The Shoemaker's Magician (Chicago Saga, 2) by Cynthia Pelayo

The Shoemaker's Magician (Chicago Saga, 2) Reviews

• 
  Sadie Hartmann

  The Shoemaker’s Magician by Cynthia Pelayo
  Other Books by This Author I Read/Enjoyed: The Children of Chicago, Into the Forest and All the Way Through, Crime Scene
  Affiliate Link:
  https://bookshop.org/a/7576/978195795...
  Release Date: March 21st, 2023
  General Genre: Thrillers - Supernatural, Mystery & Detective - Police Procedural, Hispanic & Latino, Horror - General
  Subgenre/Themes: Historical Fiction, City Life, Crime Noir, Human Monsters, Mystery, Reads Like A Thriller, Strong Women, Horror Cinema, Slashers & Serial Killers, Chicago, Fables & Fairytales, Parenting, Neurodivergent children, Mythology, Magik
  
  
  
  Writing Style: Character-driven, intricately plotted, leisurely paced, large sections of exposition/narrative and inner monologuing, multiple POV
  
  What You Need to Know: This is Book 2 in the Chicago Saga, the first book is The Children of Chicago. They are standalone novels, you don’t have to read Book 1 in order to enjoy Book 2 but it does help. Some things from Book 1 are referenced in Book 2.
  I think it’s important to know going into this book that the storytelling is both linear and fragmented at the same time. It took me some time to adjust. Things are happening in real-time while the character enjoys long inner monologues reflecting on everything from parenting her neurodivergent child, the history of Chicago, horror cinema, and other things like thoughts on social media and being a public-facing figure.
  
  My Reading Experience: I absolutely love Book 1 in the Chicago Saga, The Children of Chicago. It has a gritty, dark, crime noir vibe that I was fully immersed in. Plus, I loved the way Pelayo centers the city of Chicago, I found it fascinating. I’m also a sucker for horror books that read like thrillers and I enjoy the details of a police investigation as they look into a grisly murder or serial murders. That book checked a lot of those boxes.
  Book 2 introduces a new protagonist, Paloma Ramos. You will learn what happened to Lauren Medina, the protagonist in book 2, but she does not make an appearance in this story and it is not a continuation of that tale at all.
  Paloma Ramos is a YouTube star. She hosts her own show about classic horror cinema and she has an obsession with silent films. Paloma’s husband is a homicide detective and they have a child named Bela, a son named after Bela Lugosi. He is neurodivergent.
  Lauren Medina (from Book 1) was laser-focused on her job and investigative work, maybe even to a fault–not taking the time to really check in with herself and her emotions. Paloma Ramos is very introspective and reflective so this story has a totally different vibe. Both books dive into the history of Chicago (the author has expressed that she is passionate about her city) book 1 peels back the facade to reveal the dark side while Paloma dives into the culture and arts scene.
  Horror cinephiles will appreciate the history and evolution of scary movies. Social media influencers will relate to Paloma’s thoughts on her work/life balance and parents of neurodivergent children will be able to strongly relate to Paloma & Bass’ struggles and joys.
  There is a mystery to solve here, just like in book one, but there were times when I felt like there were long monologues separating the reader from the urgency and investigative sections of that storyline. I admit, I grew impatient with that a little. There are multiple POVs and short chapters, I enjoyed that aspect of the storytelling, especially Bela’s chapters. It’s clear that the author wanted to give an authentic representation of a neurodivergent child from their own perspective, as a parent of a child much like Bela, I truly appreciated the inclusion.
  
  Final Recommendation: If you love Murder mystery investigations, classic and modern horror cinema, if you’re a history buff, if you’re a parent of neurodivergent children, and if you love magik—pick this up!
  Comps: The Children of Chicago by Cynthia Pelayo, Devil in the White City by Erik Larson, Night Film by Marisha Pessel
  
• 
  Maria

  2.5 stars, rounded up because I feel kind
  
  This is an accurate depiction of me after pressing play on this book:
  
  
  
  I tried my very hardest to remember the first book, but I had flushed it completely from my memory.
  My own review of the book didn't help at all either. So I stumbled on, pretty much in blindness, just knowing that I didn't particularly like the first book - but found a lot of potential in it.
  
