3.75 stars

This is an engaging story, particularly if you enjoy stories about stage magic. It was a nice blend of those theatrical elements, mixed with mystery. Some of the world building left a bit to be desired, as the different types of people were not fully explained or fleshed out as much as they could have been. And the ending had a number of loose threads for a stand-alone so it won’t be for readers who hate vague endings. But overall, I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who wants something light on the magic but heavier on the historical and theatrical atmosphere.