Book Review: Death and the Conjuror by Tom Mead

Witty, Engaging, and Classically Devious

It took me awhile to read this book. Not because there was anything wrong with it but because the book before it had also been a crime mystery. I was worried that it would not live up to the previous book's hype. Crime mystery novels are new to me, only ever having read two others in my young-adult/adult life. Waiting and underestimating this book was a great mistake. Tom Mead created an excellent piece of literature that can appeal to anyone, especially those who already have a love for classic detective crime mysteries.

Although I have not read many mystery books, I was a huge fan of the Scooby-Doo Mystery Gang as a child, Clue the board game, Sherlock Holmes cinema or TV, and anything that could test my mind's ability to follow the clues and solve the crime. This is what made it so nostalgic for me as a read. It was the perfect tale of crime and the who-done-it. That being said, it was the inclusiveness of the reader throughout the book that was so unique and refreshing. We get a terrible and convincingly "impossible" murder. With just enough suspects, clues, and twists you are invited to play along and see if you can solve the murder first. I wanted to sit down and map out the book as it unfolded so I could potentially solve it first. I was guessing and re-guessing for the entirety of the book. It was a delightful challenge that kept me captivated and thoroughly engaged.

Joseph Spector is our "detective"; a man who was known for his magic tricks and ability to catch what the common eye couldn't. Dr. Anselm Rees is our victim, a psychiatrist dedicated to only three patients and a daughter who followed in his footsteps. Seemingly killed by impossible means, we set out to find who, well, dunnit. Each character we get introduced to, is at some point, convincingly the perfect suspect. They are all unique and filled with their own problems as we come to know them. By the end of the book there is not a character I hadn't suspected. And no, I myself did not crack the case by the end. However, as we started unfolding the murderer and how he/she did the dirty deed, I was enthusiastic about each and every clue I had missed and the genius behind the written crime.

I can honestly say I am officially a huge fan of classic golden age crime mysteries and better yet, a die hard fan of Tom Mead himself. Joseph Spector was a witty and charming character to accompany you throughout the mystery. I will happily collect all his tales to come with. It was a quick read, having finished in only a day. I was thoroughly engaged throughout the entirety of the book. I was laughing and happily perplexed. I felt I was in on the adventure itself! One of my favorite features was at the end of the book. As the crime was being explained by our brilliant Joseph Spector, we got a recount with the exact page numbers in which specific clues were occurring. It was brilliant! I enjoyed going back to those instances and slapping myself on the forehead for not catching it before.

Death and the Conjuror is on my top 5 list of 2022 releases and its author will forever be put on my watch list of new releases to come. Tom Mead's writing is classically devious. I excitedly await all the Joseph Spector adventures to come. Highly recommend you go out and buy this book come July 12!!

*Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book for my honest review!*