The Magician's Lie

A Novel

by Greer Macallister

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Pub Date Jan 13 2015 | Archive Date Jan 31 2015

SOURCEBOOKS Landmark

General Fiction (Adult) | Women's Fiction

Description

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.

Advance Praise

“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)

"Greer Macallister's novel will surely capture the imagination of all readers waiting impatiently for the next Water for Elephants. No spoilers here, but know that the conclusion of this book is gripping and exciting ... intense character development, spot-on historical references, and page-turning action.” --Nancy Simpson-Brice, Book Vault (Oskaloosa, IA)