The Dime Museum Murders

Harry Houdini #1

by Daniel Stashower

New York City in 1897 and young escapologist Harry Houdini is struggling to get the recognition he craves from the ruthless entertainment industry. When toy tycoon Branford Wintour is found murdered in his Fifth Avenue mansion, detectives call upon Houdini to help solve this mysterious crime. When Harry and his brother Dash reach the scene of the murder, they discover that Wintour was killed seemingly by a magic trick...

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Crime, Historical, Historical Mystery, Mystery Thriller

256 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1999

About the author

Daniel Stashower is the author of The Boy Genius and The Mogul as well as the Edgar Award-winning Teller of Tales: The Life of Arthur Conan Doyle. He is also the author of five mystery novels, the most recent of which is The Houdini Specter. Stashower is a recipient of The Raymond Chandler Fulbright Fellowship in Detective and Crime Fiction Writing, and spent a year as a Visiting Fellow at Wadham College, Oxford. A freelance journalist since 1986, Stashower's articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Smithsonian Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and Connoisseur. He lives with his wife and two sons in Washington, D.C.

Reviews

[Marleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in a series introducing the famous Harry Houdini as an investigator of crimes.
The year is 1897 and Harry Houdini is still a struggling magician in New York. While he is determined to become a world-famous escapologist, New York and the world are not yet ready to accept him as such or give him a chance to prove himself.
With the help of his brother, Dash and his wife Bess, Harry is just about making a living in a Dime Museum, performing a three minute trick as part of a human curiosities show when he is summoned to the house of toy tycoon Branford Wintour by New York detectives.
It appears that Wintour has been killed by a toy automaton while alone in a room, locked from the inside.
Although the police have already apprehended the man who provided Wintour with the toy for questioning Harry is convinced that the toy was not the murder weapon and determined to prove that the toy-seller, who is an old friend, did not kill anyone. As a big fan of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Harry is sure that he can use the famous detective’s reasoning methods and discover who did kill the tycoon and how. And like his fictional hero, Harry has no faith in the investigative powers of the local police.
Dash on the other hand would prefer to leave the matter to those whose job it is to solve crimes but follows his brother while he starts making inquiries.
When both the old toy-seller and his wife end up dead too, both Harry and Dash want to get to the bottom of what exactly is going on, putting themselves into grave danger while delving into the darker sides of New York.

Harry and his brother Dash make a fun partnership to read about. They bounce of each other well, exasperating each other yet very close, as only brothers can be. While Dash is a rather sensible and down-to-earth character, Harry doesn’t suffer from modesty, false or otherwise. He is convinced of his greatness, both as an escapologist and as an investigator, and not shy about sharing that conviction with others. He is also rather innocent and naïve though, which makes for a charming combination and gets the two brothers both in and out of some tricky situations.
On the surface there are strong parallels with the Sherlock Holmes stories here. Not only is Harry Houdini a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes, he also shares the famous detective’s arrogance and doesn’t think twice about casting his brother Dash in the role of Dr. Watson. In this respect though, the book holds one or two surprises for the reader which made the story far less predictable than it might have been.

This is an easy to read story. The narrative flows and although there are plenty of observations and descriptions, the action comes at such a pace that the pages almost turn themselves.
Although the solution to the who-dunnit part of the mystery did not come as a huge surprise to me, the manner in which the crime was accomplished and the reason why did, which was very gratifying.
Overall I would call this an entertaining, light and rather traditional mystery which was a delight to read.

[Gerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1897, New York City was full of hustlers and freshly made millionaires, fine artists and con artists, criminals and immigrants. Among them was a rabbi's son who called himself Houdini, who is struggling to make it in the entertainment world, with his brand of magic and sleight of hand. His brother, known as Dash Hardeen, and his wife, Bess, were also working alongside him.

Harry suddenly gets an unexpected call from detectives who seek his assistance in solving the mystery of a toy tycoon who had been murdered, possibly by some trickery, in his posh Fifth Avenue mansion, where his body was discovered in a locked room.

