New Releases by Tom Mead

In this latest locked room mystery from the author of Cabaret Macabre, amateur sleuth Joseph Spector pits his knowledge of stage magic against the seemingly supernatural when a seance at an isolated old hospital turns deadly.

歐美密室推理文藝復興！ 機關詭計Ｘ魔術手法Ｘ不可能犯罪 綾辻行人激賞好評：「由熱愛古典推理的英國新銳作者帶來的絕妙贈禮。」 冬陽（原生電子推理雜誌《PUZZLE》主編）、杜鵑窩人（資深推理迷）、臥斧（文字工作者）、冒業（科幻及推理小說家、評論家）、黃羅（推理評論家）、薛西斯（小說家）、藍霄（推理小說耽讀者）──同聲推薦 ＊《出版人週刊》年度十大最佳推理小說 ＊《衛報》2023 年最佳犯罪與驚悚小說 ＊亞馬遜網路書店推理懸疑類選書 ＊約翰‧康納利、拉格納‧約拿森、彼得‧拉佛西……等推理名家同聲讚賞 └故事簡介┘ 「一切的關鍵取決於幻術，問題只在於找出幻術到底是用在哪個地方。」 一九三六年，精神分析學家瑞斯博士和女兒莉迪亞從維也納移居倫敦，在家中定期約診三名病人：噩夢連連的提琴手、當紅舞臺劇女演員、保持神祕形象的暢銷小說家。某夜，一位不知名的病人約診結束後，博士竟在書房桌前遭人割喉慘死。房門是鎖上的，雖然有落地窗連通庭院，但周圍的泥地在雨天不見任何腳印，代表案發後便沒有人進出，儼然是一樁密室謀殺案。 負責本案的警探弗林百思不得其解，於是請來一位出人意料的幫手──退休魔術師約瑟夫‧史貝特。表演魔術需要對環境與人都有入微的觀察力，史貝特如今將這身本領改用在解讀人類行為上，成為獨具洞見的偵探。 弗林與史貝特一一查問博士診治過的病人，以及家中的女兒和管家；在那個社會上還對精神疾病諱莫如深的年代，他們似乎各自都有動機，想要除掉這位以驚世駭俗方式詮釋人們思想與意識的精神分析學者。更詭異的是，他往昔發表的病例研究中，竟也曾有一位受妄想症所苦的病人在診療期間不幸死亡，死狀就與如今的博士一模一樣。 三名病人的嫌疑尚未排除時，他們周遭也接連發生了案外案：女演員被控竊取劇院導演收藏的名畫，小說家遭人跟蹤，提琴手住的公寓則有門僮命喪電梯內。這些風波是連續犯罪，或是誤導密室謀殺案調查方向的煙霧彈？殺害瑞斯博士的凶手究竟想要隱瞞什麼、又或奪取什麼？又是如何像魔術般不留痕跡離開封閉的殺人現場……？ └佳評讚譽┘ 冬陽（原生電子推理雜誌《PUZZLE》主編）： 「現代新銳作家挑戰古典密室詭計，消失的訪客與凶器、離奇的死狀與空間，蘇格蘭場警探求助退役魔術師參與辦案，這肯定是要讓本格推理迷熱血沸騰的安排啊！湯姆．米德還設計了更多小彩蛋，約翰．狄克森．卡爾、阿嘉莎．克莉絲蒂等大師巨匠之名不時出現，就連密室經典作《三口棺材》都被悉心引用！各位讀者請擦亮且睜大您的雙眼，事先暖機並全力動員您的灰色腦細胞，能讓日本推理名家綾辻行人激賞、英國犯罪作家協會鑽石匕首獎得主彼得．拉佛西盛讚、《出版人週刊》選入年度十大推理的作品，絕不能錯過！（能讓我在推薦短文中用上三個驚嘆號的作品，真的不多見啊）」 冒業（科幻及推理小說家、評論家）： 「在歐美近年『黃金時代風格偵探小說』復興運動的參與者當中，湯姆．米德絕對是將它的精神貫徹得最徹底的新銳作家之一。《死亡與奇術師》帶領我們重臨一九三六年的倫敦，經歷神秘的夜訪者與三重密室殺人事件，還有『向讀者的挑戰書』。退休魔術師偵探約瑟夫．史貝克更以約翰．狄克森．卡爾在前一年發表的《三口棺材》作為破案手冊，提出全新版本的『密室講義』。無論推理謎解還是復古致敬都誠意滿滿。」 黃羅（推理評論家）： 「一九三六年、倫敦、慘死、房門上鎖、泥地不見腳印、探長、魔術師……在書中看到這些元素或符碼時，幾乎可以斷定這就是古典黃金時期的密室推理小說。然而有趣的是，《死亡與奇術師》並非二十世紀的產物，卻是一部問世於二十一世紀的新銳作品，它究竟是復刻版，還是以現代觀點重新詮釋的謀殺技藝？欲知真相，請務必詳讀本書。」 薛西斯（小說家）： 「魔術最有魅力之處，正在於它並非魔法－－這與推理小說的本質是一致的。成功密室殺人的關鍵，絕不在作家想出超越人智的終極詭計，而在他那能將觀眾牢牢玩弄於股掌之間的舞台表演魅力！魔術師打一個響指，拋一個媚眼，都可能帶有邪惡目的。小心了，本作正是這樣愉快的欺瞞之作，紮實的邏輯推演、經典的錯覺遊戲，再加上眼花撩亂的魔術表演與心理分析。在我們看了那麼多警官腳踏實地抓連環殺手的故事之後，是時候來點純粹的邏輯緝凶了！」 藍霄（推理小說耽讀者）： 「古典推理迷會喜歡的謎局。作者以細膩筆觸勾勒1930年代倫敦的詭譎氛圍， 將魔術與密室殺人兩項本就吸引人的懸疑要素，把故事謎團層層遞進，讓人仿佛置身於約翰‧迪克森‧卡爾筆下的經典推理世界。 對喜愛黃金時期本格推理的讀者而言，是過癮的閱讀歷程。」 彼得‧拉佛西（英國犯罪作家協會鑽石匕首獎得主）： 這樁精密的「不可能犯罪」真是完全騙倒了我。湯姆‧米德在故布疑陣的這門藝術方面已然是一位大師。 馬丁‧愛德華茲（《莫特曼莊園》作者、英國推理作家俱樂部主席）： 機智的懸疑故事，既可喜地致敬了黃金時期的偵探小說，也編織了一個富娛樂性的「不可能犯罪」謎團──古典推理迷還復何求？ 拉格納‧約拿森（《冰島暗湧》作者）： 對於推理迷而言著實是一場豪華饗宴。 約翰‧康納利（《失物之書》作者）： 關於謀殺與魔術的精采故事，以令人大開眼界的方式探索了歷久不衰的密室謀殺情節。 《紐約時報》： 一部筆鋒銳利的復古故事，登場角色令人印象深刻。 《衛報》： 巧妙而迷人的一部娛樂作品，充滿祕密、煙霧彈和魔術手法。

