John Gaspard

"An intriguing cross between noir and cozy, with fascinating details about magic tricks and plenty of quirky characters. An easy, enjoyable read for mystery buffs seeking a bit of an escape from the usual crime fiction fare." - Library Journal "A finely-tuned, diabolical, sneaky, smart, stylish mix of magic and mayhem that plunges our hero Eli through a tangled web of danger and deceit that'll keep you guessing." - Steve Spill, Magician and Author of I Lie For Money "With twists and turns, flurries of romance, and a cast of characters that seem to be the unholy spawn of The Maltese Falcon and The Third Man, The Miser's Dream keeps the pages turning and the reader delighted from start to finish." - Jeffrey Hatcher, Screenwriter, Mr. Holmes "This book reminded me of the Nick and Nora Charles adventures-slightly noir and slightly zany. An enjoyable read." - Victoria Kemp, Librarian at Flower Mound Public Library "Hands-down the funniest thing I have read in a long time, expertly paced and hilariously detailed." - Seattle Book Mama "I loved this book. From beginning to end I was hooked. The story is fantastic and the cast leaves you wanting to know more. I can't wait to read the next book in the series." - Bookschellves "It's full of magic, mystery, danger and misdirection, as a good magic trick should be. I love this cozy mystery series, a thoroughly delightful read." - Sweet Mystery Books A casual glance out his apartment window turns Magician Eli Marks' life upside down. After spotting a dead body in the projection booth of the movie theater next door, Eli is pulled into the hunt for the killer. As he attempts to puzzle out a solution to this classic locked room mystery, he must deal with a crisis of a more personal nature: the appearance of a rival magician who threatens not only Eli's faith in himself as a performer, but his relationship with his girlfriend. But the killer won't wait and starts taking homicidal steps to bring Eli's investigation to a quick and decisive end. Things get even worse when his magician rival offers his own plausible solution to the mystery. With all the oddball suspects gathered together, Eli must unveil the secrets to this movie-geek whodunit or find himself at the wrong end of the trick. Related subjects include: cozy mysteries, murder mystery series, amateur sleuths, humorous murder mysteries, whodunnit mysteries (whodunit), book club recommendations. Books in the Eli Marks Mystery Series: THE AMBITIOUS CARD (#1) THE BULLET CATCH (#2) THE MISER'S DREAM (#3) Part of the Henery Press Mystery Series Collection, if you like one, you'll probably like them all..."

The Miser's Dream

"Newly-single magician Eli Marks reluctantly attends his high school reunion against his better judgment, only to become entangled in two deadly encounters with his former classmates. The first is the fatal mugging of an old crush's husband, followed by the suspicious deaths of the victim's business associates. At the same time, Eli also comes to the aid of a classmate-turned-movie-star who fears that attempting The Bullet Catch in an upcoming movie may be his last performance. As the bodies begin to pile up, Eli comes to the realization that juggling these murderous situations -- while saving his own neck -- may be the greatest trick he's ever performed"--Page 4 of cover.

The Bullet Catch

Psychics are being murdered and magician Eli Marks is the top suspect. His greatest trick? Not becoming the next victim. ★★★★★ “The Ambitious Card is intelligently written and ... entirely engrossing.” – Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine The life of a magician isn’t all kiddie shows and card tricks. Sometimes it’s murder. Psychics are being murdered and Eli can't escape suspicion. Then things get really complicated when romance blooms with a beautiful psychic. Eli discovers she's the next target for murder and he's scheduled to die with her. Now Eli must use every trick he knows to reveal the true killer … before they become the next victims. Grab your copy and get started on this fantastic and funny series right now! ★★★★★ “This is a hugely entertaining crime novel, packed full of comedy….Warm, funny and well-plotted–a book to brighten any grey day. Do read it!” —FictionFan’s Book Reviews “The Ambitious Card is a must read!” —Books and Looks “Before I had even finished the first chapter I had fallen in love with Eli. He is intelligent, sensitive, witty and, suddenly, the main suspect in a series of murders…well written, fast paced and exciting.” —The Frugal Mennonite “The deftly-plotted mystery is enriched by Eli’s relationships with his ex-wife, her new husband, his old-school stage magician Uncle Harry, and an interesting collection of people and places in and around St. Paul…This stylish novel is filled with interesting details, snappy dialogue, and appealing characters.” —More Than a Review “This story is very well written and fun to read. I would definitely read another Eli Marks Mystery!” —A Simple Taste for Reading “I had a great time reading The Ambitious Card. I don’t read many series, but I’m definitely willing to go on another adventure with Eli.” —The Writerly Reader “Well, Dear Reader, would I recommend The Ambitious Card? Would I read another Eli Marks mystery? Yes, I would do both.” —Charlie Britten, Write On ★★★★★ Books in the Eli Marks Mystery Series: THE AMBITIOUS CARD (#1) THE BULLET CATCH (#2) THE MISER'S DREAM (#3) THE LINKING RINGS (#4) THE FLOATING LIGHT BULB (#5) THE ZOMBIE BALL (#6) THE MAGIC SQUARE (#7) THE INVISIBLE ASSISTANT (Short Story) THE LAST CUSTOMER (Short Story)

