The Last Illusion (Molly Murphy Mysteries) by Rhys Bowen Paperback Book

Details

Rent The Last Illusion (Molly Murphy Mysteries)

Author: Rhys Bowen

Format: Mass Market Paperback, Paperback

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Published: Mar 2011

Genre: Fiction - Mystery & Detective - Women Sleuths

Retail Price: $7.99

Pages: 304

Synopsis

Irish immigrant and PI Molly Murphy is thrilled to have a ticket to the theater to see a trio of illusionists that are all the rage. Indeed, headlining is Harry Houdini, the most sensational of them all; he has just returned from entertaining European kings and queens for a brief run on Broadway.

But before Houdini can even take the stage, the opening act goes horribly wrong and to the crowd's shock the illusionist saws into his assistant. In the aftermath, the stunned performer accuses Houdini of tampering with the equipment he keeps under lock and key. And he's not the only one critical of "The King of Handcuffs." Risking his life every night, Houdini has raised the stakes to such a perilous level that he's putting lesser acts out of business.

With everyone on edge, Houdini's wife hires Molly to be part investigator/part bodyguard, but how can she protect a man who literally risks his life every night? And how is she going to uncover whether these masters of illusion are simply up to their tricks or if there truly is something much more treacherous going on.

With sparkling wit, charming characters, and historic detail, multiple award winner Rhys Bowen brings early-twentieth-century New York City and the fantastic performers of the time vividly to life in The Last Illusion.

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Reviews

BookLender review by Donna on 2012-11-02 16:58:51

I love this series. Rhys Bowen just has a wonderful talent for bringing to life an era of New York when it was young and still budding. From the scenes of the Bowery to the streets of Times Square. You feel that you are not just a reader looking into a written world, but that you are one of the characters. This book meant a lot to me because my greatgrandfather was taught by Houdini. He was known as Professor Ramsey in Baltimore. He performed up and down the Eastern U.S. circuit. I thought that there was everything to know about Houdini, but I was pleasantly surprised to read about the Secret Service at the time and how they used the performers of the vaudville life. A wonderful read!