Listen free for 30 days
-
The Last Illusion
- Narrated by: Nicola Barber
- Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $30.19
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Buy it with
-
Murphy's Law
- Written by: Rhys Bowen
- Narrated by: Nicola Barber
- Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Molly Murphy always knew she'd end up in trouble, just as her mother predicted. So, when she commits murder in self-defense, she flees her cherished Ireland, under cover of a false identity, for the anonymous shores of late 19th-century America. When she arrives in New York and sees the welcoming promise of freedom in the Statue of Liberty, Molly begins to breathe easier. But when a man is murdered on Ellis Island, a man Molly was seen arguing with, she becomes a prime suspect in the crime.
-
-
Loved it!
- By MJ on 2019-10-26
Written by: Rhys Bowen
-
Masked Ball at Broxley Manor
- A Royal Spyness Novella
- Written by: Rhys Bowen
- Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren
- Length: 1 hr and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At the end of her first unsuccessful season out in society, Lady Georgiana has all but given up on attracting a suitable man - until she receives an invitation to a masked Halloween ball at Broxley Manor. Georgie is uncertain why she was invited, until she learns that the royal family intends to marry her off to a foreign prince, one reputed to be mad.
-
-
Scam
- By Anonymous User on 2021-12-26
Written by: Rhys Bowen
-
Evans Above
- Written by: Rhys Bowen
- Narrated by: Roger Clark
- Length: 6 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Evan Evans is a young police constable who has traded in the violence of city life for idyllic Llanfair, a Welsh village tucked far away from trouble. Nestled among the Snowdonia mountain range, Llanfair looks to Constable Evans like a town forgotten by time, but he quickly learns that even the bucolic countryside has its share of eccentric - and deadly - characters.
-
-
A trip to Wales
- By annemarie on 2019-05-16
Written by: Rhys Bowen
-
Above the Bay of Angels
- A Novel
- Written by: Rhys Bowen
- Narrated by: Gemma Dawson
- Length: 10 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Isabella Waverly only means to comfort the woman felled on a London street. In her final dying moments, she thrusts a letter into Bella’s hand. It’s an offer of employment in the kitchens of Buckingham Palace, and everything the budding young chef desperately wants: an escape from the constrictions of her life as a lowly servant. In the stranger’s stead, Bella can spread her wings. Arriving as Helen Barton from Yorkshire, she pursues her passion for creating culinary delights, served to the delighted Queen Victoria herself.
-
-
Great Storyteller
- By patti on 2020-02-21
Written by: Rhys Bowen
-
A Curious Beginning
- Written by: Deanna Raybourn
- Narrated by: Angele Masters
- Length: 10 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As the city prepares to celebrate Queen Victoria's golden jubilee, Veronica Speedwell is marking a milestone of her own. After burying her spinster aunt, the orphaned Veronica is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry - and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as she is fending off admirers, Veronica wields her butterfly net and a hatpin with equal aplomb, and with her last connection to England gone, she intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime.
-
-
Listen to it twice!
- By Jenny on 2017-10-07
Written by: Deanna Raybourn
-
The Venice Sketchbook
- Written by: Rhys Bowen
- Narrated by: Barrie Kreinik
- Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Caroline Grant is struggling to accept the end of her marriage when she receives an unexpected bequest. Her beloved great-aunt Lettie leaves her a sketchbook, three keys, and a final whisper...Venice. Caroline’s quest: to scatter Juliet “Lettie” Browning’s ashes in the city she loved and to unlock the mysteries stored away for more than 60 years.
-
-
Oh Venice!
- By Florence on 2021-06-07
Written by: Rhys Bowen
-
Murphy's Law
- Written by: Rhys Bowen
- Narrated by: Nicola Barber
- Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Molly Murphy always knew she'd end up in trouble, just as her mother predicted. So, when she commits murder in self-defense, she flees her cherished Ireland, under cover of a false identity, for the anonymous shores of late 19th-century America. When she arrives in New York and sees the welcoming promise of freedom in the Statue of Liberty, Molly begins to breathe easier. But when a man is murdered on Ellis Island, a man Molly was seen arguing with, she becomes a prime suspect in the crime.
-
-
Loved it!
- By MJ on 2019-10-26
Written by: Rhys Bowen
-
Masked Ball at Broxley Manor
- A Royal Spyness Novella
- Written by: Rhys Bowen
- Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren
- Length: 1 hr and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At the end of her first unsuccessful season out in society, Lady Georgiana has all but given up on attracting a suitable man - until she receives an invitation to a masked Halloween ball at Broxley Manor. Georgie is uncertain why she was invited, until she learns that the royal family intends to marry her off to a foreign prince, one reputed to be mad.
-
-
Scam
- By Anonymous User on 2021-12-26
Written by: Rhys Bowen
-
Evans Above
- Written by: Rhys Bowen
- Narrated by: Roger Clark
- Length: 6 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Evan Evans is a young police constable who has traded in the violence of city life for idyllic Llanfair, a Welsh village tucked far away from trouble. Nestled among the Snowdonia mountain range, Llanfair looks to Constable Evans like a town forgotten by time, but he quickly learns that even the bucolic countryside has its share of eccentric - and deadly - characters.
-
-
A trip to Wales
- By annemarie on 2019-05-16
Written by: Rhys Bowen
-
Above the Bay of Angels
- A Novel
- Written by: Rhys Bowen
- Narrated by: Gemma Dawson
- Length: 10 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Isabella Waverly only means to comfort the woman felled on a London street. In her final dying moments, she thrusts a letter into Bella’s hand. It’s an offer of employment in the kitchens of Buckingham Palace, and everything the budding young chef desperately wants: an escape from the constrictions of her life as a lowly servant. In the stranger’s stead, Bella can spread her wings. Arriving as Helen Barton from Yorkshire, she pursues her passion for creating culinary delights, served to the delighted Queen Victoria herself.
-
-
Great Storyteller
- By patti on 2020-02-21
Written by: Rhys Bowen
-
A Curious Beginning
- Written by: Deanna Raybourn
- Narrated by: Angele Masters
- Length: 10 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As the city prepares to celebrate Queen Victoria's golden jubilee, Veronica Speedwell is marking a milestone of her own. After burying her spinster aunt, the orphaned Veronica is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry - and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as she is fending off admirers, Veronica wields her butterfly net and a hatpin with equal aplomb, and with her last connection to England gone, she intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime.
-
-
Listen to it twice!
- By Jenny on 2017-10-07
Written by: Deanna Raybourn
-
The Venice Sketchbook
- Written by: Rhys Bowen
- Narrated by: Barrie Kreinik
- Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Caroline Grant is struggling to accept the end of her marriage when she receives an unexpected bequest. Her beloved great-aunt Lettie leaves her a sketchbook, three keys, and a final whisper...Venice. Caroline’s quest: to scatter Juliet “Lettie” Browning’s ashes in the city she loved and to unlock the mysteries stored away for more than 60 years.
-
-
Oh Venice!
- By Florence on 2021-06-07
Written by: Rhys Bowen
Publisher's Summary
Irish immigrant and private detective Molly Murphy is thrilled to have a ticket to see world-famous illusionist Harry Houdini. But before he can even take the stage, the opening act goes horribly wrong—and the sensational Signor Scarpelli’s lovely assistant is sawed in half. In the aftermath, Scarpelli accuses Houdini of tampering with his equipment. Who else but the so-called Handcuff King could have got a hold of his trunk of tricks, which he keeps under lock and key?
And it seems the maestro Scarpelli’s not the only one critical of Houdini. Now that he’s raised the stakes to such a perilous level, lesser acts are being put out of business. With everyone on edge, Houdini’s wife hires Molly to watch his back. But how can she protect a man who literally risks his life every night? Now it’s up to Molly to keep an eye on Houdini and find out whether these masters of illusion are simply up to their tricks—or if there truly is something much more treacherous going on…
More from the same
What listeners say about The Last Illusion
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Elkay
- 2014-04-12
Stop Taxing Your Delicate Ladybrain
I've mostly enjoyed this series - there is definitely a formula at work here, but it results in a good, light story with attention to historical detail. However: I flat-out HATE Daniel Sullivan, the main character's love interest, and I'm quickly losing respect for Molly as she seems to be oblivious to his unrelenting sexism. Also, Daniel and Molly keep having this conversation:
Molly: I need you to use your police skills to find out X.
Daniel: I will not, because I disapprove of your pursuit of your career, and also I think you are a hysterical female and no crime has actually occurred, you just think there is one because you are so fantasy-prone.
Molly: But (however many) people have died, and someone tried to kill me!
Daniel: Then your work is too dangerous and I forbid you to pursue it. Also, you're just imagining things.
