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Tackling Terrifying Taboos: The Eighth Haunting by Jamie D. Grant

Created by: Jamie D. Grant

Tackling Terrifying Taboos: The Eighth Haunting is the eighth installment in a series of magic performances that blend close-up and stage magic with a strong narrative and macabre theme. Designed by Jamie D. Grant, this volume features eight routines structured around a room-by-room haunted house narrative, making it ideal for theatrical settings, Halloween events, or any performance emphasizing atmosphere and storytelling. Effects include an undetectable, un-gimmicked candle that can be extinguished remotely, a morgue mystery with an inexplicable cause of death, a cautionary tale involving children and matches, a minimalist piece using paper and a drawn crucifix, and a life-or-death Tarot card revelation. Buyers should note that this is part of a long-running series, requiring no prior knowledge but benefiting from an appreciation for dark, story-driven magic. It is aimed at magicians who value innovation in method and presentation, offering a cohesive experience rather than isolated tricks.

Key features

  • Eighth volume in the Tackling Terrifying Taboos series, returning after a 2024 hiatus

  • Blends close-up and stage magic with a unified narrative structure

  • Includes eight routines, each with its own story and method

  • Features innovative methods, such as an un-gimmicked remote candle extinction

  • Emphasizes atmospheric and theatrical presentation for macabre themes

  • Suitable for performances around Halloween or in theatrical settings

  • Aimed at magicians who value storytelling and mood in their acts

Pros

  • Strong narrative integration enhances audience engagement

  • Methodical innovation ensures clean and deceptive effects

  • Versatile for both close-up and stage performances

  • Atmospheric and suspenseful tone adds uniqueness to magic sets

Cons

  • May not appeal to magicians preferring straightforward, non-thematic tricks

  • Requires performance skills in storytelling and atmosphere building

  • Higher focus on narrative might overshadow pure magical technique for some

Effect

Tackling Terrifying Taboos: The Eighth Haunting presents a series of magic routines that create a dark and suspenseful experience for the audience. Spectators see a candle extinguish on its own, witness a morgue mystery with an unexplained death, and observe a Tarot card reveal under life-or-death circumstances. The effects are woven into a narrative that moves through different haunted rooms, blending close-up and stage magic to build an eerie and theatrical atmosphere.

Full details

This is the eighth volume in the Tackling Terrifying Taboos series. It contains eight magic routines connected by a room-by-room story structure. The effects include an ungimmicked candle that can be extinguished remotely, a routine about children playing with matches, a minimalist effect using paper and a drawn crucifix, and a Tarot card revelation. Each routine is designed with a specific story and method, focusing on atmospheric presentation and methodical innovation. The material is suitable for both close-up and stage performances, with an emphasis on macabre themes.

Who should consider the trick

Tackling Terrifying Taboos: The Eighth Haunting is for magicians who perform in theatrical settings or at events like Halloween shows. It appeals to those who value storytelling, mood, and narrative in their magic. Performers looking for material that blends psychological tension with practical effects will find this volume useful. It is also aimed at magicians who enjoy series-based content and have an interest in the macabre.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

The difficulty level varies across the eight routines. Some effects, like the remote candle extinction, are described as technically clean and undetectable, suggesting they may be straightforward to execute. Other routines involve storytelling and presentation skills, requiring practice to deliver the intended atmospheric impact. The material is designed to be performance-ready, but performers should be comfortable with narrative pacing and theatrical delivery.

What magicians say

AlakazamMagicUK notes that Jamie D. Grant's series returns after a hiatus, with a focus on "methodical innovation and storytelling." They highlight the "undetectable, ungimmicked candle" as a standout effect, describing it as "eerie and technically clean." The review emphasizes that the material offers "an experience" rather than just tricks, appealing to magicians who value "mood and narrative as much as method." They suggest it is well-suited for performers adding "a touch of the supernatural" to their sets, particularly for Halloween or theatrical performances.

What people are saying about Tackling Terrifying Taboos: The Eighth Haunting

AlakazamMagicUK says...

Jamie clearly aims to deliver more than just tricks—he’s offering an experience. The tone is atmospheric, suspenseful, and deeply theatrical, appealing to magicians who value mood and narrative as much as method.

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