An enthralling murder mystery perfect for fans of John Dickson Carr and Golden Age crime fiction, Death and the Conjuror is the debut novel by acclaimed short story writer Tom Mead.
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 colourful 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.
'Mead's debut is a novel to intrigue and delight' John Connolly
'A true delight for mystery lovers!' Charles Todd
'Mead maintains suspense throughout, creating a creepy atmosphere en route to satisfying reveals' Publishers Weekly
