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Minky Woodcock #1
Minky Woodcock: The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini
A brand new 1920's mystery thriller with a sinister twist! Unappreciated at her father's acclaimed detective agency, the fabulous, rabbit-loving Minky Woodcock straps on her gumshoes in order to uncover a magical mystery involving noted author Arthur Conan Doyle and world-famous escape artist, Harry Houdini. Created by acclaimed artist and playwright Cynthia von Buhler (Speakeasy Dollhouse, Evelyn Evelyn, An Evening with Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer).
128 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2017
9 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia von Buhler
27 books122 followersAdult Books:
Cynthia von Buhler is an American artist, performer, playwright and author. Hailed by the press as “multitalented and eccentric” (Boston Globe), a “rising star” (NY Arts), and “one of the top contemporary surrealists” (Art & Antiques), Cynthia von Buhler has made a name for herself as an award-winning and critically acclaimed fine artist, author, and illustrator. Her illustration work has won awards from the Society of Illustrators and has repeatedly appeared in American Illustration, Communication Arts and the Society of Illustrator annuals of the best illustration in America. Von Buhler's stunning, three-dimensional paintings have been displayed in galleries and museums around the world, and have been featured in books, newspapers and magazines from Rolling Stone to The New Yorker. The New York Times has written four features on her in the last five years. Von Buhler has collaborated on art projects with Steven Spielberg, Neil Gaiman and Clive Barker. She has illustrated book covers for Harry Turtledove, Scott O’Dell, Jane Yolen, Elizabeth George Speare and Lawrence Block. Her sculptures have appeared on NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, she and her work were profiled in Mary Magdalen: An Intimate Portrait on the Lifetime Network, and she was a recurring character on Discovery Channel’s Oddities. Von Buhler also writes, directs and produces immersive theater. In writing about her theater productions, Forbes called her “a creative genius” and the New York Post wrote, “Von Buhler has the kind of family footnote any writer would kill for.” Von Buhler was the lead singer in two seminal Boston bands, The Women of Sodom and Countess, the latter garnering her a development deal with MCA Records. Her comic work includes Evelyn Evelyn: A Terrible Tale in Two Tomes with Amanda Palmer and Jason Webley, An Evening with Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer, Speakeasy Dollhouse: The Bloody Beginning and Emily and The Strangers.
Children's Books:
Cynthia von Buhler (represented by Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary Agency)
Cynthia von Buhler's picture books include BUT WHO WILL BELL THE CATS? (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) and THE CAT WHO WOULDN'T COME INSIDE (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), which was chosen as a Book Sense "Children's Pick" and "Best of 2006" by Parent & Child Magazine. The 3-D dioramas she created for these books have been exhibited at museums throughout the country, including The Mark Twain Museum in Hartford, CT. In addition to her own titles, she has illustrated many other books. THEY CALLED HER MOLLY PITCHER (Knopf) written by Anne Rockwell and illustrated by Von Buhler was chosen by The New York Public Library as one of "One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing." LITTLE GIRL IN A RED DRESS WITH CAT AND DOG (Viking) written by Nicholas Nicholson and illustrated by Von Buhler was starred in Publisher's Weekly. She illustrated Martha Stewart's story for ONCE UPON A FAIRY TALE (Viking), a book produced by Steven Speilberg. She has also illustrated dozens of young adult book covers including QUEEN'S OWN FOOL (Puffin) by Jane Yolen,THE ROAD TO DAMIETTA (Graphia) by Scott O'Dell, and reprints of two Newbery medal winners, THE BRONZE BOW (Sandpiper) by Elizabeth George Speare and THE PERILOUS GARD (Sandpiper) by Elizabeth Marie Pope. Her award-winning illustrations have appeared in thousands of publications such as The New York Times, Newsweek, The New Yorker, Atlantic Monthly, and Rolling Stone.
Cynthia von Buhler is an American artist, performer, playwright and author. Hailed by the press as “multitalented and eccentric” (Boston Globe), a “rising star” (NY Arts), and “one of the top contemporary surrealists” (Art & Antiques), Cynthia von Buhler has made a name for herself as an award-winning and critically acclaimed fine artist, author, and illustrator. Her illustration work has won awards from the Society of Illustrators and has repeatedly appeared in American Illustration, Communication Arts and the Society of Illustrator annuals of the best illustration in America. Von Buhler's stunning, three-dimensional paintings have been displayed in galleries and museums around the world, and have been featured in books, newspapers and magazines from Rolling Stone to The New Yorker. The New York Times has written four features on her in the last five years. Von Buhler has collaborated on art projects with Steven Spielberg, Neil Gaiman and Clive Barker. She has illustrated book covers for Harry Turtledove, Scott O’Dell, Jane Yolen, Elizabeth George Speare and Lawrence Block. Her sculptures have appeared on NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, she and her work were profiled in Mary Magdalen: An Intimate Portrait on the Lifetime Network, and she was a recurring character on Discovery Channel’s Oddities. Von Buhler also writes, directs and produces immersive theater. In writing about her theater productions, Forbes called her “a creative genius” and the New York Post wrote, “Von Buhler has the kind of family footnote any writer would kill for.” Von Buhler was the lead singer in two seminal Boston bands, The Women of Sodom and Countess, the latter garnering her a development deal with MCA Records. Her comic work includes Evelyn Evelyn: A Terrible Tale in Two Tomes with Amanda Palmer and Jason Webley, An Evening with Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer, Speakeasy Dollhouse: The Bloody Beginning and Emily and The Strangers.
