Escape artist Harry Houdini promised his wife Bess before he died that if it was possible would he find a way to speak to her again after death with a coded message only she would understand. Through this book, we get to follow Bess as she struggles through a life without Harry and hoping to get a message from him that he is waiting for her. The book also has a parallel storyline with her meeting Harry and their life together up until his death.

I have a longstanding fascination with Harry Houdini and knew instantly I wanted to read this book. But, strangely enough, I had a bit of a hard time getting into the story. I felt that the characters never really came to life for me. It was a good, book just not a riveting book. I had hoped to really get lost in the story, instead, if felt that I struggled to read, despite the book being not that thick. However, towards the end of the book, did I finally feel that the book's story started to get to me. There was just something about the last part that resonated with me. I wish I had felt the same connection towards the rest of the book, but I'm happy that at least did I feel that the book got to me.

It was not in any way a bad book. Both storylines are good and I did enjoy reading about the Houdini's and I liked the way Victoria Kelly took some liberties with their story. And, I absolutely loved the ending! Also, I like the cover, but I didn't know the meaning of it until I had finished the book. I love reading a book and when you are done you finally realize the meaning of the cover.

I recommend this book. It's an interesting mix of fiction and fact and it's fascinating to read a story from Bess point-of-view, her life with Harry Houdini. A love story that not even death could stop...

3.5 stars

I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through Edelweiss for an honest review.

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I've always been interested in Houdini so this book appealed to me.

This is the fictional story of Bess Houdini.

Barely out of high school, she met Harry.
Choices for women at the time usually included becoming a nun or becoming a wife.
When Harry proposes on their first date, Bess takes a big leap of faith and marries him.

They led a very exciting life. Bess became his partner in his magic acts and he became immensely famous.
As he became more of a name, his acts became more solo acts.
Bess started feeling unimportant.
She also worried about some of their acts being an offense to God. She feared they may be cursed.

By the time Harry died he had become obsessed with trying to reach the realm beyond death. He was never able to reach his deceased mother and despite all of his acts faking seances there was a point where he ached for it to be possible.

If connecting from beyond the grave was possible,Harry promised Bess he would reach her.

This was an interesting take on their relationship and Bess' life after Harry passed away. ( )

Very interesting read about Houdini’s wife, her life after him, waiting and waiting. It was interesting to read about their lives. I would be intrigued to read more about them and it would be interesting to know how he truly did some of his tricks. ( )

Thank you to Goodreads and the publisher for a free copy!

Mrs. Houdini is a novel that positively sparkles. Richly researched and filled with engaging characters, it tells the story of Bess, Harry Houdini's wife in exquisite detail. It follows the two from their first meeting, through Houdini's rise to fame, and past his death, when Bess becomes obsessed with the idea of him contacting her from beyond the grave.

The plot never lagged, the characters were wonderful, and the writing perfectly captured glamour and wonder and showmanship and desperation.

I don't generally like novels that end with a paranormal reveal, seeming to confirm the supernatural over reality. So, I was a bit nervous about the concept of Harry and Bess appearing back in time in photographs. However, there was enough included about doctored photos that it left doubt in my mind if things were really happening or if this was another one of Harry's fantastic illusions. And I love an ending with some ambiguity.

Here is my favourite thing about this book, though:

This is a story that features the famous, the larger-than-life, the showman Harry Houdini. And yet, Bess holds her ground as the focus of the novel.

It would be so easy for Harry to steal that spotlight, just as he did on stage. And he is still a compelling character -- childlike, uncertain, desperate to believe in magic, but exuding confidence and arrogance in front of an audience.

But this novel is undoubtedly about Bess. It's about her belief in her husband, and her belief in magic, and her search for family. This is undeniably a story about Bess -- her inner conflicts and determination are what drive the story forward. And I'm so glad because she is a wonderful character, and the strength of her characterization makes Mrs. Houdini a joy to read. ( )