Reviews: Read What Others Are Saying
217 ★★★★★ reviews
150 ★★★★★ reviews
95 ★★★★★ reviews
141 ★★★★★ reviews
Dai Vernon: L'Uomo Che Inganno' Houdini
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Emilio Barzanò (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Saturday 16 May, 2026)
Interessante e con una bibliografia incredibile
Dr. Q's Tarot Telepathy
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Stan Sieler (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 14 May, 2026)
This is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a "telepathy" routine.
There is absolutely no communication of any information about any Tarot card whatsoever.
Instead, it's primarily a few dozen canned readings, organized by querent's gender and age (the only two things communicated, and that not particularly subtly).
Quite disappointing.
"Outs" Precautions and Challenges
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Gregg Webb (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Tuesday 12 May, 2026)
While this may seem like a way to protect yourself from a spectator who gives the wrong information, at the end of a trick, as a way of screwing up the magician just to be mean, I noticed something else. Especially useful to young magicians wanting to get into mentalism, the many ploys and procedures outlined here are useful to someone other than just card guys, and girls. I can remember Ricky Jay once did the Signed Bill in Lemon, and the spectator said at the end "That's not my signature" just to be mean. Imagine if Ricky had a nail writer handy, or some impression device. He knew how to forge signatures. He could have come up with an ending that didn't seem like a failure. I highly recommend this book, especially to young mentalists out there.
Nu Way Out Of This World
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Gregg Webb (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 10 May, 2026)
Almost everything by this author is very good. This is one more example of this. I knew this version...someone showed it to me long ago, but I didn't own a copy and now I do and can see all the details as written. I'm glad I got this download.
Card Shark Issue 1
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Gregg Webb (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 10 May, 2026)
Mr. MacNeil is knowledgeable and modern and can teach via the written word. This digital magazine will be a hit if he can sustain it. I don't see why not.
Thayer's 21st Century Mindreading Act
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Jeffrey Whiting (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 06 May, 2026)
As a keen devotee and practitioner of Two Person codes, I’m always interested in historical methods of this particular branch of mentalism.
Carrington’s 21st Century Act, originally known as the Psycho Act, offers an innovative take on the concept of coding and Q&A. Rather than use 26 separate codewords for the 26 letters of the alphabet, you only have to learn 4 code words, plus 5 prefixes…greatly reducing the learning curve for an act of this nature.
The use of these prefixes also gives you more flexibility in coding with NATURAL sentences rather than some stiff, overly formal dialogue. Likewise, conformation codes are sent with 10 codewords and 2 prefixes. For certain doubled letters/numbers and specific questions, additional words are suggested.
Of particular interest to both historians and modern mentalists are the lists of typical questions and queries. They are arranged logically with alphabetical, common sense abbreviations ie BS (Business Succeed?)
It’s not all-encompassing, or claims to be, but it’s more than enough for real-world applications.
If you come across a question you can’t code, just ask them to see you for a private session later!
I’m reminded of a similar situation with Volta’s Question & Answer act, which gives codes for 180(!) questions - encyclopaedic but too unwieldy for practical purposes, in my opinion.
Disadvantages?
This ISN’T an article act, although Carrington does suggest how to use it as such, but counsels it’s more of a “knockout” ending rather than a full feature!
And yes, some of the language sounds archaic and awkward today, but with his structure, I’m sure any neophyte code act can adapt it to their purposes
The Discoverie of Witchcraft
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Gregg Webb (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 03 May, 2026)
Probably the original source of a lot of our magic and also the philosophy behind it. Every magician owes it to themselves to ground their knowledge with the background of knowing how it began, what it is all about, and why it exists, and how it works. I can remember David Roth, who was the first one on the scene to get really enthused by this book, telling people when they asked who invented a certain trick, "It's in Scott." There are many parts to the book, from the early explanations of the supernatural, to tricks, to demonology, to how to avoid being hauled before the Inquisition. Students of magic should start at the bottom. The foundation.
Elliott's Last Legacy
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Gregg Webb (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 03 May, 2026)
Somebody might like this, but my impression is that the items described seem like Rube Goldberg inventions to me, and besides the fact that I don't like a lot of apparatus in my magic, I don't think these would actually work in a real-world, practical way. The old magazines called these things "pipe dreams", meaning that if you smoked some opium first, you might like these apparatuses better, or maybe that the person doing the inventing was high on something when they thought of them. In any case, that phrase is not a compliment, and unfortunately, because they need props that don't exist, one can't even try the tricks out without having a working machine shop at hand and the ability to make the odd props. Truth be told, I was expecting more card tricks and practical ones.
