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An Eli Marks Mystery #5
The Floating Light Bulb
A magician disappears in the middle of his act.Was it magic? Or murder?"If David Copperfield and Sherlock Holmes had a child, it would be Eli Marks.”—The Magic Word PodcastWhen a magician is murdered in the midst of his act at the Mall of America, Eli Marks is asked to step in and take over the daily shows—while working hard to not be the next victim in a series of bizarre homicides!
"You will just LOVE these books."—VANISH MagazineGRAB YOUR COPY TODAY!
★★★★★Praise for Eli Marks Mystery “This is an instant classic, in a league with Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett and Arthur Conan Doyle.”—Rosebud Book Reviews“It’s full of magic, mystery, danger and misdirection, as a good magic trick should be. I love this cozy mystery series, a thoroughly delightful read.”—Sweet Mystery Books“Before I had even finished the first chapter I had fallen in love with Eli. He is intelligent, sensitive, witty and, suddenly, the main suspect in a series of murders…well written, fast-paced and exciting.”—The Frugal Mennonite“This story is very well written and fun to read. I would definitely read another Eli Marks Mystery!”_A Simple Taste for Reading“Hands-down the funniest thing I have read in a long time, expertly paced and hilariously detailed.”—Seattle Book Mama
★★★★★
Books in the Eli Marks Mystery
THE AMBITIOUS CARD (#1)THE BULLET CATCH (#2)THE MISER'S DREAM (#3)THE LINKING RINGS (#4)THE FLOATING LIGHT BULB (#5)THE ZOMBIE BALL (#6)THE MAGIC SQUARE (#7)THE INVISIBLE ASSISTANT (Short Story)THE LAST CUSTOMER (Short Story)
"You will just LOVE these books."—VANISH MagazineGRAB YOUR COPY TODAY!
★★★★★Praise for Eli Marks Mystery “This is an instant classic, in a league with Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett and Arthur Conan Doyle.”—Rosebud Book Reviews“It’s full of magic, mystery, danger and misdirection, as a good magic trick should be. I love this cozy mystery series, a thoroughly delightful read.”—Sweet Mystery Books“Before I had even finished the first chapter I had fallen in love with Eli. He is intelligent, sensitive, witty and, suddenly, the main suspect in a series of murders…well written, fast-paced and exciting.”—The Frugal Mennonite“This story is very well written and fun to read. I would definitely read another Eli Marks Mystery!”_A Simple Taste for Reading“Hands-down the funniest thing I have read in a long time, expertly paced and hilariously detailed.”—Seattle Book Mama
★★★★★
Books in the Eli Marks Mystery
THE AMBITIOUS CARD (#1)THE BULLET CATCH (#2)THE MISER'S DREAM (#3)THE LINKING RINGS (#4)THE FLOATING LIGHT BULB (#5)THE ZOMBIE BALL (#6)THE MAGIC SQUARE (#7)THE INVISIBLE ASSISTANT (Short Story)THE LAST CUSTOMER (Short Story)
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 10, 2018
48 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
John Gaspard
88 books141 followersJohn is author of the Eli Marks mystery series and the Como Lake Players mystery series. He also has four other stand-alone novels: “The Greyhound of the Baskervilles,” “A Christmas Carl,” “The Sword & Mr. Stone” and “The Ripperologists.”
He hosts two podcasts: "Behind the Page: The Eli Marks Podcast," and "The Occasional Film Podcast."
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, those books made more than the films.
John lives in Minnesota and shares his home with his lovely wife, several greyhounds, a few cats and a handful of pet allergies.
He hosts two podcasts: "Behind the Page: The Eli Marks Podcast," and "The Occasional Film Podcast."
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, those books made more than the films.
John lives in Minnesota and shares his home with his lovely wife, several greyhounds, a few cats and a handful of pet allergies.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 17, 2021
Magician Eli Marks and his uncle Harry are taking in a magic act at the Mall of America since the magician is a former student of Harry’s. The show is lackluster at best, but it gets worse when the magician misses a cue at the end of the show. It turns out that’s because the magician is dead, and soon Eli finds himself taking his place in an effort to help find the killer. Will he learn anything useful?
