Review: THE GREAT DECEIVER, Elly Griffiths

• this edition supplied by my local library
• 
  published by Quercus 2023
  
• ISBN 978-1-5294-0-990-1
• 344 pages
• author website
• #7 in the Brighton Mysteries

Synopsis (Fantastic Fiction)

It starts with a magician and a murder in a Brighton boarding house; throw in a show on Brighton pier, a sinister radio personality and a potential serial killer, and you've got the next twisty mystery from Elly Griffiths.

Magician Max Mephisto, now divorced and living in London, is on his way to visit daughter Ruby and her new-born baby when he is hailed by a voice from the past, fellow performer Ted English, aka the Great Deceiver. Ted's assistant, Cherry, has been found dead in her Brighton boarding house and he's convinced that he'll be accused of her murder.

Max agrees to talk to his friend, Superintendent Edgar Stephens, who is investigating the case. What Max doesn't know is that the girl's family have hired private detective duo Emma Holmes (aka Mrs Stephens) and Sam Collins to do some digging of their own.

The inhabitants of the boarding house, most of whom are performing in an Old Time Music Hall show on Brighton pier, are a motley crew. The house is also connected to a sinister radio personality called Pal. When a second magician's assistant is killed, Edgar suspects a serial killer. He persuades Max to come out of semi-retirement and take part in a summer show. But who can pose as his assistant? Edgar shocks the team by recommending someone close.  

My Take

It seems to me that the more I read of this series, the more I really enjoy them.

This one is set in 1966, mainly in Brighton but also in London. Magicians on stage, and variety acts, have almost been displaced by television. But someone is murdering magician's assistants and of course there really is only one person who can help in solving this mystery.

The characters are well developed and I enjoyed the story line.

However, you need to start this series at the beginning so that you can appreciate the back stories that contribute to the series. Of course you could read this one as a stand-alone, but will miss so much.

My rating: 4.6

I've also read

• 4.8, THE ZIG ZAG GIRL - Brighton Mysteries #1
• 4.5, SMOKE AND MIRRORS - Brighton Mysteries #2
• 4.5, THE BLOOD CARD- Brighton Mysteries #3
  
• 4.4, THE VANISHING BOX - Brighton Mysteries #4 
• 4.6, NOW YOU SEE THEM- Brighton Mysteries #5
  
• 4.5, THE MIDNIGHT HOUR- Brighton Mysteries #6