While attending mystery convention Left Coast Crime in Denver, I had the chance to host an event for readers inspired by my Secret Staircase Mysteries. Since my books feature stage illusionist Tempest Raj and the family’s Secret Staircase Construction business, what better place for a meetup than a museum dedicated entirely to illusions?
Just two blocks from the conference hotel, the Museum of Illusions was the perfect location for mystery fans to step into a world where nothing was quite what it seemed.
Exploring the Museum of Illusions
The museum is an interactive space filled with visual tricks that challenge your senses. It’s designed for all ages, and our group had a great time jumping into the exhibits together. Here are some highlights:
Hanging Off the Side of a Building
Imagine lying down on the floor of a museum and suddenly appearing as if you’re dangling from a balcony of a brick high-rise building. With a mirror on the ceiling, the scene transformed in photos, making it look like we were performing daring rescues. We couldn’t stop laughing as we “rescued” each other.
Floating Head on a Table
Using cleverly angled mirrors, the illusion of a bodiless head sitting on a table came to life. Each of us took turns and couldn’t resist snapping unforgettable photos of our “floating” selves.
Shrinking Friend
Sometimes illusions are about perspective, not mirrors. In one exhibit, a simple change in viewing angle made it look like someone was shrinking right before our eyes.
Riding an Upside-Down Train
My personal favorite was the tube-inspired train car, where we appeared to be hanging upside-down inside a London Underground car—a nod to my own fond memories of the Tube from when I lived in London in my early 20s.
Other favorite moments included the dizzying vortex tunnel, where we felt like we were tumbling through space, and the infinity room, where endless reflections tricked our brains in the best way possible.
From Illusions to Connections
The best part of the outing wasn’t just the playful exhibits or the hilarious photos. It was how quickly a group of mystery lovers, several of whom I had only met that morning, connected over the shared joy of experiencing the impossible. The best sleight of hand is the one that brings people together.
The Museum of Illusions is part of a mini chain, with locations in Seattle, Boston, and Washington, D.C.—though I’m still waiting for one closer to me in the San Francisco Bay Area. Whether you’re a mystery fan or simply want to add a bit of magic in your day, I highly recommend seeking one out.
If you love impossible puzzles, family secrets, and a dash of stage magic, check out my Secret Staircase Mysteries, starring illusionist Tempest Raj and her family’s one-of-a-kind home-renovation business that builds magic into people’s homes through architectural misdirection like sliding bookcases and hidden staircases. Each book weaves together impossible crimes, hidden passages, and plenty of cozy fun.