<p><b>Illusionist turned sleuth Joseph Spector investigates a sinister conundrum at a 1930s theatre in this thrilling new mystery novel from Tom Mead, author of <i>Death and the Conjuror</i>, one of <i>Publishers Weekly</i>'s Mysteries of the Year 2022.</b></p><p>When Edmund Ibbs, a young lawyer, defends a woman accused of shooting her husband dead, he finds himself drawn into a web of conspiracy and murder.</p><p>Soon, Ibbs himself is accused of complicity in a killing, when a corpse unexpectedly appears as part of a magic act in a crowded theatre.</p><p>Also present is Joseph Spector, former illusionist turned highly respected amateur sleuth. Spector begins to investigate the mystery, but when a second body is discovered later the same night, all the evidence points to Ibbs being guilty.</p><p>With a host of hangers-on having something to hide, can Spector find the true culprit, or will he and Inspector Flint of Scotland Yard conclude that Ibbs is guilty after all?</p><p><b>Reviews for Tom Mead's Joseph Spector series:</b></p><p>'An intricate 'impossible' crime that completely fooled me.' <b>Peter Lovesey</b> <br />'A sharply drawn period piece with memorable characters.' <b><i>New York Times</i></b> <br />'Mead's debut is a novel to intrigue and delight.' <b>John Connolly</b> <br />'A true delight for mystery lovers!' <b>Charles Todd</b> <br />'A witty reconstruction of the classic locked room mystery, Tom Mead's debut is a sheer delight.' <b>Maxim Jakubowski</b> <br />'Mead maintains suspense throughout, creating a creepy atmosphere en route to satisfying reveals.' <b><i>Publishers Weekly</i></b> <br />'A real treat for mystery fans.' <b>Ragnar Jónasson</b> <br />'A fiendishly clever puzzle wrapped in a beautiful, dark atmospheric story.' <b>Victoria Dowd</b></p>
<p>The second mystery in Golden Age style by British author Tom Mead, featuring inter-war illusionist turned sleuth Joseph Spector.</p>
<b>PRAISE FOR <i>DEATH AND THE CONJUROR</i></b>: <br />
'Mead faithfully replicates all the loving artifice and teasing engagement of golden-age puzzlers in this superior pastiche' Kirkus. <br />
'[A] stellar debut and series launch... This homage to golden age crime fiction rivals the best of John Dickson Carr' Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2022 - Mystery/Thriller. <br />
'With a deviously intricate locked-room plot, <i>Death and the Conjuror</i> 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. <br />
'An ingenious locked room mystery. This is a fiendishly clever puzzle wrapped in a beautiful, dark atmospheric story. Utterly captivating!' Victoria Dowd. <br />
'Tom Mead has created an intriguing set of puzzles on par with John Dickson Carr in <i>Death and the Conjuror</i>. A true delight for mystery lovers!' Charles Todd. <br />
'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. <br />
'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. <br />
'A sharply drawn period piece... Locked-room mysteries shine best with memorable characters, which is one of Mead's strengths' New York Times. <br />
'Mead maintains suspense throughout, creating a creepy atmosphere en route to satisfying reveals. Puzzle mystery fans will eagerly await the sequel'
Publishers Weekly
<p>Derbyshire author Mead's debut novel DEATH AND THE CONJUROR was selected as one of <i>Publishers Weekly</i>'s Mystery/Thriller Books of the Year.</p>
<p>For fans of classic crime fiction and modern homages to the Golden Age.</p>
<p>Mead has been critically acclaimed by the <i>New York Times</i>, <i>Kirkus</i>, and <i>Publishers Weekly</i> amongst many others.</p>
<p>MARKET: Agatha Christie; Anthony Horowitz; Richard Osman; John Dickson Carr.</p>