The Miser's Dream

The Eli Marks Mysteries, Book 3

By: John Gaspard

Narrated by: Jim Cunningham

Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2018 John Gaspard (P)2018 Spoken Realms

Enjoyable etory, good narrator, voice grating

Enjoyable story, good narrator, voice grating
This series is enjoyable and characters are engaging, very intriguing insight into performance magic. Sadly, the narrator, although having a tolerable speaking voice for the main character, but does terrible versions of voices for most other characters, esp uses horrible voice fry for all “older” character voices. Very unpleasant to listen to.

Love this series

I've listened to the first two books in this series and this third installment is just as good. I love the character, Eli Marks. He's an everyman who just happens to be a magician. I absolutely love how the author intersperses magic and magicians into the mystery. I totally missed the whodunnit but that's the hallmark of a good mystery.

The narrator has a great voice and cadence that is a perfect fit for this character. All in all, a very good listen.

Made for Movie Lovers Mystery

Definitely made for Movie Lovers with all of the movie references along with a Locked Door Mystery Death, coupled with a Mysterious Missing Infamous Film, and a constant reference to movies and memorabilia.

While being a Movie Afficianado is not a requirement to become enthralled by this tale, being a movie fan will certainly serve you well in being able to keep up with the constant movie, films, and Hollywood references.

A nice leather seats diner, London Foggy Streets, old muscle car, private gumshoe, type of tale, told by a passing magician, about an on-going murder mystery.

I recommend this meandering, enjoyable Murder, Mystery, Magic, and Movies tale to Movie Fans and the General Public alike, Enjoy!

Entertaining

Eli Marks does it again. I love this series. Eli is an entertaining and engaging character. I love the way he interacts with his uncle and the other characters. I also enjoy watching him puzzle through and eventually sole mysteries. I can't wait for the next book in this series.

Don't usually like mysteries...

but this one held my interest throughout. The intonation reminded me of beloved Hal Holbrook.

More Magic and Murder

This fun series just keeps delivering. Quirky and strange circumstances seem to come to the life of magician Eli Marks, with little or no effort on his part. And that's exactly what happens in Book 3, when he just happens to glance out his window into the projection booth of the movie theater next door . . . spotting a dead body. 😬 On top of that he has to deal with the competition of a world famous magician, cutting in on his territory, making him second guess himself, even with his girlfriend, Megan. I love the characters in the series, particularly Uncle Harry (who continues to amaze me 😁despite his age). I did not have a clue about who the murderer was. Great story and excellent resolution.

Nice Movie Themed Mystery

This is the 3rd book in the series and I have enjoyed all three. I liked the movie theme references, magic tricks, and the plot. The only thing that I found annoying was the constant reminder of Mr. Limes appearance. How many times do we have told what he looks like? Down to his yellow pointed teeth? I don't think we even know what the main character, Eli, looks like!!

Great characters and plot

What could be more mysterious and riveting than a magic trick? Only a locked room with a murder victim! Magician and amateur sleuth, Eli Marks is embroiled in a murder that has lots of suspects and more dead bodies. Not only does he have a murder mystery to solve but he also discovers a jealous streak that wreaks havoc on his career and love life. Hopefully, Marks can solve the murder before anyone else dies.

John Gaspard creates a classic mystery in which the solution is unique and exciting. Like magic, this story has an illusion that is masterfully crafted and executed.

A fun listen that keeps the audience guessing until the end. Great characters and plot that keep the audience engaged and on the edge of their chair. A unique combination of vintage detective mystery and cozy mystery. A delightful tale that keeps the audience engaged and riveted. Characters, as well as the plot, were well developed.

The narrator, Jim Cunningham, is excellent! His voice matches Eli Marks character perfectly with the correct amount of emotion and wonderment and mystery. He owns the book through his talent.

I highly recommend this book if you have a fondness for mystery, vintage movies, and magic. Part of a series, this book can be read as a stand alone too. Gaspar does a great job of capturing his audience with a unique character and mystery!

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.

I adore this quirky & unique series! Best one yet ❤️

I have both read & enjoyed audios in Gaspard’s Eli Marks series (6 to date). I love the uniqueness of the world of magic these mysteries occur, the main characters & their development. The tone of the writing makes this series a total delight to read & the narrator’s voice for Eli is “right on.” I highly recommend Miser’s Dream, but don’t cheat yourself - read the entire series. Recommended to readers who enjoy unique & quirky mysteries w characters you care about, touches of magic (Eli is a magician), interesting mysteries to solve, stories that leave you smiling at the end.

SO GREAT!!

Clever…chuckle inducing…fast paced…wonderful voice acting-what else does one need?!?! After listening to two entire series set in England and Scotland, it is refreshing to find a series based in the United States. The characters are so wonderfully written and so fantastically performed that I feel like I truly am right along for every twist set before me. The magic tricks intertwine so well with the multiple story lines that I find myself wishing I were a magician, or at least watching a show! Well worth the listen!!