The Ambitious Card - An Eli Marks Mystery #1

The life of a magician isn't all kiddie shows and card tricks. Sometimes it's murder. Especially when magician Eli Marks very publicly debunks a famed psychic, and said psychic ends up dead. The evidence, including a bloody King of Diamonds playing card (one from Eli's own Ambitious Card routine), directs the police right to Eli. As more psychics are slain, and more King cards rise to the top, Eli can't escape suspicion. Things get really complicated when romance blooms with a beautiful psychic, and Eli discovers she's the next target for murder, and he's scheduled to die with her. Now Eli must use every trick he knows to keep them both alive and reveal the true killer. Part of the Henery Press Mystery Series Collection, if you like one, you'll probably like them all! THE AMBITIOUS CARD is the first book in the Eli Marks mystery series.

The Ambitious Card

Write Your Screenplay with the Help of Top Screenwriters! It’s like taking a Master Class in screenwriting … all in one book! Discover the pitfalls of writing to fit a budget from screenwriters who have successfully navigated these waters already. Learn from their mistakes and improve your script with their expert advice. "I wish I'd read this book before I made Re-Animator." Stuart Gordon, Director, Re-Animator, Castle Freak, From Beyond John Gaspard has directed half a dozen low-budget features, as well as written for TV, movies, novels and the stage. The book covers (among other topics): Academy-Award Winner Dan Futterman (“Capote”) on writing real stories Tom DiCillio (“Living In Oblivion”) on turning a short into a feature Kasi Lemmons (“Eve’s Bayou”) on writing for a different time period George Romero (“Martin”) on writing horror on a budget Rebecca Miller (“Personal Velocity”) on adapting short stories Stuart Gordon (“Re-Animator”) on adaptations Academy-Award Nominee Whit Stillman (“Metropolitan”) on cheap ways to make it look expensive Miranda July (“Me and You and Everyone We Know”) on making your writing spontaneous Alex Cox (“Repo Man”) on scaling the script to meet a budget Joan Micklin Silver (“Hester Street”) on writing history on a budget Bob Clark (“Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things”) on mixing humor and horror Amy Holden Jones (“Love Letters”) on writing romance on a budget Henry Jaglom (“Venice/Venice”) on mixing improvisation with scripting L.M. Kit Carson (“Paris, Texas”) on re-writing while shooting Academy-Award Winner Kenneth Lonergan (“You Can Count on Me”) on script editing Roger Nygard (“Suckers”) on mixing genres This is the book for anyone who’s serious about writing a screenplay that can get produced! Grab it today! ★★★★★ "A perfect read for anyone who wants to write a film script or for anyone who just enjoys watching movies." Fred Willard, Actor, A Mighty Wind, Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman "This volume is packed full of useful little nuggets of information." Jonathan Lynn, Director, My Cousin Vinny, Clue, Nuns on the Run, The Whole Nine Yards “Packed with war stories and savvy advice for beginning screenwriters.” Larry Gross, Screenwriter, 48 hrs., Streets of Fire, True Crime

Fast, Cheap & Written That Way: Top Screenwriters on Writing for Low-Budget Movies

A Puzzling Clue to an Unconventional Murder... "You will just LOVE these books!"-VANISH Magazine When an old family friend is arrested for murder at a magic convention, Uncle Harry urges Eli to step in and solve the bizarre homicide. Eli's attempt to sort through all the suspects is stymied after a second murder and then a third murder attempt-or was it merely an accident? Is someone trying to knock off the top mentalists in the country? And if they are, why do the clues keep pointing to Eli's friend? As the body count rises, Eli must race against the clock to trap this clever killer before becoming the final victim. Grab this fun and funny mystery today! ★★★★★ Praise for Eli Marks Mystery Series: "If David Copperfield and Sherlock Holmes had a child, it would be Eli Marks."-The Magic Word Podcast "This is an instant classic, in a league with Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett and Arthur Conan Doyle."-Rosebud Book Reviews "It's full of magic, mystery, danger and misdirection, as a good magic trick should be. I love this cozy mystery series, a thoroughly delightful read."-Sweet Mystery Books "Before I had even finished the first chapter I had fallen in love with Eli. He is intelligent, sensitive, witty and, suddenly, the main suspect in a series of murders...well written, fast-paced and exciting."-The Frugal Mennonite "This story is very well written and fun to read. I would definitely read another Eli Marks Mystery!"_A Simple Taste for Reading "Hands-down the funniest thing I have read in a long time, expertly paced and hilariously detailed."-Seattle Book Mama ★★★★★ Books in the Eli Marks Mystery Series: THE AMBITIOUS CARD (#1) THE BULLET CATCH (#2) THE MISER'S DREAM (#3) THE LINKING RINGS (#4) THE FLOATING LIGHT BULB (#5) THE ZOMBIE BALL (#6) THE MAGIC SQUARE (#7) THE SELF-WORKING TRICK (#8)

The Magic Square

A delightful new take on the Charles Dickens' classic story, "A Christmas Carol." Think you know this story? Well, you haven't experienced "A Christmas Carol" until you've read it through the eyes of Scrooge's pet dog. It's the classic tale you know, now narrated by a dog. A greyhound named Carl. Ebenezer Scrooge-and his faithful greyhound, Carl-are visited on Christmas Eve by the ghost of his dead partner, Jacob Marley. What follows is the story you know, but with a twist. With faithful Carl by his side, Scrooge experiences the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, taking away a lesson that will forever change his-and Carl's-life forever. It's the classic you love ... but now it's a slightly different tail! Grab it now! ★★★★★

A Greyhound Ghost Story of Christmas

A Christmas Carl

Charles Dickens

A delightful new take on the Charles Dickens' classic story, "A Christmas Carol." Think you know this story? Well, you haven't experienced "A Christmas Carol" until you've read it through the eyes of Scrooge's pet dog. It's the classic tale you know, now narrated by a dog. A greyhound named Carl. Ebenezer Scrooge--and his faithful greyhound, Carl--are visited on Christmas Eve by the ghost of his dead partner, Jacob Marley. What follows is the story you know, but with a twist. With faithful Carl by his side, Scrooge experiences the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, taking away a lesson that will change his--and Carl's--life forever. It's the classic you love ... but now it's a slightly different tail! Grab it now! ★★★★★

""For tonight, you can call me Jack."" When a copycat serial killer begins recreating Jack the Ripper's 1888 murder spree, two competing experts are forced to work together to stop him. Despite their well-documented antagonism, famous mystery novelist Barbara Thomas is paired with legendary Ripperologist Henry McHugh as they race against time to try to get one step ahead of the crazed killer. What they don�t understand--until it�s almost too late--is that his murderous spree is far more personal than either of them ever suspected.

