I got this book through Goodreads first reads.
Harry, Billie and Arthur run magic tricks. We first meet Harry as he’s trying to escape from being chained up before the train arrives. When Herbie, their magician friend, disappears after a show the three friends decide to save him and figure out what exactly happened and who took him.
Harry is a bit obnoxious; in fact I hated him about midway through the book. He really doesn’t listen to Billie and Arthur. If anything although I like Harry by the end, I’m not convinced that he’s really changed or learned to listen to his friends, he often does things and then has to explain himself afterword, but although he feels bad that he acted without listening or stopping to explain he does the same thing again. The friendship was cute, sorry that sounds like I’m making that sound like a bad thing, it’s not but you know how it is friendships are always kind of cute with that class gap.
I liked the book it was a pleasant enough read, even if I don’t remember why I wanted to read it. The ending surprised me; I did not expect the mystery to be explained or resolved in that way. I had also completely forgotten about Arthur’s problem. It was a good book, and so action packed, some times I felt like I should have been running to keep up with those kids.
I have one issue, and that is that it centres around a young Houdini, I can't help but think that the book would have been just as good if it had been about some random child instead of being so far from the truth about Houdini that it is best to just forget who he is. I understand the point but I can't help but think that a fictional account of the childhood a young Houdini should have a stronger link to his actual childhood.