Magic City

By James W. Hall and James T. Davies

Book Overview

A novel based on real events and newly declassified documents, "Magic City" is to Miami what "L.A. Confidential" and "Chinatown" were to Los Angeles. It evokes a time in our nation's history when powerful men were willing to do whatever they thought necessary to achieve their goals. A simple black and white photograph taken during the 1964 Cassius Clay-Sonny Liston fight on Miami Beach may hold the key to a horrific, politically-motivated crime forty-two years earlier. After it suddenly appears on display at a trendy Miami gallery opening, the photograph is burned in an act of arson that sets off a modern-day murder spree, reaching from the quiet neighborhoods of Miami to the back corridors of the White House. What the killer didn't know is that there is one remaining copy. When it falls into Thorn's hands, he and everyone he loves become the target of madmen and trained killers, each of whom has his own powerful motive to see the photograph destroyed forever and its mysteries kept hidden. To find retribution for the death of a loved one, Thorn joins forces with a dangerous enemy to solve a maddening puzzle. At its center are two families from very different worlds with their own dark secrets. Unraveling this dangerous riddle shakes the foundation of his bond with both Alexandra and his closest friend, and sends him on a deadly journey. But cover-ups have a way of disintegrating over time, especially when someone like Thorn is pounding on the door. "Magic City "is an epic crime thriller--exposing the past of a city in a time capsule of a novel.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312271794
• ISBN13: 9780312271794
• Release Date: March 2007
• Publisher: Minotaur Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

"Magic City" has that James W. Hall magic.

Magic City is a fun read from beginning to end, as are all of James W. Hall's books. Really, the core of a James W. Hall book is the portrayal of the central character - in this case, Thorn. Thorn is a person who is very genuine and easy to relate to. One can feel his pain, his anger, and admire his willingness to take a stand on behalf of justice. In this book's case, justice is about all that Thorn is able to gain, but, as with all his books, that is sufficient to leave one with a very good feeling for having read it, and looking forward to the next. Dr. Richard Beck

Dependably JamesWHall

As always,James W Hall brings the smell and feel and sound of Southern Florida to your chair. His villians are awful people,his protagonist is our reliable Thorn,defending the weak or helpless and smiting those bad guys as only Thorn can. All in all,a great read for a long winter's night,or weekend if you can put it down.

Thank God for Jimmy Hall

After waiting almost two years I wasn't disappointed in the return of Thorn and all his associates in "Magic City". William Talley has a fly tier, but he cannot beat Jim Smith's Thorn. The book is a real knock out-excuse my pun (you'll get it if you read the book). Thank God for a writer of the caliber of James W. Hall. A GREAT read. Keep up the good work, Jim. Let's see Thorn return before too long.

Thorn Goes to Miami

Thorn, a dropout from society, finds himself in big, bad Miam-ah, where he bungles his attempts to help his current ladyfriend. Murder and mayhem result; and James W. Hall does a great job of keeping the reader's attention. A real page-turner!

James Hall's Thorn, the best.!

Thank god for James Hall and Thorn. I have just finished Magic City and read the second half in one sitting. This is the most satisfying and riveting thriller I have read for a while and Halls best since Rough Draft. Magic City puts Thorn way on top, he is always a great character, subtly drawn, always loads of emotional descriptions and real relationships with his friends and enemies. I love all of the Florida thriller writers but Hiaacen has turned to preaching his message of conservation without the exciting storyline to carry the message. His last 3 books becoming progressively worthy and dull. Paul Levine's fun Solomon And Lord have taken over from Jake Lassiter. What's happened to Lawrence Shames? Alex Rutledge from Tom Corcoran still cuts it. Randy Wayne White's Doc Ford is reliable, I am about to read Hunters Moon and I am full of hope that Doc Ford is going to win me back to Sanibel Island. Living in grey London I am very grateful to all the above writers for the hot tropical picture they paint of the Keys and the Gulf and the seedier side of the south Florida Cities. You have London Bridge, give me Stone crabs, mangroves, stilt houses, Tarpon, bonefish, conch fritters, islands, boats, faded deco and crime ok maybe not the crime...