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A Bad Deal in Mormon Land
Not yet published
Expected 1 Oct 26Sometimes things are not as they appear, especially when religion, magic, and shady dealings mix.
It’s 1908, and itinerant spirit medium Madame Ilsa von Hoffmann is at the end of her professional rope, facing down two unappealing options: join an ill-conceived commune founded by some fellow trans ex-vaudevillians, or take on a high-paying but mysterious job offered by a religious extremist in Salt Lake City. Madame Ilsa opts for Utah and the employ of one Roger Marsh who, it turns out, wants her to summon the ghost of Joseph Smith, Mormonism’s founder, to give his blessing to Marsh’s fledgling offshoot of the mainstream church.
Unsure how she’ll pull off this near-impossible task, Ilsa finds an ally in Francie Bream, an East Coast journalist in town to profile Mormon women at the dawn of the twentieth century. Bream’s motives remain obscure to Ilsa, though she begins to suspect the journalist has an agenda far more sinister than she could have imagined. Complicating the situation further are an inept and volatile henchman, a relentlessly orthodox Mormon apostle, a copper magnate with a fetish for polygamists, Marsh's rogue third wife, and a vengeful private investigator from Ilsa's past. As dead bodies accumulate around her, Madame Ilsa worries less and less about saving her career, and more about making it out of Salt Lake City alive.
It’s 1908, and itinerant spirit medium Madame Ilsa von Hoffmann is at the end of her professional rope, facing down two unappealing options: join an ill-conceived commune founded by some fellow trans ex-vaudevillians, or take on a high-paying but mysterious job offered by a religious extremist in Salt Lake City. Madame Ilsa opts for Utah and the employ of one Roger Marsh who, it turns out, wants her to summon the ghost of Joseph Smith, Mormonism’s founder, to give his blessing to Marsh’s fledgling offshoot of the mainstream church.
Unsure how she’ll pull off this near-impossible task, Ilsa finds an ally in Francie Bream, an East Coast journalist in town to profile Mormon women at the dawn of the twentieth century. Bream’s motives remain obscure to Ilsa, though she begins to suspect the journalist has an agenda far more sinister than she could have imagined. Complicating the situation further are an inept and volatile henchman, a relentlessly orthodox Mormon apostle, a copper magnate with a fetish for polygamists, Marsh's rogue third wife, and a vengeful private investigator from Ilsa's past. As dead bodies accumulate around her, Madame Ilsa worries less and less about saving her career, and more about making it out of Salt Lake City alive.
- GenresHistoricalFiction
308 pages, Paperback
Expected publication October 1, 2026
39 people want to read
About the author
T.I.M. Wirkus
5 books15 followersT.I.M. Wirkus (they/them) is the author of the novels The Infinite Future (Penguin Press, 2018) and City of Brick and Shadow (Tyrus Books, 2014), which was a finalist for the Shamus Award and the winner of the Association for Mormon Letters Best Novel Award. Their novella, Sandy Downs, won the 2013 Quarterly West novella contest. They hold a PhD in creative writing and literature from the University of Southern California.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 10, 2026
An excellent novel on every level. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
To anyone who might be on the fence about this novel, I'd like to provide a little extra to supplement the summary. While the summary is essentially correct, the way it is worded makes it seem like this story is primarily from the point of view of Ilsa and takes place over a longer span of time than it actually does. This novel has POVs from every major character, and most of this novel happens over the course of three days. To someone who doesn't know that, the beginning feels like a bit of a drag, particularly because there are so many viewpoints, and time doesn't seem like it's moving fast at all. I think knowing this ahead of time would have made me look on the beginning more favorably.
To now begin gushing, this was an unbelievably tight and well-crafted novel. The large cast of characters are all well-developed and all go on arcs over the course of the novel. Their interlinking narratives and motives all work in service of the idea that all people are complex beings with their own goals, contradictions, and capability for grace. Maybe I've just been reading a lot of garbage recently, but the deftness with which Wirkus handles the many, many subplots and relationships and ties them all together by the end really impressed me. The relationships between these characters feel messy and complicated and real, but everything is still wrapped up neatly, with nothing dangling in a way that doesn't serve the narrative. The narrative is compelling, particularly with the context from the plot summary that bodies are going to drop. I almost felt as if I was reading a proper mystery novel; I was trying to figure out motives and predict what characters were going to do before they did it. It is a delightful web to be caught in.
