The Magician's Daughter: A Memoir

by Judyth Hill (Editor), Katy Grabel

Never before has the daughter of a great magician written with such candor and beauty about magic's backstage—and onstage—world, where even the most outlandish dreams are possible.

The Magician's Daughter—A Memoir is a coming-of-age story set within the motion and light of a traveling magic show. Fourteen-year-old Katy is the daughter of Lee Grabel, a former professional magician stuck behind a desk in the suburbs who yearns to rekindle the past fame of his old magic show. When he decides to hit the road again in a grand bid to be a Las Vegas headliner, Katy has her chance for the spotlight she yearns for as his stage assistant. With a truck full of wonderments, the Grabel family and their crew go on tour across the western states, where trouble quickly ensues along with the increasing unhappiness of her mother —The Beautiful Helene—who is disenchanted with the magic show even as she runs it with military precision from her table stage right. Setting up, performing, and packing out of town after town, tensions mount, and betrayal is in the air.

Through error and misstep, Katy struggles to free herself from the show's intoxicating spotlight. Meanwhile, the Grabels and their crew are getting closer to their booking at the Las Vegas Convention Center, where the show's ultimate fate will be determined.

Readers of Cherry and Small Fry will be captivated by this page-turner—a story of a daughter's complicated love for her magnificent, stage-dazzled father. It's a tale that delves into the complexities of family dynamics and the enduring power of love, set against the backdrop of a mesmerizing magic show.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 13, 2025

Reviews

[Country Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Magician's daughter is a memoir by Katy Grabel about coming of age with a former professional magician dad who is now a desk jockey. Katy's father longs for the return to the magic stage and performing. I loved seeing the pictures of Katy's magician father's posters when he was performing on stage, they really add to the book for the readers! This was an excellently written memoir about a young girl growing up in a magic family. We get to take the journey with Katy as she tells us all about her family, growing up, and magic!
The story is super engaging from page 1 till the end if you like memoirs and also if you like magic or magician's stories. The book is compelling and well written and I was immersed in Katy's story along with her now traveling magic family. I would absolutely read another book by this author:)

Country Mama rating: 4 out of 5 hearts

[Jenée · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating memoir of what it was like being the daughter of magician, traveling with his show, and desperately wanting to be the spotlight in her father’s life. I saw Katy as a girl hungry for her father’s attention and jumped at any opportunity to get his attention. Reading this I was often amazed by the things that can and do go wrong. This is not the side of a magic show we watch as an audience. It’s the side of passion, desire, excitement, mishaps, and disappointment behind the stage from 14 year old Katy’s perspective. It was truly a wonderful memoir to read.

Thank you Wild Rising Press Publishing and Katy Grabel for this book. I received this book from the Goodreads giveaway and this is my honest review.

[IngramSpark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This title was selected for IngramSpark's Indie Title Discovery Spotlight 2025!

A compelling coming-of-age memoir set in the fascinating world of stage magicians. Rich with family drama, moments of both comedy and suspense, and (of course) some behind-the-scenes magic secrets!

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Sara Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story! I loved everything about The Magician’s Daughter—from the enchanting world to the magical characters. If you're into gypsy magic, hidden powers, and atmospheric tales with heart, this one is definitely for you. It’s beautifully written, full of wonder, and had me completely swept away from the first page. A magical read in every sense.

[Sandra M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This spellbinding read is perfect for fans of magic, coming-of-age journeys, and intimate behind-the-scenes peeks into the world of entertainment.

