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Jessica Blackwood #1
Angel Killer
In the first installment in Andrew Mayne's sensational mystery series, 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.
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.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 23, 2014
3943 people are currently reading
4099 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 805 reviews
March 2, 2021
After recently discovering the work of Andrew Mayne, I quickly became a fan of his unique approach to the crime thriller. Having heard much about Jessica Blackwood, the FBI agent with a past in magic, I could not help but check things out for myself. Mayne does well in this series debut, showing Jessica’s attention to detail and drive to solve crimes using her past experiences to crack open seemingly baffling cases. When a killer uses the same types of sleight of hand, Jessica’s ready to offer her input, hoping that it will help solve a case where the bodies do not seem to be disappearing, but replicating. A great beginning for those who love the mysterious side of the crime thriller.
Jessica Blackwood enjoys her work with the FBI, but admits that it is not the most exciting. Her joy comes from being able to hold onto the magic she grew up learning and passing it on to young children. When Blackwood is summoned to the office on her day off, she knows it is not to commend her for her work, though she cannot think what could be going on.
It would seem her magic past has not been overlooked by some of the higher-ups, as she is called upon to consult on a case that has those within the Bureau baffled. A woman’s body has been discovered, which does not seem all that unusual. However, the woman was declared dead and her body processed a few years early. In fact, this new body’s right around the gravesite, making things all the more eerie.
Blackwood soon realises that there’s been some trickery taking place, the type of illusion that magicians are known for using in their acts. Calling the killer The Warlock, Blackwood and the team slowly try to piece things together, only to be handed another mysterious case when a plane that has been missing for decades randomly appears, alongside its pilot. Blackwood must use her own experiences to piece things together slowly, but seems to be finding a pattern.
As The Warlock continues to show his skills, a woman appears in Times Square, made to look like an angel, though obviously dead. Her body and the location are obvious clues and Blackwood is able to detect how they will be able to make some sense fo the killings. However, this is not a killer who is lax when it comes to preparation. This is a deadly game of cat and mouse, where smoke and mirrors create an added illusion that could turn deadly at any moment.
I have become quite impressed with the work of Andrew Mayne so far, which delivers a strong story with a unique perspective throughout. Using magic as a supporting theme throughout not only adds to the mystery of the plot, but helps flesh out some of the backstory needed to better understand the life that Jessica Blackwood had coming into this piece. Mayne leaves the reader wondering what might await the protagonist, as long as she can escape the grasp of this most sinister killer.
Jessica Blackwood seems to fit the role of protagonist perfectly. She has a strong motive to help others and is shown to be compassionate as her character develops throughout the piece. There is also a great deal of backstory that comes to thee surface, both with her past as an experienced magician and growing up under the pressure of the family name. Mayne does well to develop her throughout this piece, but leaves many threads dangling, as though he hopes to lure the reader in the continue following the series.
The supporting cast works well to complement both Blackwood and the larger plot. Magic does play centre stage in this piece, though it is based not on the fantasy side of it, but the illusionary aspects of the craft that tends to baffle the general population. Using murder within the craft adds insight and those who play a part in the larger ‘act’ serve well in their respective roles to keep the reader on their toes throughout.
The story is strong from the beginning and never seems to lose its momentum. I was quite impressed with how things developed and Mayne’s use of a number of techniques to hook the reader from the early chapters. The story is strong and its use of magic makes it stand out from many others in the genre. There is a definite uniqueness to the plot, which flows well as the story gains momentum. I found myself quite intrigued by the use of magic and illusions throughout, which found its place at the core of the crime scenes. Mid-length chapters kept the reader wanting to know more and I was eager to see what awaited me around each corner, with a killer so adept at false trails. I am hooked and want to get my hands on the next book in short order.
Kudos, Mr. Mayne, for breathing new life into a genre that I love so much. I will definitely be keeping Jessica Blackwood’s adventures in my life as soon as I can.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Jessica Blackwood enjoys her work with the FBI, but admits that it is not the most exciting. Her joy comes from being able to hold onto the magic she grew up learning and passing it on to young children. When Blackwood is summoned to the office on her day off, she knows it is not to commend her for her work, though she cannot think what could be going on.
It would seem her magic past has not been overlooked by some of the higher-ups, as she is called upon to consult on a case that has those within the Bureau baffled. A woman’s body has been discovered, which does not seem all that unusual. However, the woman was declared dead and her body processed a few years early. In fact, this new body’s right around the gravesite, making things all the more eerie.
Blackwood soon realises that there’s been some trickery taking place, the type of illusion that magicians are known for using in their acts. Calling the killer The Warlock, Blackwood and the team slowly try to piece things together, only to be handed another mysterious case when a plane that has been missing for decades randomly appears, alongside its pilot. Blackwood must use her own experiences to piece things together slowly, but seems to be finding a pattern.
As The Warlock continues to show his skills, a woman appears in Times Square, made to look like an angel, though obviously dead. Her body and the location are obvious clues and Blackwood is able to detect how they will be able to make some sense fo the killings. However, this is not a killer who is lax when it comes to preparation. This is a deadly game of cat and mouse, where smoke and mirrors create an added illusion that could turn deadly at any moment.
I have become quite impressed with the work of Andrew Mayne so far, which delivers a strong story with a unique perspective throughout. Using magic as a supporting theme throughout not only adds to the mystery of the plot, but helps flesh out some of the backstory needed to better understand the life that Jessica Blackwood had coming into this piece. Mayne leaves the reader wondering what might await the protagonist, as long as she can escape the grasp of this most sinister killer.
Jessica Blackwood seems to fit the role of protagonist perfectly. She has a strong motive to help others and is shown to be compassionate as her character develops throughout the piece. There is also a great deal of backstory that comes to thee surface, both with her past as an experienced magician and growing up under the pressure of the family name. Mayne does well to develop her throughout this piece, but leaves many threads dangling, as though he hopes to lure the reader in the continue following the series.
The supporting cast works well to complement both Blackwood and the larger plot. Magic does play centre stage in this piece, though it is based not on the fantasy side of it, but the illusionary aspects of the craft that tends to baffle the general population. Using murder within the craft adds insight and those who play a part in the larger ‘act’ serve well in their respective roles to keep the reader on their toes throughout.
The story is strong from the beginning and never seems to lose its momentum. I was quite impressed with how things developed and Mayne’s use of a number of techniques to hook the reader from the early chapters. The story is strong and its use of magic makes it stand out from many others in the genre. There is a definite uniqueness to the plot, which flows well as the story gains momentum. I found myself quite intrigued by the use of magic and illusions throughout, which found its place at the core of the crime scenes. Mid-length chapters kept the reader wanting to know more and I was eager to see what awaited me around each corner, with a killer so adept at false trails. I am hooked and want to get my hands on the next book in short order.
Kudos, Mr. Mayne, for breathing new life into a genre that I love so much. I will definitely be keeping Jessica Blackwood’s adventures in my life as soon as I can.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
June 5, 2017
I gave up reading books about the FBI when I stopped believing in the FBI but I simply could not resist a book where the MC is also a MAGICIAN! What!?! Okay, at first I thought this was going to be the corniest, silliest book I ever had read and this year I've started and stopped a LOT of those. But noooooo..... the premise actually works.
