Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Jan 2015
320 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publication Information
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. One night in Waterloo, Iowa, with young policeman Virgil Holt watching from the audience, she 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 is as unbelievable as it is spellbinding. Over the course of one eerie night, Virgil must decide whether to turn Arden in or set her free... and it will take all he has to see through the smoke and mirrors.
"Starred Review. [A] well-paced, evocative, and adventurous historical novel... top-notch." - Publishers Weekly
"In her historical fiction debut, Macallister has created a captivating world of enchantment and mystery that readers will be loath to leave." - Library Journal
"Macallister makes a concerted effort to ensure historical accuracy, but her prose is labored and lacks intensity. Nevertheless, devotees of illusion may enjoy the story based on the author's detailed focus on early costumes, movement and techniques." - Kirkus
"Like her heroine the Amazing Arden, Greer Macallister has created a blend of magic that is sure to delight her audience. The Magician's Lie is a rich tale of heart-stopping plot turns, glittering prose, and a cast of complex, compelling characters. Reader beware: those who enter Macallister's delicious world of magic and mystery won't wish to leave!" - Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of The Traitor's Wife
"Greer Macallister handles the reader with the command and brilliance of a world class ringmaster. The Magician's Lie is a mesmerizing novel of illusion, secrets, and suspense. Bravo!" - Erika Robuck, author of Call Me Zelda and Fallen Beauty
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Raised in the Midwest, Greer Macallister earned her MFA in creative writing from American University. Her debut novel The Magician's Lie was a USA Today bestseller, an Indie Next pick, and a Target Book Club selection. Her novels Girl in Disguise ("a rip-roaring, fast-paced treat to read" - Booklist) and Woman 99 ("a nail biter that makes you want to stand up and cheer" - Kate Quinn) were inspired by pioneering 19th-century private detective Kate Warne and fearless journalist Nellie Bly, respectively. Her book The Arctic Fury was named an Indie Next and Library Reads pick, an Amazon Best Book of the Month, and a spotlighted new release at PopSugar, Libro.fm, and Goodreads. Scorpica was her epic fantasy debut. A regular contributor to Writer Unboxed and the Chicago Review of Books, she ...
... Full Biography
Author Interview
Link to Greer Macallister's Website
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