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Mystery Maven's Magical Manipulation of Mirth and Mayhem!
Individual Challenge
Duration: July 1 to September 30 (3 months)
Standard Challenge Guidelines

This challenge has two parts! One is the Magic Show Mystery Wheel, which you will spin to determine which magic show you will witness. This one has your standard "read a book that fits this task" tasks. The other is Mystery Maven's Mesmerizer of Manipulation! (see msg #2 for details), which assigns you a word you must spell out.

You may work this challenge in whatever format you wish -- stick with only the magic show or do only the spell-out or do them both! Player's choice.

☸️Spin the Magic Show Mystery Wheel:☸️
https://wheeldecide.com/?c1=Stage%20I... to reveal the magic show you will attend! Fulfill any of the required tasks for your show. Partake in as many magic shows and tasks as you want before the magic show disappears!
(You may spin your first spin before start date so you can plan ahead for that first book. If your spinner lands on a spot that works for a book already in progress, you may use it for that task).

~*NO*, you may not re-spin if you are unhappy with your spins (with one exception, below).
~If the needle lands on a show you have already watched, you can spin again for a new one, or you may watch the same show again, until you tire of it or complete all 3 tasks.
~You must spin for only one show at a time! (No planning ahead!)

Standard Guidelines, unless otherwise noted.

       

🎩1. Stage Illusions: 🪄
Large-scale magic tricks. As the name implies, stage illusions are distinct from all other types of magic in that they are performed a considerable distance away from the audience, usually on a stage, in order to maintain the illusion. Famous stage illusionists, past and present, include Harry Blackstone, Sr., Howard Thurston, Chung Ling Soo, David Copperfield, Lance Burton, Siegfried & Roy, and Harry Blackstone, Jr. One popular example of stage illusions is the Zig Zag Girl, aka sawing a woman in half. The trick hinges on two things: that people will not suspect the woman is actually responsible for the trick, and the box is larger than it appears.
Read a book that:
*Has a female as the main character; or
*Title starts with Z or G; or
*Book has a plot twist or a plot where things are not as they seem at first

🃏2. Micro-Magic: 🪙
Also known as close-up magic or table magic, it is performed with the audience close to the magician, sometimes even one-on-one. It usually makes use of everyday items as props, such as cards, coins, cups, and seemingly 'impromptu' effects. Ricky Jay, Mahdi Moudini and Lee Asher, following in the traditions of Dai Vernon, Slydini and Max Malini, are considered among the foremost practitioners of close-up magic.
Read a book that:
*Has 52 intact in the total page count (this means a page count of 352 or 520, etc, works but a page count of 512 would not); or
*Is about a magician; or
*Has micro-magic props on the cover (playing cards, cups, coins, dice, balls, pebbles, pens, etc)

⛓️‍💥3. Escapology: ⚰️
Escapology is the practice of escaping from restraints or other traps. Escapologists (also classified as escape artists) escape from handcuffs, straitjackets, cages, coffins, steel boxes, barrels, bags, burning buildings, fish-tanks and other perils, often in combination. Harry Houdini is a well-known example of an escapologist.
Read a book that:
* Has an Alliterative Title (title must have at least two words in a row with the same starting letter/sound, other than articles or conjunctions!!) examples: Lost Lake or The Wind in the Willows; or
*Contains the word Escape (or variants) in the Title or Series Name; or
*Plot involves a character escaping from someone or something

✨4. Pickpocket/Con Artist: ✨
Magicians use magic to misdirect and distract the audience while removing wallets, belts, ties and other personal effects. It can be presented on a stage, in a cabaret setting, before small close-up groups, or even for one spectator.
Read a book that:
*Is about a con artist/thief/morally complex character; or
*From the Confidence Men and Women in Romance Listopia; or
*Plot Includes a Heist Listopia

🔮5. Mentalism: 🔮
The mentalist creates the impression in the minds of the audience that the performer possesses special powers to read thoughts, predict events, control other minds, hypnotize, and similar feats. Mentalists are sometimes categorised as psychic entertainers.
Read a book that:
*Has a Main Character with any form of psychic powers/ESP; or
*Is MPG Supernatural; or
*Has a character named Patrick or Jane (named after the character from the TV show, The Mentalist)

6. 🎈 Children's Magic: 🐇
Performed for an audience primarily composed of children. It is typically performed at birthday parties, preschools, elementary schools, Sunday schools or libraries. This type of magic is usually comedic in nature, often involves large and colorful props (such as rabbits or balloon animals) and involves audience interaction as well as volunteer assistants.
Read a book that:
*Has a word in the text with double letters (like balloon/rabbit/school) - please note passage and short quote; or
*Has the word(s) "Magic/Magician/Magical" in the title; or
*Has a Main Page Genre: Children's/Middle Grade and is at least 200 pages (even if it does not fit the Standard Group Rules page count requirement!)

🎭7. Street Magic: 🎶
A form of street performing or busking that employs a hybrid of stage magic, platform and close-up magic, usually performed 'in the round' or surrounded by the audience. Street magic might involve feats of endurance or 3D Street Art. Some street magicians include David Blaine and Jeff Sheridan.
Read a book that:
*Is about any type of performer; or
*Tagged or MPG "magic"; or
*A book over 550 pages long (feat of endurance!)

😱8. Bizarre Magic: 😱
Uses mystical, horror, fantasy and other similar themes in performance. Bizarre magic is typically performed in a close-up venue, although some performers have effectively presented it in a stage setting. Bizarre Magicians often use authentic antique or simulated artifacts to enhance their presentations. Storytelling is also employed for a greater sense of theatrical authenticity.
Read a book that:
*Is a Main Genre: Horror or Fantasy or Paranormal; or
*From the Trippy Books Listopia; or
*Read This book ---> The Library at Mount Char (one of my favorite bizarre books)

      

A magic show is all about spectacle, mystery, and wonder! Here are some words that capture its essence. Spin Mystery Maven's Mesmerizer of Manipulation to receive the word you must spell out using the details below.

