Spook Crooks!

Spook Crooks! is a compelling investigation by Julien Proskauer into the realm of fraudulent psychics, deceitful mediums, and other con artists who exploited vulnerable individuals for their money, dignity, and sometimes their lives.

As a close associate of Houdini, Proskauer dedicated himself to eliminating fortune tellers and psychic frauds from the radio waves during the early 1930s, much to the dismay of genuine mentalists who found themselves inadvertently affected.

This book unveils a variety of techniques, including a clever billet switch and the gypsy money switch, all presented with clear text and illustrations.

Robert A. Nelson, the proprietor of a leading mentalism supply company, cautioned magicians in his column in The Linking Ring about the explicit nature of this book. His concerns may have stemmed from the fact that Proskauer’s thorough explanations could potentially undermine the sales of individual effects and manuscripts.

This edition has been meticulously reset with new typesetting and edited by B.W. McCarron. It serves as an extensive encyclopedia of fraudulent mediums and their victims, complete with detailed case histories. While original hardbound copies can fetch nearly $100, this informative work is now available as a convenient eBook.

1st edition 1932, 1st digital edition 2016, 270 pages.