Gems of Mental Magic
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Gregg Webb (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 03 May, 2026)
This book is from 1935, so you need to update a few things here and there. For example, carbon paper is used in one trick, but you don't see it around much today, but rest assured there is a very good type in art supply stores for transferring a drawing to the canvas for a painting...in fact it looks like it was drawn with a pencil, so is useful to mentalists, and there are more modern papers to make a copy with no visible method, etc. But in general the book outlines some very good mental feats using some very good mentalism principles, explained very well. There are codes and systems that must be learned, and in fact a whole system for memory taught. Bear in mind that these feats require a real show, and a stage, and at least one assistant required for most of the "experiments". But if doing a big show of a mental nature is for you, you really need to have this download. Arthur Buckley is known for his thinking and explaining, and Mr. Cook brings his own expertise to the mix. Remember...not for walk-around strolling, or close-up, or small groups. Stage-size mentalism.
(Contact)Less is More ACAAN
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Richard Weber (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Saturday 02 May, 2026)
One magician friend saw me perform this and said "too much process". But I've shown this to lay friends and it has been a stunner. I'm a mathematician, so I introduce the effect with the line "I've always been interested in random numbers." Despite the process you see in the video the payoff/process ratio is good. A strength of the effect is that the spectator does all the work.
Fake Memory Test
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Jürgen Festerling (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 01 May, 2026)
The trick is very interesting and well done. However, the listing doesn't mention that an extra deck of cards is required for this.
110 Tricks with a Stripper Deck
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by MICHAEL MORRELL (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 27 April, 2026)
Exactly what I was looking for.
Paper to Bills
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Jim Short (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 27 April, 2026)
It's a good thing this is a free download, since all it does is point the reader to a Linking Ring magazine that has an explanation of the effect.
More Than Meets The Eye
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Jim Short (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 27 April, 2026)
Mr. Harlan is an experienced and accomplished performer and it shows in this manuscript. He gives incredibly solid advice on building an act. Performing and describing a performance are two different skill sets. Most performers aren't good writers. Fortunately for us, Mr. Harlan, in addition to his great performance skills, is also a very good writer. The material is described clearly, and he goes not only into the 'what, but also the 'why'.
Please note that there are no tricks explained. This is a how-to on taking the material you already know and organizing it into a solid show. Dan also requires you to do some homework. It's not at all difficult, and it is the driving force behind creating a good act.
ESPecial Double Divination
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Jim Short (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 27 April, 2026)
There is nothing new here, but it's a solid piece of mentalism. It's nice that the cards aren't marked in any way.
If I were to perform this for other magicians I wouldn't use the CIRCLE /CROSS /WAVY LINES /SQUARE /STAR setup Mr. Czaja suggests, as that is well-known (for the neophyte it would have been nice to explain why that order is used). For a lay audience that setup is fine.
Ropesational
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Jonathan Brown
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 26 April, 2026)
I first learned this routine from this booklet in 1973. After seeing Richard Mis as well as Russ Douton perform it at a magic gathering. I had to learn it..it had and has everything for a great rope routine! Multiple cut and restored, sliding and vanishing knots, jumping ends! Long before Daryl or Fiber Optics, this was the original multiphase rope miracle! And there was no rope to replace, it lasts for years!
However, this booklet was the only way to learn it at the time. (Now I think Alan Sands teaches it as a download). And despite the many illustrations in the booklet, it is not an easy thing to learn. When I first started to learn it, I would repeat it 20 times a day for several months, until it got into my 'bones'. I've been doing it for over 50 years and I have edited the routine somewhat. That is part of the beauty of this booklet is that you can shorten the routine and use just one or two phases if you wish. I have taught it to a few performers on an individual basis, but having this booklet to refer to definitely makes the learning curve much smoother. I don't always include this in a show anymore, but it is always in my bag as a backup! A small miracle that is good for several minutes of startling entertainment and humor! My highest recommendation!
Fred Kaps' Currency
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by jeff lefton (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 23 April, 2026)
Very good trick. Enjoyed the manuscript.
Tested Ten-Card Poker Deal
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by jeff lefton (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 23 April, 2026)
good. clear presentation. Nice routine.
