The Bullet Catch: Murder by Misadventure

by Amy Axelrod

When the orphanage he called home burns to the ground, 14-year-old Leo and his three friends turn to larceny. But when Leo is cruelly betrayed by his gang, he becomes the apprentice of a has-been magician named Barzini. With help from the great Harry Houdini, Barzini is staging a comeback, complete with an improved variation on the bullet catch trick made famous by his arch enemy, Chung Ling Soo. He wants more than to outshine his old rival; he is out for revenge. As Leo struggles to escape his dangerous past, he fears that his new mentor is even more dangerous. This spellbinding mystery chronicles the coming-of-age of a young man who refashions his destiny amid murder and misadventure in the golden age of magic.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Magic

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 12, 2015

About the author

Amy Axelrod is the author of many picture books, including The Pigs Will Be Pigs Math Series (Simon & Schuster).
Her debut novel, Your Friend in Fashion, Abby Shapiro (Holiday House 2011) was based on her childhood growing up in the 60's.
"Funny, lively, sensitive- a real winner! (Kirkus)
Amy's latest novel was co-authored with her son, David, who works in publishing.
The Bullet Catch:Murder by Misadventure (Holiday House 2015) is a Junior Library Guild selection.
Amy lives with her husband in New York's Hudson Valley in a house built in 1729. When she isn't writing, she's reading, baking, biking, bird-watching, or dreaming about all the places on her bucket list.

Reviews

[Bethany Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the orphanage where he lives burns down, fourteen year -old-Leo and three of this friends make their way to New York City. But after two years of living in an abandoned building and earning money by picking pockets, Leo is beginning to feel ready to change his life and find a more respectable way to live. After the Mayor – leader of the small gang of boys who left the orphanage together – convinces Leo, Murph, and Boris to pull a high stakes con that ends badly, Leo knows for sure it’s his time to go. Unfortunately, it isn’t that easy to walk away, but after several setbacks Leo lucks into a job as an assistant to a magician called The Great Barzini. Barzini, who is a close friend of Harry Houdini, has a plan for a new show the highlight of which will be a twist on the bullet a catch, a trick made famous by a former friend of Barzini’s. The life of a magician’s assistant is a huge improvement from living as thief, but there are mysteries surrounding Barzini that make Leo nervous, and his old life doesn’t seem to be done with Leo just yet.

The Bullet Catch was a pleasant surprise. My expectations were set low by the cover, which depicts in very mundane artwork a magician onstage shuffling cards while someone else (his assistant?) peaks out from behind the curtain. I don’t think it would appeal to any audience really, but it certainly doesn’t look like a YA book. Chances are slim to none that any teen would see this book cover and even bother to pick it up to read the jacket. The publisher’s website recommends it for grades 4-6 (which I don’t agree with), but I can’t really see the younger set being intrigued by it either. The smaller font size and lack of white space look more like the pages of a book written for an adult audience. The main character’s age, occasional moral ambiguity, and the focus on his past criminal activity make it a book most suitable for a slightly older audience in my opinion.

Having said all that, I think the Axelrods wrote a pretty good book that very few people will read for the reasons mentioned above. Leo is a likeable character, who sometimes makes bad choices, but wants to do the right thing and be a respectable person. Many of secondary characters, particularly Barzini, have depth and struggle with their own internal conflicts. The setting of early 1900s New York City is well developed, and they do a good job of inserting the reader into the world of magicians, illusionists and spiritualists. A few of the plot twists strain credibility a bit, but it was exciting and engaging enough to keep me turning the pages. The conclusion was a bit abrupt, and readers will have to be satisfied with a few loose threads that don’t get tied up completely. Overall, this is solid historical fiction that I would heartily recommend if not for the aesthetic issues mentioned above that will make it a difficult sell to a teen audience.

[Teresa Bateman · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the early 1900's Leo is a street thief in New York City. This is the golden age of magic, with magicians like Harry Houdini giving shows, and Leo is fascinated. When he escapes from his criminal friends, and becomes the apprentice to The Great Barzini he soon finds himself learning the basics of magic. Barzini hopes to make his reputation with a version of the bullet catch trick, but there are rivalries among magicians, and Leo's past may be coming back to haunt him. This is a well-written book that provides a well-researched look into the time and place. It is exceptional historical fiction.

