The Houdini Girl

by Martyn Bedford

"Unusually deft and witty dialogue--. With great aplomb, [Bedford] has brought off an erotic thriller."--The New York Times Book Review

In The Houdini Girl, award-winning mystery writer Martyn Bedford explores the pulsing spiritual chaos that lies at the heart of erotic obsession. Fletcher "Red" Brandon is a master magician who uses his talents to seduce Rosa, a flinty Irish woman. But when Rosa is killed suddenly, Red discovers secrets about the woman with whom he shared one sexy, combative, freewheeling year. Inside Rosa's shoulder bag are a wig and a stranger's passport. And when a routine investigation reveals that Rosa has vanished before--and that her father was a terrorist for the IRA--Peter suspects foul play.

Red finds himself in Amsterdam, a stranger stumbling through his lover's secret history. Following a trail of addiction, prostitution, and murder, Red's search for the truth becomes more and more laden with mystery and forces him to reveal his own unsavory secrets. Masterfully plotted, The Houdini Girl transcends sleight-of-hand trickery for a stunning tale of love, loss, and the lure of illusion.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Roman, Magic

373 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Patti · Rating 2 out of 5]

So seriously? Was this book written by a 14 year old boy? Because if you take out the references to fucking and smoking, the book would be about 10 pages long.

I spent most of the book trying to decide who I hated the most. The Red character had some interesting things to say about magic, but he was annoying and stupid. There was no reason to love Rosa other than that he loved fucking her and then smoking with her. The "lovely" Kim? I wanted to punch her in the face. She was all about fucking (surprise!). And Rosa...her entire character was fucking, with the frequent cigarette thrown in. Why on earth were she and Red together, other than fucking? There was nothing else to her--just fucking. And smoking.

The only reason I didn't give it one star is because the magic stuff was kind of cool. And I liked the Denis character. And the Amsterdam scenes were interesting. But otherwise, oy. I might have enjoyed this when I was 14 and sex was still a mystery to me but I'm 30 years past and this book just bored the, well, the fuck out of me.

[StarMan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 3 words:   Lust, Lies, Illusions

Is the greatest hoax of all that we can ever really know another person? Is love an illusion, a mere magic trick? [no, that's not from the back cover. i made it up, but i think it sums up the book's theme well]

The age 25 to 30-ish characters in THE HOUDINI GIRL don't seem to have much on their minds besides sex, smoking, and different degrees of deceit. But perhaps -- just maybe -- they have their reasons. And then *WHAM* someone goes missing, and the plot takes a turn or two (but never a jagged twist, in my opinion).

It jumped a small shark when the sometimes-TSTL narrator decided to play amateur detective, but I was involved enough to want to see how it all turned out. I did like the final scene, even though things don't get entirely wrapped up.

Was there more to the disapperance than met the eye? Is there ever a good reason to deceive those you love (or lust after)? Is the magician-narrator reliable, or does he have a trick up his sleeve?

If such questions intrigue you, give this book a shot. I think you'll be 3+ stars happy with it.

VERDICT:  3.67, rounded to 4 because: magic, Irish cursing. Not half as twisty as I had hoped, but Rosa was a great character. Recommended if you like strange girlfriends, magic, mysteries, or moderate thrillers.

Also consider:

Illusion, by Frank E. Peretti
Club Deception by Sarah Skilton
The Kind Worth Killing, by Peter Swanson
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, by Steig Larson

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully rendered thriller with themes of deception, distraction and despair at its core. As the clues materialise the story of Rosa and Red unravels. Bedford uses magic as metaphor with dazzling result and Rosa's tragic fate is revealed to be the beginning of a haunting journey taken when Red discovers that deception is a trick that can be performed by anyone.

The characters are crafted with care as are their motives with logic. The pace is fast and the book is very hard to put down. This is the sort of story that carries a resonance that will haunt the reader for ages after finishing.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ziemlich dunkle Materie. Ich mochte das Buch sehr - es hat mich total in seinen Bann gezogen mit der Rotlicht-Thematik. Die Charaktere von Red und Rosa, besonders die von Rosa, waren ausgeklügelt und ich mochte diese Beschreibung der Bedeutung ihrer Ringe (Chaddag Ring nach innen gedreht getragen als Zeichen dafür, dass sie ihr Herz vergeben hat)

Ich glaube jeder Mensch hat Themen, die ihm näher gehen als andere, obwohl objektiv gesehen beide schlimm sind. Vielleicht weil er eine Verbindung oder Erfahrung damit hat, oder auch aus Gründen die ihm selbst gar nicht ersichtlich sind. Bei mir trifft Letzteres auf die Rotlichtthematik zu - dieses Ausgenutzt werden, objektiviert werden, Sex, Ausbeutung. Die Geschichte von Rosa. Gewalt. Exzess. Drogen. Abhängigkeit von Männern.

