Acts of Violet

Formats and Prices

Format

Hardcover

Format:

Hardcover

This item is a preorder. Your payment method will be charged immediately, and the product is expected to ship on or around July 5, 2022. This date is subject to change due to shipping delays beyond our control.

Nearly a decade ago, iconic magician Violet Volk performed her greatest trick yet: vanishing mid-act. Though she hasn’t been seen since, her hold on the public hasn’t wavered. While Violet sought out the spotlight, her sister Sasha, ever the responsible one, took over their mother’s salon and built a quiet life for her daughter, Quinn. But Sasha can never seem to escape her sister’s orbit or her memories of their unresolved, tumultuous relationship. Then there’s Cameron Frank, determined to finally get his big break hosting a podcast devoted to all things Violet–though keeping his job hinges on an exclusive interview with Sasha, the last person who wants to talk to him. As the ten-year anniversary approaches, the podcast picks up steam, and Cameron’s pursuit of Sasha becomes increasingly intrusive. He isn’t the only one wondering what secrets she might be keeping: Quinn, loyal to the aunt she always idolized, is doing her own investigating. Meanwhile, Sasha begins to experience an unsettling series of sleepwalking episodes and coincidences, which all lead back to Violet. Pushed to her emotional limits, Sasha must finally confront the most painful truths about her sister, and herself, even at the risk of losing everything. Alternating between Sasha’s narration and Cameron’s podcast transcripts, interspersed with documents that offer a tantalizing peek at Violet herself, Acts of Violet is an utterly original, propulsive story of fame, deception, and forgiveness that will make you believe in magic.

Excerpt

Sasha
Strange Exits
Sasha
Strange Exits
Sasha
Strange Exits
Sasha
Strange Exits
Sasha
Strange Exits
Sasha
Strange Exits
Sasha
Strange Exits
Sasha
Strange Exits
Sasha
Strange Exits
Sasha
Strange Exits
Sasha
Strange Exits
Sasha
Copyright Notice

The author and publisher have provided this e-book to you for your personal use only. You may not make this e-book publicly available in any way. Copyright infringement is against the law. If you believe the copy of this e-book you are reading infringes on the author’s copyright, please notify the publisher at: us.macmillanusa.com/piracy.




Acknowledgments

Caroline Bleeke: You were attuned to the story I wanted to tell, as it was taking shape, and you nurtured it every step of the way. Thank you for your insights and encouragement, your warmth and wisdom, and those killer brainstorming sessions.

Philippa Sitters: I’m ever so grateful for your ongoing support—and not just career-wise (handling delicate writer egos is an essential yet underrated agent superpower). I also appreciate your valuable input on this book and your inside stories of the fame-adjacent.

Michelle Hazen: Your gorgeous persistence and positivity helped wrangle me out of a creative conundrum. Thank you for reading early pages with generosity and enthusiasm, and for your continued friendship.

I’m tremendously grateful to the dream team at Flatiron Books and Macmillan, including Sydney Jeon, Claire McLaughlin, Katherine Turro, Megan Lynch, Malati Chavali, Bob Miller, Marlena Bittner, Nancy Trypuc, Keith Hayes, Kelly Gatesman, Jaya Miceli, Jeremy Pink, Donna Noetzel, Eva Diaz, Shelly Perron, Rima Weinberg, Katy Robitzski, Drew Kilman, and Emily Dyer.

Thank you to all the talented folks at PFD, including Rebecca Wearmouth, Lucy Barry, Antonia Kasoulidou, and Lisette Verhagen in foreign rights, and Jonathan Sissons and Rosie Gurtovoy in dramatic rights. Thank you also to Amandine Riche at DGA.

Kayla Drescher: It means so much that you took the time to share your experiences as a professional magician and answer my bazillion questions. I’m also grateful to you and Carissa Hendrix for creating the Shezam podcast—its unvarnished and fascinating perspective on being a woman in magic was a vital resource in researching this book.

Bridget McGraw-Bordeaux: thank you for reading quickly, for offering the exact constructive feedback I needed, and for your endless curiosity and enduring sisterhood.

Natalie, Stephanie, Asha, and Jeanine: thank you for your kindness, openness, empathy, advice, and for making our CPSG a safe space.

Librarians, booksellers, book clubs, fellow authors, any and all members of the reading community: I cannot thank you enough. Your passion and tireless endorsements of books and authors are invaluable, and your ongoing support for Oona Out of Order has been life-changing. Special shoutouts to Pamela Klinger-Horn, Mary Webber O’Malley, Luisa Smith, Darla Dykstra, Zibby Owens, Robin Kall, Adriana Trigiani, and Jordan Moblo, though my gratitude extends to countless others. I’m also thankful to the staff members at POWERHOUSE Arena, Porter Square Books, and Peoples’ Books & Culture, who hosted me in person during my launch week, just before the lockdown.

There were several books that were instrumental for research and inspiration: Fooling Houdini by Alex Stone, Hiding the Elephant by Jim Steinmeyer, Magic Is Dead by Ian Frisch, Playing Dead by Elizabeth Greenwood, and Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert (while not about stage magic, it massively helped reignite my writing spark).

I also want to take a moment to recognize some of the numerous women who have had an impact on the world of magic, including but not limited to: Adelaide Herrmann, Fay Presto, Dorothy Dietrich, Misty Lee, Minerva, Jade, Ariann Black, Celeste Evans, Lisa Menna, Kristen Johnson, Magic Babe Ning, Judy Carter, and Melinda.

Mom, thank you for all the love, and for telling anyone and everyone about my books. I hope I keep making you proud.

Cooper, thank you for being an eternally adorable diva and for getting me outside more. (Sorry for referring to you as “and dog” in my author bio.)

Terry, you are everything. You are home. Thank you for the pencils. And the sandwiches. And the laughs. And for keeping the rest of the world turning when I’m in a bubble, writing and otherwise. You’re so cool.




On Sale
Jul 5, 2022
Page Count
336 pages
ISBN-13
9781250815064