Murder by Magic: A Charles Dickens short story

Charles Dickens & Superintendent Sam Jones

by J.C. Briggs

In this new short story featuring Charles Dickens and his friend, Superintendent Jones of Bow Street must find a serial killer before he murders again. Dickens gives a Christmas party for the Bow Street constables at which they are astounded by his magical powers. So is Superintendent Jones when Dickens conjures some clues about the murderer's identity. The stage is set for a vanishing act. And it's curtains for the murderer!

40 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2020

About the author

Jean Briggs taught English for many years in schools in Cheshire, Hong Kong and Lancashire. She now lives in a cottage in Cumbria, a non-metropolitan county in North West England.

Reviews

[Patricia (Irishcharmer) Yarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic!! A wonderful short .magical story.. Magic and conjouring...what more can you ask for? Takes you back to those magic tricks at those birthday parties we all attended in our youth..believable!! So what's so different here you ask? Welllll......murder comes to mind (and a touch of evilery!). And here we get to know how it's all done and conjured up!!
So hey! Grab a cuppa something, settle in for a good short read and get the scoop on magic and conjouring ;) --P/ (if you can-also read The Haunting Of Harry Faye-another short that dabbles in "magic")

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Young female bodies are being discovered, strangled with a ribbon. Is there a connection to magician Count Foscolo and his assistant. Superintendent Jones and Charles Dickens investigate.
An enjoyable short story.

[M. White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating

This short, well written story gives the reader a glimpse into the "magicians" popular in Dickens' London and of particular interest to him. I highly recommend reading the excellent Charles Dickens Investigations series by this author to better understand all the characters involved in this story.

[peter david mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dickens and magic

Charles Dickens takes centre stage in this mystery surrounding the deaths of young girls. I awarded five stars because my favourite characters each played a part in unmasking the villain. As good as expected from a fine author.

[Nicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series and this is a fab addition to it!

[MS PAMELA A GOLDING · Rating 3 out of 5]

JC Briggs again uses her considerable knowledge of Dickens and his Victorian world to explore a new aspect of society - mysticism, magic and charlatans.