I’ve got a confession to make, I picked this up at Blackpool and because I’m lazy, rather than write a review I thought I’d wait for someone else to do it and then I’d briefly add my thoughts to that. I’ve now been forced to actually do it myself for four reasons, I love it, I’m shocked that nobody else has posted a review, and I can’t count.

After performing this a lot, I can honestly say it is hands down the best book test I have used. Lots of other book tests have used the same principles in various combinations over the years, so what makes this different?

Firstly, it looks and feels great, it uses a well-known title and you can even have people who are familiar with the book check it out and it will pass muster no problem! When I say it feels great, I mean that it doesn’t trigger that subconscious suspicion that other book tests can. In my experience this has often come down to the way they are printed, novels are rarely printed on shiny white pages. I have had to stop using other book tests for this reason, if you perform for people who are keen readers, something about those books can just seem ‘off’ and even if they don’t say it at the time I often feel we are fooling ourselves more than our participants if we think nobody suspects the book. The cream pages also age and weather nicer. I personally have no problem with the sometimes controversial Cassidy-esque manoeuvre of calling out a method to rule it out, so the fact you can hand this book out and guide someone to check it out so that they can convince themselves it’s a genuine book is a massive plus for me and really serves to strengthen the overall effect.

The principles at play as mentioned aren’t new but the twists Kaleb has put on them are really well thought out and I could tell they came from someone who had encountered the same issues with book tests I had. There is a great version of the FB principle (credited to Bazz) and the UF Grant principle which Kaleb has designed so as to have multiple advantages to anyone familiar with it. The words have been carefully selected, not only to be congruent to the original work but to also allow you to start hitting early. These principles to my mind are the best combination to have in a book test and up until Frankenstein haven’t really been bettered or perfected. This book for me represents the best things about these classic, tried and tested principles with new ideas that give you more freedom and security when performing, especially close up (and speaking of close up it is also the perfect size in that it’s not too big or thick and it’s not too small …

I’ve got another confession to make …. (I know you sang that in your head because I’m a mentalist. I also know you are a Foo Fighters fan; If that didn’t hit, it’s your fault, think about it later or something) because I’ve been buying and using book tests for a long time I find it difficult to praise this one without ripping into other book tests to make a comparison, but I think it’s worth mentioning without getting into specifics the ones I have ruled out as I think it can only add weight to my recommendation. I stopped using the pocket MOABT, Area, All about eve, a bunch of Zandman books, Babel, Oasis, Flictionary, celebrity presage and probably some others for various different reasons. I say this only to point out that my opinion is genuinely considered and informed. I am not by any means saying some of those aren’t good, it’s just that whether it was down to size, printing, titles, funky words, too much interest drawn to the book itself or something else, I never found one that just felt ‘right’ for my purposes (an authentic looking and feeling book that can be checked out and dismissed as an ordinary object that is suitable for walk around.) Frankenstein absolutely does.

While I will still always use things like Hoy, and Marc Paul’s AAA test Frankenstein will definitely become a mainstay as it is simply the most authentic gimmicked book test I have encountered.

Also, for anyone familiar with the wonderful structure for book tests Paul Brook shares on his at the table lecture, Frankenstein is perfect for this!

I got mine at Blackpool but I know you can get it from Black Cat magic as I looked to see if Kaleb had any other material out. I found some PDFs by him and I may pick those up at some point which for me is rare, for four reasons, I’m lazy, stuff these days is often not that good and I still can’t count.

It sounds promising. I just accessed the Black Cat magic site and did not see the Frankenstein book test featured.

George

Yep. I love it too. Fantastic review, I couldn't have said it better.

5 left here: https://blackcatmagic.co.uk/product/frankenstein-booktest/

Hey GingerWizard

Frankenstein book test is great.
I wrote a review of it on my blog just over a month ago, I wasn't too sure of the café rules with regards to posting reviews as I had my last review post removed and have been a bit dubious about posting another.

I've reviewed a few of Kaleb's products, they're all up on my blog. Kaleb's an amazing thinker and deserves every success with Frankenstein.

