Elephants in the Distance

The Publishers Weekly review pretty much sums up the plot of the book. Paul Galliard, a part time magician is asked to recreate for a TV special a bullet catching act that his late father specialized. Along the way he has to contend with several deaths that are somehow connected with magicians circle that included his father. Several other people have also accurately described this as neat and light. I can only add that if you are a fan of the old Ellery Queen novels as I am then you will positively delight in this work. The twists on this novel hark back to an earlier age (even though it was published originally in the late 1980s) where crime novels were notable for their absence of psychological weight. Having this book with me was the most fun I had at the airport waiting for a stubborn fog to evaporate. Normally I would rate something this light about 3.5 stars, but since it was such good company, I will happily round it off to 4 while I'm still in a good mood.

ELEPHANTS IN THE DISTANCE may not be the most scintillating title, but don't be put off. The book itself is a great find. Paul Galliard is a young magician who makes spot removal commercials, as well as performing traditional magic. He used to be an academic doing graduate work on an obscure Civil War general, but the call of magic prevailed. His father, Thomas Galliard, was a famous magician who died spectacularly on TV, during a dangerous trick called The Bullet Catch. A producer is pressuring Paul to recreate his father's act (more successfully) for a TV special celebrating the popular 50's magic show where Thomas Galliard got his start - and met his end. Will Paul do it? This adds a nice bit of tension to the plot. Meanwhile, his father's old magician associates are being murdered one by one, in ways that look natural or accidental. Paul, under threat himself, attempts to figure out what's going on. This delightful book has it all - ingenious crimes, dry humor, plodding police, a charming romance with lots of witty banter, an inside look at magic (the author was a working magician) - and multiple surprises in the last few pages.

I read this book in one day - what fun! It provides a combination of Magic and Mystery that is fun and exciting. I have recently found the publishers of Felony & Mayhem and I am finding their books to be a rare jewels. Elephants in the Distance takes place over a short period of time as bodies fall and secrets are revealed. The book's cover is a little deceiving since the book takes place in a fairly modern setting (1960s - 1970s)and is not a cozy 1920 mystery as the cover may lead you to expect, but it is a wonderful journey.