Wednesday, March 4, 2026

The 2026 Houdini Centennial Bookshelf 📚


This year marks the 100th anniversary of Houdini's death. This year will also see a record number of new Houdini books (including my own). So I thought I'd keep a running tally of books, and update this post with each new release. Here is what we have so far:

📘 Houdini & Me 2026 by Trudy Monti
Released at the end of 2025, this is Trudy Monti's latest magic journal and the second devoted to Houdini. Chronicle your days throughout this centennial year alongside select Houdini trivia. Amazon

📗 Kinema Comic 1922 (Jul-Dec) The Amazing Exploits of HOUDINI by Joe Notaro and Arthur Moses
The latest volume from Joe Notaro and Arthur Moses collecting Houdini's "Amazing Exploits" stories from the British Kinema Comic. Some of these tales are a real hoot, and the illustrations are dynamic. Amazon

📙 I Want to be Like HOUDINI! by Kent Cummins
Magician Kent Cummins tells his own life story alongside tales of the Handcuff King. A short but enjoyable magical memoir. AmazonLikeHoudini.com.

📕 Houdini’s Library by Barb Rosenstock
The story of how Houdini was shaped by his love of books. A very well-done book for kids illustrated by Mar Delmar. And how about that dedication? You can read the author's own story of how this book was made HERE. Amazon, Bookshop.

MORE TO COME...

Margery and Me (novel) by Maryka Biaggio (April 21)
Exposing Houdini by Charles Greene III (May)
A Strenuous Career by Bruce Averbook M.D. and David Haversat (May 12)
Houdini: The Man Who Died Twice by Larrian Gillespie M.D. (July 1)
Houdini's Library by Eric Colleary (August 18)
Houdini Unlocked by Brian J. Robb (October 22)
Houdini Revealed by William V. Rauscher (Fall 2026)
The Murder of Harry Houdini: A Novel by Sara Herchenroether (December 1)

If you have a Houdini book coming out this year, let me know!

19 comments:

  1. Reminds me of all the new and reprinted Houdini-related books that came out in 1976, with the TV film, "The Great Houdinis", following.
    Diego Domingo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, very much like the 50th. But less reprints (if any) and many more new books.

      Delete
    2. BTW, if we get reprints, I'll list those as well. But they need to be real. Not public domain print-on-demand stuff.

      Delete
    3. There are bootleg copies of Gresham's bio on HH sold online...it may be that only, "Nightmare Alley" has been kept out of public domain by the Greshham family.
      Some feel a special set of Gresham's other books, "Houdini", "Monster Midway", and "Limbo Tower", could do well.

      Delete
    4. I would love a proper reprint of Gresham. But with an introduction that sets it within it's context because there's a fair amount of mythology in there.

      Delete
    5. And in the Kellock book. Any reprints of both should have annotations.

      Delete
  2. John Cox will have to spend 3 years in the UK and Europe to get more Houdini and Hardeen information after the big Houdini book comes out. It's pretty amazing to still discover tidbits of the H men after all these years.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's amazing how much international info I've gathered without having to travel overseas. But so many HH sites I'd love to visit someday.

      Delete
  3. Besides John and Brian's (HRC) books, what are we expecting?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You mean Eric (HRC)? There are others, but not all have been announced. Remember the Challenge Scrapbook from Dr. Averbook and David Haversat? That's one I'm VERY excited about.

      Delete
    2. Sorry--I meant Eric. The Challenge Scrapbook slipped by me but now you jogged the noggin.

      Delete
  4. How exciting to see this year's publications tallying up. Can't wait for your book!!! I can say that Houdini's Library is sumptuously illustrated and a truly lovely children's book. I think Harry would get a kick out of his love of books and learning being centered and held up as encouragement to generations of kids and beyond :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Houdini would indeed love that book. And, remember, we're getting the adult version from Eric Colleary in August!

      Delete
  5. By popular demand, I've added a list of upcoming books that can be pre-ordered.

    ReplyDelete
  6. A lot of great things happening. Another Houdini Unlocked? For a moment I thought it was maybe a soft back edition of Culliton's two book set.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Are there any books that mention a lot about Jim Collins?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The major biographies all mention him, but you won't find a lot written about him in any book. At least I can't think of one. He enters the story near the end of my first chronology book.

      Delete
  8. Leo -- I accidentally deleted your comment. But, yes, Charles's book does look incredible. I'll be doing a post on it this week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wonderful! I look forward to your post. I'm trembling with anticipation for this book! Houdini and the Beatles are the gifts that keep on giving! I'm also eager to read Dr. Gillespie's medical book on Harry's demise. It's a hurricane of Houdini books!

      Delete

Translate