Although I've been burned too many times by books about a famous man's sidekick (the XYZ's daughter/wife/helper/assistant), I was intrigued by a book about Houdini's apprentice.

Unfortunately, Houdini didn't play much of a role in this book. It is mostly about an illusionist who works with a FBI agent to solve a murder and debunk a spiritualist. On the plus side the mystery was sufficiently complicated, and I didn't see the end coming. On the minus side, the hard luck life and reluctant romance of the protagonist took up too much of the story.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5 stars, TOP PICK

Cambron takes readers on an amazing journey into the world of vaudeville illusionists during the Roaring Twenties. This novel includes an intriguing mystery that adds adventure and suspense to the intricately detailed historical drama. The author obviously did a large amount of research into the subject. This shines through in the interplay of the characters and the plot, placing the reader into the story so much that the sights, sounds and even the smells of the setting come alive. Wren isn't a particularly likable character, yet as the details of her past are revealed, her actions will evoke empathy. The romance is wonderfully portrayed as well, rounding out the story with tenderness.
In 1926 Boston, Jenny "Wren" Lockhart is a female illusionist in vaudeville, a world not usually populated by women. She trained with the famed Harry Houdini, learning his secrets and helping to debunk those claiming to do real magic. She comes into contact with Special Agent Elliot Matthews when a man named Horace Stapleton, who Houdini had discredited in the past, supposedly brings a long-dead man back to life. Elliot wants to team up with Wren to figure out exactly what happened, but she is reluctant. Placing herself with law enforcement would lead to many problems for her and those she cares about. As more suspicious events begin to occur, the two realize that it is safer to work together to reveal the truth behind the mysterious circumstances.

The best of Ms Cambron's novels for me! Somehow I think she allowed herself to get carried out with all of that visual, carefree and colourful beauty of glitz, glitter and vaudeville, images and illusions - which can cover all what is dark and/or spark in the human heart. Superbly entertaining, visually enticing and deliciously dark at times - and quite deep, too.

Wren Lockhart is her own woman in Boston, 1926. Bold, man clothes-wearing, in charge, beautiful and professional. And heart-broken by life - but you would never know, watching her illusions and her confidence on stage. But Agent Elliott Matthews is no ordinary man - and as FBI asks Wren to collaborate in debunking shocking spiritualists' claims about the victory over death, Elliott is more and more intrigued. What are the secrets (and the cause of sadness and walls around) of this beautiful woman?
But there are secrets around them, too - and greed and revenge. Soon Elliott and Wren are in danger and their adversaries are smart.

What a glittery world, and yet how painstakingly real! Ms Cambron truly went all colour and sparkle here, and she has me eating all that stuff from her hand. Reading this was like a movie - and while there IS a plot, there is also a feeling of reeling, reeling beautifully among the flitters of gold in some magical mirror land. And this is this book. The plot is catchy, good and important (even a murder mystery, always a plus in my book!) - but the feeling is what catches me always. I can feel and see this novel's environment.
And I can feel Wren's pain, admire her courage and celebrate her inner freedom - along with the man who loves all of her.

And all the Harry Houdini's facts are a plus. What an interesting man!

First line: Agent Elliot Matthews stared down a firing squad.

Summary: After the death of Harry Houdini his apprentice, Jenny “Wren” Lockhart, is pulled into a scandal that could reveal her mentors secrets and spell death for some. When Horace Stapleton, a mystic whom Houdini proved to be a fraud, tries a trick with a deadly ending pulling Wren and FBI on chase to find out what actually happened.

My Thoughts: This was a nice little mystery. I liked the history and the bits about Harry Houdini. It did not capture my attention as much as I assumed it would. The beginning was a little slow which may be why it did not capture me. However, the second half was much better.

FYI: If you like this then watch Houdini starring Adrien Brody.

entertaining, interesting and nicely written, what more can i want from a historical fiction?
I enjoyed it from start to finish!

DNF

There's nothing in particular that I didn't like about this book, it's just a case of I didn't click with it. My "first impression" wasn't compelling, I didn't feel the need to to keep reading.

PS Apologies for the late feedback, life's been busy and I'm just finding the time transcribing my reviews here.

In Review The Illusionist's Apprentice
You are here: Home / books / In Review The Illusionist’s Apprentice
IN REVIEW THE ILLUSIONIST’S APPRENTICE

In Review The Illusionist's Apprentice

Be transported to the height of the jazz age in Kristy Cambron’s newest novel, The Illusionist’s Apprentice. Kristy’s newest offering, introduces us to Wren Lockhart, the late Harry Houdini’s apprentice. Wren is a strong woman and has spent years building walls of protection around herself, but when she is tossed into a web of mystery, she is forced to team up with FBI agents Elliot Matthews and Connor Finnegan.

