Death and the Conjuror

Reviews / Votes

A sharply drawn period piece... Locked-room mysteries shine best with memorable characters, which is one of Mead's strengths * New York Times * Death and the Conjuror is an engrossing tale of murder and magicians, and a revealing exploration of the ever-popular locked-room mystery. Mead's debut is a novel to intrigue and delight -- John Connolly [An] affectionate tribute to the golden age of impossible murder mysteries... This ingenious debut is also great fun * The Times * [A] stellar debut and series launch... This homage to golden age crime fiction rivals the best of John Dickson Carr * Publishers Weekly * 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 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 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 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 Sparkling, exhilarating. The narrative is stuffed with provocative ideas and good humour. Tom Mead is a dazzling new talent. -- TP Fielden The clever and complicated plots the unknown antagonist concocts will likely keep you guessing all the way through * Crime Fiction Lover * Fans of Golden Age historical fiction will enjoy this new spin on a traditional pairing for professional policeman and amateur sleuth... All the elements you would expect are here, and the book is pleasingly referential * Historical Novel Society * Mead faithfully replicates all the loving artifice and teasing engagement of golden-age puzzlers in this superior pastiche * Kirkus Reviews * Mead maintains suspense throughout, creating a creepy atmosphere en route to satisfying reveals. Puzzle mystery fans will eagerly await the sequel * Publishers Weekly * 'More red herrings than a North Sea trawler, suspects galore, a dearth of clues, a locked room, and no weapon. A classic 'who?' and 'how?' -- Adrian Magson