I.A. WATSON'S HOLMES AND HOUDINI: AN EXCITING CROSSOVER FROM AIRSHIP 27!!!

Ron Fortier's Airship 27 Productions blessed us with a most imaginative anthology in "The Amazing Harry Houdini". Now, thanks to one of its authors, the talented I.A. Watson, a novel-length sequel arrives..."Holmes and Houdini"!!!

As the title clearly conveys, the fictional detective and real-life escapologist cross paths, accompanied, of course, by dear ol' Dr. John Watson and Houdini's diligent agent, Martin Beck, to face the unscrupulous Far Edge Club, while unraveling the mystery of the Ghost Mask of L'Inconnu: a death-mask novelty that's used as a muse among the artistic clique. 

Beyond the mask's haunting presence, the wicked band seeks vengeance on Houdini (through a "most dangerous game" set-up) for having once thwarted a vile faction of the group in a catacombs misadventure. Still, with such adroit friends at his side, does the Far Edge Club really stand a chance against the masterful magician? Then again, with Professor Moriarty seemingly connected to events, per his own peculiar death mask (and some troubling, accompanying symbols), can our heroes be so certain of success? 

I.A. Watson connects the Holmes and Houdini tracks once the story progresses, but at first presents them as parallel paths, via differing writing styles: the Holmes portion told via Dr. Watson's classic manner and Houdini's more so in the vernacular, which clicks with our hero's hip pep. Somehow the contrasting styles mesh without a hitch: truly, an amazing accomplishment by our exceptionally skilled writer. 

As I read, Chad Hardin's cover, featuring Peter Cushing's interpretation of Baker Street's great detective, caused me to recall Hammer Studio's 1959 version of "Hound of the Baskervilles" (though Cushing did, in fact, play Holmes well after such for the BBC). In this regard, I envisioned the novel as not only a sequel to "Amazing Harry Houdini", but one to the '59 cinematic classic. (It was also fun to fancy which of Hammer's stately thespians might have portrayed the legendary American, but for the sake of any reader's utmost enjoyment, the real-deal Houdini is the one-and-only to imagine here.) 

Also, the Far Edge Club, which is meticulously detailed throughout the novel, reminded me of the insidious group featured in Hammer's "Taste the Blood of Dracula", though our author's version is far trickier in its scope: not so much interested in testing the waters of debauchery, but already deeply immersed in it. 

Additionally, "Holmes and Houdini" features excellent, interior illustrations by Rob Davis, Airship's prolific art director, who's supplied stunning imagery for Airship's previous Holmes titles. 

"Amazing Harry Houdini" was one of the most engaging books of 2015-16, and "Holmes and Houdini" equals its mysterious splendor for '17 and beyond.  I.A.Watson does a flawless job in linking his crossover to his Houdini short story and the offerings of Jim Beard, Roman Leary and James Palmer, but his novel can also be absorbed as a thrilling stand-alone, if one wishes. 

Can't wait for the audiobook from Radio Archives, but for the time being, I'm most grateful to have this marvelous story to enjoy in printed form. 

For those of hankering a taste (and I can't recommend "Holmes and Houdini" enough), the novel is available in either paperback or Kindle form at...https://www.amazon.com/Holmes-Houdini-I-Watson/dp/0997786809/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1485733690&sr=8-2&keywords=holmes+and++houdini+I.A.+Watson.

Houdini & Doyle Investigate the Uncanny!!!

I recently reviewed Airship 27’s “Amazing Harry Houdini, Vol. 1” (see April '16), which includes the story, "The Spear of Destiny" by James Palmer. The tale teams the famed escape artist/magician with his raconteur friend, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle on a mysterious sojourn. Though the story has no official link to the new series, “Houdini & Doyle”, the sources share a similar thread: real-life legends investigating the arcane. 

In keeping with "Amazing Harry Houdini'"s spirited and historical tone, the Canadian/U.K. series (produced by David “The Librarians” Titcher and David “House" Shore) offers much of the same weird wonderment throughout, blessed by distinguished leads: Michael Weston as Houdini; Stephen Mangan as Doyle; and as a special treat, Rebecca Liddiard as the pioneering Constable Adelaide Stratton. The show’s concept allows the principles to investigate off-kilter cases that Scotland Yard can’t quite crack. (It should also be noted that the investigations will unintentionally play upon ideas already established in "Amazing Harry Houdini"; for example, Bram Stoker appears in a later episode, though under different circumstances than in Jim Beard's "Houdini Brings the Curtain Down".)

As with their actual counterparts, the series' Houdini and Doyle are an unlikely duo, possessing different outlooks and approaches toward the real and unreal, and of course, their variances spill over into the mysteries they set out to solve. For the series' sake, they’re rather like early versions of “X-Files’” Scully and Mulder, but with an arguably more quarrelsome bent. At the same time, the show never entirely abandons its Sherlock Holmes ambiance, which gives the cases a proper, underlying chill. 

“Houdini & Doyle” airs Monday, May 2 on Fox (after “Gotham") and will offer ten episodes (a filler, in essence, for the station's late-spring scheduling), but if the ratings prove positive, we can pretty much anticipate more. As an admirer of both men, I have my fingers crossed that this one will continue, but if not, I'll be more than appreciative to savor what I can.

AIRSHIP 27 PRESENTS....THE AMAZING HARRY HOUDINI!!!

I've long held a fascination for Harry Houdini (aka, Erich Weiss), starting with my father's recollections of the great escape artist/magician and then onto the George Pal '53 classic bio-flick with Tony Curtis, as well as the acclaimed '76 television production, "The Great Houdini" with Paul Michael Glaser. I was well aware that these films, like many of the towering tales I had been told, depicted a skewed or exaggerated view of the real-life hero, but that was fine. As an entertainer, Houdini was larger than life, because he made himself that way through his enormous talent and skillful promotion: a most successful elevation that even led some to perceive him as more than mortal. 

Ron Fortier's Airship 27 publication, "The Amazing Harry Houdini: Vol. 1" (currently available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble) capitalizes on the latter idea, with its roots not so much planted in a historical foundation (though fact certainly figures into the tales), but on Houdini's mythic image. 

In most instances, the anthology caters to the sorts of thrills one finds in Houdini's movies and serials, such as "Haldane of the Secret Service"; "The Man From Beyond"; "The Master Mystery"; and "Terror Island". As such, the Houdini we meet in this modern pulp excursion is heroic--no, make that superheroic--and utilizes his exemplary skills to help those in need as he treks across such exciting locations as London, Paris and the Orient Express.

The stories, written by Jim Beard, Roman Leary, James Palmer and I.A. Watson, place young Houdini within, among and against such varied matters as family feuds; unpaid debts; beautiful women; kidnapping; lethal catacombs; questionable spiritualism; murder; and (of all stupendous things) the legendary Spear of Destiny. Iconic characters such as Aleister Crowley, Bram Stoker and Houdini's old chum, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle enter the action, as manager Martin Beck haunts the sidelines, acting as a voice of reason and reluctant supporter of the performer's insatiable inclination to do good.  

For those who appreciate action and mystery, with a little historical context to parenthesize the intrigue, "The Amazing Harry Houdini" will be an absolute joy to read. The stories are also blessed by alluring artwork, including Carl Yonder's colorful cover and moody interior illustrations by Pedro Crus. On the whole, just like an exalted Houdini performance, the book is quite an awe-inspiring event. 

(Also, for those who fancy audio presentations, RadioArchives.com and Amazon now offer "The Amazing Harry Houdini" as a dramatic reading by Michael Sutherland. Sutherland's deep, rich voice accentuates the adventures to a tee, making the penned escapism even more enthralling.)