The Great Deceiver (Ruth Galloway 7) – Griffiths Elly (2024)

The seventh book in The Brighton Mysteries by Elly Griffiths begins with a magician and a murder in a Brighton boarding house, alongside a show on Brighton pier, a sinister radio personality and a potential serial killer. Magician Max Mephisto, now divorced and living in London, is visiting his daughter Ruby and her newborn baby when he encounters fellow performer Ted English, known as the Great Deceiver. Ted’s assistant Cherry has been found dead in her Brighton boarding house, and he fears he will be accused of her murder. Max agrees to speak to his friend, Superintendent Edgar Stephens, who is investigating the case, unaware that Cherry’s family has hired private detectives Emma Holmes, also known as Mrs Stephens, and Sam Collins. The boarding house’s inhabitants, most of whom are performing in an Old Time Music Hall show on Brighton pier, form a motley group, and the house is also connected to a sinister radio personality called Pal. When a second magician’s assistant is killed, Edgar suspects a serial killer and persuades Max to come out of semi-retirement for the summer show. But who can act as his assistant, and why does Edgar recommend someone close to the team?