The Warlock Effect

by Jeremy Dyson, Andy Nyman (Author & Narrator)

From Jeremy Dyson & Andy Nyman, creators of the international smash-hit play and film Ghost Stories , comes a new The Warlock Effect .

Meet Louis Warlock.

Man about town, denizen of Soho's nightclubs and cabaret bars - and the most skilled magician of his time...

As a boy, Ludvik Weinschenk fled Nazi Germany to England with a pack of playing cards and three tricks to his name. Twelve years later, in 1950s London, having risen through the ranks of concert parties, night clubs and variety theatres, Ludvik - or Louis Warlock as he is now known - is the most famous magician in Britain.

But after his talent for deception attracts the attention of the British secret service, Louis is thrown into the perilous world of espionage and finds himself sent across Europe with a dangerous mission to fulfil. When he comes face to face with a nemesis whose cunning rivals his own, Louis will need to use every trick in the book - or risk the most terrible consequences, both for the country and for himself.

A highly entertaining, fiendishly clever thriller, The Warlock Effect offers a twist-filled, rollicking adventure - and a glimpse into the phenomenal mind of an extraordinary magician.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Historical, Mystery, Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Fantasy

Audible Audio

First published April 13, 2023

About the author

Jeremy Dyson is an English screenwriter and, along with Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, a participant in The League of Gentlemen. He has also created and co-wrote the popular west-end show Ghost Stories.

Reviews

[K.J. Charles]

Thriller set in the world of 1950s magic, co-written by Derren Brown's show-creating partner and one of the League of Gentlemen (who has apparently written a novel before). I am generally cautious of novels by people off the telly, on the grounds of having read novels by people off the telly (especially the ones infesting children's publishing like Japanese knotweed, don't start me on that), but Nyman is clearly a genius and I love stage magic with an abiding passion, so I had to have it.

The magic parts are amazing--really fascinating, and well conveyed. Same for the historical detail, theory of magic, and the depiction of the magician's mindset (including the incredible amount of behind the scenes work, obsessive planning, and mental control). All of that is super interesting and absorbing. The plot's twisty (though the big twist is kind of clearly coming, but still a gut punch), and the premise strong. But the writing is just...workmanlike. It's okay, it's been edited, but it doesn't sing as I wanted it to, and as it really could have done. Like Louis's backstage team, it needed a charismatic performance to make the brilliant ideas and concept into a fully engaging story. Which is where I often end up with books written by people off the telly.

I enjoyed it, I'm just sad I didn't love it (in large part because I wanted it to be utterly magnificent so there would be more amazing historical stage magic spy thrillers).

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

this novel took awhile to get going but soon became a fast paced read and the mixture of magic and thriller combined

[Imogen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The blurb was misleading. Yes, it's about magicians and espionage in the Cold War, however, what is not made clear anywhere is that the protagonist is Jewish and is burdened by World War II experiences in his formative years. This context is central to the whole novel, so it's bizarre that it's not mentioned anywhere in the marketing. So, TW/CW: Mentions of the Holocaust, antisemitism, genocide.

Coupled with the events of the novel, it ends up being quite harrowing and traumatic for the protagonist and the reader.

As a character piece, it works well, as we do delve into Louis' psychology, but narratively, it falls a little flat and should have been fleshed out. There just should have been more. More espionage, more background on the antagonist and secondary characters, more Soviet goings-on, more magic tricks.

Cold War espionage was a nebulous and opaque affair, but in this book, it was so unclear, that I never understood the extent of any spy machinations nor how Louis fit into everything. Apart from the safety of the protagonist, the stakes (geopolitically) never felt high enough, because of this lack of detail.

In summary: Good character piece centred on a Jewish immigrant and all the attendant trauma that entails, but not very good as a Cold War-magician-spy piece.

[Darren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes you on a journey with lots of twists and all of them leaving you wanting Louis Warlock to come out on top.

The writing style was a little confusing as you are taught a few magic tricks in their own separate chapters; the reason why becomes clear at the end.

I particularly liked how Louis’ ‘Brains Trust’ worked together to solve mysteries, although Louis was the only character we got to know really well as we followed him on his journey.

