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The Seance
SCOOTER KING UNDERSTANDS illusions. In the midst of the Roaring Twenties, he performs them behind the scenes at his mother€™s séances, giving the impression that Madam King communicates with the dead. Scooter also admires Harry Houdini and can hardly wait to see the famed magician escape from his razzle-dazzle Burmese Torture Tank. But when Scooter stumbles upon a dead body in the visiting Houdini€™s tank, it€™s no illusion. Who could the murderer be? And did he€”or she€”kill the right person?As Scooter sets out to unmask the killer, the mysterious worlds of mediums, séances, and magic are revealed. No one is above suspicion, and appearances are deceiving. If Scooter doesn€™t sort out the clues€”and fast€”he may end up as the next dead body.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 22, 2022
It's kid lit, and I think the author got it just right. Just enough history to intrigue a young person about the 1920s (and who's not fascinated by Houdini, and magic, at that age already?). Just the right amount of fun slang and adventure and mayhem. Might be just the thing for a long car ride with upper middle grade children.
May 14, 2020
The Seance by Iain Lawrence is a murder mystery novel that takes place in the 1920's. Scooter Kind is a protagonist young boy who assists his mother's psychic scheme. People pay her for a seance, and Scooter combines feelings of the dead with the information that he gathered from the customer. Harry Houdini arrives in town, and Scooter is fascinated with magic so he is excited to meet him. In the contrary, Scooters mom is scares Houdini might expose their scheme as it is one of Houdini's acts. Scooter goes to a showing where a man who is called out vanishes. Scooter intrigued chases him, but loses him. Scooter does however stumble upon Houdini's torture tank where he finds a dead body, and reports it to the police. Scooter and Houdini become talk and become friends. Scooter spends his time trying to find the murderer. He eventually finds a little too information much about the killer, which leads to black mail. His with the murderer leaves him with hard choices to make that change the course of his life forever.
I picked this book in a crunch time and didn't really know what I was getting into. This made it hard for me to get into the book, because I had no idea where it was leading up to. The structure of the story changes often, and this helps you stay intrigued, but also leaves you fatigued from so many changes. I found the the beginning of the book to be a lot more interesting than than the end. This story could have evolved into so many things, but the path that it took didn't suite my taste. There are many factors that determine whether this book is for you or not. The slang used from the era was hard for me to understand, but for some it might be entertaining. My biggest complaint with the book is not being able to care for the consequences of the main character. This is because his story isn't very compelling. There are a lot of good things about the book, though, including the details. The details in this book are funny in just the right size. This book is also very good at describing events, and the over all vibe that changes depending on the location. I feel this book would be liked more than disliked if it was given to a random group of people.
The story is definitely more murder misery than not, so if you're into those books then it doesn't hurt to try it because it isn't too long of a book. I gave it a 3/5 because it wasn't a bad book. This isn't a great book either. I enjoyed some parts of the book, but it wasn't coordinated well. There was too much focus on poor areas when it could've been used for better areas. I liked the charming feel of the story, and it makes the spooky parts even more interesting. I recommend this book to anyone who is into murder mystery, and is bored looking for something to read.
I picked this book in a crunch time and didn't really know what I was getting into. This made it hard for me to get into the book, because I had no idea where it was leading up to. The structure of the story changes often, and this helps you stay intrigued, but also leaves you fatigued from so many changes. I found the the beginning of the book to be a lot more interesting than than the end. This story could have evolved into so many things, but the path that it took didn't suite my taste. There are many factors that determine whether this book is for you or not. The slang used from the era was hard for me to understand, but for some it might be entertaining. My biggest complaint with the book is not being able to care for the consequences of the main character. This is because his story isn't very compelling. There are a lot of good things about the book, though, including the details. The details in this book are funny in just the right size. This book is also very good at describing events, and the over all vibe that changes depending on the location. I feel this book would be liked more than disliked if it was given to a random group of people.
