Carter Beats The Devil

Illusions of Grandeur

Step into the dazzling world of Charles Carter, the most celebrated stage magician of the Jazz Age, in Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold. First published in 2001 by Sceptre, this spellbinding novel charts Carter’s meteoric rise from vaudeville sideshow novelty to international sensation. With the nation captivated by his death-defying “Widow’s Walk” illusion—where he escapes a locked, water-filled tank suspended high above the stage—Carter becomes a household name. Against the backdrop of speakeasy jazz and silent-film glitz, Gold conjures a vivid portrait of an era when the line between reality and spectacle blurred at the magician’s command.

Behind the Smoke and Mirrors

But for every thunderous applause, Carter harbors secrets as carefully concealed as his tricks. When President Warren G. Harding mysteriously dies shortly after attending Carter’s show, rumors swirl that the magician’s signature act may conceal darker forces. Determined to clear his name—and his conscience—Carter embarks on a globe-spanning quest that leads him through underground occult societies, high-stakes political intrigue, and the shadowy meeting rooms of early aviation pioneers. Alongside him stands a cast of unforgettable characters: Erwin “Doc” Snyder, the cunning stage manager with a penchant for advanced gadgetry; Zelda Teague, a daring aviatrix whose loyalty is as unpredictable as the winds; and an enigmatic adversary known only as “The Master,” whose own mastery of illusion rivals Carter’s.

Spectacle and Legacy

Glen David Gold weaves historical fact with magical fiction, immersing readers in roaring-twenties glamour while exploring themes of loyalty, ambition, and the ultimate price of deception. From the neon-lit marquees of New York City to clandestine séances in the French Quarter, every page crackles with suspense and wonder. As Carter confronts the greatest illusion of all—unraveling the truth behind a president’s death—he must decide whether exposing reality is worth shattering the dreams he’s built. Carter Beats the Devil is an unforgettable testament to the power of spectacle, the bonds of friendship, and the enduring enchantment of the impossible. Author’s description.