In this heartfelt and vivid memoir, Katy invites us into her world—a story of family, dreams, and the sacrifices that make the impossible possible. It’s a front-row seat to the wonder, the grit, and the glitter.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I’m not typically one to grab for memoir; I was instantly intrigued by the concept of hearing an actual magicians story as told by their child. I’m so incredibly glad I decided to take a chance on this memoir and all of its ups and downs. The Magician’s Daughter has this brilliant way of grasping Katy’s story and making a memoir read like magical realism. It’s coming of age in a home that stretched the limits of what it is to be a nuclear family. I absolutely adored the addition of real childhood photos and tour posters of her father’s show (as someone who digs through the old photos at any antique store those were a totally cool accent to the memoir). This look into their familial history made reader root for the triumphant return to what once was while unraveling the complicated relationship between Katy and her father. The Magician’s Daughter is a brilliantly written memoir and a true testament to @katygmagic craft of writing.
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Thank you so much to @booksparks and @katygmagic for this review copy!
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#summerpopup #booksparks #themagiciansdaughter #katygrabel #summerreading #goodreads #mayreads #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bookish #bookphotography

[Silvia Goodell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and captivating read about the lures and temptations of our biggest dreams. In this coming-of-age memoir, Katy joins her parent's big illusion show as her father searches for the holy grail of a Las Vegas booking. Her mother is reluctant to go on tour, and the crew appears far from reliable, yet Katy's craving for grandeur matches her father's and nothing dampens her enthusiasm for the spotlight.
This book is well-written engaging and wonderfully suspenseful as the magic show moves from town to town, getting closer to their one show for casino talent scouts. There are all kind of interesting characters like loud ruckus show folk, odd misfit magicians cynical wife assistants. So many perfect vibrant details weave through the backstage and onstage descriptions, that I really felt like I was there. It's full of magic, in particular, a prose that sparkles like magic itself.
Well-crafted and beautifully descriptive! Loved it!

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-paced, deeply personal exploration of family dynamics and individual dreams, The Magician’s Daughter follows fourteen-year-old Katy Grabel’s 1977 road trip as her father attempts to revive the career as a successful illusionist he had left behind decades earlier.

Set against the captivating world of stage magic, the narrative takes readers backstage—both literally and emotionally—where long-buried family secrets and tensions begin to surface. Grabel's coming-of-age story unfolds with honesty and heart, offering a rare glimpse into the pressures of living in a parent's shadow while striving to find one’s own identity.

As a bonus, readers are treated to behind-the-scenes details of how some classic illusions are crafted, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this already compelling memoir.

[Mrs Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this memoir of Katy Grabel. Through this 240 page book, we learn about backstage of a magician's life. The book is well thought-out and written. I was engaged with the book and invested in her life as the daughter of a traveling magician. At the beginning of each chapter, there were wonderful pictures of her life. Some were cute, like with her mother, and some were magic acts.

I recommend this book for those who would like a look at behind the scenes of a magic show. It was enticing and made me was to try a little magic, too.

Thank you for the copy, this is my honest opinion. Please be aware of any trigger warnings, as your mental health is most important.

#booksparks #summerpopup

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the mid-seventies, magician Doug Henning began appearing on television in popular prime-time specials. Katy Grabel's father Lee, a onetime touring magician become businessman, was inspired to bring his own show out of mothballs (at age 58!) and hit the road again, together with his wife-assistant Helen and teenage Katy. This is her account of those months in 1977 when she and her father shared an improbable dream of escape from ordinary days in Alamo, California, for a big-time Las Vegas residency. Grabel has extraordinary recall of events that took place almost 50 years ago, and she brings to this memoir a winsome blend of deep affection for her family, wry regard for her younger self, appreciation of life's comic turns, and storytelling verve. Highly recommended.

[Carissa Lambariello · Rating 5 out of 5]

"When the time was right, I wanted to tell the story of the road my way."

"The Magician’s Daughter" by Katy Grabel offers an intimate, behind the scenes glimpse into a world shrouded in secrecy: the life of a traveling magic show. When renowned magician Lee Grabel decides to relaunch his act, his daughter Katy sees her long-held dreams of fame and recognition finally within reach. Determined to claim her place both on stage and in her father's eyes, Katy stops at nothing to step into the spotlight. Over the course of several months, we journey alongside Katy, her parents, and their crew, witnessing the daily challenges and triumphs of life on the road. Through journal entries and candid photographs, each chapter immerses you in Katy’s world, making you feel as though you’re right there with her backstage, on the road, and under the bright lights.

