Carter Beats The Devil

Sceptre 2001 (1st UK). First Edition . Hardcover. Fine. This debut novel is signed by the author. A fictionalised biography of Charles Joseph Carter (1874-1936), an American illusionist performing from c.1900-1936. He writes in a narrative style, and the book was hailed as a very respectable venture into historical fiction. The 1920s was a golden age for stage magic and Charles Carter (Carter the Great) is an American stage magician at the height of his fame and powers. At the climax of his latest touring stage show, Carter invites United States President Warren Gamaliel Harding on to stage to take part in his act. In front of an amazed audience, Carter proceeds to chop the president into pieces and cut off his head before feeding him to a lion, before restoring him to health. The show is a great success, but two hours later the president is dead and Carter finds himself the centre of some very unwelcome attention indeed. Gold is married to Alice Sebold, the author of The Lovely Bones and Lucky. Mint in Mint d/w with wrap-a-round band.