The Magician's Lie
A Novel
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3.9 • 12 Ratings
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
A USA TODAY BESTSELLER!
"This is a book in which storylines twist, spiral and come together again in an ending as explosive as a poof of smoke from your chimney...or a top hat."—Oprah.com
Master of historical fiction Greer Macallister weaves the tale of a notorious female illusionist who stands accused of her husband's murder—and she has only one night to convince a small-town policeman of her innocence.
The Amazing Arden is the most famous female illusionist of the early 20th century, renowned for sawing a man in half on stage. One night in Waterloo, Iowa, with young policeman Virgil Holt in the audience, the magician swaps her trademark saw for a fire ax. Is it a new version of the illusion, or an all-too-real murder? When Arden's husband is found lifeless beneath the stage later that night, the answer seems clear.
But when Virgil happens upon the fleeing magician and takes her into custody, she has a very different story to tell. Even handcuffed and alone, Arden is far from powerless-and what she reveals seems unbelievable. Over the course of one eerie night, Virgil must decide whether to turn the illusionist in or set her free... and it will take all he has to see through the smoke and mirrors.
Water for Elephants meets The Night Circus in The Magician's Lie, a spellbinding historical adventure of deception, fact, and the surprising number of truths in between.
Also by Greer Macallister:
Girl in Disguise
Woman 99
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
This well-paced, evocative, and adventurous historical novel from Macallister, a poet and short story writer, chronicles the career of America's preeminent female stage illusionist at the turn of the 20th century, who, as the Amazing Arden, created the lurid, controversial stage act known as the Halved Man. When Arden's husband is found murdered following her performance in Waterloo, Iowa, she falls under suspicion, particularly after she goes on the lam. Later the same night, officer Virgil Holt, en route to his home in the nearby town of Janesville, nabs Arden and charges her with her husband's murder. Holt escorts her to his office where she maintains her innocence and urges him to release her. The skeptical Holt compels Arden to relate her life's story, from her birth as Ada Bates in Philadelphia to her growing up on a Tennessee farm. And so the tale begins, as Arden describes learning to dance and fearing her older cousin Ray, who self-mutilates and fancies himself a magical healer. Arden hires on as a laundress at the Vanderbilts' Biltmore estate in North Carolina, where she befriends the gardener, Clyde Garber, and they run away to New York City. She begins work as a chorine before entering the magic business under the tutelage of the crusty, colorful Adelaide Herrmann. After Adelaide retires, Arden takes over the traveling magic show. She again crosses paths with Ray to set in motion the violent conclusion, bringing Arden's rollicking life full circle and satisfyingly capping off this top-notch novel.
Customer Reviews
Great
I wanted to go in reading this not really knowing to much about it. And I am glad I did. This book takes place in late 1800's and early 1900's my kinda book. It's about a girl named Arden is a famous illusionist. Who is being accused of her husband death. She is caught by a officer named Virgil Holt. I liked where this went because when office Holt bought her in. She told her story from the beginning and i could see it and feel it. I really understand Arden. I am not going to tell everything because I would like everyone to give this book just a chance. But one person that haunted Arden was a boy named Ray who thought he could do things like heal himself. He gave me the creeps and at times I was scared for our main character. Arden also meets another man in telling her story Clyde oh he is heart breaker. I loved this book and enjoyed it. I didn't want it to end. If you like magic and really good story I recommend this story. Can't wait to read more Greer Macallister.