Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Well written and easy to read but only 4 because I could predict the ending from about 2/3s of the way in :(
I first discovered Elly Griffiths through her Ruth Galloway series. Once I realized that she'd written other books/series as well, I decided to branch out.
This - the first in a series set in Brighton in the 1950s - was a decent first book. The setting was a bit more depressed (economically speaking, but also mood) than I'd found the Ruth Galloway books, which does unfortunately affect my enjoyment of them.
(I wonder sometimes if that's because I'm an empath; I unconsciously take on the emotions of those around me, which can then ruin or improve my day... the same seems to be true of the books I read. As I've gotten older I've gotten better at not letting others' emotions have such power, but reading books that take place in economically depressed areas or are bleak in outlook do affect my mood significantly, and thus my enjoyment of the book. Also, if you're reading this and think that being an empath is just some New Age hooey, that's fine. I used to think so too. But it describes my experience far better than anything else I've discovered.)
Anyway - got sidetracked. Whew.
The Magic Men was an interesting umbrella under which to write a novel, although things are not what they seem, which is discovered at the end of this book. I quite liked Stephens as a main characters - he's self-deprecating and thoughtful. Mephisto will be an interesting one to follow through the remainder of the series - I haven't quite got a read on him, but since he's a showman that makes sense... everything real is hidden beneath a polished veneer.
Definitely going to keep reading this series, but I'm also not going to forsake the Ruth Galloway series by any means!
This - the first in a series set in Brighton in the 1950s - was a decent first book. The setting was a bit more depressed (economically speaking, but also mood) than I'd found the Ruth Galloway books, which does unfortunately affect my enjoyment of them.
(I wonder sometimes if that's because I'm an empath; I unconsciously take on the emotions of those around me, which can then ruin or improve my day... the same seems to be true of the books I read. As I've gotten older I've gotten better at not letting others' emotions have such power, but reading books that take place in economically depressed areas or are bleak in outlook do affect my mood significantly, and thus my enjoyment of the book. Also, if you're reading this and think that being an empath is just some New Age hooey, that's fine. I used to think so too. But it describes my experience far better than anything else I've discovered.)
Anyway - got sidetracked. Whew.
The Magic Men was an interesting umbrella under which to write a novel, although things are not what they seem, which is discovered at the end of this book. I quite liked Stephens as a main characters - he's self-deprecating and thoughtful. Mephisto will be an interesting one to follow through the remainder of the series - I haven't quite got a read on him, but since he's a showman that makes sense... everything real is hidden beneath a polished veneer.
Definitely going to keep reading this series, but I'm also not going to forsake the Ruth Galloway series by any means!
No murder mystery could stand up to being read directly after the Seven and a Half Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, but even so, this one really collapsed like a house of cards. I thought the premise of magicians, the British camouflage artists of WWII, and Brighton would have to make an entertaining novel, but somehow, it didn’t. The characters had no personality, the mystery was easy, and the book was surprisingly sexist. Not even enough details about the war magic or stagecraft to make it worthwhile. Yawn.
Edgar is a wounded veteran of WWII - wounded in spirit and mind, not in body. He had been assigned to the "Magic Men," a specialty unit whose task it was to deceive the Germans about Allied readiness.
Five years after the war, Edgar is a police detective in Brighton. One brutal murder case lands on his desk and as he investigates, it is clear that he is personally tied to the case. Edgar is forced to reopen his war wounds by connecting with former Magic Men to solve the case. He connects especially with Max Mephisto, a true magician still appearing in shows.
In resolution, long hidden secrets are revealed, and Griffiths sets the stage for the next book in the series.
Five years after the war, Edgar is a police detective in Brighton. One brutal murder case lands on his desk and as he investigates, it is clear that he is personally tied to the case. Edgar is forced to reopen his war wounds by connecting with former Magic Men to solve the case. He connects especially with Max Mephisto, a true magician still appearing in shows.
In resolution, long hidden secrets are revealed, and Griffiths sets the stage for the next book in the series.
I worked out the whodunit before the reveal, but at first kept killing the prime suspect off.
Not keen on the narrator though.
Not keen on the narrator though.
I did guess who it was, but it was an enjoyable book with an interesting premise and back story. Looking forward to reading more, and I liked learning about some magic history!
I have no idea how this book ended up on my list of holds at the library, but it was magicians, post-WWII Britain and a murder mystery which is basically everything I look for in a Netflix series.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I enjoy mysteries, to the point that it feels like no matter what I am reading or listening to, there's a mystery to be found within however small. I especially enjoy historical mysteries like this one is. It takes place in the early 50s, with remnants of WWII tinging the story. I like the footwork that has to be done, no computers or cell phones to do the job quickly. The brain has to be used more, utilizing contacts or making new ones.
Elly Griffiths writes atmospheric mysteries. Immediately drawn in with the discovery of the first body and the detective, Edgar Stephens, is on the trail even though he's not sure why he is a policeman and has many things going against his investigation. He makes contact with his past WWII troops, who were known as the Magic Men. They were given the duty of creating something out of nothing to fool the enemy and someone is taking out the members one by one.
What I like the most is the background of each main character, what makes them the way they are. English mysteries seem to do this more often than any other.
If this is a series, I will definitely be reading/listening to the rest of the books. I can definitely recommend this book and author.
Elly Griffiths writes atmospheric mysteries. Immediately drawn in with the discovery of the first body and the detective, Edgar Stephens, is on the trail even though he's not sure why he is a policeman and has many things going against his investigation. He makes contact with his past WWII troops, who were known as the Magic Men. They were given the duty of creating something out of nothing to fool the enemy and someone is taking out the members one by one.
What I like the most is the background of each main character, what makes them the way they are. English mysteries seem to do this more often than any other.
If this is a series, I will definitely be reading/listening to the rest of the books. I can definitely recommend this book and author.