Part of this book finds Eli learning a new trick and interacting with his new co-workers, something that I felt overwhelmed the mystery at times. Things were still sprinkled in that helped lead us to the surprising and satisfying conclusion, however. And I loved seeing Eli interacting with his new co-workers, so I had fun the entire way through the book. The cast of characters is fantastic as always, including getting to see some regulars who were missing in the previous book.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Part of this book finds Eli learning a new trick and interacting with his new co-workers, something that I felt overwhelmed the mystery at times. Things were still sprinkled in that helped lead us to the surprising and satisfying conclusion, however. And I loved seeing Eli interacting with his new co-workers, so I had fun the entire way through the book. The cast of characters is fantastic as always, including getting to see some regulars who were missing in the previous book.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
April 14, 2023
Magic in the Mall…
Eli Marks and his Uncle Harry are in the audience at a magic show in the Mall of America in Minnesota. The final illusion, the Metamorphosis, reaches its climax – the spotlight swings towards the door where Billy Blume, the magician, should enter, but . . . he doesn’t appear. Billy has been killed, shot as he made his way round the back of the theatre for his big finale. Because of Eli’s skills as a stage magician and his history of getting involved in investigations, the Assistant DA, Deirdre Sutton-Hutton, who happens to be Eli’s ex-wife, and her new husband, Homicide Detective Fred Hutton, who happens to be in charge of the case, ask him to apply for the vacancy at the Mall and see if he can sniff out who might have had a motive to kill Billy. What they don’t tell him is that Billy’s wasn’t the first mysterious death in the Mall and, as it turns out, it won’t be the last…
A few years ago I had great fun reading the first few books in this series, and then I didn’t see any for a while and I’m afraid I assumed Gaspard had stopped writing them. Then I stumbled across this one on Audible and discovered there are actually now eight books in the series! The whole series is now available on Audible, all narrated by Jim Cunningham who does a great job, getting the humorous tone just right.
Over the course of the series, the little group of regulars has expanded, and it was great meeting up with them all again. Eli tells the stories himself in first person, and as well as occasional stage work he has now taken over his uncle’s magic shop, which just about breaks even. Uncle Harry has retired but is still going strong, now engaged to Franny, a once-professional psychic also now retired. Eli’s own romance with Megan (also a psychic) is now a settled thing, and they’re about ready to set a date for the wedding. Eli’s relationship with Deirdre and Fred is better now that he’s settled with Megan. And Uncle Harry’s group of elderly magician friends still meet regularly and are always on hand to give Eli advice about how the great magicians of the past performed their tricks.
Looking back at my old reviews, I have to say this book seemed considerably more on the cosy side than I said about the earlier ones. The mystery takes a real back seat to all the relationships between the characters, and a lot of time is given over to descriptions of life as an employee in the Mall, big enough to rank almost as a small town in its own right. Eli has to design a show and inherits an assistant, Nimisha, and a stage manager, Morgan, and we see their relationships developing as they all learn to work with each other. There are lots of other Mall employees we meet, who might be new friends or might be suspects, but it’s quite late on in the book before the plot takes centre stage. When it does it’s a lot of fun, though I had to turn off my credibility monitor to silence its frantic bleeping!
One of the things I always love is that each book involves a classic magic trick, which Gaspard discusses without ever breaking the magician’s code of not revealing how it’s done. In this one he describes the Floating Light Bulb, made famous by Harry Blackstone, Jr. As always, this led me to spend (too much) time on youtube, watching not just that but various versions of the Metamorphosis trick that had ended so badly in chapter 1.
I’m so pleased to have re-discovered this series and to know that there are more available. Light-hearted fun with a group of enjoyable characters who have come to feel like old friends. If they take your fancy, I recommend reading them in order, starting with The Ambitious Card, since all the relationships develop as the series goes along. I won’t leave it so long next time before spending a few more hours in the company of Eli and his friends!
(NB One of the problems with listening rather than reading is that I have to guess at the spellings of characters’ names, so please forgive any errors!)