🌀https://wheelofnames.com/rgy-uwp 🌀

Spell out each word by using:
📒First word of book title or series title
📒Author first or last name
📒Character first name only
📒Pet names (as in a character's pet animal! NOT a person's cutesy nickname!)
📒Feel free to use OR ignore articles The, A, An!
*Books can be used twice, but each aspect can only be used once per book. Ex: author name for one letter, character name for a different letter. And you can use the same book twice for one word, or spread across different words*

ENCHANTING

SPELLBINDING

MYSTICAL

MAGIC SHOW

DAZZLING

BIZARRE

ILLUSION

THEATRICAL

LEVITATE

WHIMSICAL

MIND-BOGGLING

ELECTRIFYING

MESMERIZING

DRAMATIC

SHOWMANSHIP

PLAYFUL

BALLOON ANIMAL

HYPNOTIC

Charmbound Tokens

Gilded Keepsakes

Magic Show Audience

Completed Shows: 1/8
(view spoiler)[
🎈6. Children's Magic: 🐇
Read a book that:
*Has a word in the text with double letters (like balloon/rabbit/school) - please note passage and short quote; or
Page Fright pg 6 "craggy but attractive features"
*Has the word(s) "Magic/Magician/Magical" in the title; or
A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic
*Has a Main Page Genre: Children's/Middle Grade and is at least 200 pages
A Place to Hang the Moon

(hide spoiler)]
Current Show:
🎭7. Street Magic: 🎶
Read a book that:
*Is about any type of performer; or
No One Leaves the Castle
*Tagged or MPG "magic"; or
A Fellowship of Librarians & Dragons
*A book over 550 pages long (feat of endurance!)

Completed Words: 3/18
(view spoiler)[
D Down Among the Sticks and Bones
R Wild Fae Primrose for character Robin
A Icing on the Case for character Anne
M Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire
A The Golden Gate by Amy Chua
T The Golden Gate
I Icing on the Case
C Wild Fae Primrose for Court of Midsummer Mayhem series

D A Fateful Sentence for character Diana
A A Fatal Yarn
Z The Mermaid Mystery for character Zoe
Z The Hitchcock Hotel for character Zoe
L A Fatal Yarn for pet Lady Latte
I Gone Rogue for character Iko
N Red Lipstick Kisses and Small Town Wishes for character Noah
G Gone Rogue

L I Survived the San Francisco Earthquake, 1906 by Lauren Tarshis
E The Dark King and the Eternal Dance in the Ever After in Vilastoria series
V Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
I I Survived the San Francisco Earthquake, 1906
T Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers for character Tilbert
A The Dark King and the Eternal Dance by Alesha Adamson
T Cajun Kiss of Death for character Tug
E Cajun Kiss of Death by Ellen Byron
(hide spoiler)]
Current Word:
M The Mermaid Mystery
I
N
D The Wicked Ones in Dark Ascension series
B The Beast Within
O Night of Secrets for character Olivia
G The Beast Within for character Gaston
G The Mermaid Mystery for character Gunther
L The Wicked Ones for pet Lucifer
I
N Night of Secrets
G

Mystery Maven's Magical Manipulation of Mirth and Mayhem!
July 1 to September 30
Shows completed: 3

✨4. Pickpocket/Con Artist: ✨
*Is about a morally complex character
Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris 2/7 3★

(title, series, author, CFN, pet, use twice)

B- Belgarath - Seeress of Kell by David Eddings 13/7 3★
A- A Killing of Angels by Kate Rhodes 8/7 3.5★
L- Lorraine - A Killing of Angels by Kate Rhodes 8/7 3.5★
L- The Library at Wagtail Ridge by Janet Gover 11/7 4★
O- Roses for Harriet by Patricia Oliver 7/7 4★ 224p
O- Ollie (dog) - The Library at Wagtail Ridge by Janet Gover 11/7 4★
N- New York to Dallas by J.D. Robb 4/7 4★

A- Arianna - Chaos in Death by J.D. Robb 5/7 3★
N- Grandghost by Nancy Springer 5/7 3★
I- In Death - New York to Dallas by J.D. Robb 4/7 4★
M- Malloreon - Seeress of Kell by David Eddings 13/7 3★
A- Alcide - Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris 9/7 2★
L- Lee Von - Grandghost by Nancy Springer 5/7 3★


⛓️‍💥3. Escapology: ⚰️
*Plot involves a character escaping from someone or something - MC escapes from a mind-link with Eric
Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris 19/7 3.5★ 336p

M- Mizuki - Fault Lines by Emily Itami 24/7 4★
A- Anthony - Julia's Portion by Ellen Fitzgerald 21/7 2★
G- Galahad (cat) - Celebrity in Death by J.D. Robb 6/8 4★
I- Fault Lines by Emily Itami 24/7 4★
C- Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris 19/7 3.5★ 336p

S- One Last Gift by Emily Stone 16/7 3★
H- The Wife's Secret by Barbara Hannay 18/7 4★
O- One Last Gift by Emily Stone 16/7 3★
W- The Wife's Secret by Barbara Hannay 18/7 4★


😱8. Bizarre Magic: 😱
*Is a Main Genre: Fantasy or Paranormal
Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder 17/8 2.5★

P- Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder 16/8 4★
L- The Lawson Sisters by Janet Gover 7/8 3.5★
A- Mr. Jelly's Business by Arthur W. Upfield 8/8 4★
Y- Yelena Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder 16/8 4★
F- Francis - Wobble to Death by Peter Lovesey 29/8 3.5★
U- Mr. Jelly's Business by Arthur W. Upfield 8/8 4★
L- Liz - The Lawson Sisters by Janet Gover 7/8 3.5★


🎩1. Stage Illusions: 🪄
*Has a female as the main character; or
The Fine Art of Invisible Detection by Robert Goddard 31/8 4.5★

D- DS Walker #3 - Opal by Patricia Wolf 4/9 3★
R- An Innocent Imposter by Sheila Rabe 31/8 2★
A
M- Mother's Choice by Elizabeth Mansfield 2/9 2★
A
T
I- An Innocent Imposter by Sheila Rabe 31/8 2★
C- Cassie - Mother's Choice by Elizabeth Mansfield 2/9 2★

Mystery Maven's Magical Manipulation of Mirth and Mayhem!

✅🎭7. Street Magic: 🎶

Read a book that:
*Is about any type of performer; or
*Tagged or MPG "magic"; or
*A book over 550 pages long (feat of endurance!)
Ice Station by Matthew Reilly Date read: 06/07/2025
How it fits: 708 pages

✅⛓️‍💥3. Escapology: ⚰️

Read a book that:
* Has an Alliterative Title (title must have at least two words in a row with the same starting letter/sound, other than articles or conjunctions!!) examples: Lost Lake or The Wind in the Willows; or
*Contains the word Escape (or variants) in the Title or Series Name; or
*Plot involves a character escaping from someone or something
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Date read: 07/07/2025 5 stars
How it fits: Morrigan Crow escapes froms the Hunt of Smoke and Shadow

✅6. 🎈 Children's Magic: 🐇

Read a book that:
*Has a word in the text with double letters (like balloon/rabbit/school) - please note passage and short quote; or
*Has the word(s) "Magic/Magician/Magical" in the title; or
Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman Read 10/07/2025 3 stars
How it fits: Magic in title
*Has a Main Page Genre: Children's/Middle Grade and is at least 200 pages (even if it does not fit the Standard Group Rules page count requirement!)

✅😱8. Bizarre Magic: 😱

Read a book that:
*Is a Main Genre: Horror or Fantasy or Paranormal; or
Oracle by Andrew Pyper Read 13/07/2025 4 stars MPG Horror
*From the Trippy Books Listopia; or
*Read This book ---> The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins The Library at Mount Char (one of my favorite bizarre books)

✅🔮5. Mentalism: 🔮

Read a book that:
*Has a Main Character with any form of psychic powers/ESP; or
*Is MPG Supernatural; or
*Has a character named Patrick or Jane (named after the character from the TV show, The Mentalist)
A Caribbean Mystery by Agatha Christie Read 15/07/2025 4 stars How it fits: Jane Marple is main character

✅🎩1. Stage Illusions: 🪄

Read a book that:
*Has a female as the main character; or
*Title starts with Z or G; or
*Book has a plot twist or a plot where things are not as they seem at first
Every Mother's Son by Alex Smith Read 17/07/2025 5 stars How it fits: What is supposed to be a religious commune turns out to be a baby farm

✨4. Pickpocket/Con Artist: ✨

Read a book that:
*Is about a con artist/thief/morally complex character; or
*From the Confidence Men and Women in Romance Listopia; or
*Plot Includes a Heist Listopia

Spell-out

✅MAGIC SHOW
M Murder in First Class by Helena Dixon Title Read 08/07/2025 4 stars
A Stone Cold Dead by Alex Smith Author first name Read 02/07/2025 5 stars
G The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths Author surname Read 05/07/2025 4 stars
I Impostor by L.J. Ross Title Read 15/07/2025 4 stars
C Lyrebird by Jane Caro Author surname Read 04/07/2025 5 stars

S The Dentist by Tim Sullivan Read 01/07/2025 Author surname
H Under a Blue Moon by Steve Higgs Author surname Read 02/07/2025 5 stars
O We Solve Murders by Richard Osman Author surname Read 16/07/2025 5 stars
W Wings Above The Diamantina by Arthur W. Upfield Author surname Read 11/07/2025 5 stars

✅MIND-BOGGLING
M Wedding Day Murder by Leslie Meier Author surname Read 18/07/2025 4 stars
I Ice Cream Murder by Leighann Dobbs title Read 01/08/2025 5 stars
N Night Work by Steve Higgs title Read 07/08/2025 5 stars
D Scones, Skulls & Scams by Leighann Dobbs Author surname Read 18/07/2025 4 stars

B Birthday Party Murder by Leslie Meier Title read 23/07/2025 4 stars
O The Ophelia Murders by J.M. Simpson Title Read 21/07/2025 5 stars
G Graves on the Fens by Joy Ellis Title Read 16/08/2025 5 stars
G The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux Author first name Read 23/08/2025 3 stars
L Louisiana Hotshot by Julie Smith Title Read 03/08/2025 4 stars
I Immortal in Death by J.D. Robb Title Read 04/08/2025 5 stars
N The Ninth Grave by Stefan Ahnhem Title Read 10/08/2025 4 stars
G The Golden One by Elizabeth Peters Title Read 02/09/2025 5 stars

ELECTRIFYING
E
L Lord Hale's Monster by Steve Higgs Title Read 04/09/2025 5 stars
E
C
T Taylor Swift by the Book: The Literature Behind the Lyrics, from Fairy Tales to Tortured Poets by Rachel Feder Title Read 04/09/2025 2 stars
R
I
F Four Past Midnight by Stephen King Title Read 03/09/2025 3 stars
Y
I
N The Night Stalker by Robert Bryndza Title Read 05/09/2025 5 stars
G

Mystery Maven's Magical Manipulation of Mirth and Mayhem!

