There have been countless stories, myths, and legends throughout history that involve magic. From wizards casting spells to witches brewing potions, magic has always been a fascinating topic for humans. However, when magic is used for nefarious purposes, it can lead to tragedy and even murder. Murder by magic is a concept that has been featured in various works of fiction, including books, movies, and television shows. In these stories, characters with magical abilities use their powers to kill others either directly or indirectly. The reasons for committing these magical murders vary, but they often revolve around power, revenge, or personal gain.
Book Five: Games of the Mind, 1991-1996
25. After-death Journeys
26. Under the Sign of Capricorn: Suspects
27. The Investigation
28. Games of the Mind
Endnote
Works by Ioan Culianu
Index
This is a story not only about the power of freedom of speech and press, but also about the explosive convergence of scholarship and politics, and the very real risks of the unencumbered life of the mind. Pub landlady Hannah Altman is crushed to death whilst assisting illusionist Gideon Latimer at a charity magic show to raise funds for Midsomer Oaks church.
The reasons for committing these magical murders vary, but they often revolve around power, revenge, or personal gain. One of the most famous examples of murder by magic is found in William Shakespeare's play, "Macbeth." In the play, the protagonist, Macbeth, receives a prophecy from three witches that he will become the King of Scotland.
Eros, Magic, and the Murder of Professor Culianu
On May 21, 1991, University of Chicago professor Ioan Culianu was murdered execution-style on campus. The crime stunned the school, terrified students, and mystified the FBI. The case remains unsolved. In Eros, Magic, and the Murder of Professor Culianu, award-winning investigative reporter Ted Anton shows that the murder is what Culianu's friends suspected all along: the first political assassination of a professor on American soil.
Acknowledgments
Note on Method
Prologue
Book One: The Crime, May 21, 1991
1. Religion as a System
2. The Aftermath
Book Two: Youth, 1950-1972
3. The Art of Memory
4. University Days, 1967-1971
5. "Dark People, Very Clever"
6. A Dream of Paradise
Book Three: Arriviste , 1972-1986
7. The Myth of the West: Italy, 1972-1975
8. Chicago, Paris, and Mircea Eliade
9. Holland: A Rising Young Intellectual, 1976-1983
10. 1484 and 1984
11. Abuses of interpretation
12. Pursuit, 1985
13. The Emerald Game, 1986
14. The Book of Life
Book Four: "Like Being Famous," 1987-1991
15. "All the World Is Mystery Again," 1987
16. Religion and Science: The Fourth Dimension, 1988
17. Divination, 1989
18. "Revolution," Christmas 1989
19. Free World, 1990
20. Scoptophilia
21. A Forking Path
22. Memories of the Future
23. "Dr. Faust: Great Sodomite and Necromancer"
24. Roses at the Door
Book Five: Games of the Mind, 1991-1996
25. After-death Journeys
26. Under the Sign of Capricorn: Suspects
27. The Investigation
28. Games of the Mind
Endnote
Works by Ioan Culianu
Index
TED ANTON is an associate professor of nonfiction writing in the English department at DePaul University. His book, Eros, Magic, and the Murder of Professor Culianu (1996) received the Carl Sandburg Award for Nonfiction from the Friends of the Chicago Public Library and was an Investigative Reporters and Editors National Book Award finalist. Anton was the co-editor of "The New Science Journalists" (1995). His magazine work, for The Sciences , Publishers Weekly , Lingua Franca , Chicago , the Chicago Tribune , and other publications, has been cited three consecutive times in Best American Essays and was nominated for a National Magazine Award in Reporting in 1993. A former Fulbright Research Fellow, Anton speaks about science on radio and to university and industry groups.
"Fascinating and excellent . . . important not just because it illuminates history, but because at the center of the story is Ioan Culianu, a figure so interesting no novelist could invent him. [In this murder] fiction and fact change places in a deadly game of masks and illusions." —Andrei Codrescu
"Reveals both a fascinating individual's twenty-year-long life-and-death struggle with his conscience, and a violent underground war in Eastern Europe. This is a story not only about the power of freedom of speech and press, but also about the explosive convergence of scholarship and politics, and the very real risks of the unencumbered life of the mind." —Jeffrey Kittay, publisher, Lingua Franca
Landlady Hannah Altman is crushed to death by a giant Perspex box during a magic show by famous illusionist Gideon Latimer aimed at raising funds for St Cyprian's Church. Kate finds that cables to the box were deliberately sabotaged - it's murder. But Gideon, his wife Annabel and manager Theo Bainbridge didn't even know Hannah.
Motivated by ambition and spurred on by his wife, Macbeth resorts to using dark magic to fulfill the prophecy. Throughout the play, he commits multiple murders, using his newfound powers to eliminate anyone who stands in his way. Another notable example is found in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, where dark magic is frequently used for sinister purposes. The main antagonist, Lord Voldemort, becomes infamous for committing murders through magical means, often using spells such as the Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra) to eliminate his enemies and consolidate his power. In these fictional representations, murder by magic serves as a means to explore themes of morality, power, and the consequences of one's actions. However, in real life, the idea of magic being used for murder is far-fetched and belongs mainly to the realm of fantasy. Magic, as we understand it in reality, does not possess the power to cause physical harm or death. It exists mostly as a form of entertainment, illusion, or performance art. While there have been historical cases of witch trials and accusations throughout the world, these were based on superstitions, fear, and lack of scientific understanding rather than actual magical abilities. In conclusion, murder by magic is a captivating concept that has captured the imagination of storytellers for centuries. From Macbeth to Lord Voldemort, characters in literature and popular culture have used magical powers to commit heinous acts. Yet, in reality, magic is nothing more than a product of our imaginations and does not possess the capability to cause physical harm. Nonetheless, the notion of murder by magic continues to intrigue and captivate audiences, allowing us to explore the dark side of human nature and the consequences of our actions..
Reviews for "Beyond Illusion: Exploring Murders That Challenge the Boundaries of Reality"
Review 1:
Name: Sarah
Rating: 2/5
I was really disappointed in the book "Murdr by Magic". The characters were flat and lacked depth, and the plot was predictable. It felt like the author was trying too hard to make everything fit into the magical theme, and it just didn't work for me. The pacing was also off, with long periods of nothing happening followed by rushed and confusing action scenes. Overall, I was not impressed and would not recommend this book.
Review 2:
Name: Mike
Rating: 1/5
I couldn't even finish reading "Murdr by Magic". The writing was so cringeworthy and poorly edited, I felt like I was reading a first draft. The dialogue was cliché and unrealistic, and the descriptions were repetitive and overly detailed. I found myself rolling my eyes at the attempts at humor, which fell flat each time. The story itself was unoriginal and lacked any originality or surprises. I regret wasting my time on this book.
Review 3:
Name: Emily
Rating: 2/5
I found "Murdr by Magic" to be incredibly boring. The pacing was slow, and the author spent too much time describing irrelevant details instead of moving the story forward. The main character was unlikeable, and I couldn't connect with her at all. The magic system was interesting in theory, but it wasn't explored in depth, leaving me wanting more. There was also very little plot or conflict, making it hard to stay engaged. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting or immersive read.
Review 4:
Name: David
Rating: 2/5
I didn't enjoy "Murdr by Magic" as much as I had hoped. The writing style was too simplistic for my taste, and the story lacked depth and complexity. The romance subplot felt forced and unnecessary, adding nothing to the overall plot. The dialogue was also stilted and uninteresting. While I appreciated the magical elements, they were not enough to save the book for me. There are much better fantasy mysteries out there, and I wouldn't recommend this one.