Midnight Sessions by The Unnamed Magician and Ryan Schlutz

Effect

Midnight Sessions presents a series of card tricks designed to astonish both lay audiences and magicians. In one routine, a spectator shuffles and cuts the deck, selects two cards, and buries them back into the pack. Despite the apparent fairness of the shuffle, the magician reveals both chosen cards with precision. The performances are framed within a noir detective narrative, adding an immersive storytelling layer to the magic.

Full Details

Midnight Sessions is a 300-page book containing 17 card magic routines. The material is structured like a mystery novel, with each chapter presenting a trick as a puzzle for the reader to solve before revealing the method. The book includes over 100 black-and-white photos to aid learning. Most effects focus on pick-a-card plots, with some incorporating predictions and telepathy-style reveals. The methods rely on clever thinking rather than complex sleight of hand, making them accessible to a wide range of performers.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This book is ideal for magicians who enjoy:

• Self-working or low-skill card magic.
• Themed presentations with storytelling elements.
• Material designed to fool both laypeople and magicians.
• Interactive puzzles that challenge the performer’s problem-solving skills.

It may not suit those looking for highly visual or physically demanding sleight-of-hand routines.

Information on How Difficult It Is to Perform

The difficulty level varies, but most routines prioritize mental agility over technical skill. Some tricks involve calculations or procedural steps that require careful handling, but none demand advanced card techniques. Intermediate magicians will find the material manageable, while beginners may need extra practice to ensure smooth execution.

What Magicians Say

• SaturnMagicShop highlights the book’s accessibility, noting that the routines "astonish both layman and seasoned magicians."
• EruditeMagic praises the noir storytelling approach, calling it "a brain teaser for card magicians" and rates it 8/10 for value and artistic merit. They also mention that the methods are "devious" and designed to fool knowledgeable audiences.
• Craig Petty (Magic TV) acknowledges the book’s popularity among fans of self-working magic, though he personally prefers more technical material.

Midnight Sessions offers a unique blend of storytelling and clever card magic, making it a compelling choice for performers who enjoy immersive presentations and methodical thinking.