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Table of Contents
About The Book
Historical fiction inspired by the War Office response to the Nazi obsession with the occult
Step forward Daphne Devine - you are about to change the course of the war
‘A breathtaking historical thriller.’ Erin Kelly, author of The Skeleton Key
'Vivid and thoroughly entertaining... More, please.' Guardian, best crime and thrillers
June 1940. As World War Two rages, Daphne Devine remains in London, performing each night as assistant to stage magician Jonty Trevelyan, aka the Grand Mystique.
Then the secret service call.
For, aware of Hitler’s belief in the occult, the war office has set up a hidden cohort to exploit this quirk in the enemy’s chain of command.
Daphne and Jonty find themselves far from the glitz and glamour of the theatre, deep inside the lower levels of Wormwood Scrubs prison. Here, they join secret ranks of occultists, surrealists, and other eccentrics co-opted to the war effort. There is one goal: to avert invasion on British shores.
Soon Daphne realises she must risk everything if there is any chance of saving her country
'Quirky, clever and compelling.' Anna Mazzola, author of The Clockwork Girl
'A rattling good read.' Barbara Nadel, author of Belshazzar's Daughter
Step forward Daphne Devine - you are about to change the course of the war
‘A breathtaking historical thriller.’ Erin Kelly, author of The Skeleton Key
'Vivid and thoroughly entertaining... More, please.' Guardian, best crime and thrillers
June 1940. As World War Two rages, Daphne Devine remains in London, performing each night as assistant to stage magician Jonty Trevelyan, aka the Grand Mystique.
Then the secret service call.
For, aware of Hitler’s belief in the occult, the war office has set up a hidden cohort to exploit this quirk in the enemy’s chain of command.
Daphne and Jonty find themselves far from the glitz and glamour of the theatre, deep inside the lower levels of Wormwood Scrubs prison. Here, they join secret ranks of occultists, surrealists, and other eccentrics co-opted to the war effort. There is one goal: to avert invasion on British shores.
Soon Daphne realises she must risk everything if there is any chance of saving her country
'Quirky, clever and compelling.' Anna Mazzola, author of The Clockwork Girl
'A rattling good read.' Barbara Nadel, author of Belshazzar's Daughter
Product Details
- Publisher: Magpie (April 4, 2024)
- Length: 368 pages
- ISBN13: 9780861541614
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Raves and Reviews
'Gripping, strange, unusual. Beautiful writing and a brilliant heroine. I loved it.' Sophia Bennett, author of The Look
'An intriguing novel, laced with insight and humour, and Daphne is a heroine who would shine in any age.' Olivia Isaac-Henry, author of The Verdict
'A blend of glamour, stagecraft and espionage...had me gripped from the first page. I screamed aloud at one point! Impossible not to fall in love with the characters. Loved it.' Rachael Blok, author of Under the Ice
'A ripping wartime tale of plucky Brits fighting the Nazis with distraction, deception and darkness. Thrilling, inventive and fabulously entertaining. I loved it.' Paddy Magrane, author of Disorder
'Complex characters and a gripping plot, set in a fascinating period of history!' Roz Watkins, author of the DI Meg Dalton series
'Gorgeously written thriller, evocative and atmospheric with a fabulous heroine at its heart.' Emma Haughton, author of The Dark
'A wonderful tale of the second World War and occultism.' Netgalley, 5* review
'Brilliant! An outstandingly good read that I utterly devoured!' Netgalley, 5* review
'An intriguing new slant on the usual Second World War deprivation tales – exciting and believable. A rare treat.' Historical Novel Review
'Moore has not only captured the unknown, but has made the mundane seem like a fresh battleground of promise in a way that has made The Grand Illusion genuinely innovative and exciting.’ Starburst Magazine
‘A compelling story based on a fascinating concept... The plot is intriguing, and the characters are engaging, especially Daphne, a courageous and resilient young woman who is determined to do all that is required of her. The author has skilfully captured life and attitudes in 1940s Britain…’ Mystery People
‘This a delightfully constructed tale that puts flesh on a legend left over from the Second World War… The language and the changing values expressed by Moore through the character of Devine are accurate to the period… A very good story which has been well-researched.’ British Fantasy Society
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High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): The Grand Illusion eBook 9780861541614
