Listen free for 30 days

Listen with offer

Offer ends May 1st, 2024 11:59PM GMT. Terms and conditions apply.
£7.99/month after 3 months. Renews automatically.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
The Warlock Effect cover art

The Warlock Effect

By: Jeremy Dyson, Andy Nyman
Narrated by: Andy Nyman
Get this deal Try for £0.00

Pay £99p/month. After 3 months pay £7.99/month. Renews automatically. See terms for eligibility.

£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £12.99

Buy Now for £12.99

Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.

Listeners also enjoyed...

The Scarlet Papers cover art
The Malevolent Seven cover art
Garth Marenghi’s TerrorTome cover art
Mind of a Killer cover art
Alan Partridge: Big Beacon cover art
From the Oasthouse: The Alan Partridge Podcast (Series 1) cover art
The Fugitives cover art
I Predict a Riot cover art
The Complete George Smiley Radio Dramas cover art
How Magicians Think cover art
Meet the Tiger cover art
The Seal of Confession cover art
The Pit cover art
Barry Cryer: Same Time Tomorrow? cover art
Who Sent Clement? cover art
Lucifer's Game cover art

Summary

From Jeremy Dyson & Andy Nyman, creators of the international smash-hit play and film Ghost Stories, comes a new novel: The Warlock Effect.

Meet Louis Warlock.

Man about town, denizen of Soho's nightclubs and cabaret bars - and the most skilled magician of his time...

As a boy, Ludvik Weinschenk fled Nazi Germany to England with a pack of playing cards and three tricks to his name. Twelve years later, in 1950s London, having risen through the ranks of concert parties, night clubs and variety theatres, Ludvik - or Louis Warlock as he is now known - is the most famous magician in Britain.

But after his talent for deception attracts the attention of the British secret service, Louis is thrown into the perilous world of espionage and finds himself sent across Europe with a dangerous mission to fulfil. When he comes face to face with a nemesis whose cunning rivals his own, Louis will need to use every trick in the book - or risk the most terrible consequences, both for the country and for himself.

A highly entertaining, fiendishly clever thriller, The Warlock Effect offers a twist-filled, rollicking adventure - and a glimpse into the phenomenal mind of an extraordinary magician.

©2023 Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman (P)2023 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Critic reviews

"This book is exactly like some of the magic it describes, the odd sleight of hand or false deception wrapped around a terrific mystery. The period atmosphere and the Cold War detail feel like a Le Carré but it's the characters that you really care about. I hope we see a lot more of Louis Warlock." (Ian Moore)

"Heartbreaking and uplifting in equal measure, The Warlock Effect is a fiendish mix of history, humour and horror with a unique combination of Cold War and magic methodology." (SJ Bennett)

"The Warlock Effect is spellbinding. Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman skillfully depict a shadowy world of magic and espionage in this gripping tale that is entertaining, heartfelt and as twisty as any artful stage magician's signature trick. Highly recommended." (Adam Hamdy)

What listeners say about The Warlock Effect

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    59
  • 4 Stars
    18
  • 3 Stars
    18
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    60
  • 4 Stars
    18
  • 3 Stars
    5
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    2
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    56
  • 4 Stars
    14
  • 3 Stars
    13
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A great thriller & love letter to magicians

Just completed THE WARLOCK EFFECT by Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson. The narration by Andy Nyman is first class and the story is fast-paced, funny and engaging throughout. As an amateur magician, I particularly enjoyed all the nods, winks and allusions to our craft but do not be fooled, this is not a book just for magicians. Fingers crossed they will not only make a sequel (surely) but it will get picked up and turned into a TV series or film.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

An unusual, intriguing story

My uncle was a very good close up magician who even won Magician Circle competitions in the 1970s. Much of this book reminded me of his obsessive practising and the fun we had as a family. I loved this story, it’s detail and tone. There was definitely a keen sense of jeopardy and Trista and turns that kept me listening. If you love magic it is a must read. I hope there is a second book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Magical spy journey

I bought this book purely because I love both the film and stage play Ghost Stories so was excited to see what this book had to offer. I usually only read hard science fiction or horror but I really enjoyed this story, the magic tricks are really interesting and I thought the characters were all well fleshed out. It really is an eye opener about how hard life was in Eastern Europe after WW2 and it provided a great background for what is really a spy thriller. I loved the ending which I found quite moving especially with Andy Nyman’s brilliant narration. Highly recommend!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Love Letter

This is a love letter to not only all things Magic, but to all storytelling.

The twists and turns in this book are at times joyful reliefs and painful realisations.

I can’t recommend this book highly enough to anyone looking for a reminder of the value of life and more importantly, a reminder of love.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic plot and performance

Thought I’d give this a try after hearing an interview with the authors. So pleased I did; the plot twists kept me thoroughly engaged throughout, it was dramatic, intriguing, funny, and surprisingly emotional.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great to a point

Loved this up until the ending but really looking forward to future projects from the two authors.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship

Enjoyed this a great deal and would very much appreciate a sequel at the authors’ earliest convenience. Dyson and Nyman continue to be a terrific pairing and Nyman’s honed skills at working back from reveals to weave magic are in full effect here.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Story that keeps you guessing

A cracking read/listen. Great plot with lots of surprises. If you know magic, lots of Easter eggs !

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing - love the mix of the thriller and real magic tricks!

Listened to it in 2 sittings…it definitely keeps you hooked - plus have bought a trick card pack as described in the book - great stuff!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Entertaining in parts but a bit genre jumping.

Yeah I loved all the magic stuff, and I loved all the spy stuff (big fan of both) but sometimes it got a bit of Wodehouse then a bit Dieghton. Left me feeling a bit odd about the whole thing.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!