The Illusionist's Apprentice

This may be my favorite Cambron novel (I know I say that about everyone of her books, but really). It has suspense, mystery, a strong heroine that must be rescued by the scarred and battered cop (FBI agent, but still . . . you know my soft spot for stories involving cops), and all of this taking place in my favorite time era! It’s safe to say I loved everything about this book! I love Agent Matthews and how gentle he was towards breaking down Wren’s walls. Loved their story—give me all the lovey feels. This book releases tomorrow, but I was honored to be able to read and review a ARC.

The Illusionist’s Apprentice by Kristy Cambron, which may sound like a sequel to The Ringmaster’s Wife, is not. Both are stand-alone novels.

Wren Lockhart was an apprentice to Harry Houdini before he died, and now she is the only one who knows how he did his tricks. This puts her as a target for the next up-and-coming magician, Horace Stapleton, whose latest trick leaves a man dead with the FBI after him. The dead man has a piece of paper in his pocket linking Wren to the case.

Agent Elliot Matthews is on the case, and is intrigued by Wren Lockhart, who hates the guts of Horace Stapleton, but is still somehow linked to his case. Can he discover who is in danger, who is safe, and who is chasing Wren and him? Can he peel back the layers that make up Wren Lockhart and discover who she really is?

I LOVED THIS BOOK! I didn’t think I would be able to get into it at first, with the murder happening in the first chapter and me not knowing who was who, but once I got into it, I was hooked. The characters were so complex, and the plot kept me guessing the whole time–it was almost frustrating because normally I can guess “who done it”, but with this book I was on my toes and reading at every chance I got. The underlying messages of trust and loyalty were more touching than I could have hoped for; The Illusionist’s Apprentice wasn’t just a good novel or a good mystery. It is a novel celebrating the hope we have in Jesus Christ and His resurrection. It’s only the second novel I’ve read by this author, but it will not be the last. Her works are inspiring as well as entertaining. I would highly recommend!

If you’re looking for a good historical novel with a unique setting and plot, for a mystery that will keep you up at night, for characters to cheer for, or simply for a piece of entertainment that is uplifting at the same time as it is enjoyable, then this is a book you will want to read.

Thank you so much to Thomas Nelson and Net Galley for providing me with an electronic copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and were not required to be positive.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I’ve done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

5 Stars!!!
I had read and loved two of Kristy's novels (The Butterfly and The Violin, and The Ringmaster's Wife) prior to reading this one. And while I think The Ringmaster's Wife will probably always be my personal favorite, I absolutely loved The Illusionist's Apprentice from the very first sentence all the way to the end! The premise totally intrigued me from the moment I first heard about it, and I was most definitely not disappointed by this book! I loved both Wren and Elliot, they both had such painful pasts and it was wonderful to watch them overcome their pasts together and learn to trust in God and each other. I have always been fascinated by Illusionists, and I loved getting to learn about Wren's profession as well as all the fabulous historical details about Harry Houdini! Two of my favorite genres are romantic mystery/suspense and historical romance and I absolutely love it when I find a book in which these two genres collide, such was the case with this book and I absolutely loved it! It was so neat to read a story that featured the FBI back when it was still relatively new. I must say that the 1920's are not in general one of my favorite time periods to read about, but as I have adored both this author's books that have been set in the 20's I am more open to reading about that time period and if Kristy Cambron continues to bring that decade to life through her fabulous writing I will always jump into those books with both feet! Going back to the suspense for a minute, I believe this is Kristy Cambron's first time writing a suspense element like this and I can say that she did an amazing job (I hope she writes more suspense in the future) there were so many surprises along the way that I did not see coming and one in particular that made me hang my head and cry out an anguished, No!


Overall, I absolutely adored every single moment of this book, as soon as I finished I found myself wanting to re-read it, it's that good!!!
I highly recommend The Illusionist's Apprentice, it not only has a permanent spot on my keeper shelf, but it will also be on my list of favorite reads of 2017!
I cannot wait to see what else Kristy Cambron has in store for us!



I received a copy of this book from the publisher through BookLook bloggers. No review required. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.

I loved the historical detail in this story! Houdini was a favorite of mine to read about when I was a kid, so it was fun to read a bit more about some of the elements I didn't know much about, like his distrust of spiritualist/mystics and how he got started as a kid. It makes me want to pick up another book about just him!
This story has so many layers, with the mystery in the 1920's of a man brought "back" from the dead to collapse and die on stage and then the mystery of why Wren wants to keep her real name a secret. I highly recommend this one!
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I tried to start this a couple times a few months ago and never got past the first chapter or two. Thanks to a group read, I dove in and soon found myself entirely absorbed. Then I had the opposite problem of being unable to lay the book down at all!