  This book isn't directly linked with the first. The main characters are different - and that made it possible for me to keep up with it pretty well, in spite of total memory loss concerning the first book.
  
  Old horror movies are straight up my alley. I've thought about the themes touched upon in this book soooo many times.
  
  Lost movies. Cursed movies. Horror movie history. All that jazz.
  
  It really was (and is) my cup of tea - and that's why I could stick with it the whole way through.
  
  The research and almost essay-like parts of the novel, that delved deep into stories from the murky past of horror movies, kept me captivated. I already knew almost all of it. There was only one (!!!) fact I had never heard of or read a lot about before - and that was both satisfying ... and a little like repeating an university course I'd already taken.
  Weird feeling. 😆
  
  The one (serious) weakness with this book, for me, was the characters.
  The main characters failed to move me at all. They left me utterly cold for the most part.
  But then Paloma's selfish need to get a child made me mostly mad, to be honest.
  I already disliked her before that, but towards the ending, I felt nothing but distaste for her - and an icy sense of her getting exactly what she deserved.
  
  I was not enthralled or mystified by the whole "Grand" thing. Not one bit. But then, I've never fangirled over anyone. Ever.
  
  The Prometheus twist was both, sort of, clever and nice - but also quite contrived.
  In combination with Paloma's kid feeling like a rip-off straight out of
  The Babadook (in spite of the Autism angle) I was just so very bored with the whole character gallery, I can't exactly express how much it didn't interest me.
  
  The police investigation felt like it ended just as weirdly as it began.
  And the supernatural side of things just ... well, they went up in smoke. No real clarity or anything on why or how. It just was.
  And I wasn't even upset about not getting what all the fuss was about, because I didn't care all that much.
  
  Will I return for book 3, if one shows up?
  Ehh. Probably not.
• 
  Marguerite

  Got another 5 ⭐️for @cinapelayoauthor !! It pulled me in with another great cast of characters. I loved the way it harkened back to Children of Chicago, but introduced me to a whole new set of characters. Again she drew us into a world of fables against the history of cinema in Chicago, so fascinating!!! The reveal at the end floored me. Check this out! Super scary and suspenseful too!!
• 
  Susan

  After watching an interview on WTTW with Phil Ponce and the author, I was inspired to read the book. That the setting was in Chicago, also made it intriguing. However, I have never been into magic and dark fiction. While I finished the book, I don’t feel that I can give it a fair rating.
• 
  Azzurra Nox

  I pre-ordered the novel months ago and perhaps out of the sheer will of manifestation (or is it magick) it somehow appeared in my Kindle library two weeks before the actual release date. Obviously, I was overjoyed.
  
  Where do I even begin? I read Pelayo’s first book Children of Chicago and absolutely loved it (and will forever feel lucky that she sent me a promo book box for it and you should absolutely read the interview she did for the blog here). This book, like the previous one, is standalone, however, it does reference some characters from the previous book (and I’m a sucker for writers keeping their stories in the same “world” so to speak). I’m a lover of fairytales, fables, horror show hosts (Elvira was the reason why I got into horror movies at the tender age of two), cursed films, occult, Greek myths, and murders. This is to say, that this book had SO MUCH that I love – and I was so happy that it delivered tenfold.
  
  First of all, I loved the protagonist Paloma – a woman who not only overcame a terribly abusive childhood but that was a loving mother to her son Bela (hands down the coolest kid in a horror book, ever) and a badass horror influencer. I’m a huge fan of old horror movies and silent movies in general, so obviously I was geeking out at all the movies mentioned that I’ve seen a million times. I loved how she and Bela would chill out at Logan’s Theatre and watch horror movies as though it were a second home cause it reminds me of my own local theatre that a friend of mine owns, where going there 2-3 times a week is like visiting family – cause for those of yes who love movies, you’ll understand the potency and magick of the moving picture.
  
  Pelayo is a very talented writer, however, I do want to acknowledge that this second novel showed so much growth as a storyteller – with the richness of the details, research, and basically soul of the book. Yes, the book is about trying to track down a serial killer, but it’s also so much more. It’s about the importance of art, love, and magick, and how all those things are intermingled.
  