The Ripperologists

David Housewright

Duane Swierczynski

Stuart Neville

Gary Phillips

William Kent Krueger

Nick Petrie

Randy Wayne White

Michael Stanley

Jenny Milchman

Lissa Marie Redmond

Jess Lourey

Michael Bracken

Michael A. Black

Reed Farrel Coleman

Lois Greiman

Eric Beetner

Scott Adlerberg

Jen Conley

Libby Fischer Hellmann

Kristi Belcamino

Jessie Chandler

Michael Allan Mallory

Terrence McCauley

Don Bruns

Gary R. Bush

Austin Camacho

Dave Case

Case Younggren

Edited by Rick Ollerman. Alphabetical list of contributors: Scott Adlerberg, Eric Beetner, Kristi Belcamino, Michael A. Black, Michael Bracken, Don Bruns, Gary R. Bush, Austin Camacho, Dave Case, Jessie Chandler, Reed Farrel Coleman, Jen Conley, John Gaspard, Lois Greiman, Libby Fischer Hellmann, David Housewright, William Kent Krueger, Jess Lourey, Michael Allan Mallory, Terrence McCauley, Jenny Milchman, Stuart Neville, Rick Ollerman, Nick Petrie, Gary Phillips, Lissa Marie Redmond, Michael Stanley, Duane Swierczynski, Randy Wayne White, and Case Younggren. Many of today’s top writers get together to celebrate the themes of books and bookstores (and even a tuba or two!) As we celebrate the life of Mystery Writers of America Raven Award-winning Gary Shulze, long-time owner of the legendary Once Upon a Crime bookstore in Minneapolis. Gary left an indelible mark on the crime fiction community across the world before he passed away in 2016 due to complications from leukemia. Join as Duane Swierczynski, William Kent Krueger, Randy Wayne White, Jess Lourey, Stuart Neville and more come together in this tribute to a man whose legacy will not be forgotten.

Blood Work

Murder at the Mall of America When a magician is murdered in the midst of his act at the Mall of America, Eli Marks is asked to step in and take over the daily shows--while also keeping his eyes and ears open for clues about this bizarre homicide. As Eli combs the maze-like corridors beneath the Mall of America's massive amusement park looking for leads, he also struggles to learn and perform an entirely new magic act. Meanwhile, the long-time watering hole for Uncle Harry and his Mystics pals is closing. So in addition to the murder investigation and the new act, Eli must help the grumpy (and picky) seniors find a suitable new hang out. * * * "If David Copperfield and Sherlock Holmes had a child, it would be Eli Marks." Praise for THE ELI MARKS MYSTERY SERIES: "You will just LOVE these books." VANISH Magazine "This is an instant classic, in a league with Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett and Arthur Conan Doyle." - John Lehman, Rosebud Book Reviews "It's full of magic, mystery, danger and misdirection, as a good magic trick should be. I love this cozy mystery series, a thoroughly delightful read." - Sweet Mystery Books "Before I had even finished the first chapter I had fallen in love with Eli. He is intelligent, sensitive, witty and, suddenly, the main suspect in a series of murders...well written, fast paced and exciting." - The Frugal Mennonite "This story is very well written and fun to read. I would definitely read another Eli Marks Mystery!" - A Simple Taste for Reading "Gaspard's latest Eli Marks mystery has as many tricks up its sleeve as its likable magician-hero. As the body count rises, so does the reading pleasure." - Dennis Palumbo, Author of the Daniel Rinaldi Mystery Series and Co-Writer of My Favorite Year "Readers, get ready for your mind to expand as Eli Marks returns and uses his powers of prestidigitation, intuition and deduction to solve another mystery. If David Copperfield and Sherlock Holmes had a child, it would be Eli Marks." - Scott Wells, The Magic Word Podcast "An intriguing cross between noir and cozy, with fascinating details about magic tricks and plenty of quirky characters. An easy, enjoyable read for mystery buffs seeking a bit of an escape from the usual crime fiction fare." - Library Journal "A finely-tuned, diabolical, sneaky, smart, stylish mix of magic and mayhem that plunges our hero Eli through a tangled web of danger and deceit that'll keep you guessing." - Steve Spill, Magician and Author of I Lie For Money "This book reminded me of the Nick and Nora Charles adventures-slightly noir and slightly zany. An enjoyable read." - Victoria Kemp, Librarian at Flower Mound Public Library "Hands-down the funniest thing I have read in a long time, expertly paced and hilariously detailed." - Seattle Book Mama "I loved this book. From beginning to end I was hooked. The story is fantastic and the cast leaves you wanting to know more. I can't wait to read the next book in the series." - Bookshelves

(an Eli Marks Mystery) (Volume 5)

