Carol McCleary’s second Nellie Bly adventure, THE ILLUSION OF MURDER, has won the April Seal of Excellence from RT Book Reviews magazine! RT gave the book their Top Pick selection when they reviewed it in March, calling it “A top-of-the-line read from an innovative author.”
“Feministas take note—Nellie Bly still rocks and McCleary knows how to twist the factual and the fanciful in equal measure to keep readers up late and women rooting… McCleary drops famous names, notes world politics and, more than that, gives readers real insight into what makes this adventurous woman tick. A top-of-the-line read from an innovative author.”
RT Book Reviews, 4½ stars, Top Pick! and winner of the Seal of Excellence for April 2011!
What others are saying about THE ILLUSION OF MURDER:
“What a stroke of genius that McCleary chose an early female pioneer of journalism for her sleuth. Nellie proves herself more than capable of racing around the world while solving a couple of murders. Fans of Suzanne Arruda and Rhys Bowen will love this one.”
Library Journal, starred review
“Real and fictional characters blend seamlessly in a story immersed in the sights and sounds of Egypt and the Orient of 1889.”
Booklist
“A jaunty roman à clef studded with footnotes and vintage photographs and drawings. Bly’s second caper (The Alchemy of Murder, 2010) breezily avoids a sophomore slump.”
Kirkus Reviews
“McCleary’s first Nellie Bly adventure, The Alchemy of Murder, was tremendous fun, but with The Illusion of Murder she really perfects her concept and its execution… resorting somewhat to Nellie’s own breathless prose, The Illusion of Murder is a rattling good read and a gripping romp.”
Reviewing the Evidence
“Carol McCleary takes us on a fast-paced ride along with Nellie as she races around the world in an effort to beat Jules Verne’s fictional Around the World in 80 Days. Mixing fictional and actual historical characters including Sara Bernhardt, she weaves mystery and international intrigue in this thoroughly enjoyable literary trip.”
Karen Vail, Titcomb’s Bookshop
