Carter Beats the Devil

Glen David Gold

The book sports a lurid cover and has won literary prizes. It is about a magician and is set in early 20th century San Francisco. He gets mixed up with President Harding's death.

Recommended.
Bob 3/11/02

A rattling good yarn, quite gripping. It's about a magician involved in the death of a president - near the beginning of the book. Very light. "Also," said Bob, "for the girls there's a love interest."
Bob 1/12/02

Quite fun but far too long. Reminded Doreen of Robertson Davies - a big book with mad things going on. A tendency to over-extend the set pieces. Extremely unpleasant towards the end: Gold seems to enjoy writing about pain and suffering. The ending however is hilarious.
Doreen 19/1/03

Really enjoyable. A very convincing story about two boys growing up, one of whom becomes a magician.
Sean 6/11/05

The frames have gone all funny - click to make it good.