I didn’t receive a free proof copy of this book unlike most of the other reviewers appeared to have done. I bought it using real Great British Pounds. However, I still left an honest review.

[Nicola Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, initial thoughts going in: what an epic way to start a book! It certainly set it off with the right tone and I was instantly intrigued and drawn in. Addressing the reader and bringing me into the book was a great way to capture, and from there I knew I’d be hooked. I love that it teaches you some tricks along the way too. I felt like I was being involved in the story!

It was a slow (but in the best way) ascending plot at the very beginning, which gradually intrigued and drew you in. Once I was in, I wasn’t coming out anytime soon. It’s one of those books that completely takes you over! This book definitely has magic in it because I was spellbound and couldn’t tear myself away from the pages.

It’s a Time Machine of a book. You start reading and BAM it’s been three hours and you’ve just left reality for a bit. The chapters disappeared into nothing and I couldn’t consume the words quick enough. It was super entertaining and I loved everything about it. Loved the characters, loved the vibes. Just loved the plot full stop.

And when I say it was a ‘journey’, it truly was. Coming round full circle from start to finish, you follow Louis Warlock and his escapades until you’re left staring at the end page just trying to take it all in. The book went to places I didn’t expect and I can’t remember the last time I was that immersed in a book and suffering the ‘just one more chapter’ syndrome until it was way past midnight and I should probably have been asleep…!

Brilliant book and a fantastic story. A solid recommend to all!

Thank you to the authors and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.

[Jem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally misunderstood what this book was about (I saw 'magic' and immediately assumed fantasy) but I am so glad for my confusion because I fear I otherwise wouldn't have read this!

This is a spy thriller set during the Cold War, centred around celebrated magician Louis Warlock. It is also an absolutely incredible book. I loved every second of it. This was so fast paced and ever evolving and I have immediately recommended it to a friend!

[Eric Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book combines two things that I enjoy reading about very much: magic and espionage. And it does a good job with both — especially the magic. (One of the authors worked closely with Derren Brown.). There’s also a love story, which turns out to be (no spoilers here) more central to the plot than might appear at first. The book is set mostly in London in the early 1950s at the height of the Cold War. Warlock is called in by the authorities to help him with a tricky problem involving another magician who is a Soviet spy and … well, the plot gets a bit tricker from there. The cast of characters includes some truly vicious villains, but also a very likeable team of friends that works closely with the hero, Jewish magician Louis Warlock. At first they work on his stage performances and later, after he falls into the hands of some very nasty people. I wouldn’t be surprised if a second volume is on the way — and perhaps a movie too?

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was book was well written and fun to read, but structurally it's a mess. It's the story of Louis Warlock, a Jewish refugee from the Holocaust who becomes a successful London stage magician. It starts as a fun character study of of Louis and his troupe, but soon Louis gets recruited by the British Secret Service (or does he??) and it turns into a wild, globe-trotting, James Bondian yarn that got more implausible and it went. Somewhere buried under all the shenanigans are a touching love story and some sharp insights on assimilation, but I wished they had a lot more room to breathe.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the style and subject matter (magic) of this book, however I wasn't too keen on the overall direction that this story went. Could easily have been worthy of 5 stars if our hero had more control over his fate.

[Paul Reeve · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/10 - some really fun sections and clever ideas but a seriously underpowered plot.
The Kindle version has outdone itself by telling you that you have finished the book several pages before the end.

[Rich Wild · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the writers of this book, I’ve enjoyed very much other projects they’ve done individually. I enjoyed Louis Warlock too, great characterisation, fun deconstructions of magical tricks etc. However the plot itself really left a lot to be desired. The arc felt too much like a long setup with a hurried finish, almost as if they’d been told they were running out of pages and had to get it over with, which is a shame.

I’d have liked maybe a shorter setup and a longer finish, or indeed a removal of the whole Czechoslovakia plot entirely - half the book seemed to get on just fine without it.

I’d love for there to be sequels - the characters of Louis and Dinah are too rich to be relegated to just one novel. More please - but with better attention to pacing.

