About
Reviews
Search
Submit
Home

Mystery Books for Sale

[ Home ]
[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]


  

FLOATING LADY MURDER, THE
by Daniel Stashower
Avon, December 2000
251 pages
$5.99
ISBN: 0380800578


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

This is a rather delightful, quick read that some reviewers (or some publicity departments) might call a "romp". Since I hate that clichÈ, I won't. Aren't I disciplined?

One of the most intriguing aspects of this book is that while it's referred to as " A Harry Houdini Mystery" and certainly, that character inhabits the story, he's, well, he's rather annoying. The real worthwhile protagonist here is Harry's brother, aka Dash Hardeen. Dash, a single man, and rather stuck in his brother's footsteps, acts as advance man and publicist for Houdini, who thinks himself a genius, steals lines, brags, and can't understand why everyone isn't as thrilled about the Great Houdini as he is. He must have something, since he's married to the lovely (and tolerant) Bess (with whom he lives at Mama's house). (I could do without Mama, who only exists in the kitchen, but I know she played a huge role in Houdini's life.) Harry is very strong, creative and capable and as we know, he was unique to American (and later world) theater and magic.

The brothers (Dash is a talented performer himself) need work, and they go to Kellar seeking employment. He is about to introduce the impossible-to-perform Floating Lady act. Kellar actually doesn't want Harry, but after watching Harry save the day (when a lion escapes during a rehearsal), he asks for help. The show is being spied on, it seems, and might be sabotaged. When, during the one and only attempt at the Floating Lady, the "lady" dies, the brothers must investigate -- to save Kellar's act and reputation and because Harry styles himself a latter-day Sherlock Holmes.

I'm not much on braggarts, but Dash's own tolerance of Harry, and Beth's amused reactions to his pomposity make the experience far more comfortable. The turn-of-the-century setting in New York, with its gaslights and manners is very well-drawn; not surprising, since author Stashower is a Sherlockian scholar. The period is one he inhabits easily. While I'm not at home in this time, it's a fascinating one to visit. The ads and handbills describing the shows of the times are wonderful exemplars of that very different time, when entertainment was oration and animal acts, wonder and amazement, not singing teacups and video games brought to the screen. --

Reviewed by Andi Shechter, August 2001

[ Top ]


QUICK SEARCH:

 

Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]
[ Home ]