The Grand Illusion
England, 1940. Throughout the land all the talk, the trepidation, is of imminent German invasion. British Military Intelligence are aware not only of such plans, but also of Nazi High Command’s penchant for the occult; the SS even have a department, the Ahnenerbe, investigating ancient Aryan culture to affirm notions of superiority. Keen to exploit this possible weakness, the Secret Services recruit a group of radical free-thinkers, specialists in their own particular fields – precognition, mysticism, astrology, witchcraft etc. – who could be key in thwarting, or at least distracting the enemy, through trickery. Failing that, they might even summon, God forbid, The Forces of Darkness. Among these chosen few are Jonty Trevelyan and Daphne Devine, renowned stage magician and assistant, expert illusionists who, with their new colleagues and minimal resources, stage an effective misdirection stunt, then participate in a magical power ceremony in the New Forest. However, not everything goes smoothly, and Daphne must plumb the depths of her ingenuity and determination to prevail.
Moore’s in-depth character analyses augment the suspenseful plot and exhibit this proven thriller writer’s skill to the full. She also has a nicely capable turn of phrase especially in outdoor descriptions. Further, her writing is such that often it’s as if she’s reading the story to you, rather than you reading it. This novel presents an intriguing new slant on the usual Second World War deprivation tales – exciting and believable. A rare treat.
