Review: Illusion

In Frank Peretti's Illusion (Howard Books, 2012), illusionists Dane and Mandy Collins' marriage of 40 years is cut short when Mandy does not die in a car accident. She wakes up instead at a fairground -40 years younger in mind, memory, and body. Stripped of her past, she finds work as an illusionist under the name Eloise Kramer. Her spreading fame catches the ear of Dane Collins, still trying to get over the loss of his wife. Dane helps Eloise to piece together why it seems she can be in two places at once, why shady men are following her, and why she and Dane are so drawn to each other.

Eventually Dane and Eloise discover that a government-sponsored scientific experiment on folding dimensions is at the center of the mystery. The drama comes to an explosive conclusion with carefully thought out spiritual implications.

Peretti has filled the book with charming characters and depicts skillfully Mandy's illusions. Unfortunately, his complicated plot sometimes outstrips his writing ability. Especially as the book builds toward its science fiction-esque conclusion, where it becomes difficult to understand everything that's going on. Nevertheless, Illusion is an engaging novel with elements of romance, mystery, and science fiction.