Have you felt guilty about reading?

Ok, not because you should be fixing some fabulous meal or that you should pay more attention to your fascinating spouse, but because you feel guilty not finishing a book? I don't like to give up. I always think it's me. But The Witch of Lime Street by David Jaher challenged my determination. Don't worry, I did finish, but boy it took me way too long. It is not because it isn't a really good read, it is just that in parts the details about all the people involved in the investigation distracted me from the main conflict. That of Mina Crandon, medium, and Harry Houdini. This is about a time period in the United States, after WWI, that people so longed to speak to their dead sons, brothers and fathers that Spiritualism took hold. Mina, a well respected upper crust young woman began to hear from her dead brother.

Things soon got out of hand. She was pretty but it's amazing what a little ectoplasm can do.

I found her character and motivations fascinating. The Scientific American was out to prove life after death. They set up a contest and started exposing a lot of frauds. Houdini was on the committee. Because of his acumen with magic tricks, he was especially qualified to spot a sham. It really is a fascinating story, especially when you realize that they thought psychic power was scientific. It makes sense, really, radio waves brought voices into their homes and they couldn't see them either. NPR liked this book and their review is excellent. Be patient with this one, it really is worth it and remember, don't feel guilty.