Harry, together with his rather less enthusiastic brother, is more than willing to accept, fully believing that he would be capable of solving the crime. Before he really gets underway, two more murders, those of a toy dealer and his wife, are committed and are seemingly linked to the first. Harry therefore decides that the investigation should take the path into the strange world of rare toys and the collectors who pay fortunes to own them.

The investigation takes many twists and turns with Harry at various points displaying his capacity to escape from all sorts of difficult situations. He and his brother are set upon by thugs, on more than one occasion, find themselves locked in police cells and then, in an astonishing denouement in a most unusual location, work out exactly what had happened even though Lieutenant Murray states, 'You were lucky. Both of you. You could just as easily have been killed. That was a hell of a foolish stunt you pulled.'

But Harry and Dash live to pull further hell of foolish stunts in the next volumes of The Harry Houdini Mysteries. And, if they are as enjoyable as this one, they will be great fun to read and will also provide plenty of background to the life and times of the great escapologist.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining and kept me guessing!

[Jazz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this locked-room mystery. The interaction between Harry Houdini and his brother Dash Hardeen was often amusing and they worked well together as a pair with Houdini’s physicality and Hardeen’s analytic approach.

Clever solution to the locked room and I never guessed the murderer. Glad I own more books in this series. Highly recommended.

[Mae Clair · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in the Harry Houdini mystery series, this certainly kept me entertained. Harry is still struggling for recognition as an escape artist, assisted in his act by his wife, Bess, and brother Dash. It's Harry and Dash who become involved in solving the murder of a toy tycoon. The two brothers play off each other well, and the author portrays Houdini in a manner that rings true. I loved the 1897 setting and definitely plan on reading other books in this series.

[J.J. Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun romp with Harry Houdini and his brother Hardeen solving a puzzling murder mystery near the turn of the century, when Houdini was an unknown. Sherlock Holmes fans will enjoy this.

[4cats · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great sense of place, time and the characters jump off the page. Houdini lives again, wonderful.

[Elmer Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

For whatever reason, I read this one (of the three) last. Still didn't detract from my enjoyment of the depiction of the era.

No, Harry Houdini still isn't comparable to Sherlock Holmes, but he is emulating him badly. His brother Dash, however, seems to the be authentic sleuth in these tales, probably for legal purposes or just because Harry was an arrogant douche.

Repeatedly, his brother Theodore, aka Dash, aka the narrator, does most of the heavy lifting in this one. We share the happenings with him while Harry does "Houdini" things.

The locked door mystery was well constructed, played out as expected and allowed for much world building of the supposed series cast members that frequent the locale.

Mildly engaging tale worth the small amount of time to read.

Thanks for reading.

[Lori McMullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 of 3

Murder. Greed. Escape. Ego. Showmanship. Harry Houdini and his brother Dash are believable amateur detectives. New York at the turn of the century is a perfect backdrop. Oh, and there are automatons...I LOVE me some automatons.

This novel reminded me of Steve Hockensmith’s series Holmes on the Range. Both protagonists are enamored with Sherlock Holmes and use their unique skill set to solve murders. Both novels feature a brother crime fighting duo. However, one novel is set in the Wild West and the other in New York City.

Truth and justice are the driving force behind the brother’s quest to solve the mystery set before them. Of course, there’s bound to be a little magic along the way…


More reviews at: mytossiecup.blogspot.com

[Erik Sapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love mysteries. I find Houdini interesting. I thought this book would be right up my alley.

It isn't bad. In fact, the idea behind it was interesting. There just wasn't a whole lot in the book to captivate the reader. There's a lot of secondary characters who are all interchangeable. There's a mystery that builds up and then falls flat in the end. Houdini himself isn't a likable character.

Again, this book is not bad. It's just there. I doubt I will read any more of this series.

