BLOG TOUR: The Magician's Lie by Greer Macallister (REVIEW)

The Magician's Lie is the debut novel by Greer Macallister, a book that has become a USA Today and MIBA Indie Bestseller, and has even been reviewed by Oprah Winfrey. The novel focuses on a famous illusionist who is accused of her husband's murder.

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. But one night she swaps her trademark saw for an axe.

When Arden's husband is found dead later that night, the answer seems clear, most of all to young policeman Virgil Holt.

Captured and taken into custody, all seems set for Arden's swift confession. But she has a different story to tell. Even handcuffed and alone, Arden is far from powerless, and what she reveals is as unbelievable as it is spellbinding.

A magical and mysterious historical thriller, perfect for fans of The Night Circus and Water for Elephants.

I wanted to read this book the minute I heard about it. Granted, I haven't read Water for Elephants or The Night Circus (although that is on my TBR list), but the premise of The Magician's Lie sounded utterly fantastic.

And it was. In 1905 in Iowa, famous illusionist The Amazing Arden finds herself accused of her husband's murder. Given that Arden is the prime suspect, she's faced with the task of convincing policeman Virgil Holt that she's innocent. But with her reputation for clever trickery behind her, and her attempt at fleeing, it's a difficult task indeed, though soon Arden begins to reveal more about herself that makes Virgil once again question whether to let her go.

The Magician's Lie is utterly captivating. It's described as a historical thriller, but I found it to be less thriller, more mystery with drama and a lot of intrigue. Perhaps a thriller in some ways, but not typically so; there's no big unexpected twist found in typical thrillers, and it focuses more on the character. However, I loved that. It's such a beautifully written tale that kept me hooked from the very first page. The novel revels a lot about the world of illusionists back in that time, and that alone made me keep reading. When Arden reveals all about her life, from her childhood to her life as a renowned performer, I was swept away in the intrigue.

The Magician's Lie is a fast-paced, beautiful debut, and I can't wait to read more from Greer Macallister in future.

Rating: 5/5

PICKS: Five new novels to get you in the Christmas spirit!

It's October already, and just as you might be wondering 'where the heck has this year GONE?!' then just to remind you, it's Christmas in two months. Yep, two months.

Still, one of the most fun things about the run-up to Christmas (besides pretty Christmas markets and Advocaat) is the selection of festive novels being released. If you're looking for some Christmassy tales to get cosy with on a cold evening, then there are plenty to choose from, with books from both new and well-known authors. Here's part one of the Super Heroines Christmas selection.

One Christmas Kiss in Notting Hill by Mandy Baggott
Imagine the perfect Christmas Kiss…

His strong arms around her waist, her hands on his face, the snow slowly starts to fall…

It’s enough to make Isla Winters cringe! While her sister can’t get enough of this – increasingly common – sight on the streets of London, Isla’s too busy trying to stop Hannah’s wheelchair from slipping on the ice, and making sure she’s not too late to her dream job at Breekers International. 

But everything changes with the arrival of Chase Bryan, fresh from the New York office. He’s eager to learn everything about Isla’s beloved Notting Hill, but as the nights get colder, will cosying up to him come at a price?

The Little Village Christmas by Sue Moorcroft
Alexia Kennedy – interior decorator extraordinaire – has been tasked with giving the little village of Middledip the community cafĂ© it’s always dreamed of.

After months of fundraising, the villagers can’t wait to see work get started – but disaster strikes when every last penny is stolen. With Middledip up in arms at how this could have happened, Alexia feels ready to admit defeat.

But help comes in an unlikely form when woodsman, Ben Hardaker and his rescue owl Barney, arrive on the scene. Another lost soul who’s hit rock bottom, Ben and Alexia make an unlikely partnership.

However, they soon realise that a little sprinkling of Christmas magic might just help to bring this village – and their lives – together again…

No-One Ever Has Sex on Christmas Day by Tracy Bloom
A dream family Christmas or a total nightmare? Katy and Ben are about to find out...

Katy’s been stuck in the office away from her family so she wants it all: snow (fake or real), the Michael BublĂ© Christmas album, whatever it takes. 

There’s only one thing missing as far as her husband Ben is concerned: another baby to complete their family. But Katy isn’t so sure she's ready yet…

Ben may be playing the role of Master Elf in the pre-school nativity but he is struggling to master his own family life. With romantically-challenged friends, an ex who refuses to go away and Katy's mum's 64-year-old toy boy thrown into the mix, Christmas looks like it could be going off the rails… 

Never mind family planning, can Katy and Ben even plan to make it to the end of Christmas Day? 

The Christmas Holiday by Maxine Morrey
As winter comes to London, journalist Mia Walker is desperately hoping for her big break as a travel writer, dreaming of exotic locations and sun-soaked beaches. When she’s invited to write a romantic travel piece that ends in a huge winter wedding in London, she jumps at the chance. The only trouble is, the photographer is renowned adventure-junkie Hunter Scott, who Mia last saw five years ago when she ended their engagement.

It’s the opportunity of a lifetime, and Mia knows she’d be mad to say no – even if it does mean spending weeks travelling round the world with the one man she never wanted to see again! But as the wedding approaches, and the magic of Christmas begins to take hold, Mia can’t help looking out for mistletoe – and wishing she hadn’t cancelled her own engagement after all…

Christmas in London by Anita Hughes
It’s a week before Christmas and Louisa Graham is working twelve hour shifts at a bakery on Manhattan's Lower East Side. When a young cooking show assistant comes in from the rain and begs to buy all the cinnamon rolls on her tray, she doesn’t know what to do. Louisa is just the baker, and they aren't hers to sell. But the show burned the rolls they were supposed to film that day; so she agrees.

The next morning, Louisa finds out that her cinnamon rolls were a hit, but the star of the show was allergic, and the whole crew is supposed to leave for London that afternoon. They want Louisa to step in for their annual Christmas Eve Dinner TV special at Claridge's. It’s a great opportunity, and Digby Bunting, Louisa’s famous baking idol, will be there. Even if he does seem more interested in her than her food.

And then there’s Kate, the show's beautiful producer. On their first day in London she runs into the skinny boy she jilted at St. Andrew's in Scotland ten years ago. Now he’s a handsome, brilliant mathematician, and newly divorced. Their familiar spark is still there, but so is the scar of how they left things. Kate and Louisa are busy preparing for the show, but old and new flames are complicating their work.