The Floating Light Bulb

A Blast From the Past Eli's asked to perform his magic act at a swanky charity gala, The Zombie Ball- a former zombie pub crawl which has grown into an annual high-class social event. What begins as a typical stage show for Eli turns deadly when two of the evening's sponsors are found murdered under truly unusual circumstances. Compounding this drama is the presence of Eli's ex-wife and her new husband, Homicide Detective Fred Hutton. Under pressure to solve the crime before the 800 guests depart, Eli and his detective nemesis go head-to-head to uncover the bizarre clues that will unravel this macabre mystery. Praise for the Eli Marks Mystery Series "An intriguing cross between noir and cozy, with fascinating details about magic tricks and plenty of quirky characters. An easy, enjoyable read for mystery buffs seeking a bit of an escape from the usual crime fiction fare." - Library Journal "A finely-tuned, diabolical, sneaky, smart, stylish mix of magic and mayhem that plunges our hero Eli through a tangled web of danger and deceit that'll keep you guessing." - Steve Spill, Magician and Author of I Lie For Money "With twists and turns, flurries of romance, and a cast of characters that seem to be the unholy spawn of The Maltese Falcon and The Third Man, The Miser's Dream keeps the pages turning and the reader delighted from start to finish." - Jeffrey Hatcher, Screenwriter, Mr. Holmes "I loved this book. From beginning to end I was hooked. The story is fantastic and the cast leaves you wanting to know more. I can't wait to read the next book in the series." - Bookschellves "This is an instant classic, in a league with Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett and Arthur Conan Doyle." - Rosebud Book Reviews "Has as many tricks up its sleeve as its likeable magician-hero. As the body count rises, so does the reading pleasure." - Dennis Palumbo, Author of the Daniel Rinaldi Mystery Series "A wonderfully engaging, delightfully tricky bit of mystery. Fans of magic will delight in John Gaspard's artful use of the world of magicians, onstage and offstage. It's a great story and great fun!" - Jim Steinmeyer, Author of Hiding the Elephant: How Magicians Invented the Impossible and Learned to Disappear "A real winner of magical proportions. Filled with snappy, delightful dialogue and plenty of sleight-of-hand humor, Gaspard's latest mystery in the Eli Marks series does not disappoint." - Jessie Chandler, Author of the Shay O'Hanlon Series "The author does a fantastic job juggling the separate plots and keeping readers' minds thoroughly engaged...and the pure entertainment of the industry will leave all readers hoping that there will be a 'number three' very soon." - Suspense Magazine "The Ambitious Card is intelligently written and...entirely engrossing." - Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine "The deftly-plotted mystery is enriched by Eli's relationships with his ex-wife, her new husband, his old-school stage magician Uncle Harry, and an interesting collection of people and places in and around St. Paul...This stylish novel is filled with interesting details, snappy dialogue, and appealing characters." - More Than a Review "This story is very well-written and fun to read. I would definitely read another Eli Marks Mystery." - A Simple Taste for Reading

(An Eli Marks Mystery Book 6)

The Zombie Ball

Dying to make a feature? Learn from the pros! "We never put out an actual textbook for the Corman School of Filmmaking, but if we did, it would be Fast, Cheap and Under Control."—Roger Corman, Producer ★★★★★ It’s like taking a Master Class in moviemaking…all in one book! Jonathan Demme: The value of cameos John Sayles: Writing to your resources Peter Bogdanovich: Long, continuous takes John Cassavetes: Re-Shoots Steven Soderbergh: Rehearsals George Romero: Casting Kevin Smith: Skipping film school Jon Favreau: Creating an emotional connection Richard Linklater: Poverty breeds creativity David Lynch: Kill your darlings Ron Howard: Pre-production planning John Carpenter: Going low-tech Robert Rodriguez: Sound thinking And more! Learn the tricks and pitfalls of low-budget filmmaking from 33 successful independent films and the filmmakers who created them. Includes never before published interviews with low-budget mavericks such as Steven Soderbergh, Roger Corman, Jon Favreau, Henry Jaglom, and many more. Learn the lessons from such classics as Clerks, Night of the Living Dead, Swingers, Open Water, El Mariachi, Slacker, sex, lies and videotape, The Blair Witch Project, Eraserhead, Monty Python & The Holy Grail, Dark Star, Return of the Secaucus Seven, The Little Shop of Horrors, Caged Heat and Targets. Are you dying to make a movie? This is the one book that can help you make it a reality. Grab it now! ★★★★★ Praise for the Fast, Cheap and Under Control: "This terrific little book explains how to make every penny count on the often-arduous journey from script to screen." —John Carpenter, Director, Halloween, Starman, Escape from New York﻿ "A helpful and funny guide for beginners and professionals alike." —Jonathan Demme, Director, Silence of the Lambs "This book is as good as film school, and a lot less expensive. It's required reading in Tromaville." —Lloyd Kaufman, President, Troma Entertainment, Creator, Toxic Avenger "I wish I’d read this book before I made Re-Animator."—Stuart Gordon, director, Re-Animator "This simple and sensible book injects reality into the process and helps any filmmaker prevent their film from becoming a money pit. Lessons like those in this book are cheap at ten times the price."—John Badham, director, Saturday Night Fever, Dracula, Blue Thunder "For everyone who wants to make art without breaking the bank, John Gaspard’s book is worth every penny."—Derek Pell, Editor, DingBat Magazine "A richly-detailed, highly readable and inspiring book jam-packed with information that will keep low-budget filmmakers from making costly mistakes. Filled with a ton-full (not a spoonful) of fascinating, insightful interviews, with a you-can-do-it approach."—Dr. Linda Seger, consultant on over 2,000 screenplays, best-selling author of Making a Good Script Great and 7 other books

