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Premier mystery author Harold Schechter revisits the chilling world of NEVERMORE in this novel of historical suspense, the second in his critically acclaimed series starring Edgar Allen Poe. It's the spring of 1844, and Edgar Allan Poe and his young wife, Sissy, have moved to the publishing centre of America, New York City. When P.T. Barnum, the 'Prince of Humbugs', advertises a display of Davy Crockett's authentic belongings, Poe is determined to reveal the man as a fraud. He knows for a fact that he himself owns at least one of the items Barnum claims to possess. Poe and Barnum are drawn together over the controversy, and Barnum appreciates the publicity Poe's expose provides his show. But when his emporium is linked to a brutal murder that imitates a display in Barnum's hall of true crimes, Barnum enlists Poe's help in discovering the killer before the bad publicity ruins his business. Sissy believes it is the ghost of the original murderer who has returned to seek revenge, as he promised on the gallows. Poe thinks there's much more to the case, and he's determined to solve it.… (more)
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This is the second book in a series involving Edgar Allan Poe in a detective role. Called to act in
The murder is similar to one done earlier. Barnum's interest is due to the fact that he has set up an exhibit of wax figures depicting the murder scene in his American Museum. A local paper is claiming that the exhibit had influence on the murderer. Barnum wants to prove the paper is wrong.
Barnum feels Poe is the only one who can solve this grisly murder. Poe is well known for his eerie and strange tales, and has recently become notorious having solved the "Nevermore Murders.
Taking place in New York City, the investigation turns up some shadowy background on a number of involved people, and connections between these very unlikely folk. The victim lives quite well in a very expensively furnished apartment, has an expensive wardrobe, but there is no obvious means of income. Who is paying for it all? She comes from a poor background.
Another interesting character is Morris Vanderhorn. His physical appearance is on the bizarre side because his face appears to be split down the middle with one side disfigured and the other being perfectly normal. Aside from this, he has married well, made a great income and is active in the high social circles. A strange fact is that his business associates are from the lower levels of society. There also appears to be a connection between the victim and Vanderhorn.
There are also the freaks that work and perform at Barnum's museum. Strange and bizarre looking but maybe a little more normal that some of Vanderhorn's cronies. Also Poe's wife, "Sissy" and her mother, Muddy, are in the story.
It isn't a short read, but it is a good read. I will now have to find the others in the series. Luckily it isn't a long series.