[Max · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written period piece featuring Harry Houdini and his brother, Dash Hardeen. The author does a good job evoking late nineteenth century New York and Harry's early years honing his craft. The dialogue is good, the main and supporting characters are realistic. The resolution of the mystery is a little weak, which lowered my rating

[Yosef Shapiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harry Houdini, and his brother Dash, are asked to technical expertise on a murder case that involves a magic box. harry, obsessed with the Sherlock Holmes stories and fancying himself a great detective, wants to solve the mystery himself. This story is told from his brother dash's point of view. It is a good mix of historical fact and fiction.

[Joe O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent; Continuing characters: Harry Houdini and Dash Hardeen (first in series); when a wealthy man is killed in a locked room a young Harry Houdini and his thoughtful and calmer younger brother are asked to help out, but when friends of theirs are also murdered they decide to take a more active role and may pay for it with their own lives

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Story had potential Houdini and His Brother trying to solve a murder but it became too typical
a Locked room mystery I was hoping for A bit more of his magic/escape routines but was given a mediocre story and a very mediocre one at that

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read with a young Harry Houdini and his brother Dash as amateur detectives. You can tell this is the first book in a series - the author hasn't quite got his characters and plot working optimally yet - but very worth reading to prepare for the much-better-working books #2 and #3.

[Victoria Grusing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun light mystery series.

[Bridget · Rating 2 out of 5]

do not know how I feel overall. the mystery was above average but the characterization of Harry and dash were not. pause on this series

[Steve Gross · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author knows his Houdini stuff!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Brian Seibel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Mystery with interesting characters. The plot takes somewhat of a.second seat to.the personalities involved but overall a good read that I'd recommend

[Jo Jenner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one took a while to get going but in the end it had a great finale. However I must say Harry is very annoying and the story really should have just have been all about his brother Dash.

[LaShana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved it!!! Can't wait to read more in this series

[Kathie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent read. Old school murder mystery. Houdini and his brother Dash entertaining characters.

[Kay · Rating 1 out of 5]

Insufferable. Couldn't finish.

[Julie Failla Earhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the way this story opened: It’s Halloween. Every year reporters track down the now forty-nine-year-old Dash Hardeen, younger brother of Erich Weiss, more commonly known as Harry Houdini, to interview him about his brother. Harry is already dead. Dash loves the attention that the night and the new reporters bring. It makes him feel close to Harry again.

The reporter, Jack Matthews, asks his questions; the same ones that all other reporters before him have asked, especially on Halloween. Matthews picks up a heavy gold medallion and asked Dash about it. Dash tells him that it is “a memento from the very first time that Harry Houdini ever died.” Now he really has Matthews’ attention, and Matthews wants to hear more. It’s a long story, Dash tells him, and then real story begins.

It’s 1897 in New York. Harry is still trying to make it. He has small name recognition but isn’t yet the superstar he is to become. To make ends meet, Harry and his beloved wife, Bess, are working the dime museum, or a ten-in-one. The patron pays a dime and gets to see ten acts, each act lasting three minutes.

Across the city, toy tycoon Branford Wintour is murdered in a locked room. The police call on Harry to help them solve the case. At least that’s what Harry believes. What the police really want is or Harry to identify a priceless and, some thought forgotten, automation. Although the police discourage the brothers, they continue to investigate.

The novel is well written. Not the page-turner I was hoping for, but it has a nice steady pace. Author Stashower does an excellent job in showing what an ego-manic, jerk of a personality that Houdini was. Dash is the more, much, much, much more likable character. I enjoyed reading about the magic and how hard Harry worked at becoming Houdini. I was also fascinated by the automations and the toy story that the brothers’ mentors ran.

There is a major flaw with this book: The title indicates that the murders take place where Harry and Bess perform. They don’t.

I give The Dime Museum Murders: A Harry Houdini Mystery (Book 1 of 3) 3 out of 5 stars.

