"The Witch of Limr Street" Once upon a time, in the small town of Limr Street, there lived a woman who was feared by all. They called her the Witch of Limr Street. She resided in an old, decrepit house at the end of the street, surrounded by an eerie atmosphere that sent shivers down the spines of anyone who dared to pass by. No one knew much about the witch, except for the stories that circulated amongst the townsfolk. Some claimed she had magical powers and could cast spells on those who crossed her path. Others said she was responsible for the disappearances of several townspeople who had dared to challenge her.
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.)
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, of all people, was leading the movement he d invented the most famous detective in the world, but that was the Victorian era Times had changed. So carefully paced that readers will still need to pinch themselves to remember the book is nonfiction The supernatural moments of The Witch of Lime Street are balanced by the author s deft contextualization and inclusion of correspondence and other archival materials.
Others said she was responsible for the disappearances of several townspeople who had dared to challenge her. Regardless of the tales, one thing was certain - the Witch of Limr Street was not to be messed with. Children were warned to stay away from her house, and adults would often cross the street just to avoid walking too close.
The witch of limr street
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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.
David Jaher’s extraordinary debut culminates in the showdown between Houdini, a relentless unmasker of charlatans, and Margery, the nation’s most credible spirit medium. The Witch of Lime Street, the first book to capture their electric public rivalry and the competition that brought them into each other’s orbit, returns us to an oft-mythologized era to deepen our understanding of its history, all while igniting our imagination and engaging with the timeless question: Is there life after death?
It seemed as though an invisible force surrounded the witch's dwelling, keeping people at a safe distance. One day, a young girl named Lily decided to defy the warnings and approach the witch's house out of curiosity. She had always been fascinated by stories of magic and wanted to see if they held any truth. She was determined to uncover the secrets of the Witch of Limr Street. As Lily approached the house, she felt a strange sensation wash over her. The wind whispered in her ear, as if warning her to turn back. But she pushed ahead, driven by her curiosity. The front door creaked open, and she cautiously stepped inside. To her surprise, the inside of the house was nothing like the rumors had suggested. It was cozy and filled with warmth, with books lining the walls and a flickering fireplace in the corner. The witch herself, a woman named Eliza, welcomed Lily with a kind smile. Eliza explained that she had been misunderstood by the townspeople. She was not a wicked witch, but rather a wise woman who possessed knowledge of herbs and natural remedies. She had chosen to live a solitary life to protect her secrets from those who might use them for ill intentions. Lily was amazed by Eliza's wealth of knowledge and wisdom. She became a frequent visitor to the witch's house, eager to learn all that she could. Eliza taught her about the healing properties of plants, the power of intuition, and the importance of embracing one's true self. Word of Lily's visits to the Witch of Limr Street began to spread throughout the town. At first, the townspeople were skeptical, but as they witnessed Lily's transformation - from a curious girl to a knowledgeable healer - their fear and prejudice began to diminish. Lily became a bridge between the witch and the townspeople, bringing them together with her newfound wisdom and compassion. The once-feared Witch of Limr Street began to be regarded as a respected member of the community, known for her ability to heal both physical and emotional wounds. And so, the tale of the Witch of Limr Street serves as a reminder that things are not always as they seem. Instead of fear and prejudice, it is through understanding and acceptance that true magic can be found..
Reviews for "The Haunting of Limr Street: The Witch's Revenge"
- Sarah - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "The Witch of Limr Street" based on all the hype, but I have to say I was hugely disappointed. The characters were poorly developed and the plot was extremely predictable. I found myself skimming through pages just to get it over with. Overall, it felt like a wasted opportunity for what could have been a thrilling and intriguing story.
- Mark - 1 star - I have to admit, I just couldn't get into "The Witch of Limr Street". The writing style was not engaging at all, and I found myself constantly distracted while reading. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, making it difficult to connect with the characters. It's a shame because the premise seemed promising, but the execution fell flat.
- Emily - 2 stars - "The Witch of Limr Street" was a major letdown for me. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the story lacked any real depth. The supposed suspense was non-existent, and I found myself wondering when something interesting would actually happen. The ending was unsatisfying and left me feeling like I wasted my time. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating read.