[Jas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Warlock Effect is fun and clever and builds some excellent characters -- not least Louis Warlock himself. However, there is something a little odd about the book's structure, as if it changes what kind of story it wants to be partway through. In fact, it almost reads as if it's the 2nd or 3rd in a series rather than the 1st (or a standalone). It spends a lot of time early on establishing the gang of characters and their world, but then quickly throws Warlock elsewhere, separated from his supporting cast; as if we'd read books chronicling their adventures already, and now it was time to try something different. It's an odd choice, but not necessarily an unwelcome one, it certainly adds a kind of surprise and unexpectedness that is particularly relevant to the world of magic, but I was expecting a slightly more grounded tale I think. That said there are lovely ideas, and a well-thought-out worldview for the character, and the 'magic book' interludes are rather delightful, even as many will have encountered these tricks before.

[Phil Greenland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t understand why there aren’t more books set in the world of the stage magician. The structure of great trick is not dissimilar to that of a good mystery novel; detailed scene setting, red herrings, misdirection, false endings, a dramatic reveal. This is something Andy Nyman, as Derren Brown’s chief collaborator knows only too well.

Carter Beats the Devil, and, The Prestige, are two of my favourite novels. They each weave their ‘magic’ in different ways, but are both ultimately satisfying.

The Warlock Effect is not quite in that league, but is an interesting read nonetheless. Louis Warlock, London’s most famous mentalist and magician gets dragged into the netherworld of the Intelligence Services in the paranoid 1950s. The writers clearly have a great love for their subject and the first half of the novel works the best. The ending however, much like this review, feels a little rushed.

[Matt Parsons · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a strange, and ultimately disappointing book.

It starts off well with a fun breezy tone, developing a nice sense of time and place, and a promising group of characters.

This gets jettisoned halfway through, and it turns into a weirdly paced, poorly plotted Cold War espionage drama. Worse still was the ridiculously rushed ending. It’s almost like they gave themselves a strict 340 page limit, but after 300 pages they’d only written half a story, but rather than properly telling the story , they decided to just end it.

I think perhaps they’d hoped for a sequel to develop the characters and bring back the big bad (who’s in this for a ridiculously short period of time), but I can’t see that happening off the back of this.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illusion and the world of spies combine in this novel by Dyson and Nyman. Louis Warlock is a stage magacian during the cold war. Through his insatiable desire to help and do the impossible, he is tricked into a web of secrecy which sends him behind enemy lines. The first half of the novel is story led, whist the second part breaks down as Louis himself faces a fracturing event.
Immacuately researched (Nyman is a member of the magic circle), with characters both real and imagined (and a combination of both). The second half does feel a little rushed, with so much to fit in. I hear this is being turned into a script for TV.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completing my Reading Challenge this year in style.

This is as much fun I have had reading a book in such a long time. Playful, thrilling, but with a deadly serious thread. I suspect this is a one-off self-contained tale, but I would definitely welcome it if the authors chose to revisit these characters.

[Gavin · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable twisty thriller with incredibly likeable characters. There's a lot to enjoy here but I just found the pacing somewhat slow.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and pleasurable thriller-type read, but not one with the flash and exuberance I might have expected. To many that will be to its credit. I came to this knowing nothing, beyond the reputation of the authorial pair behind it. So I'll hide the next para to keep the plot secret, for those who want the same.

We're at the end of 1952, and Louis Warlock is in the middle of a mind-reading trick his love of magic since his childhood makes very easy for him. But he's been called out as a charlatan, and so must find his fiance assistant somewhere else in London through the powers of mind-reading alone. Cue the first third, an enjoyable British vintage take on "Now You See Me", as the whole machinations of getting the trick completed are revealed, in something like real time now and again. The renown this gives to the act makes Warlock of interest to higher-ups, however, who have a vital sleight-of-hand task for him – he will be in their employ for reasons of secret, Cold War purposes, but all for the public good. Or will he?

What this left me with was the feeling the period was very well evoked – even if it dropped in details, like a Mickey Finn as a spiked drink, and more, that made me wonder if anachronisms hadn't been made. But it also left me feeling a little surprised I had not undergone more of a twisty journey. The plot of the book is definitely going to pull the rug from the title character more than once, and I guess it has to be said it does the same for us, but I didn't feel anything like as overwhelmed by this tricksiness as expected. Was there going to be a reason for all the chapters coming at us from different narrators, time zones and approaches – from someone recollecting these events, and flashing back to childhood days alike?

In the end the biggest bit of the wool being pulled over our eyes is the typical "all these people are fictional" kind of disclaimer. I didn't see nearly the same delightful, magical reveal as I was keen for – and which many of the high-brow puff quotes from celebs adorning this edition imply happens. But what we do get is a very solid piece, from writers definitely in love with the milieu of it all, the times and lifestyles of the creative types they're portraying. Yes, some of the minor characters are clearly too clever and connected and powerful, and some of the illusion about this book is from the authors' names and not what they bring in the way of razzle-dazzle, but this is well worth checking out for historical crime fans. As I say, a solid four stars.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure - I was drawn to this book cos co-author Jeremy Dyson is part of The League of Gentlemen. I'm sure Andy Nyman is a cracking bloke too just to redress the balance!
That took me to the blurb which sounded so delicious it rendered me powerless to resist. So I didn't!
Louis Warlock is a master illusionist, creating quite the magic show. His skills are noticed by the British Secret Service who call him in to assist them with a tricky situation they have got into which would be more easily solved utilising his particular skill set.
Long story short, without spoiling anything, things don't really go as Warlock expected them to which end up with him in grave peril. How on earth will he get out of this one, he will need more than just his skills for that!?
I loved this book. It is all thing clever and bonkers and, well, took me on a cracking journey. Spitting me out at the end a bit sore (from chuckling) but completely satisfied. It's a slow burn but, like every good trick, the set-up is more important than the actual trick. Lulling the audience, distracting them, getting them to believe the unbelievable... all those elements are here. Gradually pulling you in until you are powerless to resist.
The characters are all, well most, larger than life but they never stray into caricature which, given their backgrounds, would be possible. But the author keeps them kinda on the straight and narrow. But remember the main theme, who really is who they say they are!
All in all, a cracking read. One that I am most definitely going to get on Audible and revisit. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

[Alex Sarll]

The Ghost Stories boys' new novel follows Louis Warlock, a successful stage magician in 1950s London, as he gets himself caught in the tangles of Cold War espionage, and for me the central problem was that I was much more engaged by the conjuring material, like the fabulous heist-style act of mentalism* which gets the book underway, than the spy stuff. Which, OK, at moments does approach the vertiginous quality of The Avengers when it was in its less affably whimsical mode - but where too much relies on a series of twists that you'd be hard-pressed not to see coming. Nor did there ever feel like there was enough going on beneath the surface to fill it out; there's an intermittent interest in Louis' outsider status (having reinvented himself after arriving in Britain as Jewish refugee Ludvik Weinschenk), some form material about how even the less evil side in the conflict finds itself turning to monstrous means, but particularly after the suddenly tidy resolution, it's hardly John le Carre, never mind Graham Greene. Still, Louis and his Brains Trust are engaging enough company that I kept reading through the simple desire to see what became of them, and I suspect that there's more of a market for historical spy thrillers than novels of prestidigitation, even ones with a Tommy Cooper cameo.

*Yes, I know.

(Netgalley ARC)

[Anne O'Connell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Warlock Effect is loads of fun. It starts with a letter to the reader, inviting them to sign a covenant that no magic secrets will be divulged. Other direct addresses to the reader are dotted throughout the book. Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson then whisk us off to the main narrative in a vividly drawn 1950s London where we are introduced to one Louis Warlock, showman extraordinaire, and his close circle, the Brains Trust.
I warmed to these men and women instantly; their relationships are believable and they ping ideas off one another. Louis is brilliant and cocky but aware of his own failings. Given the period, of course the enemy is Russia, but here with a clever spin rather than the more usual nuclear or other military threat. The premise is genius – of course a magician would make a good spy!
It wouldn’t be a good spy story without some good tension and moments of jeopardy and boy do we have them here in spades. There’s a big reveal about a third of the way through that made me gawp. There’s a cracking celebrity cameo, too, but no spoilers here. Read it for yourself and enjoy every minute.
I received a free proof copy of this book via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[Diego Gutierrez · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8
A magician as a post-WWII spy? What can possibly go wrong? Not much, fortunately. But I did finish the book with the aftertaste of a missed opportunity somehow. Maybe I was expecting too much. Maybe I didn't quite believe that Louis could survive Funhouse with his brain turned to mush but still be able to transmit a perfectly clear Morse message while pretending to be worse off than he was and answering verbal questions. Plus, the whole Morse thing has been done before many times, I was expecting something more original. I guess I wish the book would've been five stars, it had all the ingredients. As another reviewer put it: "I didn't feel anything like as overwhelmed by this tricksiness as expected". But hey.

[Lost Vegas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginning of this book grips you and the end makes you want more.

I hated and loved this book. To have the power to remind me of the stories I heard growing up about the holocaust and then make me laugh at a brilliant range of believably eccentric friends is beyond talent, it’s magic.

There is nothing unconsidered in this book, love, war, pain, friends, betrayal and magic. I still don’t know if I want a sequel or I want Louis to have some peace.

I reccomend this for everyone. I reccomend it if you need some comfort (weird but trust me) or you need some adventure. Read this if you’ve lived.

I received this ARC from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

[Sam Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abracadabra… a pitch perfect novel for you.

Having been a fan of these 2 for many years, this diversion into a novel was much anticipated and it really does deliver. The book is very well paced and has some brilliant twists and turns which make it a real page turner.

The period and subject matter are extremely well researched and bought into the light by both writers expansive knowledge of the subject manner.

I really enjoyed this novel and I hope we get to see some more Louis Warlock as he is an extremely interesting human character.

5 stars supreme.

[AdiTurbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Original, heart-wrenching and spiced up with spies, magic tricks and historical background, as well as true love and friendship, I enjoyed this read very much. The premise is wonderful, and Dyson never fails to make the most of it. The plot is so cleverly done and keeps you on your toes for the duration of the read.
I would love to read more about these characters and get a new mystery for them to solve together, and can only hope that the author decides to provide us readers with some more of all this beautifully-crafted goodness.

[Sara Tilley · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a frivolous start this becomes a very dark tale, which has much in common with their film, Ghost Stories.
The tricks and techniques behind stage magic are revealed to be a slow and methodical line in misdirection which conceal the sinister heart of the story.
Lots of interesting ideas but rather fragmented and uneven. Parts of it are extremely good and very cinematic, however I couldn’t work out why any of it had happened.

The title makes it sound like a YA sci-fi fantasy novel but worth the Audible credit.

[Alma (retirement at last) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazingly unique storyline covering magic, magicians, spy thriller, the Cold War of the 1950’s, coercive practices and how the wars helped the advancement of cosmetic surgery.
I love it when I come across a book that holds my attention and I’m not reading the same old same old stories.
I’m not going to tell you anything about this book as it needs to be read to appreciate its uniqueness.
Enjoy the ride 👍🏻

[Andy Lynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A page turner for fans of magic

Just when you think the plot can't get any more ludicrous, it takes another crazy turn. But it's a fun ride and there's some more serious and touching moments to balance things out. I believe there's going to be a film adaptation, and I can see this being the first in a long-running series. Fans of magic and mentalism will particularly enjoy it but it will have broad appeal to anyone who just likes a good old fashioned yarn.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fascinated since the hearbreaking start and kept turning pages as this is a very original, twisty and entertaining story.
There's action, there magic and there's an intriguing MC.
Well written and compelling.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

dit boek is echt zo goed in de lezer om de tuin te leiden. iedere twist is de laatste die ge zou verwachten. zeker de laatste reveal die andere delen van het boek in een nieuwe context zet is echt zo goed. spionage, goochelaars en een vleugje horror: het zou niet moegen werken maat toch doet het dat op spectaculaire wijze