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DEATH AND THE CONJUROR

Tom Mead

A magician-turned-sleuth in pre-war London solves three impossible crimes.
In 1930s London, celebrity psychiatrist Anselm Rees is discovered dead in his locked study, and there seems to be no way that a killer could have escaped unseen. There are no clues, no witnesses, and no evidence of the murder weapon. Stumped by the confounding scene, the Scotland Yard detective on the case calls on retired stage magician-turned-part-time sleuth Joseph Spector. For who better to make sense of the impossible than one who traffics in illusions?

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 colorful cast of suspects among the psychiatrist's patients and household, they uncover no shortage of dark secrets - or motives for murder. When the investigation dovetails into that of an apparently-impossible theft, the detectives consider the possibility that the two transgressions are related. And when a second murder occurs, this time in an impenetrable elevator, they realize that the crime wave will become even more deadly unless they can catch the culprit soon.

A tribute to the classic golden-age whodunnit, when crime fiction was a battle of wits between writer and reader, DEATH AND THE CONJUROR blends macabre atmosphere, period detail, and vividly-drawn characters into a meticulously-constructed fair play puzzle. Its baffling plot will enthrall readers of mystery icons such as Agatha Christie and John Dickson Carr, modern masters like Anthony Horowitz and Elly Griffiths, or anyone who appreciates a good mystery.

Tom Mead is a UK-based author specializing in crime fiction. His stories have appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Litro Online, Flash: The International Short-Short Story Magazine, Lighthouse, Mystery Scene and Mystery Weekly (among others). Several of his pieces have also been anthologized, most recently "Heatwave" in The Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2021 (ed. Lee Child). DEATH AND THE CONJUROR is his full-length novel debut and the first of a series of impossible crime novels.
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Book

Published 2023-02-01 by Head of Zeus

Book

Published 2023-02-01 by Head of Zeus

Comments

This debut, a tribute to John Dickson Carr and other Golden Age masters of the locked-room mystery, will appeal to nostalgia buffs and fans of the classics Read more...

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.

This ingenious (and fair-play) locked-room mystery should win over a new generation of readers to this delightfully devious style of classic mystery.

This deviously intricate locked-room plot unfolds as both an elegant tribute and a cunning update of the classic "impossible crime" story. Somewhere, the great John Dickson Carr is smiling.

Mead's stellar debut and series launch is an homage to golden age crime fiction, in particular the works of John Dickson Carr... Mead maintains suspense throughout, creating a creepy atmosphere en route to satisfying reveals. Puzzle mystery fans will eagerly await the sequel.

DEATH AND THE CONJUROR was shortlisted for Debut Crime Novel of the Year in the Capital Crime Fingerprint Awards earlier this year Read more...

A wonderful debut novel from a new British author harks back to the glories of the Golden Age locked room mystery genre with both bravado and affection, inaugurating a most pleasurable opening instalment in a new series... This not just a worthy imitation of the Golden Age puzzlers, but also a gently tongue in cheek rejuvenation of a type of mystery novel that is both cosy and challenging as Mead serves up a gallery of wonderfully quirky characters and circumstances... Read more...

Mead has created an intriguing set of puzzles on par with John Dickson Carr.A true delight for mystery lovers!

[An] affectionate tribute to the golden age of impossible murder mysteries... This ingenious debut is also great fun!

Locked room mysteries are back in fashion and in Death and the Conjuror, Tom Mead gives us one to savour. With fluid prose, sharply defined characters, and an ingenious set of puzzles, this is a book that references the Golden Age of crime fiction in the best possible way.

Mead's debut novel is a valentine to the locked-room puzzles of John Dickson Carr, to whom it is dedicated. Mead faithfully replicates all the loving artifice and teasing engagement of golden-age puzzlers in this superior pastiche." Read more...

An intricate, elegantly written 'impossible' crime that completely fooled me. Tom Mead is a master of the art of misdirection.

A sharply drawn period piece with memorable characters.

UK: Head of Zeus; Japan: Hayakawa ; Russia: AST ; Slovakia: Slovensky Spisovatel

A real treat for mystery fans.

DEATH AND THE CONJUROR was an Editor's Pick on Amazon US in the Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

Mead's debut is an intricate homage to golden age puzzle mysteries... Secrets, red herrings and sleights of hand abound in an ingenious piece of intriguing escapism. Read more...

DEATH AND THE CONJUROR was shortlisted for the Historical Writers Association Debut Crown Award 2023! Read more...

opinion piece penned by Tom recently published on Bookbrunch magazine Read more...