Magic Show Mystery: 8/8
(view spoiler)[
🎩1. Stage Illusions: 🪄
*Has a female as the main character: The Ballad of Smallhope and Pennyroyal 7/21/25
🃏2. Micro-Magic: 🪙
*Is about a magician: Mind Over Magic (Plot has several magicians) 8/17/25
⛓️‍💥3. Escapology: ⚰️
*Plot involves a character escaping from someone or something: Leo (The MC has to escape from people looking for her after a robbery) 7/30/25
✨4. Pickpocket/Con Artist: ✨
*Is about a con artist/thief/morally complex character: Warping Minds & Other Misdemeanors (The MC is a con artist) 7/12/25
🔮5. Mentalism: 🔮
*Has a Main Character with any form of psychic powers/ESP: Growing Up Psychic: My Story of Not Just Surviving but Thriving--and How Others Like Me Can, Too 7/25/25
🎈6. Children's Magic: 🐇
*Has a word in the text with double letters (like balloon/rabbit/school) - please note passage and short quote: "And he worked for a school?" p. 47 Media Made Murder 7/16/25
🎭7. Street Magic: 🎶
*A book over 550 pages long (feat of endurance!): He Who Fights With Monsters (884p.) 7-4-25
😱8. Bizarre Magic: 😱
*Is a Main Genre: Horror or Fantasy or Paranormal: He Who Fights with Monsters 4 (MPG Fantasy) 8/18/25 (hide spoiler)]

Mystery Maven's Mesmerizer of Manipulation:
ELECTRIFYING
E:
L:
E:
C:
T:
R:
I:
F:
Y:
I:
N:
G:

Completed Spell-Outs: 6/18 (view spoiler)[
MYSTICAL
M: Fatal Friendsgiving and The Bow Wow Bakery CFN: Marshall 9/1
Y: Marshmallows, Mystery, and Mischief: A Pumpkin Hollow Candy Store Mystery CFN: Yvonne 9/2
S: Spells & Shelves 9/1
T: S'Mores and Spells CFN: Tim 9/5
I: The Gate of the Feral Gods CFN: Imani 9/4
C: Fudge, Funerals, and Fingerprints: A Pumpkin Hollow Candy Store Mystery CFN: Christy 9/3
A: Spells & Shelves by Elle Adams 9/1
L: The Ghost and Mrs. Jeffries CFN: Luty 9/3

DRAMATIC
D: Dastardly Deceit and The Bow Wow Bakery 8/29
R: Dastardly Deceit and The Bow Wow Bakery CFN: Rey 8/29
A: Treats, Tricks, and Trespassing: A Pumpkin Hollow Candy Store Mystery CFN: Albert 8/29
M: Maple Bacon Mayhem 8/29
A: Cutie Pies and Deadly Lies by Addison Moore 9/1
T: Treats, Tricks, and Trespassing: A Pumpkin Hollow Candy Store Mystery 8/29
I: The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries 8/29
C: The Case of the Man Who Died Laughing 8/29

Magic Show:
M: Medal for Murder 7/11/25
A: Cheddar Off Dead CFN: Archie 7/7/25
G: Germination 7/5/25
I: In a Sunburned Country 7/6/25
C: Fire Monks: Zen Mind Meets Wildfire by Colleen Morton Busch 7/1/25

S: Domestication by Seth Ring 7/1/25
H: Dark Whispers by Helen Harper 7/12/25
O: Carl's Doomsday Scenario CFN: Odette 7/9/25
W: Battered and Buried CFN: Wade 7/7/25

Theatrical
T: Dark Light by Jodi Taylor 7/15/25
H: Out of House and Home by Drew Hayes 7/20/25
E: Dark Light CFN: Elizabeth 7/15/25
A: Reborn as a Demonic Tree 4 CFN: Ashlock 7/18/25
T: Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett 7/24/25
R: Reborn as a Demonic Tree 4 7/18/25
I: A Right Shambles in York 8/2/25
C: Carpe Jugulum 7/24/25
A: Walking with Abel: Journeys with the Nomads of the African Savannah by Anna Badkhen 7/22/25
L: Dragons of a Fallen Sun CFN: Laurana 7/20/25

Mind Boggling
M: RVing My Way into Exile with My Beloved Cat: This Villainess Is Trippin' Volume 1 CFN: Mizarie 8/3
I: The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook CFN: Imani 8/6
N: Murder in a Mayfair Flat: A 1920s Murder Mystery CFN: Nigel 8/9
D: The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook 8/6

B: Bookshops & Bonedust 8/3
O: A Killer's Kiss CFN: Owen 8/10
G: Bookshops & Bonedust CFN: Gallina 8/3
G: Solid Gold Murder S: Golden Motel 8/7
L: What If... Loki Was Worthy? CFN: Loki 8/7
I: The Shady Chateau: a Provence Cozy Mystery 8/21 CFN: Igor
N: He Who Fights with Monsters 3 CFN: Neil 8/10
G: Dragons of a Lost Star CFN: Galdar 8/14

ENCHANTING
E: Death in Montmartre by Evan Hirst 8/24
N: Posthumous Education by Drew Hayes CFN: Neil 8/21
C: Perils in Provence by Carolyn L. Dean 8/21
H: Posthumous Education by Drew Hayes 8/21
A: The Shady Chateau: a Provence Cozy Mystery by Ana T. Drew 8/21
N: Murder in Paris CFN: Nicolas 8/25
T: The French for Murder 8/23
I: Marsupials Are Murder CFN: Inez 8/26
N: Death in Montmartre CFN: Nate 8/24
G: Murder at Moulin Rouge: A Captivating Whodunit Filled with Glamour, Intrigue, and Danger by Greta Sinclair 8/24
(hide spoiler)]

Mystery Maven's Magical Manipulation of Mirth and Mayhem!

