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North Woods Chronicles #1
Fatal Illusions
An amateur magician, an unassuming family . . . a fatal illusion Haydon Owens wants to be the next Houdini. He has been practicing his craft and has already made four women disappear. All it took was a bit of rope and his two bare hands. The Thayer family has come to the north woods of Newberry, Michigan, looking for refuge, a peaceful sanctuary from a shattered past. But they are not alone. Little do they know that they are about to become part of Haydon's next act. Time is running out and already the killer has spotted his next victim. Who will escape alive?
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 18, 2019
136 people are currently reading
1291 people want to read
About the author
Adam Blumer
12 books310 followersAdam Blumer fixes other people’s books to pay the bills. He writes his own to explore creepy lighthouses and crime scenes. He is the author of four clean Christian thrillers: Fatal Illusions, The Tenth Plague, Kill Order, and the upcoming Termination Zone. He also wrote the upcoming novella Death the Halls, to be released in a Christmas suspense collection in October. A print journalism major in college, he works full-time from home as a book editor after serving in editorial roles for more than twenty-five years. He lives in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with his wife, Kim, and his daughters, Laura and Julia. When he’s not working on his next thriller, he’s hiking in the woods or learning new chords on his guitar.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
January 2, 2018
Thrilling and wonderful.
How can a murder mystery be wonderful? When it shares God's message of forgiveness and redemption. A trying and complex story that brings tears to your eyes.
How can a murder mystery be wonderful? When it shares God's message of forgiveness and redemption. A trying and complex story that brings tears to your eyes.
July 4, 2009
Fatal Illusions is one of those thick, meaty novels we don't see a lot of anymore.
This first book from novelist and editor Adam Blumer was hard to put down. The plot lines and characters were well-developed and intriguing. As a pastor's wife, I found Marc and Gillian very believable, even down to the struggles of pastoring in the Chicago area.
What I think I enjoyed the most in the book was the different plot lines that linked together. Blumer did a good job of keeping the plot lines fast-paced and interesting, even before they all merged into the main conflict.
Fatal Illusions is a great first offering, and I certainly hope there will be many more books coming from this new author.
This first book from novelist and editor Adam Blumer was hard to put down. The plot lines and characters were well-developed and intriguing. As a pastor's wife, I found Marc and Gillian very believable, even down to the struggles of pastoring in the Chicago area.
What I think I enjoyed the most in the book was the different plot lines that linked together. Blumer did a good job of keeping the plot lines fast-paced and interesting, even before they all merged into the main conflict.
Fatal Illusions is a great first offering, and I certainly hope there will be many more books coming from this new author.
March 30, 2023
Not gonna lie; I had to take breaks from this book. It is INTENSE. I NEVER look at the ending of books, but I was sure tempted with this one! I was nervous, sweating, antsy, had to keep getting up and walking around. My GOODNESS. This is a book you need to read when you need a good heart pounding!
That's all I've got. This book was a fantastic thrill ride that kept me guessing until the end.
~I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own, and no positive review was required.~
That's all I've got. This book was a fantastic thrill ride that kept me guessing until the end.
~I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own, and no positive review was required.~
July 13, 2015
A rare book indeed. I loved reading this book. Loved the characters and the mystery. A well written story that i thoroughly enjoyed reading until the end of this book. A must read
September 26, 2015
I enjoyed reading this book. I hope to read more books by this author. It was so good that I read it in less than a day.
January 12, 2019
The blurb to this book was promising but it was just so slow and parts of it were too annoying for me to continue. I kept reading in the hope that it would buck up and make it an interesting, useful use of my time. But it was not to be. There are positive reviews but it was not for me.
Haydon Owens is a wanna-be magician and idolises Houdini. He has already made for women disappear while eluding the police pursuit. Gillian Thayer is the pastor’s wife and new to the district. Her husband spends most of his time, doing good as any pastor should, but his kids think he is spending too much time away from home. His wife? Well, she wonders if he is involved with a young woman whom he has been counselling.
It really all came to a shuddering halt for me when Marc Thayer came home after being attacked by a crazy woman to find his dog dead and sounds of activity upstairs where he keeps a loaded gun. Who keeps a loaded gun under their bed? He suspects that the killer/intruder is the crazy woman. So he grabs a knife from the kitchen and goes upstairs to confront her. I wanted to yell, Get Out and Call the Police!
Sorry, this book is not for me. The proofreading leaves much to be desired and overall I think it stretches the imagination too far.
I don’t know how I got this book: I certainly didn’t buy it and I won’t be buying any sequels.
