Fictional Illusionists
Not all novels that deal with magic include wizards, sorcery, and witches. These novels tell about the stage show side of magic and feature professional conjurors and illusionists.
The Magician's Lie by Greer Macallister. The Amazing Arden is the most famous female illusionist of her day, renowned for her notorious trick of sawing a man in half on stage. One night in Waterloo, Iowa, with young policeman Virgil Holt watching from the audience, she swaps her trademark saw for a fire ax. Is it a new version of the illusion, or an all-too-real murder? When Arden's husband is found lifeless beneath the stage later that night, the answer seems clear. But when Virgil happens upon the fleeing magician and takes her into custody, she has a very different story to tell.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Waging a fierce competition for which they have trained since childhood, circus magicians Celia and Marco unexpectedly fall in love with each other and share a fantastical romance.
The Dissapearance Boy by Neil Bartlett. Reggie Rainbow is an angry young man who treads the backstage corridors of theatres for a living. He helps the illusionist Mr. Brookes to 'disappear' a series of glamorous assistants twice nightly. When Mr. Brookes is unexpectedly offered a slot at the Brighton Grand, Reggie finds himself living in a strange town. The air begins to work its own kind of magic, and Reggie begins to wonder just how much of his own life is an act and what might have happened to somebody who disappeared from that life long ago.
The Zig Zag Girl by Elly Griffiths. Investigating a murder committed in the style of a famous magic trick, Detective Inspector Edgar Stephens reconnects with an illusionist friend from World War II to uncover links to their special ops service.
Mrs. Houdini by Victoria Kelly. Before Harry Houdini died, he vowed he would find a way to speak to his wife Bess from beyond the grave using a coded message known only to the two of them. When a widowed Bess begins seeing this code in seemingly impossible places, it becomes clear that Harry has a message to convey. Unlocking the puzzle will set Bess on a course back through the history of the pair's extraordinary romance. When the mystery finally leads Bess to a mysterious young photographer, she realizes that her husband's magic may have been more than an illusion.
1_84x125.jpg)
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke. In England in the year 1806, most people believe magic to be long dead until the reclusive Mr. Norrell reveals his powers, and becomes a celebrity overnight. Soon, another practicing magician comes forth, the young and daring Jonathan Strange. He becomes Norrell's student, and they join forces in the war against France. But Strange is increasingly drawn to the wildest forms of magic, straining his partnership with Norrell, and putting at risk everything else he holds dear.
Find this article at http://thelibrary.org/blogs/article.cfm?aid=4660&lid=0