The tone of the novel is utterly brilliant. It has this wry voice that makes the unbelievable, such as the (apparently real) Mormon dime novels and toe length-based phrenology, sound perfectly plausible in the world of the novel, and because the Mormon dime novels were real, I'm inclined to believe that some unbelievably racist and classist white man developed toe-phrenology. I also quite enjoyed the references to "A Study in Scarlet" and Pagliacci. Wirkus includes a list of sources at the back, which I always appreciate. Hello again, Before We Were Trans: A New History of Gender, and I'll have to add Manliness & Civilization: A Cultural History of Gender and Race in the United States, 1880-1917 to my list.
I truly cannot recommend this enough.
To anyone who might be on the fence about this novel, I'd like to provide a little extra to supplement the summary. While the summary is essentially correct, the way it is worded makes it seem like this story is primarily from the point of view of Ilsa and takes place over a longer span of time than it actually does. This novel has POVs from every major character, and most of this novel happens over the course of three days. To someone who doesn't know that, the beginning feels like a bit of a drag, particularly because there are so many viewpoints, and time doesn't seem like it's moving fast at all. I think knowing this ahead of time would have made me look on the beginning more favorably.
To now begin gushing, this was an unbelievably tight and well-crafted novel. The large cast of characters are all well-developed and all go on arcs over the course of the novel. Their interlinking narratives and motives all work in service of the idea that all people are complex beings with their own goals, contradictions, and capability for grace. Maybe I've just been reading a lot of garbage recently, but the deftness with which Wirkus handles the many, many subplots and relationships and ties them all together by the end really impressed me. The relationships between these characters feel messy and complicated and real, but everything is still wrapped up neatly, with nothing dangling in a way that doesn't serve the narrative. The narrative is compelling, particularly with the context from the plot summary that bodies are going to drop. I almost felt as if I was reading a proper mystery novel; I was trying to figure out motives and predict what characters were going to do before they did it. It is a delightful web to be caught in.
The tone of the novel is utterly brilliant. It has this wry voice that makes the unbelievable, such as the (apparently real) Mormon dime novels and toe length-based phrenology, sound perfectly plausible in the world of the novel, and because the Mormon dime novels were real, I'm inclined to believe that some unbelievably racist and classist white man developed toe-phrenology. I also quite enjoyed the references to "A Study in Scarlet" and Pagliacci. Wirkus includes a list of sources at the back, which I always appreciate. Hello again, Before We Were Trans: A New History of Gender, and I'll have to add Manliness & Civilization: A Cultural History of Gender and Race in the United States, 1880-1917 to my list.
I truly cannot recommend this enough.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you netgalley for this ARC!
"She wasn't a bad person, or if she was, she had become one for a good reason."
A Bad Deal in Mormon Land earns a 4.5/5 (rounded to 4 for this). It successfully blends 1908 historical fiction, crime, and humor into a highly specific, unique setting, aiming for a quirky tone while handling dark subject matter.
The premise is excellent. The cult imagery and tension surrounding the religious offshoot and cult elements are built very well. The narrative tackles dark themes like murder, religious extremism, and summoning ghosts, but balances them with an, irreverent, offbeat tone.
The character relationships are deeply complex. The narrative has real teeth when it deconstructs toxic loyalty and enmeshment. Instead of relying on sentimental illusions about family, it forces objective, uncomfortable confrontations, and gracefully avoids platitudes about "blood." The author is consistently good at these localized, messy character dynamics, and they carry much of the book's weight.
The main drawback is the formatting. It reads more like a series of connected vignettes than a single cohesive story, which makes the progression slightly choppy. Scenes frequently end right at their most pivotal moment, omitting the necessary reaction beats. It feels exactly like watching a movie where a scene cuts off a second too early, leaving you feeling like a paragraph or two is missing from the chapter, rather than building the intended suspense.
Ultimately, the abrupt cuts are a byproduct of the book aiming for a. More quick/quirky rhythm. It works because it set out to be an offbeat thriller with messy character dynamics and cult elements, and it delivers on that front.
"She wasn't a bad person, or if she was, she had become one for a good reason."
A Bad Deal in Mormon Land earns a 4.5/5 (rounded to 4 for this). It successfully blends 1908 historical fiction, crime, and humor into a highly specific, unique setting, aiming for a quirky tone while handling dark subject matter.
The premise is excellent. The cult imagery and tension surrounding the religious offshoot and cult elements are built very well. The narrative tackles dark themes like murder, religious extremism, and summoning ghosts, but balances them with an, irreverent, offbeat tone.
