The Murder Wheel

Starred review from May 1, 2023
Mead’s brilliant second Joseph Spector novel (following 2022’s Death and the Conjurer), again set in 1930s London, sees the retired magician saddled with three seemingly impossible murders to solve. First up is a bizarre killing committed on a Ferris wheel: bank manager Dominic Dean was fatally shot while he and his wife, Carla, were the only occupants of a compartment at the very top of the ride’s arc. That fact, coupled with Carla’s fingerprints on the revolver used to shoot Dominic, make her the obvious suspect, despite the absence of any apparent motive. The puzzle only becomes more intricate after her defense attorney, Edmund Ibbs, seeks exculpatory evidence, only to stumble into the middle of two other murders—one onstage at a magic show and one backstage—where he becomes the primary suspect. Spector gets involved and utilizes his unique illusionist knowledge to solve all three killings. Mead plays scrupulously fair with his readers, going so far as to include footnotes that identify which prior pages displayed clues in plain sight. Lovers of John Dickson Carr’s puzzle mysteries will hope Mead has many more Spector tales up his sleeve. Agent: Lorella Belli, Westbourne Studios.

June 10, 2024

Lawyer and amateur magician Edmund Ibbs is besieged by inexplicable murders: a husband is shot while riding a Ferris wheel, an extraneous body mysteriously appears during a magician's act, a man is fatally wounded while in a locked room. When Ibbs's involvement turns him from sleuth to suspect, it's time to seek help from the sensational Joseph Spector, ingenious illusionist-turned-investigator. Spector's incomparable powers of intellect and observation allow him to see these crimes in a way others can't fathom. Mead presents the second installment of his alluring Joseph Spector mystery series (following Death and the Conjuror). Set in 1930s London, this story is intricate and immersive, transporting listeners to the golden age of detective mystery. Narrator Jake Ruddle returns with another perfectly refined reading. His lilting delivery of the descriptive, plot-driven narrative is clever and compelling. Listeners will be combing through clues in an attempt to answer questions ahead of Spector. VERDICT This audio will appeal to listeners seeking an atmospheric historical mystery, fast-paced and full of detail, that culminates in a delightful denouement to rival Poirot. Recommended for fans of Martin Edwards, Fiona Davis, and Sophie Hannah.--Lauren Hackert

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