{"title":"John Gaspard","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"twisting-the-aces-paperback","title":"Twisting the Aces - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeadly Secrets: A Magician's Last Illusion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen world-renowned magician Mason Drexel announces his final performance at the prestigious Magic Castle in Hollywood, magician Eli Marks and his famous uncle Harry can't miss the show. But what begins as a spellbinding and exciting evening turns tragic when Mason collapses and dies on stage during his grand finale-with Eli standing beside him as his volunteer assistant.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWas it natural causes or something more sinister? As whispers spread through the tight-knit magic community about Mason's plan to burn all his secrets, Eli finds himself at the center of a mystery where illusion and reality blur. With a lifetime of magical knowledge at stake and the dead man's cryptic last words echoing in his mind, Eli must unravel what really happened during those final moments on stage in order to keep himself from being charged with the crime.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50102781968607,"sku":"9798231628377","price":23.02,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0813\/8958\/4607\/files\/ifH37iLSx59798231628377.webp?v=1781087346"},{"product_id":"the-ambitious-card-paperback","title":"The Ambitious Card - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMagician Eli Marks is the top suspect in a series of murders.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHis greatest trick? Not becoming the next victim. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e★★★★★\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePsychics are being murdered and all the clues point to magician Eli Marks: one of his playing cards keeps turning up at every crime scene. What begins as a simple Halloween magic show turns into a deadly cat-and-mouse encounter as the body count rises while Eli frantically attempts to clear his name.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt doesn't help that his ex-wife's new husband is the lead Homicide Detective on the case. Or that Eli appears to be the only thread tying all the murders together.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThen things get really complicated when romance blooms with a beautiful psychic who may-or may not-hold the final clue to this murderous mystery. Eli can't help but be drawn to her, even though falling in love in the midst of a murder spree is never a good idea. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs all the pieces of this deadly puzzle begin to fall into place, Eli must use every trick he knows to uncover the true killer ... before he becomes the final victim.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"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!\"-\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eFictionFan's Book Reviews\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"The Ambitious Card is intelligently written and ... entirely engrossing.\"\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e- Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrab your copy and get started on this fantastic and funny series right now!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e★★★★★\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"The Ambitious Card is a must read!\" -\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooks and Looks\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"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.\"-\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Frugal Mennonite\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"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.\"-\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore Than a Review\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis story is very well written and fun to read. I would definitely read another Eli Marks Mystery!\" -\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Simple Taste for Reading\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"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.\" -\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Writerly Reader\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Well, Dear Reader, would I recommend The Ambitious Card? Would I read another Eli Marks mystery? Yes, I would do both.\"-\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCharlie Britten, Write On\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50102854254815,"sku":"9781087988245","price":17.26,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0813\/8958\/4607\/files\/VnqWr3JYN9781087988245.webp?v=1781087480"},{"product_id":"the-zombie-ball-paperback","title":"The Zombie Ball - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"You will just LOVE these books.\"-\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVANISH Magazine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeet Eli Marks: Full-time magician, part-time crime-solver.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHis greatest trick? Not becoming the next victim.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEli's asked to perform his magic act at a swanky charity gala, The Zombie Ball- a former zombie pub crawl which has grown into an annual high-class social event. What begins as a typical stage show for Eli turns deadly when two of the evening's sponsors are found murdered under truly unusual circumstances.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCompounding this drama is the presence of Eli's ex-wife and her new husband, Homicide Detective Fred Hutton. Under pressure to solve the crime before all the guests depart, Eli and his detective nemesis go head-to-head to uncover the bizarre clues that will unravel this macabre mystery.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis book is the perfect way to get into the Eli Marks series -- grab it today!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e★★★★★\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003ePraise for Eli Marks Mystery Series: \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"If David Copperfield and Sherlock Holmes had a child, it would be Eli Marks.\"-\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Magic Word Podcast\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"This is an instant classic, in a league with Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett and Arthur Conan Doyle.\"-\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRosebud Book Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"It's full of magic, mystery, danger and misdirection, as a good magic trick should be. I love this cozy mystery series, a thoroughly delightful read.\"-\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSweet Mystery Books\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"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.\"-\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Frugal Mennonite\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"This story is very well written and fun to read. I would definitely read another Eli Marks Mystery!\"_\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Simple Taste for Reading\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Hands-down the funniest thing I have read in a long time, expertly paced and hilariously detailed.\"-\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeattle Book Mama\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e★★★★★\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBooks in the Eli Marks Mystery Series: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTHE AMBITIOUS CARD (#1)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTHE BULLET CATCH (#2)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTHE MISER'S DREAM (#3)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTHE LINKING RINGS (#4)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTHE FLOATING LIGHT BULB (#5)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTHE ZOMBIE BALL (#6)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTHE MAGIC SQUARE (#7)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTHE SELF-WORKING TRICK (#8)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50104470601951,"sku":"9781088075098","price":17.26,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0813\/8958\/4607\/files\/ubyQIEg1w9781088075098.webp?v=1781108381"}],"url":"https:\/\/blackandbarhe.com\/collections\/john-gaspard.oembed","provider":"Black \u0026 Barhe Bookstore","version":"1.0","type":"link"}