The Ambitious Card: (An Eli Marks Mystery #1) by John Gaspard
WELL-WRITTEN AND FAST-PACED MYSTERY...
"The Ambitious Card is intelligently written and ... entirely engrossing." - Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine
"This is a hugely entertaining crime novel, packed full of comedy....Warm, funny and well-plotted-a book to brighten any grey day. Do read it!" - FictionFan's Book Reviews
"The Ambitious Card is a must read!" - Books and Looks
"Before I had even finished the first chapter I had fallen in love with Eli. He is intelligent, sensitive, witty and, suddenly, the main suspect in a series of murders...well written, fast paced and exciting." - The Frugal Mennonite
"The deftly-plotted mystery is enriched by Eli's relationships with his ex-wife, her new husband, his old-school stage magician Uncle Harry, and an interesting collection of people and places in and around St. Paul...This stylish novel is filled with interesting details, snappy dialogue, and appealing characters." - More Than a Review
"This story is very well written and fun to read. I would definitely read another Eli Marks Mystery!" - A Simple Taste for Reading
"I had a great time reading The Ambitious Card. I don't read many series, but I'm definitely willing to go on another adventure with Eli." - The Writerly Reader
"Well, Dear Reader, would I recommend The Ambitious Card? Would I read another Eli Marks mystery? Yes, I would do both." - Charlie Britten, Write On
The life of a magician isn't all kiddie shows and card tricks. Sometimes it's murder. Especially when magician Eli Marks very publicly debunks a famed psychic, and said psychic ends up dead. The evidence, including a bloody King of Diamonds playing card (one from Eli's own Ambitious Card routine), directs the police right to Eli.
As more psychics are slain, and more King cards rise to the top, Eli can't escape suspicion. Things get really complicated when romance blooms with a beautiful psychic, and Eli discovers she's the next target for murder, and he's scheduled to die with her. Now Eli must use every trick he knows to keep them both alive and reveal the true killer.