This is the story of Ada Bates and her rise to fame as “The Amazing Arden”, master illusionist. As a young teen, she is thrown into contact with her cousin Ray, a very disturbed young man. He threatens her with bodily harm. Ray believes he has special healing powers; he believes he can hurt her and heal her. After begin severely injured by him and receiving no help from her mother, she runs away from home with another young man, Clyde, who works on the same farm where she is living. Thus begins her eventual life and future career under the tutelage of Adelaide Herrmann, who actually did exist and was a rare female illusionist. Ultimately, Ada/Arden is accused of murder. The reader will decide if she is guilty or innocent, telling lies or telling the truth.

The story, presented as Ada’s confession to Virgil Holt, the local sheriff who has arrested her for the murder of her husband, begins in 1892, the year she leaves home and continues to their present time, 1905. The sheriff, Virgil, believes that “Arden” has magical powers that can heal his injuries if he can convince her to do it. He wants to trade her freedom for his cure.

The reader will be left wondering about many elements of the story. Some of the scenes will seem contrived and require the suspension of disbelief. Could Ada really help Virgil? Is her story believable? What is the magician’s real lie? After you read it, you may continue to wonder about many elements of the story, but you will not wonder about whether or not you enjoyed it. That will be a given.

Ada tells her story slowly, reeling in the reader completely. Like Ada, the reader will be a captive until the final page as the many character’s lives converge.

Our group was mixed on the book, with some rating just above 3 stars and some just below. Some thought the writing overly simplistic, while others found it a fast, light, enjoyable read. No one really felt that they got a feel for the time period, but all enjoyed the stories of the world of magic.