You can read my full review of Frankenstein here: https://mentalistblogger.com/frankie/

Ryan

Ordered. Thanks for the reviews.

George

Cheers, I wasn’t aware of your blog, I’ll check it out and have a look at your other reviews!

It really is a fantastic book test.

I've been using a specific paperback booktest for about a decade now and didn't think I would be changing it...ever. Seriously, I bought up the few remaining copies I could find of that limited run so I could just trade out the books as they became worn.

However, Kaleb's 'Frankenstein' book test has changed all that as it's now my 'go to' gimmicked book.

I can't recommend it enough.

Cheers,

Paul

Ugh out of stock

Oops! It is still available on his website. Just ordered.

Just a quick heads up, you can get Frankenstein from Kaleb’s website at https://www.kalebwade.co.uk/frankenstein
Or from Bazz at https://blackcatmagic.co.uk/product/frankenstein-booktest/

Also it’s worth checking out both of these sites as they both have some great stuff and both have some free PDFs just for signing up to their newsletters.

Ryan

Currently out of stock, hope they'll stock soon

Hi everyone,

Thank you GingerWizard for such an in-depth review of Frankenstein - I'm so glad you like it. I use this for every single close-up event I'm booked for

Thank you to everyone else for your interest and kind words regarding Frankenstein. We are now out of stock at https://blackcatmagic.co.uk/product/frankenstein-booktest/, and I have only one copy available at https://www.kalebwade.co.uk/frankenstein

New stock will be with us in approximately 14 days. Due to increased demand for this product, Bazz and I will do a pre-order for the next print run. This will be live very shortly. Below is what some well known creative geniuses have to say about Frankenstein:

"A deceptively normal looking copy of Frankenstein hiding a multitude of mentalism tools...that can be fully inspected, what's not to love? I will 100% be using this in my shows."
— PAUL BROOK

"Kaleb Wade has created the Swiss army knife of book tests. It's slique, well thought out and looks totally innocent. It packs small and plays big.

Kudos!" — PETER TURNER

"The Frankenstein Book Test by Kaleb Wade is an object of beauty in it's inconspicuous nature; Hiding in plain sight as an ordinary bargain store book, you will be able to perform amazing feats of mentalism, with ease."
— FRASER PARKER

"Kaleb's use of these classic mentalism plots is simply mind-blowing. Imagine being able to truly read someone's mind in the fairest way possible. THAT is the ability Frankenstein awards you."
— MICHAEL O'BRIEN

Thanks again for your support.

Much love,
Kaleb

Kaleb:

You are on a roll. Enjoy it!

George

Thank you George. Frankenstein should be with you shortly

Hi Paul,

I’m interested if you have done anything to your copy of Frankenstein as per your at the table routine? Or do you just use it as is?

Hope that makes sense?

Any idea when the pre-orders will ship?

According to Kaleb’s website the next batch ships on 9th May

Hi Bryce,

Thank you for your interest in Frankenstein. This item is now back in stock, and ready to ship immediately! You can order directly from me at: https://www.kalebwade.co.uk/frankenstein

Or from Black Cat Magic at: https://blackcatmagic.co.uk/product/frankenstein-booktest

For everyone who purchased this on pre-order, these have been packed and will be sent out to you today.

Cheers,
Kaleb

Are there any differences between Frankenstein and the Alchemist?

Hi Pixelated,

Regarding methods, Frankenstein works exactly the same as The Alchemist, but there are a few differences this time around.

+ We listened to feedback, and all FB words are now four letters and above in length and NEVER repeat.

+ The book is 14% thinner than The Alchemist resulting in an even sexier fit in your jacket pocket.

+ Page borders have been reduced for even easier FB p**king.

Frankenstein once again includes Barry Fazackerley's BackTrack FB principle, the same 18 AlchEmy LW’s as the Alchemist. And just like before, the book can be examined, meaning this is perfect for close-up and casual performances.

Many thanks,
Kaleb