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Sorry if this has been reviewed before, but I couldn't find it using the search function, or Google.

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The Plot Thickens
By Oliver Meech

Cost: £12.49
Difficulty: 1 or 2 (Presentation is key)
Overall: 10/10

What can I say about this book that has not been said in its countless other stunning reviews? The answer is not much! I believe too much of magic revolves around cards, coins, sponge balls, silks and all that stuff traditionally associated with magicians. So when Meech, in his introduction, states that the book contains “no ace assemblies, no coins across, no sponge balls, and definitely no bra trick” I knew I was in safe hands!

Many of the effects involve unusual items: not uncommon items, as every one should be familiar to you, but items which are not usually associated with magicians. And is there any better way to convince an audience of your magical abilities than by using items which they see every day? I think not! Even though many of the effects utilise coins and cards, they are used in a manner which is so dissimilar to that which has been seen before, they seem fresh and exciting, like that day you learned your first sleight. And that is what this book is all about: fresh and exciting plots.

If you’re looking for an in-depth analysis of all the effects in this book, this isn’t the review for you. Instead, I’m going to pick the effect that stands out to me from each of the 4 sections of the book: cards, coins, mentalism and miscellaneous objects. None of the effects in any of these sections require knuckle-busting sleight of hand; instead they rely on a memorable performance, and the excellent thinking behind them.

So on with the cards section. I have to say, my favourite effect from this part is without a doubt the very first effect in the book: “Invisible Man”. What could be better than turning a spectator completely see-through, in order for another spectator to see which card has been selected? This is an ingenious effect that has so many possibilities. Off the top of my head I can think of 3 or 4 possible ways to dress this up, and the simple methodology allows the magician to concentrate on delivering a stand-out performance.

Next up is money magic, and for me the most impressionable effect in this section is “X-Ray Coin”. Imagine a spectator swallowing a coin, and it appearing on an x-ray of their stomach. Could you do anything cooler with a coin? I think not! Once again Meech has delivered an original plot, which, after all, is the main aim of his book. Continuing the theme of simple methods, this effect will blow away spectators and magicians alike, and you’ll laugh at how simple it really is!

“Psychic Strumming” is next on the agenda. Maybe it’s because I play the guitar myself, but the thought of spectators air-guitaring their way throughout an effect just spurs me on to learn this beauty! In Meech’s very own words, “the name of a selected song appears on a plectrum held by a spectator”. Add to this the fact that you never actually touch the plectrum with your hands, and you have a strong mentalism effect which, once again, is helped along the way by ingenious thinking.

Finally, we move onto the chapter that deals with ‘other stuff’. In “On With His Head!”, the performer magically moves a person around a photograph, so that his head is no longer cut off. If ever there was an effect that could be performed to children in the context of Harry Potter, this is it! Moving pictures, magic? It’s like JK herself wrote it! (The JK mentioned of course, being Ms Rowling, and not the singer of the same name!) A strong effect that, with the right patter could befuddle any spectator!

So that’s it; hardly the most comprehensive interview out there, but a selection of the book to whet your appetite. If you’ve been dithering about whether or not to buy this book, then dither no more! Get it now and enjoy Meech’s casual, jokey writing style and, unusually for a magic book, a game for you, the reader, to play along with as you read! Also included is a small reference section, allowing you to see Meech’s own inspiration when creating these effects.

Oliver Meech’s next book, Plot Twists, is out later this year. But for now, this is fast becoming one of my favourite conjuring reads.

Get this book from http://www.olivermeech.com and while you’re at it, join the mailing list. It’s fab!

I really should stop coming to the review section it always ends badly for my finances!

I'm signed up to Oliver's newsletter and find it very informative, I've been thinking about buying a copy of the plot thickens for a couple of weeks now and i think your review may have just swayed my hand.

I just can't control myself its terrible *Slaps hand as it reaches for wallet*

It looks like a fine book--but an unfortunate choice for a title. I just checked amazon and discovered several others with the same name:

Mary Higgins Clark (fiction)
Noah Lukeman (fiction writing)
Galadriel Waters (A Harry Potter expose, or something)
Jim McNeely (Audio CD)
Deep Brian (MP3 download)
Galliano (Audio CD)
and even a Norman Rockwell print of the same name.
as well as a Magnum PI episode on DVD,
plus at least half a dozen others

But not-a-one by Oliver Meech!

why search amazon though? i got mine from alakazam...its about on other sites too...

Easiest place is direct from his site: www.olivermeech.co.uk (slightly wrong in the review )

I also signed up for his newsletter and he sends a free ebook with tricks upon request !
The book looks nice too (I hear a CUPS daemon in my head).

Service for this on lulu as a 'print on demand' item is very good. Order placed last Thursday, confirmation of despatch received late Monday.

I hate you all... you're so bad for my wallet you lot are!! Just as I get through one financial crisis you lot and your flaming reviews make me spend spend spend!!!


I love you really

Mandrake wrote:Order placed last Thursday, confirmation of despatch received late Monday.

and it arrived 10 minutes ago !

Hi guys,

This is my first post on talk magic. Thank you for your interest and comments, and to beetlejuiceecis for taking the time to review the book.

I've been creating for about 10 years now so it's great to finally share my thinking with other magicians.

Btw, if anyone has any questions about the plot thickens or its development then I'd be most happy to answer them.

Cheers,

Oliver

Nightfall wrote:(I hear a CUPS daemon in my head).

Likewise! After reading this review I imagine the £12.49 will have left my account by the time I go home today. Which makes a total of over £150 worth of magic purchases for the day. Oops!

Thanks for the review Eoin.

After a swift scan I can see several routines in there which are very do-able! Most outstanding so far is where you get a spec to initial a coin, make him magically swallow it and to prove he's done so, produce an X-Ray photo showing the initialled coin in his stomach adn this can be given out as a memento of the event - gotta be good fun!

Can I just say WELCOME OLIVER to those who missed his appearance!!

It's always great to get the originators of effects and such ilk coming along o communicate about their products!! Most notable recently being Monsieur Jacquin, so welcome Oliver!! Welcome to our friendly, sometimes firm (out of necessity) and welcoming club!!

I have GOT to stop reading the reviews sections...

Add me to the list of people who went straight from here to Lulu. And, never knowingly understanding the phrase "too much of a good thing", went ahead and bought another four books besides this one. Is there a word for the inability to enter a bookshop without browsing?

olivermeech wrote:Hi guys,

This is my first post on talk magic. Thank you for your interest and comments, and to beetlejuiceecis for taking the time to review the book.

I've been creating for about 10 years now so it's great to finally share my thinking with other magicians.

Btw, if anyone has any questions about the plot thickens or its development then I'd be most happy to answer them.

Cheers,

Oliver

Welcome Oliver, nice to see you here.