March 5, 2018
Cincinnati, OH. Newberry, MI. Ms. Erin Walker (hairdresser, babysitter) was taking Daphne Spenser (1st. grader), & Thomas Spenser (1st. grader) to the Bridgetown Elementary school for evening Winnie the Pooh musical presentation.
Gillian Thayer (wife/mother, Thayer Calligraphy), got Crystal Thayer (16, Gillian’s daughter) off to school.
She was about to take Pastor Marc Thayer’s (husband/father) suits to the cleaner, when she just happened to check 1 of his inside pockets.
Heritage Bible Church. Dave Ritchie (youth pastor Marc’s BMF) did his best to contain Stacey James (church member). She was quite upset with Marc.
Chuck “Preacher” Riley’s (retired Cincinnati PD Homicide Detective) going away party did not turn out well.
23 Green Meadows Blvd. Marc called 911, someone had killed the family dog Max, & the house was in total disarray.
Detective Riley, Detective Jerry O’Hearn (Chuck’s BMF/former Cincinnati PD Homicide, partner), & Cliff Henry (forensic pathologist), were at the Amanda Forbes crime scene.
The media had coined the serial killer the Magician Murderer.
What were Maralee Pochek & Stacey (Maralee’s BFF) discussing?
Marc is still alive but now at the Stroger Hospital ER.
After being released from the hospital the Thayer family moved to MI.
Whistler’s Point, MI. (Lake Superior). Nicole Wood (tour guide) welcomed them.
Henry Henderson (uncle, caretaker), & Clara Henderson (aunt, caretaker) were glad to see them also.
What news did Sheriff Nate Dendridge (Luce County) have for Marc & Gillian?
Ohio Reformatory for Women prison. Why did Detective Riley go see Virginia “Ginny” Owens (widow, mother)?
Will the Magician Murderer be caught & brought to justice?
Warning: This book contains graphic adult content, or violence, which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written murder mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a large set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great murder mystery movie, or better yet a mini TV series. Religious oriented. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Gillian Thayer (wife/mother, Thayer Calligraphy), got Crystal Thayer (16, Gillian’s daughter) off to school.
She was about to take Pastor Marc Thayer’s (husband/father) suits to the cleaner, when she just happened to check 1 of his inside pockets.
Heritage Bible Church. Dave Ritchie (youth pastor Marc’s BMF) did his best to contain Stacey James (church member). She was quite upset with Marc.
Chuck “Preacher” Riley’s (retired Cincinnati PD Homicide Detective) going away party did not turn out well.
23 Green Meadows Blvd. Marc called 911, someone had killed the family dog Max, & the house was in total disarray.
Detective Riley, Detective Jerry O’Hearn (Chuck’s BMF/former Cincinnati PD Homicide, partner), & Cliff Henry (forensic pathologist), were at the Amanda Forbes crime scene.
The media had coined the serial killer the Magician Murderer.
What were Maralee Pochek & Stacey (Maralee’s BFF) discussing?
Marc is still alive but now at the Stroger Hospital ER.
After being released from the hospital the Thayer family moved to MI.
Whistler’s Point, MI. (Lake Superior). Nicole Wood (tour guide) welcomed them.
Henry Henderson (uncle, caretaker), & Clara Henderson (aunt, caretaker) were glad to see them also.
What news did Sheriff Nate Dendridge (Luce County) have for Marc & Gillian?
Ohio Reformatory for Women prison. Why did Detective Riley go see Virginia “Ginny” Owens (widow, mother)?
Will the Magician Murderer be caught & brought to justice?
Warning: This book contains graphic adult content, or violence, which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written murder mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a large set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great murder mystery movie, or better yet a mini TV series. Religious oriented. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
August 20, 2021
Exciting
The story was different from most murder mysteries I have read. The magician theme was exciting. The ending has you sitting on the edge of your seat. I appreciated the Christian aspect and the lessons that can be learned. There was only one thing I felt was really wrong and the author just needed a way to go and didn't think it through, the disguise. Without giving anything away, I felt the disguise was not how a magician would handle the situation. If he couldn't think of anything else, the friend should have offered a ride and the rest could have continued as written. The book was so good but that little thong really bothered me. Read this book you will enjoy it and you will find out the part I am talking about.
The story was different from most murder mysteries I have read. The magician theme was exciting. The ending has you sitting on the edge of your seat. I appreciated the Christian aspect and the lessons that can be learned. There was only one thing I felt was really wrong and the author just needed a way to go and didn't think it through, the disguise. Without giving anything away, I felt the disguise was not how a magician would handle the situation. If he couldn't think of anything else, the friend should have offered a ride and the rest could have continued as written. The book was so good but that little thong really bothered me. Read this book you will enjoy it and you will find out the part I am talking about.