Auch die Zaubertrick-Beschreibungen, die sich stets auf Reds Leben selbst zu beziehen scheinen und dem Buch den Namen "Houdini-Girl" mitverleihen, waren interessant zu deuten, v.a. der Unterschied zwischen einem Lügner und einem Zauberer. Rosa und Red waren beides Lügner, aber irgendwie auch Zauberer weil beide wussten dass sie sich auf etwas einliessen das nicht gut ausgehen konnte. Ich verstehe zwar Reds Fremdgehen absolut nicht. War es wegen seiner Unsicherheit bezüglich seiner Gedanken, dass Rosa ihm fremdgehen könnte? Falls ja, wie ironisch.

Super Start ins neue Jahr mit dem Lesen dieses Buches.

[Sarah (is clearing her shelves) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave the book an extra star because I was interested in the mystery behind Rosa's death, but otherwise Patti's review says it all.

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the title I thought this book was actually going to be a historical mystery about Houdini - I rarely read the backcopy on a book because I like to go into it totally fresh - but it soon became clear that we're in the present(ish) day with a contemporary story.

It's about a magician who investigates the suspicious death of his enigmatic girlfriend, so I did start to draw comparisons with Jonathan Creek (one of my favourite shows), but unfortunately our hero, Red, doesn't want to tell us how his tricks are done, which is half the fun of JC.

The second half of the book takes us to Amsterdam and the seedy underworld of drugs and prostitution, and in some ways this is a bit of a tonal shift. When Red is in England he seems to be hot on the trail of discovering what happened, but when we reach Amsterdam the pace slows considerably as his investigation hits one brick wall after another.

I've read quite a few other reviews that complained about the author's use of the F-word and I can understand why. It's not that I'm prudish - I use plenty of swearing in my own books - but it's the fact that it doesn't seem like a word Red would use to describe having sex with his girlfriend [she would use it, but not him]. After spending the entire book with him I'd describe him as a cautious romantic, so to refer to his deepest moments of intimacy with someone he genuinely loves in such a vulgar way, seems out of character.

It's a relationship drama that becomes a murder/ mystery that touches the darkest parts of humanity, but is saved from becoming too bleak by some more light-hearted moments [nude magic act?] and a touching love story.

[Eule Luftschloss · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the mysterious death of his lover Rosa, stage magician Red begins asking questions. He doesn't like the answers he's getting.

Narrated from the protagonist of his profession, you'd expect to learn something about magic. You're just used to it, to reading the so-called diary entries or narratives by stage magicians, but no, Red won't have any of this. He only reveals that no, his assistant the Lovely Kim didn't die for this trick, but describes how you would have seen it if you had been part of the audience.
I like that. Too many narrators are like "Well, we don't tell anyone" only to explain every single trick.

Red describes himself as mad with grief after Rosa's death, and since this book is narrated from his point of view, it feels muddled. ...or maybe that's just me, having had a few especially rough days, I don't know.

This book is made of two parts: Oxfort, where they met and lived together, and Amsterdam, where Red tries to discover where Rosa went two days of the week when she was supposed to be at work, and why she wanted to travel to the Netherlands as she died. Whom she wanted to meet there, if she knew the persons that might have killed her. And for a change of air he is in dire need of.

I like how it's told, the three-dimensional characters. But it didn't grip me as much as I had hope. Will be returning it to the open bookshelf and maybe looking for more by this author in the library, but that's it.

[Roos Boum · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the Dutch version of the book: Het Houdini-meisje.

Leuk detective verhaal waarin niemand is die die zegt te zijn en niets is wat het lijkt. Dat is ook logisch natuurlijk bij een goochelaar.

Leuk om Amsterdam beschreven te zien door de ogen van een buitenlandse auteur. Zijn research is grondig geweest en volgens zeggen is hij niet in Amsterdam geweest, dus mooi geloofwaardig gedaan.
Ook heeft de auteur zich goed ingeleefd in de wereld van goochelaars.

Goed voor wat uurtjes leesplezier.

[Cat. · Rating 4 out of 5]

About a magician whose girlfriend dies in a train accident. Or suicide? Or, wait, murder? But why? Told in flashbacks, including approximately a third of the story from her point of view. Really intriguing, since she turns out to be a much better illusionist than he is, and more scrupled in spite of (because of?) her rather ugly past.

[KylieAtkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Using magic as a metaphor, Martyn Bedford has written a clever tale full of mystery, drama, humour and love. A tragic relationship that could have and should have been so much more if the characters weren't broken and had of been more open. I loved that they were flawed and wished for them a better ending but of course, the tragedy gives us a much better story. Beautifully written, great pace.

[Ellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took until about half way through the book for me to really get into the story but once it going I must admit I couldn't put it down. Its a strong story line but not one for the faint hearted. The imagery Martyn conjures (no pun intended) is very realistic, and his characters have a depth to them. I would consider reading another of Bedford's books but not just yet.

[Ria · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Fletcher Brandon a professional magician meets Rosa Kelly his world changes, for the better he thinks.
Rosa is enigmatic, wild, outspoken and a thorough individual and Fletcher is entranced and head over heels in love.
Then, one day Rosa dies and her death is as mysterious as her life, when Fletcher grief stricken investigates deeper, desperate to find some explanation he finds things he never even suspected and is stunned that as a professional trickster himself he has been outmanoeuvred.
Secrets, corruption and a cesspool of lies is at the heart of this tangled novel.
Thus was so puzzling and enjoyable all the way through and to me just fizzled out in the last 20 pages or so and felt as if the author thought they had gone as far as they could and just settled the ending any old how.
Very disappointed and only gave it a three on the strength of the plot throughout.
Really wanted and expected more than I got.

[hugo van der wildt · Rating 4 out of 5]

De kaft van het boek geeft een beeld van Amsterdam. Een groot deel van het verhaal speelt zich daar af en deze kaft vind ik ook mooier dan deze van mijn boek.
Wat het verhaal betreft. Een zeer eenvoudige gebeurtenis die zeer spannend eindigt. Twee mensen leren elkaar kennen in Londen. Red, een goochelaar en Rosa, zij werkt voor een tijdschrift. Rosa heeft schijnbaar een verleden in Nederland en wel bepaalt in Amsterdam. Tijdens een optreden van Red, gaat Rosa dood tijdens een treinreis. Moord? Zelfmoord? Waar ging zij heen? Op dat moment verliet Rosa Red. Waarom?
Red gaat op onderzoek en komt zo in Amsterdam. Zijn zoek tocht in Londen en Amsterdam loopt niet zonder gevaar. Dus spannend vanaf het begin tot het einde.
Enkele mooie zinnen uit het boek.
Het hele begrip voorstelling was irrelevant omdat het bij goochelkunst voor alles om illusie draaide - goochelaar en assistente dienen dat ene doel.
Een beschrijving van het huis van A. Franck: Er staat ergens een leeg huis. Acht joden gaan het huis in. Het huis is nog steeds leeg. Waar zijn de joden gebleven?

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appropriately for a story about a magician, the title and premise of this book are deceptive. Certainly, the theme of magic is threaded throughout the novel, with different illusions serving as metaphors for the characters’ behaviour, but it isn’t the main focus. Also, despite the occasional sex scene, I wouldn’t call this “a modern erotic classic” (smoking and drinking are described in much more vivid detail). It is, however, a dark, intricate novel that never really lifts from its heavy themes of deceit, grief, loss and regret. Bedford has a beautiful, efficient turn of phrase and places very convincing, flawed characters in well-researched situations, but the bleakness of their lives is difficult to shake.

[Lily L · Rating 2 out of 5]

When you read about Rosa, the girlfriend of the main character "Red," you can tell that the author of "The Houdini Girl" is a man. From her manic-pixie girl introduction, to her horrifyingly sad and disturbed backstory to the main character's ultimate twist connection to Rosa at the end. It was not an enjoyable read for me.

Learning about the cause of Rosa's disappearance was a surprise. That briefly made me more interested. I'm trying hard to write without spoilers, but the ending with "Red" just tanked the book for me.

Wasn't my cup of tea.

[Gerri Zink · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have so much to say...this book was really interesting. It had a few twists and turns that really kept me intrigued. I love the story line about the girl's past and her finding her way and helping other girls in sex trafficking. The only thing about this book that wouldn't make me encourage just anyone to read it is that it had a lot of "fucking." Literally. And there was a lot of other swearing, so this is for mature audiences only. I did enjoy the story a lot, though.

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good thriller.

[Raylin Pujols · Rating 2 out of 5]

Al principio lo escribía un niño, ya luego un adulto pero no logró hacer una buena historia. Le doy tres estrella por su final pero no compensa lo aburrida que es la historia 😩

[Jan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t finish this book. I couldn’t read much past the prologue.

[bea amorim · Rating 3 out of 5]

se tivesse sido escrito por uma mulher seria 100% melhor.

