'Nevermore' by William Hjortsberg is a novel that weaves a complex and detailed plot involving intriguing characters inspired by historical figures such as Harry Houdini, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Edgar Allan Poe. The author brings the era to life with colorful descriptions of the setting, tough dialogue from the city's detectives, and elements of magic and literary discussions. The book combines historical fiction with fantasy elements, taking liberties with the relationships between the characters to create an engaging and unique narrative.
The story follows the interactions between Houdini and Conan Doyle as they delve into the supernatural mysteries inspired by Poe's stories. The book is praised for its vivid imagery, suspenseful pacing, and the addition of supernatural elements that add complexity to the plot. Despite some grammatical errors and historical inaccuracies, readers find the novel to be a page-turner that appeals to fans of Poe, Houdini, and Doyle, blending mystery, magic, and noir elements into an entertaining read.
From The Publisher:
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini team up to search for a literary-minded killer
It is 1923 and a beautiful young woman has just been found outside a tenement, bones crushed, head ripped from her shoulders. A few stories above, her squalid apartment has been ransacked, and twenty-dollar gold pieces litter the floor. The window frame is smashed. She seems to have been hurled from the building by a beast of impossible strength, and the only witness claims to have seen a long-armed ape fleeing the scene. The police are baffled, but one reporter recognizes the author of the bloody crime: the long-dead Edgar Allan Poe. A psychopath is haunting New York City, imitating the murders that made Poe's stories so famous. To Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the killing spree is of purely academic interest. But when Poe's ghost appears in Doyle's hotel room, the writer and the magician begin to suspect that the murders may hold a clue to understanding death itself. This ebook features an illustrated biography of William Hjortsberg including rare photos from the author's personal collection.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.
