The Magician's Lie - by Greer Macallister (Paperback)

About the Book

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.

Book Synopsis

She's the most dangerous woman in America--according to the headlines. But in the flickering gaslight, truth is just another illusion.

A murdered man. A vanishing act. One night for a fugitive illusionist to tell her story--and for a small-town cop to decide if he believes her.

The Magician's Lie by Greer Macallister is a spellbinding historical mystery with psychological suspense and a fiercely unforgettable heroine. Perfect for fans of The Night Circus, Water for Elephants, and The Alice Network, this genre-bending novel invites readers behind the curtain, where secrets hide in plain sight and freedom may be the most dangerous illusion of all.

Arden, a brilliant performer accused of murder, recounts her life in a locked-room interrogation laced with secrets, betrayals, and survival. Set against the backdrop of early 1900s America, this atmospheric tale explores gender, truth, and the stories we tell to escape them.

Praise for The Magician's Lie:

USA Today Bestseller

"[A] well-paced, evocative, and adventurous historical novel..." - Publishers Weekly

"The Magician's Lie is a rich tale of heart-stopping plot turns, glittering prose, and a cast of complex, compelling characters." - Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of The Traitor's Wife

"The Magician's Lie is a mesmerizing novel of illusion, secrets, and suspense. Bravo!" - Erika Robuck, author of Call Me Zelda and Fallen Beauty

Review Quotes

"Readers may well compare Greer's novel to The Night Circus, as it revolves around the mysterious world of magic and illusions... the story is spun like a bard's hypnotic tale. By the end, the reader is left wondering what is real and what is illusion." - RT Book Reviews

"[A] well-paced, evocative, and adventurous historical novel..." - Publishers Weekly

"A little taste of The Night Circus, and little salt of Water for Elephants, The "Magician's Lie" by Greer Macallister is a wonderful combination of magic, vaudeville and the drama of a secret life." - Annie Philbrick, Bank Square Books, Mystic CT

"Greer Macallister's novel will surely capture the imagination of all readers waiting impatiently for the next Water for Elephants... intense character development, spot-on historical references, and page-turning action." - Nancy Simpson-Brice, Book Vault (Oskaloosa, IA)

"In her historical fiction debut, Macallister... has created a captivating world of enchantment and mystery that readers will be loath to leave." - Library Journal

"In The "Magician's Lie," Greer Macallister has created a rich tapestry of mystery, magic, and lost love. The novel drew me in with its lush details and edge-of-your-seat plot. The tale of the tragic Amazing Arden, a female magician, will have you questioning how the truth of a tale can be different than the material facts, and how what you feel can be stronger than the soundest logic." - Margaret Dilloway, author of How to Be an American Housewife and The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns

"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

"A suspenseful and well-researched tale of magic, secrets and betrayal that will keep you guessing until the end." - J. Courtney Sullivan, New York Times bestselling author of The Engagements and Maine

"The Magician's Lie is riveting, compelling, beautiful, frightening, evocative and above all magical. Don't miss this immersive novel of suspense and wonder from an exciting new voice in historical fiction!" - International Bestseller M.J. Rose

"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

"In The "Magician's Lie", Greer Macallister has created a rich tapestry of mystery, magic, and lost love. The novel drew me in with its lush details and edge-of-your-seat plot. The tale of the tragic Amazing Arden, a female magician, will have you questioning how the truth of a tale can be different than the material facts, and how what you feel can be stronger than the soundest logic." - Margaret Dilloway, author of How to Be an American Housewife and The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns

"Twisted together with magic, a drenching touch of evil, betrayal, love, and wonderful storytelling will make this a tale you won't soon forget. Is her story real, or a magician's lie?" - Becky Milner, Vintage Books (Vancouver WA)