Thirty years ago, Val’s father dragged her to a remote town, leaving behind a terrible secret. Now strangers have interrupted her quiet life, claiming to hold the key to a mystery she isn’t sure she wants to unlock. A mystery about a children’s television show that vanished from the airwaves. No trace of the show exists, but the memory of it lives on.

“Mister Magic” presents a fascinating concept built upon the Mandela Effect—the collective memory of something that never existed. The story kept me riveted for the most part, and I was eager to uncover the mystery behind the longest-running children’s tv show of all time disappearing without a trace. I wanted to know what memories were so horrifying that Val had locked them away.

While I enjoyed the story overall, it had some flaws. Although marketed as a horror/thriller, I can’t recall a single genuinely scary moment. I’d personally classify this as more of a mystery with fantasy elements.

The author attempts to have us experience the story through Val’s perspective, uncovering clues as she does so we can piece things together at the same pace. Does this work? Not really. It’s a bit frustrating trying to follow the story with minimal context. I felt confused for most of it, hoping that questions would be answered at a quicker pace.

The narrative felt a bit preachy at times, particularly near the end. After reading the author’s note, I understood the intent, but I think the anti-religion sentiment could have been handled with a bit more subtlety. And that’s coming from someone who grew up in an ultra-religious household. I may not have as much religious trauma as White, but I’ve seen my fair share of religious toxicity.

The ending itself was a little predictable and cheesy. There was also the reintroduction of a certain character that I felt was unrealistic, though I can’t say more without risking spoilers.

Overall Mister Magic was a fairly enjoyable read, but I preferred White’s other book, Hide. If you’re looking for a proper horror/thriller, this is isn’t it. It’s a bit disjointed, but I’d recommend it for a quick read if you don’t have anything better on your bookshelf.