Review: The Cloisters by Katy Hays

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If you’re drawn to atmospheric thrillers set in shadowy academic corners with a side of obsession, then The Cloisters by Katy Hays should absolutely be on your radar. This debut novel blends art history, arcane knowledge, and ambition into a slow-burn mystery that unfolds within the mysterious halls of a real-life museum in New York City.

Dark academia meets tarot cards, secret gardens, and a creeping sense of dread – what more could a reader want?

Key Takeaways: The Cloisters by Katy Hays

If you love dark academia, this is a must-read.
Tarot + academia + obsession = a moody, original twist on the thriller genre.
Set inside a real museum in New York City – yes, you can visit it!
Fans of The Secret History, The Bellwether Revivals, or The Lake of Dead Languages will feel right at home here.
Perfect for readers who enjoy morally gray characters and immersive, gothic vibes.

book cover for the cloisters by katy hays

Who Is Katy Hays?

Since The Cloisters is a debut novel, it’s understandable if you haven’t heard of Katy Hays yet. But I have a feeling you’ll be hearing a lot more from her.

Katy Hays is an American author and an adjunct Art History professor who holds an MA in Art History from Williams College. She lives in California with her family – and reportedly a dog named Queso (yes, like the cheese, and yes, I’m obsessed with that).

With her background in art and academia, it’s no surprise that her fiction leans heavily into those rich, atmospheric worlds. I’m excited to see what she writes next.

Oh, and a fun fact for book club followers: The Cloisters was selected as a Read With Jenna book club pick in November 2022.

What It’s About

The Cloisters by Katy Hays is a dark, atmospheric academic thriller set in the shadowy, gothic halls of a mysterious museum in Upper Manhattan. When Ann Stillwell lands a summer internship at The Cloisters – a museum dedicated to medieval art and mysticism – she expects quiet scholarship, not deception, obsession, and secrets buried deep in the tarot cards.

As Ann becomes entangled with her fellow researchers, Patrick, Rachel, and Leo, she discovers an ancient deck of tarot cards believed to predict the future. What starts as academic curiosity spirals into a chilling investigation of fate, power, and what we’re willing to do to control our destinies.

My Review Rating – 4 out of 5 stars.

A moody, intelligent thriller that draws you into the world of arcane symbols, ambition, and obsession. It’s perfect for fans of dark academia – though a couple of plot points left me wanting more clarity.

What I Liked

The Setting

The setting of The Cloisters is absolutely haunting in the best way. Katy Hays paints a moody, sensory-rich picture of the Met Cloisters that fully immerses you. You can practically feel the stone walls and the weight of history pressing in.

The Characters

The main character, Ann, is both relatable and intriguing—an outsider thrust into a highly insular world. The supporting cast is equally compelling: mysterious, morally ambiguous, and dripping with old-money secrets. Rachel and Leo, in particular, bring extra intensity and tension.

The Plot & Storyline

I loved the concept of tarot as more than symbolism – something possibly predictive. The blend of history, mysticism, and ambition was unique, and the unraveling of secrets kept me engaged to the end. There’s a deliciously slow burn to the story that feels perfectly paced for the setting.

What I Disliked

There were moments when I found the pacing a little too slow, especially in the first third. While the atmosphere was thick and gorgeous, I occasionally wished something would happen sooner. And while the characters were fascinating, some of the motivations—particularly in the final reveal—felt slightly underdeveloped or abrupt.

Still, none of that stopped me from finishing the book quickly and enjoying the ride.

What genre is The Cloisters?

It’s a dark academia thriller with elements of literary fiction and psychological suspense. If you like intellectual mysteries with brooding atmospheres, this one’s for you.

Is the museum in the book real?

Yes! It’s based on The Met Cloisters, a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC specializing in medieval art and architecture.

Is there supernatural or magical realism in the book?

The tarot deck has symbolic weight, but the novel remains grounded in realism. The mystery lies in whether the characters believe in fate and prediction – not whether it’s provably magical.

Is this book part of a series?

No, The Cloisters is a standalone novel.

What other books has Katy Hays written?

Katy Hays is also the author of Saltwater, another literary suspense novel exploring wealth, legacy, and long-buried secrets – this time set on the Italian island of Capri.

Conclusion: The Cloisters by Katy Hays

The Cloisters by Katy Hays is a seductive thriller that mixes ancient mysticism with academic ambition. With its lush setting and darkly elegant prose, it immerses you in a world where secrets are currency – and no one is above manipulation. While not without minor flaws, this was a thoroughly absorbing read that I still think about long after closing the last page.

If you’re drawn to shadowy libraries, dusty artifacts, and characters with hidden agendas, you’ll find yourself right at home here. And if you’re looking for more books like this, The Cloisters made my list of mysterious dark academia reads. You’ll find lots of other interesting options there.

The Cloisters

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