Death and the Conjuror

Tom Mead author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Head of Zeus

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Death and the Conjuror cover

The debut novel by Tom Mead, a locked room mystery featuring Joseph Spector, a magician-turned-sleuth solving mysteries in 1930s London.

An enthralling locked-room murder mystery inspired by crime fiction of the Golden Age, Death and the Conjuror is the debut novel by acclaimed short-story writer Tom Mead. Selected as one of Publishers Weekly's Mysteries of the Year 2022. 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. Reviews for Death and the Conjuror: 'An intricate "impossible" crime that completely fooled me.' Peter Lovesey 'A sharply drawn period piece with memorable characters.' New York Times 'Mead's debut is a novel to intrigue and delight.' John Connolly 'A true delight for mystery lovers!' Charles Todd 'A witty reconstruction of the classic locked room mystery, Tom Mead's debut is a sheer delight.' Maxim Jakubowski 'Mead maintains suspense throughout, creating a creepy atmosphere en route to satisfying reveals.' Publishers Weekly 'A real treat for mystery fans.' Ragnar Jónasson 'A fiendishly clever puzzle wrapped in a beautiful, dark atmospheric story.' Victoria Dowd

Death and the Conjuror is an engrossing tale of murder and magicians, and a revealing exploration of the ever-popular locked-room mystery. Mead's debut is a novel to intrigue and delight -- John Connolly
[A] stellar debut and series launch... This homage to golden age crime fiction rivals the best of John Dickson Carr * Publishers Weekly *
With a deviously intricate locked-room plot, Death and the Conjuror unfolds as both an elegant tribute and a cunning update of the classic 'impossible crime' story. Somewhere, the great John Dickson Carr is smiling -- Daniel Stashower
An ingenious locked room mystery. This is a fiendishly clever puzzle wrapped in a beautiful, dark atmospheric story. Utterly captivating! -- Victoria Dowd
Tom Mead has created an intriguing set of puzzles on par with John Dickson Carr in Death and the Conjuror. A true delight for mystery lovers! -- Charles Todd
Both a splendid homage to the Golden age of impossible crimes and its great exponent John Dickson Carr and a witty reconstruction of the classic locked room mystery with tongue in cheek bravado and a gallery of attendant, endearing characters, Tom Mead's debut is a sheer delight -- Maxim Jakubowski
This ingenious (and fair-play) locked-room mystery should win over a new generation of readers to this delightfully devious style of classic mystery -- Gigi Pandian
A sharply drawn period piece... Locked-room mysteries shine best with memorable characters, which is one of Mead's strengths * New York Times *
Mead faithfully replicates all the loving artifice and teasing engagement of golden-age puzzlers in this superior pastiche * Kirkus Reviews *
Mead maintains suspense throughout, creating a creepy atmosphere en route to satisfying reveals. Puzzle mystery fans will eagerly await the sequel * Publishers Weekly *
The clever and complicated plots the unknown antagonist concocts will likely keep you guessing all the way through * Crime Fiction Lover *
Fans of Golden Age historical fiction will enjoy this new spin on a traditional pairing for professional policeman and amateur sleuth... All the elements you would expect are here, and the book is pleasingly referential * Historical Novel Society *

ISBN: 9781804540909

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

288 pages