MEJOR NOVELA DE MISTERIO SEGÚN THE GUARDIAN, THE TIMES Y CRIME TIME Un crimen imposible, un mago retirado y un asesino desaparecido como por arte de magia Londres, 1936. El célebre psiquiatra Anselm Rees aparece muerto en su estudio, asesinado. La ventana está sellada y la puerta cerrada con llave por dentro. No hay pistas, ni testigos, ni arma del crimen y, dadas las circunstancias, es imposible que el asesino se haya escapado sin ser visto. Desconcertado, el inspector Flint recurre a un aliado excepcional: su amigo Joseph Spector, un mago. Quién mejor que un ilusionista para encontrar a un homicida desaparecido como por arte de magia? A medida que avanza la investigación e interrogan al elenco de sospechosos, todos familiares o pacientes de la víctima, salen a la luz secretos del pasado y una lista de oscuros móviles que podrían haber provocado el crimen. Cuando se produce un robo inexplicable y un segundo homicidio, esta vez en un ascensor impenetrable, Flint y Spector tienen la certeza de que detrás de esta ola de crímenes absurdos se esconde la misma mano. ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ «Una novela de escapismo llena de intriga, secretos, pistas falsas y prestidigitación.» The Guardian ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ «Mantiene el suspense en todo momento.» Publishers Weekly ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ «Una obra de época con personajes memorables.» The New York Times ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ ✭ «Un homenaje a la edad de oro de los misteriosos asesinatos imposibles... Un debut muy divertido.»The Times

