An enthralling locked-room murder mystery inspired by crime fiction of the Golden Age, Death and the Conjuror is the critically acclaimed debut novel by Tom Mead. Selected as one of Publishers Weekly's Mysteries of the Year. 1936, London. A celebrity psychiatrist is discovered dead in his locked study. There seems to be no way a killer could have escaped unseen. There are no clues, no witnesses, and no evidence of the murder weapon. Stumped by the confounding scene, Inspector Flint, the Scotland Yard detective on the case, calls on retired stage magician turned part-time sleuth Joseph Spector. Spector has a knack for explaining the inexplicable, but even he finds that there is more to this mystery than meets the eye. As he and the Inspector interview the colourful cast of suspects, they uncover no shortage of dark secrets... or motives for murder. And when a second murder occurs, this time in an impenetrable elevator, they realise the crime wave will become even more deadly unless they can catch the culprit soon. Reviews for Death and the Conjuror: 'An intricate "impossible" crime that completely fooled me.' Peter Lovesey 'A sharply drawn period piece with memorable characters.' New York Times 'A novel to intrigue and delight.' John Connolly 'A real treat for mystery fans.' Ragnar Jónasson 'A beautiful, dark, atmospheric story.' Victoria Dowd 'Sparkling, exhilarating. Mead is a dazzling new talent.' TP Fielden 'Pure escapism and an excellent puzzle, ingeniously expounded.' The Times

LIKE LOCKED-ROOM MYSTERIES? YOU'LL LOVE TOM MEAD'S JOSEPH SPECTOR SERIES!

This gripping locked-room mystery sees Joseph Spector investigate his most sinister case yet: murderous machinations at a haunted manor house.

A former First World War field hospital, the spooky old mansion at Devil's Neck attracts spirit-seekers from far and wide.

Illusionist-turned-sleuth Joseph Spector knows the house of old. With stories spreading of a phantom soldier making mischief, he joins a party of visitors in search of the truth.

But the house, located on a lonely causeway, is quickly cut off by floods. The stranded visitors are soon being killed off one by one.

With old ally Inspector Flint working on a complex case that has links to Spector's investigation, the two men must connect the dots before Devil's Neck claims Spector himself as its next victim.

Reviews for Tom Mead

'Entertaining and fiendishly clever' Joy Ellis
'A master of the locked-room mystery' Barbara Nadel
'Ingenious' Victoria Dowd
'What more could any fan of classic crime wish for?' Martin Edwards

Following the great success of our Gothic Fantasy deluxe edition short story compilations, including Cosy Crime, Murder Mayhem and Lost Worlds, this exciting title in the series is packed with amateur detectives solving mysterious murders, suspicious butlers and terrifying encounters set in locked rooms, stately mansions, haunted castles and eerily silent libraries. This collection contains our usual mix of classic and brand new writing, with delightful tales of dastardly dealings from Wilkie Collins, R. Austin Freeman, Anna Katharine Green, Thomas W. Hanshew, E.W. Hornung, Gaston Leroux, Guy de Maupassant, Edgar Wallace and Oscar Wilde. Of course, new stories from contemporary authors give a voice to new writers through our open submission windows.

The thrill of the chase, the steely-eyed detective (either gentle or hardboiled), the dark alleys and the double-cross, the unsolvable crime by a masterful criminal mind: this new title in our Gothic Fantasy Short Stories series features chills and double twists, unexpected turns and private investigators with an eye for the unusual, and contains a cunning mix of classic and brand new writing. Great detective thriller writers such as Arthur Conan Doyle, John Buchan, G.K. Chesterton, Arthur Morrison and the Mother of Detective fiction herself, Anna Katharine Green, join rarely seen tales by modern authors, and completely new stories, published here for the first time by, amongst others, T.Y. Euliano, Tracy Fahey, Tom Mead Marie Vibbert. As always our submission windows are packed with great reads so the successful stories are always a joy to publish.

