![]() ![]() ![]() Unfortunately, this part of the book-which abruptly departs from the historical record-comes off as a little silly, with a Nancy Drew–like quality to it. She finds coded messages and joins forces with a young photographer who proves crucial to her quest. Realizing she’s being duped, Bess begins to look elsewhere for Harry’s presence. ![]() Insisting that he promised, on his deathbed, to communicate with her from beyond the grave, Bess falls prey to scheming mediums claiming to relay his messages. Intercut with the story of Harry’s rise to stardom is a second narrative tracing Bess’ adventures and misadventures after her husband’s mysterious death in 1926. They marry and endure a hardscrabble life till Harry’s daring, ingenious stunts start to attract international attention. The two meet as young, struggling performers in Coney Island-Harry performing magic tricks, Bess singing with a female troupe. This debut novel shifts the focus to his strong-willed wife, Bess, drawing on real events but conjuring a fanciful end to their long marriage. Master magician Harry Houdini has proved an endless source of fascination to writers and filmmakers. ![]()
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