Magic Show #1:
😱8. Bizarre Magic: 😱
Read a book that:
*Is a Main Genre: Horror or Fantasy or Paranormal; or
*From the Trippy Books Listopia; or
*Read This book ---> The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins (one of my favorite bizarre books)


Spellout #1:
📒First word of book title or series title
📒Author first or last name
📒Character first name only
📒Pet names (as in a character's pet animal! NOT a person's cutesy nickname!)
📒Feel free to use OR ignore articles The, A, An!
*Books can be used twice, but each aspect can only be used once per book. Ex: author name for one letter, character name for a different letter. And you can use the same book twice for one word, or spread across different words*

L
E
V
I
T
A
T
E

tasks
Round one
Escapology: ⚰️
Escapology is the practice of escaping from restraints or other traps. Escapologists (also classified as escape artists) escape from handcuffs, straitjackets, cages, coffins, steel boxes, barrels, bags, burning buildings, fish-tanks and other perils, often in combination. Harry Houdini is a well-known example of an escapologist.
Read a book that:
✔️* Has an Alliterative Title (title must have at least two words in a row with the same starting letter/sound, other than articles
Amy Chua 22 july 384 p.

or conjunctions!!) examples: Lost Lake or The Wind in the Willows; or
*Contains the word Escape (or variants) in the Title or Series Name; or
✔️*Plot involves a character escaping from someone or something

De groene oorlog Roué Hupsel 5 juli 207 p.M C police

Round 2
Task: 2. Micro-Magic: 🪙
Read a book that:
*Has 52 intact in the total page count (this means a page count of 352 or 520, etc, works but a page count of 512 would not)

Het kleine chalet in Zwitserland Julie Caplin 28 august 352 p.

*Is about a magician; or
*Has micro-magic props on the cover (playing cards, cups, coins, dice, balls, pebbles, pens, etc)

E Onder vrienden Linea Maja Ernst 7 july 272 p. ALN
N North Woods Daniel Mason 30 july 372 p. title
C De stille huisgenoot Clémence Michallon 7 july 352 p. AFN
H Het mysterieuze Kamogawa Café Hisashi Kashiwai 1 june 240 p.AFN
A De gentleman uit Peru André Aciman 1 june 176 p. AFN
N De vluchtelingen Viet Thanh Nguyen 208 p. 29 july ALN
T Saving Savannah Tonya Bolden 30 july 240 p. AFN
I Markering Fríða Ísberg 21 july 256 p. ALN
N Ik was negen toen ik moest trouwen Nujood Ali 192 p. 4 july AFN
G Het geschenk Gaea Schoeters 6 july 128 p. AFN
Round 2 :
P Honeymoon Patrick Modiano FNA
L De doden van de Pont Neuf Alex Lépic ALN
A The Book of Katerina Auguste Corteau AFN
Y
F De namen Florence Knapp AFN
U Dromenvanger Unni Lindell AFN
L Dood van een maestro Donna Leon ALN

Mystery Maven's Magical Manipulation of Mirth and Mayhem!
Duration: July 1 to September 30 (3 months)
Completed Shows: 2
Completed Words: 2

🪄🪄SHOWS🪄🪄
**If the needle lands on a show you have already watched, you can spin again for a new one, or you may watch the same show again, until you tire of it or complete all 3 tasks.

🎭7. Street Magic: 🎶
(view spoiler)[Read a book that:
*Is about any type of performer
The Wiener Across the Way ~ 07/03 (hide spoiler)]
🎩1. Stage Illusions: 🪄
(view spoiler)[Read a book that:
*Has a female as the main character
Dating-ish ~ 07/17 (hide spoiler)]
6. 🎈 Children's Magic: 🐇
(view spoiler)[Read a book that:
*Has a word in the text with double letters (like balloon/rabbit/school) - please note passage and short quote
Wildfire ~ 08/29 ~ "Your summer is going to suck." loc. 57 (hide spoiler)]

🔮🔮WORDS🔮🔮
**First word title or series, AFN/ALN, CFN, PETS
**Use OR ignore articles The, A, An
**Books can be used twice, but each aspect can only be used once per book.
MESMERIZING
(view spoiler)[
M ~ Mark is a character in All That Remains by Patricia Cornwell ~ 07/05
E ~ Espach, Alison author of The Wedding People ~ 07/06
S ~ Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris author of Dead Ever After ~ 07/03
M ~ Max is a character in Seven Year Itch by Amy Daws ~ 07/07
E ~ Esme is a character in Her Valiant Heart by Mary Waterford ~ 07/10
R ~ Rob is a character in The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian ~ 07/08
I ~ Iesha Bree author of The Due Date ~ 07/03
Z ~ Zach is a character in Undulate by Elodie Hart ~ 07/16
I ~ Immortal After Dark series by author Kresley Cole author of Dark Needs at Night's Edge ~ 07/15
N ~ Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws ~ 07/07
G ~ Gretchen is a character in The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden ~ 07/11 (hide spoiler)]
WHIMSICAL
(view spoiler)[W ~ Williams, Synithia author of Frenemies with Benefits ~ 07/19
H ~ Huang, Ana author of Twisted Lies ~ 08/01
I ~ Ilona Andrews author of Magic Shifts ~ 08/07
M ~ Masen, Kat T. author of Chasing Love ~ 07/23
S ~ Suzanne Enoch author of The Devil Wears Kilts ~ 07/23
I ~ Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole author of Dark Desires After Dusk ~ 08/24
C ~ Chasing the Wild by Elliott Rose ~ 07/24
A ~ Abby Jimenez author of Say You'll Remember Me ~ 07/19
L ~ Lorenzo is a character in Rock Chick Revolution by Kristen Ashley ~ 07/23 (hide spoiler)]

DRAMATIC

D ~ Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma ~ 08/30
R
A ~ All the Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles ~ 08/29
M ~ Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews ~ 08/31
A ~ Antoine Laurain author of The Red Notebook ~ 08/24
T ~ T.L. Martin author of The Black Wife Effect ~ 08/30
I ~ I'm So Not Over You by Kosoko Jackson ~ 08/27
C ~ Christmas in Spite of You by K.C. Mills ~ 08/25

Mystery Maven's Magical Manipulation of Mirth and Mayhem!
Duration: July 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025

Magic Show Rules:
~*NO*, you may not re-spin if you are unhappy with your spins (with one exception, below).
~If the needle lands on a show you have already watched, you can spin again for a new one, or you may watch the same show again, until you tire of it or complete all 3 tasks.
~You must spin for only one show at a time! (No planning ahead!)

Spell Out Rules:
Spell out each word by using:
📒First word of book title or series title
📒Author first or last name
📒Character first name only
📒Pet names (as in a character's pet animal! NOT a person's cutesy nickname!)
📒Feel free to use OR ignore articles The, A, An!
*Books can be used twice, but each aspect can only be used once per book. Ex: author name for one letter, character name for a different letter. And you can use the same book twice for one word, or spread across different words*

Completed Shows: 8/8
Completed Words: 6/18

Magic Show #1:
🎩1. Stage Illusions: 🪄
Read a book that:
*Has a female as the main character; or The Beach House - Jane Green 7/5/25
*Title starts with Z or G; or
*Book has a plot twist or a plot where things are not as they seem at first

Magic Show #2:
🎭7. Street Magic: 🎶
Read a book that:
*Is about any type of performer; or
*Tagged or MPG "magic"; or Honour Bound - Helen Harper 7/8/25
*A book over 550 pages long (feat of endurance!)

Magic Show #3:
⛓️‍💥3. Escapology: ⚰️
Read a book that:
* Has an Alliterative Title (title must have at least two words in a row with the same starting letter/sound, other than articles or conjunctions!!) examples: Lost Lake or The Wind in the Willows; or Daisy Darker - Alice Feeney 7/10/25
*Contains the word Escape (or variants) in the Title or Series Name; or
*Plot involves a character escaping from someone or something

Magic Show #4:
🎈6. Children's Magic: 🐇
Read a book that:
*Has a word in the text with double letters (like balloon/rabbit/school) - please note passage and short quote; or
*Has the word(s) "Magic/Magician/Magical" in the title; or Moonshine & Magic - Bella Falls 7/12/25
*Has a Main Page Genre: Children's/Middle Grade and is at least 200 pages (even if it does not fit the Standard Group Rules page count requirement!)

Magic Show #5:
😱8. Bizarre Magic: 😱
Read a book that:
*Is a Main Genre: Horror or Fantasy or Paranormal; or Murder in G Major - Alexia Gordon 7/20/25
*From the Trippy Books Listopia; or
*Read This book ---> The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins The Library at Mount Char (one of my favorite bizarre books)

Magic Show #6:
✨4. Pickpocket/Con Artist: ✨
Read a book that:
*Is about a con artist/thief/morally complex character; or
*From the Confidence Men and Women in Romance Listopia; or Fate's Edge - Ilona Andrews 7/26/25
*Plot Includes a Heist Listopia

Magic Show #7:
🃏2. Micro-Magic: 🪙
Read a book that:
*Has 52 intact in the total page count (this means a page count of 352 or 520, etc, works but a page count of 512 would not); or Darling Girls - Sally Hepworth 7/31/25 (352 pgs.)
*Is about a magician; or
*Has micro-magic props on the cover (playing cards, cups, coins, dice, balls, pebbles, pens, etc)

Magic Show #8:
🔮5. Mentalism: 🔮
Read a book that:
*Has a Main Character with any form of psychic powers/ESP; or
*Is MPG Supernatural; or Carpe Corpus - Rachel Caine 8/1/25
*Has a character named Patrick or Jane (named after the character from the TV show, The Mentalist)

Spell Out #1: BALLOON ANIMAL
B: Beautifully Broken Spirit - Catherine Cowles 7/6/25
A: Angela Elwell Hunt - Esther: Royal Beauty 7/2/25
L: Lyn Cote - Bitter Autumn 7/21/25
L: Leena Clover - Raspberry Chocolate Murder 7/22/25
O: Orion (MMC) - Rejected Alpha's Return - Waverly Sage 7/9/25
O: Objects of My Affection - Jill Smolinski 7/18/25
N: Nan (MC) - The Beach House - Jane Green 7/6/25

A: Anne Tyler - Three Days in June 7/7/25
N: Nicholas Sparks - The Rescue 7/8/25
I: If It Bleeds - Stephen King 7/24/25
M: Milman, Derek - A Darker Mischief 7/11/25
A: Anna (FMC) - Beautifully Broken Redemption - Catherine Cowles 7/7/25
L: Lea Wait -Twisted Threads 7/22/25