Molly: I've also been receiving threatening letters/been poisoned/been locked in a trunk and thrown in the river, etc.
Daniel: Your delicate ladybrain is just overwrought (pats hand patronizingly). When we are married, you will not have to think anymore, you will just do what I say. Won't that be easier? Also, stop pursuing this dangerous career, which is full of terrible danger, even though you have imagined all this danger.
Adding to his terribleness, Daniel hates Molly's friends and actively works to keep her away from them, is embarrassed by her whenever he is with any of his friends or colleagues, and frequently mentions how once they are married, she will be too busy doing laundry and raising babies to do anything outside the home, in a "joking-not joking" kind of way. At the beginning of the series, there was some nice romantic tension between these two, but at this point I think the best thing that could happen would be for Daniel to die and for Molly to run off with Sid and Gus to start some sort of lesbian commune for artists and detectives.
26 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- PNW
- 2014-10-31
Too Much 'Lucy You've Got Some 'Splainin' to Do'
Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?
Interesting historical fiction and interlacing of fictional characters and historical figures such as Houdini. The heroine's 'young man' is an insufferable chauvinist who becomes increasingly annoying as the series progresses. He is a distraction and inconsistent with the independence and self actualization of the heroine. The neighbors across the street are much more interesting and a good vehicle for introducing new characters and settings to the series.
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Last Illusion?
Interactions of the heroine and several White House officials.
How did the narrator detract from the book?
Inability to voice multiple male characters. Inconsistent voicing of heroine, who sounds like a little Irish girl, a Brit, and a recent Irish immigrant. I'd prefer she voice and Irish woman and stick with that.
If this book were a movie would you go see it?
No, primarily because I've already listened to the story.
Any additional comments?
Rhys Bowen's Royal Spyness series is much superior to this one. The characters are reliably consistent.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Mikki
- 2021-04-29
Get Rid Of Daniel
I like this series and the narrator is great. The dialogue isn't always very well written, but the stories are interesting and it's not so complicated that I can't listen while I answer emails or do other things. BUT...the love interest is HORRIBLE. He is rude, demeaning, controlling, and dismissive. If there is anything preventing me from continuing this series it's his character. Why does she love him? He has no good qualities aside from being handsome.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Simone
- 2014-08-26
As reliably entertaining as always!
I love this series, obviously since I am up to Book 9!
I understand that a huge part of the subplot in the series is the relationship between Molly and Daniel, and I get that if they got married in Book 2 it would have been too soon, but I am getting tired of the “my wife won’t work” part of Daniel’s character so I am looking forward to getting that all resolved.
Time to move on! Keep working, get hitched and have those babies already!! There’ll be lots of good stories to tell around that and I am looking forward to them all!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- KellyEliza
- 2015-01-28
Twists and Turns!!!
Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?
This book was very interesting! You think one thing of a character and it turns out that was wrong. You think something has happened to a character and turns out that was wrong too.
What does Nicola Barber bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
The narrator is very good. Does voices for each character so you know who is who simply by the voice. I like her, very good.
Any additional comments?
This book has many twists. Don't think you got it all figured out before its over!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Lori Dykes
- 2022-03-28
Houdini!
Loved this one involving illusionists Harry Houdini so much fun. It made me do some research, although I think we all know about him!
Molly finds herself back on the stage and this time there is a lot of intrigue and underlying suspense!
At least she got her ring!!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Sofia Vazquez Saut
- 2020-10-03
Disappointing
The plot was boring, and the story was slow. Unfortunately, this is to be one of Molly Murphy's series weaker novels.
-
Overall

- Kindle Customer
- 2020-05-25
Fun mystery!
Molly's investigative skills really come together in this book. She spends less time stumbling into solving the mystery and more time actually gathering clues and figuring out what happened. She and Daniel are getting closer to an actual wedding. The secondary characters are delightful.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Scotty
- 2020-04-30
Am continuing to thoroughly enjoy this series!
This series is so we'll written, that it looks like I'll be listening to all the books in it. As I'm listening, I'm thinking how awfully difficult it was for most women to do anything independently back then. Women are still a minority today, but thank goodness for the tougher, free thinking ones back then, who took a stand and started changing that a little at a time.
Scotty
Audible addict.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Mary
- 2019-08-14
Great Mystery!
I find it hard to stop listening to her books. Couldn't ask for a more awesome author!!