The Conjurer: A Martha Beale Mystery

by Cordelia Frances Biddle

Book Overview

From the celebrated coauthor of the Nero Blanc Crossword Puzzle Mysteries comes this elegant and richly nuanced new series debut in the tradition of The Alienist, Maisie Dobbs, and Girl with a Pearl Earring. Intrigue, passion, and murder surround the suspicious disappearance of Philadelphia financier Lemuel Beale in the winter of 1842. A victim of accidental drowning, according to the local constabulary, Beale leaves a sinister legacy of political...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312352468
• ISBN13: 9780312352462
• Release Date: February 2007
• Publisher: Minotaur Books
• Length: 306 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Good Reading

This is a good mystery story if you like settings in the 1800's. The sequel is equally enjoyable.

Hot Combo

The author's combination of history and mystery is a winner. Intriguing and creepy...good character development. I am still wondering what happens to these people next. A sequel is definitely in order!

Best New Mystery Writer!

Cordelia Biddle, herself the descendant of two very old and aristocratic Philadelphia families, has crafted an intricately plotted mystery/thriller with superb character development and lots of fascinating historical detail about Philadelphia. Whether you live in Philly, dream of visiting Philly, or just love a good mystery and appreciate wonderful historic atmosphere, you will love this, the first of a series, and will eagerly await, as I do, the next Martha Beale mystery. You'll be reminded of Dickens and Conan Doyle; but Cornelia Biddle is even more talented, having created her characters and settings from meticulous historical research, while Dickens and Doyle had merely to step into the streets of London for their material. Philadelphia in the 1840's was a fascinating - and to my surprise, dark and sinister - place. This novel is not for the faint of heart, but you will surely be drawn into the place and time, and love and hate the characters. But be warned - you will not be able to put it down until you've finished!

more a historical tale than a mystery

In 1842 Philadelphia, wealthy financier Lemuel Beale vanishes without a trace. His only offspring overly protected and obedient to a fault Martha finds her father's secretary Owen Simms ordering her about. Already having her fill of her demanding father, Martha begins to revolt by insisting the city investigate the disappearance of Lemuel. Mayoral assistant Thomas Kelman is assigned to learn what happened to the influential Beale though the city government assumes he is dead. Although he is tied up with another inquiry into a serial killer murdering female child prostitutes, he makes time to search for the missing banker with the help of Martha though Simms tries every trick including drugs to keep the suddenly non-compliant heiress under his thumb as he plans to marry her and her money. As Thomas and Martha work on both of his cases, a societal conjurer favorite Eusapio Paladino makes all sorts of proclamations on the prostitution homicides that lead to him to being the prime suspect. However, complicating the Kelman inquiries, Paladino is arrested for allegedly killing John Durand, the husband of the magician's upper crust paramour Emily Durand. In some ways this is more a historical tale than a mystery as much of the story line provides depth to 1842 Philadelphia's upper and lower classes; thus fans of American whodunits will find the mid nineteenth century tidbits at times too much as that takes away from the investigations. Still fans, especially those who appreciate a deep period piece, will enjoy Martha Beale's dangerous coming out gala. Harriet Klausner