Felony Juggler by Penn Jillette

Before the spotlight. Before the fame. Before the legends — there was the street.

In this wildly entertaining thriller from Penn Jillette of Penn & Teller, you’ll step into the unpredictable world of a roaming street performer whose greatest skill isn’t juggling… it’s survival. Set in the gritty performance circuits of the 1970s, the story follows Poe, a busker whose life spirals from sidewalk shows to a dangerous criminal plot that forces him to rely on the same tools every great magician uses: timing, misdirection, nerve, and nerve again.

What makes this novel especially compelling for magicians and performers is its authenticity. Jillette draws from his own early years performing on the street, giving the book a raw, insider feel that captures both the romance and the reality of life as a working entertainer. It’s equal parts suspense, humor, and performer folklore — a fast-paced read that feels like a long night swapping stories after a show.

Why Tannen’s loves it:
This isn’t just a novel about crime or adventure — it’s a novel about performers. If you’ve ever worked a crowd, chased applause, or lived for the moment when a trick lands perfectly, you’ll recognize yourself in these pages. It’s a rare piece of fiction that truly understands the performer’s mind.