The Box Jumper is a horror novella from Lisa Mannetti.
In this wonderfully disturbing novella, we meet Leona Derwatt, Houdini's assistant on and off stage, and one of his mistresses. Houdini not only takes her into his confidence, teaching her the intricacies of his magic, but teams with her as they confront and expose fraudulent psychics and mediums of their day. The tension in the story involves Houdini's conflicts with fake mediums (who may have been complicit in his death) and Leona's love for him and her troubled life after Houdini’s death. Is Leona actually visited by Houdini's spirit ... or is there something more dark and sinister?
My favorite thing about The Box Jumper is Lisa Mannetti's writing. I'm thinking this must be the first thing I've read from Lisa Mannetti because I would surely remember her writing.
The Box Jumper is a work of fiction, but it is based around the life of Harry Houdini. All of the "facts" about Houdini are fascinating so I'm anxious to do some more reading about his life.
The Box Jumper is told through the viewpoint of Houdini's assistant Leona. I don't want to say much about her or the story as it is a novella length book, but the progression of Leona is skillfully handled. I look forward to checking out more of Mannetti's work.
6/10: Good Read
Review copy provided by publisher