Jessica Blackwood was raised in a family of magicians/illusionists and was one herself until her early 20's. She understands "trickery," illusions and other cons like no one else in the FBI, so it makes sense that when a serial killer begins committing larger than life crimes, she is the agent that would be utilized.
The writing is really spot on here. Andrew Mayne has a great feel for how books should flow. The FBI conversations are never so stilted that you want to strangle them, you know? And the magic - ohhhhh..... so much to learn here. My son is actually a friend of David Blaine and through him I've become rather fascinated with the world of illusion, what our minds will tell us, what we "think" we see. It's all so incredible. This book brings that world to life. I cannot believe that this is a self-published book - it really is very well edited, very well done. Kudos to Mayne for that. And of course, I will read the next in the series and hope you will read this one.
Jessica Blackwood was raised in a family of magicians/illusionists and was one herself until her early 20's. She understands "trickery," illusions and other cons like no one else in the FBI, so it makes sense that when a serial killer begins committing larger than life crimes, she is the agent that would be utilized.
The writing is really spot on here. Andrew Mayne has a great feel for how books should flow. The FBI conversations are never so stilted that you want to strangle them, you know? And the magic - ohhhhh..... so much to learn here. My son is actually a friend of David Blaine and through him I've become rather fascinated with the world of illusion, what our minds will tell us, what we "think" we see. It's all so incredible. This book brings that world to life. I cannot believe that this is a self-published book - it really is very well edited, very well done. Kudos to Mayne for that. And of course, I will read the next in the series and hope you will read this one.
August 7, 2015
Bloody brilliant. Note: I have a review copy from the Faber paperback edition being released in October, that edition does not appear on Goodreads that I can see!
I literally devoured this - Its like Criminal Minds meets Jonathon Creek in book form. I'm very lucky to be able to interiew the author for a feature on the blog to coincide with the UK Faber release so a full review will follow then.
Highly Recommended.
I literally devoured this - Its like Criminal Minds meets Jonathon Creek in book form. I'm very lucky to be able to interiew the author for a feature on the blog to coincide with the UK Faber release so a full review will follow then.
Highly Recommended.
November 29, 2025
It's a new year and I'm not going to hold out any hope that each book I read, no matter how hyped or how interesting the premise is or how many excellent reviews it has, will live up to its promise.
I've learned my lesson (see my other reviews of past hyped but terribly disappointing books) and now I'm going to judge it on its own merit. I'm going to read it first and base my conclusions on how I feel after reading it.
This book has an interesting premise. Magic!
Who doesn't like magic? And if you say you do not, liar liar pants on fire.
That's one reason in my category of "why I should read this book."
Another reason is the author is an illusionist himself. I'm not fond of male authors writing from a female viewpoint but its a new year so let's not be judge-y, shall we?
This is how I feel after reading it: that's it?
1. I neither like nor dislike Jessica Blackwood. But that's the problem and the same goes for all the other characters.
They're all underdeveloped and only there as props as Jessica is brought into the case and works the scene, so to speak.
2. Damian is just...well, if you read the book, you know what I mean. He might not be so ridiculous if he had been a well developed character, if he was seen as more than just a possible stalker sociopathic who follows Jessica Blackwood ever since they broke up.
He's a master of disguise, has no real job or family or commitments or responsibilities but of course, he's got a ton of money, right?
Lemme guess, he's also incredibly attractive and hot. He's an enigma wrapped in a riddle wrapped in a box and he solves your mystery for you because you can't do it yourself?
Why? Because you're a woman and too stupid?
Because the FBI are just moronic sissies who have nothing else to do but act like they know what they're doing?
Better yet, why not just write deus ex machina on his forehead when he first showed up so I could have stopped reading right there?
3. The villain or bad guy or whatever you want to call it, a waste of space, let's go with that - he doesn't really fit in this category because he's neither believable or a worthy opponent, just another cardboard cutout of a serial killer or cult leader wannabe like David Koresh.
I bored myself just writing that sentence, by the way.
4. The magic was not magic. It wasn't. They were outlandish stunts posed as 'magic' but even as I was reading it, I couldn't see it as magical either and that was the main problem of the book for me; I could not suspend belief even as Jessica was explaining how the stunts could be done.
I was just bored and could not care less.
5. Abrupt ending to an abrupt book.
I'd read the next installment just to see if it gets better.
I'm also trying to give people more chances this year.
I've learned my lesson (see my other reviews of past hyped but terribly disappointing books) and now I'm going to judge it on its own merit. I'm going to read it first and base my conclusions on how I feel after reading it.
This book has an interesting premise. Magic!
Who doesn't like magic? And if you say you do not, liar liar pants on fire.
That's one reason in my category of "why I should read this book."
Another reason is the author is an illusionist himself. I'm not fond of male authors writing from a female viewpoint but its a new year so let's not be judge-y, shall we?
This is how I feel after reading it: that's it?
1. I neither like nor dislike Jessica Blackwood. But that's the problem and the same goes for all the other characters.
They're all underdeveloped and only there as props as Jessica is brought into the case and works the scene, so to speak.
2. Damian is just...well, if you read the book, you know what I mean. He might not be so ridiculous if he had been a well developed character, if he was seen as more than just a possible stalker sociopathic who follows Jessica Blackwood ever since they broke up.
He's a master of disguise, has no real job or family or commitments or responsibilities but of course, he's got a ton of money, right?
Lemme guess, he's also incredibly attractive and hot. He's an enigma wrapped in a riddle wrapped in a box and he solves your mystery for you because you can't do it yourself?
Why? Because you're a woman and too stupid?
Because the FBI are just moronic sissies who have nothing else to do but act like they know what they're doing?
Better yet, why not just write deus ex machina on his forehead when he first showed up so I could have stopped reading right there?
3. The villain or bad guy or whatever you want to call it, a waste of space, let's go with that - he doesn't really fit in this category because he's neither believable or a worthy opponent, just another cardboard cutout of a serial killer or cult leader wannabe like David Koresh.
I bored myself just writing that sentence, by the way.
4. The magic was not magic. It wasn't. They were outlandish stunts posed as 'magic' but even as I was reading it, I couldn't see it as magical either and that was the main problem of the book for me; I could not suspend belief even as Jessica was explaining how the stunts could be done.
I was just bored and could not care less.
5. Abrupt ending to an abrupt book.
I'd read the next installment just to see if it gets better.
I'm also trying to give people more chances this year.
December 12, 2024
This is a debut thriller series with Jessica Blackwood as the main character.
The story is about a serial killer who considers himself a supernatural God-like magician genius and calls himself Warlock.
The FBI is after him…
So…Dr. Jeffrey Ailes the mathematician genius in the FBI who figured out the coordinates of where the latest victim of his is, enlists one of their own, Jessica Blackwood who happens to be a former magician star.
Can she unravel Warlock’s magical tricks before it is too late for the next victim – or will she become a victim herself?
Of course…If it is her series, we don’t want this to be one and done, right?
In the mean time…There is Damian Jessica’s self-appointed guardian angel, former lover, and a psychopath who is a little too convenient to save her from danger in the investigations.
But…Will he be able to do enough to save her from the evil cult that Warlock has spurned?
Thriller Pace…breakneck. Layered main character. Magic theories. Nail biting action. Tense climax.
But…Will it be enough to keep readers engaged?
