I wish to thank Imogen Harris of Legend Press for inviting me on the Blog Tour for THE MAGICIAN’S LIE by Greer Macallister. Unfortunately due to personal circumstances the post was postponed at the time.

ISBN (Paperback): 9781787199989

ISBN (Ebook): 9781787199972

Price: £8.99 (Paperback) £5.99 (Ebook)

Extent: 320 pages

Format: 198x129mm

Rights Held: UK and Ireland

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

The Amazing Arden is the most famous female illusionist of her day, renowned for her notorious trick of sawing a man in half on stage. But one night she swaps her trademark saw for an axe. When Arden’s husband is found dead later that night, the answer seems clear, most of all to the young policeman Virgil Holt. Captured and taken into custody, all seems set for Arden’s swift confession. But she has a different story to tell. Even handcuffed and alone, Arden is far from powerless, and what she reveals is as unbelievable as it is spellbinding.
‘More bewitching than a crackling fire… The battle of wits that plays out between these covers is best read curled up under the covers.’ Oprah.com

‘A well-paced, evocative, and adventurous historical novel.’ Publishers Weekly
A magical and mysterious historical thriller.

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS AND REVIEW

I love a story that is so unpredictable that I am compelled to read it in one sitting. Surely you would only run away from the police if you were guilty, right? But when The Amazing Arden, one of the very first female magicians was captured by Virgil Holt a very determined young policeman, in connection for the murder of her husband, what he hears is not what he wanted or expected.

The year is 1905 and Holt has just witnessed a most frenzied and bizarre performance on stage as a member of the audience.  The Amazing Arden was renowned for her final act each night of sawing a man in half but on this fatal night she viciously chops at the box, containing the man, with a fire ax.

Not long after the show ends her estranged husband is found in this box with the ax firmly embedded in his body and very dead. Virgil quickly arrests her and locks both himself and her in a room so he may take her confession. Ada, her real name, will only say she didn’t kill him and proceeds to tell the story of how she first met her husband when she was a girl up to present day. With a little quick pro quo between the pair as she teases part of his life story from the detective.

I was totally mesmerised with this story as I have read nothing like it. I was fascinated by the explanations of how these astonishing tricks were performed, I was engrossed in the very colourful vibrant characters. Absolutely loved both Adelaide, the owner of the show and Ada a most strong and determined woman of her time. Mostly though I felt terrified of this mad man who relentlessly pursued Ada.

It was almost like time stood still while she told her story. There was something very hypnotic about both past and present. The contrast of the performers and noise of the audience that came to an abrupt end as soon as the story went back to the eerie and quiet room as Virgil asked another question. It worked beautifully and created a very atmospheric read. I desperately wanted some of the magic to be real, as did the young policeman, but would either of us get our wish?

This is a story that has kept coming back into my thoughts and would love to know more about both The Amazing Arden and Virgil the policeman too. Super story, pure magic!

HERE IS A LITTLE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A Bit About the Author: Raised in the Midwest, Greer Macallister is a poet, short-story writer, playwright and novelist. Her plays have been performed at American University, where she earned her MFA in Creative Writing.

Follow Greer on Twitter @theladygreer