Children's Books:
Cynthia von Buhler (represented by Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary Agency)
Cynthia von Buhler's picture books include BUT WHO WILL BELL THE CATS? (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) and THE CAT WHO WOULDN'T COME INSIDE (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), which was chosen as a Book Sense "Children's Pick" and "Best of 2006" by Parent & Child Magazine. The 3-D dioramas she created for these books have been exhibited at museums throughout the country, including The Mark Twain Museum in Hartford, CT. In addition to her own titles, she has illustrated many other books. THEY CALLED HER MOLLY PITCHER (Knopf) written by Anne Rockwell and illustrated by Von Buhler was chosen by The New York Public Library as one of "One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing." LITTLE GIRL IN A RED DRESS WITH CAT AND DOG (Viking) written by Nicholas Nicholson and illustrated by Von Buhler was starred in Publisher's Weekly. She illustrated Martha Stewart's story for ONCE UPON A FAIRY TALE (Viking), a book produced by Steven Speilberg. She has also illustrated dozens of young adult book covers including QUEEN'S OWN FOOL (Puffin) by Jane Yolen,THE ROAD TO DAMIETTA (Graphia) by Scott O'Dell, and reprints of two Newbery medal winners, THE BRONZE BOW (Sandpiper) by Elizabeth George Speare and THE PERILOUS GARD (Sandpiper) by Elizabeth Marie Pope. Her award-winning illustrations have appeared in thousands of publications such as The New York Times, Newsweek, The New Yorker, Atlantic Monthly, and Rolling Stone.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
April 18, 2018
The creator of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle arrives at PI firm, Woodcock & Sons with one thing on his mind, to expose Harold Houdini for what he really is - a competitive and vindictive spiritual medium. Sir Doyle firmly believes Houdini has occult powers, after having witnessed him walk through a brick wall during one of his performances.
Sir Doyle is greeted by the firms secretary, Minky, her father, the PI being out of town, and the son, not really into the whole PI gig is elsewhere too. Not wanting to hide in the shadows of her fathers footsteps, Minky Woodcock uses her sexuality and intellect as equally deadly weapons to win Sir Doyle over.
However, the case soon turns sour when Minky learns that Houdini is anything but a 'spiritual medium', rather he's dedicated to debunking spiritualists, mediums and other fakes; A passion project for the popular escape artist after having outed Sir Doyle's favorite medium during an ill fated seance in which the medium claimed to have made a connection with Houdini's deceased mother.
Minky manages to place herself inside Houdini's inner circle as an assistant and sometimes-friend to his wife Bess. It allows her to be close to Houdini but she misses a crucial moment which ultimately leads to the death of Houdini in sinister circumstances.
Who wields the murderous touch? A crew of spiritualists in England? A nurse who weaseled her way into Houdini's entourage? Or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle himself?
The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini is a visual treat for fans of pulp art and a good old fashioned murder mystery. Author and artist, Cynthia Von Buhler's slice of noir is evocative and moody; art and writing creating a cohesive narrative across the 4 issues which span this story arc.
My rating: 5/5 stars. PI Minky Woodcock is just what comics and the Hard Case Crime line need; a sexy yet dangerous private investigator complimented by strong dialogue and great art.
Note - I read Minky Woodcock, The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini is single issue format as they were published and then again when the final installment was published. For me, the flow and overall narrative work better in a single sitting.
Reviewed on my blog: http://justaguywholikes2read.blogspot...
Sir Doyle is greeted by the firms secretary, Minky, her father, the PI being out of town, and the son, not really into the whole PI gig is elsewhere too. Not wanting to hide in the shadows of her fathers footsteps, Minky Woodcock uses her sexuality and intellect as equally deadly weapons to win Sir Doyle over.
However, the case soon turns sour when Minky learns that Houdini is anything but a 'spiritual medium', rather he's dedicated to debunking spiritualists, mediums and other fakes; A passion project for the popular escape artist after having outed Sir Doyle's favorite medium during an ill fated seance in which the medium claimed to have made a connection with Houdini's deceased mother.
Minky manages to place herself inside Houdini's inner circle as an assistant and sometimes-friend to his wife Bess. It allows her to be close to Houdini but she misses a crucial moment which ultimately leads to the death of Houdini in sinister circumstances.
Who wields the murderous touch? A crew of spiritualists in England? A nurse who weaseled her way into Houdini's entourage? Or Sir Arthur Conan Doyle himself?
The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini is a visual treat for fans of pulp art and a good old fashioned murder mystery. Author and artist, Cynthia Von Buhler's slice of noir is evocative and moody; art and writing creating a cohesive narrative across the 4 issues which span this story arc.
My rating: 5/5 stars. PI Minky Woodcock is just what comics and the Hard Case Crime line need; a sexy yet dangerous private investigator complimented by strong dialogue and great art.
Note - I read Minky Woodcock, The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini is single issue format as they were published and then again when the final installment was published. For me, the flow and overall narrative work better in a single sitting.
Reviewed on my blog: http://justaguywholikes2read.blogspot...
November 28, 2021
Hard Case Crimes, the people behind bringing pulp novels back (and doing a fine job of it.) are now venturing out into comics. Minky Woodcock works for her private eye father. When he's out of town she takes a case from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to investigate Henry Houdini. Doyle thinks there is no way Houdini could pull off his stunts without magic and wants proof. Shortly, thereafter she uncovers some Spiritualists who want Houdini dead for exposing them as frauds. I like how this ties in with Houdini and Doyle's real history along with Houdini's death, who did die under some mysterious circumstances. There is a lot of nudity and sexual content in this so be forewarned if that bothers you.
June 23, 2024
Harry Houdini, Arthur Conan Doyle & detective Minky Woodcock centre around Cynthia von Buhler's fun graphic novel where fact meets fiction.