Lessons Learned From the Greatest Low-Budget Movies of All Time

Fast, Cheap & Under Control

The request was a first for Eli Marks: “Can you help me make my tuba disappear?” Magician (and magic shop owner) Eli Marks is confronted with this odd demand just before he is about to close up shop for the day. Over the next few tense minutes, he finds a solution to that question which also, fortunately, puts him the positive side of what turns out to be a life-or-death situation. "You will just LOVE these books.”– VANISH Magazine ★★★★★ Praise for Eli Marks Mystery Series: "If David Copperfield and Sherlock Holmes had a child, it would be Eli Marks.”—The Magic Word Podcast “This is an instant classic, in a league with Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett and Arthur Conan Doyle.”—Rosebud Book Reviews “It’s full of magic, mystery, danger and misdirection, as a good magic trick should be. I love this cozy mystery series, a thoroughly delightful read.”—Sweet Mystery Books “Before I had even finished the first chapter I had fallen in love with Eli. He is intelligent, sensitive, witty and, suddenly, the main suspect in a series of murders…well written, fast-paced and exciting.”—The Frugal Mennonite “This story is very well written and fun to read. I would definitely read another Eli Marks Mystery!”_A Simple Taste for Reading “Hands-down the funniest thing I have read in a long time, expertly paced and hilariously detailed.”—Seattle Book Mama ★★★★★ Books in the Eli Marks Mystery Series: THE AMBITIOUS CARD (#1) THE BULLET CATCH (#2) THE MISER'S DREAM (#3) THE LINKING RINGS (#4) THE FLOATING LIGHT BULB (#5) THE ZOMBIE BALL (#6) THE MAGIC SQUARE (#7) THE INVISIBLE ASSISTANT (Short Story) THE LAST CUSTOMER (Short Story)

The Last Customer (An Eli Marks Short Mystery Comic E-Book)

Two Eli Marks Short Mysteries in One Bundle! "You will just LOVE these books.” – VANISH Magazine ★★★★★ The Invisible Assistant There's no question it was murder. But who killed whom? What begins as a typical corporate event for magician Eli Marks turns into a twisted mystery when he is called to the site of a recent murder/suicide. Confronted by the details of the grisly crime scene, Eli must sort through the post-mortem clues - and the bickering of the officials as well as a poorly-timed allergy attack - to determine just who murdered whom. ★★★★★ The Last Customer The request was a first for Eli Marks: "Can you help me make my tuba disappear?" Magician (and magic shop owner) Eli Marks is confronted with this odd demand just before he is about to close up shop for the day. Over the next few tense minutes, he finds a solution to that question which also, fortunately, puts him the positive side of what turns out to be a life-or-death situation. ★★★★★ PRAISE FOR THE ELI MARKS MYSTERY SERIES “This is an instant classic, in a league with Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett and Arthur Conan Doyle.” – John Lehman, Rosebud Book Reviews “It’s full of magic, mystery, danger and misdirection, as a good magic trick should be. I love this cozy mystery series, a thoroughly delightful read.” – Sweet Mystery Books “Before I had even finished the first chapter I had fallen in love with Eli. He is intelligent, sensitive, witty and, suddenly, the main suspect in a series of murders…well written, fast-paced and exciting.” – The Frugal Mennonite “This story is very well written and fun to read. I would definitely read another Eli Marks Mystery!” – A Simple Taste for Reading “Gaspard's latest Eli Marks mystery has as many tricks up its sleeve as its likable magician-hero. As the body count rises, so does the reading pleasure.” – Dennis Palumbo, Author of the Daniel Rinaldi Mystery Series and Co-Writer of My Favorite Year “Readers, get ready for your mind to expand as Eli Marks returns and uses his powers of prestidigitation, intuition and deduction to solve another mystery. If David Copperfield and Sherlock Holmes had a child, it would be Eli Marks.” – Scott Wells, The Magic Word Podcast “An intriguing cross between noir and cozy, with fascinating details about magic tricks and plenty of quirky characters. An easy, enjoyable read for mystery buffs seeking a bit of an escape from the usual crime fiction fare.” – Library Journal “A finely-tuned, diabolical, sneaky, smart, stylish mix of magic and mayhem that plunges our hero Eli through a tangled web of danger and deceit that’ll keep you guessing.” – Steve Spill, Magician and Author of I Lie For Money “This book reminded me of the Nick and Nora Charles adventures—slightly noir and slightly zany. An enjoyable read.”– Victoria Kemp, Librarian at Flower Mound Public Library “Hands-down the funniest thing I have read in a long time, expertly paced and hilariously detailed.” – Seattle Book Mama “I loved this book. From beginning to end I was hooked. The story is fantastic and the cast leaves you wanting to know more. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.” – Bookshelves

