Jennifer's review
Carter Beats the Devil
by Glen David Gold
Jennifer's review
Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold
Jennifer's review
rating:
bookshelves:
historical-fiction
Not to sound cliche, but people are drawn to this book because of its cover. I'll admit I was. It's got that pulpy vintage look to it, and people who see me carrying it on an elevator or the train always ask me how it is.
It takes place in 1920's San Francisco and follows the adventures of magician Charles Carter. Carter falls under suspicion of murdering president Warren G. Harding who drops dead hours after volunteering to participate in one of Carter's illusions. This book started out great, but got saccharine and started to drag in the middle. It does pick up again, but never quite recaptures the kind of Raymond Chandler feel and quick-witted dialogue it starts out with. I also would have enjoyed more history and less fiction, particularly less cutesy romance. Part of the problem is that I really hate "magic." Not "magick," mind you but magic of the Houdini/David Copperfield variety. For that reason alone, I guess I had no business reading this book...oh, bu...more
It takes place in 1920's San Francisco and follows the adventures of magician Charles Carter. Carter falls under suspicion of murdering president Warren G. Harding who drops dead hours after volunteering to participate in one of Carter's illusions. This book started out great, but got saccharine and started to drag in the middle. It does pick up again, but never quite recaptures the kind of Raymond Chandler feel and quick-witted dialogue it starts out with. I also would have enjoyed more history and less fiction, particularly less cutesy romance. Part of the problem is that I really hate "magic." Not "magick," mind you but magic of the Houdini/David Copperfield variety. For that reason alone, I guess I had no business reading this book...oh, bu...more
