Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Smoke and Mirrors
Smoke and Mirrors: Stephens and Mephisto 2 | Elly Griffiths
Brighton, winter 1951. Pantomime season is in full swing on the pier with Max Mephisto starring in Aladdin, but Max's headlines have been stolen by the disappearance of two local children. When they are found dead in the snow, surrounded by sweets, it's not long before the press nickname them 'Hansel and Gretel'. DI Edgar Stephens has plenty of leads to investigate. The girl, Annie, used to write gruesome plays based on the Grimms' fairy tales. Does the clue lie in Annie's unfinished - and rather disturbing - last script? Or might it lie with the eccentric theatricals who have assembled for the pantomime? Once again Edgar enlists Max's help in penetrating the shadowy theatrical world that seems to hold the key. But is this all just classic misdirection?
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
Magpiegem
post image
Pickpick

2/23 Not only is this book set where I live (so much so that the detective gets his coffee from the same cafe as me) but is is also based around the theatre so as an ex stage manager I also loved the details. It was a good mystery, with some likable characters (and some not so) and I think I would of enjoyed it even if it wasn‘t so full of my personal interests! Photo of the cafe! #nobuy2023 #fromthelibrary

PuddleJumper That looks lovely! 2y
27 likes1 comment
review
TheSpineView
post image
Pickpick

This is book 2 in the series The Brighton Mysteries. I am starting to really warm to the characters. I liked this book better than book 1, which I enjoyed too. The setting of these books is not long after WWII and I find myself enjoying the time period. Combine that with a twisty plot and it makes for a fantastic read. 4⭐️

#Scarathlon2022 @StayCurious
#TeamMonsterMash

emmaturi I have read the whole series up to date and it's really good. 2y
TheSpineView @emmaturi Good to know! 2y
56 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
rwmg
post image
Pickpick

Two children are abducted and their bodies found covered in snow and surrounded by sweets. DI Edgar Stephens leads the investigation, calling on the assistance of Max Mephisto as there seems to be a connection with the panto he is playing in.

Interesting mystery with some nice period detail, though Edgar seems to be more sympathetic to two minor characters who turn out to be a gay couple than I suspect a policeman in 1950 would be.

blurb
rwmg
post image

Ruthiella Fish and chips…😋 2y
12 likes1 comment
review
Aims42
Pickpick

Book 2 in this series was great! I enjoyed it more than the first book and I‘m hoping book 3 is great too (which I‘m listening to the audiobook this weekend while driving to see my family 😊)

review
MallenNC
post image
Pickpick

Of Elly Griffiths‘ three mystery series, this is my third favorite. I just haven‘t connected with the characters as much as with the Ruth Galloway cast and those in the Stranger Diaries and its sequel. But I still liked it because the story is well plotted and the fairy tale/panto parts of the story were unique.

This one works for PopSugar prompt reflected image/mirror in title

29 likes1 stack add
review
emmaturi
post image
Pickpick

The second book in the series set in Brighton, I have been enjoying this series a lot. I read it not in order, only book 4 left. I like all the regular characters and this time two children go missing DI Stephens is under pressure to find them. Max Mephisto is also around in a pantomime and there's a connection to the case there. I didn't guess the outcome.

review
JoyBlue
post image
Pickpick

Fans of Agatha Christie and her ilk might enjoy this mystery with theatre and fairy tale themes, set in 1950s England. Read my full review here: https://debbybrauer.org/#smoke-and-mirrors-the-brighton-myste...

42 likes1 stack add
blurb
Eyejaybee
post image

Easing into the weekend. The coffee is wonderful, and so is the book, second in Elly Griffiths‘ Stephens and Mephisto series set in 1950s Brighton. #fiction #books #bookstagram #crimefiction #ellygriffiths #smokeandmirrors #booksandcoffee #coffeeandbooks #caffeine #whodunnit #mystery #brighton

review
Crazeedi
post image
Mehso-so

The 2nd Stephens and Mephisto mystery
I have enjoyed the authors Ruth Galloway series, and wanted to give this series a try. It is okay but I find I'm not as engaged with the characters in the way I am with Ruth. DI Stephens is investigating a double murder of 2 children who went missing. His friend Max Mephisto happens to be performing in a pantomime in the same town.⬇️

Crazeedi Who would want to kill 2 young children , one who was a budding playwright? When a third murder occurs, time is running out to catch the killer. 4y
LiteraryinPA Interesting. I like the Ruth Galloway books (though I‘ve only read 4 so far) and the standalone Stranger Diaries by this author. I heard about this series but it just seemed so weird with the magician. I don‘t know. 4y
Andrew65 This series didn‘t do it for me either, it enjoying her newest series. 4y
Crazeedi @Andrew65 I havent read this one yet(I dont think)its been on my tbr 4y
61 likes4 comments
blurb
Lucy_Anywhere
post image

