Escaping From Houdini

By: Kerri Maniscalco

Narrated by: Nicola Barber

The #1 bestselling series that started with Stalking Jack the Ripper and Hunting Prince Dracula continues its streak in this third bloody installment . . . Audrey Rose and Thomas Cresswell find themselves aboard a luxurious ocean liner that becomes a floating prison of horror when passengers are murdered one by one, with nowhere to run from the killer. Embarking on a week-long voyage across the Atlantic on the opulent RMS Etruria , Audrey Rose Wadsworth and her partner-in-crime-investigation, Thomas Cresswell, are delighted to discover a traveling troupe of circus performers, fortune tellers, and a certain charismatic young escape artist entertaining the first-class passengers nightly. But privileged young women begin to go missing without explanation, and a series of brutal slayings shocks the entire ship. The strange and disturbing influence of the Moonlight Carnival pervades the decks as the murders grow more and more bizarre. It's up to Audrey Rose and Thomas to piece together the gruesome investigation before more passengers die before reaching their destination. But with clues to the next victim pointing to someone she loves, can Audrey Rose unravel the mystery before the killer's horrifying finale?

Critic reviews

Praise for Escaping from Houdini:

"Audrey Rose is a witty, resourceful feminist who refuses to bow to Victorian-era gender norms. This dark, gothic landscape is peopled with nuanced, diverse characters who keep readers enthralled. A gripping mystery with a compelling heroine and just the right touch of romance."—Kirkus

"Every sentence of this novel drips with decadence. The settings and Midnight Carnival performances are lush yet dangerous, beautiful yet terrifying. It was easy to understand just how Audrey Rose comes to be so enthralled with the Midnight Carnival and the performers because, as readers, we're put under the same exact spell.... Masterfully crafted."—Hypable

"Maniscalco's winning combinations of historical fiction, romance, forensics, and a feisty heroine will attract historical-fiction and romance readers....Well-placed hooks advance the plot and sustain the swift pace."—Booklist

"Displaying her usual fierce determination and progressive ideals, Audrey Rose is once again a compelling protagonist. Another delightfully mysterious addition to the series."—School Library Journal

"Young adult readers of crime novels will thrill to Maniscalco's labyrinthine plot and the gruesome secrets it reveals. And yet Escaping from Houdini is also a love story, one in which Audrey Rose's love for the charming and stalwart Thomas is tested by the exhilarating freedom represented by Mephistopheles's unorthodox lifestyle. As one member of the Moonlight Carnival muses, 'Normal is boring. Extraordinary is memorable.' Like-minded readers will find Maniscalco's latest foray into nineteenth-century forensic investigation anything but boring."—Chapter16.org

Praise for Stalking Jack the Ripper:
A #1 New York Times Bestseller from its first week!

"An entertaining debut full of twists and turns, perfect for fans of historical fiction and mystery."
--- School Library Journal

"Maniscalco has created a serious, sharp-minded, and forward-thinking protagonist in Audrey Rose, whose fearlessness will endear her to readers looking for an engaging historical thriller. Abundant red herrings and a dash of romance round out this gruesome but engrossing story."
--- Publisher's Weekly

*"This audiobook has everything: a true-life tale that has intrigued readers for 100-plus years, a young woman who balks at the constraints put upon women during the Victorian era, a marvelous yet somewhat gruesome mystery, and a narrator who brings you down into Spitalfields as Jack the Ripper earns his name. A must-have."---School Library Journal (*starred review*)

Super fun historical thriller

Outstanding audio performance. Addictive trilogy and such a fun look into the historical world on the late 1800's at a time when our current day is horrific and tragic. wonderful character development.

love love love!

kerri has done it again! another great novel in this series. I have thoroughly enjoyed them all, about to read the 4th and final! nicola Barber is fantastic narrator! this has everything you could need: mystery, thriller, romance, and a little history and fun mixed in!

Kerri is a wizard with her tales!!!

I loved this book, not as much as the first but a bit more then the second. Kerri does an amazing job at spinning these tales of famous murderers into stories you cant really predict. I am so in love with Audrey and Thomas's romance, their dialogue is pure and sweet and just touches all your sweet spots. I liked the addition of the love triangle here too, I enjoyed seeing how these two would deal with another man vying for Audrey's affections and I was just as invested in thinking about her future with someone else, though I knew it wouldn't happen. I did feel like Audrey didn't get the full impact of the consequences of her actions though...like she almost does but too quickly the story shifts or her actions are just..sort of forgotten about and it made Thomas seem like a pushover. That aside, I enjoyed the themes of this story and the murders where just as gruesome and well executed. Kerri makes sailing on a boat for a week seem exciting and her descriptions transport you to a whole other world. I seriously cant wait for the next title, we got a bit of a clue who the next book will focus on so here's hoping we get a H.H Holmes spin off!

love

I loved it. I really hope she writes more adventures for these two!
highly recommend

Loved it!

Loved it so much! Definitely my favorite of the three so far 🙌 The audiobook reader was great!