Well, darn. Somewhere or another I had read about magician Jasper Maskelyne and the “Magic Gang” who created illusions during World War II to confuse the Nazis. And, author Elly Griffiths credits a book about Maskelyne called War Magician by David Fisher in the acknowledgements for The Zig Zag Girl. On the other hand, I just read that those stories about magicians during World War II aren’t true. Darn.
That doesn’t mean I’m not enjoying Griffiths’ The Zig Zag Girl. I’m one third of the way through the book, set in 1950 in Brighton, England, where murder victims are connected to magic and a group who worked together during the war, the Magic Men. Detective Inspector Edgar Stephens and magician Max Mephisto team up when Edgar realizes the killer has targeted the remaining Magic Men.
Since I haven’t finished the book, I’m not reviewing it yet. So, let’s talk about what you’re reading. What are you reading today?
I'm reading I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes and Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
I'm halfway through Murder Gone A-Rye by Nancy J Parra. I always enjoy the antics that her characters get up to
RESORTING TO MURDER, an anthology of British "Holiday Mysteries" edited by Martin Edwards, authors including Doyle, Arnold Bennett, Chesterton, Anthony Berkeley, and Leo Bruce, among others.
I also started a science fiction book that sounded intriguing (and one wonders if Stephen King got his idea for UNDER THE DOME here): MANHATTAN TRANSFER by John E. Stith. Aliens drop a huge dome over Manhattan and take it – and everyone on the island – and deposit it on an alien world. (No more details yet as I just started it.) This came out in 1993. We'll see how it goes but there was one big howler for me: trucks are NOT allowed on the Brooklyn Bridge, and I think the editors at Tor should have known that.
Jeff M.
Mark Pryor, THE HOLLOW MAN.
I'm reading Ghost Of A Potion by Heather Blake.
A little light reading, Page? I don't think so. I hope you're enjoying your books.
I'm glad you're enjoying it, Sandy, and thanks for stopping by today. I love to see what others are reading.
But, Jeff, did the TOR editors correct a book that came out in 1933, or just republish it? They may have known it, but the original editors were the ones who made the mistake. Just asking. I don't know since I haven't read it.
I'm always interested in what you're reading, Bill. Thank you.
I really need to try that series sometime, Lori.
Having recently finished Louise Penny's Nature of the Beast (wow) and Vanessa Diffenbaugh's We Never Asked for Wings (incredible), I am now enjoying A Window Opens by Elisabeth Egan,
The Truth & Other Lies by Sascha Arango who is a prominent German screenplay writer – different and quite good.
I always have a tough time getting into the next book after finishing such good ones, Margie. Nothing seems up to the task of following a book I loved. I'm glad you're enjoying A Window Opens.
There's one I never heard of title or author, Donna. It's nice to know you're enjoying it. I love to see the varying taste of books here.
I am finishing ( I hope today ) The Tourist by Olen Steinhauet. This is a fast paced spy novel. My first time reading any books written by this author.
I haven't read anything by him, Charlotte. I usually don't pick up spy novels. I hope you're enjoying it!
I finished Margaret Maron's last Deborah Knott book, Long Upon The Land, a couple of days ago. I loved it. I may begin again and read them all over again or listen to them. Oh, and I'm reading After The Storm by Linda Castillo right now. Loving it. And I finally got my copy of The Nature Of The Beast in from the PP (took the signed ones longer this time). That will be next. I do want to read Zig Zag Girl soon. I love Elly Griffiths!
Nice selections, Kay! I'm sure it took longer for the signed copies since Louise didn't appear there on Labor Day as she usually does. Yes! That should be next. I loved Linda Castillo's book, too. Right there – Penny and Castillo – two of my favorite books of the year so far. Unlikely to change.
Hi Lesa—I've been stuck in bed most of the week so have done most of my reading by audio and right now listening to the Audible.com recording of Mr. Churchill's Secretary by Susan Elia MacNeal who is one of my favorite authors. I keep falling asleep from my medicine, but the book is so good I'm able to get right back into it when I wake up.
That's a series I haven't read, Reine, although I own the first two books on my sister's recommendation. Christie really liked the first book. Sorry it's been a long week for you.
Lesa, the book was the original edition – 1993, not 1933. I'm glad to say that was the last of the mistakes of that sort I've found.
Jeff
I read that wrong, Jeff! I thought you wrote 1933 when you said you wondered if that's where Stephen King got his idea. Sorry about that!
I finished A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn yesterday. What a great read! Now I am reading The Sparrow Sisters by Ellen Herick.
I loved A Curious Beginning, Sharon! It's currently on my list of top 10 for this year. I have The Sparrow Sisters at home, but I'm about to start another book. I hope The Sparrow Sisters is as good as it looks.