Medical records and three death certificates
Follow the clinical facts and the official documents that do not agree.
The Kirkus-starred Houdini true-crime investigation
What if history got Houdini’s death wrong?
A surgeon reopens Houdini’s final days through medical records, eyewitness testimony, and three death certificates that refuse to tell the same story.
“An absorbing, argument-starting account of what really happened to Harry Houdini.” Kirkus Indie Star Review
Kirkus Indie Award Finalist
Kirkus Best Indie Books 2026
BookLife Editor’s Pick
Choose your edition
$28.95- 420-page medical-forensic investigation
- 187 historical illustrations
- Biography, true crime, and clinical reasoning in one volume
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The book that changed the Houdini conversation.
“An absorbing, argument-starting account of what really happened to Harry Houdini.”
Kirkus Indie Star Review
“This book will shake things up!”
Michael Claxton, Genii, The Conjurors Magazine
“It’s a blockbuster—and a mythbuster!”
Patrick Culliton, Houdini: The Key
What you will examine
The evidence to decide the case for yourself.
Eyewitness accounts and private correspondence
Compare what the people around Houdini said, wrote, and later changed.
Ten suspects surrounding the final days
Examine motives, opportunities, and contradictions without being handed a verdict.
187 historical illustrations
See the people, documents, and places behind the investigation.
Before you order
The last questions before you choose.
Is this fiction?
No. It is investigative nonfiction combining biography, medical-forensic analysis, historical documents, and true-crime reporting.
How long is the book?
The complete investigation runs 420 pages and includes 187 illustrations.
Which editions are signed?
Only the signed hardback is signed by Larrian Gillespie. The paperback and unsigned sealed hardback are not signed.
Is there an ebook?
Yes. Choose Ebook in the edition selector above.
When do I see shipping and return details?
Available delivery, taxes, and edition-specific return information are shown before payment. You can review your cart before checkout.