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An Eli Marks Mystery
The Invisible Assistant / The Last Customer
Two Eli Marks Short Mysteries in One Bundle!
★★★★★
The Invisible Assistant
There's no question it was murder. But who killed whom?
What begins as a typical corporate event for magician Eli Marks turns into a twisted mystery when he is called to the site of a recent murder/suicide.
Confronted by the details of the grisly crime scene, Eli must sort through the post-mortem clues - and the bickering of the officials as well as a poorly-timed allergy attack - to determine just who murdered whom.
★★★★★
The Last Customer
The request was a first for Eli Marks: "Can you help me make my tuba disappear?"
Magician (and magic shop owner) Eli Marks is confronted with this odd demand just before he is about to close up shop for the day.
Over the next few tense minutes, he finds a solution to that question which also, fortunately, puts him the positive side of what turns out to be a life-or-death situation.
★★★★★
The Invisible Assistant
There's no question it was murder. But who killed whom?
What begins as a typical corporate event for magician Eli Marks turns into a twisted mystery when he is called to the site of a recent murder/suicide.
Confronted by the details of the grisly crime scene, Eli must sort through the post-mortem clues - and the bickering of the officials as well as a poorly-timed allergy attack - to determine just who murdered whom.
★★★★★
The Last Customer
The request was a first for Eli Marks: "Can you help me make my tuba disappear?"
Magician (and magic shop owner) Eli Marks is confronted with this odd demand just before he is about to close up shop for the day.
Over the next few tense minutes, he finds a solution to that question which also, fortunately, puts him the positive side of what turns out to be a life-or-death situation.
105 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2020
104 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
John Gaspard
102 books143 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.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 27, 2022
Here, you get two short stories featuring Magician Eli Marks. In the first story, he must help his ex-wife and her new husband figure out if a crime scene is as obvious as it first appears or if there is some trickery going on. In the second, he gets a request just before closing from a teen who wants to make his tuba disappear on stage.
As a fan of the Eli Marks mystery series, I found both of these stories fun. If you are new to the character, you can dive in here and enjoy both without needing any additional background. They are fairly fast reads, and they are both enjoyable. Not too many twists, but they are short stories, so that makes sense. Both stories are also available individually or as part of the book length short story collection The Self-Working Trick (and Other Stories).
If you’d like to read more, you can read my review of the collection here.
As a fan of the Eli Marks mystery series, I found both of these stories fun. If you are new to the character, you can dive in here and enjoy both without needing any additional background. They are fairly fast reads, and they are both enjoyable. Not too many twists, but they are short stories, so that makes sense. Both stories are also available individually or as part of the book length short story collection The Self-Working Trick (and Other Stories).
If you’d like to read more, you can read my review of the collection here.
January 14, 2023
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰
Another two will written slight of hand ✋ magic adventure thriller short stories by John Gaspard (two Eli Marks short stories). In the Invisible Assistant Eli Marks is asked too help in an murder investigation. Eli Marks shows the investigators how the murder happened.
The Last Customer, Eli Marks shows a young lad 👦 how too do magic with his music 🎶instrument.
I would recommend this novella to readers looking for a quick interesting mystery magic novels 👍🔰. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa read books 📚. 2023 😮👒😀
A new author I pick up ☝ from reviews on Goodreads. Happy reading in 2023🌹
Another two will written slight of hand ✋ magic adventure thriller short stories by John Gaspard (two Eli Marks short stories). In the Invisible Assistant Eli Marks is asked too help in an murder investigation. Eli Marks shows the investigators how the murder happened.
The Last Customer, Eli Marks shows a young lad 👦 how too do magic with his music 🎶instrument.
I would recommend this novella to readers looking for a quick interesting mystery magic novels 👍🔰. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa read books 📚. 2023 😮👒😀
A new author I pick up ☝ from reviews on Goodreads. Happy reading in 2023🌹
May 31, 2022
"Any business that charges an arm and two legs for a bag of popcorn," he would often say of the movie theatre "and then turn around and hand out miniscule candy bars at Halloween... That to me is a business with a heart the size of a gumdrop"
-page 30
Eli runs a magic shop in Chicago. He has fun as a magician, but he's also the helpful "Shawn Spencer" type when it comes to help solving mysteries it seems.
The characters are smart and loveable. This book is easy to get into.
If your a fan of mysteries and magic and the mingling of comedy with a little bit of flair give this book a try.
Or any of the others in the series. I have a feeling this books are written in a way that let's you feel like you're reading the first book no matter which book you picked up in the series. It's just explained that well.
This is book is an Asexuals friendly story!
-page 30
Eli runs a magic shop in Chicago. He has fun as a magician, but he's also the helpful "Shawn Spencer" type when it comes to help solving mysteries it seems.
The characters are smart and loveable. This book is easy to get into.
If your a fan of mysteries and magic and the mingling of comedy with a little bit of flair give this book a try.
Or any of the others in the series. I have a feeling this books are written in a way that let's you feel like you're reading the first book no matter which book you picked up in the series. It's just explained that well.
This is book is an Asexuals friendly story!
May 7, 2023
Enjoyable Read
This book was such an enjoyable read. The two short stories didn’t fail to entertain me and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Eli.
I was hooked from the moment he realised that the person he had invited onto stage was his ex-wife’s new husband and I wasn’t disappointed with the rest of that story.
The second story I thought was just a nice story about helping out a child, but the twist at the end really did surprise me! I enjoyed the whole of the story though with them helping the child to find a way to make a tuba disappear or something along those lines if at all possible.
