trudecal's review against another edition
3.0
Obviously did his historical research, but tended to slip into some big cliche ditches. Overall an interesting read though!
christina_34's review against another edition
3.0
This was a very interesting read. I really liked Lovecraft and Houdini.
It was written like a movie. Would recommend.
It was written like a movie. Would recommend.
jeregenest's review against another edition
1.0
I got this cheap at the bookstore at the airport. Not a lot of choice. And it waasn't that good. First of all, the depicitions of Laveau, Houdini, Lovecraft and Doyle seemed wrong. Tim Powers has a quote somewhere that when writing historical fantasy its important to fill in the gaps. This one just uses names and doesn't care about the characters. It read like a poor screenplay turned into a book. Blah
claudia_is_reading's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this book, but soon it become evident that that wouldn't be the case.
So many real persons here, and really? Marie Laveau? In New York? With Lovecraft? I'm sorry, but I don't buy it *laughs* Conan Doyle and Houdini? Yeah, they were friends for a time, so I could see them teaming to solve a mystery. But bringing Lovecraft and Laveau to the mix makes it look like the only point of the story was to bring all these people together and that will be all.
And the story itself, although had potential, it never took flight. It was slow and, at times, downright boring. I don't think I'll be reading more by this author.
Ralph Lister's narration was good.
So many real persons here, and really? Marie Laveau? In New York? With Lovecraft? I'm sorry, but I don't buy it *laughs* Conan Doyle and Houdini? Yeah, they were friends for a time, so I could see them teaming to solve a mystery. But bringing Lovecraft and Laveau to the mix makes it look like the only point of the story was to bring all these people together and that will be all.
And the story itself, although had potential, it never took flight. It was slow and, at times, downright boring. I don't think I'll be reading more by this author.
Ralph Lister's narration was good.
csmoore13's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book but it will irritate history sticklers. While reading I kept thinking what a wonderful RPG adventure this would be.
writertomg's review against another edition
3.0
Nice first-time book. Quite a good story, well written, and kept me in suspense. I liked the authors decision to make the real-life characters actually be like their notorious images. In the book, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle IS a nimble-minded sleuth. Harry Houdini IS magical. And H.P. Lovecraft IS a master of the dark arts and ancient taboos.
A nice book to kill some time with.
A nice book to kill some time with.
mackle13's review against another edition
2.0
Really 2 1/2...
It wasn't bad - but it just didn't ever get great. Someone mentioned that the portrayals of the historical characters seemed off, and I have to agree - with the caveat that I don't actually know much about the historical figures portrayed in this story. They just seemed sort of like charicatures.
The mystery element was ok, but didn't really have the suspense that I like in these sorts of books. I wasn't on the proverbial edge of my seat... and I didn't HAVE to finish it to find out who was behind what... It was an entertaining enough read, but it wasn't really gripping... *shrugs*
It wasn't bad - but it just didn't ever get great. Someone mentioned that the portrayals of the historical characters seemed off, and I have to agree - with the caveat that I don't actually know much about the historical figures portrayed in this story. They just seemed sort of like charicatures.
The mystery element was ok, but didn't really have the suspense that I like in these sorts of books. I wasn't on the proverbial edge of my seat... and I didn't HAVE to finish it to find out who was behind what... It was an entertaining enough read, but it wasn't really gripping... *shrugs*
beckylej's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting story starring literary characters including Arthur Conan Doyle, HP Lovecraft, and Harry Houdini. A fun paranormal read.
ralexist's review against another edition
2.0
Good premise but I just wasn't drawn into it as I would've liked to have been.
krisrid's review against another edition
5.0
This is an AWESOME book!! It combines well-written historical fiction with a suspense thrill-ride that will keep you racing through the pages to find out how it all ends!!
The author does a terrific job of taking what we actually know about the personalities of the historical figures who are the main characters in the story - Arthur Conan Doyle, H.P. Lovecraft, Harry Houdini, and Marie Laveau - and adding to that the appropriate behaviours that are needed to move the plot forward.
The four main characters are part of an ancient society known as "The Arcanum" and when the leader of the group dies under mysterious circumstances, and a relic of inestimable value disappears, they fear that bad things are going to happen - and they do! Bizarre and brutal murders begin to happen in New York City, and Conan Doyle travels there to bring back together the other scattered members of the Arcanum to try to stop the carnage and best those responsible. But they won't be able to catch the perpetrators by normal means, and the police will just get in the way.
Add to the fascinating main characters, the really cleverly conceived storyline, the setting of early 1900's New York City as the location, and an evil plot to . . . well, you'll have to read the book to find out what the evil is plotting - I don't do spoilers. But the story is well worth reading! There is excitement, suspense, conspiracies, unexpected betrayal and a climax that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Considering this is the author's first novel, I would say he knocked it out of the part, and I would definitely check out any future books from Thomas Wheeler. In the meantime, if you like historical fiction and/or suspense thrillers I recommend this book to you - it has all of that and more. Fantastic read, highly recommended!
The author does a terrific job of taking what we actually know about the personalities of the historical figures who are the main characters in the story - Arthur Conan Doyle, H.P. Lovecraft, Harry Houdini, and Marie Laveau - and adding to that the appropriate behaviours that are needed to move the plot forward.
The four main characters are part of an ancient society known as "The Arcanum" and when the leader of the group dies under mysterious circumstances, and a relic of inestimable value disappears, they fear that bad things are going to happen - and they do! Bizarre and brutal murders begin to happen in New York City, and Conan Doyle travels there to bring back together the other scattered members of the Arcanum to try to stop the carnage and best those responsible. But they won't be able to catch the perpetrators by normal means, and the police will just get in the way.
Add to the fascinating main characters, the really cleverly conceived storyline, the setting of early 1900's New York City as the location, and an evil plot to . . . well, you'll have to read the book to find out what the evil is plotting - I don't do spoilers. But the story is well worth reading! There is excitement, suspense, conspiracies, unexpected betrayal and a climax that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Considering this is the author's first novel, I would say he knocked it out of the part, and I would definitely check out any future books from Thomas Wheeler. In the meantime, if you like historical fiction and/or suspense thrillers I recommend this book to you - it has all of that and more. Fantastic read, highly recommended!