The story is definitely more murder misery than not, so if you're into those books then it doesn't hurt to try it because it isn't too long of a book. I gave it a 3/5 because it wasn't a bad book. This isn't a great book either. I enjoyed some parts of the book, but it wasn't coordinated well. There was too much focus on poor areas when it could've been used for better areas. I liked the charming feel of the story, and it makes the spooky parts even more interesting. I recommend this book to anyone who is into murder mystery, and is bored looking for something to read.
January 8, 2018
Lawrence, Iain The Séance, 272 p. Delacorte (Random), July 2008.
Scooter’s mother is a clairvoyant during the Roaring Twenties. When Harry Houdini comes to town, murder follows and alsoa challenge to all mediums in town to prove their powers or be drummed out of business. Scooter catches the eye of the famous man and the two are drawn into a devious plot that may end in their deaths.
Lawrence has peppered this book with all of the slang and sights of the 1920’s and a beind the scenes look at the business of mediums, magicians and stunts. I found it fairly heavy going; I thought the history was very in-your-face. But my daughter, 14, loved it.
MS - OPTIONAL
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2008...
Scooter’s mother is a clairvoyant during the Roaring Twenties. When Harry Houdini comes to town, murder follows and alsoa challenge to all mediums in town to prove their powers or be drummed out of business. Scooter catches the eye of the famous man and the two are drawn into a devious plot that may end in their deaths.
Lawrence has peppered this book with all of the slang and sights of the 1920’s and a beind the scenes look at the business of mediums, magicians and stunts. I found it fairly heavy going; I thought the history was very in-your-face. But my daughter, 14, loved it.
MS - OPTIONAL
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2008...
June 28, 2022
This was a delightful YA piece of historical fiction. The plot was pretty obvious, but the seamless integration of fiction and history made it enjoyable. The little bit of character development was just enough to get the story going and make a few points interesting.
October 3, 2019
Audiobook version. Lukewarm. Not bad but not compelling either.
January 8, 2021
It was not what I had in mind when I put it in my to-read pile. And even more so AFTER I read it. Decent I guess shrug
September 26, 2022
It was ok I had a very versatile VERY hard time getting into the book after about chapter 5 I gave up.
November 6, 2023
It was OK, so 2 stars it is.
April 1, 2013
Review Posted on Reading Lark 11/20/11: http://readinglark.blogspot.com/2011/...
The Seance is a historical fiction piece that transports readers into the early 1900's when seances were a means of entertainment for the masses. Many believed in the mysticism of the time period and found themselves sucked into the spiritual movement. Famous people such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle even found themselves seeking out mediums in order to communicate with the dead.
Iain Lawrence not only provides historical background about the time period and the communing with the dead craze, but also adds another layer by including Harry Houdini in this tale. Houdini was constantly trying to prove that mediums were nothing more than amateur magicians who used their illusions to lure grief stricken people to their parlors in order to empty their pockets for the chance to speak with a loved one who no longer walked the earth. The main character, a youth named Scooter, will find himself becoming acquainted with Houdini as they seek to solve a murder.
I really enjoyed how Lawrence used history, mystery, and suspense within this book. This time period has such interesting quirks and not many YA novels come to mind that explore the spiritual movement in as much detail as this one. In addition, I also really liked that the main character is male. Finding books with strong male characters can often be a challenge, but this is one that I think lots of young teen boys would enjoy reading. Another aspect I really liked was seeing how Houdini fit into everything. He is a figure that has long fascinated many people and I loved seeing how he could be woven into Scooter's world.
I have two major complaints with this read. There were some moments were this read dragged some for me and I figured out who the killer was long before it was revealed. This book could have been a much better read if those two issues had been resolved. However, I would still suggest giving it a try if you enjoy historical fiction and are interested in the early 1900's and the concept of mediums.
One Last Gripe: I felt so bad for all the people throughout the book who were deceived by the mediums.
My Favorite Thing About This Book: Learning more about Spiritualism
Favorite Character: Houdini
Least Favorite Character: Scooter's mother
The Seance is a historical fiction piece that transports readers into the early 1900's when seances were a means of entertainment for the masses. Many believed in the mysticism of the time period and found themselves sucked into the spiritual movement. Famous people such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle even found themselves seeking out mediums in order to communicate with the dead.
Iain Lawrence not only provides historical background about the time period and the communing with the dead craze, but also adds another layer by including Harry Houdini in this tale. Houdini was constantly trying to prove that mediums were nothing more than amateur magicians who used their illusions to lure grief stricken people to their parlors in order to empty their pockets for the chance to speak with a loved one who no longer walked the earth. The main character, a youth named Scooter, will find himself becoming acquainted with Houdini as they seek to solve a murder.
I really enjoyed how Lawrence used history, mystery, and suspense within this book. This time period has such interesting quirks and not many YA novels come to mind that explore the spiritual movement in as much detail as this one. In addition, I also really liked that the main character is male. Finding books with strong male characters can often be a challenge, but this is one that I think lots of young teen boys would enjoy reading. Another aspect I really liked was seeing how Houdini fit into everything. He is a figure that has long fascinated many people and I loved seeing how he could be woven into Scooter's world.
I have two major complaints with this read. There were some moments were this read dragged some for me and I figured out who the killer was long before it was revealed. This book could have been a much better read if those two issues had been resolved. However, I would still suggest giving it a try if you enjoy historical fiction and are interested in the early 1900's and the concept of mediums.
One Last Gripe: I felt so bad for all the people throughout the book who were deceived by the mediums.
My Favorite Thing About This Book: Learning more about Spiritualism
Favorite Character: Houdini
Least Favorite Character: Scooter's mother
January 28, 2012
One of Iain Lawrence's best books - right after The Convicts. He does a masterful job bringing the world of the early 20th century to life with the period-appropriate slang and vividly-described imagery. The Author casts new light onto the world's most famous escape artist, filling him with new life, making him seem like more than just another figure from history. What was probably the most pleasant about The Seance is it lacked the usual weirdness with which Iain Lawrence's books are so often characterized. If any of you have read any of Mr. Lawrence's books, you will understand what I am talking about; he has a habit of throwing something purely bizarre into his stories. The entire time, I was expecting The Seance to take a supernatural turn, but it never does, and everything is explained in a realistic manner, making it a splendid mystery.
My main complaint (because I always have one): the final confrontation with the villain (who, by the way, is easy to figure out, but the Author has added other elements that will keep the Reader guessing enough to remain interested) is painfully cliche. The villain gets to say his overblown peace and then unconvincingly laments that he must now kill the hero, and is even kind enough to explain the method. If ever I am captured by a villain, I hope he - or she - is nice enough to explain everything to me, so I can then spend my time figuring out how to escape.
However, The Seance is a very good book, despite this shortcoming. Scooter is remarkably likable (I usually find Iain Lawrence's heroes more than a little annoying in some aspect), and in the world of illusionists, magicians, and mediums, a murder mystery is bound to be interesting - and this particular one definitely is. Give this book a chance, even if you are not a fan of Iain Lawrence's stories - it will surprise you.
My main complaint (because I always have one): the final confrontation with the villain (who, by the way, is easy to figure out, but the Author has added other elements that will keep the Reader guessing enough to remain interested) is painfully cliche. The villain gets to say his overblown peace and then unconvincingly laments that he must now kill the hero, and is even kind enough to explain the method. If ever I am captured by a villain, I hope he - or she - is nice enough to explain everything to me, so I can then spend my time figuring out how to escape.
However, The Seance is a very good book, despite this shortcoming. Scooter is remarkably likable (I usually find Iain Lawrence's heroes more than a little annoying in some aspect), and in the world of illusionists, magicians, and mediums, a murder mystery is bound to be interesting - and this particular one definitely is. Give this book a chance, even if you are not a fan of Iain Lawrence's stories - it will surprise you.
September 16, 2016
This book was very meticulous. It made me thought what would happen next and how will it play out, but as I read more the story was getting more and more phenomenal. I would have to recommend this to people who love paranormal and mystery.
This book is one of those books that you get thrilled of reading and can't get you're face out of it. This book right here is all about magic, paranormal, and mystery. The main protagonist is about a boy helping his mother get through of her idea of making money with a séance. I really don't spoil all of the book, so have the chance to read this phenomenon.
