An exciting and twisty middle-grade debut mystery novel—perfect for fans of From the Desk of Zoe Washington and The Parker Inheritance—about the disappearance of a famous magician, and one boy’s quest to find the truth.
Spending the summer with his aunt as the only Black kid in a small Midwestern town was bad enough, but now Andy Carter’s summer has been effectively ruined. His dad’s parole hearing is postponed, he misses his friends, and—when an old barn burns down—he’s stuck taking the blame.
Andy is sentenced with helping the barn’s owner, a cantankerous old man, renovate his crumbling mansion—a mansion that hides a mystery. It was once owned by the famous magician the Red Nave. In 1954, the Nave was a wanted suspect in the town’s most infamous murder before disappearing without a trace.
The whole town is sure the Red Nave is guilty, but to Andy, things just don’t add up. Investigating a mystery from the ’50s isn’t the same as spending time with his dad, but Andy can’t help but be drawn into the Red Nave’s exciting world of magic and illusion. To solve the Nave’s final vanishing act, Andy teams up with another boy he doesn’t quite trust. Secret by secret, they try to uncover the Red Nave’s identity and learn why his last performance came to such a tragic end.
With a gripping combination of hidden doors, shocking twists, and deep emotional heart, Smoke & Mirrors asks the question: How much of the truth is what you can get people to believe?​
THE GREATEST MAGIC TRICK OF ALL?
GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER.
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On sale June 10, 2025 (Amulet Books)
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Reading Level: Ages 8-12
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Similar Reads: FROM THE DESK OF ZOE WASHINGTON by Janae Marks, THE PARKER INHERITANCE by Varian Johnson
FAQ:
What day will it be coming out?:
The novel is slated to release on June 10th, 2025, but you can preorder SMOKE & MIRRORS from your favorite retailer now by clicking here.
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What can I expect from SMOKE & MIRRORS?
I hope readers leave Andy's story feeling empowered and like they have a voice in the world. Some topics that this book covers include: a Black main character learning how to handle micro-aggressions and prejudice, twisting, spooky mystery involving magicians and a hunt for clues, dealing with bullies and learning to forgive.
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I want to feature SMOKE & MIRRORS in my article/blog/bookstagram. How can I contact you?
Thanks for your interest in reviewing SMOKE & MIRRORS. Contact me for more info!
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I am a teacher interested in hosting an author visit about SMOKE & MIRRORS. How can I contact you?
Please contact me for more info! I would love to speak about the book, middle grade mysteries, and becoming an author as well as other topics that might fit your curriculum.
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What day will it be coming out?:
SMOKE & MIRRORS will be on sale beginning June 10, 2025. It is available for preorder here.
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What inspired this novel?
SMOKE & MIRRORS was loosely inspired by my time working as a small-town summer camp counselor. There, I saw the way white children’s side of the story was always easier believed. I combined that experience with my mother’s unshakable belief that the only difference between illusion and magic is perspective. SMOKE & MIRRORS is my way of telling the story of frustration and perseverance, wrapped in a mystery that will keep readers guessing until the last page!
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