100% NZ-owned | All books ship from NZ 📚

The Zig Zag Girl

The Brighton Mysteries 1
3.65 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 15,676 ratings, 1,755 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In The Zig Zag Girl by Elly Griffiths, set in post-World War II Brighton, a former magician-turned-detective navigates a dark and twisted world. When a woman is gruesomely murdered in a manner mimicking a famed magic trick, the detective must unravel connections from his past in a prestigious magic group to catch the killer. This intriguing crime thriller blends historical atmosphere and a touch of the supernatural.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2799
FAST NZ-WIDE DELIVERY Ships from our Auckland Warehouse
Add to Wishlist

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy post-war Britain settings and cleverly woven mysteries. If you're fascinated by the world of magic and illusions paired with a gripping crime narrative, you'll find this story of a detective delving into his past with a group of magicians particularly intriguing. With its suspenseful plot and rich historical atmosphere, it's a thrilling pick for crime and mystery enthusiasts.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

The Zig Zag Girl

The first in a new mystery series of post-war murder and magic from Elly Griffiths, creator of the bestselling Ruth Galloway novels.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Brighton, 1950.

When a girl's body is found, cut into three, Detective Inspector Edgar Stephens is reminded of a magic trick, the Zig Zag Girl.

The inventor of the trick, Max Mephisto, is an old friend of Edgar's. They served together in the war as part of a shadowy unit called the Magic Men.

Max is still on the circuit, touring seaside towns in the company of ventriloquists, sword-swallowers and dancing girls. Changing times mean that variety is not what it once was, yet Max is reluctant to leave this world to help Edgar investigate. But when the dead girl turns out to be known to him, Max changes his mind.

Another death, another magic trick: Edgar and Max become convinced that the answer to the murders lies in their army days. When Edgar receives a letter warning of another 'trick', the Wolf Trap, he knows that they are all in the killer's sights...

The Zig Zag Girl promises an intriguing blend of mystery and history as Edgar and Max delve into their past to solve a series of chilling murders.

Series: The Brighton Mysteries

View all

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Zig Zag Girl is praised for its engaging narrative and exceptional historical detail, offering a vivid depiction of post-war Brighton and its theatre scene. The novel is highlighted for its original and gripping storytelling, featuring an intriguing world of performers, including ventriloquists and sword-swallowers. The writing is described as both well-researched and subtly charming.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781784291969

Publisher: Quercus Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 16 July 2015

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Quercus Publishing

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 28.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 240g

Pages: 352

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)

About the Author

Elly Griffiths is the bestselling author of the Dr Ruth Galloway Mysteries and the Brighton Mysteries. She has won the CWA Dagger in the Library, has been shortlisted five times for the Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year, and longlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger for The Lantern Men. Her new series featuring Detective Harbinder Kaur began with The Stranger Diaries, which was a Richard and Judy book club pick and won the Edgar Award for Best Novel in the USA. It was followed by The Postscript Murders, shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger and Bleeding Heart Yard. Elly has two grown-up children and lives near Brighton with her archaeologist husband.

Also by Elly Griffiths

View all

More from Crime & Thriller

View all

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent specialist on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our cozy 200m2 warehouse in Auckland holds over 20,000 books in-stock so you're not waiting for books to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Pick Ups

Auckland Pick Ups

We're an online-only store but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

header_image
5.0
853 reviews
Spencer K_image
18 minutes ago
Verified
Easy to find details about this book and to place an order, very efficient, thanks
Jen B_image
2 hours ago
Verified
Fantastic to have a local book store so close to home!
Susan W_image
18 hours ago
Verified
These guys are great! I don’t buy books very often, but would definitely come here again when I do, so glad I found the site! Super quick delivery too, thanks!
Robert H_image
23 hours ago
Verified
I've dealt with many book companies, but this one delivered everything its website offered: a great deal, free shipping, and fast delivery -- and I live on the rural West Coast! 5 Stars!
Sjoukje B_image
1 day ago
Verified
BookHero is my new favourite place to buy books! Website is easy to navigate and delivery is quick. Perfect if you need to have that next part in a series after it ends with a cliffhanger :) Also love the Wishlist feature on the website!
Show more
Debbie B_image
1 day ago
Verified
Easy to order