The artwork was pretty good, although some of the dialogue was a bit clunky. As I'm a fan of both Houdini & Conan Doyle I found this an enjoyable romp & was pleased to see that the author had done some research into the real life characters.
The artwork was pretty good, although some of the dialogue was a bit clunky. As I'm a fan of both Houdini & Conan Doyle I found this an enjoyable romp & was pleased to see that the author had done some research into the real life characters.
October 24, 2022
A quite risqué and pulpy fictionalized tale involving some entertainment world luminaries from a century ago in Harry Houdini, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and even Agatha Christie (in epistolary form, anyway) and an intrepid young female detective who seems to specialize in clothing-optional casework.
November 14, 2018
Wow! I do not usually read graphic/comic books. A genre that I never really got into. Not that I have not read them but just not as a first. That said, The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini was able to catch my interest right from the cover and first pages. A pulpy tale of a young woman who wants to be a detective takes over for him while he is out of the country. Contacted by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who wants her to investigate Harry Houdini. He wants her to infiltrate Houdini's world and report back to him all to prove that Houdini is a fake.
Minky does just that, gets involved in the world of seances, magic and sleight of hand. Houdini becomes ill and eventually dies of a burst appendicitis. Was it just a fluke or was he poisoned? Now she has to convince Mrs. Houdini not to request an investigation into Harry's death. If his death was an accident, she could collect double indemnity on Harry's life insurance policy. If it is murder, she collects nothing.
This book is filled with the most beguiling artwork, gorgeous, colorful. It just brings the whole story to life, the author tells an interesting story but her artwork is truly impressive. Pulls you right into the world of the 1920's. Seances, magic and fantasy all wrapped up into one book. I loved it and if you enjoy comic books or graphic novels, then I highly recommend this book!!
Minky does just that, gets involved in the world of seances, magic and sleight of hand. Houdini becomes ill and eventually dies of a burst appendicitis. Was it just a fluke or was he poisoned? Now she has to convince Mrs. Houdini not to request an investigation into Harry's death. If his death was an accident, she could collect double indemnity on Harry's life insurance policy. If it is murder, she collects nothing.
This book is filled with the most beguiling artwork, gorgeous, colorful. It just brings the whole story to life, the author tells an interesting story but her artwork is truly impressive. Pulls you right into the world of the 1920's. Seances, magic and fantasy all wrapped up into one book. I loved it and if you enjoy comic books or graphic novels, then I highly recommend this book!!
August 1, 2023
I just happened upon this book while browsing the "mature" section and it caught my eye because it's sexually explicit comic created by a woman which are very rare. Then I became even more interested once learning it's a historical fiction mystery story, two genres I love so I knew I had to read it.
I think the best description of this book I could give is: confident. Cynthia is confident in her writing, it's clear and precise and doesn't restate itself. This is a story you could read multiple times and catch new details. Minky herself is also very confident. Confident in her abilities, her beliefs and confident in her body and sexuality which is incredibly refreshing. I will never understand why boobs are somehow seen are more extreme than horrible murders like... It's boobs they're normal. Horrible murder isn't!
This entire book excudes artistic confidence and I'm very tempted to pick up a physical copy.
I'm actually very interested in the entire Hard Case Crime imprint which from my observations seems to be focused on bringing D.E.I to the hard boiled genre. It could become the start of my newest collection.
I think the best description of this book I could give is: confident. Cynthia is confident in her writing, it's clear and precise and doesn't restate itself. This is a story you could read multiple times and catch new details. Minky herself is also very confident. Confident in her abilities, her beliefs and confident in her body and sexuality which is incredibly refreshing. I will never understand why boobs are somehow seen are more extreme than horrible murders like... It's boobs they're normal. Horrible murder isn't!
This entire book excudes artistic confidence and I'm very tempted to pick up a physical copy.
I'm actually very interested in the entire Hard Case Crime imprint which from my observations seems to be focused on bringing D.E.I to the hard boiled genre. It could become the start of my newest collection.
December 15, 2021
A sassy and sexy young wannabe private detective named Minky Woodcock is inserted into the true and truly weird events leading up to the death of famed magician and spiritualist debunker Harry Houdini in this 1920s historical fiction. In the course of her investigation she trains to be Houdini's stage assistant and frequently disrobes.
The writing is cheesy and the art is pure cheesecake; both are oddly stiff but only the drawings are vaguely compelling. The story often makes little sense and is rife with plot holes. I only read this because I actually want to read the sequel about Nikola Tesla, a man I have always found fascinating. Onward.
The writing is cheesy and the art is pure cheesecake; both are oddly stiff but only the drawings are vaguely compelling. The story often makes little sense and is rife with plot holes. I only read this because I actually want to read the sequel about Nikola Tesla, a man I have always found fascinating. Onward.
October 7, 2018
The cover gives you a good impression of what you're getting into here. This is not a book for prudishness - the amount of nudity included was frankly surprising, but it makes sense once you recognize that this is intended as a graphic novel version of those pulp novels with lurid covers. The story, built around true incidents in Houdini's life, posits a conspiracy to kill him because of his work to expose spiritualists. Minky steps into the middle, working with Houdini to expose frauds while also trying to protect his life. The art is distinctive, capturing the 20's era fairly well. The story posits a plausible theory and makes for an interesting read, as long as you can deal with the significant amount of sexual content.
February 28, 2019
First things first, Cynthia von Buhler's artwork is outstanding. Too often, graphic novels entice you with stunning, innovative covers but the panels inside just look like second-rate cartoons. Von Buhler employs a muted 1920's style on every page, which makes it feel authentic to the time period of the story. I do not know the correct term, but it reminds me of art deco.
