Houdini's Last Illusion [Paperback]

Steve Savile (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 25, 2004

Harry Houdini is a haunted man. Haunted by success; his emotions; and now by some of his compatriots: famed and feted illusionists like himself. The only problem is that they are dead. Houdini knows that time is running out, and before he is ready to die he must perform one final trick, the greatest illusion of his life...

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Steve Savile was born in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne but has been living in exile in Sweden for the last 8 years, where he makes his living as a Grade 5 school teacher. Steve was among the 2002 Winners of the Writers of the Future award for Houdini's Last Illusion, and has been nominated for the British Fantasy Award.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Telos Publishing; 1 edition (August 25, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1903889669
• ISBN-13: 978-1903889664
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,539,791 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A lifelong genre fan, Steven Savile has written for Doctor Who, Torchwood, Primeval, Stargate, Guild Wars, Warhammer, Slaine, Star Wars and the Jurassic Park series, as well as Fantastic TV, a critical study of 50 years worth of science fiction on television. In 2009 won the International Media Tie-In Writer's Scribe Award for his original novel Primeval: Shadow of the Jaguar. Steven has sold over quarter of a million books worldwide, won multiple awards, including the Writers of the Future and Scribe Award, and is a number one bestseller in the United Kingdom.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is not the Tony Curtis version of Houdini, February 4, 2011

By 

SuCoPlaysGo (Medford, MA, United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Houdini's Last Illusion (Kindle Edition)

The author certainly captured the character of Houdini perfectly since it reflects everything I have read about him (other than the TV/Movie version of his life and death). Some fans of illusional magic may not like the exposure of illusion methods while for others may find it makes it more interesting. Along with illusion, there is the paranormal aspect of Houdini's life. A very different last illusion.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Haunting--in more ways than one!, September 21, 2004

By 

Elaine Isaak "fantasy writer" (southern New Hampshire) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Houdini's Last Illusion (Paperback)

This book drew me right into the mind of Harry Houdini. The author's deft handling of period details and historical facts made it easy to believe--even when the spirits start arriving. It's a fascinating blend of reality and the edge of madness. A melancholy and moving read. It took me places I'd never thought to go, and made me glad I'd gone along.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Magic is in the Words..., February 10, 2011

By 

David Niall Wilson - Author of DEEP BLUE "boo... (Hertford, NC United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Houdini's Last Illusion (Kindle Edition)

This is the type of story that keeps me coming back to Steven Savile's work time and again. The time period and setting are picture perfect, the history is in place, and the character of Harry Houdini has never seemed more real to me. The descriptions of illusions and the mindset of the protagonist read like a diary of the long dead magician rather than a story borrowed from his canon - and the bits and pieces of the supernatural that have been dropped into the tale make it all the more perfect. If you want to know what the fuss is all about with Steven Savile, this is a great place to start.