Andrew Mayne
Series: Jessica Blackwood #1
Genre: Crime, Thriller, Urban Fantasy
Paperback: 368 Pages
Publication: September 23, 2014
by Bourbon Street Books
FBI agent Jessica Blackwood believes she’s left her complicated life as a gifted magician behind her . . . until a killer with seemingly supernatural powers puts her talents to the ultimate test.
A hacker who identifies himself only as “Warlock” brings down the FBI’s website and posts a code in its place that leads to a Michigan cemetery, where a dead girl is discovered rising from the ground . . . as if she tried to crawl out of her own grave.
Born into a dynasty of illusionists, Jessica Blackwood is destined to become its next star—until she turns her back on her troubled family to begin a new life in law enforcement. But FBI consultant Dr. Jeffrey Ailes’s discovery of an old magic magazine will turn Jessica’s world upside down. Faced with a crime that appears beyond explanation, Ailes has nothing to lose—and everything to gain—by taking a chance on an agent raised in a world devoted to achieving the seemingly impossible.
The body in the cemetery is only the first in the Warlock’s series of dark miracles. Thrust into the media spotlight, with time ticking away until the next crime, can Jessica confront her past to stop a depraved killer? If she can’t, she may become his next victim.
Jessica Blackwood comes from a family of great magicans. She knows every magic trick in the book, and is a master at illusion. However, she leaves her family and becomes a FBI analyst after a near fatal accident during a magic performance. When Warlock, a serial killer, starts to perpetrate apparently impossible crimes, Jessica is brought in as a consultant because of her unique background.
The plot is thrilling. Throughout the entire book, Jessica tries to figure out a series of illusions that the Warlock performs while committing murder. Some examples of his work include a dead girl from two years earlier, a Navy plane from years prior, and an angel that vanishes from the roof of the Empire State building and appears moments later in the middle of Manhattan. I enjoy watching the magic unfolded.
Jessica is a caring and warm character. As the story progresses, we get to know her past, and how she drives to succeed in her line of work from an anxious and insecure FBI agent. Through Jessica’s eyes, we get some great insights into human nature and behavior. Damian Knight, Jessica’s ex-boyfriend, is charming and compelling. Since Jessica broke up with him, he has never been able to fully let her go. His character adds more intrigue to the plot when he appears at her apartment seeming to know more about her case than she does, making him a suspect in her case.
The use of magic and illusion as the serial killer’s signature is unique. The twists and turns of the story kept me guessing to the very end. The ending itself was nothing like I expected. Overall, I enjoy the novel and will be looking for the next one in the series.
A copy was provided by Harper Collins for review
Rating: 4.5 stars
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Author: alice
Alice is a stay-at-home mom of two children. Her favorite books are those send icy tingles down her spine, such as a good mystery or thriller, but she also enjoys a good hear-throbbing romance. She enjoys listening to music and drinking a cup of tea while reading and working.
Vignesh says
Hi, i saw your review and read the book. It was exceptionaly good. Can you please suggest me books similar to this Angel killer by Andrew Mayne which deals with magic and magicians. Please. Not the fantacy magic. Fiction thrillers with Magic tricks in real world.
Crystal (Kester) says
Thanks for the compliment. I’m not sure what you’re asking for. If you’re asking for books like Angel Killer, which is urban fantasy (magic set in the real world), I might be able to recommend some. But if you’re asking for a thriller with tricks but no fantasy magic, that’s out of my typical genre read. For those, you might check out Ethan @ A Book A Week . He’s written great reviews for a number of thrillers.