The Zig Zag Girl

The Zig Zag Girl transports readers to Brighton, England in 1950, where Detective Inspector Edgar Stephens investigates a murder that mirrors a magic trick. The victim's body is found dismembered in three boxes, resembling the famous illusion performed by stage magicians. The case forces Stephens to reconnect with Max Mephisto, his former comrade from a World War II military intelligence unit known as the Magic Men. Together they must draw on their shared past and knowledge of stage magic to track down a killer in post-war Brighton's theatrical world. The investigation moves between the gritty reality of police work and the smoke-and-mirrors realm of variety shows and magic acts. As more deaths occur, Stephens and Mephisto race to decode the connections between their wartime experiences and the present-day murders. This atmospheric mystery explores themes of illusion versus reality, the lingering impact of war, and how the past shapes the present. The novel balances historical detail with psychological complexity while examining the nature of truth and deception.

Readers found the post-WWII magician setting unique but felt the mystery plot moved slowly. Many appreciated the historical details about variety shows and magic acts in 1950s Brighton. Liked: - Authentic period atmosphere and theatrical backdrop - Connection to real-life WWII magic unit - Complex relationship between main characters - Details about stage magic and illusions Disliked: - Predictable mystery elements - Lack of suspense - Characters needed more development - Slower pacing in middle sections One reader noted: "The magic history was fascinating but the actual crime plot fell flat." Another said: "Good period details but I figured out the killer way too early." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (14,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (1,900+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 3.8/5 (300+ ratings) The book resonated more with readers interested in historical fiction and theater history than with traditional mystery fans.

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🎭 The Zig Zag Girl is set in Brighton, England in 1950, capturing the post-war era when variety shows and magic acts were still a vibrant part of British entertainment culture. ✨ Author Elly Griffiths was inspired to write the novel after learning that her grandfather was a stage magician who performed in the 1950s. 🪄 The famous magic trick "The Zig Zag Girl," which features prominently in the book, was invented by real-life British magician Robert Harbin in 1965 and is still performed today. ⚔️ The book incorporates the real historical "Magic Gang" - a group of magicians who worked with British military intelligence during World War II to create deceptions that would fool the enemy. 🎪 The protagonist, DI Edgar Stephens, is partly based on the author's grandfather's experiences in the entertainment world of post-war Brighton, blending historical accuracy with fictional mystery.