Victoria Kelly

I did finally get a copy, after chasing down publishers. I cannot wait for the new system to come out for reviews. Until then, I’m sure I’d rate this book just a half star higher if it wasn’t for the inability to send out materials, but it wasn’t a terrible read. I’m still not convinced about the central theme of the book —- the thing that brings all these stories together. But just like another collection of stories or works, there are some very highly successful, so terrible ones but most are okay. Just okay.

i was due to receive Homefront: Stories Victoria Kelly in the March 2024 Batch or Early Reviewers. i never received it. i reached out to social media, got one response on facebook chat, but they never sent it beyond receipt of the message. doesn't look like anyone got it, so i doubt they are a real service.… (altro)

Escape artist Harry Houdini promised his wife Bess before he died that if it was possible would he find a way to speak to her again after death with a coded message only she would understand. Through this book, we get to follow Bess as she struggles through a life without Harry and hoping to get a message from him that he is waiting for her. The book also has a parallel storyline with her meeting Harry and their life together up until his death.

I have a longstanding fascination with Harry Houdini and knew instantly I wanted to read this book. But, strangely enough, I had a bit of a hard time getting into the story. I felt that the characters never really came to life for me. It was a good, book just not a riveting book. I had hoped to really get lost in the story, instead, if felt that I struggled to read, despite the book being not that thick. However, towards the end of the book, did I finally feel that the book's story started to get to me. There was just something about the last part that resonated with me. I wish I had felt the same connection towards the rest of the book, but I'm happy that at least did I feel that the book got to me.

It was not in any way a bad book. Both storylines are good and I did enjoy reading about the Houdini's and I liked the way Victoria Kelly took some liberties with their story. And, I absolutely loved the ending! Also, I like the cover, but I didn't know the meaning of it until I had finished the book. I love reading a book and when you are done you finally realize the meaning of the cover.

I recommend this book. It's an interesting mix of fiction and fact and it's fascinating to read a story from Bess point-of-view, her life with Harry Houdini. A love story that not even death could stop...

3.5 stars

I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through Edelweiss for an honest review.

Read this review and others on A Bookaholic Swede… (altro)

I've always been interested in Houdini so this book appealed to me.

This is the fictional story of Bess Houdini.

Barely out of high school, she met Harry.
Choices for women at the time usually included becoming a nun or becoming a wife.
When Harry proposes on their first date, Bess takes a big leap of faith and marries him.

They led a very exciting life. Bess became his partner in his magic acts and he became immensely famous.
As he became more of a name, his acts became more solo acts.
Bess started feeling unimportant.
She also worried about some of their acts being an offense to God. She feared they may be cursed.

By the time Harry died he had become obsessed with trying to reach the realm beyond death. He was never able to reach his deceased mother and despite all of his acts faking seances there was a point where he ached for it to be possible.

If connecting from beyond the grave was possible,Harry promised Bess he would reach her.

This was an interesting take on their relationship and Bess' life after Harry passed away.… (altro)