The writing of this book made it such an easy book to read and I really enjoyed it, I will be looking at getting more of the Eli Marks series in the future.
This book was such an enjoyable read. The two short stories didn’t fail to entertain me and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Eli.
I was hooked from the moment he realised that the person he had invited onto stage was his ex-wife’s new husband and I wasn’t disappointed with the rest of that story.
The second story I thought was just a nice story about helping out a child, but the twist at the end really did surprise me! I enjoyed the whole of the story though with them helping the child to find a way to make a tuba disappear or something along those lines if at all possible.
The writing of this book made it such an easy book to read and I really enjoyed it, I will be looking at getting more of the Eli Marks series in the future.
May 11, 2024
THE ELI MARKS SHORT MYSTERY BUNDLE is wonderful! The first short story is THE INVISIBLE ASSISTANT which is a great how-did-they-do-it, locked room murder mystery. The second short story, THE LAST CUSTOMER, is an absolutely super enjoyable tale with a stupendous twist at the end. You NEED this little book!
September 18, 2020
A hit!
Excellent reading. Full of humor and educational. Delightful! Could be my new favorite author. I will be collecting the rest of his works.
Excellent reading. Full of humor and educational. Delightful! Could be my new favorite author. I will be collecting the rest of his works.
September 21, 2020
Short tales to introduce you to world of Eli Marks. Concise, witty and well written.
April 29, 2021
Eli Marks runs a book store. And magic shop
November 13, 2021
Interesting
February 17, 2022
Entertaining shorts.
April 4, 2023
Two short stories - both magic based. One a murder mystery and the other a customer in the magic shop.
The second story has an unexpected twist.
Nice stories
The second story has an unexpected twist.
Nice stories
July 3, 2023
Invisible assistant- 4 star
The Last Customer-2 star
Rounded to 3 star
The Last Customer-2 star
Rounded to 3 star
January 27, 2024
Found both stories delightful. I want to read other things by this author
August 18, 2025
Two really hilarious short stories in a box set by one of my new favorite authors; John Gaspard. A perfect blend of humor, mystery and magic.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
May 11, 2023
I loved this! A cute story about a young boy and a magic shop. A nice short story.
September 29, 2020
Lhe has written about Eli Marks.ove everything
March 1, 2023
I actually read the novella THE SQUARE CIRCLE, a novella available to author John Gaspard’s email recipients (which apparently isn’t listed in goodreads).
I read (and listened) to both THE INVISIBLE ASSISTANT and THE LAST CUSTOMER previously and also as a part of THE SELF WORKING TRICK AND OTHER STORIES. Both Short Mysteries have been reviewed separately under TSWTAOS.
MY RATING GUIDE: 4 Satisfied Stars for THE SQUARE CIRCLE; a delightful treat!
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I LIKED THIS A LOT; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
Comments ~
1) THE SQUARE CIRCLE is a quick reading novella that brings the reader up to date on the happenings of magician Eli Marks, his uncle Harry and their unusual group of friends. Meanwhile, a mystery which simmers in the background creeps forward demanding attention in the final pages of the book.
2) While it is possible to read THE SQUARE CIRCLE as a Standalone title, I highly recommend beginning this series with book #1, THE AMBITIOUS CARD which introduces the main character, second generation magician, Eli Marks with a fascinating mystery featuring magic and a cave.
3) I find the Eli Marks mysteries a delightful, unique and captivating read. I look forward to the next release by John Gaspard.
4) I recommend the Eli Marks series to readers who enjoy: mysteries (light in tone, rather than dark or grisly), unique characters and fresh story lines with unusual settings. Plus there is always the side bonus of magic. :D
READER CAUTION ~ IMO, appropriate for most any reader, especially those who enjoy quirky character mystery novels.
PROFANITY - None.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - None.
VIOLENCE - This is a mystery but no one dies on-scene.
I read (and listened) to both THE INVISIBLE ASSISTANT and THE LAST CUSTOMER previously and also as a part of THE SELF WORKING TRICK AND OTHER STORIES. Both Short Mysteries have been reviewed separately under TSWTAOS.
MY RATING GUIDE: 4 Satisfied Stars for THE SQUARE CIRCLE; a delightful treat!
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I LIKED THIS A LOT; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
Comments ~
1) THE SQUARE CIRCLE is a quick reading novella that brings the reader up to date on the happenings of magician Eli Marks, his uncle Harry and their unusual group of friends. Meanwhile, a mystery which simmers in the background creeps forward demanding attention in the final pages of the book.
2) While it is possible to read THE SQUARE CIRCLE as a Standalone title, I highly recommend beginning this series with book #1, THE AMBITIOUS CARD which introduces the main character, second generation magician, Eli Marks with a fascinating mystery featuring magic and a cave.
3) I find the Eli Marks mysteries a delightful, unique and captivating read. I look forward to the next release by John Gaspard.
4) I recommend the Eli Marks series to readers who enjoy: mysteries (light in tone, rather than dark or grisly), unique characters and fresh story lines with unusual settings. Plus there is always the side bonus of magic. :D
READER CAUTION ~ IMO, appropriate for most any reader, especially those who enjoy quirky character mystery novels.
PROFANITY - None.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - None.
VIOLENCE - This is a mystery but no one dies on-scene.
October 31, 2024
2 nice short mysteries.
Thanks to the author for the digital copies.
Thanks to the author for the digital copies.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews