Customer Reviews

The Dime Museum Murders (Harry Houdini Mysteries)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

A dime museum, or ten-in-one, was a show for which one paid a dime and got to see ten acts, mostly of human curiosities, of three minutes each. In 1897 one of those acts was the Great Houdini before he attained fame as an escapologist. Houdini is asked by the New York City police to come to the scene of a murder in a locked room. An egotist, Houdini thinks he has been invited to solve the puzzle, but it is only to identify and explain Le Fantome, an automaton, which allegedly killed a millionaire.

Houdini and his brother, Dash Hardeen, continue to investigate despite discouragement by the police, with Houdini convinced that the most recent suspect he has dealt with, if he dislikes that person, is the murderer.

The novel is well written, enjoyable, and amusing, with the historical aspects and the magic lore presented deftly and unobtrusively. The title is erroneous-none of the murders took place in a dime museum-and the solution to the locked-room problem may disappoint some fanciers of the impossible-crime plot, but otherwise this is first-class entertainment.

Sometimes it is just fun to read a really good mystery, one that mixes humor and intrigue in an historical setting. The Dime Museum Murders is a good old-fashioned whodunit which stars Harry Houdini along with his more sensible brother Dash, each offering up his own particular set of talents to help crack the case. It gets right to the crime, offers a variety of suspects and an ingenious ending. What more could one ask for? I bought this book with the Floating Lady Murder and the Houdini Specter and can't wait for more. Bring them on!!!

This was a great read. Not only is it a well-constructed, fast-paced mystery, but Stashower gives us a wonderfully fresh look at the "Great Houdini" before he was famous. The vivid details of the time period are exceptional, as are the unforgettable characters of Houdini and his brother Dash. I only hope there will be more Houdini mysteries forthcoming!

The Dime Museum Murders is a now-you-see-it-now- you-don't mystery that baffles the reader as its hero, the famous Houdini, stuns and amazes his audiences. Houdini as detective is a teriffic idea, and the book is well written by Daniel Stashower, himself a magician. The period's ambiance is perfectly done and the characters are teriffic. Houdini's brother Dash is the teller of this tale as Watson was the teller of Sherlock Holmes' exploits. This is one of the best mysteries I've ever read.

I love mysteries with historic settings, but tend to shy away from those that feature actual persons as protagonists. It seems like a flimsy conceit to me. That being said, however, I enjoyed the heck out of this book. Stashower has hit upon a great gimmick, letting us see behind the curtain into all of Houdini's many flaws, which in turn creates some wonderful comedic moments. As the real hero of the novel, Houdini's brother Dash alternates between regarding his brother with wild-eyed wonder and getting frustrated with Houdini's arrogant stubborn nature. You can't help feeling for Dash and getting drawn in as he inadvertently pieces the mystery together. It's great fun, with great flair and wit. What more does one need?

An unbelievable account of two brothers in the greatest profession on earth! The relationship and "banter" of these two is at times comical and frustrating. Houdini has never become more real and human and the love and comraderie of Houdini and his brother has never before seemed so vivid. Congratulations Mr. Stashower! Excellent! Excellent!!

Mr. Stashower has written an exceptional mystery which is not only engrossing, but realistically captures the essence of Houdini as the main character.

Houdini appears not only as an exceptional escape artist and magician, but also as a somewhat inept detective as he tries to emulate his hero, Sherlock Holmes. The effect is not only occasionally humorous, but very engaging!

Read this book! You won't be able to put it down (even if you can pick handcuffs).

I bought The Dime Museum Murders because I am a locked room mystery fan. I was not disappointed. Up until the exciting climax, I could not expect what was going to happen. Houdini as a detective is a brilliant use of this historic personality. Stashower writes clearly and with a verve that really engages the reader. A winner!