  I don’t want to share too much about the plot because I think you need to slowly discover this tale, that’s filled with mystery, darkness, history, and monsters. It’s incredibly gripping, each page dripping with the emotion of someone who has not only suffered but that also loves in tremendous amounts. In fact, if there’s a lesson to take from this extended fable is that anything you do out of love will always be worth it.
  
  If you’re a fan of horror, cinema, Chicago history, and detective stories, then this is for you.
• 
  Becky Spratford

  Star Review in the January 2023 issue of Library Journal:
  https://raforall.blogspot.com/2023/01...
  
  Issue also includes and interview I did with Pelayo:
  https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/...
  
  Three Words That Describe This Book: gripping, love letter to Horror, haunting
  
  Draft Review:
  
  Bass, a homicide detective in Chicago, is called to a brutal murder on the stage of the Chicago Theater. The body was laid out with a poster for a famous occult film, one of the first horror movies ever made, a film with a dangerous mythology. Bass’ wife Polly, a horror film expert, is writing her dissertation on Chicago’s most elusive and famous horror host, Grand. Polly, the child of immigrants and a survivor of child abuse, has always found comfort in horror movies and magick and she has passed he love on to her autistic son Bela. But someone else is sharing dark stories with Bela, ominous fables that seem to connect the murder to his family, the history of horror films, and Chicago’s deteriorating movies palaces. The second in her planned series of connected novels, Pelayo employs the same enchanting mix of Chicago history, folklore, and haunting atmosphere, anchored by a strong female protagonist, as she takes readers by the hand, crafting a tale that fascinates and frightens, as awe and wonder battle darkness and evil, with an outcome foretold but still unexpected.
  
  Verdict: A gripping story filled with ghosts, mystery, and history that is a celebration of Horror itself, this novel has many excellent entry points of a wide range of readers, but especially those who enjoy creepy retellings of western folklore as written by authors like Helen Oyoyemi and books about occult movies such as Experimental Film by Files.
  
  
  
• 
  Jennifer

  Pelayo’s follow up to Children of Chicago is a true stunner. Although it’s not so much a sequel in plot you’ll find all the delicious things included in the first book here like detailed Chicago history, fables (a close cousin to fairytales) and a police investigation. I loved the way fables were woven into the fabric of this book!
  
  The police investigations from each novel linked up and references to the first incident provided a good backdrop for the action. Added to the mix this time around was a concentration on the history of movies in Chicago (I did not know Chicago was like a pre-Hollywood) and a deep dive into the horror movie genre. I also very much enjoyed the exploration of the horror movie host persona and the portrayal of a fictional host.
  
  There were some truly beautiful moments between Paloma, the main protagonist, and her son Bela, a Childe on the Autism spectrum, that I will not soon forget. But possibly my favorite part of the book was the magician aspect. The lore and mystery Pelayo created was just enough to draw me in but not so much as to turn the arcane into something mundane. It had a unique texture and quality to magic I’ve previously encountered in books and I appreciated the cursed movie aspect. To me the heartbreaking loneliness of the magician felt very realistic.
  
  This book is a fantastic adventure you can escape into while still gaining some real life knowledge and cultural appreciation, a highly recommended read!
• 
  Bloomingdale Public Library

  Michaela says: Paloma’s life is steeped in horror. Her popular YouTube channel covers all things horror movies, often in the form of educational lectures about the history or the genre. So, when her husband Bass begins an investigation on a killer who seems to have a high knowledge of horror, he begins to suspect Paloma may be in danger. Paloma is sure he is wrong and continues to research, trying to interview a classic horror television host named Grand. But, when Bela, her son, begins to give her ominous messages, she fears maybe there is danger lurking. The story moves through historic Chicago movie theaters and burrs its way into the world Paloma has always loved.
  
  I picked up this novel because the author is a local Chicago writer. It was so fun to read about places that I recognized, even if it was in a grisly setting. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style. Throughout the book, the perspective changes between several characters. I did think that all of the characters had a similar voice, so creating different voices for each may have added to the characterization and made it easier to identify whose story I was . But overall, it was an engaging horror mystery.
  