The mystery opens in 1926 when Minky Woodcock, the daughter of a private investigator in Boston, is approached by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle with a case. Doyle wants Harry Houdini exposed as a secret practitioner of the psychic arts, not just an illusionist who is out to discredit spiritualism.
Minky ingratiates herself with the Houdinis -- first becoming friends with the wife Bess, then beginning a kinky affair with Harry himself. A series of mishaps soon befall their Canadian tour. First, Bess comes down with food poisoning. Harry twists his ankle rehearsing an escape trick, then a college student injures him with a brutal cheap shot during a contest of strength. Minky begins to suspect foul play. Finally, Harry gets appendicitis and is treated with an experimental cure.
The best thing about this historical mystery is it is based almost entirely on real life. All those accidents really occurred to Harry Houdini in the weeks before his death. Angry debunked spiritualists in Boston really did prophecy his death in advance. He really had a feud with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Doyle believed in ghosts and spirits (even though his fictional creation Sherlock Holmes famously did not), while Houdini was a naturalist (even though his early magic acts professed to channel the dark arts). After Houdini publicly denied Doyle's wife had the power to commune with the dead, it created a rift between the two men that never healed. Could it have also led to a murder conspiracy?
The graphic novel certainly spells out the existence of a plot against Harry's life--which is a fiction based on speculation, of course--but von Buhler wisely chooses not to neatly tie all the loose ends together. Just as in real life, the true cause of death remains forever unknown because Bess refused an autopsy in order to make sure her husband's insurance policy would pay out.
This would make a wonderful, funny, sexy movie. A sequel is not required, but I could easily envision a series of further historical mystery-adventures starring Minky.
The mystery opens in 1926 when Minky Woodcock, the daughter of a private investigator in Boston, is approached by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle with a case. Doyle wants Harry Houdini exposed as a secret practitioner of the psychic arts, not just an illusionist who is out to discredit spiritualism.
Minky ingratiates herself with the Houdinis -- first becoming friends with the wife Bess, then beginning a kinky affair with Harry himself. A series of mishaps soon befall their Canadian tour. First, Bess comes down with food poisoning. Harry twists his ankle rehearsing an escape trick, then a college student injures him with a brutal cheap shot during a contest of strength. Minky begins to suspect foul play. Finally, Harry gets appendicitis and is treated with an experimental cure.
The best thing about this historical mystery is it is based almost entirely on real life. All those accidents really occurred to Harry Houdini in the weeks before his death. Angry debunked spiritualists in Boston really did prophecy his death in advance. He really had a feud with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Doyle believed in ghosts and spirits (even though his fictional creation Sherlock Holmes famously did not), while Houdini was a naturalist (even though his early magic acts professed to channel the dark arts). After Houdini publicly denied Doyle's wife had the power to commune with the dead, it created a rift between the two men that never healed. Could it have also led to a murder conspiracy?
The graphic novel certainly spells out the existence of a plot against Harry's life--which is a fiction based on speculation, of course--but von Buhler wisely chooses not to neatly tie all the loose ends together. Just as in real life, the true cause of death remains forever unknown because Bess refused an autopsy in order to make sure her husband's insurance policy would pay out.
This would make a wonderful, funny, sexy movie. A sequel is not required, but I could easily envision a series of further historical mystery-adventures starring Minky.
December 17, 2019
An interesting period mystery with an intriguing cast of real life characters (Houdini, Conan Doyle and Christie all make an appearance). There’s a lot to like here - a fast paced plot, lots of sex and violence and a great vintage art style. Something about the storytelling kept me from being fully engaged though.
May 23, 2025
A really fun, sexy and jam packed pulpy mystery story featuring female private detective Minky Woodcock as she investigates the world of spiritualism and escapology, rubbing shoulders with real life characters like Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
December 27, 2022
Read all the stuff in the back
->You get the historical facts and assumptions that were worked with, an article about its Broadway show, but most importantly you get introduced to the creator who is absurdly multi-talented on a professional level and just plain cool! Her person reminds me of Canada's Zviane- which is about as high a compliment as I give artistically (but her work in this medium comes nowhere close).
It's a good read with a zesty main character and blunt art-sexiness.
->You get the historical facts and assumptions that were worked with, an article about its Broadway show, but most importantly you get introduced to the creator who is absurdly multi-talented on a professional level and just plain cool! Her person reminds me of Canada's Zviane- which is about as high a compliment as I give artistically (but her work in this medium comes nowhere close).
It's a good read with a zesty main character and blunt art-sexiness.
February 21, 2023
A historical/mystery/noir-like book set in the 1920s with a woman lead character. The first work I've read by this author.
As seems required for a graphic novel published with the Hard Case label on it (actually published by Titan Comics, but I still think of it as a Hard Case work), yes, sex and nudity pop up in this book. I'm also reading a comic collection that collects several of the Ms Tree comic books into one volume that seems to be the only Hard Case book that doesn't have nudity, but that might be because they are republishing work from the 1980s (the republishing part, not the 1980s part. Does include sex in it).
Right, weird intro.
The book follows a woman named Minky Woodcock in the 1920s (1926). She's the daughter of a private detective, and wants to be an active one herself, though her father doesn't want her to be one (probably connected to her mother having died on a case and less to her father being anti-women, though Minky is something like an unreliable narrator in places (she stressed more father not wanting her to be a private detective, instead pushing the business towards her brother; less stressed part where mother died; in a letter included at beginning (letter to Agatha Christie, book is something of a name dropper), mentioned brother something of a lay-about constantly out drinking when she herself is not, then immediately shows opposite). Father does have her work for the agency, more as a secretary though.