[Icy-Cobwebs-In-Space · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel Stashower is an accomplished author who has written prolifically on the 19th and early 20th century eras. A magician himself, it is perhaps natural that he writes of Harry Houdini, the acclaimed stage magician and escapist of the early 20th century. Houdini is perhaps best known for his promise to his wife Bess that he would if at all possible send her a sign after his demise. Bess was his stage partner, and in “The Dime Museum Murders,” his younger brother, “Dash” Hardeen-now in his eighties-recounts his and Harry’s early years in New York City, as Houdini strove to break into “big-time” stage show business.

Harry Houdini had done fairly well on the small-town tour (promoted by his brother “Dash”) but New York City was already suffused with show business, so he had to take employment while trying to “break in.” Dash found him work at what was called a “Dime Museum,” the kind of activity that in a carnival or fair was called a “ten-in-one,” a line-up of “freaks” or other attractions past which a crowd, having paid admission in advance, is quickly routed.

As well as enjoyable writing and good depths of characterization, I enjoyed this mystery for the period details and references. Mr. Stashower is an excellent historian of this era, and really brings it vividly to life for modern readers who quite possibly can’t imagine the slow pace of life “back then,” but yet who share emotions, drives, and motives in common with our historical predecessors. Set side by side, they are individuals much like ourselves, just without the trappings of contemporary society, and novels like this make that abundantly clear.

[Stephen Osborne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This got better as it went along. At first, Houdini quoted Sherlock Holmes so much that it was hard to get a handle on his character. He came across as a mere Holmes pastiche. Luckily, things got better. Strange title, though. While Houdini works at a Dime Museum during the first section of the book, the murders don't take place there. My main trouble with the book, though, was the character of Houdini. He was vain and thoroughly unpleasant. I don't know much about Houdini, but I'm sure it was an acurate portrayal, as the book seems well researched. Still, it didn't make for an enjoyable character. Hercule Poirot was vain, but he came across as somewhat comic in his vanity. Nero Wolfe was just plain difficult and vain, but with Archie's comments he also comes across as humorous. You don't get much of that here. Halfway through, I was verging on 2 stars for this, but like I said it got better. Even Houdini grew on me. I might even give the second book a chance.

[Tim Goebel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was very disappointing. I think the main problem I had with it was that the title of the book is very misleading. This book has nothing to do with a "dime museum", no murders occur in one, and Houdini ends up quitting the museum half way through the book (after hardly ever making an appearance there). Also, the sub-title of this book should be 'A HARRY HOUDINI'S SMARTER BROTHER MYSTERY', as his brother Dash not only narrates the story, but truly is the main protagonist.

The murder (singular) is uninteresting, the characters are for the most part rather bland (except Harry Houdini himself, who is childish, petulant and unlikable), and the historical setting is not as engrossing as I prefer in my period mysteries.

This is not a horrible book, but it is not one I would ever reread, and I have absolutely no interest in pursuing this series at all.

[Riju Ganguly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daniel Stashower's first foray in fiction involving Harry Houdini had been included in an anthology dealing with Sherlock Holmes pastiches. This book is NOT a pastiche. It describes an extraordinary adventure, which had touched the lives of the struggling Harry Houdini and his extremely competent but highly underrated brother Hardeen, and had placed them directly into the vortex of the world of ruthless greed and human tragedies. I would not summarise the story, since that would be rather unfair. It is a welcome addition to the world of mystery, and I would love to read more adventures involving the duo as protagonists. Recommended.

[Janna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read with interesting characters. For some reason Goodreads lists this book as the second in the series, but it is really the first of three books about the magician Houdini solving mysteries along with his younger brother Dash. I find the characterization of Houdini, Dash, and Houdini's wife Bess to be really entertaining, and I like the backdrop of turn-of-the-century New York City. I've read the second book as well, and enjoyed it even more than this one (it has better pacing). I'm looking forward to rounding out the series with the third.