"The Invisible Assistant" & "The Last Customer": Two short-story cozy mysteries in one!

The Eli Marks Short Mystery Bundle

More Twisty, Tricky Tales and Mysteries to enjoy with Eli Marks It’s just one thing after another for magician Eli Marks: The bizarre death of a barista. Performing close-up magic at a funeral. A homicidal husband looking for ideas. An unexpected customer encounter. An impossible stabbing during a show. A Halloween murder. A life-changing magic lesson. A mystifying murder/suicide. A puzzling jewel heist and an even odder painting theft. And more! A dozen new Eli Marks short stories (ten never-before published). Which means you now have a dozen more reasons to spend some quality time with Eli Marks. Grab your copy and jump into Eli Marks’ world today! ★★★★★ Readers and critics LOVE the Eli Marks Mystery Series. “It’s full of magic, mystery, danger and misdirection, as a good magic trick should be. I love this cozy mystery series, a thoroughly delightful read.”—Sweet Mystery Books "An intriguing cross between noir and cozy, with fascinating details about magic tricks and plenty of quirky characters. An easy, enjoyable read for mystery buffs seeking a bit of an escape from the usual crime fiction fare."—Library Journal “Before I had even finished the first chapter I had fallen in love with Eli. He is intelligent, sensitive, witty and, suddenly, the main suspect in a series of murders…well written, fast paced and exciting.”—The Frugal Mennonite “The deftly-plotted mystery is enriched by Eli’s relationships with his ex-wife, her new husband, his old-school stage magician Uncle Harry, and an interesting collection of people and places in and around St. Paul…This stylish novel is filled with interesting details, snappy dialogue, and appealing characters.”—More Than a Review “This story is very well written and fun to read. I would definitely read another Eli Marks Mystery!” —A Simple Taste for Reading ★★★★★ Books in the Eli Marks Mystery Series: THE AMBITIOUS CARD (#1) THE BULLET CATCH (#2) THE MISER'S DREAM (#3) THE LINKING RINGS (#4) THE FLOATING LIGHT BULB (#5) THE ZOMBIE BALL (#6) THE MAGIC SQUARE (#7) THE SELF-WORKING TRICK (#8)

An Eli Marks Short Mystery Collection

The Self-Working Trick (and other stories)

The Linking Rings

Learn the tricks and pitfalls of low-budget filmmaking from 33 successful indepent films and the filmmakers who created them. This is the most important book an independent writer/director/producer may ever read. Includes never before published interviews with low-budget mavericks such as Steven Soderbergh, Roger Corman, Jon Favreau, Henry Jaglom, and many more.

