In the quaint village of Lime Street, there existed a legend that intrigued and terrified the townsfolk for generations. Tales of a witch who inhabited Lime Street circulated among families, whispered in fear and wonderment. Although the witch herself had remained elusive and mysterious, her presence had cast a spell of trepidation over the entire village. Rumors about the witch's appearance and powers varied greatly. Some claimed she had long, jet-black hair that swirled and danced in the wind, while others believed she had piercing green eyes that could see into the depths of one's soul. Some said she possessed the ability to control the natural elements, while others claimed she could communicate with spirits from beyond the grave.
“Some of the 20th century’s most colorful and larger-than-life figures come together in a story that is almost too bizarre to believe…Jaher is a very gifted storyteller.”
—Historical Novels Review
This book covers their search, much of the recorded experiments with Crandon at her home on Lime Street in New York, and the aftermath of their research. Debby Applegate, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Most Famous Man in America A perfectly told mystery story involving a famed early 20th century medium, who thrilled her followers and puzzled even celebrity skeptics such as Harry Houdini.
Some said she possessed the ability to control the natural elements, while others claimed she could communicate with spirits from beyond the grave. Regardless of the discrepancies surrounding her physical attributes and supernatural powers, there was one thing everyone agreed upon – the witch of Lime Street was not to be trifled with. Those who had dared to cross her path had reportedly suffered unimaginable consequences.
The witch of lime strt
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I recently finished reading David Jaher’s fascinating non-fiction book, The White of Lime Street: Séance, Seduction, and Houdini in the Spirit World. I adored it.
Spiritualism first arrived in America in the mid-1800s with the Fox sisters, mediums who used the cracking of their ankles to fake their way to ghost communication fame. This was soon after the end of the American Civil War so there were lots of people grieving for lost loved ones and looking for a way to connect with them on the other side.
Spiritualism gained a huge following for the rest of the 19th century and then became popular again after World War I when—once again—friends and relatives of dead soldiers sought séances and mediums in order to have some closure.
Harry Houdini, who made his living from daring stunts and trickery, and a handful of men were tasked with seeking out mediums who could potentially have real abilities. They interviewed many spiritualists, some more impressive than others, but they all agreed that Mina “Margery” Crandon either had real abilities or was especially good at tricks. Houdini was more of the mind that, and excuse my language, you can’t bullshit a bullshitter.
This book covers their search, much of the recorded experiments with Crandon at her home on Lime Street in New York, and the aftermath of their research. In addition, it goes into previous spiritualists who rose to fame, including Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a friend of Houdini’s until they had a falling out because of their disagreements on the religion. The Witch of Lime Street is an entertaining dip into 1920s American culture that doesn’t include gin or jazz. If you’re into the more scientific look at how spiritualists faked their tricks, or just want to know what the heck was up with ectoplasm, this is a must-read.
I expect it will make a fantastic film as well!
- David Jaher’s website
- The Witch of Lime Street on Amazon
- Houdini Museum of New York
If you want more spiritualism and séance goodness, check out my historical fiction novel, The Spirited Mrs. Pringle now available on paperback and at all major ebook retailers. (Audiobook coming soon.)
Jillianne Hamilton is a history enthusiast and the author of The Spirited Mrs. Pringle (historical fiction), The Hobby Shop on Barnaby Street (historical romance), and The Lazy Historian’s Guide to the Wives of Henry VIII (non-fiction). Jill launched The Lazy Historian in 2015. She lives in Charlottetown on Canada’s beautiful east coast. Learn more.
Against this backdrop, in 1924, the pretty wife of a distinguished Boston surgeon came to embody the raging national debate over Spiritualism, a movement devoted to communication with the dead. Reporters dubbed her the blonde Witch of Lime Street, but she was known to her followers simply as Margery. Her most vocal advocate was none other than Sherlock Holmes’ creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who believed so thoroughly in Margery’s powers that he urged her to enter a controversial contest, sponsored by Scientific American and offering a large cash prize to the first medium declared authentic by its impressive five-man investigative committee. Admired for both her exceptional charm and her dazzling effects, Margery was the best hope for the psychic practice to be empirically verified. Her supernatural gifts beguiled four of the judges. There was only one left to convince…the acclaimed escape artist, Harry Houdini.
Some say they were plagued with misfortune, others claim they were cursed and doomed to a life of despair. The village of Lime Street became a place shrouded in fear and superstition. The villagers went to great lengths to ensure they never garnered the witch's attention. They avoided walking down Lime Street after dark, for fear that the witch may spot them through her window and cast a spell. Children were warned not to wander too close to her cottage, lest they fall victim to her enchantments. Although the witch remained a mysterious figure, there were those who believed that she was not the malevolent being the rumors portrayed her to be. Some whispered that she used her powers for good, helping those in need behind closed doors. Others speculated that she was a misunderstood individual, ostracized by society simply because she was different. Regardless of what the truth may have been, the witch of Lime Street continued to captivate the imaginations of the villagers. She was both a source of fear, and yet, a beacon of intrigue. The legend of the witch continued to be passed down from one generation to the next, forever entwined with the history and fabric of the village of Lime Street..
Reviews for "The Witch of Lime Street: A Witch's Curse in Lime Street's History"
1. John - 2/5
I was really disappointed with "The Witch of Lime Street". I was expecting a captivating and suspenseful story about a witch, but instead, it was a slow-paced and uninteresting read. The characters were bland and lacked development, and the plot felt disjointed and confusing. Overall, I found it hard to stay engaged and ended up skimming through most of the book. Not recommended for anyone seeking an exciting witch-themed novel.
2. Sarah - 3/5
While "The Witch of Lime Street" had an intriguing premise, I felt let down by the execution. The story started off promising, but it quickly lost momentum, and the plot became repetitive and predictable. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with them. Additionally, the writing style felt dry and lacked the atmospheric quality that I look for in supernatural books. Though it wasn't terrible, it left me wanting more - a missed opportunity to explore the fascinating world of witches.
3. Michael - 2/5
"The Witch of Lime Street" fell short of my expectations. The story had potential, but it was overshadowed by a lackluster narrative and underdeveloped characters. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of nothing significant happening. The protagonist, in particular, was unlikable and made questionable decisions throughout the book. I also found the resolution to be anticlimactic, leaving me unsatisfied. Overall, I was hoping for a thrilling and immersive experience, but unfortunately, this book failed to deliver.