Chris McGeorge made his publishing debut in 2018 with a critically acclaimed, claustrophobic locked-room (of a sort) mystery titled GUESS WHO. His sophomore effort, NOW YOU SEE ME, is a moody, atmospheric mystery set in modern-day rural England that turns the locked-room theme of his first work on its head, and entertainingly so. 

McGeorge’s protagonist here is author Robin Ferringham, who is in the middle of a promotional appearance and book signing for Without Her. This debut work is about the sudden and unexplained disappearance of Robin's wife, Samantha, which occurred three years previously. Robin is internally bemoaning the sparse attendance of the event when he receives a phone call from someone named Matthew McConnell, who is jailed in Marsden, Huddersfield, while awaiting trial for a crime he denies committing. What is of interest to Robin, though, is that Matthew claims to have been in contact with Sam just before her disappearance. Robin is skeptical, to say the least. Initially, Matthew’s story has some credibility due to Sam having been en route to the University of Huddersfield when she disappeared.

"While NOW YOU SEE ME is probably best classified as a mystery, it is certainly shot through with elements of traditional, non-supernatural British horror.... Recommended, particularly if you are looking for a one-sit read."

When Matthew provides Robin with additional information that only someone who had been in contact with Sam would know, Robin drops everything to travel to Marsden. Once there, he slowly finds himself embroiled in what is known locally as the Mystery of the Standedge Five. What develops is a clever turn on the classic locked-room mystery. Five friends took what was to be a final boat ride through the Standedge Canal tunnel, with Matthew, who also had been a friend of the group, at the helm of the boat. When it appeared at the other end of the tunnel a few hours later, only an unconscious Matthew was aboard.

The police, including a detective whose twin children were on the boat, theorize that Matthew killed all five passengers and disposed of their bodies at an unknown location. The problem is that there are no bodies to be found and apparently no known way that he could have pulled off what he is accused of doing. Matthew coerces Robin into helping him by holding back what he knows about Sam until Robin investigates the disappearance of the Standedge Five and creates enough doubt to at least get him out of jail. Robin begins nosing around with the help of a somewhat unlikely ally. Not everyone is totally enamored of his unofficial investigation, but even he does not suspect who he has angered.

There are several twists and turns and a couple of double-crosses from an unexpected source. What Robin ultimately uncovers, though, will put him and those around him in danger as elements in the remote town in rural England come together to preserve its secrets at whatever cost it might take.

While NOW YOU SEE ME is probably best classified as a mystery, it is certainly shot through with elements of traditional, non-supernatural British horror. Mystery and suspense fans should find it appealing, even though the ending is not an entirely happy one. Recommended, particularly if you are looking for a one-sit read.