Ebook: The witch of Lime Street: séance, seduction, and Houdini in the spirit world

In 1924 the wife of a Boston surgeon came to embody the raging national debate over Spiritualism, a movement devoted to communication with the dead. Reporters dubbed her the blonde Witch of Lime Street, but she was known to her followers simply as Margery. Her most vocal advocate was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who believed so thoroughly in Margery's powers that he urged her to enter a controversial contest, sponsored by Scientific American. Her supernatural gifts beguiled four of the judges. There was only one left to convince ... the acclaimed escape artist, Harry Houdini. Jaher captures their electric public rivalry and the competition that brought them into each other's orbit.;The dead boys -- The river of doubt -- The new wilderness -- The saxophone and spirit trumpet -- The great spirit hunt -- The Witch of Lime Street -- Spirits of the dead -- How Death deals its cards -- The shadow of a dream.