House of Illusion

by Velda Johnston

Three young women work at Madame Theraux's luxurious brothel in Paris of 1870. Jeanne-Marie, a young, widowed French peasant with a child to support, serves caviar and champaign at Madame Theraux's soirees. Dianne Gautier, a wealthy English heiress in disguise, has her own twisted reasons for working at Madame Theraux's. Maggie MacNeil, from a sordid background in New York's Hell's Kitchen, runs away to Paris only to find she must sell her body at this establishment to support herself. Set amidst the impending Prussian invasion and blockade of Paris--followed by the conservative French faction's ruthless slaughter of Parisians--the lives and loves of these three women are chronicled in this wonderful tale of lust, war, courage, and love.

"Velda Johnston is one of the leading lights of the mystery field."
- The Los Angeles Times

Velda Johnston "invariably snags my interest both in plot and characterization so that . . . I'm hooked all the way to the end."
- Chicago Tribune

"Johnston, a veteran suspense writer, displays complete control of her craft."
- Publishers Weekly on THE SHADOW BEHIND THE CURTAIN

"One of the best writers of this genre. Johnston manages to build suspense and romance to a chilling chase and climax."
- Library Journal on THE FRENCHMAN

Genres: Fiction

355 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2001

About the author

Velda Johnston was a writer of romantic suspense. She also wrote under the pseudonym 'Veronica Jason'.

Reviews

[Robert Fontenot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even in an bibliography as full of outliers as Johnston, this is an outlier. Indeed, despite what clearly feels like her voice, I wouldn't have believed this was hers if she hadn't cannibalized her own book The House on the Left Bank, stripping it for both it's overarching setting but also for the specific setting of a French ambulance. It is also roughly twice as long as most of her books, concerns itself with three times as many main characters, and on terms of both sex and violence this is by far her most explicit book. This all to the books credit and detriment. This not a great introduction to Johnston's gothic romances as it lacks the oddness that makes many of her works stand out but it is a well written, well researched historical romance. It has a grand scope and I feel like I learned a fair amount about life and love under the Paris Commune. All the same, I did miss the weirdness.

[M.P. Conn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I´m giving it a three star just because I expected a gothic novel and what its turned out to be is a historical romance. Well written and entertaining for those who like this genre.

[Ardith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, the French Civil war!

Although I am familiar with the history in the story (les miserable) the characters made it seem new. Well written and highly entertaining, I Wil read more of her books.

[Peggy Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, interesting plot, well written. Kept me turning pages. This author should go far. Good balance between humor and drama.