The Magician's Lie

A Novel

By: Greer Macallister

Narrated by: Julia Whelan, Nick Podehl

Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's 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.

©2015 Greer Macallister (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved. First published in print by Sourcebooks Landmark.

Good story

I liked the tale. Would have preferred a greater contrast in Claude and Ray's voice and it was too weird having the male voice doing Addie's voice at the police station.

"Original"

Would you listen to The Magician's Lie again? Why?

I have listened to this book more than seven times already. Simple, the story is different.

What did you like best about this story?

The main character Arden, she was strong, determine, and confident. Not a damsel in distress, waiting for some man to help her out.

Which character – as performed by Julia Whelan and Nick Podehl – was your favorite?

The Magician's wife Arden.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes. When Arden was injured by the bad guy by the stables.

Bewitching

I absolutely LOVED this novel. It was enchanting, dark, alluring and clever. Set during the turn of the century this is spellbinding mystery; did Arden a famed illusionist kill her husband or is she an innocent victim? She has only a few hours to tell her tale & seal her fate.

Disappointing

I expected to enjoy this story, but it fell flat. None of the charm or atmosphere of "Water for Elephants", although the melieu is similar. The biggest problem for me was the unlikability of all the key players. There is also an abusive relationship that was hard to handle. The ending was a letdown, too. I wouldn't recommend this one.

Starts Strong but Quickly Disappoints

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would not recommend this book to a friend. Both the prose and the story quickly became quite pedestrian.

Would you ever listen to anything by Greer Macallister again?

Probably not

What about Julia Whelan and Nick Podehl ’s performance did you like?

I loved both voices, except when Julia was attempting to imitate a man's voice. I would have liked it better if Julia had just used her own natural voice when reading the men's parts, as her "man-voice" sounded contrived. Otherwise her reading voice was excellent and added a sense of mystery to the plot.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Probably not.

Innocent..?

A woman is kidnapped by a lawman in order for him to privately interrogate her for a murder that has just occurred. When she begins her story starting with her childhood he is exasperated, but as she goes through the events of her life he becomes more curious, hopefull and a bit empathetic. Many truths are revieled and he begins to belive that she may actually be innocent. A good mystery with just a hint of magic.

Interesting

I liked this book, but it does have some cruelty in it that might be hard for some to take. It also has wonderful love, and much beauty.

Loved listening to this

I really enjoyed that two voices read this book. Made the experience of listening more pleasant since it was from two perspectives. Enjoyable book, would recommend.

Don't Agree with the comparison....

Any additional comments?

...to Water for Elephants and The Night Circus. While this was a good tale and had me wanting to find out how it ended(at times it seemed forever to get there) therebwas no magic for me like The Night Circus created and no feel good ending leaving me with a smile, like Water for Elephants.

Eh

It was ok. Kind of felt thin to me. The male (Nick P.) was fantastic as usual. The female made the main character seem so snotty with her waspy accents and the males all sounded like undereducated farmhands. I'm glad I purchased as deal of the day because the story and narration wasn't worth a full price or credit to me.