Escapade

This book is a total original. Laugh out loud funny. A fresh mystery. With characters we thought we knew before. I read it twice! Simply great.

Satterhwait's sardonic descriptions and droll characterizations made me roll with laughter and kept me awake far past my bedtime for a school night. I look forward to his next book with Phil Beaumont and the latest Pinkerton, Jane Turner.

The first time I read this book, I could not put it down -- I read straight through and emerged after the last page, dazed, wondering where I was. This book is funny, witty, and well-written. It's a great send-up of the English country-house murder mysteries I used to read. I have given away several copies of *Escapade* and I always keep a spare copy for lending out. I highly recommend this book!

I first ran into this lovely book a year ago and since then have given away 4 copies. The author takes historical fact (the real relationship of ghost buster Houdini and the gullible spiritualist Conan-Doyle) and places it into an English manor murder mystery. What makes it special are the subtle characters created by the author, and the relationship of the main characters: Houdini and his American detective/bodyguard. The fun begins with a distant rumble that gathers speed via well crafted vignettes until the reader and author reach the punch line together laughing. I especially liked the way Houdini's overbearing arrogance and self absorption are gently and kindly managed by the narrator. Read this and pass it on to friends. Oh, the who dunit part is cool, too.

Setting: 19th century England, in a not-so-very-tradional manor. Cast (in order of appearance, disappearance or what-you-like): Houdini, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a communist lord, an American detective, a psychopath, a charming lady, a medium and a pervert ghost! Other relevant information: Prix du Roman d'Aventures 1996 (in France) A very unusual story in a traditional Golden Age setting. Strange things are happening: will Chin Soo manage to kill Houdini or will Houdini make Chin Soo vanish? will Sherlock Holmes come to the rescue of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (who may not be quite as good a detective as his hero)? will the communists take over the House of Lords? (maybe the novel isn't quite about British politics but who knows...) A very funny novel, probably one of Satterthwait's very best. I bet that if you try it, you'll LOVE it