The Magician’s Secret by Charles Townsend

Plot

Practical Joker Delvin sets up as a magician after being falsely accused of murder and inheriting the murdered magician’s magic tricks. But strange things seem to be happening. Is he performing real magic and not just tricks? Is there a secret that he doesn’t know? He desperately need to find out. What is this secret that The Guild of Magician’s are so determined to keep, that they kill anyone who learns it? Delvin will need all his cunning and skill with magic tricks to succeed and survive.

Review

The book starts with an introduction to the protagonist who lives at home with his family and is looking to be apprenticed to a travelling magician. In light of his accommodation and work status I assumed he was just a lad, barely out of teens. However as the book progresses it becomes clear our hero is sexually active and not averse to having one night stands if it offers him a comfy bed for the night.

His plans for an apprenticeship are cut short early on as his mentor is found murdered. Worse our hero is accused of the crime and barely escapes a lynching!

After his local friends and neighbours try to sting him up is it any wonder her leaves for a new life in the city. But the grass is not always greener in a new place.

Despite finding place to stay with an amiable landlady things again take a turn for the worst. Our hero again finds himself arrested but this time, instead of an angry mob, he finds himself in the palace dungeon.

His escape is perpetrated by a feisty princess. But only because she needs his help for an even more dangerous mission….

This is a great first fantasy mystery novel. A complete and satisfying story that leaves enough loose ends and interesting main characters for a follow up book.