With a career spanning over 50 years, Aerosmith has been a trend-setter in the world of rock and roll. From early hits such as “Dream On” and “Sweet Emotion” to their legendary collaboration with Run DMC for a cover of “Walk This Way” to their contribution of “Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” on the soundtrack for Armageddon, Aerosmith has proved time and again to be a band capable of reinvention and constant influence on the music scene. With their 2024 announcement that the band will no longer tour, 16 crime fiction authors have come together to produce an anthology paying tribute to some of Aerosmith’s greatest hits and their studio albums. This literary trip across the rock and roll landscape is courtesy of multi-award winning editor Michael Bracken with stories by Ed Ridgley, Bill Baber, Eve Fisher. Avram Lavinsky, John C. Bruening, Jeffrey Marks, Mary Dutta, Tom Mead, Steve Liskow, Joseph S. Walker, Adam Meyer, John M. Floyd, Leone Ciporin, M.E. Proctor, Tom Milani and Jim Winter.

18 festive stories of murder and mystery in the grand tradition of Christmas crime fiction, from the masters of the genre. Including the New York Times bestselling JT Ellison, USA Today bestseller Sam Carrington, Sunday Times bestseller C.L. Taylor, and many more... The award-winning Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane invite you to a festive gathering of bestselling, critically acclaimed and award-winning writers in tribute to classic crime stories. From locked room mysteries on Christmas Eve to devilish whodunits and tales of simmering rivalries unfolding at the dinner table, these eighteen seasonal tales will delight and shock at every twist and turn. So, unwrap the presents, pour a mug of mulled wine and follow the bloodstained footprints through the freshly fallen snow as winter descends and darkness lurks in the shadows. Featuring stories by: Fiona Cummins Angela Clarke A. K. Benedict Susi Holliday J. T. Ellison David Bell Sarah Hilary Claire McGowan Tina Baker Sam Carrington Liz Mistry C. L. Taylor Helen Fields Russ Thomas Tom Mead Vaseem Khan Samantha Hayes Belinda Bauer

An English country house at Christmas proves the perfect hunting ground for a determined killer. Sleuth and illusionist Joseph Spector investigates his most complex case yet in this gripping new locked-room murder mystery. ''Cabaret Macabre really had it all... The twisted and complex puzzle totally foxed me, and although I hate to admit it, I really didn''t have a clue whodunnit! Entertaining and fiendishly clever.'' Joy Ellis, #1 bestselling author Hampshire, Christmas 1938. When prominent judge Sir Giles Drury starts receiving sinister letters, his wife suspects Victor Silvius, a man who was previously locked up for attacking Sir Giles. Meanwhile, Silvius'' sister Caroline is convinced her brother is about to be murdered... by none other than his old nemesis, Sir Giles Drury. Caroline seeks the advice of Scotland Yard''s Inspector Flint, while the Drurys, eager to avoid a scandal, turn to Joseph Spector. Spector, renowned magician turned sleuth, has an uncanny knack for solving complicated crimes – but this case will test his powers of deduction to their limits. At a snowbound English country house in the midst of the Christmas season, a murder is committed in impossible circumstances. Spector and Flint''s investigations collide as they find themselves trapped by the snowstorm, in a place where anyone could be the next victim... or the killer. Reviewers on Cabaret Macabre: ''An intricately plotted golden age locked room mystery. Inventive and intriguing.'' Ambrose Parry ''So many intricate layers to this ingenious plot. It truly is the matryoshka of mysteries!'' Victoria Dowd ''A twisty-turny, fun and very satisfying mystery.'' Alison Moore ''Stunning. Magic and murder and cleverness. Joseph Spector will put a spell on you.'' Barbara Nadel, author of the Çetin Ikmen series, adapted into Paramount+''s The Turkish Detective ''There are Agatha Christie-like twists aplenty.'' Michael Dirda, Washington Post Reviews for Tom Mead ''Ingenious'' Guardian ''Great fun'' The Times ''What more could any fan of classic crime wish for?'' Martin Edwards ''A sharply drawn period piece'' New York Times ''An intricate "impossible" crime that completely fooled me'' Peter Lovesey

