The grift : a novel / Debra Ginsberg.

Marina Marks is a psychic who doesn't believe in what she does. She doesn't mind taking people's money to tell them what they want to hear, but she understands that powers of close observation are her stock-in-trade, not some unique gift from beyond. The child of an alcoholic mother who believed her daughter had a gift, Marina has moved to California to get away from old memories and frantic clients as well as to ply her trade on a new group of souls who need help. Marina is hired to work a party for a wealthy couple, where she begins to meet new clients. There is Cooper, a homosexual who is desperately in love with a closeted man; Madeleine, Marina's employer, who is trying to give her rich husband an heir; and Cassie, the young, innocent hairdresser who is having an affair with Eddie, a married man and a complete cad when it comes to women. Marina's observations and insights draw these clients into her life. It isn't until she meets Gideon and their blossoming love affair comes to a tragic end that her talent really comes to life. Marina is visited by powerful visions of the future that will affect this disparate cast of characters and help her unravel many puzzling mysteries. Ginsberg (Blind Submission) has created an interesting cast of characters to explore a world that is embraced by some and viewed by many with deep skepticism. The story flows along, and readers looking for a different twist on the psychological novel will enjoy the trip.