This was an unforgettable reading experience.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and BookSparks for the physical ARC of this stunning memoir.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The Magician’s Daughter: A Memoir” by Katy Grabel is a “coming of age” journey combined with interesting stories of being in a traveling magic show. Katy is the daughter of Lee and Helen Grabel, a magic duo.

While I learned about the show team, the many tricks in the show, as well as the stamina needed, I was most interested in seeing how Katy learned more about herself. I believe that Katy’s journey in this respect continued long after the magic show ended.

3.5 stars. I recommend this book to those who are fans of memoirs. I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity.

[Susan (The Book Bag) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up at about the same time that this author did and I remember the thrill of the circuses and magicians when they came to town. The Magician's Daughter gives us a behind the scenes look at what life was like in a traveling show.

I can't even imagine what it would be like to be a teenager living the life that Katy did, with her parents and the rest of the crew, on the road for so many months straight. This story was definitely an eye-opening read.

The Magician's Daughter is a well written memoir giving the reader insight to a life we will never live.

[Mara Munson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enchanting glimpse into the fascinating world of a traveling magic show and a young girl's hopes and dreams. Eloquently written with lovely descriptive images, the writer reveals an exciting tale of the illusions of a master magician and the challenges of family life on the road. A poignant and heartwarming story. Excellent read! Loved it!!

[C. Knowlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Magician’s Daughter” is a wonderful tale of a young girl becoming a woman and learning about familial love, loyalty, magic and the truth of who she is. She discovers the secret that magic in the spotlight is fleeting, and that the real magic is found behind the scenes.

“The Magician's Daughter” is a great book to curl up with on a rainy day.

[RubiesReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved reading about her experience and how persistent her father was whenever magic was involved. I am always intrigued by illusionists because it is a different kind of performance so seeing this behind the scenes view was absolutely eye opening. If you enjoy memoirs that span across generations I would definitely recommend this one.

[Shelly Itkin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have always been fascinated with magic and thought I would love Katy Grabels memoir.

Unfortunately that was not the case and although I learned about back stage life as a magician and also about her feelings as a teenager.

I so wanted to love this book but found it difficult to continue on with each chapter. Definitely not the exciting type book I had hoped for.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a behind the curtain reveal type of story so this one was right up my alley. I’ve read a few “life in the circus” books and this one had a definite voice in that realm. It was well balanced to hear about growing up on the road and “secrets” of the magic, and I really enjoyed this one.

Thanks #booksparks #summerreads and @katygmagic

[Michèle Callard · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I saw a show advertising a disappearing horse, a musician playing on an upside piano and a human cannon ball, I would be so excited! The Magician's daughter is an attempt to describe life behind the scenes and to untangle the lessons of a year spent on the road with a magician busy chasing his illusions and a crew who had lost theirs. A bittersweet memoir written with the wisdom of years.

[therese patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Building on 400 pages from 2 journals written by her 14 year old self Katy has created an engaging and entertaining story of what it's really like behind the scenes of magic shows. She phrases her memories of all the imperfections, expectations and rewards of pursuing fame on stage and under the spotlight with original teenage emotions and a beginner's mind.

[gj indieBRAG · Rating 5 out of 5]

We proudly announce that THE MAGICIAN'S DAUGHTER: A Memoir by Katy Grabel has been honored with the B.R.A.G. Medallion (Book Readers’ Appreciation Group). It now joins the very select award-winning, reader-recommended books at indieBRAG. This award is a testament to this book's quality and its impact on readers.

[CR · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a heartfelt exploration of family, identity, and self-discovery. With raw storytelling and vivid reflections, it offers an intimate glimpse into her past. While compelling, it may not resonate with everyone, but those who enjoy introspective memoirs will find it thought-provoking.

