After reading the blurb, I was expecting an exciting thrill-ride of a book that would take us behind the scenes in a world few of us get to enter. I’m a big fan of movies like Now You See Me, and I was hoping for the literary equivalent to that type of movie.

Unfortunately, this book just didn’t work for me. I found it incredibly slow. Forget slow - it was downright catatonic. I had such a hard time getting through it, but somehow I persevered.

Worse yet, I didn’t engage with any of the characters, nor did I find any of them terribly likeable. I found Wren to be self-centred and egotistical. I also thought her backstory felt contrived and overly traumatic for the sake of adding angst where there otherwise wouldn’t have been any. Elliot came across as incompetent; I questioned so many of his decisions as an FBI agent. (Frankly, I did more questioning than he did in the entire book!) And that’s the other thing - the FBI angle just didn’t seem credible at all. How incredibly convenient that the FBI would show up to watch an illusionist act that just happens to culminate in an unexplained death. It’s as though the FBI had nothing to do but twiddle their thumbs, waiting for a case to fall into their inept laps.

The romance also didn’t work for me (actually, neither the main romance nor the side romance felt authentic). The writing was good, and the premise was wonderful - yet overall I was just really bored. ( )

I have to admit that it was the mentioning of Harry Houdini that got me interested in this book. And, I'm glad I read the book, despite, the story taking place after Houdini's death. I found the story to be interesting and engaging, although the obvious romantic side story really didn't interest me that much.

Still, I was charmed by Wren Lockhart, and I found her to be a fabulous character. I especially liked the flashbacks to when she was younger, where we see what a terrible upbringing she had and how she came to work for Harry Houdini when she turned 16. I found the writing to be very good, and the characters came to life.

I quite liked the case. The mysterious "death" of a man raised from the dead with a note in his pocket with both Wren and Harry's real name that hinted that the "killer" wanted Wren involved. But why? This aspect of the book was great, I just wish the romantic part had been a bit toned down. Not that I disliked the romantic part, I just felt that I was more interested in the case, and Wren's part with Houdini. Still, it's a good book, and I wouldn't mind reading more books about Wren (and Houdini).

3.5 stars

I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review! ( )

Once the apprentice to the amazing Harry Houdini, Wren Lockhart now performs her illusions on the vaudeville stage. She is talented, but eccentric...shutting nearly everyone out of her life, dressing in men's clothing and ignoring most social conventions. She relies only on herself. Her past taught her that. The past she keeps secret. After a man is supposedly raised from the dead by another illusionist, Horace Stapleton, the resurrected man promptly drops dead. Stapleton was previously debunked as a fraud by Houdini and Wren knows he didn't raise anyone from the dead. So, what did happen? She is approached by FBI agent Elliot Matthews to help with the investigation. Stapleton is a fraud, but Wren knows he isn't a murderer.

Set in the Vaudeville and flapper era of the 1920's, this book has much historical color amid the vibrant backdrop of stage performers, illusionists and all the magic of the Jazz Age. The mystery is engaging and the characters are believable. I loved Wren's strength and independence. Elliot is intelligent, patient and determined. The action is great, and the story perfectly paced to build tension. I found myself carrying my Kindle with me everywhere so I wouldn't have to stop reading!

Kristy Cambron is the author of several novels including The Butterfly and the Violin. To find out more about the author and her books, check out her website at https://kristycambron.com/

**I volunarily read an Advance Readers Copy of this book via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.** ( )

An intrigue into vaudeville and early entertainment performers led me to this book. I felt that the characters could be stronger but the story kept them going so if you are looking for more plot driven book this would be it. ( )

Wren is an illusionist who worked with Houdini before his death.
Now Wren winds up at the scene of an unusual performance. A magician claims he will bring a man back from the dead. At the cemetery, a man does indeed rise from the coffin. But quickly dies.
Soon the scene turns into a murder investigation.

The cop questioning Wren begins to develop feels for her. Because of her own history she is reluctant to let anyone close to her.
She needs to show she is not connected to the case without uncovering any of a magician's secrets.

I was expecting more focus on magic in this story. It was really more of a mystery.
For my own tastes, I wish it focused more on the magic. ( )