Right, so: Arthur Conan Doyle pops into the agency wanting Minky's father to work on a case. A case investigating Harry Houdini. Doyle says that Houdini isn't a magician but a a spirtualist with god-like powers. or something weird like that. So he wants him investigated.
Minky says she'd do it, her father is busy (Minky was quite shifty eyed, so to speak, when talking about what her father was doing, why was not explained). Doyle scoffed at the idea. Scoffed! Then, without taking a breath, immediately changes his mind. Minky's father will be gone three weeks, Minky is attractive, and Houdini is a ladies man. And so . .. Then, for reasons that baffle me, Minky turns down the case.
Whereupon . . . she goes and gets hired by Houdini's wife? Is confusing there. So, instead of working for Doyle, Minky works against him. Right, so. Minky becomes Houdini's assistant to try to help him; meanwhile another woman joins the team at the same time, a nurse (who, it becomes apparent almost immediately, works for Doyle).
Minky, Houdini, and team, travel around doing shows. Minky is shown how to do some of the acts, and humps Houdini (with or without the wife's permisison? that part was weird).
Then when . . . spoilers.
Right, so, there are scam artists (those mediums and the like), magicians, mystery writers, rabbits, nudity (one of the mediums "must" perform in the nude), conspiracies, etc.
If I accept Minky as an unreliable narrator, not a bad book. Interesting even. If Minky was supposed to be a reliable narrator . . . well, she's crap at telling a straight story if so. Saying one thing, doing another, misleading comments, weird twisty plot points, etc. etc. (like when Doyle doesn't want to use Minky, because woman, three seconds later is okay with it; Minky wants to do it, then split second decision to turn it down and then . . . does the job anyway on her own dime ()?). Eh.
Rating: 3.65 (this probably closer to 3.55, but I'd have to rate that 3 on Goodreads, while 3.65 can go on 4 star shelf; extra 0.10 points because, despite everything, I like Minky. And her pet rabbit).
Feb. 21 2023
As seems required for a graphic novel published with the Hard Case label on it (actually published by Titan Comics, but I still think of it as a Hard Case work), yes, sex and nudity pop up in this book. I'm also reading a comic collection that collects several of the Ms Tree comic books into one volume that seems to be the only Hard Case book that doesn't have nudity, but that might be because they are republishing work from the 1980s (the republishing part, not the 1980s part. Does include sex in it).
Right, weird intro.
The book follows a woman named Minky Woodcock in the 1920s (1926). She's the daughter of a private detective, and wants to be an active one herself, though her father doesn't want her to be one (probably connected to her mother having died on a case and less to her father being anti-women, though Minky is something like an unreliable narrator in places (she stressed more father not wanting her to be a private detective, instead pushing the business towards her brother; less stressed part where mother died; in a letter included at beginning (letter to Agatha Christie, book is something of a name dropper), mentioned brother something of a lay-about constantly out drinking when she herself is not, then immediately shows opposite). Father does have her work for the agency, more as a secretary though.
Right, so: Arthur Conan Doyle pops into the agency wanting Minky's father to work on a case. A case investigating Harry Houdini. Doyle says that Houdini isn't a magician but a a spirtualist with god-like powers. or something weird like that. So he wants him investigated.
Minky says she'd do it, her father is busy (Minky was quite shifty eyed, so to speak, when talking about what her father was doing, why was not explained). Doyle scoffed at the idea. Scoffed! Then, without taking a breath, immediately changes his mind. Minky's father will be gone three weeks, Minky is attractive, and Houdini is a ladies man. And so . .. Then, for reasons that baffle me, Minky turns down the case.
Whereupon . . . she goes and gets hired by Houdini's wife? Is confusing there. So, instead of working for Doyle, Minky works against him. Right, so. Minky becomes Houdini's assistant to try to help him; meanwhile another woman joins the team at the same time, a nurse (who, it becomes apparent almost immediately, works for Doyle).
Minky, Houdini, and team, travel around doing shows. Minky is shown how to do some of the acts, and humps Houdini (with or without the wife's permisison? that part was weird).
Then when . . . spoilers.
Right, so, there are scam artists (those mediums and the like), magicians, mystery writers, rabbits, nudity (one of the mediums "must" perform in the nude), conspiracies, etc.
If I accept Minky as an unreliable narrator, not a bad book. Interesting even. If Minky was supposed to be a reliable narrator . . . well, she's crap at telling a straight story if so. Saying one thing, doing another, misleading comments, weird twisty plot points, etc. etc. (like when Doyle doesn't want to use Minky, because woman, three seconds later is okay with it; Minky wants to do it, then split second decision to turn it down and then . . . does the job anyway on her own dime ()?). Eh.
Rating: 3.65 (this probably closer to 3.55, but I'd have to rate that 3 on Goodreads, while 3.65 can go on 4 star shelf; extra 0.10 points because, despite everything, I like Minky. And her pet rabbit).
Feb. 21 2023
November 1, 2023
I've been enjoying the Hard Case crime novels and graphics this past year. They are throwbacks, gritty and entertaining. The graphics have action, grit, sex and move along at a fast-paced rate. The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini by Cynthia von Buhler follows that practice. It's somewhat unique as it has real people and supposedly is based on a real situation; detective Minky Woodcock's following Harry Houdini on his tour of the US.
Basically, Minky Woodcock works as a secretary in her father's detective business. She wants to find out how her mother died (there is some mystery there). While her father is away on business, she meets mystery writer Arthur Conan Doyle, who wants to hire her father to investigate Harry Houdini. Doyle is a spiritualist and visits seances and such. Houdini spends his spare time trying to debunk these spiritualists.
