Helpful Score: 7
A rather fun book and a quick breeze to read. Even though it was about 400 pages, I had no trouble reading this in a day. A screwball comedy involving understudy Esther Diamond, suddenly the leading lady of the off-broadway show "Sorcerer!" when the original actress mysteriously disappears on stage. Esther then starts receiving warnings not to continue the part, and other people begin to disappear throughout the city, all in the middle of magic acts. A cast of eccentric characters and some memorable and amusing dialogue. I'm a little disappointed the second book (Dopplegangsters) is not out yet because of Luna books dropping the series. Dopplegangsters is set to be published by DAW in 2008.
Karen F. (cosmichomicide) reviewed Disappearing Nightly (Esther Diamond, Bk 1) on + 134 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Oh, I really really liked this book! It can only be described as a paranormal mystery romp - fast paced, funny, quirky with a completely over the top cast of characters. The plot was a little uneven in places, but it is completely forgiveable in a first series book. Set in NYC the cast consists of actresses, drag queens, detectives, magicians (as in cutting the lady in half) and, naturally, eccentric 300 year old sorcerors. Lots of fun.
Helpful Score: 2
A paranormal screwball comedy adventure. A highly enjoyable, quick read. Very entertaining.
Helpful Score: 2
Amusing tale of people in magician's acts disappearing. The narrator of the story is funny and sarcastic. I enjoyed this book.
Jennifer W. (GeniusJen) reviewed Disappearing Nightly (Esther Diamond, Bk 1) on + 5322 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I absolutely *loved* this book!
It's a quick, fun paranormal read about Esther Diamond, who has a role playing a green nymph in the Off-Off-Off Broadway show "Sorceror!" When the show's star, Golly Gee, truly disappears during a magic-show type disappearing act, it doesn't take Esther long to figure out that something strange is going on -- especially when she finds out that other people have also gone missing during the same type of acts.
This book is full of quirky characters who are truly fun and well-developed -- from the three-hundred-plus-year-old Max to the creepy Hieronymus, from Dolly the Dancing Cowgirl and Delilah the beautiful transvestite, to Satsy (aka Saturated Fat) the obese cross-dresser to the tight-lipped Herlihy.
Read it! It's too good to pass up. My only complaint is that the second book in the series, DOPPELGANGSTERS, didn't come out from Luna Books in December 2006 as planned. Fortunately, DAW is publishing it in 2008. I can't wait!
It's a quick, fun paranormal read about Esther Diamond, who has a role playing a green nymph in the Off-Off-Off Broadway show "Sorceror!" When the show's star, Golly Gee, truly disappears during a magic-show type disappearing act, it doesn't take Esther long to figure out that something strange is going on -- especially when she finds out that other people have also gone missing during the same type of acts.
This book is full of quirky characters who are truly fun and well-developed -- from the three-hundred-plus-year-old Max to the creepy Hieronymus, from Dolly the Dancing Cowgirl and Delilah the beautiful transvestite, to Satsy (aka Saturated Fat) the obese cross-dresser to the tight-lipped Herlihy.
Read it! It's too good to pass up. My only complaint is that the second book in the series, DOPPELGANGSTERS, didn't come out from Luna Books in December 2006 as planned. Fortunately, DAW is publishing it in 2008. I can't wait!
Bowden P. (Trey) -
Helpful Score: 1
Oomph. I descended to skimming this one, then skipping pieces, then abandoning it. Its centered around thinly disguised (and updated) version of The Magic Show from the late 70's and early 80's when the show's pop tart star disappears. On the surface, it looks like the sort of screwball comedy I like. On reading, it starts decently and it gets worse. Horribly worse.
The organization of magicians, the epidemic of disappearances, etc. At best it feels weak and like the only competent characters are the gay supporting cast and the female lead. To go from there, it isn't even very funny.
Sorry, but not worth it.
The organization of magicians, the epidemic of disappearances, etc. At best it feels weak and like the only competent characters are the gay supporting cast and the female lead. To go from there, it isn't even very funny.
Sorry, but not worth it.
Pretty good.
Very funny - looking forward to reading the sequel.
Amanda D. (aphrodite26) reviewed Disappearing Nightly (Esther Diamond, Bk 1) on + 81 more book reviews
A very fun read. I cannot wait until the sequel.
Christine H. (solarawynn) reviewed Disappearing Nightly (Esther Diamond, Bk 1) on + 724 more book reviews
Was a fluffy,light mystery. I did enjoy the characters and the plot.
"A paranormal screwball comedy adventure." Very entertaining light reading.
Andrea K. (andreaking) reviewed Disappearing Nightly (Esther Diamond, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
loved it!
Patricia M. (patmcc) reviewed Disappearing Nightly (Esther Diamond, Bk 1) on + 107 more book reviews
The characters are great, the story engrossing and entertaining. Esther finally won her hearts desire...the starring role in the play. She was the understudy and when the star really disappeared in the vanishing act, Esther got the role. She also got a note warning her against doing the vanishing act lest she too disappear. With the volatile producer threatening permanent blacklisting unless she went on stage and her fear that if she did she too would disappear permanently what's a girl to do? Why, solve the mystery of course and find the victims! With Max, whose job is to fight evil in New York City and a colorful mix of other show people, Esther and her crew try to find who is doing this to show people. Of course, there is also a handsome police Detective who makes her heart flutter. They can't tell him magic is involved, so what do they tell him? This was a fun read!
Stephanie C W. (stephanie13w) reviewed Disappearing Nightly (Esther Diamond, Bk 1) on + 300 more book reviews
Not a very good book IMO ~ too many characters, uninvolved plot & so long winded......
