What do you think?
Rate this book
The Ambitious Card: A Free, Extended Preview (First 10 Chapters)!
Read the first Ten Chapters for FREE! Magician Eli Marks is the top suspect in a series of murders.
His greatest trick? Not becoming the next victim. ★★★★★
Psychics are being murdered and all the clues point to magician Eli one of his playing cards keeps turning up at every crime scene. What begins as a simple Halloween magic show turns into a deadly cat-and-mouse encounter as the body count rises while Eli frantically attempts to clear his name.
It doesn't help that his ex-wife's new husband is the lead Homicide Detective on the case. Or that Eli appears to be the only thread tying all the murders together.
Then things get really complicated when romance blooms with a beautiful psychic who may—or may not—hold the final clue to this murderous mystery. Eli can't help but be drawn to her, even though falling in love in the midst of a murder spree is never a good idea. As all the pieces of this deadly puzzle begin to fall into place, Eli must use every trick he knows to uncover the true killer … before he becomes the final victim.
“This is a hugely entertaining crime novel, packed full of comedy….Warm, funny and well-plotted—a book to brighten any grey day. Do read it!”— FictionFan’s Book Reviews “The Ambitious Card is intelligently written and ... entirely engrossing.” – Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine Grab your copy and get started on this fantastic and funny series right now! ★★★★★
“The Ambitious Card is a must read!” — Books and Looks “Before I had even finished the first chapter I had fallen in love with Eli. He is intelligent, sensitive, witty and, suddenly, the main suspect in a series of murders…well written, fast paced and exciting.”— The Frugal Mennonite
“The deftly-plotted mystery is enriched by Eli’s relationships with his ex-wife, her new husband, his old-school stage magician Uncle Harry, and an interesting collection of people and places in and around St. Paul…This stylish novel is filled with interesting details, snappy dialogue, and appealing characters.”— More Than a Review “This story is very well written and fun to read. I would definitely read another Eli Marks Mystery!” — A Simple Taste for Reading “I had a great time reading The Ambitious Card. I don’t read many series, but I’m definitely willing to go on another adventure with Eli.” — The Writerly Reader “Well, Dear Reader, would I recommend The Ambitious Card? Would I read another Eli Marks mystery? Yes, I would do both.”— Charlie Britten, Write On ★★★★★ Books in the Eli Marks Mystery THE AMBITIOUS CARD (#1)
THE BULLET CATCH (#2)
THE MISER'S DREAM (#3)
THE LINKING RINGS (#4)
THE FLOATING LIGHT BULB (#5)
THE ZOMBIE BALL (#6)
THE MAGIC SQUARE (#7)
THE INVISIBLE ASSISTANT (Short Story)
THE LAST CUSTOMER (Short Story)
His greatest trick? Not becoming the next victim. ★★★★★
Psychics are being murdered and all the clues point to magician Eli one of his playing cards keeps turning up at every crime scene. What begins as a simple Halloween magic show turns into a deadly cat-and-mouse encounter as the body count rises while Eli frantically attempts to clear his name.
It doesn't help that his ex-wife's new husband is the lead Homicide Detective on the case. Or that Eli appears to be the only thread tying all the murders together.
Then things get really complicated when romance blooms with a beautiful psychic who may—or may not—hold the final clue to this murderous mystery. Eli can't help but be drawn to her, even though falling in love in the midst of a murder spree is never a good idea. As all the pieces of this deadly puzzle begin to fall into place, Eli must use every trick he knows to uncover the true killer … before he becomes the final victim.
“This is a hugely entertaining crime novel, packed full of comedy….Warm, funny and well-plotted—a book to brighten any grey day. Do read it!”— FictionFan’s Book Reviews “The Ambitious Card is intelligently written and ... entirely engrossing.” – Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine Grab your copy and get started on this fantastic and funny series right now! ★★★★★
“The Ambitious Card is a must read!” — Books and Looks “Before I had even finished the first chapter I had fallen in love with Eli. He is intelligent, sensitive, witty and, suddenly, the main suspect in a series of murders…well written, fast paced and exciting.”— The Frugal Mennonite
“The deftly-plotted mystery is enriched by Eli’s relationships with his ex-wife, her new husband, his old-school stage magician Uncle Harry, and an interesting collection of people and places in and around St. Paul…This stylish novel is filled with interesting details, snappy dialogue, and appealing characters.”— More Than a Review “This story is very well written and fun to read. I would definitely read another Eli Marks Mystery!” — A Simple Taste for Reading “I had a great time reading The Ambitious Card. I don’t read many series, but I’m definitely willing to go on another adventure with Eli.” — The Writerly Reader “Well, Dear Reader, would I recommend The Ambitious Card? Would I read another Eli Marks mystery? Yes, I would do both.”— Charlie Britten, Write On ★★★★★ Books in the Eli Marks Mystery THE AMBITIOUS CARD (#1)
THE BULLET CATCH (#2)
THE MISER'S DREAM (#3)
THE LINKING RINGS (#4)
THE FLOATING LIGHT BULB (#5)
THE ZOMBIE BALL (#6)
THE MAGIC SQUARE (#7)
THE INVISIBLE ASSISTANT (Short Story)
THE LAST CUSTOMER (Short Story)
152 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2020
8 people are currently reading
10 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
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 12, 2023
This is the first book by this author that I have read or listened too but it won't be my last, in fact I have already downloaded the next audio book. I enjoyed it that much. With so many magic books out there, usually containing witches, werewolves and other supernatural creatures, it was great focusing in on magicians of the human kind. I loved working out (and of course the explaining) of how the magic trick was preformed and it was all packaged into one captivating mystery full of twists. I had guessed who the killer was but it was fun learning if I was right. The mystery was interesting, especially the way magic and psychics etc was involved and made it entertaining. I liked the characters. Eli is a great main character and despite being a showman he isn't a show off at all and is very likeable. The author puts on quite the show with this book and I am off too see what he has up his selves for the next book.
When a tv show is filmed with the Psychics showing off his skills, Eli is asked to finish off the show and explain if what people saw was possible. He is able to reveal all with out giving away any magicians secrets but this leaves one very angry Psychic. That is of course until he is found dead with the King of Diamonds covered in his blood. The same card Eli asked him to find during his demonstration. Eli's ex wife new husband is the detective in charge of the case. Can his ex keep him out of jail? Then another Psychics Eli had just met is found dead with the same playing card. It seems somebody is trying to frame Eli for murder? Can be stay one step ahead and find the killer first?
I liked the narrator. He helped to bring the show to life and is quite the entertainer in his own right.
When a tv show is filmed with the Psychics showing off his skills, Eli is asked to finish off the show and explain if what people saw was possible. He is able to reveal all with out giving away any magicians secrets but this leaves one very angry Psychic. That is of course until he is found dead with the King of Diamonds covered in his blood. The same card Eli asked him to find during his demonstration. Eli's ex wife new husband is the detective in charge of the case. Can his ex keep him out of jail? Then another Psychics Eli had just met is found dead with the same playing card. It seems somebody is trying to frame Eli for murder? Can be stay one step ahead and find the killer first?
I liked the narrator. He helped to bring the show to life and is quite the entertainer in his own right.
Displaying 1 of 1 review