[Jennifer Sholtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good and thought provoking read

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably between 3 and 4 stars. Seeing behind the scenes into this kind of life is not something I have read before. I enjoyed it.

[Maya Patel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magic for some is a performance by someone at a kids party. For others it may be someone you pass by on the road doing little tricks, or it can be someone you watch on stage creating illusions while trying to be funny at it. However, for some magic is everything, it’s a career, it’s their home, it’s their sweat and hard work put into creating a show that will entertain anyone.

Being a magician’s child is a whole different world. If your parents are magicians - creating shows, chances are you will be in the road as well. It’s overwhelming, tiring but yet somehow rewarding.

‘The Magician’s Daighter’ by @katygmagic is a memoir, she is the daughter of great magician who wrote about the backstage and at times, the onstage world of her time on the road during her father’s shows. It’s definitely not an easy life. You’re always sleeping somewhere different, there is stress and tensions and even betrayal which are among the many factors that one goes through while travelling with the show party.

This memoir was beautifully written. The emotions of Katy are raw and reflective. As the book goes by, you will find yourself growing with her.

Memoirs are always interesting to read. This one made me think about ‘The Night Circus’ and how I would love to do a re-read.

Thank you @booksparks for the copy! This book will be published out tomorrow! #summerpopup

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Book Sparks for sending me a copy of this book for review as past of the Summer Pop Up. All thoughts are my own.

This coming of age story takes readers behind the scenes of the illusion in a most fascination world. Katy is no ordinary girl, but the daughter of a famous magician and his stage assistant wife. Well Lee Grabel was one of the most talented, but relatively unknown illusionists of the 1950s with dreams that lasted a lifetime. In the 1970s amidst a magic revival, Lee puts into motion his comeback tour. It is on this tour that 14-year old Katy is finally introduced to magic first-hand. It is a sort of disillusionment with the spotlight and an obsession with fame that came head to head on a three month tour across the states.

The true magician in this story is Katy’s mother Helene who makes the show and life look easy, despite ceaseless effort. Hers is a life of sacrifice and being forced into tiny spaces. It really made me think of all the unknown actors in a show, of all the ways women were objectified in the entertainment industry, of how many hands it takes to make magic possible. This behind the curtain expose really detailed how much engineering and design goes into every act, and the importance of a reliable crew. On the road, they were a tinderbox of emotion, but were forced to reconcile and move forward. After all, the show must go on! Even with lazy behaviour, sabotage or controlling rants the whole crew is required to make a successful show night after night. It was sweat and tears, fights and longing all rolled together. A search for something marvellous in this humdrum world that nonetheless requires mechanical attention. It all seemed so exhausting, I truly wonder how they could even smile through it all, let alone pull tricks.

To be a magician takes a sort of outlandish fervour, an obsession with grandeur and the belief to make it happen. The embellishment of spinning a tale in a favourable light, the shiny distractions that hide what is neither easy, nor natural. A willingness to take hostages while pursuing a dream, for as one flourishes a loved one must be willing to sacrifice their own.

I have always loved magic shows, but I have never tried hard to look for the trick, because that moment of wonder where the impossible is possible has always been worth it to me. It is really no surprise that Katy goes in search of a life of astonishment after having this experience. To pursue goals with a relentless nature and to seek out a sort of magic in living. It was a really fascinating memoir of what happens behind the curtain, on the road and the unwitting collateral a life of prestige can take. I was enchanted from the start and liked the little excerpts from Katy’s childhood journal and old photos added to each chapter.

[Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This charming memoir of Katy Grabel's coming-of-age behind the scenes of her father's traveling magic show in the 1970s is a joy to read. Those who would love to know the inside details of how magicians pull off the seemingly impossible will learn a lot, and not in a way that will destroy the thrill of magic.

Full review on my blog: https://worldliteratour.com/review-ma...

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration.

[Fred Fanning · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable memoir about a daughter's experience with her parents' magic show: this is an excellent story with insight into what happens on the road. I found it interesting and entertaining.