Reviewer: Emma
I received a review copy
Summary:
Water for Elephants meets The Night Circus in The Magician’s Lie, a debut novel in which the country’s most notorious female illusionist 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 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.
Review:
Come one – come all, to see the Amazing Arden saw a man in half!! Known as one of the best and well-known magicians of her time, Arden is special. People come from all over, just to get a chance to see her tricks and entertainment. One night, she performs her normal show, but the ending is a bit different. Her husband is dead, and she is caught feeling the scene. Captured by Officer Virgil Holt, he must decide if she is innocent or guilty.
Arden tells an elaborate tale of her life and it’s crazy events. But, is she really telling the truth, or is this just an elaborate scheme to get out of murdering her husband?
I honestly could not put this book down. The author’s style of writing is fantastic. Arden’s story is intricate, emotional and suspenseful. The author does a wonderful job of going back in forth between the present moment between Arden and Virgil, and of Arden reliving her past experiences. The book kept me guessing and there were many unexpected twists and turns. My favorite book I have read this year – don’t miss out!
