The main character, Kay Farrow, is young, attractive photographer working on a book about hustling in the "gulch." Her primary subject in the project is Tim Lovsey. He is also one of her closest friends, so when he is found murdered and in pieces, Kay resolves to find the killer. While investigating, she discovers aspects about Tim and his life that leave her shocked and open up wild new mysteries for her (and the reader) to explore.

The ambitious young photographer decides she must also unravel the infamous T-case because of its possible connection to Tim's murder. The T-case involved a string of brutal murders that have remained unsolved for fifteen years. Police were close to solving the crime at one point, but crucial evidence somehow disappeared from the T-case crime scene. The lead detective blamed the disappearance on the stupidity of five cops, one of whom is Kay's father, Jack. So, Kay actually has two connections to the T-case, but finds that her father and everyone else involved are reluctant to discuss it.

With the help of several other bizarre characters who cryptically come and go, Kay gradually puts the pieces in place. As she does, she realizes that the person responsible for slaughtering Tim is also desperately attempting to halt her progress.

Although not action packed, The Magican's Tale is an intriguing and suspenseful mystery carefully crafted. However, don't expect to identify or to be greatly attracted to any of its characters – including Kay. She seems much too comfortable with underage male prostitution, seemingly accepting and condoning the behavior. Even so, The Magician's Tale should appeal to anyone not easily offended by the book's often excessive explicitness.

--Jerad Beltz