Minky agrees to follow Houdini, becomes a member of his staff in effect. Also she spends time with some spiritualists and sees they are frauds. So there you go. We see fake spiritualists, one who performs in the nude. We see what might be attempts on Houdini's life (there appears to be some question on whether his death was accidental or more sinister).
It's an interesting story, moves along at a fast pace and is very gritty. Minky is an interesting character and is a no nonsense investigator. Not my favorite of this series but still entertaining. There seems to be another graphic in this series so I'll probably check it out. 😎 3.0 stars
Basically, Minky Woodcock works as a secretary in her father's detective business. She wants to find out how her mother died (there is some mystery there). While her father is away on business, she meets mystery writer Arthur Conan Doyle, who wants to hire her father to investigate Harry Houdini. Doyle is a spiritualist and visits seances and such. Houdini spends his spare time trying to debunk these spiritualists.
Minky agrees to follow Houdini, becomes a member of his staff in effect. Also she spends time with some spiritualists and sees they are frauds. So there you go. We see fake spiritualists, one who performs in the nude. We see what might be attempts on Houdini's life (there appears to be some question on whether his death was accidental or more sinister).
It's an interesting story, moves along at a fast pace and is very gritty. Minky is an interesting character and is a no nonsense investigator. Not my favorite of this series but still entertaining. There seems to be another graphic in this series so I'll probably check it out. 😎 3.0 stars
December 1, 2021
The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini collects issues 1-4 of the Titans Comics series written and illustrated by Cynthia Von Buhler.
Kinky Woodcock, the daughter of a private eye is approached by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Author of Sherlock Holmes), a spiritualist, to investigate escape artist Harry Houdini, who he believes is using real life magic in his act. The book uses the real life events in Harry Houdini's late life and the mystery surrounding his early death.
I was pleasantly surprised with this book. It took real life events and took a fictional route of what could have happened. Cynthia does double duty as author and artist in the book and does an excellent job at both. The book has a lot of adult content and nudity if you care about those things. I usually don't care for how woman are traditionally drawn in comics by men as it seems exploitative (and often times creepy and pervy). It's different when it's drawn by women and empowering the female form. I'm not saying all comic book artists do it, but there are definitely some questionable authors out their. The one knock I have on the book is I wish it was a tad longer. I think 6 issues could have fleshed out our protagonist just a bit more.
Kinky Woodcock, the daughter of a private eye is approached by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Author of Sherlock Holmes), a spiritualist, to investigate escape artist Harry Houdini, who he believes is using real life magic in his act. The book uses the real life events in Harry Houdini's late life and the mystery surrounding his early death.
I was pleasantly surprised with this book. It took real life events and took a fictional route of what could have happened. Cynthia does double duty as author and artist in the book and does an excellent job at both. The book has a lot of adult content and nudity if you care about those things. I usually don't care for how woman are traditionally drawn in comics by men as it seems exploitative (and often times creepy and pervy). It's different when it's drawn by women and empowering the female form. I'm not saying all comic book artists do it, but there are definitely some questionable authors out their. The one knock I have on the book is I wish it was a tad longer. I think 6 issues could have fleshed out our protagonist just a bit more.
May 16, 2025
Woven around true occurrences surrounding the death of Houdini, this HCC graphic novel introduces a new female private detective named Minky Woodcock. Perhaps due to the graphic novel format some of the minutiae and detail was lacking thus making the narrative a bit disjointed. But the artwork was fantastic and the story was compelling.
February 5, 2022
I enjoyed this more than I expected to, given that graphic novels are not really my cup-of-tea. As you’ve no doubt read, this speculative fiction is built around the mysterious (?) circumstances surrounding Harry Houdini’s death, presented in graphic form. I found it strangely compelling, and it’s given me the desire to examine Houdini’s battles debunking the Spiritualists that were so popular in his life time. His adversarial relationship with Arthur Conan Doyle was brought to light and adds an interesting twist to what might have happened.
August 5, 2025
Pretty cool, I guess! Art was fantastic, story was a nice nod to history (and introduces a fun conspiracy theory), but ultimately it felt a little “light.”
October 20, 2023
I notice that Cynthia von Buhler also presented this as a live stage show. I would have liked to have seen that. Still expect to read the second graphic novel in the series.
July 11, 2019
Wonderful illustrations, situations, settings, and characters to be entangled with for a quick read.
June 15, 2019
Öncelikle Neil Gaiman'ın önerdiği hiçbir kitap beklentimin altında kalmadı. Buna da bayıldım :) Retro çizimlerin pulp hikaye ve tarihi kişiliklerle uyumu mükemmel. Tavsiye ederim.
November 22, 2019
Seeing that I’ve been on a bit of a Harry Houdini kick, it’s a wonder it took so long for me to get around to buying this graphic novel. Well, I’m very glad I did. This is an intriguing, risqué and deliciously dark mystery revolving around the murky circumstances of Houdini’s death in 1926. CVB has drawn and written this tale in style of pulp detective stories and period comic books. It also features a handful of “extras”—alternate cover art, historical background and a couple of pages devoted to the theatrical event based on the book. Highly recommended.
August 28, 2018
I thought it was very good. Picked it up because I saw a recommendation from Neil Gaiman on the back. I had never heard of the author. The story was well written and the art fantastic. It was a bit graphic at times; pornographic that is. The main character was an independent female and a bit of a whore. So that should satisfy the SJW'S. In any case, as long as a little nudity doesn't bother you, I can recommend this book. 4 stars.
