Foronecharismatickid,thedangerousworldoftheForestoftheDeadbecomesthesettingfortheultimateescapetrickinthisexcitingdebutnovel.JackCarrhasbeenshuttledfromfosterhometogrouphometofosterhomehisentirelife.Theonlyconstanthasbeenhisinterestinmagic,especiallyhandcuffescapeslikethosemasteredbyhishero,HarryHoudini.Whenhe'splacedwiththeProfessor,however,hefeelslikehe'sfinallyfoundahome—buthisnewguardianishidingadangeroussecret.YearsagotheProfessorbarteredhissoultotheundeadmagicianMussini,andwhenthepaymentisdue,hesendsJackinhisplace.JackmusttravelwithMussinitotheForestoftheDead,aplaceinbetweentherealworldandtheafterlife,wherehe'sforcedtoperforminMussini'stravelingmagicshow.IfhestaysintheForestlongenough,he'lldiehimself.Tofindhiswayhome,he'llhavethehelpofMussini'sother"minions"—kidsstolenjustlikeJack—andhiswits,nothingmore.Canhefollowtheexampleofhishero,Houdini,andescapetheinescapable?