The mystery of Peale and his double death soon morphs into a bigger mystery of who is calling the shots in a very literal sense. I enjoyed the atmosphere of the Prohibition years and the unique character Wren is. Add to that Elliot and his fascination with Wren and her art of illusion, and we have all the elements for a good tale. The story has several shocker twists that left my mouth ajar.

I didn't care for the lack of specification about what a seance could do (for those who don't know, it is a summons of demons)...it was rather chuckled as a materialistic fraud, but the portion of the story that dealt with actual spiritualism was somewhat dismissed as being unreal. Spiritualism as a sort of religion wasn't mentioned or defined beyond using the word to describe characters and to mention seances to contact the dead as a mainstay of their philosophy. Wren and Elliot speak of faith and prayer and make a few comments about "only one man ever rose" as an oblique reference to Christ (which isn't truth anyway, since they are talking of people being summoned from death—Jesus was different because He had the power to raise up from the dead without being summoned—He Himself restored many, including Lazarus, Jairus's daughter, the widow's son, and the saints at His death). In a story so full of spiritual cloak-and-dagger, I missed Jesus. I needed to see that clear ending conclusion that the Jesus way was the ultimate answer to the claims of the spiritualists.

Also, several phrases were too modern for the twenties...most notably "gone missing," a 1990s term used more than once. "Alright" used for "all right" also bugged me.

But, overall, a beautifully written book that is worth a read and very hard to put down!

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a free copy for an honest review.

i did enjoy this book, houdini has always held an interest. good historical fiction

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).

I love magic and mysteries. Sadly, I had a hard time with this book. I could not connect with the characters and found the storyline a bit boring. I really wanted to love it, but it fell short for me.

I had heard a lot of good things about this book but for me it did not live up to the expectations. I found the characters hard to connect with, the mystery to be boring and the secrets on top of secrets that everyone held confusing. I normally am a pretty quick reader but this book had me struggling to finish it.
*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

I have always been delighted by magic especially old magic from the days of Harry Houdini. There’s something about the simply magical about history of magic and I was delighted to be approved for The Illusionist’s Apprentice by Kristy Cambron via NetGalley.

Coming off the high of reading Girl in Disguise, I was seeking another historical fiction novel featuring a strong female character and Wren Lockhart, the fictional apprentice of Harry Houdini, certainly fit the bill. Wren has a presence in the story that leapt off the pages wearing tailored suits with a gruff exterior hiding a secret past. It’s too bad that the other characters populating the page couldn’t rise to meet her and were mere cutouts fulfilling the standard mystery tropes—the angry alcoholic father, the jealous ex-friend, the lovesick cop with his own secret past and the steadfast servant.

The book struggles with the type novel it wants to be. It isn’t clear if The Illusionist’s Apprentice is a mystery, a character-driven story of self-discovery story or a Christian-based fiction novel. None of the themes comes through particularly strongly. The plot, as a whole, is action packed and keeps you reading, but the 1926 storyline did not mesh well with Wren’s flashbacks, which unfolded in a haphazard way that spoiled one of the key reveals in the story. (Let’s just say that flashbacks don’t necessarily need to happen chronologically.) As a result, at the end you are left feeling a bit let down after so much action driving towards that particular reveal. And because so much time spent trying to figure out who Wren is and why she is the way she is, which is in no way connected to her faith, which comes out at the most awkward times and never in a wholehearted believable fashion, that the who-dun-it reveal is lackluster and leaves you going, “Really? It was that person?”

Did I enjoy The Illusionist’s Apprentice? While I was reading it, I couldn’t wait to turn the page. There is action, Wren is an intriguing female character and the city of Boston and its sites come to life. The plot as a whole, looking back, fails to stick together upon closer examination. It feels as if too much was trying to be accomplished in 356 pages leaving me feeling underwhelmed at the end.

The Illusionist's Apprentice by Kristy Cambron is a fascinating novel set during the time of Harry Houdini's reputation as a master illusionist. The protagonist is his former assistant, who continues his craft after his tragic death. I was drawn to this novel because I am fascinated by historic figures who left an imprint on our culture; in this case, I was interested in society's fascination with illusion as entertainment.

This novel gave me many things I did not expect, but enjoyed thoroughly. There was a mystery to be solved, which intertwined a romance, secrets from the past, danger, and intrigue. Cambron crafted the plot with all of these various elements, without leaving the reader hanging or confused. Her writing style made the characters believable, the setting realistic, and the storyline well-paced.

An interesting element that Cambron managed well was the role of women at this time. Wren, our protagonist, is unconventional in many ways, and that works well as an undercurrent of everything else present in the story.

This novel is a fast read, but an enjoyable one. She does not leave you impatient for the plot to move forward, or bored with too many clues or a mystery you solve too early. There's a balance to the different elements in the novel, and it makes it worth the journey.