Spell Out #2: ENCHANTING
E: Elizabeth Pantley - Shifting and Shenanigans 7/25/25
N: Newman, T.J. - Falling 7/25/25
C: Charli Goodwin (MC) - Fried Chicken & Fangs - Bella Falls 7/24/25
H: Higgins, Kristan - The Perfect Match 7/28/25
A: Altha (MC) - Weyward - Emilia Hart 7/28/25
N: New York City Billionaires Series - Mr. Hudson - Mary Jennings 7/27/25
T: The Titanic Sisters - Patricia Falvey 7/28/25
I: The Inmate - Freida McFadden 7/29/25
N: Nora Sweeney (MC) - The Inmate - Freida McFadden 7/29/25
G: Glo (MC) - Shifting and Shenanigans - Elizabeth Pantley 7/25/25

Spell Out #3: MESMERIZING
M: Mellors, Coco - Blue Sisters 7/31/25
E: Eaton Clark (Character) - Family Tree - Barbara Delinsky 7/29/25
S: Sue Grafton - U is for Undertow 7/30/25
M: Myth Academy - A.K. Thorne 8/1/25
E: Eliot Rosewater (Character) - Slaughterhouse-Five - Kurt Vonnegut Jr. 7/30/25
R: Rhoda Nelson (MC) - God Don't Like Ugly - Mary Monroe 8/4/25
I: Iwasaki, Mineko - Geisha, a Life 8/2/25
Z: Zahra Girard - Razor 8/5/25
I: Incubus - Ann Arensberg 8/3/25
N: Notorious Series - Playing Dirty - Kiki Swinson 8/2/25
G: Geisha, a Life - Mineko Iwasaki 8/2/25

Spell Out #4: WHIMSICAL
W: Women’s Murder Club Series - 23 1/2 Lies - James Patterson 8/5/25
H: Hope Lonoff (Character) - The Ghost Writer - Philip Roth 8/6/25
I: It's Better This Way - Debbie Macomber 8/13/25
M: Marion Sylder (Character) - The Orchard Keeper - Cormac McCarthy 8/6/25
S: Stephanie Plum Series - Tricky Twenty-Two - Janet Evanovich 8/5/25
I: Ian McEwan - The Cement Garden 8/13/25
C: Cormac McCarthy - The Orchard Keeper 8/6/25
A: Antonio Perez (Character) - The Familiar - Leigh Bardugo 8/7/25
L: Lula (Character) - Tricky Twenty-Two - Janet Evanovich 8/5/25

Spell Out #5: MAGIC SHOW
M: Marshall, Kate Alice - What Lies in the Woods 8/18/25
A: Alex (Character) - Time After Time - Kay Hooper 8/13/25
G: George Smiley Series - The Spy Who Came In from the Cold - John Le Carré 8/15/25
I: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - Maya Angelou 8/22/25
C: Cleeves, Ann - The Crow Trap 8/19/25

S: Secrets In Her Eyes - Lexie Scott 8/14/25
H: Hooper, Kay - Time After Time 8/13/25
O: Omotosho, Tope - Yellow Hibiscus 8/14/25
W: What Lies in the Woods - Kate Alice Marshall 8/18/25

Spell Out #6: BIZARRE
B: Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil - V.E. Schwab 8/22/25
I: In the Time of the Butterflies - Julia Alvarez 9/1/25
Z: Zahra Girard - Rusty 8/30/25
A: Alice (Character) - Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil - V.E. Schwab 8/22/25
R: Red Queen Series - King's Cage - Victoria Aveyard 8/25/25
R: Ruth (Character) - Sunflowers in a Hurricane - Anne M Faye 8/29/25
E: Evangeline (Character) - King's Cage - Victoria Aveyard 8/25/25

Spell Out #7: SHOWMANSHIP
S: Sugar Lacey Series - This Bitter Earth - Bernice L. McFadden 9/2/25
H: Holmes, E.E. - What the Lady's Maid Knew 9/1/25
O:
W: What the Lady's Maid Knew - E.E. Holmes 9/1/25
M: McFadden, Bernice - This Bitter Earth 9/2/25
A: Alvarez, Julia - In the Time of the Butterflies 9/1/25
N: Natalie Fergie - The Sewing Machine 9/3/25
S: The Sewing Machine - Natalie Fergie 9/3/25
H:
I:
P:

Spot #2 (just in case)

Magic Show Mystery Wheel

Magic Show #1:
🔮5. Mentalism: 🔮
*Has a character named Patrick or Jane (named after the character from the TV show, The Mentalist)


Magic Show #2:
6. 🎈 Children's Magic: 🐇
Read a book that:
*Has a word in the text with double letters

Committed page 254 "...with Frank and Jodie and the stopping and committing of murders."

Magic Show #3
😱8. Bizarre Magic: 😱
Read a book that:
*Is a Main Genre: Horror or Fantasy or Paranormal


Magic Show #4:
🎭7. Street Magic: 🎶
Read a book that:
A book over 550 pages long (feat of endurance!)


Magic Show #5
🔮5. Mentalism: 🔮
Read a book that:
*Is MPG Supernatural


Magic Show #6:
🎩1. Stage Illusions: 🪄
Read a book that:
*Has a female as the main character


Magic Show #7:
🃏2. Micro-Magic: 🪙
Read a book that:
*Has micro-magic props on the cover (playing cards, cups, coins, dice, balls, pebbles, pens, etc)


Magic Show #8:
✨4. Pickpocket/Con Artist: ✨
Read a book that:
*Is about a con artist/thief/morally complex character


Magic Show #9:
⛓️‍💥3. Escapology: ⚰️
Read a book that:
*Plot involves a character escaping from someone or something


Magic Show #10:
🃏2. Micro-Magic: 🪙
Also known as close-up magic or table magic, it is performed with the audience close to the magician, sometimes even one-on-one. It usually makes use of everyday items as props, such as cards, coins, cups, and seemingly 'impromptu' effects. Ricky Jay, Mahdi Moudini and Lee Asher, following in the traditions of Dai Vernon, Slydini and Max Malini, are considered among the foremost practitioners of close-up magic.
Read a book that:
*Has 52 intact in the total page count (this means a page count of 352 or 520, etc, works but a page count of 512 would not); or
*Is about a magician; or
*Has micro-magic props on the cover (playing cards, cups, coins, dice, balls, pebbles, pens, etc)


Mystery Maven's Mesmerizer of Manipulation!

First Word:
B Author FN
A MC Annie
L Title
L MC LN Larios
O Title
O Author LN
N MC FN Nikki

A Author LN
N Title
I Title
M Author FN
A Title
L Title

Second Word:
W Author LN
H Author FN
I Title
M Author FN
S Title
I Author FN
C Author LN
A Author FN
L Author FN

Third Word:
L Title
E
V
I
T Title
A Author FN
T
E Series

This is my saving spot... :)

Mystery Maven's Magical Manipulation of Mirth and Mayhem!
July 1 to September 30

⛓️‍💥3. Escapology: ⚰️
*Plot involves a character escaping from someone or something
Hijacked by Lucy Lennox 4-July 3 start

M Matt Gutman The Boys in the Cave: Deep Inside the Impossible Rescue in Thailand
Y
S Secrets & Sake
T The Quiet House
I
C K.J. Charles Wanted, A Gentleman
A Eric Ambler Journey into Fear
L Limited Edition Husband


🃏2. Micro-Magic: 🪙
Read a book that:
*Has 52 intact in the total page count (this means a page count of 352 or 520, etc, works but a page count of 512 would not); or
*Is about a magician; or
*Has micro-magic props on the cover (playing cards, cups, coins, dice, balls, pebbles, pens, etc)

Reserving for future spellouts

Mystery Maven's Magical Manipulation of Mirth and Mayhem!
Individual Challenge
Duration: July 1 to September 30 (3 months)


Part 1

😱8. Bizarre Magic: 😱
Uses mystical, horror, fantasy and other similar themes in performance. Bizarre magic is typically performed in a close-up venue, although some performers have effectively presented it in a stage setting. Bizarre Magicians often use authentic antique or simulated artifacts to enhance their presentations. Storytelling is also employed for a greater sense of theatrical authenticity.
Read a book that:
*Is a Main Genre: Horror or Fantasy or Paranormal; or
*From the Trippy Books Listopia; or
*Read This book ---> The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins The Library at Mount Char (one of my favorite bizarre books)


Part 2

M:

Y:

S:

T:

I:

C:

A:

L:

Magic Show
July 1-September 30
4/8
8. Bizarre Magic
Is a Main Genre: Horror or Fantasy or Paranormal
Closer to Home
Completed 7/1/25
Escapology
Read a book that:
* Has an Alliterative Title (title must have at least two words in a row with the same starting letter/sound, other than
articles or conjunctions!!) examples: Lost Lake or The Wind in the Willows; or
*Contains the word Escape
(or variants) in the Title or Series Name; or
*Plot involves a character escaping from someone or something
Closer to the
Heart
Completed 07/5/25
MCs escape from a prison cell after they are kidnapped.
Completed 7/1/25
Stage Illusion
Read a book that:
*Has a female as the main character;
Closer to the Chest
Completed 07/13/25
*Title starts with Z or G; o
*Book has a plot twist or a plot where things are not
as they seem at first
By Any Other Name
8/4/25
Part 2
M-Bastionby Mercedes Lackey-AFN
Completed 07/27/25
E-Exile's Honor-title
S-A Study in Sable -title
Completed 08/27/25
M-Miss Amelia's List-title
E
R-Redoubt
Completed 07/19/25
I
Z
I
N
G

Mystery Maven's Magical Manipulation of Mirth and Mayhem!
July 1 to September 30

First Spin
🎩1. Stage Illusions: 🪄
Read a book that:
*Has a female as the main character; or
*Title starts with Z or G; or
*Book has a plot twist or a plot where things are not as they seem at first
With a Vengeance by Riley Sager - 7/2 - 4 stars

Second Spin
⛓️‍💥3. Escapology: ⚰️
Read a book that:
* Has an Alliterative Title (title must have at least two words in a row with the same starting letter/sound, other than articles or conjunctions!!) examples: Lost Lake or The Wind in the Willows; or
*Contains the word Escape (or variants) in the Title or Series Name; or
*Plot involves a character escaping from someone or something
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton - 7/19 - 5 stars - Escaping dinosaurs

Third Spin
6. 🎈 Children's Magic: 🐇
Read a book that:
*Has a word in the text with double letters (like balloon/rabbit/school) - please note passage and short quote; or
*Has the word(s) "Magic/Magician/Magical" in the title; or
*Has a Main Page Genre: Children's/Middle Grade and is at least 200 pages (even if it does not fit the Standard Group Rules page count requirement!)


First Spin
Mystery Maven's Mesmerizer of Manipulation!
📒First word of book title or series title
📒Author first or last name
📒Character first name only
📒Pet names (as in a character's pet animal! NOT a person's cutesy nickname!)
📒Feel free to use OR ignore articles The, A, An!


L
Looking for Smoke by K.A. Cobell - 7/10 - 5 stars
E
V
I
In Plain Sight by Ross Coulthart - 7/14 - 4 stars
T
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi - 7/16
A
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton - 7/19 - First name of MC is Alan
T
These Vengeful Gods by Gabe Cole Novoa - 7/25
E

Angie ☯ wrote: ""

It's baaaack!!! LOL

Unfortunately, I cannot post the image that pops in my head whenever I see your cute little sign, lol.