If David Copperfield and Sherlock Holmes had a love child, then it would be Eli Marks.
I am excited that John Gaspard has published this second book in the Eli Marks mystery series. Although magicians will undoubtedly find this book of interest, it's market is really for the masses of mystery book aficionados. I spoke with John on The Magic Word earlier this year about his first book, The Ambitious Card, which sold well enough for his publisher, Henery Press, to request another which officially makes this a "series". According to the brief description on Amazon;
Newly-single magician Eli Marks reluctantly attends his high school reunion against his better judgment, only to become entangled in two deadly encounters with his former classmates. The first is the fatal mugging of an old crush’s husband, followed by the suspicious deaths of the victim’s business associates.
At the same time, Eli also comes to the aid of a classmate-turned-movie-star who fears that attempting The Bullet Catch in an upcoming movie may be his last performance. As the bodies begin to pile up, Eli comes to the realization that juggling these murderous situations -- while saving his own neck -- may be the greatest trick he’s ever performed.
You can pre-order the book now from Amazon or wait until after its release on November 4, 2014 when it will also be available from Barnes & Noble. The Bullet Catch will have its official launch on Wednesday November 5, 2014 at Once Upon a Crime bookstore, 604 West 26th Street, Minneapolis, MN beginning at 7:00 p.m. Also appearing will be Suzanne the Magician, (winner Academy of Magical Arts Close-Up Magician of the Year) who will perform close-up in the book store.
John said that book tours aren't what they used to be. No longer do authors travel the country from book store to book store signing books. In this age of e-commerce, they usually have book signings closer to their homes but responding to the masses through blogs, tweets, Reddit events and podcasts. But some of the reviews are in from those who have had a sneak peak.
“The Bullet Catch is a wonderfully engaging, delightfully tricky bit of mystery. Fans of magic will delight in John Gaspard’s artful use of the world of magicians, onstage and offstage. It’s a great story and great fun!” – Jim Steinmeyer, Author of Hiding the Elephant: How Magicians Invented the Impossible and Learned to Disappear
“Gaspard's latest Eli Marks mystery, The Bullet Catch, has as many tricks up its sleeve as its likeable magician-hero. As the body count rises, so does the reading pleasure.” – Dennis Palumbo, Author of the Daniel Rinaldi Mystery Series and Co-Writer of My Favorite Year
“The Bullet Catch is a real winner of magical proportions. Filled with snappy, delightful dialogue and plenty of sleight-of-hand humor, Gaspard's latest mystery in the Eli Marks series does not disappoint. Head to the bookstore and get yourself a copy now!” – Jessie Chandler, Author of the Award-Winning Shay O’Hanlon Series
“The author does a fantastic job juggling the separate plots and keeping readers’ minds thoroughly engaged…The relationships between Eli and his remarried ex are interesting, to say the least, and the pure entertainment of the industry will leave all readers hoping that there will be a ‘number three’ very soon.” – Suspense Magazine
“The Bullet Catch has a quick pace and dialogue that engages the reader from the first page…Gaspard has written a great character into an original storyline…I will definitely be seeing/reading more of Eli as Gaspard expands this promising mystery series.” – Examiner.com
“Readers, get ready for your mind to expand as Eli Marks returns and uses his powers of prestidigitation, intuition and deduction to solve another mystery. If David Copperfield and Sherlock Holmes had a child, it would be Eli Marks.” – Scott Wells, The Magic Word Podcast
