The Magician Killer

by Diane Merrill Wigginton, Barbara Woods (Editor), Sergio Sandoval

The Difference between a Sociopath and a Psychopath is a Very Fine Line
At the tender age of nineteen, Special Agent Samantha Stevens’s life was forever altered when she was forced to endure the unspeakable. But that was ten years ago. Now, she lives an uncomplicated life in Washington, D.C., free from any commitments or ties, as she pores over unsolved cases and clears them with unparalleled accuracy.

Unfamiliar Partners Make for Strange Bedfellows
Handsome Special Agent Nicholas McLeroy and his four-legged partner, Officer Murphy, are from the Seattle office of the FBI. He has stumbled upon a disturbing pattern that involves women disappearing from the Alaskan territory without a trace. So, he does the only thing he can request the help of a profiler whom he’s only heard about in the professional circle as the savant of profilers. He’s told that she can read people and situations like no other, but that working with her complex personality can be quite challenging.

Learning to Trust Again
The stakes are high, and it doesn’t take Sam long to figure out that she is chasing the man who has haunted her nightmares for a decade. Sam decides to trust again by revealing her secret to her new partner. But is it too little too late to save her from another encounter with the madman dubbed “The Magician Killer?” After all, she was the one that got away.

BookLife Prize - 2025
Plot/ 10 out of 10
9 out of 10
9 out of 10
Character/ 10 out of 10
9.50 out of 10

Plot/ Wigginton's novel lays a strong case for the mystery/thriller genre's ability to captivate and entertain readers. She lays a solid foundation quickly that is then built upon piece by piece.

Wigginton's meticulous prose provides all of the essential details a reader needs to have to paint a clear image of each scene without being verbose or tangential.

The author manages to create a unique angle in the oversaturated mystery/thriller genre through her main character, Agent Samantha “Sam” Stevens as both a victim and a heroine.

Character/ The characters in Wigginton's The Magician Killer are convincing in their roles and memorable. Readers will develop a strong connection to the lead character, Sam, through a well-detailed backstory into her trauma. Secondary characters provide depth to the story and leave their own lasting impressions.

Date July 02, 2025

248 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 12, 2025

About the author

Diane Merrill Wigginton, born in Riverside, California, in 1963, grew up in
the vibrant community of Mira Mesa, San Diego. From a young age,
Diane developed a deep passion for storytelling, inspired by the
adventures of her childhood in the 1970s and early 1980s. Spending
summers on her grandparents' ranch in Idaho, Diane learned the value of
animals, nature, and storytelling that would shape her future writing
career. After marrying her husband, David, in 1998, Diane and her family lived in
Encinitas before moving to Herald, California in 2001. They embraced a
rural lifestyle on a 5 ½-acre ranch, raising six children. Diane’s love for
writing never waned, but raising a family and working full-time kept her
literary ambitions on hold. However, in her 50s, Diane decided to pursue
her dream of becoming a published author. It was then that she created
Angelina's Secret, the first book in her critically acclaimed Jeweled
Dagger Series.
Since then, Diane has published five novels, including her first children’s
book, The Secret of One-Eyed Cogburn, The Dreaded Pirate Captain.
Diane’s work spans multiple genres, from historical romance and
suspense to children's fiction, and she has earned a prestigious collection
of awards that reflect her remarkable storytelling ability. She has won
accolades such as the Benjamin Franklin Digital Award, Reader's
Favorite 1st Place Historical Fiction Award and ten awards for A
Compromising Position. In 2017, after retiring from her "9 to 5" job, Diane and
her husband moved to Kalispell, Montana, where they now enjoy a life filled with
adventure, hiking, and exploration in the stunning wilderness around Glacier
National Park. Diane continues to write full-time, bringing to life the rich
characters and intricate stories that captivate her readers.
Diane’s creative spirit is fueled by her deep appreciation for family and
her love for storytelling. Now a proud grandmother to eleven grandchildren,
Diane is living her dream and continues to inspire readers with her heartfelt and
adventurous tales.

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oof. DNF this one after 58 pages, and I hardly ever give up on a book. The writing was horrendous, especially the dialogue. So incredibly juvenile and, quite frankly, unbelievable that adult federal agents and a chief of police would speak to each other that way. Normally, I NEED to know how things end, whodunnit, etc., but I couldn't care less with this one.

[Réal Laplaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Magician Killer, by Diane Merrill Wigginton, where this prolific author stretches the envelope into another genre, the thriller, mystery murder category, with a touch of romance included. The title of the book eludes you until later, in the story, one comes to understand that this serial killer is called that because of his "magical" ability, it seems, to disappear without a trace. The story, no spoilers, starts off fast with a brutal, and I mean brutal murder, which instantly sets the pace for the investigation that ensues, and the decrepit nature of the man they are hunting down. The main investigator in the case, Sam or Samantha Stevens, who teams up with Nicolas McLeroy, start on the trail of missing girls, all of them of similar age and appearance, and soon discover that the trail is filled with a string of missing women. The real twist, again, no spoilers, is when we discover Sam's connection to the murderer and what appears to be his real motive. This is a good thriller with lots of good old-fashioned police procedural, moreover, the author does a good job of giving us an insight into the nature of psychopaths and sociopaths, which allows us, the reader, to follow their line of investigation even better. Recommended. 5 Stars!

[Jharna · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know, this book had me hooked from the very first page. That opening scene—wolves circling while Beethoven’s Fifth plays—was so eerie I literally couldn’t stop reading. But honestly, what I enjoyed most wasn’t just the creepy villain; it was the characters. Sam Stevens, the profiler, and Nick McLeroy with his dog Murphy—they made such a solid team. Their banter, the way their trust grew, and even how Murphy just grounded everything—it gave the story so much life beyond the fear.

And Alaska as the backdrop? Wow. It felt so vivid—the floatplanes skimming the water, that biting cold, even the coffee in a small diner. It pulled me right into the atmosphere. The case itself was chilling—women vanishing, and a suspect who seemed way too ordinary, which made it even more unsettling. I kept guessing and still got surprised.

That’s why I’d call this one of the best thrillers I’ve ever read. It’s not only about scaring you, it’s about smart storytelling, believable characters, and that perfect balance between suspense and emotion. When I finished, I didn’t just put it down—I instantly thought, “I need someone else to read this so we can talk about it.”

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

The opening scene shows a killer who has staked out a woman and is allowing wolves to eat her. Oh, my, gruesome.

Special Agent Sam Stevens is assigned the case in Alaska due to all the missing women. Her partner there is Special Agent Nicholas McLeroy and his German Shepherd Officer Murphy. Yes, Officer Murphy was my favorite character.

Sam is profiling and trying to find this serial killer who might be the same guy who attacked her years ago. The killer has done a lot of murdering since then.

Sam is known for her relentless work ethic resulting in her nickname of The Robot. She approaches cases in an analytical way and seems to have no personal life. She is repressing trauma.

The book was written in a fairly simple style. The dialogue seemed stiff at times. Sam's character was up and down in her emotions, not always professional. But it's my favorite type of book with a serial killer and a great dog. Dramatic ending even if it was a bit farfetched.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book for free from Goodreads.

I tried to like this book but unfortunately it's just not very good. It started off like a typical serial killer book but I think the author has watched too many Criminal Minds episodes.

Everything was so cliche! The female FBI agent was attacked in her youth, joined the FBI to hunt bad guys, but is haunted by her past. She has nightmares and is afraid of dogs and cries all the time.

She goes back to Alaska to hunt a supposed killer and meets up with another agent from Seattle who has a canine partner. Why? What purpose did Murphy serve? That was weird.

Sam explained basic police concepts to Nick in such a primitive manner. Then she gave the killer a dumb nickname and didn't recuse herself from the case.

Don't forget the unnecessary romance that added nothing to the story.

The story was so cheesy and predictable. But if you want a quick read, this is it.

[DAB-E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read with interesting characters. Of, course, Officer Murphy is my favorite. This is an interesting story of a serial killer and the FBI agents that work the case. There is a little romance as well as as profiling that help make the characters come alive.

Thanks goodreads for this book.

[Claudette Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was initially a little hesitant at the length of the book, but it reads much quicker than you would expect and frankly I found it hard to put down. Great read, that I think you need to experience!

[Jerry B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is like nothing I've read this year; it's layered in story and intrigue and brimming with character. Enthralled by the complex world, there’s never a dull moment. The characters are uniquely their own, bringing different aspects of life together.

[Tammie L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing was impeccable. It was easy to follow and get into. The characters were well developed with clear flaws that make them relatable and realistic which is the mark of good character development.

[Irene Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall, this is a great read for summer (or any time!). Even if you are not generally a fan of this genre, give this one a try. I loved it and really hope to see more from this author! Excellent book!

[Jenna M Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent, quick read.

It was a decent book, the storyline was okay but there were a few plot holes that I found and some things felt repetitive and empty like they were just fillers to make the book longer. Over all I enjoyed it and it was a quick read.

[Bennie Wenzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written book, it has some of the most expressive and vivid descriptions you’ll ever read.

[Tyler Starling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a lot of depth. I suggest you give it a go. You won't be disappointed.

[Richard Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly unique story. Complex, but easy enough to follow and stay engaged with each of the diverse characters.

[Travis Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

So imaginative. Finally, an original and different story instead of the same old same old.

[Carrie McCown · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a unique story! So many diverse characters come together in a way not at all typical of most story telling.

[Richard Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both the plot and the author's style are flawless.

[Kristina G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this to be boring in some parts but on a whole it was ok

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Sam as a character.