Londra, 1936. In una tipica serata di pioggia il famoso psichiatra Anselm Rees viene trovato morto nel suo studio, assassinato. La finestra è sigillata e la porta chiusa dall''interno. Non ci sono indizi né tracce dell''arma del delitto e, stando alle circostanze, è impossibile che l''assassino sia fuggito senza essere visto. Eppure... Per trovare la chiave di volta di quest''indagine a prima vista paradossale, l''ispettore Flint convoca un alleato d''eccezione: Joseph Spector, suo amico ed ex prestigiatore in pensione. Chi meglio di un esperto illusionista può scovare un assassino dileguatosi come per magia? Hanno così inizio le indagini sui pazienti di Rees: un violinista tormentato da incubi ricorrenti; un''attrice cleptomane; e uno scrittore che soffre di inquietanti amnesie. Mentre gli interrogatori portano a galla segreti dal passato, cresce la lista dei sospettati e dei moventi. Un furto inspiegabile e un secondo omicidio, stavolta in un ascensore teoricamente impenetrabile, danno a Flint e Spector la certezza che dietro a quest''ondata di crimini assurdi ci sia la stessa mano. In omaggio ai grandi maestri del giallo e ai classici enigmi della camera chiusa, Tom Mead ci regala un mistero avvincente ed elegante, costruito con straordinario ingegno e qualche trucco di magia.

Sleuthing stage magician Joseph Spector (Death and the Conjuror) returns to investigate a baffling series of impossible crimes. "Even readers who live to match wits with canny authors and detectives are likely to be outwitted by this one."--Kirkus

In London, 1938, young and idealistic lawyer Edmund Ibbs is trying to find any shred of evidence that his client Carla Dean wasn''t the one who shot her husband dead at the top of a Ferris Wheel. But the deeper he digs, the more complex the case becomes, and Edmund soon finds himself drawn into a nightmarish web of conspiracy and murder. Before long he himself is implicated in not one but two seemingly impossible crimes. First, a corpse appears out of thin air during a performance by famed illusionist "Professor Paolini" in front of a packed auditorium at the Pomegranate Theatre. Then a second victim is shot dead in a locked dressing room along one of the theatre''s winding backstage corridors. Edmund is in exactly the wrong place at the wrong time, and attracts the suspicion of Scotland Yard inspector George Flint. Luckily, conjuror-turned-detective Joseph Spector is on the scene. Only Spector''s uniquely logical perspective can pierce the veil of deceit in a world of illusion and misdirection, where seeing is not always believing. Tom Mead continues to pay homage to the locked room mysteries of the Golden Age in this second Joseph Spector novel.

A fog that only Zak can see, has stolen his friends'' dreams. With no life dreams they are left joyless. Can Zak face his fear, follow his inspiration to reconnect his friends with their dreams? Or will the fog reach him first, stealing his life dream and leaving them all joyless? Inspire your young reader toward confidence and supportive friendships. This is the first story in the Misty Island Adventure Series.

The author, an experienced journalist and former State politician reminisces about notable events he has covered or been involved in. Presents a range of stories on topics such as the post war peace movement, the Packer vas Murdoch battles for control of news and advertising empires, and John Curtin''s appeal to the US after the bombing of Pearl Harbour. The author''s other publications include ''Empire of Straw'', ''A Few Words'' and ''Killers of Eden''.

This is the story of Ben Boyd, who founded the Royal Bank of Australia in the 1840''s and used its funds to finance his own huge pastoral, shipping and whaling empire and send it into bankruptcy unknown to shareholders in England and Scotland.

Tells of two maritime tragedies linked by a common circumstance. In 1857, the British clipper ship ''Dunbar'' was shipwrecked at the entrance to Sydney Harbour, almost under the Macquarie Light. In 1886, the ''Ly-ee-Moon'' was smashed on a reef in front of the lighthouse at Green Cape, south of Eden, New South Wales. The author''s previous books include ''Manly Ferries of Sydney Harbour: The seven mile ships''.