[Gaele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book to read, with a far more difficult review to compose as there are so many levels to this story it is often difficult to make sense without spoilers. First I will say, Martyn Bedford mastered the inclusion of multiple layers of depth in this story. A murder mystery at first glance, but so rich with metaphor and emotion, that to pigeonhole it as simply that is doing both story and author a great disservice.

By the title, I initially thought that he book would focus more on the magic than the characters, reality versus illusion and those who understand the depth of the illusions they create to entertain their audience. Illusions are described frequently throughout, with the simple lasting impression that the audience (or reader) is meant to find the reality stuck within. Although the whirlwind courtship and relationship between Red and Rosa was ‘real’ and is shown in several flashbacks that incorporate both erotic and more mundane moments, Red soon determines that much of the Rosa that he ‘knew’ was fabrication; the reality shared with him was laden with half-truths and outright deception. As he travels back to find her real history, he is faced with several moments that are both disturbing and provide revealing insight into her history and his own deeply held secrets and shames. Rosa is a highly damaged woman, so as one reads on to discover her history there are insights into the abuse that created such a wounded creature.


The language is not flowery, in fact the use of F*** is so prevalent that one becomes numbed to its use. All of the characters are drawn with defined personalities, even Merlin, the cat is detailed and acts within the confines that Bedford has designed. Characters grow as the story progresses, either in the readers understanding of them, or their understanding of themselves. The story is so compelling, with the questions about life, love, reality and illusion, that it breezes by. It is not a simple mystery, nor a simple love story, but facing reality and finding the real truth about who you are, and what you desire and how that meets or misses what you have found.

I received an eBook from the author for purpose of honest review for the Jeep Diva. I was not compensated for this review; all conclusions are my own responsibility.

[Cath · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this mainly on a train, and from start to finish it took me four days (not the journey, reading the book). Therefore it is an easy read, but a fairly gripping page turner. Its interesting as both the main charactors have flaws, and are perhaps not nice people to have a relationship with, rather than the more conventional portrayal that you expect at the beginning with a Mister Nice-Guy being the injured party cliche.

A mystery. A murder-who-dunnit. A love story. A life story. A grim portrayal of how life can be for some with a harsh realism that we all close our eyes to.

A book that gets you thinking about it and wanting to find the time to read a bit more.

I would recommend. I am only sorry that it has taken me this number of years to finally read it after seeing everyone reading it on the tube about 10years ago.

[Janet Gogerty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this in a charity shop, took it to the beach hut to read, brought it back home to finish - so although I have read it at intervals rather than straight through I think that suited this novel. The plot and narrative is in small chunks and like the professional magician who is chief narrator, the novel depends upon deceiving us in a delightfully complicated plot. The content and descriptions are not for the narrow minded, but the story is about a world most of us don't or would rather not know about.

[Ficie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Piuttosto interessante, fino a metà; poi si perde.
Personaggi poco profondi e troppo "cool" (sesso e volgarità a go-go; per un po' ci può stare ma a lungo andare stonano e annoiano. Ok creare la cornice, ma così diventa macchiettistico - sigaretta, ripensa a lei metre facevano sesso, litigio, volgarità, sigaretta, e così via, altro giro).
Trama debole, Amsterdam vista da turista medio, occasionale cornice magica, che sarebbe anche interessante se trattata in modo meno superficiale.
Bah.

[Margaret]

This book was a little bit out of the ordinary - enjoyed the magic theme and descriptions of Fletcher's magic tricks (although he rarely revealed the deception). This book and the book I read before this are really about people dealing with the death of a loved one - in this case Fletcher discovers he didn't really know Rosa at all. Enjoyed reading it.

[Andy Theyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful tale about the nature of deceit, love and grief, told through the medium of crime thriller.

Any more detailed review will give too much away, sadly.

And ignore the "modern erotic classic" tag on Amazon, it's not an erotic book at all (although there are a couple of sex scenes, they're neither graphic nor kinky).

[Jules · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book, with some unpredictable twists tossed in to a pretty basic story line (boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy tries to figure it all out...). I liked the style, and the characters were a little shallow, but fun and easy to relate to.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. I never meet enough people who have read it!!

It is one of the most cleverly constructed novels I have ever read, as well as being charismatic and original. Definitely recommend :-)

NB there are some graphic scenes when the novel moves to Amsterdam!!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is like nothing I've ever read before. I was captivated by the story and brutal honesty of the narrator and could never predict what was going to happen next. I stayed up well past my bed time more than once just to read one more chapter. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Alison Grimm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing doesn't blow you away but something about the tone and story got me emotional. Worth rereading too. Katie Holmes at one point suppose to play main heroine in film adaptation.