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Twisting the Aces
Deadly A Magician's Last Illusion
When world-renowned magician Mason Drexel announces his final performance at the prestigious Magic Castle in Hollywood, magician Eli Marks and his famous uncle Harry can't miss the show. But what begins as a spellbinding and exciting evening turns tragic when Mason collapses and dies on stage during his grand finale—with Eli standing beside him as his volunteer assistant.
Was it natural causes or something more sinister? As whispers spread through the tight-knit magic community about Mason's plan to burn all his secrets, Eli finds himself at the center of a mystery where illusion and reality blur. With a lifetime of magical knowledge at stake and the dead man's cryptic last words echoing in his mind, Eli must unravel what really happened during those final moments on stage in order to keep himself from being charged with the crime.
When world-renowned magician Mason Drexel announces his final performance at the prestigious Magic Castle in Hollywood, magician Eli Marks and his famous uncle Harry can't miss the show. But what begins as a spellbinding and exciting evening turns tragic when Mason collapses and dies on stage during his grand finale—with Eli standing beside him as his volunteer assistant.
Was it natural causes or something more sinister? As whispers spread through the tight-knit magic community about Mason's plan to burn all his secrets, Eli finds himself at the center of a mystery where illusion and reality blur. With a lifetime of magical knowledge at stake and the dead man's cryptic last words echoing in his mind, Eli must unravel what really happened during those final moments on stage in order to keep himself from being charged with the crime.
210 pages, Paperback
Published July 15, 2025
3 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
John Gaspard
54 books147 followersJohn is author of the Eli Marks mystery series and the Como Lake Players mystery series. He also has four other stand-alone novels: “The Greyhound of the Baskervilles,” “A Christmas Carl,” “The Sword & Mr. Stone” and “The Ripperologists.”
He hosts two podcasts: "Behind the Page: The Eli Marks Podcast," and "The Occasional Film Podcast."
In real life, John's not a magician, but he has directed six low-budget features that cost very little and made even less - that's no small trick. He's also written multiple books on the subject of low-budget filmmaking. Ironically, those books made more than the films.
John lives in Minnesota and shares his home with his lovely wife, several greyhounds, a few cats and a handful of pet allergies.
He hosts two podcasts: "Behind the Page: The Eli Marks Podcast," and "The Occasional Film Podcast."
In real life, John's not a magician, but he has directed six low-budget features that cost very little and made even less - that's no small trick. He's also written multiple books on the subject of low-budget filmmaking. Ironically, those books made more than the films.
John lives in Minnesota and shares his home with his lovely wife, several greyhounds, a few cats and a handful of pet allergies.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 26, 2025
I loved it, but is that fair for me to rate my own words? Yes, I'm the co-author.
What's it like to write a novel? To quote John, “The process was so simple and drama-free that I’m not sure there’s even an anecdote here.”
We kept the drama (and murder) on the page.
I believe it's fabulous and seamless addition to John's other 9 books in the Eli Marks mystery series.
Read the book and let me know what you think.
What's it like to write a novel? To quote John, “The process was so simple and drama-free that I’m not sure there’s even an anecdote here.”
We kept the drama (and murder) on the page.
I believe it's fabulous and seamless addition to John's other 9 books in the Eli Marks mystery series.
Read the book and let me know what you think.
June 10, 2025
I loved TWISTING THE ACES! It’s a tightly plotted, well written, clean, entertaining murder mystery with (of course) plenty of twists. Eli seems a bit more mature and self confident despite finding himself a suspect in a murder case. It’s a good look on him. I’m looking forward to the next book in this fun series!
I reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book with no strings attached.
I reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book with no strings attached.
June 24, 2025
Twisting the Aces, the latest in John Gaspard’s magic-centered mystery series, is an absolute winner. It grabbed me from the start, with protagonist Eli Marks immediately under suspicion for murder. But what hit this book out of the park for me is the setting: the real-life Magic Castle in Hollywood. The murder mystery is unraveled and solved even while magical entertainment for capacity crowds continues in the numerous showrooms of the Castle.