1. Ineffable
2. Duologies and trilogies - I like a strong overarching plot which is rare in longer series
3. I write a lot for work... very infrequently for pleasure. Maybe a goal for 2020
4. @LoverOfLearning @Balibee146 @Howseldomtheydo

review
Verity
post image
Pickpick

Really quite good. I liked the mystery, I liked the characters, I liked the Christmas setting - very seasonal!

blurb
Lucy_Anywhere
post image

@Meaw_catlady @sprainedbrain
This full moon is the festival of Loi Kratong here in Thailand 🙏 You make a little lantern of banana leaves and flowers, light a candle, and then float them as an offering to the gods

Meaw_catlady Oooh yes!! I got to celebrate when I was living in Chiang Mai! Such a lovely festival ! 💖 5y
sprainedbrain That sounds amazing! 5y
9 likes2 comments
blurb
Verity
post image

Current mystery read...

emtobiasz Oh, I like this series! I know many readers prefer Griffiths‘ other books, but give me a historical setting any day 🕵🏻‍♂️ 5y
Verity @emtobiasz I haven‘t read any of her modern-set books - I‘m more of a historical crime reader - I need the distance or I get scared/paranoid/miserable no matter how much I like the puzzle. 5y
26 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
janeycanuck
post image
Pickpick

I had forgotten a fair bit from the first book and I didn‘t feel this recapped the key moments from first book early enough that carried through to this book. But that wasn‘t enough to deter me from wanting to continue the series.

11/13 for #13books13weeks

blurb
janeycanuck
post image

Figures - I haven‘t felt like picking up a book at all this weekend and now it‘s 8:30 and I suddenly want to read allllll my books. Maybe it‘s because it‘s the perfect night to be out on the balcony with a book and a cup of tea?

blurb
CheeseheadSarah
post image

Today's view. Read the first in the series for my Get A Clue! mystery book club, and decided to go on to the second. Perfect Sunday read!

review
samharnold
Pickpick

Having read the first in the series I went straight onto the next. This is actually better than the first with a less obvious protagonist. Can't wait for the next one.

review
amrsprout
post image
Pickpick

#2 in series is just as good. I'm ready for the next one.

review
Amy_H
post image
Pickpick

Really built on the characters and relationships established in the first book. And the plot was more complex and shifty. The murderer really was a surprise.

blurb
Amy_H
post image

Just the Britishy Christmas thing--a Christmas pantomime, snow, and a murder.

7 likes1 stack add
review
emtobiasz
post image
Pickpick

🎩 The second in a historical mystery series about stage magicians in Brighton after WWII, Detective Stephens and his friend Max Mephisto the magician take on a kidnapper. The historical details about the theater are excellent.

PurpleyPumpkin Oooh sounds interesting. Stacked!📚 8y
25 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
MrBook
post image

#TBRtemptation post!!! I love a good mystery. @BookBabe & I are starting to like Cozy Mysteries. Lighters in the air for Flavia 😁👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻! Annnyway, I came across this handsome gem and thought I'd share it with all of you 😊. This is the second installment in what sounds like a very promisingly enjoyable series. Anyone read this or the previous escapade of Stephens and Mephisto? #blameLitsy #blameMrBook 😆

Centique Just like to give a Hurrah for cozy mysteries! 🎉🎉I just discovered these again recently. So much fun and perfect when the outside world gets stressful. 8y
minkyb Don't know this one but I do now lol. There are some old ones that I loved. Joan Hess had a character Arly Hanks from Maggody. Sarah Strohmyer had a laugh out loud character named Bubbles Jablonsky. @MrBook 8y
minkyb I almost forgot Denise Swanson's Scumble River series with Skye Denison @MrBook 8y
See All 8 Comments
jyurkanin Great book cover! 8y
Abailliekaras Love that cover! 😍 cheers to cosy mysteries 😉👏🏼 8y
MrBook @Centique 😎👌🏻👍🏻!! @minkyb Ooh, sounds great! I'll be checking those recs out, thank you, as always 😊👍🏻! @jyurkanin Right?! I like it 😊. @Abailliekaras 😁👏🏻👏🏻! 8y
Graciouswarriorprincess Cheers to cozy mysteries during the Fall and Winter months!👍😃 8y
106 likes13 stack adds8 comments