March 16, 2019
Silence is Gillian’s constant enemy and the dark thoughts, for the last six months.Her husband a pastor, wonders what he can do or get that would help her. His counseling with a woman in the church, one Stacy James denies, any wrong doing, and she could be a problem. Stacey is angry at him, and yellimg deadly threats .Those threats and action hit home, sudden and more destructive then what he thought.To recuperative the pastor and family retreat to Michigan. Another killer, this one is focus on the daughter.
Many twists to this plot, with a beautiful ending. New hopes, new plans, and learning to be more open and there for each other.
Many twists to this plot, with a beautiful ending. New hopes, new plans, and learning to be more open and there for each other.
August 4, 2017
Adam Blumer's book is a well-crafted suspense with a strong Christian message that's aimed at the Christian market. He has done an excellent job of weaving several plot lines together to form a great story that is mixed with interesting bits of history, quaint locale, and modern technology. However, there were aspects of the novel that made the story predictable, and in some areas the Christian message really slowed the pacing of the story. Also, as a physician, I found the medical aspects of the book lacking. Very few, if any, people get shot in the upper chest and go back to work in two weeks, much less function normally at that point, as the main character appears to do.
January 21, 2023
A Very Clean Riveting Book!!
Oh wow what a book!! I devoured this book so fast. It wasn’t a dull moment with so many twists and turns, nail biting and suspense galore. An amazing book filled with so many plots going on and just when you thought you’d figured it all out them Bam it went in another direction. The scripture references and spiritual wisdom for the main characters was great. The ending was definitely not predictable which I love in a good thriller. Adam Blumer did an amazing job with this book and I look forward to reading anything he writes.
Oh wow what a book!! I devoured this book so fast. It wasn’t a dull moment with so many twists and turns, nail biting and suspense galore. An amazing book filled with so many plots going on and just when you thought you’d figured it all out them Bam it went in another direction. The scripture references and spiritual wisdom for the main characters was great. The ending was definitely not predictable which I love in a good thriller. Adam Blumer did an amazing job with this book and I look forward to reading anything he writes.
July 17, 2024
An Amazing Edge of your Seat Thriller!!
This is a new to me author and I'm so glad I found his work. I love to read a book that keeps you reading much longer than you realise and you still don't want to put it down.
The characters Marc, Gillian and their daughter, Crystal are trying to live a beautiful life but that is very short lived when not one but two monsters Invade their life. Will they survive the coming onslaught of evil??
This is definitely a book you will not want to put down. Grab a copy, sit back and enjoy the ride. I can't wait to read book two!!
This is a new to me author and I'm so glad I found his work. I love to read a book that keeps you reading much longer than you realise and you still don't want to put it down.
The characters Marc, Gillian and their daughter, Crystal are trying to live a beautiful life but that is very short lived when not one but two monsters Invade their life. Will they survive the coming onslaught of evil??
This is definitely a book you will not want to put down. Grab a copy, sit back and enjoy the ride. I can't wait to read book two!!
December 20, 2020
Adam’s earlier work is just as good as his latest!
Don’t start reading this book before bedtime, or you’ll never be able to put it down and go to sleep! The suspense never stops, dragging you deeper into the characters and the the story, right up to the end. Even when the mystery resolved, I still felt as if the proverbial second shoe hadn’t yet dropped, and it wasn’t until the prologue that I felt everyone was safe from the psycho killer.
Don’t start reading this book before bedtime, or you’ll never be able to put it down and go to sleep! The suspense never stops, dragging you deeper into the characters and the the story, right up to the end. Even when the mystery resolved, I still felt as if the proverbial second shoe hadn’t yet dropped, and it wasn’t until the prologue that I felt everyone was safe from the psycho killer.
October 4, 2021
It took a bit to get into this story.
I felt it was quite slow in places but I did enjoy it. I could relate to parts of the story with my parents being in a similar situation to what Gillian and Marc were - premurder. Sometimes being involved in ministry can become all encompassing and its trying to find that balance to work on your own family issues. It had some really exciting thrilling moments and it was a good read.
I felt it was quite slow in places but I did enjoy it. I could relate to parts of the story with my parents being in a similar situation to what Gillian and Marc were - premurder. Sometimes being involved in ministry can become all encompassing and its trying to find that balance to work on your own family issues. It had some really exciting thrilling moments and it was a good read.
February 25, 2023
Fatal Illusions is the first book I have read by Adam Blumer and I am planning to read the next one. The book kept by attention and did not want to put it down. It is a good example of how Satan can make life miserable for anyone in the ministry. The Thayer family moved to where they were to be away from all the media and rest, but Haydon Owens made life miserable. Gillian found she was stronger than she thought she could be. I recommend this book for adults.