The story is about a serial killer who considers himself a supernatural God-like magician genius and calls himself Warlock.
The FBI is after him…
So…Dr. Jeffrey Ailes the mathematician genius in the FBI who figured out the coordinates of where the latest victim of his is, enlists one of their own, Jessica Blackwood who happens to be a former magician star.
Can she unravel Warlock’s magical tricks before it is too late for the next victim – or will she become a victim herself?
Of course…If it is her series, we don’t want this to be one and done, right?
In the mean time…There is Damian Jessica’s self-appointed guardian angel, former lover, and a psychopath who is a little too convenient to save her from danger in the investigations.
But…Will he be able to do enough to save her from the evil cult that Warlock has spurned?
Thriller Pace…breakneck. Layered main character. Magic theories. Nail biting action. Tense climax.
But…Will it be enough to keep readers engaged?
Read
March 14, 2021DNF @60%
I could not get into this storyline because so much of it focused around magic. I don’t like magic tricks, magicians, etc. I read the book for hours and when I still had 6 hours to go I was hoping a magician could make me disappear. No worries though, I made the book disappear.
Also, the plot and storyline is just way over the top and not the slightest bit believable.
I’m not going to rate this book. This writer has all 4&5 stars and I don’t want to ruin it just because it wasn’t my cup of tea.
I will definitely try another one of his books because he does write very well.
I could not get into this storyline because so much of it focused around magic. I don’t like magic tricks, magicians, etc. I read the book for hours and when I still had 6 hours to go I was hoping a magician could make me disappear. No worries though, I made the book disappear.
Also, the plot and storyline is just way over the top and not the slightest bit believable.
I’m not going to rate this book. This writer has all 4&5 stars and I don’t want to ruin it just because it wasn’t my cup of tea.
I will definitely try another one of his books because he does write very well.
August 13, 2022
Published in 2014 Angel Killer introduced Jessica Blackwood, a young FBI agent born into a family of illusionists. Jessica seemed destined to continue the family tradition until she joined the FBI. Up until now she is working at a desk. But then FBI consultant Dr. Jeffrey Ailes discovers and old magic magazine featuring Jessica.
A hacker who calls himself "Warlock" posts code on the FBI's website that leads to a Michigan cemetery where a dead girl is discovered rising from the ground. It as if she tried to crawl out of her own grave. Ailes decides he needs someone with a special skillset to assist in the investigation. Someone with a background in illusion and magic. There is only one agent with that background. Jessica.
The girl crawling out of her own grave is only the first "miracle". Soon Jessica is in the media spotlight. She is a new and unique protagonist. She will have to deal with her past and family issues while being thrust into a new role at the FBI. All while being in the media spotlight.
Andrew Mayne is a magician and illusionist himself. He has also worked with some famous magicians and illusionists. His background brings authenticity when Jessica explains how the Warlock pulled off his illusions. Overall this is a very entertaining read and I look forward to reading other books in this series.
A hacker who calls himself "Warlock" posts code on the FBI's website that leads to a Michigan cemetery where a dead girl is discovered rising from the ground. It as if she tried to crawl out of her own grave. Ailes decides he needs someone with a special skillset to assist in the investigation. Someone with a background in illusion and magic. There is only one agent with that background. Jessica.
The girl crawling out of her own grave is only the first "miracle". Soon Jessica is in the media spotlight. She is a new and unique protagonist. She will have to deal with her past and family issues while being thrust into a new role at the FBI. All while being in the media spotlight.
Andrew Mayne is a magician and illusionist himself. He has also worked with some famous magicians and illusionists. His background brings authenticity when Jessica explains how the Warlock pulled off his illusions. Overall this is a very entertaining read and I look forward to reading other books in this series.
January 3, 2021
Step right up, folks, and enjoy the show!!!
I'm quickly learning that Andrew Mayne is first and foremost an entertainer, using creative licence to produce books that are as fun as they are thrilling. His books tend to be a bit quirky, original, slightly over the top but darkly entertaining. This is my second book by this author and I already can't wait to move on to the next.
The cast of characters is no less original than the story. There is a serial killer using grand illusions as part of his MO, a former magician, now FBI agent, on the chase and a mysterious and psychopathic man working in the background with ambiguous motivations. Angel Killer is the first book in what is now a series, leaving some threads open at the end that lead into the next book.
Andrew Mayne's work is as versatile as the author himself. Check out his biography and you'll know what I mean. He is quickly working his way onto my list of top authors.
I'm quickly learning that Andrew Mayne is first and foremost an entertainer, using creative licence to produce books that are as fun as they are thrilling. His books tend to be a bit quirky, original, slightly over the top but darkly entertaining. This is my second book by this author and I already can't wait to move on to the next.
The cast of characters is no less original than the story. There is a serial killer using grand illusions as part of his MO, a former magician, now FBI agent, on the chase and a mysterious and psychopathic man working in the background with ambiguous motivations. Angel Killer is the first book in what is now a series, leaving some threads open at the end that lead into the next book.
Andrew Mayne's work is as versatile as the author himself. Check out his biography and you'll know what I mean. He is quickly working his way onto my list of top authors.
October 4, 2019
As with his Naturalist series, Andrew Mayne brings us a completely different type of protagonist again with Jessica Blackwood. When you read as much as I do, in a very crowded genre, you really appreciate an author who can deliver something out of left field so kudos to Mayne for that alone.
Jessica Blackwood, a young FBI agent, is added to a team hunting an elusive serial killer calling himself the Warlock. His victims are found in seemingly impossible tableaux. Jessica's father and grandfather were magicians and she also learned the trade. When she is called upon to offer her unique insights into how such tableaux could be achieved she is a little reluctant, at first, to call upon her upbringing which, in the FBI, could be considered a little kinky. But after being able to 'solve' some of the more esoteric aspects of the case she gains some respect and credibility.
This was a very entertaining offering by Mayne and I'm straight into book 2.
Jessica Blackwood, a young FBI agent, is added to a team hunting an elusive serial killer calling himself the Warlock. His victims are found in seemingly impossible tableaux. Jessica's father and grandfather were magicians and she also learned the trade. When she is called upon to offer her unique insights into how such tableaux could be achieved she is a little reluctant, at first, to call upon her upbringing which, in the FBI, could be considered a little kinky. But after being able to 'solve' some of the more esoteric aspects of the case she gains some respect and credibility.
This was a very entertaining offering by Mayne and I'm straight into book 2.
April 12, 2017
Lately I've given up on the current trend in thrillers (sadistic serialists, dead children) and sought out protagonists with quirky backstories and skills. Jessica is an FBI agent with a background as an illusionist, having been born into that world. Not your usual setup. The situation here is original with an overthetop Mr. Bad who, of course, seems to be ubiquitous, hilariously evil and brilliant, and has unlimited resources. Can't wait to see what Mayne comes up with next.
August 21, 2015
Angel Killer – An Excellent Debut Series
Andrew Mayne is an American (shouldn’t hold that against him) with an serious interest in magic and illusions, so much so that he has his own TV show and worked with some very famous illusionists and magicians. He has taken his knowledge and experiences in to the writing of this excellent thriller which introduces us to Special Agent Jessica Blackwood.
