The Illusions

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What to expect

At a time of extraordinary change, two women must harness their talents to take control of their own destiny . . .

Bristol, 1896. Used to scraping a living as the young assistant to an ageing con artist, Cecily Marsden's life is turned upside down when her master suddenly dies. Believing herself to blame, could young Cec somehow have powers she little understands?

Meanwhile Eadie Carleton, a pioneering early film-maker, struggles for her talent to be taken seriously in a male-dominated world, and a brilliant young magician, George Perris, begins to see the potential in moving pictures. George believes that if he can harness this new technology, it will revolutionise the world of magic forever - but in order to achieve his dreams, he must first win over Miss Carleton . . .

As a group of illusionists prepare for a grand spectacle - to mark both the retirement of legendary master The Professor and the announcement of his successor - Cec, Eadie and George's worlds collide. But Cec soon finds herself facing the fight of her life to save the performance from sabotage - and harness the element of real magic held deep within her . . .

THE ILLUSIONS is the captivating new novel from the much-lauded author of THE GIFTS. Inspired by real-life illusionists and early film pioneers, this astonishing story of women and talent, magic and power, sweeps you into a world where anything is possible and nothing is quite as it seems . . .

Critics Review

After her glorious first novel, The Gifts, Hyder has returned with another beautiful slice of historical fiction. The Illusions is charming and intriguing, sparkling with magic and romance.
Jennifer Saint
Hyder is a wonderfully accomplished storyteller. The Illusions is a magical tale of innovation, darkness and delight. A book to disappear into - I devoured it greedily.
Joanne Burn, author of The Hemlock Cure
With clever storytelling and a magpie's eye for shine and enchantment, Hyder takes us to a world where magic, moving pictures and illusion mix - and where all are made better by human kindness.
Annie Garthwaite, author of Cecily
Filled with wonders in all forms, in real life and in the theatre, this is a story that will mesmerise and cast its spell. I loved it.
Essie Fox
Spellbinding storytelling, wonderfully drawn characters and the thrill of the theatre make this book unputdownable.
Louise Hare
An enchanting tale of rivalry among magicians and film pioneers in a world on the cusp of change. Here, trickery, envy and deceit are no match for raw talent, love - and most of all, kindness. Hyder's talent for crafting compelling page-turners inhabited by charming, vibrant characters is a skill worthy of one of her illusionists; her passion for the magic of theatre leaps from every page. A total joy.
Nikki Marmery, author of LILITH
What a joy... It's rich, magical, pacy, immense fun, and just entirely a glorious Victorian delight. I adored it.
Katie Lumsden, author of The Secrets of Hartwood Hall
A magical tale told with deft skill. Delightful, entertaining, engrossing with a gorgeous finale . . . a total delight of a book.
Nicola Davies, author of The Song That Sings Us
From the astonishment of early moving pictures, to the wonder of the mysterious talents that lie within, The Illusions is every bit as magical as the magic it describes. I loved being drawn into this vividly imagined world of romance and ruination, scoundrels and showmanship; all leavened, of course, by kindness.
Sonia Velton
With a plot as intricate and deftly handled as its characters' stage shows, The Illusions is a celebration of magic, friendship and romance. Hyder's Victorian Bristol is rich with nefarious tricksters, astonishing ambition and extraordinary women, who made me believe in the impossible. One of those truly wonderful stories which, while reading, make the rest of the world disappear!
Amy Beashel

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