WELL-WRITTEN, FAST-PACED, AND EXCITING...
"The Ambitious Card is intelligently written and ... entirely engrossing." - Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine
The life of a magician isn't all kiddie shows and card tricks. Sometimes it's murder. Especially when magician Eli Marks very publicly debunks a famed psychic, and said psychic ends up dead. The evidence, including a bloody King of Diamonds playing card (one from Eli's own Ambitious Card routine), directs the police right to Eli.
As more psychics are slain, and more King cards rise to the top, Eli can't escape suspicion. Things get really complicated when romance blooms with a beautiful psychic, and Eli discovers she's the next target for murder, and he's scheduled to die with her. Now Eli must use every trick he knows to keep them both alive and reveal the true killer.
In a world where cozies seem to be flooded with estrogen, cats, and caterers, Eli Marks’ first mystery is a breath of fresh air for the guy who loves whodunnits. Although there are a few ‘F’ bombs scattered here and there (not many), I still consider this book to be very much a cozy with a fun and unique amateur sleuth in the form of a professional magician.
The writing and editing were strong. The mystery was quite enjoyable, with enough clues to allow the reader to solve it (which to me is a must in any whodunnit). The use of a magic trick as a framework for the series of killing was inspired, in my opinion.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
Reading updates
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Started reading
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19 January, 2020:
Finished reading
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19 January, 2020:
Reviewed