Looking for the title of a long lost good read...

[Jodi]

OK so I read a book like 10 years ago...could it be longer??? Maybe. But that seems about right. It was a good read at the time. It was about a magician in the SF Bay Area. Something the Great? I think there was a lion as one of the main characters...or another circus animal.... How sad is it that I can't congure up more then that? More coffee for me....or perhaps less. Who knows? I remember the fantastic cover art; posters of his traveling act. It is all to vague to put a finger on it or Google it properly. ANYONE know what I am talking about? Title...author? For some reason this is really driving me crazy! I will try and work out the details..... any ideas are welcome. AS SOON as I hear or see it I will KNOW! Help appreciated!

[Molly]

I don't know the answer but if you post this question in the What's The Name of That Book? group here on Goodreads I'm sure someone there can help:
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/1...

[Anna]

Could it be "Carter Beats the Devil" i LOVED that book, it's so good--and i've never been able to forget it! i think the author is gary david gold or something like that. i know he's married to alice sebold ;)