  This book would be good for readers who enjoy lyrical writing and intricate storytelling. Readers from Chicago may enjoy the strong Chicago setting.
• 
  Bret Praxmarer

  I absolutely LOVED this book. It is everything that a good story should be and more. This is a love letter to the horror genre, specifically to classic horror movies and beautiful movie palaces. Everything about this book is amazing.
  
  The reasons that I love horror is explained so perfectly throughout the novel - it felt like it was written for me.
  
  The reference to Sesame Street and how it has comforted children for generations with monsters really made stop and think. Those monsters were some of the most comforting aspects of my childhood and played an important role in the lives of my own kids. This was such a brilliant observation.
  
  The character of Bela was amazing and anyone that has dealt with neurodivergent children will love him. Plus what a great name for a little boy.
  
  Grand reminded me of Svengoolie and another fond memory of my childhood - watching those old horror movies on Saturday afternoons.
  
  This is a great and beautiful horror story and has a special place in my heart.
  
  I also loved that it is set in Chicago.
• 
  Horror DNA

  Hot on the heels of her landmark breakout
  Children of Chicago,
  Cina Pelayo cements her name as a horror legend with The Shoemaker’s Magician, a paean to film, magic, Chicago and horror. Pelayo leads the reader through the winding streets of Chicago, where the supernatural is very real, where monsters and magicians flourish.
  
  You can read
  Zachary Rosenberg's full review at Horror DNA by
  clicking here.
• 
  David Wilson

  In this follow on to Children of Chicago, Pelayo weaves an intricate tale of fables, myth, and Chicago history. You can feel the decaying majesty of the old Palace theatres, and meticulous research brings a wealth of information about the city, early horror films, and magick. And that magick is as studied and accurate as the film lore, threading through the books of The Golden Dawn, the keys of Solomon and so much more.
  
  It is rare that a book can draw you into the mind of a character who accepts the supernatural and have it feel so real you aceept it yourself. This is that book. You will fall in love with Paloma, and her son Bela. You will be dragged into the murders and the mysteries.
  
  But all throughout you will be hooked by the underlying secret.
  
  I listened to the audiobook performeed by Laura Lockwood.
  
  This book is very highly recommended and one of the best I've read this year.
  
  
• 
  Summer Dawn Smith

  I really enjoyed Children of Chicago, so was excited when this was released. I love the way it's a quasi-sequel, instead of just a straight up one, since I find it harder to stay engaged in many series.
  
  I really love the film, and specifically horror film, history this brought up. I've been a fan of horror since I was a toddler, so I always love reading about and learning the history of it. The theater and architecture history was wonderful as well.
  
  As much as I enjoyed the story, I do feel that the ending was very rushed and really wish the author had taken more time with the climax. Everything wrapped up so neatly and quickly, it almost felt like many of the earlier events weren't as important.
  
  Overall though, it was a very enjoyable book and I definitely want to read more of this saga. I would especially like to know more about what happened to Grand and the other main characters after the events of the book.
• 
  Natalie

  Do you like Chicago history and tales set in the storied city? Are you a fan of horror movies, tales of cursed objects, Greek myths or murder mysteries? Are you interested in, or entertained by magick and the occult? Cynthia Pelayo's second installment in the Chicago Saga series has all that and more wrapped in a delectable 300 or so pages. Once again, I wasn't aware that there was a first installment until a colleague informed me. While The shoemaker's magician can be read as a standalone, I will be checking out the first installment, Children of Chicago, very soon. I realized after reading reviews that the Medina character mentioned was from the first book.
  Other Good Reads reviews take issue with the amount and detail of exposition Pelayo devotes to film history, High Magick and manifestation, and autism. I couldn't disagree more. I enjoyed the amount of research the author put into this novel. I can't wait to read more from Cynthia Pelayo.
• 
  S.R.

  (I wish Goodreads allowed for half stars as this was more a 3.5/5.0 for me)
  
  For the most part, I really enjoyed this book. Grand and Paloma were interesting characters who I was invested in. The elements about cursed films and magicians were interesting. My issues stem from the amount of narrators (there are a lot of them) and when I picked it up on Libby, I didn't realize it was a part 2 in a series though the story works as a standalone so that wasn't a big issue but I felt I was missing info every time there were allusions to the previous book (totally a me problem for not noticing the reading order). The ending felt a little abrupt and the epilogue threw me for a loop. Overall, I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had started with book one.
  
