Release Date: Sept 23/2014
Adquired: Print ARC provided by Publisher
Goodreads: ADD
Purchase: Amazon/Indigo/Book Depository
In this self-published bestselling e-book by a real illusionist—the first thriller in a sensational series—now available in paperback, FBI agent Jessica Blackwood believes she has successfully left her complicated life as a gifted magician behind her . . . until a killer with seemingly supernatural powers puts her talents to the ultimate test.
A mysterious hacker, who identifies himself only as “Warlock,” brings down the FBI’s website and posts a code in its place. It hides the GPS coordinates of a Michigan cemetery, where a dead girl is discovered rising from the ground . . . as if she tried to crawl out of her own grave.
Born into a dynasty of illusionists, Jessica Blackwood is destined to become its next star—until she turns her back on her troubled family, and her legacy, to begin a new life in law enforcement. But FBI consultant Dr. Jeffrey Ailes’s discovery of an old copy of Magician Magazine will turn Jessica’s carefully constructed world upside down. Faced with a crime that appears beyond explanation, Ailes has nothing to lose—and everything to gain—by taking a chance on an agent raised in a world devoted to seemingly achieving the impossible.
The body in the cemetery is only the first in the Warlock’s series of dark miracles. Thrust into the media spotlight, with time ticking away until the next crime, can Jessica confront her past to embrace her gifts and stop a depraved killer? If she can’t, she may become his next victim.(
MAGIC TRICKS REVEALED. Who hasn't searched that on YouTube? Or was at least somewhat fascinated by magic tricks growing up-from juvenile slights of hand to the likes of Houdini and David Blaine. Personally, I was completely obsessed. My overactive imagination conjured up a million reasons why the trick COULDN'T have been fake. These magicians were the real deal in my mind. They were the warlocks, witches, and super-human beings that populated my novels, and played staring roles in my favourite TV shows. I wanted nothing more than for magic to actually exist in the world, and it was for that exact reason that Angel Killer held my attention hostage for 3 hours. I was COMPLETELY taken.
Jessica Blackwood, immensely talented magician turned FBI agent. A complete deviation of career, or so she thought. A baffling, and seemingly paranormal, murder has presented itself in a cemetery in Michigan. A cold case turned hot again. Someone has killed a young girl that was already dead for two years. How? Jessica Blackwood is appointed the person in charge of answering that question. Dredging up her expertise in magic, Jessica is set on the trail of a Houdini murderer, a serial killer with a penchant for an audience. She's about to find out the consequences of trying to look behind the curtain.
Fun fact #1, Andrew Mayne, the author of this novel, is a real life magician. With this knowledge in hand, I was already prepared to thoroughly enjoy Angel Killer. And enjoy the hell out of it I did. Not only is Andrew a magician, he seems to seriously have knack for narratives. The story line in this novel was very well thought out. Unfortunately, there were scenes that got slightly muddled and bogged down with technical explanations and descriptions, but it didn't take long for the entertainment and intrigue to resurface. This guy obviously understands the effect of placing cliffhangers at the chapter endings, making it insanely hard for me to put the book down, even for a second. It was absolutely fascinating to learn the mechanics behind popular magic tricks, both the small ones, and the ones being created by our murderer. I felt like I was part of the team, like I could help figure out what the next move would be.
My only qualm, and a pointless one really, because this is a series, was the conclusion of Angel Killer. It was a little too anti-climatic for me. I wanted a bigger scene, more resistance, and a lot more explanation. I also wished we got a deeper look in Jessica's past, the fact that her ancestry was also steeped in magic. It was all so endlessly compelling, and engaging. Andrew Mayne has created the beginning of a series that will be hard to ignore. I can't wait to read what he has for us next!
Recommended for Fans of: Mystery, Thriller, David Blaine, Criss Angel, Magic & Illusion in fiction.
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CLICK HERE to read more about Andrew on his website.
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Thank-you to Trish from TLC Book Tours for hosting this tour, and to Bourbon Street Books for sending me a print ARC to review!
CLICK HERE to follow the rest of the tour
I love magic tricks! This is such an interesting idea for a murder mystery. I love it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being on the tour!