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
Eli Marks and his Uncle Harry are in the audience at a magic show in the Mall of America in Minnesota. The final illusion, the Metamorphosis, reaches its climax – the spotlight swings towards the door where Billy Blume, the magician, should enter, but . . . he doesn’t appear. Billy has been killed, shot as he made his way round the back of the theatre for his big finale. Because of Eli’s skills as a stage magician and his history of getting involved in investigations, the Assistant DA, Deirdre Sutton-Hutton, who happens to be Eli’s ex-wife, and her new husband, Homicide Detective Fred Hutton, who happens to be in charge of the case, ask him to apply for the vacancy at the Mall and see if he can sniff out who might have had a motive to kill Billy. What they don’t tell him is that Billy’s wasn’t the first mysterious death in the Mall and, as it turns out, it won’t be the last…
A few years ago I had great fun reading the first few books in this series, and then I didn’t see any for a while and I’m afraid I assumed Gaspard had stopped writing them. Then I stumbled across this one on Audible and discovered there are actually now eight books in the series! The whole series is now available on Audible, all narrated by Jim Cunningham who does a great job, getting the humorous tone just right.
Over the course of the series, the little group of regulars has expanded, and it was great meeting up with them all again. Eli tells the stories himself in first person, and as well as occasional stage work he has now taken over his uncle’s magic shop, which just about breaks even. Uncle Harry has retired but is still going strong, now engaged to Franny, a once-professional psychic also now retired. Eli’s own romance with Megan (also a psychic) is now a settled thing, and they’re about ready to set a date for the wedding. Eli’s relationship with Deirdre and Fred is better now that he’s settled with Megan. And Uncle Harry’s group of elderly magician friends still meet regularly and are always on hand to give Eli advice about how the great magicians of the past performed their tricks.
Looking back at my old reviews, I have to say this book seemed considerably more on the cosy side than I said about the earlier ones. The mystery takes a real back seat to all the relationships between the characters, and a lot of time is given over to descriptions of life as an employee in the Mall, big enough to rank almost as a small town in its own right. Eli has to design a show and inherits an assistant, Nimisha, and a stage manager, Morgan, and we see their relationships developing as they all learn to work with each other. There are lots of other Mall employees we meet, who might be new friends or might be suspects, but it’s quite late on in the book before the plot takes centre stage. When it does it’s a lot of fun, though I had to turn off my credibility monitor to silence its frantic bleeping!
One of the things I always love is that each book involves a classic magic trick, which Gaspard discusses without ever breaking the magician’s code of not revealing how it’s done. In this one he describes the Floating Light Bulb, made famous by Harry Blackstone, Jr. As always, this led me to spend (too much) time on youtube, watching not just that but various versions of the Metamorphosis trick that had ended so badly in chapter 1.
I’m so pleased to have re-discovered this series and to know that there are more available. Light-hearted fun with a group of enjoyable characters who have come to feel like old friends. If they take your fancy, I recommend reading them in order, starting with The Ambitious Card, since all the relationships develop as the series goes along. I won’t leave it so long next time before spending a few more hours in the company of Eli and his friends!
(NB One of the problems with listening rather than reading is that I have to guess at the spellings of characters’ names, so please forgive any errors!)
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
January 18, 2022
4.8 stars for Eli and his new bride. Who new that agreeing to go undercover at the request of his old bride (ok ex wife ) and her new husband aka dull homicide Fred, would result in a new bride at the end ( okay she was already the fiancé) 😃. This was another caper filled story with Eli having to learn new magic tricks and “gasp” get some physical activity at the same time 😳 all the while, dead bodies keep dropping around the Mall of America. Will he be the next target, his co-workers? And why is his assistant so secretive about her dressing room?
January 27, 2024
UPDATE: This was a repeat listen of THE FLOATING LIGHT BULB by John Gaspard. I have previously both read the book and listened to the audiobook, the latter wonderfully performed by Jim Cunningham. The Eli Mark’s series has become a favorite of mine. I enjoy returning to the various titles between other genres and novels as light Pick Me Up reads.
ORIGINAL POST:
MY RATING GUIDE: 4.5 (rounded to 5) Stars for THE FLOATING LIGHT BULB, #5 an Eli Marks Mystery by John Gaspard, wonderfully narrated by Jim Cunningham.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I LOVED THIS; it was delightful! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
I am really enjoying the Eli Marks Mysery series; it’s fun and delightfully unique. :D. THE FLOATING BULB, #5 moves quickly; it kept my interest until the end and had me snickering out loud in places. The setting based in magic is simply an additional bonus. It is possible to read THE FLOATING LIGHT BULB as a standalone title, but I recommend (and enjoy) the entire series as the character development continues from book #1.