The publisher provided me with a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Horace Stapleton claims he can raise people from the dead. In an astonishing turn of events, he appears to succeed, only for the man to fall dead again moments later. Reading someone from the dead is impossible, so says Wren Lockhart, Houdini's one-time apprentice and attendee to the "resurrection." Another attendee, FBI Agent Elliot Matthews agrees. But if the man wasn't dead already ... he must have died onstage. Who is the murderer, how how was it done, and why? Wren and Elliot team up to solve the mystery.

The Illusionist's Apprentice was great. Just having the word "illusionist" in the title increased my expectations, not to mention making the main character a prodigy of the world's most famous magician. Epic mysteries in movie form come to mind also, including The Illusionist, The Prestige, and Now You See Me. This book didn't quite measure up to the epicness of those movies, but it was only by a fraction.

I was caught up in the mystery and romance from the every beginning. Wren and Elliot uncovered the pieces one by one with one awesome reveal at the end. Family history, old friendships, and sordid pasts added complexity to the ongoing mystery. There were frequent flashbacks to Wren's past, adding clues to the present myserty.

And I really liked the romance. The author captured what it means to have many secrets and difficulty trusting while growing into a romantic relationship. The individuals would often rather run than trust, but once they trust it is forever. It is beautiful and human.

I really enjoyed The Illusionist's Apprentice. One of the best mysteries I have ever read.

I received a complementary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

It's the Jazz Age in Boston, Massachusetts. The great Harry Houdini, has left the earth, but his secrets still abound. Some people would kill to know such secrets...

Jenny Lockhart is a one-of-a-kind woman. She lives in a world pioneered by men, her life inspired by and propelled forward by Houdini himself. Socially, she is different than others; her dress resembles more of a classy man's than a woman's with flowing skirts. She lives fairly secluded when she's not performing her talent on stage.

What a bold woman that Jenny is! To be so independent, and to lead such a lonely life... my, my! By social standards, it would have been harder to accomplish this in the 20s than in modern day times, but she worked through it and did it by herself. Plus, she deals with the lemons that life gives her, even including villains, murder, and conniving plots to steal away her many secrets.

“A hero never causes hurt; she only lessens it.”

There are loads of references to illusions (true illusionist's don't approve of calling it magic, mind you), to the entertainment business in general, like vaudeville, and to the rush of spiritualism that was spreading around in that time period. These topics are not for everyone. I found it rather fascinating though, and I picked up on key historical elements and interesting tidbits about a world I didn't quite know about before. Also, I thought that the setting was so unique... it's not a story that takes place around Houdini's life, no! It only begins after he dies. As in, just the mention of his legend will always continue spreading the art of illusion and cloaked mystery.

“It's how we live that will convince them what is truth and what is an illusion.”

While The Illusionist's Apprentice does fall under the Christian fiction genre in a catalog, it is in no way preachy, as some similar books are. Honestly, I was slightly crestfallen while reading chapter after chapter, not finding too much spiritual food to go along with the story. I did find a spiritual message after all though, and the book was redeemed for me. Basically, it's a very clean read, and I think anyone (no matter your religious beliefs) could enjoy the story without feeling preached at.

Overall? I've now learned that Kristy Cambron is an excellent author. I would be pleased to read another of her books one day.

Mysterious and filled with the rich history of the 1920s, The Illusionist's Apprentice will romance you with leave you longing for an era passed.

I thoroughly enjoyed this latest book by Kristy Cambron. She's such a master at painting a vibrant picture with words, drawing you into the story and pulling on your heart strings at the same time.

I loved Wren Lockhart's character and her affiliation to Harry Houdini as well as her own eccentricity's. She's a strong character who will stand up for what she believes, but there's a softness to her as well. Something that, eventually, comes out and makes her feel whole in the reader's eyes. The true fruition of her character is a wondrous thing to behold through the story.

Slipping into the time-frame of this novel was a lot of fun for me. I enjoy the luxury and vibrancy of the 20's - a great decade to set this mystery in - and found myself thoroughly enjoying the delicate touches of information, description, and history. Kristy really has a beautiful way of drawing out emotion in her characters while painting a dynamic picture of what life could have been like during this time.
As for the mystery, I feel like it was well formed. There were a few elements that I felt were made to be a big deal (I won't reveal them here so as not to spoil) but ended up seeming to not matter as much in the end. That confused me a little, but it didn't distract from the overall idea of the story.
Also, as a larger focus of this book, Kristy deals with the ideas of illusion versus magic. I loved that she did this and had her characters learning as they went. It brings to mind another current book I'll be reading soon...but that's another review ;-)
I would definitely recommend this to those who like historical fiction, mystery, and anything to do with the 1920s and the idea of illusion versus magic. Kristy is a beautiful, lyrical writer who will stun you with her artfully painted words!