Early in her marriage to renowned prestidigitator Henri Lambert, Emmeline had exulted in his fame, the foreign tours, and the command performances of his "Magical Evenings." Now, Henri's given it all up to pursue a quiet life in their remote country manor, but restless, devoted Emmeline longs to see her husband return to his former glory.
It all changes again when, in service to their country, Henri and Emmeline are invited to spend seven days at Compiègne as guests of Napoléon III. The emperor wants Henri to work his magic on a charismatic Algerian marabout who's influencing his followers to overthrow the French in a holy war. For Henri, convincing a man of where his allegiance should lie will be the performance of a lifetime. But for Emmeline, ushered from the lavish royal courts to the barren Sahara, it will prove to be an illuminating journey that will challenge her views on God and faith, open her eyes to her husband's weaknesses, and expose the treachery of her own country.
"Combines the pleasure of a thriller with a novel that considers questions of morality and politics, ambition and conscience, the lure of illusion and the magic of truth."
People
"Whether he is writing intelligent thrillers or taking on various moral questions of the century, Moore is a master fabricator whose books combine swift narrative with perfectly imagined detail. Superior fiction."
The New Yorker
"A bravura job. Throughout, Moore is able to convey the excitement of these astounding performances, as the magician is forced into ever more daring illusions. Moore needs no fancy tricks himself to conjure up this interesting tale."
