The Bullet Catch: Murder by Misadventure

Gr 7–10—Leo, a 13-year-old orphan, pickpocket, and con artist, helps his gang survive on the streets of New York in 1917. When he falls out with his buddies and desires a better life, he lucks into a position as assistant to magician Franco Barzini. The two encounter many historical celebrities, most notably, Harry Houdini. Against Houdini's advice, Leo helps Barzini develop a dangerous bullet act—all while trying to shake off his gang's undesired attentions and turn an acquaintance with Penelope Martinka, granddaughter of magic shop owners, into something more. Themes of doubt and belief, deceit and honor, illusion and reality (both onstage and off) permeate the novel. At times, the story is hampered by unfamiliar terms and unexplained name-dropping; the authors are clearly enamored with their topic, and they try to cram too many facts into the book, resulting in some dull and long-winded passages. The writing overuses the passive tense, and a number of situations are confusing. Penelope is a poorly developed character who plays a disappointingly small part. Leo is an implausibly bright, capable, urbane young man—despite his background—and thereby comes across much older than his age.