Magic, Murder & Mystery: Inside the Mind of Author John Gaspard

Magic, Murder & Mystery: Inside the Mind of Author John Gaspard

What happens when magic meets murder? In this episode of Dairyland Frights, host John dives into a fascinating conversation with acclaimed mystery author John Gaspard, creator of the Eli Marks Mystery Series.

From sleight-of-hand illusions to real-world storytelling, this episode explores how magic, mystery, and the paranormal intersect, and why sometimes the scariest things aren’t supernatural at all.

🔍 Episode Overview

John Gaspard joins the show to discuss:

• The origins of the Eli Marks mystery series

• How magicians think differently, and how that shapes storytelling

• Writing mysteries that are both clever and fair to the audience

• The blurred line between illusion, deception, and belief

• His thoughts on ghosts, the afterlife, and unexplained experiences

• Behind-the-scenes insights into indie filmmaking and writing

Plus… a real-life unexplained moment involving a disappearing cup of coffee that might just make skeptics think twice 👀

🎩 About the Guest – John Gaspard

• Author of the Eli Marks Mystery Series (10 books strong)

• Creator of the Como Lake Players Mystery Series

• Host of Behind the Page: The Eli Marks Podcast

• Indie filmmaker with multiple low-budget features

• Expert in blending magic, mystery, and humor into compelling stories

His work dives into the psychology of deception, something magicians (and killers?) understand better than most.

🧠 Key Topics Covered 🎭 Magic & Mystery Writing

• Why magicians make perfect detectives

• Using real magic techniques to solve fictional crimes

• Crafting mysteries where the audience has all the clues

👻 Paranormal vs Skepticism

• Do ghosts exist?

• What kind of evidence would actually prove it?

• The psychology behind paranormal experiences

✍️ Writing Process & Storytelling

• Outlining vs “discovery writing.”

• Avoiding writer’s block

• Building compelling villains without revealing too much

🎬 Indie Creativity

• The realities of indie filmmaking vs Hollywood

• Why storytelling should always come from passion, not profit

🔥 Standout Moments

• A skeptic’s take on ghosts that will spark debate

• The concept of “fair mysteries,” where readers can solve them too

• A real story about a vanishing coffee cup in a New York hotel ☕

• Why magicians understand deception better than anyone

🎧 Listen Now

If you love:

• Paranormal podcasts

• Mystery & thriller storytelling

• True crime with a twist

• Writing and creative insights

👉 This episode is for you.