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a copy of this novel in a giveaway. This novel has a fun and intriguing plot and wonderfully amazing characters that will find their way into your heart. Filled with suspense, surprising twists, this novel will grab you and pull you in from the first page to the last. It's an instant classic that everyone from young adults and up should read. It's beautifully written, with outstanding imagery, and an awesome rollercoaster ride. You can't go wrong with this novel!!!!!!!

[Jamey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a preview edition of this book and finally read it. I think it was an engaging and fun story and I’m sad to see it doesn’t have many reviews. It was a page turner until about the halfway point, when it dropped a little. I’m also not sure it ever really concluded well either. There is definitely a lot of greatness in this story and I love how unique the plot is, but it needed a bit more editing, in my opinion, to be solid.

[Holly Despain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it, but I feel like the end could be better.

[Sherri · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s New York City at the start of the 20th century and it’s the peak of the golden age of magic due to the publicity of daring feats, such as those performed by Harry Houdini.

Fourteen-year-old Leo uses Houdini’s book The Right Way to Do Wrong: An Expose of Successful Criminals as his survival guide to life on the tough streets. Leo and a few of his other buddies from the orphanage have stuck together to run little scams to bring in enough money to eat. They are barely making it living in a condemned building with no heat.

Leo’s perfected the art of being invisible which has helped him earn the reputation as the best pickpocket. When Leo is betrayed by his friends, he knows his only chance for a future is to put his criminal past behind him and he turns to the only thing that’s brought him comfort: magic.

Leo manages to worm his way into studying with the formerly-great magician, Barzini, in the hopes of becoming his assistant. His new life has brought him a roof over his head and some interaction with other famous magicians, including his idol Houdini.

Leo learns that Barzini plans to resurrect his career by getting revenge on his former partner, and now arch enemy, Chung Ling Soo. This worries Leo as his Barzini’s new stunt, “the bullet catch,” could easily kill Barzini and land Leo in prison as a murderer.

Teens who enjoy magic and learning about the history of past magicians will enjoy this entertaining mystery that’s full of behind-the-scenes secrets to tricks and illusions. The true heart of the story is Leo’s own coming of age story as he sifts through the smoke and mirrors to find his own place in the world.

**for grades 6 and up**

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great for readers who like history, mystery, magic and Harry Houdini.
The Axelrod’s write a very convincing murder mystery with in the city of New York during the early twentieth century. Fourteen-year-old Leo and three friends, who lived in an orphanage that burned, have no way to support themselves, so they turn to petty larceny. Leo determines his friends are using him, and he will never be able to move up in the world. He interviews for a job as the assistant of the Great Franco Barzini, who is a great magician and friends with Harry Houdini. Houdini is helping Barzini stage a comeback with a bullet catching trick, also performed by some rival magicians. The performances of Leo and Barzini have just begun when their rival, Chung
Ling Soo, dies creating a variation of the bullet catching trick. Will Leo’s past with his gang and Bazini’s past catch up with them? Will the séance performed by Arthur Conan Doyle reveal information or just allow Leo and Bazini to show off their powers of persuasion?

[Regina]

Take a down on his luck magician, a girlfriend who wants to take a break, a high school reunion, a high school crush, and a murder. There are really two stories in this book. One is Eli trying to solve the murder of the husband of his high school crush on the night of his 15 year high school reunion. The other story is Eli trying to keep his high school buddy from getting killed while filming a movie about the death of a famous magician. They are entwined beautifully. The characters are drawn well and I cared about them...a lot.

Jim Cunningham gives one of the best performances I've read. He is Eli.

I received this audiobook for free from Audiobook Boom! in exchange for an honest review.

[Lisa Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It felt well researched and the plot sucked me in from the beginning and kept me engaged throughout. The only thing I didn't care for was the title, or rather, the subtitle. "Death by Misadventure" lead me to believe that it was going to be a murder mystery, which it really was not. It seems that a better subtitle might have been something like, "Life and Death by Misadventure". In any case, it is well worth your time!!!

[Deborah Ford-Salyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I featured The Bullet Catch in my weekly column, JLG's Booktalks to Go @ School Library Journal. You'll find resources you can use to teach the book as well. Great book club choice. A Spoonful of Sugar

[SharonJH Harman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Students who have an interest in magic tricks should enjoy this book. Fourteen year old orphan and pickpocket Leo becomes the apprentice to a has been magician named Barzini. As he learns the methods and skills he must have to assist Barzini, he also has to deal with the fallout from his previous life in a street gang. Harry Houdini history is mixed throughout.