Lessons Learned from the Greatest Low-budget Movies of All Time

Fast, Cheap, and Under Control

Two classic filmmaking books in one box set: "Fast, Cheap and Under Control: Lessons Learned from the Greatest Low-Budget Movies of All Time" Learn the tricks and pitfalls of low-budget filmmaking from 33 successful independent films and the filmmakers who created them. Includes never before published interviews with low-budget mavericks such as Steven Soderbergh, Roger Corman, Jon Favreau, Henry Jaglom, and many more. "Fast, Cheap and Written That Way: Top Screenwriters on Writing for Low-Budget Movies" Hollywood's top screenwriters look back at their early low-budget efforts and provide valuable tips, tricks, and advice on how to create a solid screenplay for a low-budget movie. Includes in-depth interviews with: Tom DiCillo (Living in Oblivion), Whit Stillman (Metropolitan), Richard Glatzer (Grief), Henry Jaglom (Venice/Venice), Dan Futterman (Capote), John McNaughton (Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer), Coleman Hough (Bubble), Rebecca Miller (Personal Velocity), Stuart Gordon (Re-Animator), Joan Micklin Silver (Hester Street), Ali Selim (Sweet Land), Stephen Belber (Tape), Eric Bogosian (subUrbia), George Romero (Martin), Bob Clark (Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things), Roger Nygard (Suckers), Alex Cox (Repo Man), Amy Holden Jones (Love Letters), Kenneth Lonergan (You Can Count On Me), Dylan Kidd (Roger Dodger), LM Kit Carson (Paris, Texas), Kasi Lemmons (Eve's Bayou), and Miranda July (Me and You and Everyone We Know). *** "We never put out an actual textbook for the Corman School of Filmmaking, but if we did, it would be Fast, Cheap and Under Control." —Roger Corman, Producer, New Horizons "This terrific little book explains how to make every penny count on the often arduous journey from script to screen." —John Carpenter, Director, Halloween, Starman, Escape from New York "This book is as good as film school, and a lot less expensive. It's required reading in Tromaville." —Lloyd Kaufman, President, Troma Entertainment, Creator, Toxic Avenger "A helpful and funny guide for beginners and professionals alike." —Jonathan Demme, Director, Silence of the Lambs "Just when you thought the low-budget film topic had been strip-mined to death, John Gaspard and his merry crew of subjects hit a whole new mother lode."—Jon Pierson, Author, Spike, Mike, Slackers & Dykes "Filled with riveting stories of how a wildly diverse group of filmmakers, with very little money and an abundance of passion, determination, and courage, got their movies on the screen."—Michael Hauge, Author, Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds "Packed with war stories and savvy advice for beginning screenwriters, the interviews in Fast, Cheap & Written That Way also constitute a highly worthwhile history of the last quarter-century phenomenon called 'Indie Film.'"—Larry Gross, Screenwriter, 48 Hrs., Streets of Fire, True Crime "I wish I'd read this book before I made Re-Animator."—Stuart Gordon, Director, Re-Animator, Castle Freak, From Beyond "A perfect read for anyone who wants to write a film script or for anyone who just enjoys watching movies."—Fred Willard, Actor, A Mighty Wind, Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman "This volume is full of useful little nuggets of information and, as you might expect from a book of interviews with writers, many of the views expressed are completely contradictory. Pick and choose what works for you."—Jonathan Lynn, Director, My Cousin Vinny, Clue, Nuns on the Run, The Whole Nine Yards "John Gaspard has gathered the perfect mix of filmmakers, each of whom brings something vital to the party. This is one of those books you wish you'd read before you made your last film. Fortunately, you can read it before your next."—Jeffrey Hatcher, Screenwriter, Mr. Holmes, Stage Beauty, Casanova

Two Classic Filmmaking Books Together In One Box Set.

Fast, Cheap Box Set: Fast, Cheap and Under Control ... and ... Fast, Cheap and Written That Way

Is it your dream to make feature films? Get advice on how to do that by some of the best in the business! It’s like going to film school without ever leaving home. Valuable Lessons on Making a Successful Feature Film. Includes great tips and ideas from: Steven Soderbergh (“sex, lies & videotape”) Roger Corman (“Little Shop of Horrors”) Jon Favreau (“Swingers”) Rebecca Miller (“Personal Velocity”) Kenneth Lonergan (“You Can Count on Me”) Henry Jaglom (“Venice/Venice”) Miranda July (“Me and You and Everyone We Know”) Bob Odenkirk (“Melvin Goes to Dinner”) Dan O'Bannon (“Dark Star”) Whit Stillman (“Metropolitan”) Jonathan Lynn (“My Cousin Vinny”) Carol Littleton (“The Big Chill”) Dan Futterman (“Capote”) Joan Micklin Silver (“Hester Street”) Griffin Dunne (“Lisa Picard is Famous”) Stuart Gordon (“Re-Animator”) Kasi Lemmons (“Eve’s Bayou”) George Romero (“Martin”) Tom Noonan (“What Happened Was…”) Daniel Myrick (“The Blair Witch Project”) And many more! Topics covered include getting started, scripting, pre-production, production, post-production and distribution. An ideal handbook for all filmmakers, providing great insights that will help you whether or making your first film or your tenth.

John Gaspard

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