In THE FLOATING BULB, Magician Eli Marks is approached by his ex, DA Deirdre Sutton-Hutton and her current husband, Homicide Detective Fred Hutton. The two of them want Eli to assist them in a current murder investigation by temporarily working at a Magic Theatre located inside a large popular mall where an increasing number of mall and shop employees have recently been murdered. Originally appalled by the idea, Eli decides to acquiesce and agrees to the gig. He is supposed to simply perform magic while safely observing any oddities within the mall. While his daily reports contribute additional details to Deidre and Fred, the investigation has stalled. . . while the death toll creeps higher - bodies popping up in the parking ramp, the shops and the underground system. Is it safe anywhere?
PRO’s ~ What I liked.
1) The storyline is original, the overall tone uplifting. It reads quickly and keeps my attention. Without being Silly or containing MCs characters TSTL.
2) I like the series’ well developed characters; they are intriguing and unique - Magician Eli and his uncle’s aging friend group of talented, and semi-retired magicians, Eli’s ex-wife (the DA) and her homicide detective husband, and (in THE FLOATING LIGHT BULB) Eli’s co-workers at the mall.
3) On my second “read” through this series I listened with the audio version narrated by Jim Cunningham. He does a very nice job bringing out the fun and energy with the cast of characters.
4) For readers who care, THE FLOATING LIGHT BULB is a Clean read*.
5) Readers who enjoy THE FLOATING LIGHT BULB (possible as a standalone) will be happy to know there are currently 7+ novels and 3SS in the Eli Marks Mystery series.
5) I completed THE FLOATING LIGHT BULB with a smile, as everything came together, and plan to purchase the next book/audio the series, THE MAGIC SQUARE.
READER CAUTIONS* -
VIOLENCE - This is a murder mystery but not particularly dark or graphic.
*PROFANITY - No. (None that I recall).
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - None.
ORIGINAL POST:
MY RATING GUIDE: 4.5 (rounded to 5) Stars for THE FLOATING LIGHT BULB, #5 an Eli Marks Mystery by John Gaspard, wonderfully narrated by Jim Cunningham.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I LOVED THIS; it was delightful! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
I am really enjoying the Eli Marks Mysery series; it’s fun and delightfully unique. :D. THE FLOATING BULB, #5 moves quickly; it kept my interest until the end and had me snickering out loud in places. The setting based in magic is simply an additional bonus. It is possible to read THE FLOATING LIGHT BULB as a standalone title, but I recommend (and enjoy) the entire series as the character development continues from book #1.
In THE FLOATING BULB, Magician Eli Marks is approached by his ex, DA Deirdre Sutton-Hutton and her current husband, Homicide Detective Fred Hutton. The two of them want Eli to assist them in a current murder investigation by temporarily working at a Magic Theatre located inside a large popular mall where an increasing number of mall and shop employees have recently been murdered. Originally appalled by the idea, Eli decides to acquiesce and agrees to the gig. He is supposed to simply perform magic while safely observing any oddities within the mall. While his daily reports contribute additional details to Deidre and Fred, the investigation has stalled. . . while the death toll creeps higher - bodies popping up in the parking ramp, the shops and the underground system. Is it safe anywhere?
PRO’s ~ What I liked.
1) The storyline is original, the overall tone uplifting. It reads quickly and keeps my attention. Without being Silly or containing MCs characters TSTL.
2) I like the series’ well developed characters; they are intriguing and unique - Magician Eli and his uncle’s aging friend group of talented, and semi-retired magicians, Eli’s ex-wife (the DA) and her homicide detective husband, and (in THE FLOATING LIGHT BULB) Eli’s co-workers at the mall.
3) On my second “read” through this series I listened with the audio version narrated by Jim Cunningham. He does a very nice job bringing out the fun and energy with the cast of characters.
4) For readers who care, THE FLOATING LIGHT BULB is a Clean read*.
5) Readers who enjoy THE FLOATING LIGHT BULB (possible as a standalone) will be happy to know there are currently 7+ novels and 3SS in the Eli Marks Mystery series.