When I first started reading this book I almost fell asleep as soon I started to read the book, but as soon I turn the page it felt the book slap me across my face, and I was very intrigued by how it twisted when I just simply turned the page. Chapter after Chapter, page after page, word per word, I could not put the book down, it was so intrigued I wanted to know how it ended.
I recommend this book because it gives so much detail and juicy bits to everything that is happening in this world. Mostly all male authors are good of making first person view, but they probably could not do it while adding mystery and suspense while making a first impression.
If you love paranormal and mystery than this book is gladly for you. As you get mesmerized by juicy bits and suspense you can't help but reading this book until you know what happens next for the main protagonist....
This book is one of those books that you get thrilled of reading and can't get you're face out of it. This book right here is all about magic, paranormal, and mystery. The main protagonist is about a boy helping his mother get through of her idea of making money with a séance. I really don't spoil all of the book, so have the chance to read this phenomenon.
When I first started reading this book I almost fell asleep as soon I started to read the book, but as soon I turn the page it felt the book slap me across my face, and I was very intrigued by how it twisted when I just simply turned the page. Chapter after Chapter, page after page, word per word, I could not put the book down, it was so intrigued I wanted to know how it ended.
I recommend this book because it gives so much detail and juicy bits to everything that is happening in this world. Mostly all male authors are good of making first person view, but they probably could not do it while adding mystery and suspense while making a first impression.
If you love paranormal and mystery than this book is gladly for you. As you get mesmerized by juicy bits and suspense you can't help but reading this book until you know what happens next for the main protagonist....
June 4, 2016
Middle school historical fiction
Target audience: Grades 5 - 8
Scooter King is a boy living in North America during the 1920s. His mother pretends to be a medium and gives séances to clients while Scooter helps her with her fakery. Scooter is very interested in Harry Houdini, who is in town for a performance. While visiting the theater where Houdini is to have his show, Scooter stumbles upon a dead body and he is soon embroiled in a mystery.
Strengths:
-Explores an interesting time period in history.
-Seems well-researched
Weaknesses:
-There’s a lot of slang that may be hard for a reader to decipher.
I liked The Séance quite a bit. I’m very interested in Spiritualism, which was an occult religious movement that was popular in the latter half of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century. This book features Houdini, who really was interested in Spiritualism (he and Arthur Conan Doyle had a falling out about it). Overall, I thought the book was very solid historical fiction. The author has been writing children’s historical fiction since the 1990s, and he seems very competent at it. I probably wouldn’t use The Séance in a lesson, but that’s only because the book doesn’t cover a time period that is studied in elementary or middle school.
Target audience: Grades 5 - 8
Scooter King is a boy living in North America during the 1920s. His mother pretends to be a medium and gives séances to clients while Scooter helps her with her fakery. Scooter is very interested in Harry Houdini, who is in town for a performance. While visiting the theater where Houdini is to have his show, Scooter stumbles upon a dead body and he is soon embroiled in a mystery.
Strengths:
-Explores an interesting time period in history.
-Seems well-researched
Weaknesses:
-There’s a lot of slang that may be hard for a reader to decipher.
I liked The Séance quite a bit. I’m very interested in Spiritualism, which was an occult religious movement that was popular in the latter half of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century. This book features Houdini, who really was interested in Spiritualism (he and Arthur Conan Doyle had a falling out about it). Overall, I thought the book was very solid historical fiction. The author has been writing children’s historical fiction since the 1990s, and he seems very competent at it. I probably wouldn’t use The Séance in a lesson, but that’s only because the book doesn’t cover a time period that is studied in elementary or middle school.
December 9, 2011
The Séance
By Iain Lawrence
In the early 1900s many people were very interested in the paranormal and the occult--that's a fact. There were tons of mediums who supposedly could contact the dead and relay their messages to the living. Scooter King's mom is one of these mediums in the novel Séance, and like so many others, she is a fraud. While she pretends to be speaking with the dead (for a small fee), Scooter moves around in the dark touching people with his "spirit hands" and performing other tricks. One day a famous magician named Houdini blows into town and claims that he will expose every fake medium who lives there. Scooter loves Houdini (who doesn't?) and when he goes to the theater to see the act he actually gets to meet him...but not before he discovers a dead body in Houdini's torture tank. The book was very well written; and the neatest part is that Houdini was a real guy, and an amazing magician who really did threaten to expose every fake medium in the world. The blend of fact and fiction makes for a phenomenal story! Plus, the slang they used in the early 1900s is SO funny you'll snort out loud.
