Mantis by Fraser Parker is an extensive system of prop-less mentalism designed to reveal a spectator's thought-of word through a brief visualisation process. There are no billets, no writing, no key words and no physical props – instead, the method is integrated directly into the language and presentation.

A Billet-Less Mental Peek

The spectator thinks of a word and visualises three letters in the space between themselves and the performer. During this brief process, a single incidental cue arising from one natural line of scripting provides enough information for the performer to make an indirect guess at one letter.

This letter guess is never directly related to the letters in the spectator's thought-of word. Whether the guess is confirmed or not – Fraser Parker states that it will be correct two thirds of the time – the performer is then positioned to subsequently reveal the secretly thought-of word.

Minimal Procedure

Mantis is structured so that it does not appear as though the spectator has provided enough information for the performer to know their word. There are no billets, no writing, no key words and no obvious fishing process.

The spectator does not need to verbalise key words or answer a string of questions. They can remain almost entirely silent, and in one presentation they never need to say anything aloud.

Within seconds, the visualisation process and the performer checking their impressions provide what Fraser describes as essentially a billet-less mental peek – a secret glimpse of the information required to subsequently reveal the spectator's thought-of word.

Method and Presentation Combined

A central principle behind Mantis is that the method is concealed within the presentation itself. The visualisation is not simply presentation layered over a system; it forms an integral part of how the system functions.

The crucial first piece of information has been restructured to allow the performer to narrow things down to a single letter immediately, making the process more direct while keeping the necessary procedure naturally justified within the presentation.

Mantis can also serve as a wider utility whenever you need to gain information secretly without relying on physical props.

Designed for English

Mantis is designed primarily around the English language and alphabet, and this is how the method is taught in the book.

A small amount of memory work is required. According to Fraser Parker, the system has been deliberately structured and taught to make it possible to internalise within a few hours.

The Book

Mantis is presented as an oversized 194-page softcover book in Crown Quarto format.

It measures 7.44 x 9.68 inches / 189 x 246 mm and features black-and-white printing on premium 118 gsm white coated paper, finished with an elegant matte softcover.

Testimonials

"Mantis is an elegant and deceptive piece of prop-less mentalism. Fraser has created a system that feels not only impossibly clean but also mechanically solid."
– Alex Ward

"An elegantly simple way to reveal practically any word anyone can think of!"
– Marc Paul

"Mantis is so clean, compressed and efficient. It feels like your thinking is at full force."
– Rado Sheytanoff

"The book is out of this world!"
– Harrison Kaplan