5) I completed THE FLOATING LIGHT BULB with a smile, as everything came together, and plan to purchase the next book/audio the series, THE MAGIC SQUARE.
READER CAUTIONS* -
VIOLENCE - This is a murder mystery but not particularly dark or graphic.
*PROFANITY - No. (None that I recall).
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - None.
June 1, 2023
I just loved this book, well to tell the truth I have loved every single book in the series, so far. Although each book is full of magic (and I don't mean the witches and fairies kind) each book is fresh and totally different from the last but just as entertaining. What I like is the fact that the killer and motive is so obvious and you wonder why Eli can't solve it but then the author manages to pull off a twist that you don't see coming, just like a real magician he makes it feel effortless. I normally wish the author would stick to the investigation and forget about the love life or home life drama but with this series that part of the story is just as captivating. The writer knows how to create interesting likeable characters and funny or memorable situations. I just can't get enough.
With the police to busy dealing with an influx of drugs Eli's ex wife asks him to go undercover. The magician at the Mall of America has been murdered and nobody will talk to the cops. Eli is perfect for the job, he just has to perform the old magicians routine, with his cranky assistant and ask questions. What could go wrong? It seems a lot, especially when another body is found and he is no closer to finding the killer. Then his fiancee starts work at the Mall and his favourite bar is closing down. Can Eli concentrate long enough to pull a dove out of his pocket or will he be the next victim?
I really like the narrator. He does some really good voices for each of the characters.
With the police to busy dealing with an influx of drugs Eli's ex wife asks him to go undercover. The magician at the Mall of America has been murdered and nobody will talk to the cops. Eli is perfect for the job, he just has to perform the old magicians routine, with his cranky assistant and ask questions. What could go wrong? It seems a lot, especially when another body is found and he is no closer to finding the killer. Then his fiancee starts work at the Mall and his favourite bar is closing down. Can Eli concentrate long enough to pull a dove out of his pocket or will he be the next victim?
I really like the narrator. He does some really good voices for each of the characters.
January 27, 2019
Kindle unlimited but only the short story & #5 are, not the rest.
MURDER AT THE MALL OF AMERICA
When a magician is murdered in the midst of his act at the Mall of America, Eli Marks is asked to step in and take over the daily shows--while also keeping his eyes and ears open for clues about this bizarre homicide. As Eli combs the maze-like corridors beneath the Mall of America's massive amusement park looking for leads, he also struggles to learn and perform an entirely new magic act. Meanwhile, the long-time watering hole for Uncle Harry and his Mystics pals is closing. So in addition to the murder investigation and the new act, Eli must help the grumpy (and picky) seniors find a suitable new hang out.
"If David Copperfield and Sherlock Holmes had a child, it would be Eli Marks.”
Books in the Eli Marks Mystery Series:
THE AMBITIOUS CARD #1)
THE BULLET CATCH #2
THE MISER’S DREAM #3
The Linking Rings #4
The Floating Light Bulb #5
The Invisible Assistant Short Story
MURDER AT THE MALL OF AMERICA
When a magician is murdered in the midst of his act at the Mall of America, Eli Marks is asked to step in and take over the daily shows--while also keeping his eyes and ears open for clues about this bizarre homicide. As Eli combs the maze-like corridors beneath the Mall of America's massive amusement park looking for leads, he also struggles to learn and perform an entirely new magic act. Meanwhile, the long-time watering hole for Uncle Harry and his Mystics pals is closing. So in addition to the murder investigation and the new act, Eli must help the grumpy (and picky) seniors find a suitable new hang out.
"If David Copperfield and Sherlock Holmes had a child, it would be Eli Marks.”
Books in the Eli Marks Mystery Series:
THE AMBITIOUS CARD #1)
THE BULLET CATCH #2
THE MISER’S DREAM #3
The Linking Rings #4
The Floating Light Bulb #5
The Invisible Assistant Short Story
July 17, 2018
Do you enjoy mysteries that mix page-turning suspense with witty repartee? The Floating Light Bulb will fill the bill.
When the headliner of a magic show at the Mall of America is mysteriously murdered, police corral magician Eli Marks to take his place and assist the investigation. On the job, Eli meets an assortment of colorful characters. As the number of suspects grows, so does the body count — and the reader’s sense that Eli could be next.
