197 pages. First Edition. A science fiction mystery. Private detective tracks a magician who has a few tricks beyond mere slight of hand. Fine in fine dustjacket.

197 pages. First Edition. A science fiction mystery. Private detective tracks a magician who has a few tricks beyond mere slight of hand. Fine in fine dustjacket.

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items. May be an ex-library book.

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items. May be an ex-library book.

Book. Signed by Author(s) Signed by James Gunn on the title page. Signature

Book. Signed by Author(s) Signed by James Gunn on the title page. Signature only Book is in Near Fine condition. Boards are clean, not bumped. Fore edges have the tiniest bit of shelf wear. Interior is clean and legible. Not remaindered. Dust Jacket is in Near Fine condition. Not chipped or crinkled. Not price clipped. Dust Jacket is covered by Mylar Brodart. Thanks and Enjoy. All-ways well boxed, All-ways fast service. Thanks.

The format is approximately 5.75 inches by 8.5 inches. [8], 197, [3] pages.

The format is approximately 5.75 inches by 8.5 inches. [8], 197, [3] pages. The dust jacket has some wear and soiling. A shorter version of this novel was published in Beyond Fantasy Fiction for May 1954 under the title of Sine of the Magus. James Edwin Gunn (July 12, 1923 – December 23, 2020) was an American science fiction writer, editor, scholar, and anthologist. His work as an editor of anthologies includes the six-volume Road to Science Fiction series. He won the Hugo Award for "Best Related Work" in 1983 and he won or was nominated for several other awards for his non-fiction works in the field of science fiction studies. The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America made him its 24th Grand Master in 2007, and he was inducted by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 2015. His novel The Immortals was adapted into a 1970–71 TV series starring Christopher George. Gunn was a professor emeritus of English and the founding director of the Center for the Study of Science Fiction, both at the University of Kansas. Gunn became a professional writer in 1947 when he wrote a play produced by the University of Kansas, Thy Kingdom Come, then wrote newspaper articles and radio scripts. Although he considered moving to New York to become a playwright, he began his career as a science fiction writer in 1949, making his first short story sale to Thrilling Wonder Stories. He has had nearly 100 stories published in magazines and anthologies and has written 28 books and edited 10. Many of his stories and books have been reprinted around the world. Gunn's Magicians is a rational fantasy about sorcery set in a mid-20th century from which actual modern occultism is absent. To the credit of Gunn's imagination, when he wrote the original version of this story in 1954, or even in 1972 when the fuller novel was published, occult magicians weren't yet actually in the habit of meeting via hotel conventions. Struggling PI Casey thinks he's finally found an easy mark, an elderly woman has just walked into his office and offered him a thousand dollars to find out the real name of a man who calls himself Solomon. Solomon is a magician. Not only does he carry false identification, but he can change his physical appearance at will. One of Solomon's identities is nationally prominent, but another is a power-hungry crook with political ambitions. Casey finds himself at a magicians' convention where no one is who he appears to be and all the tricks seem to lead to death...Casey's death. Casey is caught in the middle of a power struggle between Solomon and Ariel, a young woman out to avenge the death of her father. It's a struggle between black and white magic, and when Casey throws his weight to the good, he may learn a few tricks of his own.