Danger in the Dark

By Tom Lalicki
Rating: 3 1/2 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Billed as "A Houdini & Nate Mystery," perhaps heralding a new series, this story features 13 year old Nathaniel, who happens to make the acquaintance of the great Houdini while living in New York City around the turn of the 20th century. Nate is deeply troubled by circumstances in his home. His Great-Aunt Alice had taken him and his mother in after the death of his father. Now, she is having regular seances in the house, looking to contact her husband or nephew with the help of a spiritual medium named Mr. Trane. Nate suspects Mr. Trane is a fake, but when Houdini gets involved, he becomes sure of it. Worse, Houdini thinks Mr. Trane might even be planning to murder Aunt Alice after having Nate cut out of her will. Houdini lays out plans with Nate and his mother to foil the plan, but Mr. Trane acts first! Will Nate be able to save his mother and great-aunt? Filled with accurate details about Houdini (this author has also written a biography on Houdini) and life in New York at that time, this makes for an interesting tale. There is more suspense than mystery to the plot, but readers who enjoy a fairly quick read with a historical fiction twist may enjoy it.