Will try more of the series. I know some of the main “twists “ relatively early, but being fair and hinting ust a bit too much is a difficult balance. The characters were developed enough without being whiny. ( )

This story is a treat in many ways. First of all it is by one of my favourite authors. Secondly it is the first of a series that I've hardly touched, so I know I have at least a couple of treats in store.

This is the first in what has become known as the Brighton Mysteries series. The author carefully introduces the main characters, Max Mephisto, and Edgar Stephens, magician and detective, who first came together during World War II in a special unit intended to create illusions to trick Hitler into thinking England was about to invade Norway.

Now, five years after the war, Stephens is a detective in Brighton and Mephisto has gone back to the Variety Halls. They are brought together by a body in 3 parts.

I thoroughly enjoyed my outing. ( )

THE ZIG ZAG GIRL was an entertaining historical mystery. DI Edgar Stephens is taken back to his army days when he is called to investigate a murder in which a woman is cut into three pieces and nicely boxed. It reminds him of a magic trick often performed by his old friend Max Mephisto.

Edgar and Max were both part of a special unit during World War II called the Magic Men. They were based in Scotland with the goal of using magic tricks to convince the Germans that invading was a bad idea. Edgar wasn't a magician himself but rather a brilliant scholar pulled from Oxford for his skills at puzzle solving. Max Mephisto, the Great Diablo, and Tony Mulholland were the magicians. They served with a woman named Charis whom Edgar loved but who died in an accident.

This story takes place in 1950 and the members of the Magic Men have long since dispersed back to their regular lives. Edgar joined the police. Max continues to travel the circuit doing his magic act. Tony has become a comedian and insists that he will soon be famous in America. Diablo is an aging magician down on his luck and alcoholic.

Max happens to be in Brighton when the boxes of woman are discovered, and Edgar goes to him for insight in solving the crime. Max becomes more closely involved when it is learned that the woman was once his favorite assistant. He helps Edgar investigate when Tony is found dead in yet another version of a magic trick and a letter comes threatening the rest of the Magic Men.

I enjoyed this historical mystery and liked both Edgar and Max who, finally, years after their service are ready to plan for their futures. I'm eager to see where this series goes next. ( )

Not great, but not awful. The characters in this book seemed a little forced compared to others in books by this Author. I really didn't connect with either of them, and probably won't read any more in this series. ( )

read this out loud. quick fun beach read. quite entertaining! ( )