Private Eyes with eagle eyes and rare skills, PI's and gumshoes, bloodhounds and sleuths, the shadowy arts of the detective have intrigued us since tales of the Pinkerton Detective Agency and Sherlock Holmes. Add some treachery, intimacy, and a little murder to the mix and you'll find a powerful series of dark stories from classic and contemporary writers. This new title in our successful Gothic Fantasy Short Stories collection contains a fabulous mix of classic and brand new writing, with contemporary authors from the US, Canada, and the UK. The contemporary authors featured in this anthology are: Daniel Brock, Elliott Capon, Philip Brian Hall, Tina L. Jens, Tom Mead, Marshall J. Moore, Pat Morris, Amelia Dee Mueller, Trixie Nisbet, Patsy Pratt-Herzog, Michele Bazan Reed, Lesley L. Smith and Cameron Trost. Classic authors include Margery Allingham, Robert Barr, Anthony Berkeley, Matthias McDonnell Bodkin, William Evans Burton, G.K. Chesterton, Carroll John Daly, Arthur Conan Doyle, Robert Eustace and Edgar Jepson, J.S. Fletcher, R. Austin Freeman, Jacques Futrelle, Susan Glaspell, Anna Katharine Green, Thomas W. Hanshew, E. and H. Heron, Herbert Jenkins, Maurice Leblanc, L.T. Meade and Robert Eustace, Arthur Morrison, Baroness Orczy, Catherine Louisa Pirkis, Melville Davisson Post, Edgar Wallace, Hugh C. Weir, Mrs Henry Wood.

Essential Fly Fishing - an all-colour handbook - presents the fundamentals of this great sport quickly and effectively. Proven teaching techniques and bright, helpful colour illustrations will enable new fly fishers to: find fish in streams, lakes, and salt water; select and assemble proper, balanced tackle; cast a fly line with authority - with rhythm, not strength; recognise and learn to simulate natural fish foods; learn techniques that really work; tie effective knots that have maximum strength; and begin the endlessly interesting process of tying your own flies. This book concisely explains fishing ethics, offers helpful safety precautions, and defines basic angling terms. The chapter on fly-rod fish describes the unique sport that many species - from trout to whitefish - offer fly fishers. Essential Fly Fishing is a crisp, helpful, superbly illustrated primer of the highest rank.

Illusionist turned sleuth Joseph Spector investigates a sinister conundrum at a 1930s theatre in this thrilling new mystery novel from Tom Mead, author of Death and the Conjuror, one of Publishers Weekly's Mysteries of the Year 2022. 1938, London. Young lawyer Edmund Ibbs has a new client: a woman accused of shooting her husband in the already infamous ‘Ferris Wheel Murder’ case. The case proves to be a web of conspiracy, and Ibbs himself is accused when a second suspicious death occurs, during a magic act at the crowded Pomegranate Theatre. Also present at the theatre is Joseph Spector, illusionist turned highly respected sleuth. Spector begins to investigate the mystery, but when another body is discovered later that same night, all evidence points to Ibbs being guilty. With time against him, and a host of hangers-on all having something to hide, can Spector uncover the guilty party, or will he and Inspector Flint of Scotland Yard conclude that Ibbs is the culprit after all? 'Wildly entertaining... It confirms Tom Mead’s status as a master of the locked-room mystery, and secures Joseph Spector as one of my favourite fictional detectives.' Tim Major 'In his captivating second novel Tom Mead establishes himself as the current master of the locked-room mystery. The characters are charming, the plot moves briskly along... A winner!' Aaron Elkins 'A delicious locked room feast of impossibilities set in the golden age of theatre and murder mysteries. I love the Mephistophelean Joseph Spector!' Ovidia Yu 'Pitch perfect magical locked-room extravaganza. The Murder Wheel astounds and amazes, and if you don’t fall under Spector’s spell you must be made of stone.' Barbara Nadel 'Mead knows his subject and gives the reader a full immersion into this compelling mystery.' CrimeReads 'The master of mystery strikes again! An elaborate, razor-sharp and perfectly plotted thrill ride.' T.A. Willberg ‘Magnificent! An absolute masterclass in the locked room mystery. Beautifully written with fabulous characters. I love this series. More please!’ Victoria Dowd Reviews for Tom Mead's Joseph Spector series: 'An intricate 'impossible' crime that completely fooled me.' Peter Lovesey 'A sharply drawn period piece with memorable characters.' New York Times 'Mead's debut is a novel to intrigue and delight.' John Connolly 'A true delight for mystery lovers!' Charles Todd 'A witty reconstruction of the classic locked room mystery, Tom Mead's debut is a sheer delight.' Maxim Jakubowski 'Mead maintains suspense throughout, creating a creepy atmosphere en route to satisfying reveals.' Publishers Weekly 'A real treat for mystery fans.' Ragnar Jónasson 'A fiendishly clever puzzle wrapped in a beautiful, dark atmospheric story.' Victoria Dowd