The story makes skillful use of the Mall’s amusement park setting, allowing plot twists that are imaginative but never implausible. Especially satisfying is the denouement, which continues even after the capture of a murderer. The author leaves you with a smile as he ingeniously ties up all of the narrative’s loose ends. And that just might be the niftiest magic trick in the book.
When the headliner of a magic show at the Mall of America is mysteriously murdered, police corral magician Eli Marks to take his place and assist the investigation. On the job, Eli meets an assortment of colorful characters. As the number of suspects grows, so does the body count — and the reader’s sense that Eli could be next.
The story makes skillful use of the Mall’s amusement park setting, allowing plot twists that are imaginative but never implausible. Especially satisfying is the denouement, which continues even after the capture of a murderer. The author leaves you with a smile as he ingeniously ties up all of the narrative’s loose ends. And that just might be the niftiest magic trick in the book.
February 2, 2019
The Mall of America (and murder)
When Eli takes the job of a slain amusement park magician as part of the investigation into his death, he gets more and less than he bargained for. A taciturn and secretive assistant, shopworn props and a set of routines that could stand a great deal of improvement. As a few more bodies turn up, Eli’s ex-wife Deidre tells him to “Observe and report”. But trying to stay out of trouble is never easy for Eli and his penchant for mystery solving. Will Eli be the next to fall victim in the plot? And what about Nimisha, his assistant who thinks she should be headlining the show? Read this for answers to those questions and an action-packed climax to the latest Eli Marks Mystery.
When Eli takes the job of a slain amusement park magician as part of the investigation into his death, he gets more and less than he bargained for. A taciturn and secretive assistant, shopworn props and a set of routines that could stand a great deal of improvement. As a few more bodies turn up, Eli’s ex-wife Deidre tells him to “Observe and report”. But trying to stay out of trouble is never easy for Eli and his penchant for mystery solving. Will Eli be the next to fall victim in the plot? And what about Nimisha, his assistant who thinks she should be headlining the show? Read this for answers to those questions and an action-packed climax to the latest Eli Marks Mystery.
September 7, 2023
Eli takes up a job in the mall of America in order to investigate a suspicious death.
While the murder mystery aspect of this one is pretty obvious, the book is far more of a cozy than a mystery with the focus clearly on the lives of the side characters involved.
Some tropes die hard I guess. The ex-wife that's the "bitter half" while the new wife is just pure fluff and cuteness. The girl who happens to be Indian is having an arranged marriage as the story unfolds. Why is it always the women that are so weird in cozies?
Overall it was a short and easy read, had a few bumps along the way and ended on a sweet note. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon.
While the murder mystery aspect of this one is pretty obvious, the book is far more of a cozy than a mystery with the focus clearly on the lives of the side characters involved.
Some tropes die hard I guess. The ex-wife that's the "bitter half" while the new wife is just pure fluff and cuteness. The girl who happens to be Indian is having an arranged marriage as the story unfolds. Why is it always the women that are so weird in cozies?
Overall it was a short and easy read, had a few bumps along the way and ended on a sweet note. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon.
August 13, 2020
Dang it! I just don’t think John Gaspard can write a bad Eli Marks book. Thought book 4 was the best in the series. Now, I’m torn. Book 5 was amazing with probably one of the BEST murders I’ve ever read in a mystery in it. The bad news is, I’ve got not more Eli Marks to read until he writes book 6, I guess. Get to writing, Gaspard! We’re a waiting!
Edit: Oh wow! Totally forgot about The Zombie Ball (Book 6). Woo hoo! Off the read more Eli Marks!
Edit: Oh wow! Totally forgot about The Zombie Ball (Book 6). Woo hoo! Off the read more Eli Marks!
April 1, 2021
In a surprising twist of fate, Eli's ex-wife who is also the Assistant DA asks him to take a job at the Mall of America as the resident magician because the previous magician had gotten himself killed.
While Eli wasn't all that interested in taking the job, his ego got the best of him and he reluctantly applied and was hired for the first job he'd ever had with a boss.
Not only is Eli required to use the Floating Light Bulb trick (because the posters around the Mall feature a magician and the floating light bulb) but he had to work with the crabby "box girl."
