The Grand Illusion, Syd Moore
The Grand Illusion, Syd Moore
List: $24.99 | Sale: $17.50
Club: $12.49

The Grand Illusion

Author: Syd Moore

Narrator: Penelope Rawlins

Unabridged: 11 hr 8 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 07/09/2024


Synopsis

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

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 glamor of the theater, 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 realizes she must risk everything if there is any chance of saving her country.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Melanie’s reads on April 19, 2024

A few years ago I went to the cinema to watch Operation Mincemeat, based on the true story of Britain using a dead body on which they would plant a uniform and documents to fool invading forces that the Allies would invade Greece rather than Sicily. It was the use of deception that thrilled me and s......more

Goodreads review by Jen on April 09, 2024

3.5⭐️ An enjoyable introduction to what will be a three book series. I was getting a bit annoyed that there was a concentration on illusion and stage type magic and not enough on occultism but it certainly picks up towards the end and looks set to be further explored in book two. A definite page turn......more

Goodreads review by Cheryl on March 17, 2025

Loved this book, was rooting for Daphne from early on! Not going to spoil for future readers but you will thoroughly enjoy this ride! Can’t wait for Daphne’s next adventure......more

Goodreads review by Witches_brewbooks on April 26, 2024

I would like to start this review by saying thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced reader copy of The Grand Illusion. I love all of Syd’s books and this will be added to my collection upon its release. The characters are interesting and Daphne is a brilliant strong female character.......more

Goodreads review by Tayla Megan on April 09, 2024

I’m a sucker for anything set in World War ll times and the premise of the story sounded really exciting however I was a little disappointed. The story was a little slow to start although I understand the necessity to build the plot. We start off learning about Daphne Devine, the stage assistant to......more