In The Spotlight by Christopher Carter

When you talk to mentalists around the globe, the name that always comes up is Christopher Carter. His work in theaters, colleges, corporate events, cruise ships, and nearly every kind of venue around the world is the stuff of legends. His way of thinking has influenced an entire generation of working mentalists.

In the Spotlight is over 230 pages of practical, hard-hitting mentalism that has been road-tested for decades. This book represents 35 years of experience working for real audiences. Everything in this book can be performed surrounded, packs flat, and plays big. In the Spotlight contains 28 routines fully described, with nothing held back. As Marc Paul says in his foreword, “Not only is this book filled to the brim with amazing, audience-tested, and honed-to-perfection material, but Chris also shares his thoughts on mentalism through his introductions to each of the routines … he absolutely gets what commercial mentalism for paying audiences is all about.” Here are just a few examples of the effects you will learn:

Scrabble Memories – Chris asks five people to each remove a Scrabble tile from a bag. He asks them to concentrate on the first word that pops into their mind that begins with that letter. Then he asks them to use that word to free-associate a memory from their past, something detailed and personal to them. Once each is concentrating on a memory, Chris begins to describe the memories in detail. It’s pure mind reading with nothing written down.

The Tossed Out Deck – Chris’s opener for many years. Mentalists from around the world have approached Chris about this routine. Chris shares the real work derived from small subtleties and the way they’re combined within a compelling, dramatic structure.

Free-Association Serial Number – The perfect “packs small, plays big” effect. An amazing effect with one borrowed bill and eight members of the audience.

GeoPsycho – The Holy Grail of Design Duplications is one where nothing is ever drawn. Instead, the design is merely thought of. This is it!

Horse Fly – Chris’s amazing handling of Arthur Emerson’s brilliant “Pegasus Page.”

Digital Prediction – Prior to the show, Chris shows a digital voice recorder and explains that it contains a prediction of something that will happen in the show. He places the recorder into a small bag, then closes the bag with a clip. He instructs the sponsor to hold on to the bag until the show and not to open it or listen to the recording. During the show, the participant hands the bag back to Chris, verifying that he has been guarding it all evening. When the recorder is played, it reveals a prediction about… well, whatever you want.

Ring Tone – The entire audience writes their cellphone numbers down on cards. A volunteer selects one card and enters the number into his phone, preparing to dial. Chris locates the person in the audience whose phone is about to ring.

The Broom and The Watch – A psychokinetic stage illusion. A borrowed broom is balanced across an inverted glass so that it resembles the hour hand of a watch. Chris makes the broom rotate under seemingly impossible conditions to match the hands of a borrowed watch.

Q&A – Bob Cassidy has referred to the Q&A Act as one of the “major effects” in mentalism. Chris feels Q&A is the “only effect” in mentalism. Few people have performed the Q&A as much as Chris has, and the true treasure in this book is the insights he reveals to you about the act. Chris shares the true secrets, which aren’t about how you get the information, but what you do with the information when you have it. The techniques in this section will benefit anybody who does Q&A or “Audience Reading,” regardless of the method they use.

Three Billet Routine – Chris’s re-working of a Markus Beldig effect. Chris asks three people to think of the first name of the first person they had a crush on, then to write that name on the paper provided. The papers are mixed, yet Chris is able to determine who each person wrote as their first crush. The last participant simply concentrates on the name, and Chris reveals it in an entertaining and fooling way.

Eyeless in Chicago – Chris’s showstopper Blindfold routine that he has featured for over 35 years and has closely guarded until now. Originally inspired by Glenn Falkenstein, this has become one of Chris’s most important showpieces. Others have featured the blindfold test in their shows including Kuda Bux, Gil Eagles, Al Koran, Ross Johnson, Gerry McCambridge, John Archer, Richard Osterlind, and many more. Chris has developed unique subtleties and strategies from years of use for thousands of people.

After reading In the Spotlight, here is what people are saying:

“I don’t say this lightly. Christopher Carter is a mentalism god! For him to share his life’s work easily makes this one of the most exciting and important books on the art of mentalism, of all time. I cannot stress enough how much value is shared here in method, presentation and guidance. Whether you’re new to mentalism or a seasoned professional, this is the only book you’d ever need to have a plethora of phenomenal, real world material that is guaranteed to both entertain and astound your audience.”  –  Colin McLeod

“Christopher Carter is one of the top mentalist thinkers in the world. Whether it is an original creation or taking something that is already in creation, you can count on the Carter touch taking it to the next level of entertainment and astonishment. A real worker with the knack of hitting it out of the park every single time. He is King Midas.”  – Banachek

