Book cover of The Witch of Lime Street: Seance, Seduction, and Houdini in the Spirit World

Book description

History comes alive in this textured account of the rivalry between Harry Houdini and the so-called Witch of Lime Street, whose iconic lives intersected at a time when science was on the verge of embracing the paranormal.

The 1920s are famous as the golden age of jazz and glamour, but…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

2 authors picked The Witch of Lime Street as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I don’t read that many nonfiction books, but this one was well worth my time.

After World War I and the Great Influenza epidemic of 1918, many people turned to spiritualism. Jaher digs into the rivalry between Margery Crandon, dubbed by some the Witch of Lime Street, and Harry Houdini.

I enjoyed learning about the many feats Margery regaled her admirers with. And I saw a side of Houdini that most people don’t know about: he was more than a great magician and escape artist.

And the first time I put the book on my bedside table and turned off…

This book tells the story of Harry Houdini's quest to root out fake mediums and medium Margery Crandon's quest to fool people and have fun. This was one of the most unique historical nonfiction books I’ve ever read.

I loved the cat-and-mouse game between Houdini and Margery. Crafty and charismatic, Margery held her own as Houdini became more and more determined to prove her a fraud. I was on the edge of my seat, wondering who would prevail between the dogged magician and the shrewd clairvoyant.

If you love The Witch of Lime Street...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Want books like The Witch of Lime Street?

Our community of 13,000+ authors has personally recommended 71 books like The Witch of Lime Street.

Browse books like The Witch of Lime Street

Book cover of Affinity
Book cover of The Haunting of Maddy Clare
Book cover of The Trial of Lizzie Borden

Share your top 3 reads of 2026!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

186

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like The Witch of Lime Street, you might also like...

Book cover of Child of Vanris

Child of Vanris by Nikki McCormack,

At five years old, Kasiel was found with the pointed ends of his ears cut off. Despite that brutal start, he’s lived twelve peaceful years with the man who took him in. Keeping his hair long over his mutilated ears helps him hide the fact that he is Vanrian, a…

Book cover of Almost Home

Almost Home by Howard Means,

Almost Home is a fictional retelling of the last great tragedy of the Civil War.

In late April 1865, almost 2,000 newly freed Union prisoners of war are packed onto the steamer Sultana, in poor repair and with a listed capacity of 376 passengers. Among them are four Indiana soldiers…

5 book lists we think you will like!