Eli's fellow wage slaves are a very eclectic group whom he begins to appreciate after working with them. What he doesn't enjoy, however, is the eight shows a day.
This was another solid entry in the series and I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I have.
While Eli wasn't all that interested in taking the job, his ego got the best of him and he reluctantly applied and was hired for the first job he'd ever had with a boss.
Not only is Eli required to use the Floating Light Bulb trick (because the posters around the Mall feature a magician and the floating light bulb) but he had to work with the crabby "box girl."
Eli's fellow wage slaves are a very eclectic group whom he begins to appreciate after working with them. What he doesn't enjoy, however, is the eight shows a day.
This was another solid entry in the series and I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I have.
November 24, 2021
What a fascinating, quirky, clever and entertaining mystery series, effortlessness set in the world of professional magicians. This installment is no exception. It’s well plotted, swiftly paced, peopled with unique characters and, at its core, heartfelt. The narration elevates the series, capturing just the right tone and expressing the individuality and personality of the characters without turning them into caricatures. Thank you, John Gaspard and Jim Cunningham!
December 11, 2020
Fantastic
I loved this book. Magic, murders and mayhem. Eli goes undercover for the police when a magician is murdered at a show in the Mall theatre. Whilst he's working the act more people are murdered. It all comes to a head when he and his assistant are nearly murdered. Oh and there are weddings involved. This book has got alsorts and I really enjoyed reading it.
I loved this book. Magic, murders and mayhem. Eli goes undercover for the police when a magician is murdered at a show in the Mall theatre. Whilst he's working the act more people are murdered. It all comes to a head when he and his assistant are nearly murdered. Oh and there are weddings involved. This book has got alsorts and I really enjoyed reading it.
September 10, 2021
Another Enjoyable Eli Marks Mystery
Eli's ex probably isn't trying to get him killed, but the effects are similar: throw Eli around a mystery and he winds up at the center of a murder attempt.
The characters keep getting richer and more involved as the series goes on, and the suspects kept me guessing. I'm definitely purchasing the next book in the series.
Eli's ex probably isn't trying to get him killed, but the effects are similar: throw Eli around a mystery and he winds up at the center of a murder attempt.
The characters keep getting richer and more involved as the series goes on, and the suspects kept me guessing. I'm definitely purchasing the next book in the series.
July 28, 2025
I loved THE FLOATING LIGHT BULB! Eli gets manipulated into doing a “perfectly safe” favor for his ex-wife, Deirdre. As usual, nothing is as it seemed and that “safety” factor keeps shrinking. This is a skillfully written, well plotted, stand alone, and fun murder mystery with fully developed main characters and an interesting supporting cast.
May 31, 2021
My review of The Floating Light Bulb
I loved it! I hope we get to see more of these new characters again. I really liked Morgan and Nimisha! This is a must read series! I can’t wait for the next book!
I loved it! I hope we get to see more of these new characters again. I really liked Morgan and Nimisha! This is a must read series! I can’t wait for the next book!
May 11, 2023
Still improving across this series. Characters fairly simplistic and two dimensional though. Like the best magic tricks, you can't see the solution here by just looking at it, but once you see how it's done, you feel slightly surprised that anyone would go to so much trouble.
September 15, 2025
CHIRP AUDIOBOOK
A really good storyline with Eli assisting the police department with an investigation that takes place in THE MALL OF AMERICA…. A magic show is the basis for this story. It’s Highly Recommended.
A really good storyline with Eli assisting the police department with an investigation that takes place in THE MALL OF AMERICA…. A magic show is the basis for this story. It’s Highly Recommended.
December 26, 2018
As usual this series is excellently written. The action moves smoothly. The humor is laugh out loud. And Eli and friends take us along for a great ride.
May 5, 2019
just a fun little mystery
October 2, 2020
Magical
The stories in this series keep getting better and better. Lots of twists in the magic and the murders. While the magic is discussed it is never explained.
The stories in this series keep getting better and better. Lots of twists in the magic and the murders. While the magic is discussed it is never explained.
November 15, 2022
great
Love reading about magic and Eli a magician and part time police expert fits the bill. A great read thank you
Love reading about magic and Eli a magician and part time police expert fits the bill. A great read thank you
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