Death and the Conjuror

Debut novel by acclaimed short story writer based in Derbyshire, England.For fans of classic crime fiction and modern homages to the Golden Age.MARKET: Agatha Christie; Anthony Horowitz; Richard Osman; John Dickson Carr.Tom Mead's acclaimed short stories have appeared in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine and Lighthouse among others. Several of his pieces have also been anthologized, including 'Heatwave' in The Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2021 (ed. Lee Child). He lives in Derbyshire, England. Death and the Conjuror is his debut novel. Follow Tom at tommeadauthor.com facebook.com/tommeadauthorAn enthralling locked-room murder mystery inspired by crime fiction of the Golden Age, Death and the Conjuror is the critically acclaimed debut novel by Tom Mead. Selected as one of Publishers Weekly's Mysteries of the Year. 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 realise 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 'A novel to intrigue and delight.' John Connolly 'A real treat for mystery fans.' Ragnar Jónasson 'A beautiful, dark, atmospheric story.' Victoria Dowd 'Sparkling, exhilarating. Mead is a dazzling new talent.' TP Fielden 'Pure escapism and an excellent puzzle, ingeniously expounded.' The TimesThe debut novel by Tom Mead, a locked room mystery featuring Joseph Spector, a magician-turned-sleuth solving mysteries in 1930s London.Tom Mead's acclaimed short stories have appeared in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine and Lighthouse among others. Several of his pieces have also been anthologized, including 'Heatwave' in The Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2021 (ed. Lee Child). He lives in Derbyshire, England. Death and the Conjuror is his debut novel. Follow Tom at tommeadauthor.com facebook.com/tommeadauthorA sharply drawn period piece... Locked-room mysteries shine best with memorable characters, which is one of Mead's strengthsSecrets, red herrings and sleights of hand abound in an ingenious piece of intriguing escapismDeath 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[An] affectionate tribute to the golden age of impossible murder mysteries... This ingenious debut is also great fun[A] stellar debut and series launch... This homage to golden age crime fiction rivals the best of John Dickson CarrWith 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 smilingBoth 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 delightAn ingenious locked room mystery. This is a fiendishly clever puzzle wrapped in a beautiful, dark atmospheric story. Utterly captivating!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!This ingenious (and fair-play) locked-room mystery should win over a new generation of readers to this delightfully devious style of classic mysterySparkling, exhilarating. The narrative is stuffed with provocative ideas and good humour. Tom Mead is a dazzling new talent.The clever and complicated plots the unknown antagonist concocts will likely keep you guessing all the way throughFans 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 referentialPure escapism and an excellent puzzle, ingeniously expoundedNot 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 challengingThere are some very fine descriptive images, a good pace, lots of variety and a skilful reveal. This is a most encouraging debutMead faithfully replicates all the loving artifice and teasing engagement of golden-age puzzlers in this superior pasticheMead maintains suspense throughout, creating a creepy atmosphere en route to satisfying reveals. Puzzle mystery fans will eagerly await the sequel'More red herrings than a North Sea trawler, suspects galore, a dearth of clues, a locked room, and no weapon. A classic 'who?' and 'how?'Inventive and engrossingLocked 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.Fans of Golden Age mysteries, the original kind or a more modern version, have a treat in store