Invisible Stranger

THE BLURB:
It hides in Shows and Impersonates the Innocent

Frustrated with complicated billet peeks that are cleverer
on the page than in the field? Tired of having to shove
unfolded business cards in your wallet just to read them?
Hate switching slips because it's so unnatural and you're
sure to be caught with the hidden note? Then take a modern
look at an ancient page from the descent of medium's
notebook and use the cunning brilliance of...

The Invisible Stranger

This 44 page book is jammed with detailed information,
illustrations, and photographs. it's really THREE
MANUSCRIPTS IN ONE BOOK! It contains...

An invaluable method of billet reading that allows you to
openly read a billet in front of the audience more easily
than with a peek or a wallet.

A full routined, scripted and audience tested. ACT that's
truly Real Time Mentalism and completely impromptu. 20 YEARS
in actual Performance.

A detailed, step-by-step self working method of selling the
act to a PROVEN market that's been searching for someone
like you for years.

The Invisible Stranger is a combination of contemporary
techniques blended with a closely guarded secret of spirit
mediums. Its bold and direct methodology can be applied to
hundreds of mental effects.

The new and improved Strangers in the Night is one of
Docc's signature pieces. It showcases the mind reader's
ability to look at women and tell if they're thinking of a
friend, lover or someone else, whether the friend is male or
female, disclose their name and accurately describe the
friend who isn't even present! And apparently BEFORE
touching a billet!

And as a BONUS, a quarter of the book is devoted to how,
where and to whom you can sell this act for a solid, steady
income. You'll learn everything about booking enough gigs to
show off your new talent, perform part time or be one of a
few select mentalist will exploit this market for all it's
worth. Mentalists have paid Docc a high fee to teach them
how to successfully work the Ladies Club Market. Only about
half a dozen mentalists now work this lucrative and hidden
gold mine.

Pages 44 - Saddle Stitched

MY COMMENTS:
I've pretty much established that I think Docc is one of
mentalism's best thinkers. However, his ads, which are
often over-the-top, can be a bit misleading. So, let's just
get straight to the point and then we'll discuss the ad
details that count and the ones that may be a bit off.

This is a well-designed billet revelation routine, similar
to classics such as Psi-Graphico, Fourth Dimensional
Telepathy, and many others. I'm tempted to say it's an
instant classic, but, as of this writing, I haven't
performed it, so I'll stop short of claiming that. In time,
perhaps this will be. One thing is for sure: there are so
many really clever components that you can take and use them
in your other Q&A type routines, such as the ones I just
mentioned.

The cover proclaims that's it a "A Fully Scripted Act in
Your Pocket." This is not quite 100% correct as you require
a small clear bowl to put the billets in. This statement
assumes you can borrow one at the venue that will suit the
routine. If not, you can keep one with you, such as in the
car. Still, the point is that it is quite portable. The
only other requirement is that you need at least four
participants to perform this for.

The claim that this is three booklets in one is true. The
basic part of this is the effect and method of the routine.
Then there's a section on billet handling and reading that
comprises another section. Finally, there is the marketing
section on how to sell this act. Docc's even included a
page at the end that outlines the act for easy reference.

About the only real criticism I have (and it's a minor one)
is that the book references Docc's One Handed Medium Switch
which can be found in Return of the Invisible Stranger and
is not explained. At the time of this writing, this book,
apparently the second in a series which begins with this
one, is not available, which may be frustrating to those
interested in learning it immediately. However, Docc
informed me that the book should be released this summer
2008, so one won't have to wait too long.

On the back of the book, it states that there is a free 500
word e-report. In the last pages, Docc explains that this
is a report on marketing philosophy. It's not included in
the booklet. You must send him an e-mail for it. And, as
you might expect from Docc, it's got some great information
on marketing and being free, it's certainly worth it. But
it is a teaser to buy his book, Secrets to Perfect Paid
Performances, which I will also recommend.

For those who are reading this and are not fans of Docc
Hilford's previous, extraordinary releases such as E'Voque,
Cellular Mitosis, Nostrum Necromancy, Number 6, The Book of
Numbers, or System 88, you definitely want to pass on this.
Move along. There's no need to frustrate yourselves. Don't
waste your money. Jump to the next item in my catalog. I
won't mind a bit.

But for those who do Q&A and are looking for intriguing new
ideas or are looking for a solid and tested routine that
meets the criteria of what's described above, this is a text
that you'll definitely enjoy. I certainly feel that this is
among Docc's best releases and he should have charged more.
Perform this once for a ladies group and you'll earn back
much more than the purchase price of this.