The little seaside town of Sidford-on-Sea has come alive with the buzz of the famous escape artist Harry Houdini.
Friends Glory and Dennis are in the line to see him perform and are in awe of his skills. Dennis in particular was keen to see the famous Houdini, as he too wants a life in the spotlight. It must run in his family, because his mum is a singer and his dad was a skilled trombone player before he died.
Both their mums are away in America leaving them in the care of family members, and Glory is loving a little extra freedom. They take every opportunity to see Houdini as much as they can, and soon meet him and his wife in person. Finally, Glory’s well known love of dogs pays off, when she rescues the Houdini’s pooch.
But the glitz and glam of Houdini’s life, covers the suspicion, jealousy and menace that lies underneath, as fierce rivals endeavour to steal Houdini’s secrets.
Glory, Dennis and their guardians get swept up in a mystery of epic proportions, requiring overseas travel, care of Houdini secrets and even kidnapping. Houdini secrets aren’t the only things revealed as Glory and Dennis are reunited with their mums, after a tense stand off amid the wonder and chaos of Coney Island attractions.
Glory’s adventurous spirit, once thought to be a pain to her family, finally pays off in more ways than one.
Another historical gem from Emma Carroll.
With many factual elements woven through this new mystery, The Houdini Inheritance is an entertaining read. This novel is set in the 1920’s with interesting characters such as a dog loving girl, constantly pushing boundaries with family and tattooist mum. It’s this constant need for excitement that takes main character Glory and her bestie Dennis on an over the seas adventure from a tiny UK seaside town to the bustling city of New York.
Magic, mystery and clairvoyants fill their adventure, as Glory determines the difference between truth and lies, secrets and betrayals and the art of distraction. Glory is courageous, determined and a loyal to friends, new and old.
Bestie Dennis is part Jamaican and a thread of prejudice is woven artfully through the story, as his songstress mother graces the stage. I enjoyed meeting Houdini’s wife in this tale as I’d always imagined him a bachelor, wandering the world with his inspiring escapes.
Such a shame that the world lost him so young.
Author – Emma Carroll
Age – 9+
(2024, Allen & Unwin, Magic, Historical, Spies, Mystery, Crime, Family, Secrets, Siblings, Dogs, 1920’s, England, New York, Ship Travel, Performers, Coney Island, Tattooist, Singer, Harry Houdini, Mrs Houdini)