What’s in the box?

You receive a really nicely printed set of coffee shop loyalty cards. A lot of attention to detail has gone into these – they are different shapes and sizes and colours – and have even been hand-stamped to add authenticity. No one is going to question these.

You also get access to a 21 minute instructional video which you can watch online or download, and a pdf download which contains detailed written instructions in Paul’s usual clear and easy to read style. The video-based teaching covers very much the same ground but for those who prefer to watch!

The routines

The basic routine is a mind-reading one where you can reveal which card the spectator has chosen. But there are multiple ways for the performer to discern this information – which gives you some scope for creativity.
There are some helpful tips on performing this routine – which would also have relevance for other routines you may perform.

Hidden in the cards are some other features which can be used to force numbers which might be used in other effects – for example a book test. There are also colour variations in the cards which could be used as the basis for a cold reading.

I’m sure other ideas will present themselves with use.

Like Paul, I’m a big fan of magic which can be done with innocent looking ‘props’ which you would quite naturally carry around. The nature of this effect means you can jazz your presentation a bit to fit your context. It takes up very little space in your pocket and could get a decent reaction for not much effort. Recommended.

Cool Beans is available from the Merchant of Magic for £27.50 (at the time of writing).

Review copy kindly provided by Murphys Magic to whom dealer enquiries should be directed.

Paul Brook – Cool Beans – review

3.9 / 5 Reviewer

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The post Paul Brook – Cool Beans – review appeared first on Bicycle Cards.

Let’s get the details of the effect out of the way. The essential effect is simple – your spectator sets the combination on a combination padlock. Without watching them you are able to correctly reveal the combination – or present it in any manner of mind-reading dressing. The padlock can be freely examined with nothing to discover.

Nothing to discover

That last phrase is crucial since you are, in fact, supplied with an ‘ordinary’ padlock. The 40 page e-book which you can download online describes a technique/knack which will enable you to perform the effect or its variations.

As ever with Paul’s releases, the ebook is beautifully written and explanations are fairly clear. You’ll also pick up some great presentational nuggets on the way. However, the lock supplied doesn’t quite correspond to the description in the instructions (perhaps the mass-release through Murphys utilises a different lock?) and after diligently working through the instructions, I found that I just couldn’t get the knack.

Locked in conflict

This makes me slightly hesitant to be negative, since the fault may be with my technique/understanding, rather than with the lock itself. But on the other hand the issue may be with the lock. And without replacing it and testing another one it is rather hard to say.

I have noticed a few people with these kinds of issues on some of the forums – and Paul has very kindly offered to do some Skype tuition with them – which is another sign of what a decent bloke he is. But for me, these initial problems put it into the category of something I’m unlikely to use.

Final thoughts

I do own at least one ‘gaffed’ version of this kind of effect (from memory a Mick Hanzlik release) and there are pros and cons to both. With the gaffed version it is extremely easy for you to operate – so little to worry about on the mechanics of it. On the other hand, it wouldn’t bear much scrutiny, and you need to work harder on your presentation to cover the ‘tell’. With this ‘ungaffed’ version there is nothing for the audience to discover, however you’ll have to work much harder on the technique.

Different approaches will suit different people. And the advantage to using a routine you have to work harder at is that fewer people will be performing it!

We leave you to make up your own mind which approach suits you better.

Locked in Thought is available from Merchant of Magic for £64.50 (at the time of writing).

Review copy kindly provided by Murphys Magic to whom dealer enquiries should be directed.

The post Paul Brook – Locked in Thought – review appeared first on Bicycle Cards.

What is it?

Networker is essentially a collection of business cards which have been created in such a way as to provide you with a whole range of impressive mental magic possibilities. They take a well-worn principle in magic, apply it to business cards and then keep adding devious level after devious level of subtlety to create some really strong effects.

You can perform a basic prediction effect, predict a famous person merely thought of by the spectator, duplicate an image randomly thought of by the spectator, divine their birthday or star sign, reveal a word from a website and potentially other effects too.

What do you get?

A really nicely produced stack of thirty business cards printed on good quality card stock which should last a long time, and protected by an innocuous plastic business card holder. There is also a link to a site where you can download Paul Brook’s well-written and fully illustrated instructions.

Paul writes well and takes you through every detail of how to perform the effects and extra subtleties to include. I’m always interested in the genesis of effects and so I enjoyed his introduction explaining how the current release came to be.

If you look closely at some of the business cards you’ll also enjoy a few magicians’ in-jokes (I think my favourite was the company B, C and B – but you’ll have to buy it and look that one up for yourself!). But don’t be concerned – this wouldn’t draw any attention to the cards for a layperson – they appear completely innocent and should arouse no suspicion.

Is it practical?

Networker is a fantastic concept which has been brilliantly executed. It is all but self-working (with the usual caveats about audience management which are often particularly important in the world of mentalism) – but has the flexibility built in for an impressive range of effects. It takes up next to no space in your pocket and is instantly re-set!

I love the subtle ways in which Paul layers different principles to create utterly baffling magic. You can see that he is someone who has studied his art well. His writing is crisp and straight-forward – and I, for one, much prefer printed instructions for this kind of effect than video – so that was a good choice.

Apart from the ‘innocence’ factor of using business cards, it potentially also adds a little ‘credibility’ to you, the performer, that you should have such a range of cards (and therefore contacts). In any kind of corporate environment where business cards are handed out all the time it provides a perfect justification for using them. You also have the opportunity to hand out one of your own cards, or to get hold of theirs.

So this comes highly recommended for anyone working in that world. I’m struggling to find any negative. Perhaps the only one would be that one of the core ideas requires you to draw on the business cards – so if you want to change your routine you will have to buy another set, which is quite an investment. However, Paul encourages you to think carefully before you rush in to drawing on them – and I would do the same!

NetWorker is available direct from MagicShop.co.uk for £36.50 (at the time of writing).

Review copy kindly provided by Murphys Magic to whom dealer enquiries should be directed.

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