Murder By Illusion

Name: Murder By Illusion
Price: 24.49 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9784824117540

✍️ Giles Ekins

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$24.49

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A failed magician makes a pact with a mysterious entity that brings fame and deadly consequences.

Charlie Chilton struggles with professional failure until Asmodeus Tchort offers a life-changing deal. Success follows quickly, but the cost is severe. Gruesome murders dog his trail during his national tour of a controversial new act. The narrative questions if Charlie is the killer or a victim of supernatural influence. Ekins explores themes of ambition and demonic pacts through the lens of stage illusionism.

Key Themes

stage illusion demonic pact gruesome murders

Literary Context

This work sits within the tradition of gothic horror and supernatural fiction, published in 2021. It engages with the lore of stage magic and Faustian bargains, appealing to audiences interested in dark tales where artistic ambition collides with evil forces.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Clive Barker · Peter Straub · Shirley Jackson

🕯️

Supernatural

🏛 Next Chapter 📅 2021 🌐 English 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9784824117540

📝 Description: Murder By Illusion

Giles Ekins presents a supernatural thriller centered on Charlie Chilton, a stage illusionist whose career has stalled. When the enigmatic figure Asmodeus Tchort intervenes, he offers a pact that promises immediate fame and success in the world of magic. This deal accelerates Charlie’s rise to prominence, yet it brings with it a dark cost. The narrative follows his national tour as he performs a controversial new act, during which gruesome murders begin to occur in close proximity to his shows. The story investigates whether Charlie has transformed into a killer or if he is merely the pawn of a malevolent force. Readers encounter savage nightmares that haunt the protagonist and question the true identity of Asmodeus Tchort. Ekins draws on gothic traditions of Faustian bargains and the eerie atmosphere of stage magic to create tension. The plot relies on the psychological unraveling of the magician as he confronts the evil stalking his path. This book suits fans of dark fantasy and supernatural mystery who enjoy stories about the price of ambition. It may not appeal to readers seeking lighthearted entertainment or straightforward detective fiction without magical elements.

💎 Our verdict on Murder By Illusion

“

🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Ekins effectively merges the traditional Faustian bargain with the unique setting of professional stage illusionism. The narrative successfully builds tension through Charlie’s rise to prominence and the subsequent gruesome murders linked to his tour. The ambiguity regarding Charlie’s guilt versus supernatural influence creates a compelling psychological thriller. The gothic atmosphere is well-sustained, particularly in the depiction of savage nightmares haunting the protagonist. This approach suits readers who enjoy complex moral questions and dark fantasy elements. However, those preferring clear-cut detective resolutions or lighter tones may find the supernatural ambiguity frustrating. Overall, it is a strong entry for fans of atmospheric horror.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This book is ideal for enthusiasts of dark fantasy and supernatural mystery who appreciate narratives exploring the severe price of ambition. Readers will engage with the psychological unraveling of a stage illusionist caught between his own agency and malevolent forces. The story offers a tense exploration of whether Charlie Chilton is a killer or a pawn, appealing to those who enjoy ambiguous morality and gothic horror. It provides a gripping look at the intersection of fame and demonic pacts, suitable for fans seeking atmospheric tension over lighthearted entertainment or straightforward detective fiction without magical elements.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Ekins effectively merges the traditional Faustian bargain with the unique setting of professional stage illusionism. The narrative successfully builds tension through Charlie’s rise to prominence and the subsequent gruesome murders linked to his tour. The ambiguity regarding Charlie’s guilt versus supernatural influence creates a compelling psychological thriller. The gothic atmosphere is well-sustained, particularly in the depiction of savage nightmares haunting the protagonist. This approach suits readers who enjoy complex moral questions and dark fantasy elements. However, those preferring clear-cut detective resolutions or lighter tones may find the supernatural ambiguity frustrating. Overall, it is a strong entry for fans of atmospheric horror.