Sleightly Murder

by Patrick A. Kelley

Like the funambulist who's come to the end of his rope, magician Harry Colderwood wondered what to do next. He had no job, no money, and no desire to get mixed up in murder. The client who hired Harry to find out who was scaring him with spooky visitations had just taken a swan dive onto concrete from four floors up. Now, somebody wanted Harry to leave town fast or, with the next abracadabra, his famous disappearing act would become a fatal finale.

But an enchanting offer from a blue-eyed blonde reporter has Harry convinced to stick around until he can pull a killer out of the hat ... and uncover the secrets that began with love's illusions and ended with bloody murder.

206 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Joy]

Harry Colderwood, former TV magician, is on a downward career path since he made the mistake of debunking the wrong fake psychic. When someone hires him to investigate a case of haunting, he really doesn't have any choice but to accept. The unexpected demise of the man being haunted leaves Harry open to brushes with death and the advances of a beautiful reporter. A varied collection of involved survivors attend Harry's culminating magic show where he reveals various bits of chicanery and a murderer.

The revelatory magic show is quite entertaining. The author has an engaging familiarity with professional magic. The four-book series is out of print, but I found them on BookFinder.com.

Read twice

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of nostalgia in this one for me. A fun time!