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Smoke & Mirrors
A Novel
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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?
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?
Extent: 272 pp
Format: Hardback
Publication date: 2025-08-29
Size: 21.0 x 14.8 cm
ISBN: 9781419770135
Praise for Smoke & Mirrors
***STARRED REVIEW*** "Ransaw’s fast-paced debut offers an introspective look at dealing with racism and ambiguous grief through the eyes of a preteen. Through an intriguing mystery, the story explores biases and preconceptions. A fast-paced, adventurous journey in search of the truth."
Kirkus Reviews
***STARRED REVIEW*** "Debut author Ransaw has done something extraordinary here in building a mystery that is as satisfying to adults as it will be to middle-school readers. Black readers in particular will feel empowered by Ransaw’s message of self-advocacy, emerging from the novel stronger and more confident. A worthwhile read for any mystery fan or anyone in need of a little magic."
Booklist
A fast-paced, multilayered mystery that will encourage readers to question preconceived notions and search for the truth in their own lives.
School Library Journal
What starts as a punishment transforms into a thrilling adventure full of twists, deception, and self-discovery, and Ransaw masterfully blends historical mystery with personal stakes...Young detectives who enjoy solving puzzles while navigating real-world challenges will appreciate this page-turner, and the book is ideal for anyone who believes that truth, like magic, is all about perspective.
The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
About the Author
Rosalyn Ransaw writes middle-grade mysteries with twisty plots and diverse main characters. She has a B.A. from Columbia University in political science and currently lives in Columbus, Ohio. When not writing, you can find her working her day job as a marketing manager, scrolling on social media, or brainstorming her next book idea. Smoke & Mirrors is her first book.
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