The show must go on.

At least that always has been the performer's credo, but when magicians' assistants start disappearing -- yes, almost on a nightly basis -- Esther Diamond skips out on doing the "disappearing act" in her current production. Instead, she goes to work with 300-plus-year-old sorcerer, Max Zadok, to try and find who is making these women vanish so mysteriously.

As the incidences pile up, Esther and Zadok acquire quite a team of helpers, including a crew of transvestites, a cowboy and a socialite magician. Unfortunately, while this does make for a varied and interesting cast, there are far too many toss-off lines and too much repetitive dialogue.

For those of you who have read Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels, Disappearing Nightly is definitely a pale copy. If you are into fantasy, go ahead and read the book, but add Evanovich if you want some truly hilarious mystery stories.