By Iain Lawrence
In the early 1900s many people were very interested in the paranormal and the occult--that's a fact. There were tons of mediums who supposedly could contact the dead and relay their messages to the living. Scooter King's mom is one of these mediums in the novel Séance, and like so many others, she is a fraud. While she pretends to be speaking with the dead (for a small fee), Scooter moves around in the dark touching people with his "spirit hands" and performing other tricks. One day a famous magician named Houdini blows into town and claims that he will expose every fake medium who lives there. Scooter loves Houdini (who doesn't?) and when he goes to the theater to see the act he actually gets to meet him...but not before he discovers a dead body in Houdini's torture tank. The book was very well written; and the neatest part is that Houdini was a real guy, and an amazing magician who really did threaten to expose every fake medium in the world. The blend of fact and fiction makes for a phenomenal story! Plus, the slang they used in the early 1900s is SO funny you'll snort out loud.
November 7, 2014
"The séance" by Lain Lawrence was a horror book, in my opinion. This book did not have great affect on me because I dislike horror stories. This story also has mystery because you have to find out who killed the actor in the death tank.
This story is about Scooter King and his mother, a physic. But Scooter's mother is like any other physic, a fraud. Not that she doesn't put on a realistic show, with the help of Scooter, her son. When Mrs. King and Scooter are invited to a séance with Viktor, another fraud. But is Viktor a fraud? When names are listed about Scooter and Mrs. King the servant vanishes, but where to? Then after the servant vanishes Scoter is forced to lead his trail. When the trail comes to an end a crime is committed in Mr. Houdini's torture tank, and Sargent Summer is on the case. But who did it when there are so many enemies?
If you enjoy horror of mysteries this is the book for you, because it has a great impact in mystery on who killed the showman and very different characteristics of all characters. In conclusion this book was not for me, but it could be for others with great passion in mysteries or horror.
This story is about Scooter King and his mother, a physic. But Scooter's mother is like any other physic, a fraud. Not that she doesn't put on a realistic show, with the help of Scooter, her son. When Mrs. King and Scooter are invited to a séance with Viktor, another fraud. But is Viktor a fraud? When names are listed about Scooter and Mrs. King the servant vanishes, but where to? Then after the servant vanishes Scoter is forced to lead his trail. When the trail comes to an end a crime is committed in Mr. Houdini's torture tank, and Sargent Summer is on the case. But who did it when there are so many enemies?
If you enjoy horror of mysteries this is the book for you, because it has a great impact in mystery on who killed the showman and very different characteristics of all characters. In conclusion this book was not for me, but it could be for others with great passion in mysteries or horror.
February 12, 2010
This is a book for young adults which is sort of a murder mystery/supernatural thriller, but which culminates in the protagonist getting to bust a fraudulent medium and escape from a trap with the help of Harry Houdini. Lots of good information on Houdini, a bit about life in the 1920s, and quite a bit about how mediums and seances work to fool people into thinking they are in touch with the spirit world.
One thing that this book didn't explore enough was the ethical issues behind being a mentalist/spiritualist/medium. Although the behind-the-scenes look at defrauding grieving people should have led to the conclusion that this kind of activity ought to be shunned, the book in the end has a kind of - well-it's-ok-if-the-medium-sort-of-believes-it and if they have "good intentions", whatever those are.
I come down on the side of the people having their pockets picked. As did, I think, Houdini.
One thing that this book didn't explore enough was the ethical issues behind being a mentalist/spiritualist/medium. Although the behind-the-scenes look at defrauding grieving people should have led to the conclusion that this kind of activity ought to be shunned, the book in the end has a kind of - well-it's-ok-if-the-medium-sort-of-believes-it and if they have "good intentions", whatever those are.
