A Fatal Illusion

Cherringham #48

by Matthew Costello, Neil Dudgeon (Narrator), Neil Richards

When an elderly, world-famous magician is found dead in his Cherringham mansion, there is nothing suspicious about the passing. According to the doctor, it was a heart attack - plain and simple. But the performer's long-time assistant suspects something sinister and she asks Jack and Sarah to investigate. And like the great magician's amazing tricks, it soon becomes clear that his death is anything but in the world of magic, nothing is ever what it seems, and sometimes even illusions can turn deadly...

Set in the sleepy English village of Cherringham, the detective series brings together an unlikely sleuthing English web designer Sarah and American ex-cop Jack. Thrilling and deadly - but with a spot of tea - it's like Rosamunde Pilcher meets Inspector Barnaby.

Co-authors Neil Richards (based in the UK) and Matthew Costello (based in the US), have been writing together since the mid-90s, creating innovative content and working on major projects for the BBC, Disney Channel, Sony, ABC, Eidos, and Nintendo to name but a few. Their transatlantic collaboration has underpinned scores of TV drama scripts, computer games, radio shows, and the best-selling mystery series Cherringham. Their latest series project is called Mydworth Mysteries.

The narrator of the audiobook, Neil Dudgeon, has been in many British television programmes including the roles of 'DCI John Barnaby' in 'Midsomer Murders' and 'Jim Riley' in 'The Life of Riley'. He is also known for his film roles in 'The Nativity', 'Sorted' and 'Son of Rambow'. In 2012 Dudgeon starred as 'Norman Birkett' on BBC Radio 4's Afternoon Play series written by Caroline and David Stafford.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Cozy Mystery, Modern

Audible Audio

Published April 25, 2025

Reviews

[Kim Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books, they are such entertaining reads. I love the fact that they are clean and don't have lots of swearing in them. Now don't get me wrong, the doesn't necessarily bother me, but in the context of these books it just wouldn't be right. Once I start these books I read through to the end, in one sitting. I mean, how can you not??!! More of the same please Messers Richards and Costello.

[Anne B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clever & magical plot

This was a fast reading, magical episode in the sleuthing of Jack & Sarah. So much fun and such a great ending. No complaints here about the writing or grammar- if there were any errors, they weren’t glaring. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for this pair next.

[Kaija · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lukijana Neil Dudgeon.
Vaikka Jack ja Sarah ovatkin suosikkejani, tämä kertomus ei ehkä ole heidän parhaitaan. Juoni oli todella kekseliäs ja yllättävä loppuhuipennus kirsikkana kakun päällä. Jotain taikaa tästä näytti puuttuvan, parin keskinäiset välit ovat jääneet jollakin tavalla junnaamaan. Mutta kaikesta tästä huolimatta hyvät pisteet, kun tarina on hyvin kirjoitettu ja mieli tekee lukea lisää.

[Sarah Price · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audiobook - 2.5 stars. Cute story, no stress listening to it. Reasonably clever mystery but I prefer to be able to guess along with the story and this one was too short to give enough clues to allow that. Won’t probably continue in this series

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an intriguing little mystery with an interesting twist at the end. I do love Jack and Sarah. They are such a great team and such great friends. Everyone should have someone like that in their life.

[Georgia Guerra- Munson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story line that was fabulous

Always a great story from Matthew and Neil.
They are too short but very well written.
I can read their writing every day.

[Jayne]

Audiobook

[Elliemae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook format
I really enjoy this series and I LOVED this book in particular. We have a dead body and a victim but there are surprises through out this book.

[Christine Pilcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant as always. Sarah and Jack at their best.

[Lorna Smart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I worked it out part way through but it didn't ruin my reading experience.

[Caren · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars a fun series to listen to

[Reading In Yorkshire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. Perfect cosy crime. Great story but my least favourite in the series.

[Judy Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the pattern of the stories are very similar, the specifics of each 'case' Jack and Sarah work on are vastly different. Still a good read.

[Meggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit boring story line, but still with an excellent ending. Good work by the author.

[Kataklicik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook, read by Neil Dudgeon.

I wasn’t quite happy with that ending!

[Lisa G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good story. The magic aspect is a lot of fun.

[Peter Griffin, · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt this was a bit rushed, not up to normal standard

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

another good read

A fast and interesting book. Keep them coming. I enjoyed the look into the world of magic, and wonder what inspired it.

[Chautona Havig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay... I can't say much about this one other than I LOVED being back with our friends Jack and Sarah and I loved how this one got me. I absolutely didn't see it coming. I don't know if that's because it was that well hidden OR if it was a literary sleight of hand sort of thing where they kept me looking one way while something came in sideways. Either way, they got me and I loved it. All I can say except that I'm drumming my fingers for the next.

[Maggie Gifford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why am I still reading this series.

[Kiersten Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? I wouldn't still be reading these 48 books in if they weren't good! Great for a lomg afternoon. This one was especially fun and whimsical