June 3, 2022
The first in a hopefully long line of graphic novels starring Minky Woodcock- a hard drinking woman in the 1920’s who sleeps with whom she pleases and punches those who make advances she’s not keen on. Houdini is out to prove that Spiritualists are a hoax and Minky tags along as her client (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) wants to disprove his old friend Houdini. I had a great time reading this but I’m giving it a 3.8 instead of 4 due to some gaps in the storytelling. Still great fun.
February 8, 2022
Hard Case Crime and Cynthia von Buhler have collaborated to create a real neo pulp hit with "Minky Woodcock: The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini". This book is chock full of sex, nudity, violence, intrigue, Houdini and rabbits. It is also strangely in line with the historical evidence. I am not so sure about the rabbits though.
September 16, 2018
Houdini, Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, a mystery and naughty art galore. A great romp.
October 4, 2018
Uh, can we get more tales of Minky Woodcock detecting things, solving crimes? Because that was great.
January 25, 2019
Pulp historical fiction. I’ve read a fair amount about Houdini and I loved this pulp noir take on the events surrounding his death.
September 4, 2019
Originally published at BORG.com.
The Minky Woodcock story The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini is as much a showcase of the creator’s various talents as a mash-up of great story concepts. Cynthia von Buhler is an artist, performer, playwright, and author. Her fictionalized tale of the last days of Houdini draws a bit from the modern mainstream shock drama (think The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo), her unique provocative art style (fans of Stjepan Šejić will love it), her affinity for crime noir, and her own investigation into the death of a relative in the 1930s. The result is a new, crafty, shrewd, and fiery private detective, the fictional Minky Woodcock, a character who proves she can hold her own against Arthur Conan Doyle, and would make a good lead in an ongoing noir series (in fact a follow-up story is in the works for next year, with Minky investigating the mysterious poisoning death of Ziegfeld Girl Olive Thomas). The complete The Man Who Handcuffed Houdini is now available in a colorful hardcover edition from Titan Comics and Hard Case Crime.
The life of master magician Harry Houdini intersected with many other celebrities of the day, and a few of them come into play in von Buhler’s story (she both wrote and illustrated the story). The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini tracks the magician in the 20 days leading up to his death on October 31, 1926. Incredibly enough the strangest elements of von Buhler’s series are real. Minky Woodcock is the writer’s creation–the daughter of a private investigator who is hired first by Arthur Conan Doyle to help him discredit Houdini, she is later hired by Houdini’s wife as a magician’s assistant to keep tabs on the magician (a purported philanderer). The blend of the true and the fabricated is artfully drawn into an impressive tale of 1920s debauchery, fraud, celebrity, and spectacle.
The new hardcover compilation edition includes the main cover artwork and variants for the four issues of the series. Von Buhler balances realism with the surreal. Her choice of color has the nostalgic flair of Matt Kindt’s DeptH series, her images of real people (like Houdini) are spot-on, and she particularly excels at skintones, which appear almost photo-real in contrast to the book’s comic page designs.
Houdini and Doyle were once friends, and their relationship fell apart over their views on spiritualism. Doyle employed a bizarre spiritualist for Houdini (a key character in von Buhler’s book) who conducted séances in the nude (who knew the 1920s had such characters?). When Houdini’s mother was summoned, communicating through the medium in the form of a letter, Houdini was quickly able to see the fraud as an image of a cross appeared and the language was written in English. Houdini’s mother was Jewish and spoke no English, so he proceeded to demonstrate the spiritualists were frauds.
Minky Woodcock and Houdini’s wife Bess are both fascinating women of the 1920s. All of von Buhler’s characters have the appropriate costumes, hair, and makeup–appearing to have emerged from 16mm film from the Golden Age of cinema. Her pen and ink with a watercolor method makes the issues of the series look like they’re printed on classic pulp paper. Von Buhler includes a link to references that back-up the factual elements of her story, and they are surprising. An afterword provides background on von Buhler’s related talents, including the real-life investigation that spring-boarded her into crime scene recreation.
This one’s for adults only–the story has sex, nudity, and a few bizarre and grotesque concepts derived from the lives of the actual 1920s characters portrayed.
A truly unique story and presentation for nostalgia and noir fans and Houdini and magic enthusiasts.
The Minky Woodcock story The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini is as much a showcase of the creator’s various talents as a mash-up of great story concepts. Cynthia von Buhler is an artist, performer, playwright, and author. Her fictionalized tale of the last days of Houdini draws a bit from the modern mainstream shock drama (think The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo), her unique provocative art style (fans of Stjepan Šejić will love it), her affinity for crime noir, and her own investigation into the death of a relative in the 1930s. The result is a new, crafty, shrewd, and fiery private detective, the fictional Minky Woodcock, a character who proves she can hold her own against Arthur Conan Doyle, and would make a good lead in an ongoing noir series (in fact a follow-up story is in the works for next year, with Minky investigating the mysterious poisoning death of Ziegfeld Girl Olive Thomas). The complete The Man Who Handcuffed Houdini is now available in a colorful hardcover edition from Titan Comics and Hard Case Crime.
The life of master magician Harry Houdini intersected with many other celebrities of the day, and a few of them come into play in von Buhler’s story (she both wrote and illustrated the story). The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini tracks the magician in the 20 days leading up to his death on October 31, 1926. Incredibly enough the strangest elements of von Buhler’s series are real. Minky Woodcock is the writer’s creation–the daughter of a private investigator who is hired first by Arthur Conan Doyle to help him discredit Houdini, she is later hired by Houdini’s wife as a magician’s assistant to keep tabs on the magician (a purported philanderer). The blend of the true and the fabricated is artfully drawn into an impressive tale of 1920s debauchery, fraud, celebrity, and spectacle.
