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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
Mystery set in 1950's Brighton involving characters that had worked together during the war. I liked the setting, characters were interesting but undeveloped. I would think if this series continues you would get a deeper understanding of the characters. I didn't like how the point of view would switch mid-chapter.
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Visit the locations in the book here Zig Zag booktrail
I really enjoyed this. Took it to bed for night time reading and then had to stay up late to finish it then feel asleep only to dream about deadly magic tricks. I don’t know why I do this since my imagination is always more active than I am. But there I was, in brighton remembering all those shows my mother used to take me too, although not in the 1950s I hasten to add. Still the faded magic of these seaside towns was brilliantly evoked.
I thought this was a very interesting premise and the fact that Edgar and Max had such links and then had to keep one step ahead of a master trickster killing by magic tricks was a great premise. Plus there were no phones etc or technology back then so this was like the great old fashioned cases like Columbo used to solve. (Involving a similar macabre one involving a guillotine) so this was a lot more interesting for the time and setting to me.
The Tacky lights and music, the faded glamour and the fascinating way in which magic/illusions seemed to have been part of the war effort and this was very satisfying indeed.
Elly Griffiths says this is a nod to the glory days of the variety and music halls acts and I swear I could still smell the smoke and hear the din as I closed the book.
I really enjoyed this. Took it to bed for night time reading and then had to stay up late to finish it then feel asleep only to dream about deadly magic tricks. I don’t know why I do this since my imagination is always more active than I am. But there I was, in brighton remembering all those shows my mother used to take me too, although not in the 1950s I hasten to add. Still the faded magic of these seaside towns was brilliantly evoked.
I thought this was a very interesting premise and the fact that Edgar and Max had such links and then had to keep one step ahead of a master trickster killing by magic tricks was a great premise. Plus there were no phones etc or technology back then so this was like the great old fashioned cases like Columbo used to solve. (Involving a similar macabre one involving a guillotine) so this was a lot more interesting for the time and setting to me.
The Tacky lights and music, the faded glamour and the fascinating way in which magic/illusions seemed to have been part of the war effort and this was very satisfying indeed.
Elly Griffiths says this is a nod to the glory days of the variety and music halls acts and I swear I could still smell the smoke and hear the din as I closed the book.
I had heard good things about this book, so I was pleased when I picked up a copy on Read it, Swap it.
The story follows a murder investigation set in the world of the "theatricals" - the end-of-the-pier variety show in its last heyday of the 1950's. Chief investigator Edgar Stephens partners up with old war colleague and friend Max Mephisto, a top magician still drawing in the crowds.
The story takes us through the investigation, with flashbacks to the war and the friends' special assignment. The atmosphere of the era is great and very authentic, and the characters are interesting. The relationships between Edgar, Max and their other ex-war buddies is great, and the characters are all individual and colourful.
That said, I found the story a bit slow in places. It could have done with a bit more oomph and pace. I also wondered why there was only one policeman on the case of seemingly such a big murder investigation - and that that policeman could take off here, there and everywhere following supposed leads. There were also two or three main parts of the story that only came about due to sheer coincidence, which also seemed a bit unlikely.
However, overall it was a good read and I'm looking forward to the sequel Smoke and Mirrors, which comes out later this week.
This review was originally posted on Babs' Bookshelf
The story follows a murder investigation set in the world of the "theatricals" - the end-of-the-pier variety show in its last heyday of the 1950's. Chief investigator Edgar Stephens partners up with old war colleague and friend Max Mephisto, a top magician still drawing in the crowds.
The story takes us through the investigation, with flashbacks to the war and the friends' special assignment. The atmosphere of the era is great and very authentic, and the characters are interesting. The relationships between Edgar, Max and their other ex-war buddies is great, and the characters are all individual and colourful.
That said, I found the story a bit slow in places. It could have done with a bit more oomph and pace. I also wondered why there was only one policeman on the case of seemingly such a big murder investigation - and that that policeman could take off here, there and everywhere following supposed leads. There were also two or three main parts of the story that only came about due to sheer coincidence, which also seemed a bit unlikely.
However, overall it was a good read and I'm looking forward to the sequel Smoke and Mirrors, which comes out later this week.
This review was originally posted on Babs' Bookshelf
I was super pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I got it from my library because I needed a book with a Z title to finish a challenge, and needed to read a book by an author with initial EG for another challenge, so it felt perfect. But the story itself wasn’t one I was super interested in? However I love the characters, I think Edgar and Max make a fantastic duo and I already downloaded the second book to see where their stories continue.