Magician In Trouble: The Eli Marks Mystery Series

By John Gaspard

Abracadabra Meets Action: A Gripping Tale of Magic and Mystery

 

In "Magician in Trouble," a harmless magician is unexpectedly thrust into an intense police standoff. Facing more than just stage fright, he must use his magic not for applause, but to diffuse a perilous crisis. This thrilling novella cleverly combines the allure of a magic show with the suspense of a hostage situation, promising a read that's as captivating as it is unpredictable.

 

As a standalone story, it's a perfect introduction to the world of the popular nine-book Eli Marks mystery series. Offering a glimpse into the unique blend of magic, mystery, and mayhem you can expect from the series, it's a tantalizing gateway to the enchanting and suspenseful adventures of Eli Marks.

 

"You will just LOVE these books!"

—VANISH Magazine

 

"Intelligently written and ... entirely engrossing." 

—Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine

• Language: English
• Publisher: John Gaspard
• Release date: Aug 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223878100

John Gaspard

John is author of the Eli Marks mystery series as well as three other stand-alone novels, "The Greyhound of the Baskervilles," The Sword & Mr. Stone" and "The Ripperologists."He also writes the Como Lake Players mystery series, under the pen name Bobbie Raymond.In real life, John's not a magician, but he has directed six low-budget features that cost very little and made even less - that's no small trick. He's also written multiple books on the subject of low-budget filmmaking. Ironically, they've made more than the films.Those books ("Fast, Cheap and Under Control" and "Fast, Cheap and Written That Way") are available in eBook, Paperback and audiobook formats.John lives in Minnesota and shares his home with his lovely wife, several dogs, a few cats and a handful of pet allergies.

Book preview

Magician In Trouble

MAGICIAN IN TROUBLE

AN ELI MARKS SHORT MYSTERY

JOHN GASPARD

Albert’s Bridge Books

MAGICIAN IN TROUBLE

An Eli Marks Short Mystery

www.elimarksmysteries.com

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, including Internet usage, without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Copyright © 2022/2023 by John Gaspard

Magician in Trouble was first published in The Self-Working Trick (and other stories), published by Albert’s Bridge Books in 2022.

This is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

MAGICIAN IN TROUBLE

It was clearly a mix-up.

Not as bad as the time my agent sent me to a bachelorette party and sent Sexy Rex (The Stripping Fireman) to the Handleman Bat Mitzvah.

But it was clearly a mistake, nonetheless.

That was my first thought when I turned onto the street where my GPS had guided me. Ahead of me I saw the road filled with squad cars. I recognized logos from the Anoka County Sheriff’s Department and the Minnesota State Highway Patrol, along with other unfamiliar vehicles with flashing lights. A deputy held up a hand to impede my progress and then approached my driver’s window.

Do you live on this block, sir? he asked, his voice a studied monotone designed to both produce anxiety and maintain order.

Um, no, I stammered. I’m here for a gig, um, a show.

He raised an eyebrow at me. You’re not, by any chance, a magician, are you?

This hardly seemed the time to deny it, although I had been in situations in the past when that might have been the most prudent choice.

Yes, officer. Yes. Yes I am.

He reached up to the radio on his shoulder and depressed