Virgil Holt, a young police officer in a small Iowa town, is completely mesmerized by the woman magician using an ax to hack through the coffin-box holding a man and drenching the stage with blood. It's impossible for Holt to look away from the Amazing Arden. Only hours later, Holt arrives on the scene to see evidence that the magician's husband has been murdered and his body shoved in the same box she had used earlier for her trick. Arden is the number one suspect.
It is only by chance that Holt is able to capture Arden and he holds her prisoner in the small jail until he can turn her over to the other authorities. Arden has only the night to tell her story and convince Holt that she is innocent of the murder of her husband.
With magic and illusion, The Magician's Lie by Greer Macallister captured my attention from the first page.
Arden is a fascinating character who is adept at survival and self-promotion. Her story is compelling and filled with danger, intrigue, passion and love. Carefully plotted, Arden's story is beguiling and like Holt, the reader is never sure what to believe and what not to believe.
Because I was fully in love with the world created in The Magician's Lie, I was sad to see it end. With that love, I would have liked better development of some of the supporting characters. Because of the narrative style, Arden is telling her story to Holt. I would have loved to be more immersed in her world and the people she associated with on the circuit.
Macallister is at her best writing about the gruesome fire that destroyed the Iroquois Theater in Chicago. Arming herself with history, Macallister uses this as a critical point in Arden's story while bringing the reader right into the horrifying disaster. Placing historical figures at moments in Arden's life, including the relationship between Arden and the very real female magician Adelaide Herrmann also gives the story strength and credibility. The historical time period works perfectly for Adren's tale.
I was entranced by The Magician's Lie. It is beautiful, thrilling, dangerous and compelling. Talented and gifted, the Amazing Arden has a magic that is equally enthralling and horrible. It was hard to put it down and I wanted almost immediately to read it again.
The Magician's Lie by Greer Macallister is one of the SheReads selections this winter. It is published by Source Books Landmark in January 2015.
**I received a complimentary copy of The Magician's Lie. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.**
Not sure how it happened, but I actually received two copies of The Magician's Lie. I'm giving the second ARC copy of the novel away to one lucky winner.
Please leave a comment on this blog post. The contest will be opened to entries until Friday, January 23rd at 11:59 MST. The winner will be chosen randomly and announced on Saturday, January 24th. Open in US only.
Posts
23 comments:
Great review, Cindi. I've heard many good things about this book. Can't wait to read it. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Ok, I need to read this now. You talked me into it 😉! I'd love your extra copy!
Kelly Barton
You already know I want this book soooooo badly. That's all. : )
SuzyQ4PR(at)aol(dot)com
I've been wanting to read this! It's on my list. I know I'm gonna like it. Thanks for the review and giveaway! (wonderfeather@gmail.com)
Sounds like a fantastic read! I hope I get the chance!
Ooh - this sounds so good. Have been eyeing it since I first learned of it on Goodreads. Thanks for the chance to win! And such a lovely review! (And thanks for the name/url option for those of us who have complicated email/blog set ups!)
Sounds good! I will have to add it to my "to read" list.
This sounds great!
The Magician's Lie sounds fascinating! I would love to get the chance to read it! I will have to check our local library for a copy.
Wow, this sounds like a great book!
This sounds like a book I'd love to read! Thanks for sharing about it!
ineedadietcoke at aol dot com
Sounds like a great book. I'm always looking for a new author. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
I love to read and this sounds like a great read...I would love to win.
I love Magic and I love books/reading so combine the 2 and I'm "in love" for sure...Thanks for this opportunity.
mommytudewithadditude@gmail.com
Sounds like a good book! I would love the chance to read it!
This sounds like a fascinating book. I'd like to read it.
Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
I would love to read this book!
Thanks!
kimberlybreid at hotmail dot com
This sounds like a great book. Magicians and a murder...perfect book to read on a rainy day.
Les Johnson
katja9_10 at Hotmail dot com
Your review totally drew me in! This sounds like a really interesting and fresh plot. I'd love to check this out!
got my fleece blanket and my cup of hot chocolate now all I need is that book ! lol
Kathryn C
kacor7@hotmail.com
This has been on my reading list since I first heard about it. I'd love to win a copy. Thanks!
I really would have liked to spend more time learning about Arden's work as a magician and the other people on the circuit too! My favorite parts of the story were the peaceful times when we were just learning about how Arden built her career and I think I might have liked the book better had her career as a magician been the entire focus of the story.
Post a Comment