Eli Marks Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Eli Marks

For readers looking to dive into John Gaspard’s entertaining blend of cozy mystery, stage magic, and witty banter, the recommended starting point is the first novel, The Ambitious Card (2013). This book lays the groundwork for the entire series, introducing Eli Marks, a professional magician in his early thirties who works at his uncle Harry's magic shop, King Arthur's Court, in Minneapolis. It also establishes the core relationships of the series, including Eli’s comedic, slightly tense dynamic with his ex-wife and her new husband, a local homicide detective.

While each mystery functions as a standalone puzzle, the character development, relationship arcs, and references to past events flow chronologically. Reading the series in publication order is highly recommended to appreciate Eli's evolving career, his relationships, and the recurring characters in his magic circle.

Eli Marks Books in Recommended Reading Order

Here is the recommended reading order for the Eli Marks series, following the publication order of the main novels, short stories, and novella collections:

• The Ambitious Card (2013) – The debut novel where Eli is suspected of murdering a psychic he publicly debunked on live television. Eli must use his knowledge of misdirection to find the real killer and clear his name.
• The Bullet Catch (2014) – Eli attends his high school reunion, but the celebration turns deadly when classmates begin dying in ways that mimic a famous movie star's dangerous stage stunt.
• The Miser's Dream (2015) – A murder occurs right in front of Eli during a live magic performance, forcing him to untangle family secrets and rivalries in the magic community.
• The Invisible Assistant (2016) – A standalone short story that gives readers a quick, puzzle-like mystery featuring Eli and Uncle Harry.
• The Linking Rings (2018) – Eli and Uncle Harry travel to London to visit the historic Magic Circle, only for British magicians to begin dying under bizarre circumstances.
• The Floating Light Bulb (2018) – Eli takes a temporary gig at a mystery-themed dinner theater, where a simulated murder quickly turns into a real homicide investigation.
• The Zombie Ball (2019) – Eli is hired to perform close-up magic at a high-society charity gala, but the night is disrupted when sponsors are targeted in a series of gruesome murders.
• The Last Customer (2020) – A standalone digital short story focusing on a clever, quick-witted mystery solved inside the magic shop.
• The Magic Square (2020) – Set at a magic convention, Eli’s friend Abe Ackerman becomes the prime suspect in the murder of a rival mentalist. Eli must navigate a convention full of suspects to find the truth.
• The Self-Working Trick (2022) – The first major short story collection, gathering twelve tales (ten of which were brand-new at release) showing Eli solving various crimes, ranging from a jewel heist to the suspicious death of a local barista.
• The Professor's Nightmare (2023) – A collection of three novellas: The Professor's Nightmare (investigating creepy occurrences at a retirement community), Lost in the Shuffle (a road trip mishap), and The Square Circle (a kidnapping mystery during a surprise party plan).
• Magician in Trouble (2023) – A digital short story offering another quick puzzle in the Eli Marks universe.
• Twisting the Aces (2025) – Co-authored with Michael Varma. Eli and Harry visit the famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, where a legendary magician collapses and dies on stage while Eli is serving as his volunteer assistant.

Understanding Chronological Order and Prequels

While the adult mystery series runs chronologically from The Ambitious Card to Twisting the Aces, John Gaspard also expanded the universe with a special prequel designed for younger readers: The Curious Mysteries of Eli Marks (2021). This middle-grade book focuses on a 13-year-old Eli as he starts seventh grade and adjusts to living with his magician uncle and aunt following the tragic death of his parents.

Structure-wise, The Curious Mysteries of Eli Marks is highly interactive. Each of the first ten chapters presents a mini-mystery that readers are encouraged to solve on their own, and the second half of the book functions as a beginner's guide to magic, complete with instructions for ten real tricks. While written for readers aged 10–13, adult fans of the series will enjoy the origin story and can read it either first or as a fun companion piece at any point in their reading journey.

Subseries, Collections, and Co-authored Books

As the series has grown, it has incorporated different formats and collaborators:

• Short Story Collections: Readers who prefer shorter puzzles can pick up The Self-Working Trick or the novella-trio The Professor's Nightmare. These collections are excellent companions to the main novels, offering lighter, faster-paced mysteries.
• Co-authored Collaborations: The tenth book, Twisting the Aces (2025), represents a collaboration between John Gaspard and professional magician/educator Michael Varma. This partnership brings even more authentic Hollywood magic lore and castle history into the story.
• Titles Named After Tricks: Fans of magic will notice that every title in the main series (such as The Ambitious Card, The Bullet Catch, The Linking Rings, and Twisting the Aces) is named after a classic magic effect or routine.

What to Know Before You Start

John Gaspard’s background as a low-budget filmmaker in Minnesota shines through in his writing. The books are heavily dialogue-driven, featuring a cinematic pace, snappy humor, and a warm, cozy mystery tone. A major appeal of the series is its commitment to authentic magic. Gaspard consults closely with professional magicians to ensure that the methods, jargon, and stage illusions described in the books are realistic. However, he respects the magician's code, describing the performance and logic of the tricks without giving away real-world secrets in a harmful way. This makes the series a hit for both mystery enthusiasts and real-life magicians.