The Adventure of the Ectoplasmic Man: Review

The Adventure of the Ectoplasmic Man by Daniel Stashower is a Sherlock Holmes pastiche that relates an adventure that brings together the world's greatest consulting detective and Harry Houdini, the world's greatest escape artist. Houdini is accused of stealing important letters that could cause trouble for the Prince of Wales.  The letters were kept in room sealed tighter than the vaults of the Bank of England.  Houdini was present ta the house where the letters were kept.  Lestrade decides that since only a Houdini could have gotten in and out of such a room, that the escape artist must be the thief.  It's up to Sherlock Holmes to prove Lestrade wrong--by discovering the real villain, someone who could do what even Houdini says is impossible.

This is a decent read, but it's not serious Holmes.  Holmes is larger than his usual larger-than-life self and Watson is a bigger dolt than usual (not quite on a Nigel Bruce as Watson level, but still).  That said, the adventure is fun, there's lots of action, there's a mysterious Countess, Holmes goes in disguise, Watson gets to save his life, and Lestrade gets proven wrong, again (of course).  And who knew that Holmes could fly a plane?  Three stars.