Alakazam

What is the greatest trick of all—survival or disappearance? How far would you go to find out? In the heyday of Atlantic City, a man determined to rise above his circumstances and make a name for himself in a world hostile to people like him, finds his calling in the art of illusion. In the present day, two friends pretend to be interested buyers to gain access to the house where a famous magician once lived — before mysteriously vanishing. Once the night falls, all secrets will be revealed... to those who dare cross the threshold of Alakazam. GO ON, SAY THE MAGIC WORD! How far would you go to change your life? How far would you go to uncover a decades-old secret? In an abandoned house, built by ambition and sustained by dark magic, fates cross—and past and present bleed through. One deadly night. One trespass. Finding the way in was easy. Leaving it alive will take a hell of a trick... "Alakazam is soaked in a deep sense of place, a city-as-haunting that perfectly captures quiet desperation, faded glory, and odd magic, while gradually ramping up through tension and heartbreak into visceral horror. In this novella that is part ghost story and part tragedy with deeply human characters at its heart, Dalia offers up the perfect blend of real-world horrors and supernatural ones. Alakazam will transport readers, and like the best ghost stories, will linger in readers' minds long after the last page. Beautifully done!" – A.C. WISE, Nebula and Bram Stoker-nominated author of Wendy Darling and The Ghost Sequences "The haunted house, the demonic bargain, the tainted legacy. . .Dalia blends these classic elements into something unique. Chilling and poignant, and with a powerful sense of place." – M.R. CAREY, author of Infinity Gate, Once Was Willem and Fellside "Sharp, intriguing and inventive. I'm sure we'll be seeing much more of Mia Dalia in future. "– ALISON LITTLEWOOD, author of The Hidden People, The Crow Garden and A Curious Cartography "Don't let the smoke and mirrors fool you. There are no tricks here, only the very real magic of a masterful storyteller spinning a mesmerizing tale of supernatural mystery and numinous noir. I don't know what Mia Dalia has up her sleeve—it could be an ace of spades or possibly a pearl-handled razor—but I do know she has the sleight of hand that comes with being a truly gifted writer. With Alakazam, she casts a deadly spell so wickedly delightful that when you come to the end, you'll want to immediately read it again to findout how she pulled off this tale of paranormal prestidigitation." – IAN ROGERS, author of Sycamore, Family, and Grey