I come down on the side of the people having their pockets picked. As did, I think, Houdini.
August 24, 2010
Scooter and his mother are running a moderately successful medium business, employing all the usual tricks of the trade to convince their clients that the spirit world is within reach and trying to contact them. Everything changes the day the great Houdini comes to town and the word goes around that he is bent on exposing frauds in the business. Scooter and his mother are understandably nervous, but Scooter is so enamoured of Houdini and his abilities that he seeks him out. When a popular performer is murdered, Scooter vows to figure out the truth. Little does he dream that soon he and Houdini are to share a terrifying near-death experience. None of the characters in the book were very appealing but the portrayal of Houdini was interesting, and Lawrence does a fine job delving into the seance fad so prevalent in the 20s (and includes an intriguing historical afterword about the friendship between Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle). Junior high.
March 5, 2009
Another juvenile, picked off the new books rack in the library. In an unnamed city in 1926, Scooter King, thirteen, goes to school and works hard to assist his mother, a professional medium. And then one day he stumbles into a much larger-scale and dangerous fraud - and also meets Harry Houdini, who is both fascinating (stage magician, escape artist) and alarming (also bent on exposing spiritualist frauds). It has lots of detail about spiritualist fakery, and portrays 1920s culture accurately as far as I can tell. (Scooter knows a few of the popular slang terms of the day, but one character he meets talks so much slang he can't understand her!) Lawrence is an impressive writer overall, and in the end serves up an escape entirely worthy of Houdini!
May 5, 2009
There's nothing WRONG with this book, but there's nothing fabulous about it, either. It shows the author researched a lot about slang in the era, but the characters seemed paper-doll like and were not particularly well developed. The mystery angle had the feel of a script (okay, now we're at the climax so I should drop a clue here...). This mechanical nature of the writing without the love of character prevented me from really getting into what could have been an interesting tale about a psychic's son's relationship with Houdini. The idea is good and the writing and pacing are good, so I'd have to say this is just "average" fare...not bad enough to abandon, but not good enough to read again.
September 2, 2009
The Séance is a magical murder mystery that takes place during the roaring twenties and opens with a nasty murder in Harry Houdini’s Burmese Torture Tank. Scooter King, the son of a con artist fortune teller, takes it upon himself to solve the murder, with the help of Houdini himself. Filled with quirky characters and downright bloody murders, will you find the killer before Scooter does? Prepare yourself for the fast-paced ending that will have you gasping for breath.
August 9, 2008
Scooter King's mother is a medium who holds seances, and Scooter is her helper. He knows how to create ectoplasm, moving chairs, throwing voices, but when he meets the real Harry Houdini and a man is murdered, Scooter is faced with the real challenge of solving the murder.
June 16, 2009
This book has a good deal of humor, lots of slang from the 20's (some of which truthfully, I have to look up, I'm not really sure what they all mean) and a great mystery surrounding Houdini and his visit this young man's town.
June 23, 2009
I loved the language in this book! This humorous mystery tale is loaded with 1920's lingo. For example, calling a beautiful woman a "barbeque Jane."
Well-written and great for kids who love mysteries!
Well-written and great for kids who love mysteries!
April 21, 2010
Pretty good especially if you are interested in the trickery involved in stances and are interested in Henry Houdini enough to read a fictional account of him, but not enough to read his actual biography.
August 23, 2011
This one now makes me want to go the the Houdini museum in Scranton... Intriguing learning the insiders side of the medium trade in the early 20th century! Great characters. Didn't even realize this was YA when I was reading it...
Read
September 29, 2008what i have learned from this book is what the greater power is it's not about how much money you can get by trickery but to make people feel good about contacting their long lost love ones
February 7, 2009
I'm always intrigued by books with Houdini as a character. . .and then I never really like them. I should be more aware of this pattern next time.
August 9, 2011
Harry Houdini is amazing!
June 28, 2011
good book about Houdini
Read
June 19, 2012I didn't like or dislike -- I'm just neutral on it. Won't re-read it, but I don't feel it wasted my time like others.
May 10, 2015
this book was fun to read. young adult murder mystery.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews