Carter Beats the Devil

Carter Beats the Devil follows Charles Carter, a prominent stage magician in 1920s America, as he becomes entangled in events surrounding the mysterious death of President Warren G. Harding. The story begins when Harding participates in Carter's magic show, only to be found dead hours later. The novel moves between Carter's rise to fame in the golden age of stage magic and the present-day investigation into his potential connection to Harding's death. Real historical figures populate the narrative, including Harry Houdini, the Marx Brothers, and inventor Philo Farnsworth. Set against the backdrop of San Francisco's vaudeville scene, the story combines elements of mystery, romance, and historical drama within the secretive world of professional magic. The plot involves government agents, rival magicians, and emerging technologies of the early twentieth century. The novel explores themes of illusion versus reality, the price of ambition, and the thin line between entertainment and deception in American public life. Through its portrayal of magic and politics, it examines how performance shapes both personal identity and national mythology.

Readers find Carter Beats the Devil an entertaining mix of historical fiction, magic, and mystery. Many praise Gold's research into 1920s magic and vaudeville, with accurate details about illusions and stage performers of the era. Readers liked: - Rich period atmosphere and historical figures - Technical details about magic tricks - Complex plot that weaves multiple storylines - Character development of Carter and Marx - Balance of drama and humor Common criticisms: - Pacing issues in middle sections - Too many subplots and characters to track - Some found the ending rushed - Historical detail sometimes overshadows story Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (17,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (400+ ratings) Sample reader comment: "Gold pulls off an impressive trick himself - making you care about the characters while also teaching you about the golden age of magic without being pedantic." - Goodreads reviewer Several readers noted the book works better on first reading, as knowing the plot twists reduces impact on re-reads.

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★ Charles Carter was a real magician who performed under the name "Carter the Great," though the novel significantly fictionalizes his life. His actual show posters bore the tagline "Carter Beats the Devil." ★ Warren G. Harding's actual death in 1923 sparked numerous conspiracy theories, which Gold masterfully incorporates into his narrative, blending historical fact with fictional intrigue. ★ The novel took author Glen David Gold nearly seven years to write and research, during which time he learned to perform several magic tricks to better understand the craft. ★ The book's portrayal of early television development is based on real inventor Philo Farnsworth's work in San Francisco during the 1920s, though his role in the story is fictionalized. ★ The novel's success in 2001 helped spark a renaissance in magic-themed literature, paving the way for other successful books like "The Prestige" and "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay."