Magic, Murder & Mystery: Inside the Mind of Author John Gaspard

What happens when magic meets murder?
In this episode of Dairyland Frights, host John dives into a fascinating conversation with acclaimed mystery author John Gaspard, creator of the Eli Marks Mystery Series.

From sleight-of-hand illusions to real-world storytelling, this episode explores how magic, mystery, and the paranormal intersect, and why sometimes the scariest things aren’t supernatural at all.

🔍 Episode Overview

John Gaspard joins the show to discuss:

The origins of the Eli Marks mystery series
How magicians think differently, and how that shapes storytelling
Writing mysteries that are both clever and fair to the audience
The blurred line between illusion, deception, and belief
His thoughts on ghosts, the afterlife, and unexplained experiences
Behind-the-scenes insights into indie filmmaking and writing

Plus… a real-life unexplained moment involving a disappearing cup of coffee that might just make skeptics think twice 👀

🎩 About the Guest – John Gaspard

Author of the Eli Marks Mystery Series (10 books strong)
Creator of the Como Lake Players Mystery Series
Host of Behind the Page: The Eli Marks Podcast
Indie filmmaker with multiple low-budget features
Expert in blending magic, mystery, and humor into compelling stories

His work dives into the psychology of deception, something magicians (and killers?) understand better than most.

🧠 Key Topics Covered 🎭 Magic & Mystery Writing

Why magicians make perfect detectives
Using real magic techniques to solve fictional crimes
Crafting mysteries where the audience has all the clues

👻 Paranormal vs Skepticism

Do ghosts exist?
What kind of evidence would actually prove it?
The psychology behind paranormal experiences

✍️ Writing Process & Storytelling

Outlining vs “discovery writing.”
Avoiding writer’s block
Building compelling villains without revealing too much

🎬 Indie Creativity

The realities of indie filmmaking vs Hollywood
Why storytelling should always come from passion, not profit

🔥 Standout Moments

A skeptic’s take on ghosts that will spark debate
The concept of “fair mysteries,” where readers can solve them too
A real story about a vanishing coffee cup in a New York hotel ☕
Why magicians understand deception better than anyone

🎧 Listen Now

If you love:

Paranormal podcasts
Mystery & thriller storytelling
True crime with a twist
Writing and creative insights

👉 This episode is for you.