most of the stories were bound up together. This is a good book to take with you when you are waiting for something or someone because it can very easily be stopped at Chapter's end and easily picked up again when you have time to read.

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