Carter Beats the Devil
7 journalers for this copy...
This was a really fun read. The historical characters and references completely drew me into that time period.
The book starts off with a bang, and while there was a bit of a lull in the middle, the finale more than made up for it.
Magic, love, mystery, and a lion. Recommended!
From Amazon:
"In Carter Beats the Devil, Glen David Gold subjects the past to the same wondrous transformations as the rabbit in a skilled illusionist's hat. Gold's debut novel opens with real-life magician Charles Carter executing a particularly grisly trick, using President Warren G. Harding as a volunteer. Shortly afterwards, Harding dies mysteriously in his San Francisco hotel room, and Carter is forced to flee the country. Or does he?"
The book starts off with a bang, and while there was a bit of a lull in the middle, the finale more than made up for it.
Magic, love, mystery, and a lion. Recommended!
From Amazon:
"In Carter Beats the Devil, Glen David Gold subjects the past to the same wondrous transformations as the rabbit in a skilled illusionist's hat. Gold's debut novel opens with real-life magician Charles Carter executing a particularly grisly trick, using President Warren G. Harding as a volunteer. Shortly afterwards, Harding dies mysteriously in his San Francisco hotel room, and Carter is forced to flee the country. Or does he?"
Bringing to Calgary July BookCrossing meetup.
I'm interested in the 1920's era so I'll give this story a try.
I agree with BookyMcBooks assessment of the lull in the middle of the book which I think a good editor could have fixed. I enjoy reading of the time before television, to try and imagine how the thrill of a live performance captured the audience, and how the message spread and could be managed, through the print media.
To be passed to the next reader at the tea party today.
Got passed on to me.
This book had quite a lot of content in it! It actually inspired me to look up some of the historical figures to find out a bit more about them. Though there were a couple of short scenes that felt like a random extra thing put in since the author had already done the research (like the black chambers bit).
I found this book came in waves for me. The beginning drew me right in, and then there'd be a lull, followed by another section I couldn't put down, followed by another lull before picking up again. On a whole I liked how the ending came together and tied off all of the different stories it had been following. The couple of romances were also well done. I enjoyed the performances and behind the scenes life. I also loved the animals, and how the book also promoted the good treatment of animals.
Thanks for the great read!
I found this book came in waves for me. The beginning drew me right in, and then there'd be a lull, followed by another section I couldn't put down, followed by another lull before picking up again. On a whole I liked how the ending came together and tied off all of the different stories it had been following. The couple of romances were also well done. I enjoyed the performances and behind the scenes life. I also loved the animals, and how the book also promoted the good treatment of animals.
Thanks for the great read!
Taken to get together
I picked this up at the April meet-up of Calgary BookCrossers, held at Cravings Market Restaurant.
Great cover drew me into this fantastic book.
All the while rooting for Carter, I felt pretty bad for the unrelenting Jack Griffin, in his attempt to catch Carter out.
Thanks for the great read!
All the while rooting for Carter, I felt pretty bad for the unrelenting Jack Griffin, in his attempt to catch Carter out.
Thanks for the great read!
Taken to the June meet-up of Calgary BookCrossers, held a Cravings Market Restaurant.
Brought this home from the May bookcrossing meeting.
This book started out strong for me and got caught up in it right away but about half way through I just lost interest.
Taking to the March BookCrossing meeting to be enjoyed by the next reader.
I picked this up at the March meeting.
I quit reading this so many times. Part of the trouble was maybe trying to read it during COVID so whenever I was upset by something in the book, I had to set it down. Like Mooma Oma, I really had a lot of trouble halfway through and was going to just give up on it. BUT, I read on finally and persevered and was glad I had as I really enjoyed the ending.
I am releasing this into the Covid Book Box that is circulating.
Pulled this out of the book box while doing some clean up
