The Last Illusion is a novel written by Rhys Bowen. It is the ninth installment in the Molly Murphy Mysteries series, which follows the adventures of a young Irish immigrant turned private detective in early 20th century New York City. The book was published in 2010.

Set in 1903, the story begins with Molly Murphy attending a performance of Harry Houdini, the famous illusionist and escape artist. Molly is intrigued by Houdini’s tricks and illusions, but her attention is soon diverted when a fellow attendee is found dead under mysterious circumstances. Molly’s curiosity and detective instincts kick in, and she becomes determined to uncover the truth behind the murder.

As Molly delves deeper into the investigation, she discovers that the victim was not only a fan of Houdini but also an aspiring magician himself. This revelation leads her to suspect that there may be a connection between the murder and the world of magic. With the help of her friends and allies, including her love interest Daniel Sullivan, Molly embarks on a journey through the vibrant and dangerous streets of New York City to unravel the secrets hidden within the realm of illusion.

Throughout the novel, Bowen skillfully weaves together elements of mystery, historical fiction, and magic. She captures the essence of early 20th century New York City, painting a vivid picture of its bustling streets, immigrant communities, and social dynamics. The author’s attention to detail and meticulous research shine through in her portrayal of both the time period and the world of magic.

One of the central themes explored in *The Last Illusion* is the power of deception. As an illusionist herself, Molly understands that things are not always what they seem. She must navigate through layers of lies and misdirection to uncover the truth behind the murder. This theme is further emphasized by Houdini’s presence in the story, as he epitomizes both the allure and the danger of illusion.

Another significant aspect of the novel is the exploration of gender roles and societal expectations. Molly, as a female detective in a male-dominated profession, faces numerous challenges and prejudices. Her determination to succeed in a world that often dismisses or underestimates her serves as a testament to her strength and resilience.

In addition to the engaging plot and well-developed characters, Bowen’s writing style is both captivating and immersive. She effortlessly transports readers to the early 20th century, making them feel like they are walking alongside Molly through the streets of New York City. The pacing of the story keeps readers on their toes, with unexpected twists and turns that keep them guessing until the very end.

Overall, *The Last Illusion* is a compelling mystery novel that combines historical fiction, magic, and strong female protagonists. Rhys Bowen’s attention to detail, well-researched setting, and engaging storytelling make it an enjoyable read for fans of both the mystery and historical fiction genres.

• The Last Illusion

• By: Rhys Bowen
• Narrated by: Nicola Barber

Irish immigrant and private detective Molly Murphy is thrilled to have a ticket to meet world-renowned magician Harry Houdini. But before he can step onto the stage, the opening act goes horribly wrong — and the sensational Signor Scarpelli’s lovable assistant is sawed in half. Scarpelli then accused Houdini of tampering with his device. Who else but the so-called King of Handcuffs can get hold of his trick chest, which he keeps in lock and key?

And it seems that conductor Scarpelli is not the only one criticizing Houdini. Now that he has raised the bet to such a dangerous level, smaller actions will be discarded. When everyone is tense, Houdini’s wife hires Molly to spy on him. But how can she protect a man who really risks his life every night? Now it’s Molly’s job to track down Houdini and find out if these masters of illusion are simply playing tricks or if there’s actually something much more dangerous going on.

Molly is a daring young woman and her personality caught my attention. Her energy is unparalleled as she begins to uncover the mystery. Each story enlightens us about the people, places, and objects involved. A rich history of tradition and knowledge. The supporting cast proves to be loads of fun and excitement! Each book is full of more enlightening and entertaining energy than the previous one.

This series is written the way we write it, looks like I’ll listen to all the books in it. As I was listening, I was thinking about how terribly difficult it was for most women back then to do anything independently. Women are still in the minority today, but thank goodness there were tougher, more liberal-minded people back then, who stood up and started to change that little by little.

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