“I have known Christopher Carter for years, having seen him conduct several lectures and perform for lay audiences. Simply put: He is one of the very best performers I have ever seen! And now he comes with his complete book. There are some gems including his “Scrabble Memories” and his “Ten Card Mental Selection.” This book is a must read.  A lot of this material will become part of your active repertoire.” – Jan Forster

“Chris Carter changed my life. He performed at my university when I was a student, and afterward I approached him for advice. Instead of dismissing me outright or giving a perfunctory response, he sat down with me for two hours at the adjacent coffee shop and told me “everything” I should know about launching a career in professional magic. There’s just no way I’d be doing what I’m doing now without him. His material is among the very best of its kind — clear, direct, imaginative, hard hitting—and in the heat and pressure of several thousand live performances, it has been forced into something of uncommon strength and power.” – Nate Staniforth

“In the Spotlight is a masterclass in practical, audience-tested mentalism. Every routine is road-proven, every insight hard-won. Christopher Carter doesn’t just share material, he shares a way of thinking, honed over years of experience in the spotlight. This book is a joy to read and a treasure for any serious performer. It’s like stepping into the mind of a true craftsman of our art.” – Gabriel Werlen

“As someone who’s spent a lot of time in meditation on revelations, I can confidently say that Christopher Carter’s “Thinking About Reveals” chapter is worth the entire price of In the Spotlight. He develops ideas that are typically overlooked by mentalists ranging from how and why we have our powers to how to transcend our material to being more than merely a puzzle to be solved.” – Krystyn Lambert

“We have grown accustomed to books and videos being released on a near daily basis, but the ones that truly shine are few and far between. They stand the test of time because the performers releasing their tried-and-true routines have put in the hundreds and thousands of iterations it takes to polish each one into a diamond. Christopher Carter is a working professional and In The Spotlight shows that he is not only a deep thinker, but also the very definition of a working pro. One who doesn’t just talk the talk, but walks the walk. He is pragmatic and practical, while also subtle and nuanced. I think that anyone considering this book should feel lucky he has chosen to release it to our community and not deliberate for even a second buying a copy. You will get the value you spent on it a dozen times over and then some, highly recommend!” – Oz Pearlman

“I am amazed by the value, insight, detail, routines and shared experience you’ll find within the pages of In The Spotlight. Having seen Chris Carter perform, I already knew this book would be nothing short of a modern classic.  After reading the book, I can guarantee that your head will be swarming with ideas. My favorite thing in the book? That’s for me, myself and I.” – Chris Rawlins

“In The Spotlight is packed with practical mentalism routines, creative ideas, and tips to connect with your audience.​ Whether you’re new to performing or a seasoned pro, Chris Carter’s insights will help you take your act to the next level and truly amaze your audience.​ A must-have for anyone who loves mentalism!​I love this book!” – Bill Malone

“Into The Spotlight was a pleasure to read. It is very well written and is full of practical advice and powerhouse effects from a knowledgeable and skilled mentalist. Though Chris performs in front of large audiences (up to 7,000) primarily for corporations and universities, I still found much of his thinking relevant and applicable to the casual, social magic I prefer. He is known for wowing large audiences with minimal props, a master of the classic “pack-small, play-big” approach to mentalism. You’ll learn all the ins and outs of many of his signature mental effects using next to no props but capable of entrancing an audience of thousands.” – Bill Cushman

“Chris Carter’s In the Spotlight is genuinely brilliant. Not just another mentalism book or a collection of tricks; it’s a real-world guide that clearly shows what happens when you care as much about theatre as technique. Chris reveals the little details that only come from performing constantly in front of large audiences, and his ideas on creating meaningful routines are sharp and insightful. Reading this, I kept nodding along, thinking “yes, exactly.” It’s precisely the book I needed years ago. Hell, it’s the book I still need! If you perform mentalism for actual audiences, this will inspire you, strengthen your work, and remind you exactly why you perform.” – Mark Elsdon

“What more praise can I give than saying I’ve already used many of Chris’s ideas in my presentations. He’s the real deal, and this is material that works. His ideas for billets, Pegasus Page, Tossed-Out Deck, and other routines have all made my shows better.”  – Paul Vigil

“Christopher Carter, one of the most respected names in mentalism, has written a book that’s as generous as it is brilliant. He lays it all out—over two dozen of his strongest routines, complete with methods, handling, and insights gained from years of performing for real audiences. These aren’t pipe dreams or theory—they’re practical, powerful effects that truly connect. Everything flows naturally, with believable presentations that don’t get bogged down in complicated procedures. And if you’re into Q&A or blindfold work, his deep dives into those topics alone make this book worth it. Whether you’re just getting serious or you’ve been at it for years, this is one of those rare books you’ll keep coming back to.” – Ross Johnson

In The Spotlight is filled with material, tips, and advice that you can take from the page to the stage.