The Illusions: The most captivating feminist historical fiction novel of the year

Inspired by real-life illusionists and early film pioneers, this astonishing, captivating story of women and talent, magic and power, sweeps you into a world where anything is possible and nothing is quite as it seems . . .

'Sparkling with magic' JENNIFER SAINT

'A book to disappear into' JOANNE BURN

'Filled with wonders' ESSIE FOX

'Spellbinding' LOUISE HARE

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, 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 . . .

Praise for THE ILLUSIONS and Liz Hyder

'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

'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

'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

'Spellbinding storytelling, wonderfully drawn characters and the thrill of the theatre make this book unputdownable' Louise Hare

'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

'Every bit as magical as the magic it describes' Sonia Velton

'Utterly beguiling - brimful of wicked, wonderful, glorious characters and sprinkled with actual magic' Amanda Mason

'Enchanting in every sense. A seductive, glimmering tale of magic and movies' Freya Berry, The Dictator's Wife