Book excerpt: Magician Eli Marks is the top suspect in a series of murders. His greatest trick? Not becoming the next victim. ★★★★★ Psychics are being murdered and all the clues point to magician Eli Marks: one of his playing cards keeps turning up at every crime scene. What begins as a simple Halloween magic show turns into a deadly cat-and-mouse encounter as the body count rises while Eli frantically attempts to clear his name. It doesn't help that his ex-wife's new husband is the lead Homicide Detective on the case. Or that Eli appears to be the only thread tying all the murders together. Then things get really complicated when romance blooms with a beautiful psychic who may—or may not—hold the final clue to this murderous mystery. Eli can't help but be drawn to her, even though falling in love in the midst of a murder spree is never a good idea. As all the pieces of this deadly puzzle begin to fall into place, Eli must use every trick he knows to uncover the true killer … before he becomes the final victim. “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 intelligently written and ... entirely engrossing.” – Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine Grab your copy and get started on this fantastic and funny series right now! ★★★★★ “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