The Illusionist’s Apprentice
Behind every great illusionist is a powerful and intelligent woman who holds the key to all of the secrets and tricks kept hidden from the public. In The Illusionist’s Apprentice, we meet Wren Lockhart, Harry Houdini’s fictional assistant.
It is New Year’s Eve of 1926, and Harry Houdini has been dead for two months. The story opens at a cemetery, where Houdini’s nemesis, Horace Stapleton, has gathered crowds to witness his attempt to resurrect a dead man. But when something goes terribly wrong, the federal agents who had been dispatched to witness the show start to believe that something more sinister was at play than just an unfortunate accident. They turn their focus to Wren, a vaudeville illusionist, whose previous association with Houdini, as well as her mysterious past, propels her to become a person of interest. As Agent Elliot Matthews begins to unravel the truth, Wren becomes more elusive than ever.
Cambron has created a wholly original character in Wren Lockhart. She defies the convention of her time in everything from her dress to her occupation to her stubborn independence. The storyline is intriguing, and the vaudeville scenes are captivating. Period details are spot on, as the reader is transported to the dusky shadows of 1920s Boston.
At once a love story and a mystery, The Illusionist’s Apprentice will appeal to anyone who likes novels about strong, enigmatic women, as well as to those curious about what goes on behind the curtains on a magician’s stage.
