Made it not quite half way, and even that was a struggle. I know I'm the minority, but I just couldn't get into the book. Characters, and there are a LOT of them, were over-the-top to me & to add insult to injury I don't really enjoy magicians/illusionist entertainment.

Don't like leaving books unread, but decided it was time to move on and read something I would enjoy...

A magic show for the boss' birthday! turns into the death of his wife. The police say it is suicide, but Grace doesn't agree. When her assistant, best friend and the magician's assistant combine to find the murderer the plot heats up. Clever, friendly, and easy to read cozy mystery. ( )

Toy company with an attached toy store, a magic shop, illusions, a stage show and murder all sound like an interesting setting for a story. Grace, our protagonist, has worked for the Straker Toy Company as a designer for ten years. Why, we’re just not sure because it’s definitely not a good place to work. When the boss’ wife is killed on his birthday on stage during a magic act she used to tour with, it’s ruled a suicide. But Grace knows that just doesn’t make sense and starts asking questions, putting her own life in danger.

Plenty of characters with a great deal of motive is the best I can say about this story. We don’t know whodunit until the author is set to reveal it. The biggest problem with the story is a lack of character building and a scattered plot. You will dislike some characters and be very suspicious of others, and that’s the most interesting aspect of the story. Other than the reveal of a detective’s background information to tell us other character’s histories, we really don’t know much about anyone. And that includes Grace who comes across as a doormat.

I almost walked away from this book a number of times. The beginning is confusing and much of the rest of it, while holding the occasional interesting scene or learning a new piece of information, was surrounded by filler that had you wondering why Grace continued to work there, or even why her boyfriend was dating her. ( )