The Definitive Mental Mysteries of Hector Chadwick

One of the most coveted modern mentalism books ever written is finally available again!

"One of the great unsung heroes of original and fooling magic.”Derren Brown

“Hector’s a phenomenon.”Andy Nyman

In the late 2000’s, a young underground UK performer known as Hector Chadwick self-published a book The Mental Mysteries of Hector Chadwick. Bursting with novel and intriguing concepts, this book was a sensational breath of fresh air in a mentalism community desperate for truly innovative ideas. It sold out quickly and mentalists have been clamoring for it to be reprinted for years.

The Mental Mysteries of Hector Chadwick is now back. And is better than ever. Every routine has been rewritten and updated along with illustrations to create the “definitive” version of this iconic book. Plus, more than 50 pages filled with new routines and invaluable essays have been added.

After reading this book, it will be quite obvious to you why Derren Brown (who wrote the foreword) has trusted Hector to help him write numerous award-winning theatrical and TV shows.

Mentalism books often have a reputation for being dense and tough to read. The Definitive Mental Mysteries of Hector Chadwick doesn’t just break that mold, it shatters it into a million pieces. A writer by trade, Hector’s clever thinking and sharp prose will inspire you to rethink your material and be a better performer. Don’t let the light-hearted tone of this book fool you, the material in here is pure gold.

Across the nearly 260 pages of this gorgeous hardcover book, you’ll find a variety of practical, well-constructed mentalism effects, along with captivating essays on some of the most important elements of mentalism. His perspective on equivoque is worth the price of admission alone. You’ll even be treated to what is quite possibly the shortest magic essay ever published.

Effects included in The Definitive Mental Mysteries of Hector Chadwick

Keys
A psychometry routine using four sets of keys—three of which are returned to their owners, the fourth of which is described in detail, despite remaining hidden from view.

An Astrological Aside
The nonchalant revelation of a participant’s star sign. Nothing is written down.

The Paper Plane Chair Game
A completely open prediction of which chair a randomly selected participant will sit in.

Reds & Blacks
The color divination of an endless stream of cards from a spectator-shuffled deck.

A Card Behind
A spectator correctly senses the identity of a playing card (or three).

Shriek
An impromptu prediction of an elaborately-selected card.

One Hundred Pages
A participant takes a book to the other side of the room, opens it, and thinks of a word on the page. The performer divines it. Impromptu and impossible.

Equivoque À Deux
A routine with an unique exploration of equivoque that relies on nothing but words and gestures. You’ll be amazed to learn that equivoque doesn’t need to be confusing or ambiguous. In fact, the language can be quite concrete.

Mars & Murrie
Another equivoque routine in which Hector explores how the method can be strengthened by giving careful consideration to the manner in which we eliminate objects.

The Windsor Magnet
A prop-less and gimmick-less pseudo-hypnosis routine in which a volunteer loses their ability to lift the arm of a person much smaller than them.

Tossed Out Q&A
Hector’s signature approach to one of mentalism’s strongest and most iconic effects.

These amazing mentalism routines are accompanied by thought-provoking essays touching on a variety of important topics from justification for writing down a thought to examining clichés in magic.

How does the The Definitive Mental Mysteries of Hector Chadwick differ from the “original edition” and previous “revised editions?”:

• Two new tricks including a mind-boggling card magic miracle called “Shriek” that was previously only available in rare lecture notes and a brand-new impromptu book test call “One Hundred Pages" that can be performed from across the room
  

• Five additional essays offering a unique perspective on essential mentalism themes such as predictions, scripting and the one-ahead principle
  

• More than 50 extra pages in total
  

• Illustrations by Hector himself have also been added
  

If you have a checklist for buying a new book, we assure you The Definitive Mental Mysteries of Hector Chadwick checks every box. Both mentalists and magicians alike will find this material worthy of careful study and will continue to be inspired by it for years to come.

"The Mental Mysteries of Hector Chadwick is a Modern Classic. I perform routines from the book to this day, and reading the essays made me a better magician. It is such an important book to me."Andrew Frost (@sleightlyobsessed)

"Quite possibly my favorite magic book I’ve ever read. And I’ve read at least four."Marc Kerstein

"We had the genuine joy of reading The Mental Mysteries of Hector Chadwick for the first time some eight years after we started performing magic together, and were quite cross that it had not been in our hands much, much earlier. We have no doubts that you will love this book just as much as we do. Which is a lot. A huge amount really."Morgan & West

“Genuinely the most inspiring, useful, and intelligent mentalism book I have ever purchased.”Chris Cox

“Hector Chadwick is, in my opinion, the best writer in mentalism. His prose is always full of wisdom (without any pretense or posturing); it is witty, insightful and crystal-clear in meaning and description. When I'm asked what my 5 favorite mentalism books are, ‘The Mental Mysteries of Hector Chadwick’ is always at the top of my list.”Tom Baxter