Horror Story Review: "Imprisoned with the Pharaohs" by H. P. Lovecraft

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This tale, often attributed to Harry Houdini, was ghostwritten for him by H. P. Lovecraft. It is told in the first person from Houdini’s perspective. While travelling between international gigs, Houdini stops in Egypt for some vacation time with his wife. Much to his surprise, he’s kidnapped by a crooked travel guide (gotta watch out for them travel guides, ‘specially the furinners, ya know). He eventually makes his escape (he is Houdiniafter all) but not before getting into a fistfight atop the Great Pyramid of Giza and witnessing rites to the ancient gods of Egypt and being subjected to some ancient Lovecraftian horror. It’s presented as a true story, with maybe a nightmare interruption, as happened to Houdini fourteen years earlier. He’ll vouch for the old-fashioned shakedown by shady locals who wanted to take advantage of his fame, which he was tricked in to revealing. The rest of it—well? This is a lot of fun and I can imagine Houdini and Lovecraft laughing over it. According to Wikipedia, Lovecraft was paid quite handsomely for it. Houdini himself was pleased with it and offered Lovecraft other ghostwriting jobs and collaborating jobs until he died two years later. Reading this is a lot of fun, but does, at they say in the country, require hip-waders. Knowing that is humbug going in is perhaps the best way to approach this cute piece. This novelette is in the public domain and is available at: It’s also available as an audiobook on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZUFhQCKsig I offer both because I don’t think your phone will open the link, Scott. I don’t know which link myLot will take. _____ Title: “Imprisoned with the Pharaohs” Author: H. P. Lovecraft, ghostwriting for Harry Houdini First published: Ghost written to order for Harry Houdini in February/March 1924 and first published, under Houdini's byline, in the May/June/July 1924 issue of Weird Tales. Source: ISFDB