The character relationships are deeply complex. The narrative has real teeth when it deconstructs toxic loyalty and enmeshment. Instead of relying on sentimental illusions about family, it forces objective, uncomfortable confrontations, and gracefully avoids platitudes about "blood." The author is consistently good at these localized, messy character dynamics, and they carry much of the book's weight.
The main drawback is the formatting. It reads more like a series of connected vignettes than a single cohesive story, which makes the progression slightly choppy. Scenes frequently end right at their most pivotal moment, omitting the necessary reaction beats. It feels exactly like watching a movie where a scene cuts off a second too early, leaving you feeling like a paragraph or two is missing from the chapter, rather than building the intended suspense.
Ultimately, the abrupt cuts are a byproduct of the book aiming for a. More quick/quirky rhythm. It works because it set out to be an offbeat thriller with messy character dynamics and cult elements, and it delivers on that front.
April 25, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-Arc!
This is an intriguing and unconventional mystery that gradually reveals itself to be far more interested in character, belief, and power than in solving the murders at its centre. While it starts off a little slowly, the story becomes increasingly compelling as the different narrative strands begin to converge and the motivations of its varied cast come into focus.
Rather than following a traditional whodunnit structure, the novel makes it clear early on who is responsible, shifting the tension towards understanding why. That choice felt refreshing and allowed for a deeper exploration of character psychology and the influence of ego, faith, and control. I particularly enjoyed the way the book examined different belief systems, from organised religion and extremist Mormon offshoots to more informal spiritual practices like Ilsa’s clairvoyant work, and how easily power can be abused within them. The inclusion of a trans main character was also a welcome part of the story, and despite some heavy themes, there were moments of unexpected lightness that balanced the tone nicely.
That said, the ending felt more rushed than the rest of the novel, and a few loose ends were left unresolved, which made the conclusion slightly less satisfying than I’d hoped. Still, it’s a thoughtful and distinctive read with plenty to reflect on, even if it doesn’t fully stick the landing.
This is an intriguing and unconventional mystery that gradually reveals itself to be far more interested in character, belief, and power than in solving the murders at its centre. While it starts off a little slowly, the story becomes increasingly compelling as the different narrative strands begin to converge and the motivations of its varied cast come into focus.
Rather than following a traditional whodunnit structure, the novel makes it clear early on who is responsible, shifting the tension towards understanding why. That choice felt refreshing and allowed for a deeper exploration of character psychology and the influence of ego, faith, and control. I particularly enjoyed the way the book examined different belief systems, from organised religion and extremist Mormon offshoots to more informal spiritual practices like Ilsa’s clairvoyant work, and how easily power can be abused within them. The inclusion of a trans main character was also a welcome part of the story, and despite some heavy themes, there were moments of unexpected lightness that balanced the tone nicely.
That said, the ending felt more rushed than the rest of the novel, and a few loose ends were left unresolved, which made the conclusion slightly less satisfying than I’d hoped. Still, it’s a thoughtful and distinctive read with plenty to reflect on, even if it doesn’t fully stick the landing.
March 22, 2026
A Bad Deal in Mormon Land is a short and delightful romp through Utah in the early 20th century. The novel follows Madame Isla, a medium in a low part of her career who takes a job in Salt Lake City, Utah to summon the ghost of Joseph Smith in order to reintroduce polygamy to the Mormon church. However, this job quickly becomes more complicated with the introduction of a journalist seeking revenge for her dead mother and the arrival of an ex Madame Isla thought long gone.
I found this novel really cute and funny, while not shying away from the darker aspects of this time period. My favourite aspect of A Bad Deal in Mormon Land was easily the trans representation: trans characters were just there, and their transness was not an important aspect of them as people or the novel itself. Another thing that I really liked was the perspective hopping, which really gave the reader a comprehensive look at what was going on in the world around the characters, and not being constricted to a single viewpoint with the same set of biases.
Readers looking for something fast paced and narratively messy (in a very good way) will love this book. Overall, I give A Bad Deal in Mormon Land 4.75/5 stars. Thank you to BooksGoSocial for providing this novel for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I found this novel really cute and funny, while not shying away from the darker aspects of this time period. My favourite aspect of A Bad Deal in Mormon Land was easily the trans representation: trans characters were just there, and their transness was not an important aspect of them as people or the novel itself. Another thing that I really liked was the perspective hopping, which really gave the reader a comprehensive look at what was going on in the world around the characters, and not being constricted to a single viewpoint with the same set of biases.
Readers looking for something fast paced and narratively messy (in a very good way) will love this book. Overall, I give A Bad Deal in Mormon Land 4.75/5 stars. Thank you to BooksGoSocial for providing this novel for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Three of the things I love best in a book – religion, magic, and shady dealings. Add to that a medium, seances and murder, all wrapped up in a Gothic mystery, and you have the perfect recipe for my favourite literary concoction.