For this latter aspect, Gaspard wisely enlists co-author Michael Varma, a professional magician and fine author in his own right. Varma’s firsthand knowledge of the Magic Castle and how it is run adds immeasurably to the experience of this book. A map of the castle’s layout is even included, so readers can follow the movements of the characters.
The result is a complex, satisfying fiction mystery with multiple characters, including Eli’s magician uncle, Harry Marks and Homicide Detective Diego, plus many well-drawn suspects. At the same time, readers also get a fascinating peek behind the curtain at the illusions, the language, the actual showrooms and the operations of the foremost institution of magic entertainment in the world.
I highly recommend this fun read!
For this latter aspect, Gaspard wisely enlists co-author Michael Varma, a professional magician and fine author in his own right. Varma’s firsthand knowledge of the Magic Castle and how it is run adds immeasurably to the experience of this book. A map of the castle’s layout is even included, so readers can follow the movements of the characters.
The result is a complex, satisfying fiction mystery with multiple characters, including Eli’s magician uncle, Harry Marks and Homicide Detective Diego, plus many well-drawn suspects. At the same time, readers also get a fascinating peek behind the curtain at the illusions, the language, the actual showrooms and the operations of the foremost institution of magic entertainment in the world.
I highly recommend this fun read!
July 25, 2025
I love this series and the characters. I feel like it’s been so long since I was in their world and was very happy to jump back in after what felt like a lifetime. The dynamic between Eli and Harry is great, as always and I love Eli’s dry humor/wit. I wanted to savor it, but finished it in an afternoon.
The only piece I wasn’t sold on was Eli being poisoned for 5 minutes and recovering with no medical intervention, just a brief visit by a doctor/magician who told him to drink water. I know it was needed to advance the plot but it just felt like it should have been more serious than it was. What kind of position was it? How did it make Eli pass out but killed another man? Eli woke up and was completely fine with no ill effects. Usually these stories are so neat and refined that this piece stuck out.
I did miss the antics of the magic shop and some of the secondary characters - Nathan, Megan, Franny - but not enough to tarnish how happy I was to be back with Eli.
The only piece I wasn’t sold on was Eli being poisoned for 5 minutes and recovering with no medical intervention, just a brief visit by a doctor/magician who told him to drink water. I know it was needed to advance the plot but it just felt like it should have been more serious than it was. What kind of position was it? How did it make Eli pass out but killed another man? Eli woke up and was completely fine with no ill effects. Usually these stories are so neat and refined that this piece stuck out.
I did miss the antics of the magic shop and some of the secondary characters - Nathan, Megan, Franny - but not enough to tarnish how happy I was to be back with Eli.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2025
Magic can get you into trouble and maybe out of trouble, but aces aren’t the only things twisted in this mystery. This book only affirms my love of watching magicians, but just try to keep your eye on the perpetrator! And enjoy!
January 2, 2026
Fun read about a murder in a group of magicians. First book of 2026 really packed a punch!
August 18, 2025
I'm not sure how many books are in the Eli Marks series, but this is probably the best one so far. I always admire an author who is able to keep a series fresh, and this book is no different.
This time, we find Eli and his uncle Harry in Hollywood's Magic Castle (a real place!) to see the final performance of a magician who has promised to destroy all his notes that he has accumulated over the years of performing. Unfortunately said magician dies on stage and we're off to the races!
Since this book takes place in a real place, author John Gaspard enlists the talents of Michael Varma, a professional magician who has first-hand knowledge of the Magic Castle.
If you're a fan of the series, this is a true delight and highly recommended!
This time, we find Eli and his uncle Harry in Hollywood's Magic Castle (a real place!) to see the final performance of a magician who has promised to destroy all his notes that he has accumulated over the years of performing. Unfortunately said magician dies on stage and we're off to the races!
Since this book takes place in a real place, author John Gaspard enlists the talents of Michael Varma, a professional magician who has first-hand knowledge of the Magic Castle.
If you're a fan of the series, this is a true delight and highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews