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Illusionist turned sleuth Joseph Spector investigates a sinister conundrum at a 1930s theatre in this thrilling new mystery novel from Tom Mead, author of Death and the Conjuror, one of Publishers Weekly's Mysteries of the Year 2022.1938, London. Young lawyer Edmund Ibbs has a new client: a woman accused of shooting her husband in the already infamous 'Ferris Wheel Murder' case.
The case proves to be a web of conspiracy, and Ibbs himself is accused when a second suspicious death occurs, during a magic act at the crowded Pomegranate Theatre.
Also present at the theatre is Joseph Spector, illusionist turned highly respected sleuth. Spector begins to investigate the mystery, but when
another body is discovered later that same night, all evidence points to Ibbs being guilty.
With time against him, and a host of hangers-on all having something to hide, can Spector uncover the guilty party, or will he and Inspector Flint of Scotland Yard conclude that Ibbs is the culprit after all?
Reviews for The Murder Wheel'Wildly entertaining... Confirms Tom Mead's status as a master of the locked-room mystery.'
Tim Major'Pitch perfect magical locked-room extravaganza. Astounds and amazes.'
Barbara Nadel'Tom Mead establishes himself as the current master of the locked-room mystery.'
Aaron Elkins'A delicious locked room feast of impossibilities. I love the Mephistophelean Joseph Spector!'
Ovidia Yu'An absolute masterclass in the locked room mystery... I love this series. More please!'
Victoria DowdReviews for the Spector Locked-Room Mystery series:'An intricate 'impossible' crime that completely fooled me.'
Peter Lovesey 'A sharply drawn period piece with memorable characters.'
New York Times'Great fun.'
The Times
About the author
Tom Mead is an aficionado of Golden Age crime fiction. His short stories have appeared in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine and Lighthouse, as well as Best Crime Stories of the Year (ed. Lee Child). Death and the Conjuror, his debut novel, featuring illusionist turned sleuth Joseph Spector, was highly acclaimed by the UK and US press and was one of Publishers Weekly's Mysteries of the Year. He lives in Derbyshire, England.
Follow Tom at tommeadauthor.com, @TomMeadAuthor and facebook.com/tommeadauthor
Summary
A sparkling return to the Golden Age of Crime Fiction, where even the most fiendish of mysteries can be unlocked by a keen eye and a sharp mind...
1938, London. Ambitious lawyer Edmund Ibbs has got his teeth into the case of a lifetime - defending the young woman accused of shooting her husband in the infamous 'Ferris Wheel Murder' case. Despite a plethora of evidence against his client, Ibbs is certain he can secure her acquittal.
But after a night of magic and illusion at London's Pomegranate Theatre, Ibbs finds himself behind bars, accused of a double murder. The renowned prestidigitator Professor Paolini and the operator of said notorious Ferris wheel are dead, and as far as Scotland Yard's Inspector Flint is concerned, all signs point to the lawyer's guilt.
Luckily for Ibbs, illusionist turned sleuth Joseph Spector also attended the theatre that night. Can Spector's eye for detail pierce the veil of deceit in a world of illusion and misdirection, where seeing is not always believing?
Reviews for Tom Mead's Spector Locked-Room Mystery series
'In Joseph Spector, Tom Mead has created an amateur sleuth to rival Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot.' M.W. Craven
'Great fun.' The Times
'An affectionate tribute to the Golden Age locked-room mystery.' Irish Times
'Highly entertaining.' Sun
'An absolute masterclass in the locked room mystery... I love this series.' Victoria Dowd
'A sharply drawn period piece with memorable characters.' New York Times
Foreword
The second mystery in Golden Age style by British author Tom Mead, featuring 1930s illusionist turned sleuth Joseph Spector.
Additional text
REVIEWS FOR DEATH AND THE CONJUROR:
'Mead faithfully replicates all the loving artifice and teasing engagement of golden-age puzzlers in this superior pastiche' Kirkus
'[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
'With 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 smiling' Daniel Stashower
'An ingenious locked room mystery. This is a fiendishly clever puzzle wrapped in a beautiful, dark atmospheric story. Utterly captivating!' Victoria Dowd
'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!' Charles Todd
'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
'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
'A sharply drawn period piece... Locked-room mysteries shine best with memorable characters, which is one of Mead's strengths' New York Times
'Mead maintains suspense throughout, creating a creepy atmosphere en route to satisfying reveals. Puzzle mystery fans will eagerly await the sequel' Publishers Weekly