The year is 1908, and our main character, Madame Ilsa von Hoffmann, a spiritualist medium, has fallen on hard times. Then she is hired by Roger Marsh, a Mormon elder who has been excommunicated by the church for refusing to accept that polygamy is no longer legal. He has three wives. He wants Ilsa to raise the spirit of Joseph Smith, who founded the Mormon religion. But is Ilsa a fraud?
I once attended a ‘seance’ for a podcast, where we learnt how it was all done including why it was always dark and attendees stayed together round the table. Mediums kept props in their dresses, in pockets or sewn into the lining. The seance scene later in the book is a triumph, absolutely brilliant.
I just LOVED this book. The characters, the setting, the mystery. Each of the main characters is richly drawn and has their own story. My favourite was probably journalist Francie Bream, who is writing an article on Mormon women, but appears to have a more sinister agenda.
Incidentally, the title of the book is taken from a Mormon dime novel and yes, that really was a thing. Like a Victorian Mills & Boon.
The year is 1908, and our main character, Madame Ilsa von Hoffmann, a spiritualist medium, has fallen on hard times. Then she is hired by Roger Marsh, a Mormon elder who has been excommunicated by the church for refusing to accept that polygamy is no longer legal. He has three wives. He wants Ilsa to raise the spirit of Joseph Smith, who founded the Mormon religion. But is Ilsa a fraud?
I once attended a ‘seance’ for a podcast, where we learnt how it was all done including why it was always dark and attendees stayed together round the table. Mediums kept props in their dresses, in pockets or sewn into the lining. The seance scene later in the book is a triumph, absolutely brilliant.
I just LOVED this book. The characters, the setting, the mystery. Each of the main characters is richly drawn and has their own story. My favourite was probably journalist Francie Bream, who is writing an article on Mormon women, but appears to have a more sinister agenda.
Incidentally, the title of the book is taken from a Mormon dime novel and yes, that really was a thing. Like a Victorian Mills & Boon.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for the ARC.
I think the best word to describe this book for me was, fun. This was a really fun read, and the hijinks that ensue from the first chapter all worked to come together at the end very satisfyingly and in a way that made narrative sense. Loose ends were tied up, character arcs were wrapped up, and the larger conflict at hand was resolved. I think another thing that led to my enjoyment of this book was the setting in particular. I don't think I've come across another book that takes place and revolves around early 20th century, Mormon Utah, with a focus on spirituality and seances. So, this was a very unique read for me. The writing is also very sharp and witty, with a great momentum to it. I was never bored, or waiting for a chapter to end so the plot could continue on. The multiple POVs at the start were a little confusing at first, but afterwards it was not a hinderance at all. While this is a book definitely driven by the plot and with the multiple POV's we get some limited character growth and insights, I never felt that characters actions didn't make sense or came out of nowhere.
I think the best word to describe this book for me was, fun. This was a really fun read, and the hijinks that ensue from the first chapter all worked to come together at the end very satisfyingly and in a way that made narrative sense. Loose ends were tied up, character arcs were wrapped up, and the larger conflict at hand was resolved. I think another thing that led to my enjoyment of this book was the setting in particular. I don't think I've come across another book that takes place and revolves around early 20th century, Mormon Utah, with a focus on spirituality and seances. So, this was a very unique read for me. The writing is also very sharp and witty, with a great momentum to it. I was never bored, or waiting for a chapter to end so the plot could continue on. The multiple POVs at the start were a little confusing at first, but afterwards it was not a hinderance at all. While this is a book definitely driven by the plot and with the multiple POV's we get some limited character growth and insights, I never felt that characters actions didn't make sense or came out of nowhere.
Read
April 22, 2026A Bad Deal in Mormon Land is an imaginative and engaging blend of historical fiction, mystery, and dark humor. T.I.M. Wirkus crafts a story that feels both grounded in its time period and creatively unpredictable, pulling readers into a world where nothing is quite as it seems.
What makes the book stand out is its central premise. The idea of a spirit medium being tasked with summoning a major religious figure immediately creates intrigue, and the story builds on that with a cast of characters whose motives are anything but straightforward.
The narrative is filled with shifting alliances, hidden agendas, and moments of tension that keep the reader engaged. At the same time, there’s a sense of wit and unpredictability that gives the story its unique tone.
A compelling and original read for those who enjoy historical settings with mystery, dark humor, and unconventional storytelling.
What makes the book stand out is its central premise. The idea of a spirit medium being tasked with summoning a major religious figure immediately creates intrigue, and the story builds on that with a cast of characters whose motives are anything but straightforward.
The narrative is filled with shifting alliances, hidden agendas, and moments of tension that keep the reader engaged. At the same time, there’s a sense of wit and unpredictability that gives the story its unique tone.
A compelling and original read for those who enjoy historical settings with mystery, dark humor, and unconventional storytelling.
May 6, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-Arc 💜
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars
A Bad Deal in Mormon Land was such a pleasant surprise.
First of all, I am not an easy 4 star giver. So this is genuinely a very good book.
It is sharp, very funny, and beautifully written. The vocabulary is rich without feeling heavy, and the prose has a depth that makes you slow down and appreciate the craft. The story itself intertwines in such an entertaining way. The absurdity, the tension, the religious undertones, and the shady dealings all blend together with clever structure and timing.
What I loved most is the humor. It is subtle, satirical, and intelligent. The book manages to poke at extremism, belief systems, and human ambition without ever feeling preachy. It feels confident and different.
It is not your typical historical fiction. It stands out for its voice and tone. Different and genuinely enjoyable.
Well done!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars
A Bad Deal in Mormon Land was such a pleasant surprise.
First of all, I am not an easy 4 star giver. So this is genuinely a very good book.
It is sharp, very funny, and beautifully written. The vocabulary is rich without feeling heavy, and the prose has a depth that makes you slow down and appreciate the craft. The story itself intertwines in such an entertaining way. The absurdity, the tension, the religious undertones, and the shady dealings all blend together with clever structure and timing.
What I loved most is the humor. It is subtle, satirical, and intelligent. The book manages to poke at extremism, belief systems, and human ambition without ever feeling preachy. It feels confident and different.
It is not your typical historical fiction. It stands out for its voice and tone. Different and genuinely enjoyable.
Well done!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
An unexpected look into Utah at the start of the twentieth century— particularly, into the inner workings of the Mormon Church… as imagined by the brilliant mind of T.I.M. Wirkus. The novel is part historical, part crime, part humor, written in riveting prose and featuring one of the most memorable characters you’ll ever meet: trans spirit medium Madame Ilsa von Hoffman, a former vaudevillian trying to make it on her own in a world not quite ready for her. This is an unforgettable, entertaining read, with twists I never saw coming and an emotional heartbeat that takes you by surprise. Don’t miss it!
April 22, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for providing the ARC
Okay so…
Starting off I can’t say that this book has a very engaging first few chapters. I was mostly very confused as there were so many characters introduced all at once. Nevertheless I powered through and it got interesting half way. Towards the end of the book though…
It didn’t make sense for it to end that way, I felt like there was no closure in the sense that those who actually perpetuated the harm (the pastor that gave the baby to the wrong mother for example) were not brought to justice and it was Francie who’s life was ultimately ruined even though all she wanted was her sister back and to take revenge on the man who separated them.
2.5 stars. Great premise but not the best execution
Okay so…
Starting off I can’t say that this book has a very engaging first few chapters. I was mostly very confused as there were so many characters introduced all at once. Nevertheless I powered through and it got interesting half way. Towards the end of the book though…
It didn’t make sense for it to end that way, I felt like there was no closure in the sense that those who actually perpetuated the harm (the pastor that gave the baby to the wrong mother for example) were not brought to justice and it was Francie who’s life was ultimately ruined even though all she wanted was her sister back and to take revenge on the man who separated them.
2.5 stars. Great premise but not the best execution
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
While this book was a little short it was very intriguing. The characters form an unusual mix of people from retired vaudevillians to journalists turned vigilante. The setting, period and characters all come together to make a truly enjoyable read that really keeps you turning the page.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I thought the overall writing and characterisation was overall good, and the setting and time period felt unique
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
dnf at 65%
i didn’t dislike this book despite being unable to finish it. i liked the setting, the different storylines that were beginning to intertwine and i liked the of the book as well, it seemed original and intriguing.
however there were so many characters i started to get a little confused and no major events nor plot twists really happened so far.
i’ll try to finish this book in the near future but for now i’ll pause it.
i didn’t dislike this book despite being unable to finish it. i liked the setting, the different storylines that were beginning to intertwine and i liked the of the book as well, it seemed original and intriguing.
however there were so many characters i started to get a little confused and no major events nor plot twists really happened so far.
i’ll try to finish this book in the near future but for now i’ll pause it.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews