Twelve-year-old Nate and his mother live with his father's well to do aunt in NYC. Aunt Alice has a new friend who holds seances so she can have contact with her husband and Nate's father. Mr. Trane the new friend uses these fake seances to turn Aunt Alice against Nate and his mother. His hope is that the Aunt will throw them out so he can steal her money. Speaking of money, Nate is sent to on an errand to collect from a certain man named Houdini who ordered a hat but failed to pay for it. Nate meets Mrs. Houdini and they become instant friends, She invites him and his mother to Houdini's next performance there he befriends Houdini. With Houdini's help and the surprising help of Mr. Winchell, a store employee who despises Nate and his connection to wealth, Mr. Trane is the one who is turned out onto the street. Ages: 9-12
Comments: A young patron recommended this to me. The last part of the book has edge-of-your-seat action. This series can serve as a historical fiction assignment. The author includes historical information about Houdini and how he spent time "unmasking" fraudulent schemers who preyed on innocent people pretending to be able to have contact with the dearly departed. Captivating!
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