Illusionist turned sleuth Joseph Spector investigates a sinister conundrum at a 1930s theatre in this thrilling new mystery novel from Tom Mead, author of Death and the Conjuror, one of Publishers Weekly's Mysteries of the Year 2022.

1938, London. Young lawyer Edmund Ibbs has a new client: a woman accused of shooting her husband in the already infamous 'Ferris Wheel Murder' case.

The case proves to be a web of conspiracy, and Ibbs himself is accused when a second suspicious death occurs, during a magic act at the crowded Pomegranate Theatre.

Also present at the theatre is Joseph Spector, illusionist turned highly respected sleuth. Spector begins to investigate the mystery, but when another body is discovered later that same night, all evidence points to Ibbs being guilty.

With time against him, and a host of hangers-on all having something to hide, can Spector uncover the guilty party, or will he and Inspector Flint of Scotland Yard conclude that Ibbs is the culprit after all?

Reviews for The Murder Wheel

'Wildly entertaining... Confirms Tom Mead's status as a master of the locked-room mystery.' Tim Major
'Pitch perfect magical locked-room extravaganza. Astounds and amazes.' Barbara Nadel
'Tom Mead establishes himself as the current master of the locked-room mystery.' Aaron Elkins
'A delicious locked room feast of impossibilities. I love the Mephistophelean Joseph Spector!' Ovidia Yu
'An absolute masterclass in the locked room mystery... I love this series. More please!' Victoria Dowd

Reviews for the Spector Locked-Room Mystery series:

'An intricate 'impossible' crime that completely fooled me.' Peter Lovesey
'A sharply drawn period piece with memorable characters.' New York Times
'Great fun.' The Times