March 6, 2023
Wow!!! All I can say is "WOW". This is the first book I've read by Adam Blumer and now I'm definitely a fan....what a fantastic story, it kept me hooked from page 1 to the end and just when I thought there couldn't be another twist there was one. Thank you Adam and now I can't wait to buy The Tenth Plague...please,please keep writing, you are very talented and I love your Christian imput. I am a very devoted BA Christian so I value your principles. God Bless You and don't stop!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2017
Great Christian Suspense
This was the first novel by this author and the first I've read by this author also. It was a great novel. I really liked the suspense in the story. I also liked the different characters in the story. It was a page turner for sure and I look forward to more by this author.
This was the first novel by this author and the first I've read by this author also. It was a great novel. I really liked the suspense in the story. I also liked the different characters in the story. It was a page turner for sure and I look forward to more by this author.
March 21, 2019
I very much enjoyed, if that is the right word for a thriller, reading this story. It was well written with good pacing in the plot, excellent character portrayals and enough suspense to keep me turning the pages (metaphorically speaking with a Kindle). I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more of Adam Blumer's writing.
August 19, 2021
I love horror, thriller and suspense stories but it is so hard to find one that doesn't have a lot of cursing or sexual scenes in them. So it was so refreshing to stumble across this author in a lending library! It kept me one the edge of my seat and not able to put this down. I had to find out what happened next! I loved the Christian theme throughout the book!
May 9, 2017
Fatal Illusions by Adam Blumer is a fast-paced thriller. It kept my interest from the very first page. The characters were believable and the story flowed very well. It has elements of faith, intrigue, suspense, romance and family. I hope to read more books by this author.
March 20, 2018
Brilliant, engaging, and well edited - just two spelling mistakes for the whole long book which is definitely not common nowadays. Good spiritual content as well - real people with real struggles and learning to trust God in the middle of it all.
July 19, 2020
Excellent
Intrigue.Racing heartbeat,sweaty palms. This book causes that!
Great read!! Hard to put down. A delusional Houndini, a wounded parent who comes out swinging when one of her own is threatened.
Just read it.
Intrigue.Racing heartbeat,sweaty palms. This book causes that!
Great read!! Hard to put down. A delusional Houndini, a wounded parent who comes out swinging when one of her own is threatened.
Just read it.
February 5, 2021
This was intriguing and I loved the way the mystery was woven around the magician's illusions . The characters were fascinating and interestingly. It is one of those books that kept me glued to its pages. I hope to be able to find a lot more books by Mr. Blumer!
March 24, 2021
The premise of this story was pretty intriguing. A magician would make a great villain. There was a good amount of suspense while we followed the path of the killer becoming connected with the lives of an already wounded family.
July 13, 2021
Kindle Customer
EXCELLENT THRILLER!
I really enjoyed this book... A faith based novel evolving around a serial killer who is also a magician/escape artist. I like the way that scriptures are appropriately inserted into every chapter. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
EXCELLENT THRILLER!
I really enjoyed this book... A faith based novel evolving around a serial killer who is also a magician/escape artist. I like the way that scriptures are appropriately inserted into every chapter. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
February 16, 2022
Great read
Never have I read a clean, Christian thriller before. So I was apprehensive as to how this would work. But I found I quite liked how it was written and was drawn into the suspense with each chapter.
Never have I read a clean, Christian thriller before. So I was apprehensive as to how this would work. But I found I quite liked how it was written and was drawn into the suspense with each chapter.
February 27, 2025
This one didn’t not start off with super fast pace and I actually had a little bit of character overload. Almost wondering if I really wanted to read it. After a couple more chapters I was hooked. Pretty sure it got my heart racing a few times. Couple of different plots going at the first of the book but they tied in together so good.
There is prayer, scripture and a message of forgiveness. If you enjoy suspense/thrillers but prefer not to have the language and adult scenes this book is for you!
Will definitely read more from this author!
There is prayer, scripture and a message of forgiveness. If you enjoy suspense/thrillers but prefer not to have the language and adult scenes this book is for you!
Will definitely read more from this author!
January 7, 2018
Fatal Illusions
This is a great book again for those who like a great mystery with a story of grief, forgiveness, and restoration. I hope to read more from this author.
This is a great book again for those who like a great mystery with a story of grief, forgiveness, and restoration. I hope to read more from this author.
June 10, 2018
Very suspenseful and interesting!!
March 19, 2019
A slow start but a great story by the end of the book.
Interspersed with some thought provoking situations.
Interspersed with some thought provoking situations.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews