Contemporary · Hotels and venues across the UK
The Incredible Fontaine Mysteries
Magic, misdirection, and murder
Start here → The Premise
Barry Holt — a technically gifted but hopelessly uncharismatic amateur magician from Wolverhampton who performs under the stage name 'The Incredible Fontaine' — travels the UK with his wife Helena, an independent hotel consultant whose work takes them from property to property. Wherever they go, Barry stumbles into murder. His encyclopaedic knowledge of misdirection, deception, and sleight of hand gives him an instinct for spotting when something isn't what it appears to be.
Meet the Detectives
Barry Holt ('The Incredible Fontaine')
Amateur magician and accidental sleuth
Fifties, from Wolverhampton. Technically gifted — understands exactly how every trick and illusion works. Lacks the stage presence and charisma to ever be truly good as a performer. Has completely made peace with his mediocrity. Genuinely loves what he does. Warm, self-deprecating, quietly observant. Every book centres on a specific magic trick that mirrors the murder.
Helena Holt
Hotel consultant and Barry's wife
Capable, elegant, authoritative. Hired by struggling hotels to diagnose problems and turn them around. Her work determines where they live. The engine that moves their life around the country; Barry is the cheerful passenger who somehow always finds a body. Their long, warm marriage is the emotional heart of the series.
The Books (1 of 5 published)
Perfect For
Fans of cosy crime with a twist, magic enthusiasts, and anyone who loves a warm marriage at the centre of a mystery.
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