Escaping From Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco SPOILERS!!!

Can we just stop and stare at this cover, please? I mean, seriously? All of the covers have simply been gorgeous. For the third novel, I preordered it and received the preorder swag of tarot cards, and the illustrations are just to die for. Pun intended.

So the third novel by Kerri Maniscalco has our protagonist in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean on, what we would now call, cruise ship to USA. Everything is maginificence and marvel, even the traveling Moonlight Carnival. Everything appears to go well, but the number one rule of all carnivals is nothing is what it appears. Young women are missing, and then begin the public murders. Why, oh why does this keep happening to Audrey Rose and her partner Thomas Cresswell? And how ever will they stop and catch the fiend(s) before the finale?

There is only one inconsistency with this novel compared to the first two, and that is the title character. We really don't see a lot of Houdini like we did Jack or Dracula. Don't get me wrong, he's there but its more of a background piece than a central plot. Other than this one point, which actually bothered me when I was reading, there was NOTHING bad to say.

First, the mystery. SPECTACULAR!! It had everything. And none of it was obvious. After a while I figured out Mephistopheles pretty quickly, but (reading as much as I do) it wasn't very hard. I don't think I would have been as quick as Audrey Rose to make a bargain with him, but I can also see and understand why she did. That being said, I still would have ruined everything by telling Thomas, but that's just my personality. The incorporation of the carnival was perfect. I loved reading about the different acts, and the various costumes. I am a huge carnival fan (but not clowns. You can keep the clowns), and I have a secret (very secret) enjoyment of beautifully cut clothes, like ball gowns.

Second, Audrey Rose and Thomas Cresswell. THANK YOU!!! FINALLY!!! If I had to go through a whole another book before one of them declared their love for the other, I think I'd be more frustrated than I am with a couple of other series I am reading. These two complete each other in ways that I don't know if I can describe, but I'm going to try. They both have a love for science, adventure, and justice. Thomas is more relaxed and fun, and will influence Audrey to be so. Audrey Rose is more practical, focused, and more serious so she will bring Thomas to heel when necessary.

I rated this 4.5 out of 5 stars, mainly because the title is a little misleading. The 4th novel comes out soon and again I have my preorder ready to go.