Jessica Blackwood is trying to escape her family and her past by working in law enforcement but the harder she tries to run from the past the more the past travels the journey with her. She is on secondment to Quantico where she is working white collar crime looking at people’s financials find the criminals. When she is summoned to see a Dr Ailes who has his own team of number crunchers and geeks in a building avoided by most in the FBI.
Jessica feels like she is being quizzed about a recent cyber attack on the FBI systems that revealed a clue to a dead body. Ailes tells her that she is being placed on the team that is investigating this attack and the dead body as a consultant and is to join the team at the airport.
Throughout the book many of her colleagues are sceptical of her skills in the field or even in the area of homicide. But as the Warlock seems to push the case to the bounds of the impossible Jessica’s unique insight gives the team an unexpected edge and a different view of the Warlock.
As the case develops we are introduced to Damien who is an exlover, a friend and a continued annoyance to her. At the same time that he is a high functioning gambler and magician who is able to get Jessica to ignore the smoke and mirrors take a closer look, that there is trickery afoot and she can uncover it.
As the thriller develops Jessica has become known as the ‘witch’ of the FBI especially when she shows her colleagues how Warlock managed a misdirect to fool everyone including TV viewers. It becomes clearer that this really is a battle between Blackwood and The Warlock with a fight to the last which could possibly be life and death, but Blackwood knows what she has to do to undermine The Warlock.
Angel Killer is an excellent thriller that ticks all the boxes with the addition of magic and illusions thrown in that gives the read a rounded excellent thriller that is not like procedural thrillers. Jessica Blackwood is an interesting character that will be interesting to see her develop as time goes on. This really is a gripping story with plenty of mystery that you are still not sure of who the Warlock is until the very end of the book and the great thing is there is no obvious choice of who it could be so you are kept guessing throughout the book.
A great debut series and I cannot wait to see the Jessica Blackwood Thrillers develop with a new slant on magic and the FBI. This is well written and really enjoyable.
Andrew Mayne is an American (shouldn’t hold that against him) with an serious interest in magic and illusions, so much so that he has his own TV show and worked with some very famous illusionists and magicians. He has taken his knowledge and experiences in to the writing of this excellent thriller which introduces us to Special Agent Jessica Blackwood.
Jessica Blackwood is trying to escape her family and her past by working in law enforcement but the harder she tries to run from the past the more the past travels the journey with her. She is on secondment to Quantico where she is working white collar crime looking at people’s financials find the criminals. When she is summoned to see a Dr Ailes who has his own team of number crunchers and geeks in a building avoided by most in the FBI.
Jessica feels like she is being quizzed about a recent cyber attack on the FBI systems that revealed a clue to a dead body. Ailes tells her that she is being placed on the team that is investigating this attack and the dead body as a consultant and is to join the team at the airport.
Throughout the book many of her colleagues are sceptical of her skills in the field or even in the area of homicide. But as the Warlock seems to push the case to the bounds of the impossible Jessica’s unique insight gives the team an unexpected edge and a different view of the Warlock.
As the case develops we are introduced to Damien who is an exlover, a friend and a continued annoyance to her. At the same time that he is a high functioning gambler and magician who is able to get Jessica to ignore the smoke and mirrors take a closer look, that there is trickery afoot and she can uncover it.
As the thriller develops Jessica has become known as the ‘witch’ of the FBI especially when she shows her colleagues how Warlock managed a misdirect to fool everyone including TV viewers. It becomes clearer that this really is a battle between Blackwood and The Warlock with a fight to the last which could possibly be life and death, but Blackwood knows what she has to do to undermine The Warlock.
Angel Killer is an excellent thriller that ticks all the boxes with the addition of magic and illusions thrown in that gives the read a rounded excellent thriller that is not like procedural thrillers. Jessica Blackwood is an interesting character that will be interesting to see her develop as time goes on. This really is a gripping story with plenty of mystery that you are still not sure of who the Warlock is until the very end of the book and the great thing is there is no obvious choice of who it could be so you are kept guessing throughout the book.
A great debut series and I cannot wait to see the Jessica Blackwood Thrillers develop with a new slant on magic and the FBI. This is well written and really enjoyable.
December 26, 2019
SUMMARY: Killer WARLOCK vs. (FBI) WITCH.
An unusual protagonist: a lady ex-magician, now a FBI agent.
Several weird happenings: spectacular crimes (?) that appear impossible/paranormal/magical.
VERDICT: 3.85, rounded to 4 stars as it was more fun than the average FBI/crime/serial killer novel. Overall, it was quite entertaining in spite of a few issues. Blackwood was a good protagonist, if not deeply developed here. The killer is certainly a smart one, and his/her abilities appear to border on the supernatural. As to the truth or insanity of it all.... well you'll have to read and see!
RECOMMENDED? YES, if you like unusual crime thrillers and/or books with magicians (or ex-magicians) as main characters.
ALSO CONSIDER THESE BOOKS (crime/contemporary/magicians):
The Houdini Girl by Martyn Bedford
Club Deception by Sarah Skilton
~~~~
A FEW NOTES ON 'ANGEL KILLER' (no BIG spoilers):
An unusual protagonist: a lady ex-magician, now a FBI agent.
Several weird happenings: spectacular crimes (?) that appear impossible/paranormal/magical.
VERDICT: 3.85, rounded to 4 stars as it was more fun than the average FBI/crime/serial killer novel. Overall, it was quite entertaining in spite of a few issues. Blackwood was a good protagonist, if not deeply developed here. The killer is certainly a smart one, and his/her abilities appear to border on the supernatural. As to the truth or insanity of it all.... well you'll have to read and see!
RECOMMENDED? YES, if you like unusual crime thrillers and/or books with magicians (or ex-magicians) as main characters.
ALSO CONSIDER THESE BOOKS (crime/contemporary/magicians):
The Houdini Girl by Martyn Bedford
Club Deception by Sarah Skilton~~~~
A FEW NOTES ON 'ANGEL KILLER' (no BIG spoilers):
October 24, 2019
I read this due to the may good reviews this book had, but my expectation was more or less something like Harry Dresden but I got a FBI agent that used to be a stage magician/illusionist and it gives her a different insight than many FBI agents would have.
And then a case comes along that stretches the minds of the regular FBI and jessica Blackwood gets entered, her insights do actually matter and do change the course of this case in which the villain Warlock actually tires to change the fabric of the US society by making people doubt the truth and make them believers again.
The book was well written en fairly easy and forward to read and jessica's friend is actually the most fascinating character albeit somewhat creepy and stalkery. Serious minus point is the open ending of this first book, it is not a closed entry which is in my humble view the best read. Sure I'll read the next one but not because a book does not give me an ending, I find that poor writing. The tendencies these days to write multiple books to tell one story can be annoying. Even in a book that does not satisfy its readers.
That said a decent number one book and a decent invitation to its sequel.
And then a case comes along that stretches the minds of the regular FBI and jessica Blackwood gets entered, her insights do actually matter and do change the course of this case in which the villain Warlock actually tires to change the fabric of the US society by making people doubt the truth and make them believers again.
The book was well written en fairly easy and forward to read and jessica's friend is actually the most fascinating character albeit somewhat creepy and stalkery. Serious minus point is the open ending of this first book, it is not a closed entry which is in my humble view the best read. Sure I'll read the next one but not because a book does not give me an ending, I find that poor writing. The tendencies these days to write multiple books to tell one story can be annoying. Even in a book that does not satisfy its readers.
That said a decent number one book and a decent invitation to its sequel.
December 12, 2020
Trigger warning: Violence death.
What a book, what a fucking book...i enjoyed every single moment of it (am already 25% into the sequel as I write this).
The characters has solid real feel to them especially jessica, the way you feel her emotions and see her thinking mind turning in order to solve the case.... it just make you fall in love with her and want to protect her at all costs (yes D I feel what you feel ^^)
The flow is nice and easy despite the difficult theme of the novel, this story is not for the faint heart so read/listen at your own risk.
but seriously Andrew Mayne is a master in combine magic and crime.... i am really enjoying this series so far.
What a book, what a fucking book...i enjoyed every single moment of it (am already 25% into the sequel as I write this).
The characters has solid real feel to them especially jessica, the way you feel her emotions and see her thinking mind turning in order to solve the case.... it just make you fall in love with her and want to protect her at all costs (yes D I feel what you feel ^^)
The flow is nice and easy despite the difficult theme of the novel, this story is not for the faint heart so read/listen at your own risk.
but seriously Andrew Mayne is a master in combine magic and crime.... i am really enjoying this series so far.
January 16, 2013
This was OK, but something about it just didn't work...maybe it's my personal dislike of first person narratives, especially when it's a male author writing female first person.
I also found the modus too far fetched, and the conclusions drawn by the investigators relied greatly on coincidence, rather than investigation. I also felt the characters lacked depth, the author concentrating on making them quirky instead of interesting.
I guess the readers reaction to this would depend a great deal on how they feel about magic /illusion.
I also found the modus too far fetched, and the conclusions drawn by the investigators relied greatly on coincidence, rather than investigation. I also felt the characters lacked depth, the author concentrating on making them quirky instead of interesting.
I guess the readers reaction to this would depend a great deal on how they feel about magic /illusion.
January 4, 2022
The end of the year is always a great time for catch-up and mood reading, and this month I got to pick up Angel Killer by Andrew Mayne, bringing me one step closer to completing his backlist. With Station Breaker, Orbital, and Public Enemy Zero already checked off the list, somehow the Jessica Blackwood series had still managed to elude me, though not surprisingly this year’s publication of Mastermind was a huge motivation for me to finally do something about that. The book which featured a team up between Jessica and Theo Cray of The Naturalist actually gave me a chance to see her in action, and what I saw definitely made me want to know more.
When we first meet FBI Agent Jessica Blackwood at the beginning of Angel Killer, she’s just been assigned to a new case which has the entirety of the organization baffled. A serial killer calling himself the Warlock has been staging a series of bizarre crimes designed to capture the attention of the media and have the public talking. First, it’s a brazen hack of the FBI’s website with a clue that leads to a cemetery in Michigan. There, Jessica and her fellow agents discover the corpse of a young woman who was murdered two years ago, except now she looks as if she’d died that very morning after appearing to have crawled out of her own grave.
The mysterious, seemingly impossible deaths don’t stop there, with the circumstances surrounding each subsequent victim becoming more and more implausible, defying the laws of nature. Predictably, some of the news outlets have started calling these acts a miracle, playing right into the Warlock’s hands. Having been born into a family of magicians and trained by her famous illusionist grandfather though, Jessica isn’t fooled, and neither is her boss Dr. Jeffrey Ailes. Fully aware of Jessica’s background, he believes it’ll take a magician to catch a magician, because that is all the Warlock is—a performer using the world as a stage to show off his sick antics. Helping Jessica realize her full potential, Ailes understands that she may be uniquely equipped to solve this case, as well as the FBI’s best chance at staying ahead of their quarry before he kills again.
Andrew Mayne has a background in magic, and while some of his professional knowledge has been featured in his other books, none of it compares to how prominently they are showcased in Angel Killer. This certainly lends the novel its distinctive flavor, setting it apart from a sea of other mystery crime thrillers about law enforcement hunting down serial killers. Rather than being your typical genre villain, the Warlock is like a twisted showman trying to get the whole world talking about act by finding ways to make each victim a public spectacle. A reanimated dead girl comes back to life only to die again by her own grave before spontaneously bursting into flames. A warplane that has been missing for decades suddenly reappears on a Florida beach with the fresh corpse of its pilot still strapped in the cockpit, almost as if they’d emerged from a portal through time. The body of a woman with wings appears in a flash of light in the middle of Times Squire, seemingly to have fallen out of the sky.
Because all the Warlock’s killings are so extreme, this does give the novel an almost fantastical, supernatural or surreal kind of vibe. At the same time, being over-the-top is also one of the author’s trademarks, so to me those traits kind of went hand in hand. As the special consultant on the Warlock case though, it is Jessica’s job to figure out how he pulls off the seemingly impossible, using her knowledge of magic and illusion to offer up perfectly logical and mundane explanations. This was the part I found most fascinating, because often in the process of explaining a Warlock illusion, Mayne would also reveal some tricks of the trade, so to speak, describing how some of the more popular magician acts can be achieved.
Save for only a few sections where the narrative would veer too much towards exposition, the pacing was breakneck, the plot innovative and extremely engaging. In so many ways it is an Andrew Mayne novel through and through, taking you on a wild adventure involving farfetched but highly entertaining scenarios that would suck you right in. I can’t wait to dive into the next book for more Jessica Blackwood.
When we first meet FBI Agent Jessica Blackwood at the beginning of Angel Killer, she’s just been assigned to a new case which has the entirety of the organization baffled. A serial killer calling himself the Warlock has been staging a series of bizarre crimes designed to capture the attention of the media and have the public talking. First, it’s a brazen hack of the FBI’s website with a clue that leads to a cemetery in Michigan. There, Jessica and her fellow agents discover the corpse of a young woman who was murdered two years ago, except now she looks as if she’d died that very morning after appearing to have crawled out of her own grave.
The mysterious, seemingly impossible deaths don’t stop there, with the circumstances surrounding each subsequent victim becoming more and more implausible, defying the laws of nature. Predictably, some of the news outlets have started calling these acts a miracle, playing right into the Warlock’s hands. Having been born into a family of magicians and trained by her famous illusionist grandfather though, Jessica isn’t fooled, and neither is her boss Dr. Jeffrey Ailes. Fully aware of Jessica’s background, he believes it’ll take a magician to catch a magician, because that is all the Warlock is—a performer using the world as a stage to show off his sick antics. Helping Jessica realize her full potential, Ailes understands that she may be uniquely equipped to solve this case, as well as the FBI’s best chance at staying ahead of their quarry before he kills again.
Andrew Mayne has a background in magic, and while some of his professional knowledge has been featured in his other books, none of it compares to how prominently they are showcased in Angel Killer. This certainly lends the novel its distinctive flavor, setting it apart from a sea of other mystery crime thrillers about law enforcement hunting down serial killers. Rather than being your typical genre villain, the Warlock is like a twisted showman trying to get the whole world talking about act by finding ways to make each victim a public spectacle. A reanimated dead girl comes back to life only to die again by her own grave before spontaneously bursting into flames. A warplane that has been missing for decades suddenly reappears on a Florida beach with the fresh corpse of its pilot still strapped in the cockpit, almost as if they’d emerged from a portal through time. The body of a woman with wings appears in a flash of light in the middle of Times Squire, seemingly to have fallen out of the sky.