  Still worth a read if you like horror/crime and rumored cursed films (which is what drew me in)
• 
  Wendy Wagner

  If Cynthia Pelayo ever disappears, it's because the Chicago Board of Tourism has ordered a hit on her. Pelayo's work isn't afraid to show the dark side of the Windy City -- the crimes, cold, the wind, the inhumanity. But if big Tourism comes, they'll probably have to fight a lot of Chicago natives who have to love the way she sings their toughness and grit.
  
  She'll also be protected by horror lovers, because she's crafted another fun horror novel in this one! I love it when film history and magic collide, and this book does so in a really interesting way, delving into Chicago's time as a bustling studio town. There are lots of weird occult moments in this book, making it really fun.
• 
  Sarah

  I just have to start off by saying the last line was perfection. This was such a unique story for me. Great characters and mystery and very dark. I’ve only briefly been to Chicago and this book made me want to go visit it for real this time.
  
  This story was kind of dreamy and and is a must read for old horror film junkies! Cynthia really knows her horror and has written such a smart and fun book. It really makes me want to go back and watch the old Frankenstein and black and white movies in general.
• 
  Cristian Presgraves

  A beautiful, enthralling, and heartbreaking ode to the Horror genre and its history.
  Each page showcases Cynthia Pelayo's passion for the artform, doing so through complex and compelling characters I did not want to say goodbye to when I approached the ending.
  Shocking twists enhance an already intriguing and rich plot, building an unstoppable page-turner.
  Never expected this continuation to surpass the masterful "Children of Chicago," but it did effortlessly.
• 
  John Cramer

  Wow. Talk about knocking it out of the park. Children of Chicago lays the groundwork for Pelayo's Chicago Saga seriers, with an engaging tale that's informative, emotional, and creepy in equal measure. And then Pelayo drops this bomb on us. The merging of the occult, horror film, and Chicago history, and a deeply personal tale of a mother's love (clearly affected by Pelayo's own story), is a uniquely powerful read. I can't wait to see what else there is in store in part III.
• 
  Michael Ladin

  Closer to 3.5 than 4. Liked it better than her first in the series, Children of Chicago. At least she got most of her geography correct this time except when she mentioned the intersection of Irving Park Road and Addison. (They are parallel streets)
  Anyway, book is sometimes difficult to read as every chapter is in first person for different characters. You forget who is speaking as they all sound the same.
  Author gets longwinded with lots of introspection and melodrama.
  And the end, really?
• 
  Ryan Johnson

  Part horror, part crime novel, part dark fantasy, Pelayo has created the perfect amalgam novel. Though the pieces don't all balance in the end, there's not a moment in the novel that's not incredibly gripping, and its leads are incredibly relatable. Pelayo has become a must-read author after this, and I'll be grabbing a copy of the first book in the series as soon as I can.
• 
  Norman Miller

  I was expecting more of a direct sequel to the first of the series, but I was not upset about a mostly knew cast of characters. The characters are strong and I love how the author works in both Chicago and horror history, while telling a very strong story from beginning to end.
• 
  Laura

  First time reading this author.... really intrigued by the Chicago setting and the focus on classic horror films....very talky, though. The creepy mystery got waylaid and then the main character revealed she was an occultist.....I gave up after 90 pages.
• 
  Kim Z

  I wasn't completely hooked immediately, but midway through the book something happens (no spoilers!) that stunned me. After that, I had to find out what other surprises awaited me. The final chapter and epilogue are packed with payoffs.
• 
  T.J. Tranchell

  Would pair well with Marisha Pessl’s THE NIGHT FILM.
  
  Beautifully written, each character’s point of view is unique but entwined in a shared experience.
  
  Sometimes hit too close to the heart, in the best ways.
• 
  Erica

  Only 1/4 of the way through, and there are so many spelling errors, and they're very obvious. Example: pg 83 in the chapter title afternoong? I had to force autocorrect on my phone to allow this spelling. Very poor editing.