Spirit Sleuths

How Magicians and Detectives Exposed the Ghost Hoaxes

Author  Gail Jarrow
Spirit Sleuths

A School Library Journal Best Book, Best Nonfiction Middle to High School 2024
A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books 2024
2025 Texas Topaz List
CCBC Choices 2025
2025 Capitol Choices

The latest from acclaimed author Gail Jarrow reveals how magicians—including Harry Houdini and his team of investigators—exposed fake mediums who exploited the vulnerable and gullible in the early twentieth century.

Shelf Awareness, starred review
School Library Journal, starred review

After millions of people died during World War I and from the 1918 influenza pandemic, the popularity of Spiritualism soared. Desperate to communicate with their dead loved ones, the bereaved fell prey to extortion by fraudulent mediums and fortune-tellers.

But magician Harry Houdini wasn't fooled. He recognized the scammers' methods as no more than…