The new hardcover compilation edition includes the main cover artwork and variants for the four issues of the series. Von Buhler balances realism with the surreal. Her choice of color has the nostalgic flair of Matt Kindt’s DeptH series, her images of real people (like Houdini) are spot-on, and she particularly excels at skintones, which appear almost photo-real in contrast to the book’s comic page designs.
Houdini and Doyle were once friends, and their relationship fell apart over their views on spiritualism. Doyle employed a bizarre spiritualist for Houdini (a key character in von Buhler’s book) who conducted séances in the nude (who knew the 1920s had such characters?). When Houdini’s mother was summoned, communicating through the medium in the form of a letter, Houdini was quickly able to see the fraud as an image of a cross appeared and the language was written in English. Houdini’s mother was Jewish and spoke no English, so he proceeded to demonstrate the spiritualists were frauds.
Minky Woodcock and Houdini’s wife Bess are both fascinating women of the 1920s. All of von Buhler’s characters have the appropriate costumes, hair, and makeup–appearing to have emerged from 16mm film from the Golden Age of cinema. Her pen and ink with a watercolor method makes the issues of the series look like they’re printed on classic pulp paper. Von Buhler includes a link to references that back-up the factual elements of her story, and they are surprising. An afterword provides background on von Buhler’s related talents, including the real-life investigation that spring-boarded her into crime scene recreation.
This one’s for adults only–the story has sex, nudity, and a few bizarre and grotesque concepts derived from the lives of the actual 1920s characters portrayed.
A truly unique story and presentation for nostalgia and noir fans and Houdini and magic enthusiasts.
October 24, 2019
So this is a bit of an odd duck. A mixture of fact, speculation, and alternative history, The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini tackles the legendary escape artist's death, viewed from the perspective of Minky Woodcock.
Minky's father is a well known detective--presumably fictional, although I guess he could be based off of a real life detective--who, despite her enthusiasm for learning the trade, has relegated Minky to personal assistant duties. However, he's on vacation when Sir Arthur Conan Doyle walks in with a case: Expose Houdini as a fraud.
Apparently the 1920s were just awash in spiritualism. Psychics channeling dead people, tarot readings, etc, etc. Houdini took delight in exposing the tricks used by the charlatans. At least for the purpose of this graphic novel, his friend Doyle--a firm believer in spiritualism--took this attack poorly. As far as he was concerned, Houdini's tricks were spiritualism, and his campaign against spiritualists was dishonest, hypocritical, and self-serving.
So we see an interesting flip on a cliche: Rather than trying to catch a stage magician's trick ("Aha! I see that trap door there, you're not using magic at all, ya fraud!"), we see someone trying to catch out real, actual magic. Unfortunately, as satisfying as this conceptual flip is, very little of the plot actually hangs on it as Minky herself has no patience for spiritualism. What we get instead is an interpretation of the events that lead to Houdini's death--which is to say, balancing what we know about Houdini leading to his death, and the spicy "What if?" speculation that the spiritualists--angry about his meddling--killed him.
And that's fine. But the inconvenient thing about real life (even in the highly stylized/speculative form we see here) is that it often doesn't provide a story arc. Teetering between Houdini facts and Minky's various exploits (attending a seance and becoming a Houdini assistant) doesn't count as a story arc. It's just stuff happening. It's always pretty entertaining, mind, but it reads as flat.
The artwork helps with the entertainment factor, tapping into that scuzzy 1920s flapper aesthetic with a strong pulp undertone. Fully colored and detailed, each page pops, doing great service to the exotic topics at hand.
So, something of a mixed bag overall, but there's enough here to be worthwhile if your interest is piqued by the cover/topic. Unless you're a prude, because it does go some kinky, sexual places.
Minky's father is a well known detective--presumably fictional, although I guess he could be based off of a real life detective--who, despite her enthusiasm for learning the trade, has relegated Minky to personal assistant duties. However, he's on vacation when Sir Arthur Conan Doyle walks in with a case: Expose Houdini as a fraud.
Apparently the 1920s were just awash in spiritualism. Psychics channeling dead people, tarot readings, etc, etc. Houdini took delight in exposing the tricks used by the charlatans. At least for the purpose of this graphic novel, his friend Doyle--a firm believer in spiritualism--took this attack poorly. As far as he was concerned, Houdini's tricks were spiritualism, and his campaign against spiritualists was dishonest, hypocritical, and self-serving.
So we see an interesting flip on a cliche: Rather than trying to catch a stage magician's trick ("Aha! I see that trap door there, you're not using magic at all, ya fraud!"), we see someone trying to catch out real, actual magic. Unfortunately, as satisfying as this conceptual flip is, very little of the plot actually hangs on it as Minky herself has no patience for spiritualism. What we get instead is an interpretation of the events that lead to Houdini's death--which is to say, balancing what we know about Houdini leading to his death, and the spicy "What if?" speculation that the spiritualists--angry about his meddling--killed him.
And that's fine. But the inconvenient thing about real life (even in the highly stylized/speculative form we see here) is that it often doesn't provide a story arc. Teetering between Houdini facts and Minky's various exploits (attending a seance and becoming a Houdini assistant) doesn't count as a story arc. It's just stuff happening. It's always pretty entertaining, mind, but it reads as flat.
The artwork helps with the entertainment factor, tapping into that scuzzy 1920s flapper aesthetic with a strong pulp undertone. Fully colored and detailed, each page pops, doing great service to the exotic topics at hand.
So, something of a mixed bag overall, but there's enough here to be worthwhile if your interest is piqued by the cover/topic. Unless you're a prude, because it does go some kinky, sexual places.
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