Adamathica
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Jandy Erxman (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 17 April, 2026)
It's ACAAN. The method is fooling if you have the means of secretly obtaining the number. But the trick has an immense amount of dealing. You deal the whole deck at least twice. It's boring.
Big Easy Card Cunning
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Will Yates (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 16 April, 2026)
The tricks are very good, but I'm giving it 4 stars because the crediting is abysmal.
Water and Oil
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by David Walker (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 16 April, 2026)
For $5, the method taught here is indeed clever—it is in my opinion more like a 16-card 'Packet Out of This World' presented as an Oil and Water routine. It is 'easy to perform' once you understand the moves, but getting there is a struggle.
The Pros: The 'Double Separation' move is a very smart way to sort cards. It plays much larger than a standard 8-card Oil and Water.
The Cons: Audio Quality: The vocal track is extremely low and buried under jarringly loud music transitions. Between the volume and the creator’s accent, the 'thorough explanation' mentioned in the ad was almost impossible to follow.
Technical Handling: I had to visually decode the Elmsley Count and Double Lift sections because the audio was so poor.
Misleading Title: This is much more of an OTW effect than a traditional Oil and Water.
If you are an experienced card worker who can learn by watching hands, it's worth the $5. If you are a beginner who needs clear audio to learn, look elsewhere.
Water Wizardry
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by David Walker (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 16 April, 2026)
Review: Water Wizardry by Dave Arch
Format: MP4 Digital Download (Instructional Video)
Water Wizardry is a professional-grade routine that proves you don't need expensive gimmicks to create a "stage-filling" miracle. Dave Arch, known for his Craft Store Magic philosophy, provides a masterclass in how to turn a few cents' worth of paper sacks and a bottle of water into a piece of theatrical "transportation." The routine focuses on one paper cup but another one is required for the easy DIY gimmick. Another cup or container is used to pour the transported water to ''prove'' it actually transported from one bag to the other.
The video instruction is clear and deliberate. Arch doesn't just show the "how-to"; he demonstrates the logistics of handling the cup of liquid, which is often the most intimidating part for a performer. By focusing on the physical choreography, he ensures that the performer feels secure and the "dirty work" remains invisible.
The highlight of this download is the masterful pacing. Arch avoids the common mistake of rushing the setup. He allows the "Transportation" narrative to breathe, giving the audience time to process the departure of the water before revealing its arrival. This deliberate speed makes the magic feel like a natural phenomenon rather than a suspicious sleight-of-hand trick.
This is the ultimate "Pack Flat, Play Big" routine. Because it uses everyday items, it works equally well in an intimate living room or a larger parlor/stage setting.
Pros: Reliable method, extremely low reset cost, and highly engaging narrative. Cons: Requires a steady hand and attention to the specific "pacing" taught in the video to be most effective and amazing.
Final Verdict For $10, this is an incredible value for any "worker" looking for a reliable, audience interactive, non-card routine. It rewards the performer who values presentation and audience connection over complex finger-flicking.
Paint Brush Color Change
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Jordan Petersen (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 15 April, 2026)
No picture instructions, but that's ok because I still want to learn the paint brush color change
Streamlined Newspaper Prediction
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by David Calhoun (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Saturday 11 April, 2026)
Interesting improvement over the previous "stack as you tear" work.
Bloom Miracle Poker Machine
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Alexander Straker (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Saturday 04 April, 2026)
The best version of this effect ever created by far, far simpler than the old Al Stanger calculator where the Texas Instruments machine needed to have the batteries maintained or you lost the program. The effect itself has always been a reputation maker but this dedicated and compact simple device with a clearer input and output system elevates the magic and makes it practical. Fantastic!
The Sphinx Volume 22 (Mar 1923 - Feb 1924)
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Ian Hirst (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 03 April, 2026)
Fantastic value
Alone and Deckless
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Jackson McClean (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 03 April, 2026)
I am one of the youngest Junior members of the Academy of Magical Arts housed at the Magic Castle. The description does not tell you it involves math, as well as there being a lot of “funky” ideas that don’t really work while performing to a group of people who know what a deck of cards is. (you do not do the math, the spectator does (I’d say is worse))
Giveaway Magic for the Hometown Magician
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Joel Howlett (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 22 March, 2026)
A great tool!
Thanks for making these giveaways available.