Magic Show

By: Lawrence Michaelis, Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff

Narrated by: Richard Ferrone

Length: 13 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Magic or miracles?

Gilbert Gilbertson, an inept magic clown whose biggest gigs are kids' birthday parties, suddenly develops skills in sleight-of-hand and stage illusions that confound expert magicians. He also begins affecting people in strange ways, as well as winning staggering amounts of money in Las Vegas, which he donates to the Catholic Church.

Jack Madison, an agnostic neurologist, debunker of miracles, and best-selling author, is asked to investigate the matter of Gilbert the Magic Clown. In pursuing the mystery, Jack becomes the unlikely partner of Joan Firestone, a beautiful Las Vegas detective and expert in casino fraud.

Enter a far-right fringe group within the Catholic Church, convinced that Gilbert is working legitimate miracles - miracles they believe will convince Catholics to return to more conservative ways. Jack and Joan land at the top of the group's hit list as they try to figure out how Gil Gilbertson does what he does.

Things culminate in the closing act of a Las Vegas magician's convention, when Gilbert performs what all agree is the greatest magic act of all time - a magic act that has unexpected and dire repercussions.

©2018 Lawrence Michaelis (P)2019 ARS Audio

A Magical Surprise!

I listened to this book because I’ve enjoyed some other books that mixed stage magic with a more typical mystery. I didn’t know what to expect since this is the author’s first book. Wow! I was really surprised how much I liked the book - I was drawn in immediately since the main character is a neurosurgeon and not the typical “detective-type”. Mix neurosurgery with magic - and add a dash of religious miracles- and you have a fascinating story of unexplained and unexpected events and the efforts people make to either label the unexplained as a “miracle” or debunk it as a fraud. Great story - not predictable or trite - and even a romantic thread for those who want more than just mystery. Highly recommended if you like a bit of magic!

Amazing, Thrilling and Mysterious

This book was an enjoyable surprise!

A new author that is at the same time a senior person with a scientific background and magic background created an incredible novel that combines well-documented science fiction thriller, love story, magic mystery, conspiracy theories, and police action. The co-author, Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff, is one of the best science fiction writers of our times. The result is an amazing book. Richard Ferrone performance is outstanding!

I listened to the complete book in one full day. I was unable to put it down until the end.

I am just buying the kindle version to give it as a present to my son that also loves magic and lives in Chicago!

I hope to read more of this.

Lincoln Child meet Dan Brown in LasVegas

This book showed up often as recommended based on what you are reading. The cover turned me off as I am not big on magic, I have been to Vegas and found the high priced show especially boring. That's just me . However, not finding anything in my wish list that turned me on, and knowing how forgiving Audible is regarding return of books, I decided to give it a go. I liked it.

!!!!Best new author debut!!!!

The Magic Show by Lawrence Michaells & Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff is a wonderful debut.
The publisher's summary gives almost too much information but leaves just enough out so that there is still a mystery here. I also found the summary to be slightly misleading.
This book is not about the church or the catholic religion. They only play a part in this story. This story is about Gilbert (the magician), Jack (the neurologist) who is a magic buff and Joan (the cop).
This really is a great book with a very twisted story that starts to get a little weird, or so you are lead to believe. But by the end of the book you find out that it was all an illusion (kind of)!!!!
Anyway, I loved it and give it my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!
Richard Ferrone does a fantastic job narrating.
If you found this review helpful please indicate so.
Thank You.

Younger narrator would be better

I found the narrators voice to be annoying . The story carried the book.
A younger voice telling this story would be better.

A Fun Program, Well Read and Presented

Lawrence Michaels knows what he's writing about, or at least he fully convinced me of his expertise. It's a compelling mystery with just a touch of, well, magical plot line. Really enjoyed it and look forward to another Michaelis, hopefully read by Richard Ferrone.

Magic and mystery at its finest!

“Magic Show” is an engaging book from start to finish. As a general mystery novel, it’s a grand tour of twists and turns. As a part-time magician myself, Lawrence’s magic references and the characters were even more intriguing. I haven’t written a review before, but this book was so enjoyable, I was compelled to share my thoughts. Maybe Gil made me do it. But you’ll have to read it to find out why. :)

I want more from this author

I can't remember when I enjoyed a book as much as I enjoyed this one. The author was a master at describing some complex ideas in an understandable manner. Religion, miracles, neurology, psychology, and more. The characters were believable. My only suggestion is that he needs to understand modern mixed-race couples. Some of his observations were at least 10 years out of date. I really hope this guy writes another book!

I highly recommend this to people who enjoy good writing!

love this book

the best story I've heard in a long time other than the Pendergast novels and I listen to it twice. happy ending love it

No magic here

I am at a loss to explain the positive reviews that this book has received. It is well intentioned, I guess, but wholly inept. Awkward writing, stereotyped and condescending characterizations, inept plotting, and a complete absence of mystery or suspense. I hung in for the entire book, unwilling to cut my losses because I felt that there had to be some kind of payoff at the end. But no, nothing whatsoever redeeming. By far, one of the worst books I have read in recent years.