Today dear readers I am on the blog tour for Death and the Conjuror (Published 2nd February 2023) By Tom Mead. A big thank you to the publishers Head of Zeus/Aries for sending me a copy to read and review, always appreciated. Also to the wonderful Anne for the invite to take part in the tour, always a pleasure to work with.
Death and the Conjuror
1936, London. A celebrity psychiatrist is discovered dead in his locked study. There seems to be no way a killer could have escaped unseen. There are no clues, no witnesses, and no evidence of the murder weapon. Stumped by the confounding scene, Inspector Flint, the Scotland Yard detective on the case, calls on retired stage magician turned part-time sleuth Joseph Spector.
Spector has a knack for explaining the inexplicable, but even he finds that there is more to this mystery than meets the eye. As he and the Inspector interview the colourful cast of suspects, they uncover no shortage of dark secrets… or motives for murder. And when a second murder occurs, this time in an impenetrable elevator, they realize the crime wave will become even more deadly unless they can catch the culprit soon.
About The Author
Tom Mead is a UK crime fiction author specialising in locked-room mysteries. He is a member of the Crime Writers’ Association and the International Thriller Writers’ Organization.
His debut novel is Death and the Conjuror, featuring magician-detective Joseph Spector.
My Review
I love a good old fashioned murder mystery, the suspense, the suspects, the clues, all building to the big reveal at the end when it all finally clicks into place. And boy did this book not disappoint.
Set in 1936 London, Dr. Anselm Rees, a psychiatrist to celebrities who wish to remain anonymous, is found dead in his study. His throat has been slashed and all the windows and doors are locked. There is no possible way that the killer could have escaped without being seen by his housekeeper Olive Turner. With little evidence, no clues and no sign of the murder weapon Inspector Flint from Scotland Yard is at a loss. He turns to retired stage magician Joseph Spector for some help uncovering the truth. On interviewing the suspects they discover more dark secrets and disturbing truths that leave no reason to question a motive for murder. Then out of nowhere a second murder takes pace in an impenetrable elevator. It becomes clear to the dynamic duo that if they don’t catch the killer soon, more and more bodies will be discovered with no signs of how they were conjured.
Told in three parts the story mainly follows George Flint, the detective on the case of the murder of Dr. Rees, and Joseph Spector, a retired stage magician who aids Flint in seeing what others often overlook or fail to notice. It was fascinating to watch these two characters interact with each other, how their minds worked on uncovering the truth behind the murder. Flint believes that the benefit of knowing a magician is that he is learning how tricks are done. It helps him look beyond what he knows and the possibilities of the impossible. It’s hypnotic to read as the pieces all slowly fall into place, you kick yourself for not seeing it sooner.
I loved Mead’s attention to detail in his writing, everything has a purpose and it hints clues to the reader for solving the murder. He leaves little breadcrumbs for the reader to follow but also doesn’t give too much away. It gets you thinking and questioning the other character’s motives. You suspect everyone and try to get your head around how this magic act took place. How did the murderer get out of a locked room? Who was the murderer? The questions whirl around your head as you try to figure out this locked room mystery. It’s exhilarating dear reader as you get caught up in the suspense, you have to know how this murder happened.
I give Death and the Conjuror By Tom Mead a Five out of Five paw rating.
Absolutely brilliant and highly addictive, I loved every second and didn’t want it to end.
From the moment you start reading, Mead throws the reader straight into the action. I was hooked and could not put this book down. I had to know how it was done and why!
Don’t forget to follow the rest of the blog tour, dates below, enjoy!
Links
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@TomMeadAuthor
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Thanks for the blog tour support x