Book
There’s nothing like good magician tales when it comes to getting spirited. They’re a lot like ghosts and monsters—you might not believe they exist, but if they did, wouldn’t you want to be prepared? Although we can’t promise that these magician tales will prepare you for the day a magician shows up in your home, we can say that they’ll give you an idea of what to expect from them.
Moreover, the best part about reading magician tales is that it’s an easy way to connect with your inner child and is perfect as your book club books.
So, if you’re looking for something fun and lighthearted—but not too lighthearted Ghostwriting Founder suggests giving a chance to the following books.
1. Want You Dead by Peter James
Want You Dead by Peter James marks the tenth book in the detective series featuring Roy Grace set in Brighton. This story introduces Bryce Laurent, a magician portrayed as the epitome of everything disliked about magicians.
It’s interesting how magicians are becoming more common in fictional stories, reflecting the growing curiosity and interest in magic. However, the portrayal might not necessarily improve people’s opinions of magicians, but they are starting to become a distinguishing fiction genre.
2. Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold
On the other hand, Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold is a fictionalized biography of Charles Carter, an American magician from the early 20th century. This book combines mystery, suspense, adventure, romance, and magic, creating a thrilling story set in the Jazz Age.
It weaves together history and imagination, offering an intriguing tale of illusions and magic. Carter’s journey involves his implication in President Warren G. Harding’s murder, his love life, and the technological advancements of that time.
3. The Prestige by Christopher Priest
The Prestige by Christopher Priest is a story set in 1878 about two young magicians fighting after a fake séance. Their lives become filled with lies and truths as they try to outsmart and expose each other. This rivalry leads them to great success, but it also brings terrible consequences.
As they try to ruin each other, they use all their magic skills, tricks, and even science. Despite blood being spilled, it’s not enough. Eventually, their story continues through generations, leaving a puzzling legacy for their descendants.
4. The Magician’s Lie by Greer Macallister
The Magician’s Lie by Greer Macallister tells the tale of The Amazing Arden, a famous female illusionist known for her act of seeing a man in half. One night, instead of her usual trick, she uses a fire ax, leading to suspicions of murder when her husband is found dead. A young policeman, Virgil Holt, takes her into custody. But Arden has a different story to tell.
Even though she’s handcuffed, she reveals an unbelievable and captivating story. Virgil must decide whether Arden is guilty or innocent in one eerie night. Seeing through the illusions and finding the truth becomes his challenge.
5. The Houdini Girl by Martyn Bedford
The Houdini Girl by Martyn Bedford tells the story of a magician who falls in love with an Irish girl. She moves in with him for a year but then mysteriously disappears.
The magician embarks on a journey from Oxford to Amsterdam in search of her and eventually uncovers the sad truth of what happened. The book combines magic, illusion, and gritty realism, making it a captivating and somewhat disturbing thriller.
6. The Magician’s Wife by Brian Moore
The Magician’s Wife by Brian Moore is based on the true story of Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin. It raises interesting ethical questions about magic. In the 1850s, Napoleon III faced challenges controlling the natives in the French colony of Algeria. Holy men with reputed magical powers, known as marabouts, are inciting rebellion.
To regain control, the Emperor sent Henri Lambert, Europe’s leading conjuror, to establish French authority through superior magic. The magician’s wife accompanies him on this daring expedition. The novel’s true story and the thrilling magic-offs make it a fascinating read despite not being particularly racy.
7. The Bullet Trick by Louise Welsh
The Bullet Trick by Louise Welsh is set in Glasgow, London, and Berlin. It follows the struggles of a Scottish magician trying to make a living and becoming entangled in a murder mystery.
This magician tales is thoughtfully written and features memorable scenes, providing entertaining reading. However, there are two aspects that the reader might find problematic.
8. 52 Ways to Magic America by James Flint
52 Ways to Magic America by James Flint follows the journey of Marty Quick, a British illusionist, as he strives for fame and fortune in Las Vegas. From performing on cruise ships to struggling in provincial English clubs and bars, Marty dreams of making it big.
The book not only portrays the life of a magician but also reflects on the state of Britain after the death of Princess Diana and the rise of the internet.
The characters in the book are well-developed, and while the story felt somewhat stifling, the depiction of the shows, competitions, and Marty’s journey as a magician was entertaining.
9. The Spirit Cabinet by Paul Quarrington
The Spirit Cabinet by Paul Quarrington is a blend of humor and sadness, depicting the lives and insecurities of Las Vegas magicians, particularly Jurgen and Rudolfo. Inspired by Siegfried and Roy, the book explores the intersection of conjuring and real magic, including a foray into science fiction.
It offers an amusing glimpse into the eccentric world of the characters and a deeper reflection on the meaning of magic and the loss of wonder as we grow up.
10. Tales of the Impossible, Edited by David Copperfield
Tales of the Impossible is a collection of 18 original stories about magic, illusion, and fantasy. Edited by David Copperfield, a renowned magician, the book also features stories from other writers.
The collection is a hit-and-miss, but it provides illumination into how non-magicians perceive magic and what ideas arise when tasked with writing about it. Each story is accompanied by a brief introduction by Copperfield, bringing the volume together cohesively.
11. The War Magician by David Fisher
The War Magician by David Fisher explores the role played by the magician Jasper Maskelyne during World War II. Maskelyne used illusions and deception to confuse the enemy and boost the morale of the Allied troops.
12. The Magician’s Tale by David Hunt
The Magician’s Tale by David Hunt is a murder mystery set in San Francisco, where the magician plays a secondary role. The story revolves around a female character convincingly brought to life by the male author.
She is working on a photography project in a run-down part of the city when her friend, Tim, who is a gay prostitute, goes missing. As she delves into the dark and mysterious world around her, she discovers that very little is as it seems.
13. The Magician’s Assistant by Ann Patchett
The Magician’s Assistant by Ann Patchett follows the journey of the assistant to magician Parsifal after his death. This book offers a quiet and enchanting story of grief and closure. Magic is a significant element, highlighting the illusions and metaphors that Parsifal created for himself and his life.
We suggest you approach the book without expectations or prior knowledge about the plot. With a focus on exploring the assistant’s emotional journey and how she copes with newfound knowledge about Parsifal’s past, readers can fully immerse themselves in the novel’s understated storytelling.
14. The Illusionist by Anita Mason
The Illusionist by Anita Mason is a documented story of Simon Magus, a magician who lived in the years following the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Many people of that time mistook Simon for the Messiah. The book explores the clash between Simon’s magic and the miracles performed by St. Peter in Rome, entwining magic, theology, sex, and violence.
This fascinating novel, shortlisted for the Booker Prize, offers a unique and thought-provoking narrative. It has been quoted by Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, on multiple occasions.
Main Attributes and Elaborate Information
| Book Title | Author | Description |
|---|---|---|
| “Want You Dead” | Peter James | Introduces Bryce Laurent, a disliked magician, in the tenth book of a detective series set in Brighton. Reflects the growing curiosity in magic through fiction. |
| “Carter Beats The Devil” | Glen David Gold | A fictionalized biography of American magician Charles Carter, blending mystery, suspense, adventure, romance, and magic set in the Jazz Age. Combines history and imagination for a thrilling tale. |
| “The Prestige” | Christopher Priest | Set in 1878, follows two magicians in a rivalry filled with lies, truths, and consequences. The story spans generations, leaving a puzzling legacy for their descendants. |
| “The Magician’s Lie” | Greer Macallister | Tells the captivating tale of The Amazing Arden, a female illusionist suspected of murder. A young policeman must decide if she’s guilty or innocent in one eerie night, navigating through illusions to find the truth. |
| “The Houdini Girl” | Martyn Bedford | Depicts a magician’s journey from Oxford to Amsterdam in search of his mysteriously disappeared love. Combines magic, illusion, and gritty realism for a captivating and somewhat disturbing thriller. |
| “The Magician’s Wife” | Brian Moore | Based on the true story of Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, explores ethical questions about magic in 1850s Algeria. Europe’s leading conjuror and his wife embark on a daring expedition to establish French authority through superior magic. |
| “The Bullet Trick” | Louise Welsh | Set in Glasgow, London, and Berlin, follows a Scottish magician entangled in a murder mystery. Thoughtfully written with memorable scenes, providing entertaining yet potentially problematic reading. |
Conclusion:
Magicians have always been fascinating, and their stories are mysterious and exciting. Reading about them can be a great way to get into the spirit of magic, whether you’re looking for a new hobby or just want to relax and escape.
The magician tales in this list will help you dive deeper into the world of magicians, and will help you learn more about how they do what they do. You may even find yourself getting inspired to start practicing your tricks!
However, if you don’t want to learn to do tricks but only want to write a novel or story but lack the skill set, then you can get ghostwriters for hire who can write such stories on your behalf. These professional book writing services providers are expert writers who will help you write just the type of content you want them to without even taking credit.
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