Because all the Warlock’s killings are so extreme, this does give the novel an almost fantastical, supernatural or surreal kind of vibe. At the same time, being over-the-top is also one of the author’s trademarks, so to me those traits kind of went hand in hand. As the special consultant on the Warlock case though, it is Jessica’s job to figure out how he pulls off the seemingly impossible, using her knowledge of magic and illusion to offer up perfectly logical and mundane explanations. This was the part I found most fascinating, because often in the process of explaining a Warlock illusion, Mayne would also reveal some tricks of the trade, so to speak, describing how some of the more popular magician acts can be achieved.
Save for only a few sections where the narrative would veer too much towards exposition, the pacing was breakneck, the plot innovative and extremely engaging. In so many ways it is an Andrew Mayne novel through and through, taking you on a wild adventure involving farfetched but highly entertaining scenarios that would suck you right in. I can’t wait to dive into the next book for more Jessica Blackwood.
October 15, 2014
Andrew Mayne is an illusionist and magician who has worked for David Copperfield, Penn and Teller and David Blaine. He's also the star of A&E's Don't Trust Andrew Mayne. And....he's also an author. Mayne self published his novels and had some success. Angel Killer sold really well in that format and Bourbon Street Books picked it up, with a hard copy of Angel Killer just published.
I normally eschew self published books, but was incredibly curious to read Angel Killer (especially after a large publisher picked it up.) I found the premise intriguing - an FBI agent who grew up in a 'magic' family. When a killer calling himself the Warlock starts staging and executing seemingly impossible crimes, Jessica Blackwood is called in. The FBI seems to think her unusual background will be the key they need to find this killer. But it's easier said than done - The Warlock is incredibly devious and seems to have a long range plan.....
Well, Mayne is smart as well - he's writing what he knows. The use of magic and illusion as the serial killer's signature is unique. And having an agent just as familiar with the sleights of hand and misdirection is fresh and different. And quite fascinating.
Mayne is setting the stage (yes pun intended) for Jessica. We get to know her background and mindset and I quite liked her. We're also introduced to the mysterious Damien n - I definitely want to know more about him.
The plot is inventive and again, out of the ordinary. There are a few instances where I questioned the leap to the next point or some technical wizardry, but overall I thought it was really good.
And through it all runs the idea of magic. I am always entertained by illusionists and am not sure how I feel about knowing the truth behind some 'tricks' I've seen, but it's pretty interesting to discover how some of them are achieved.
Angel Killer is being marketed as the first Jessica Blackwood novel. I would definitely pick up the next in this series - even more so that the end of Angel Killer is not truly the end - the last page is a definite link to a larger plot still not uncovered. I've peeked at other's thoughts on this book and many readers mention their dissatisfaction with the ending. I actually like the unfinished threads - the idea that there's more in store for this character and the anticipation of the continuation of a good tale.
I normally eschew self published books, but was incredibly curious to read Angel Killer (especially after a large publisher picked it up.) I found the premise intriguing - an FBI agent who grew up in a 'magic' family. When a killer calling himself the Warlock starts staging and executing seemingly impossible crimes, Jessica Blackwood is called in. The FBI seems to think her unusual background will be the key they need to find this killer. But it's easier said than done - The Warlock is incredibly devious and seems to have a long range plan.....
Well, Mayne is smart as well - he's writing what he knows. The use of magic and illusion as the serial killer's signature is unique. And having an agent just as familiar with the sleights of hand and misdirection is fresh and different. And quite fascinating.
Mayne is setting the stage (yes pun intended) for Jessica. We get to know her background and mindset and I quite liked her. We're also introduced to the mysterious Damien n - I definitely want to know more about him.
The plot is inventive and again, out of the ordinary. There are a few instances where I questioned the leap to the next point or some technical wizardry, but overall I thought it was really good.
And through it all runs the idea of magic. I am always entertained by illusionists and am not sure how I feel about knowing the truth behind some 'tricks' I've seen, but it's pretty interesting to discover how some of them are achieved.
Angel Killer is being marketed as the first Jessica Blackwood novel. I would definitely pick up the next in this series - even more so that the end of Angel Killer is not truly the end - the last page is a definite link to a larger plot still not uncovered. I've peeked at other's thoughts on this book and many readers mention their dissatisfaction with the ending. I actually like the unfinished threads - the idea that there's more in store for this character and the anticipation of the continuation of a good tale.
January 16, 2013
On the plus side, the book was well written, the author clearly very knowledgable on the topic of magic. I found the use of a magician in crime
solving novel and intriguing. The plot was surprising and definitely unexpected.
On the down side, it was all a little too incredible, almost comic-bookish in a way. And I have to agree with another reviewer here who thought
the ending too abrupt.
Nevertheless. the book kept me intrigued, and I read it to the last page! It'll certainly be a favorite for fans of the unique.
solving novel and intriguing. The plot was surprising and definitely unexpected.
On the down side, it was all a little too incredible, almost comic-bookish in a way. And I have to agree with another reviewer here who thought
the ending too abrupt.
Nevertheless. the book kept me intrigued, and I read it to the last page! It'll certainly be a favorite for fans of the unique.
December 11, 2024
An exceptional series starring an FBI agent who uses her illusionist skills to solve complicated cases.
May 22, 2018
I’m not really sure how this book crossed my radar, but it wasn't what I expected. I thought it would be a normal FBI thriller, catch the killer, but there was a twist, the FBI person came from a family that was heavily into magic and were famous magicians. I liked how Jessica used the knowledge of magic to help solve the crimes. I think her unique way of looking at things helped them come to conclusions faster. It was great that as things went on and how Jessica explained things her peers and bosses in the FBI started to see her background as a strength, which made Jessica not so embarrassed about it.
May 29, 2016
I loved this incredibly clever mystery/thriller when I first read it. I picked it up again because I wanted to see how Andrew Mayne deftly handled a certain plot twist, and was happy to find it holds up to a reread. I was drawn to the book in the first place because of the "impossible crimes" baffling the FBI, and the magician-turned-FBI-agent whose skills allow her to solve the crimes. The plot could have been gimmicky, but it's a perfect fit and I found myself wanting to keep turning pages yet again.
July 15, 2014
My sincere thanks to Harper Collins for providing an e-galley of this work to be published March 23, 2014.
Magic in the hands of law enforcement, what a premise! Watch the illusions unfold as real life magician, Andrew Mayne, casts his fictional character, FBI Agent, Jessica Blackwood who uses the tricks of her former trade to catch a serial killer? They call her the witch to the killer's warlock. "More please" this reader cries.
Magic in the hands of law enforcement, what a premise! Watch the illusions unfold as real life magician, Andrew Mayne, casts his fictional character, FBI Agent, Jessica Blackwood who uses the tricks of her former trade to catch a serial killer? They call her the witch to the killer's warlock. "More please" this reader cries.
August 12, 2012
This book was too incredible for me, I just couldn't even remotely believe the in the crime stunts of the master villain. Also, one of the "plot helpers" was not believable at all - he had knowledge or were in places he couldn't possibly have or be.
Way over the top crimes does not make a god book, this is a good example of that.
Way over the top crimes does not make a god book, this is a good example of that.
February 1, 2016
Clever and intriguing
October 19, 2022
Občas musí mezi vykopávky vklínit něco nového… už jen proto, aby si uvědomil, že u vykopávek mu bylo lépe. Tahle kniha u nás hodně vydávaného Andrewa Maynea mě zaujala tím, že hrdinkou je bývalá kouzelnice, která dostává do rukou případ vražedných triků. A jelikož mám poslední dobou slabost pro triky a rafinovaná řešení záhad zamčeného pokoje (viz seriál Jonathan Creek, který doporučuju), nemohl jsem odolat.
A dostal jsem něco, pro co bych razil označení „knižní výrobek“. Vážně solidní knižní výrobek, dokonale vybrouešný tak, aby byl perfektně aerodynamický a nic vás nebrzdilo ve čtení. Nic zbytečného, krátké kapitoly, na konci skoro každé lákadlo události příštích, ať zjevení nové záhady, nebo příslib vyřešení té staré (hned několik kapitol končí: „věděla jsem přesně, jak to udělal“). Vlastně jen na začátku je scéna navíc, kdy se hrdinka snaží rozveselit popálenou holčičku (čímž se dokazuje, že hrdinak je dobrák) a potlačuje slzy (čímž se ukazuje, že je empatická). A pak už to jede a tempo si to udržuje až do finále, kde se absence nějakého zajímavějšího rozuzlení kompenzuje příslibem příštích (a monumentálnějších) dílů.
Teprve po přečtení knihy jsem zjistil, že Andrew Mayne je ve skutečnosti také iluzionista. To bych čekal, že se do tématu ponoří víc – ale to by pak asi kniha ztratila na svém tempu. A pokud by ztratil na svém tempu, začali byste o knize víc přemýšlet, což by nebylo dobré. Možná by vám pak došlo, že celý ten příběh nedává moc velký smysl (hlavní padouch chce dosáhnout svého zbožštění prováděním kouzelnických triků) a že toho hrdinka až moc vyřeší pomocí svého „magického přítele“.
Magický přítel je v detektivkách oblíbená rekvizita. Nepočítám do toho kámoše u policie, kterého má každé soukromé očko, jde o všechny ty geniální hackery, které se hrdinovi dostanou do počítače CIA, milionáře, který jim poskytnou soukromou letadlovou loď, nebo kámoše psychopatické zabijáky. kteří hrdinovi vystřílí cestičku k cíli. Tady je ten přítel opravdu magický. Je všemocný, všechno ví, všechno zná, zjevuje se vždycky vhodně na místě, poskytne hrdince v budoucnu potřebné předměty, nebo ji rovnou zachrání život. Autor se to snaží vyrovnat tím, že může být nebezpečný a že hrdinku částečně stalkujke, ale o to je magičtější. Pomáhá, aniž by si o to hrdinka musela říct... a někdy i aniž by o tom věděla. Jakýkoliv větší problém v knize se vyřeší zásahem magického přítele. Člověk si až říká, proč radši nesledujeme tohohle borce.
Co se týče těch triků, tak v té tištěné podobě to zase tolik nepůsobí, zvláště, když díky tempu je v jedné kapitole provedený ohromující trik a v druhé je už řešení. Tvůrce vám nedá prostor k žasnutí. A ano, jsou to často efektní triky, ale jsou to věci, který by David Copperfield zvládl i v kómatu, se zlomenýma rukama.
Ovšem tohle všechno neodkecá skutečnost, že jsem to přečetl téměř na jeden zátah, čili smysl knižního výrobku byl splněn. To, že si z něj člověk za chvíli nebudu nic pamatovat… to je spíš klad než zápor.
A dostal jsem něco, pro co bych razil označení „knižní výrobek“. Vážně solidní knižní výrobek, dokonale vybrouešný tak, aby byl perfektně aerodynamický a nic vás nebrzdilo ve čtení. Nic zbytečného, krátké kapitoly, na konci skoro každé lákadlo události příštích, ať zjevení nové záhady, nebo příslib vyřešení té staré (hned několik kapitol končí: „věděla jsem přesně, jak to udělal“). Vlastně jen na začátku je scéna navíc, kdy se hrdinka snaží rozveselit popálenou holčičku (čímž se dokazuje, že hrdinak je dobrák) a potlačuje slzy (čímž se ukazuje, že je empatická). A pak už to jede a tempo si to udržuje až do finále, kde se absence nějakého zajímavějšího rozuzlení kompenzuje příslibem příštích (a monumentálnějších) dílů.
Teprve po přečtení knihy jsem zjistil, že Andrew Mayne je ve skutečnosti také iluzionista. To bych čekal, že se do tématu ponoří víc – ale to by pak asi kniha ztratila na svém tempu. A pokud by ztratil na svém tempu, začali byste o knize víc přemýšlet, což by nebylo dobré. Možná by vám pak došlo, že celý ten příběh nedává moc velký smysl (hlavní padouch chce dosáhnout svého zbožštění prováděním kouzelnických triků) a že toho hrdinka až moc vyřeší pomocí svého „magického přítele“.
Magický přítel je v detektivkách oblíbená rekvizita. Nepočítám do toho kámoše u policie, kterého má každé soukromé očko, jde o všechny ty geniální hackery, které se hrdinovi dostanou do počítače CIA, milionáře, který jim poskytnou soukromou letadlovou loď, nebo kámoše psychopatické zabijáky. kteří hrdinovi vystřílí cestičku k cíli. Tady je ten přítel opravdu magický. Je všemocný, všechno ví, všechno zná, zjevuje se vždycky vhodně na místě, poskytne hrdince v budoucnu potřebné předměty, nebo ji rovnou zachrání život. Autor se to snaží vyrovnat tím, že může být nebezpečný a že hrdinku částečně stalkujke, ale o to je magičtější. Pomáhá, aniž by si o to hrdinka musela říct... a někdy i aniž by o tom věděla. Jakýkoliv větší problém v knize se vyřeší zásahem magického přítele. Člověk si až říká, proč radši nesledujeme tohohle borce.
Co se týče těch triků, tak v té tištěné podobě to zase tolik nepůsobí, zvláště, když díky tempu je v jedné kapitole provedený ohromující trik a v druhé je už řešení. Tvůrce vám nedá prostor k žasnutí. A ano, jsou to často efektní triky, ale jsou to věci, který by David Copperfield zvládl i v kómatu, se zlomenýma rukama.
Ovšem tohle všechno neodkecá skutečnost, že jsem to přečetl téměř na jeden zátah, čili smysl knižního výrobku byl splněn. To, že si z něj člověk za chvíli nebudu nic pamatovat… to je spíš klad než zápor.
August 26, 2021
Jessica Blackwood, former illusionist and current FBI agent, is called upon to assist in the investigation of a series of bizarre murders which have stymied her superiors and which involve apparent supernatural elements that have captured the attention of the public. Jessica's background and gifts allow her to bring a unique perspective to finding the murderer before he strikes again.
Andrew Mayne is an illusionist and author who writes interesting and complex mysteries. This is the first in his Jessica Blackwood series and does not disappoint. There were a few loose ends remaining which I suspect will be tied up in the next installments. I enjoy this writer.
Andrew Mayne is an illusionist and author who writes interesting and complex mysteries. This is the first in his Jessica Blackwood series and does not disappoint. There were a few loose ends remaining which I suspect will be tied up in the next installments. I enjoy this writer.
March 31, 2025
Unique characters make this intriguing.
September 3, 2015
First Sentence: “You’re going to die.”
A hacker took down an FBI website leaving a mysterious code found to be GPS coordinates which take them to a cemetery in Michigan where it appears a dead girl crawled out of her own grave. Even more mysterious is that the pathologist declares the woman only died hours before; she is identified by the victim’s parents as someone who died years prior to that. The FBI brings in Agent Jessica Blackwood, formerly a highly-successful third generation magician and illusionist, to tell them how the crime could have been done. Thus begins an exciting, and dangerous, journey of tricks…and more deaths; possibly even Jessica’s.
Mayne has a very powerful, compelling voice that pulls you in and keeps you there, even when you’d rather turn away.
One is immediately drawn to the protagonist; her caring and warmth. Mayne skillfully relates her backstory as an integral part of the story; and her background is intriguing. The flashbacks to the Jessica’s stage career not only provide a look as to what formed her personality and the level of her skills. Jessica’s self-deprecation and resistance to being placed in the foreground is refreshing. She doesn’t want to be seen as heroic and is always questioning the validity of her ideas. Yet it is also nice for a protagonist to be supported, as she is, by her superiors and other team members. The secondary character of Damian Knight—her psychopathic sidekick, as it were—is one who is both compelling and very scary.
Also intriguing is that the story is told in first person so that readers aren’t given the protagonists first name—unless you read the back cover—until quite far into the story. It’s rather too bad the book jacket spoils the sense of mystery.
Mayne provides us with fascinating information on the behind-the scenes look at the practice and methodologies of magicians and illusionists. It’s done in such a way that it is a natural part of the story and serves to move the plot forward. He has a natural ear for dialogue, both internal and spoken, and his wry humor is often a perfect antidote to the tension of the situation…”Nobody needs to know how out of place I am. They’ll figure that out for themselves soon enough.”
The plot is not perfect, thrilling though it is. There is a “tell” that allows readers to see what is coming before the characters do, and there’s one major coincidence. The biggest question, as one supposes it is supposed to be, is Damian’s role. The use of him is a bit too convenient as a way to direct the investigation without the use of real procedural work being done.
“Angel Killer” is engrossing, suspenseful, and very exciting with a wonderful protagonist and a promise of things to come.
ANGEL KILLER (Pol Proc-Agent Jessica Blackwood-US-Contemp) – VG+
Mayne, Andrew – 1st in series
Bourbon Street Books - 2012
A hacker took down an FBI website leaving a mysterious code found to be GPS coordinates which take them to a cemetery in Michigan where it appears a dead girl crawled out of her own grave. Even more mysterious is that the pathologist declares the woman only died hours before; she is identified by the victim’s parents as someone who died years prior to that. The FBI brings in Agent Jessica Blackwood, formerly a highly-successful third generation magician and illusionist, to tell them how the crime could have been done. Thus begins an exciting, and dangerous, journey of tricks…and more deaths; possibly even Jessica’s.
Mayne has a very powerful, compelling voice that pulls you in and keeps you there, even when you’d rather turn away.
One is immediately drawn to the protagonist; her caring and warmth. Mayne skillfully relates her backstory as an integral part of the story; and her background is intriguing. The flashbacks to the Jessica’s stage career not only provide a look as to what formed her personality and the level of her skills. Jessica’s self-deprecation and resistance to being placed in the foreground is refreshing. She doesn’t want to be seen as heroic and is always questioning the validity of her ideas. Yet it is also nice for a protagonist to be supported, as she is, by her superiors and other team members. The secondary character of Damian Knight—her psychopathic sidekick, as it were—is one who is both compelling and very scary.
Also intriguing is that the story is told in first person so that readers aren’t given the protagonists first name—unless you read the back cover—until quite far into the story. It’s rather too bad the book jacket spoils the sense of mystery.
Mayne provides us with fascinating information on the behind-the scenes look at the practice and methodologies of magicians and illusionists. It’s done in such a way that it is a natural part of the story and serves to move the plot forward. He has a natural ear for dialogue, both internal and spoken, and his wry humor is often a perfect antidote to the tension of the situation…”Nobody needs to know how out of place I am. They’ll figure that out for themselves soon enough.”
The plot is not perfect, thrilling though it is. There is a “tell” that allows readers to see what is coming before the characters do, and there’s one major coincidence. The biggest question, as one supposes it is supposed to be, is Damian’s role. The use of him is a bit too convenient as a way to direct the investigation without the use of real procedural work being done.
“Angel Killer” is engrossing, suspenseful, and very exciting with a wonderful protagonist and a promise of things to come.
ANGEL KILLER (Pol Proc-Agent Jessica Blackwood-US-Contemp) – VG+
Mayne, Andrew – 1st in series
Bourbon Street Books - 2012
March 31, 2020
3.5. What an original twist for a crime novel -- an FBI agent who brings her unique skills as a magician to aide in solving a crime with "magical" elements to it. I'm not sure the magicians of the world would appreciate the author revealing some of the tricks of the trade, but I learned some things I always wanted to know. It was great fun to watch Jessica "think outside the box" about how the serial killer could be achieving some of his seemingly impossible feats.
That said, there was a point in the novel when it started seeming fantastical and just plain lucky that Jessica was coming up with answers out of thin air, or in some cases, that the agents were looking to her for answers to things they probably could have come up with the old fashioned way. The real sticking point for me was that Damien, ex-boyfriend, magician, and possible psychopath, seemed to know everything at all times. Absent his input, I'm not sure that Jessica's insight would have been all that helpful, and that kind of detracts from the premise of the storyline.
The ending felt very abrupt to me. It left me very unsatisfied.
That said, there was a point in the novel when it started seeming fantastical and just plain lucky that Jessica was coming up with answers out of thin air, or in some cases, that the agents were looking to her for answers to things they probably could have come up with the old fashioned way. The real sticking point for me was that Damien, ex-boyfriend, magician, and possible psychopath, seemed to know everything at all times. Absent his input, I'm not sure that Jessica's insight would have been all that helpful, and that kind of detracts from the premise of the storyline.
The ending felt very abrupt to me. It left me very unsatisfied.
September 30, 2021
This is an interesting twist on the typical detective novel, and is clever in its execution. It certainly feels like the beginning of something bigger so I'll be interested to see where following novels go, however on its own this is still an enjoyable novel. I was drawn to the idea because I'm a fan of the TV series 'The Mentalist', and while this has similarities they are two very different ideas. The magician angle is fascinating and allows the reader to reflect on the idea of illusion, and seeing what we want to see. It can be thought-provoking, but is still a fast-paced story for those that enjoy action.
I would have enjoyed a little more character exploration, as this is all about Jessica and the mysterious villain, despite a varied and interesting supporting cast. Hopefully further books in the series will go a little deeper into other characters. Still an enjoyable novel, and a unique twist on the usual police procedural novel.
I would have enjoyed a little more character exploration, as this is all about Jessica and the mysterious villain, despite a varied and interesting supporting cast. Hopefully further books in the series will go a little deeper into other characters. Still an enjoyable novel, and a unique twist on the usual police procedural novel.
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