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Spy Hard by Peter Turner

Created by: Peter Turner

Spy Hard is a captivating mentalism trick where the magician uses a lighter to make written information vanish into thin air. This close-up magic piece is perfect for intimate performances, blending simplicity with a strong magical effect. The trick is part of Peter Turner's Masterclass, which delves into advanced mentalism techniques while keeping the methodology accessible. Buyers should note that while the method is straightforward, the presentation and psychological subtleties elevate it to a professional level.

Key features

  • Uses a lighter as a prop for a visually striking vanish

  • Teaches advanced mentalism techniques in an accessible way

  • Part of a broader masterclass covering multiple tricks and concepts

  • Suitable for close-up performances

Pros

  • Strong visual impact with the vanish

  • Clear and detailed teaching by Peter Turner

  • Versatile for various performance settings

  • Enhances understanding of mentalism subtleties

Cons

  • Requires practice to master the presentation

  • Lighter prop may not be suitable for all performance environments

Effect

Spy Hard is a mentalism trick where a piece of written information appears to vanish in a surprising way. The performer uses a lighter to make the information disappear, creating a moment of mystery. The effect is clean and direct, leaving the audience with no obvious explanation for how the information could have vanished.

Full details

Spy Hard is taught in Peter Turner’s Masterclass by Vanishing Inc. It builds on techniques from another trick called Peekaboo, which uses billets (small pieces of paper) for secret information gathering. In Spy Hard, the method is simple but deceptive, relying on a clever use of a lighter to make the information disappear. The trick also incorporates principles of equivocation, where the performer subtly guides the audience’s perception without them realizing it.

The routine is designed to feel organic, avoiding the usual "magician’s choice" approach that can sometimes feel forced. Instead, it uses natural language and presentation to make the effect seem impossible.

Who should consider the trick

Spy Hard is ideal for magicians interested in mentalism or those looking to add a quick, visual vanish to their repertoire. It works well for performers who enjoy direct, impactful effects with minimal props. Since it builds on basic billet techniques, it’s accessible to beginners but also offers depth for more experienced mentalists.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The trick is not technically demanding, relying more on presentation and timing than complex sleight of hand. However, selling the effect convincingly requires confidence in handling the lighter and managing audience attention. The psychological aspects, such as equivocation, may take practice to perform smoothly.

What magicians say

Steve Faulkner from RealMagicReview praised Spy Hard, calling it "really cool" and highlighting how Peter Turner’s approach makes simple techniques feel like miracles. He noted that Turner’s teaching helps magicians overcome the "magician’s guilt" of using straightforward methods by showing how to present them effectively. Faulkner also appreciated the trick’s boldness and the way it integrates with other mentalism principles.

Overall, Spy Hard is described as a strong addition to a mentalist’s toolkit, combining simplicity with strong audience impact.

What people are saying about Spy Hard

Steve Faulkner says...

Spy Hard is really cool—the information actually vanishes, and Peter Turner's approach to equivocation makes it feel completely different from what you'd expect.

Review videos