In this first episode, John and Jim discuss doing a show in the utter darkness of The Wabasha Street Caves. Plus, a reading of The Prolog from “The Ambitious Card.” If you want to skip to the reading, it’s at 10:32 www.elimarksmysteries.com

Magician Rob Zabrecky stops by to talk about the The Houdini Séance at The Magic Castle and the difference between being a skeptic and a debunker. Plus, Jim Cunningham reads Chapter One from “The Ambitious Card.”(If you want to skip ahead to the reading, it’s at approximately 11:04) LINKS:http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/ Rob Zabrecky on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Zabrecky Rob Zabrecky on Instrgram: https://www.instagram.com/robzabrecky/ The Other Side With Rob Zabrecky:https://www.instagram.com/othersidewithzabrecky/“Strange Cures” Rob Zabrecky Memoir: https://www.amazon.com/Strange-Cures-Rob-Zabrecky/dp/1945436239

In this episode, we’re joined by The Amazing Kreskin for a fascinating interview about his career … and then we jump into a reading of Chapter Two of “The Ambitious Card.”And check out the link below of Kreskin performing his own version of The Ambitious Card routine!The reading of Chapter Two starts at 21:44LINKSThe Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/Kreskin Website: http://www.amazingkreskin.com/Kreskin does an Ambitious Card routine: https://youtu.be/onLjvqP1EU4Kreskin on Letterman: https://youtu.be/N__IUqyTRrwKreskin on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson: https://youtu.be/ghFzI9zq-WYThe Great Buck Howard – Trailer: https://youtu.be/XIwokbM12LkThe Great Buck Howard – Internet Movie Data Base Listing: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0460810

In this episode, we’re joined by Morgan & West, two Victorian time traveling magicians … and then we jump into a reading of Chapter Three of “The Ambitious Card.”The reading of Chapter Three starts at 25:54 LINKSThe Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/Morgan & West YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/MrMorganandMrWestMorgan & West on “Fool Us” #1: https://youtu.be/CLILA3E4eJoMorgan & West on “Fool Us” #2: https://youtu.be/_849ZUsaibcMorgan & West: The Next Great Magician: https://youtu.be/2BFmWrvZb4QMorgan & West: Oxford Imps 10th Anniversary Spectacular: https://youtu.be/ZA6B2KBMlfs

In this episode, we’re joined by Steve Cohen (The Millionaire’s Magician) who introduces us to magician Max Malini … and then we jump into a reading of Chapter Four of “The Ambitious Card.”Plus a quick preview of upcoming guests, including David Regal, Suzanne the Magician, and a two-part episode with Dick Cavett!The reading of Chapter Four starts at 00:20:47LINKSThe Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/ Steve Cohen Website: https://chambermagic.com/Chamber Magic on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chambermagicThe Chamber Magic Store: https://chambermagic.com/store/The Millionaires' Magician: "Miracles on Madison Avenue": https://youtu.be/zzCHZBp56zEMagician Steve Cohen on David Letterman: https://youtu.be/cpSAI29kCog

In this episode, we’re joined by Suzanne the Magician, who talks about the great Eugene Burger and his influence on the world of magic … then we jump into a reading of Chapter Five of “The Ambitious Card.” This is followed by some chatter about a psychic reading John once had, which was used as the basis for the reading Megan gives Uncle Harry in Chapter Five. And Jim reveals the one time he proved his psychic ability! Plus, some talk about upcoming guests.The reading of Chapter Five starts at 00:17:26LINKSThe Eli Marks Mystery Series:  http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/Suzanne Fool Penn & Teller:  https://youtu.be/Oe3oMC9U2eYSuzanne’s Website:  http://suzmagic.com/Suzanne on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009612607182Suzanne’s Cups & Balls Routine:  https://youtu.be/SGC-hmrVpmUEugene Burger Thread Routine:  https://youtu.be/eFosK12_k5UEugene Burger “Cutting the Aces”:  https://youtu.be/L-feGCF9nRsEugene Burger: Tribute Video:  https://youtu.be/tIpWn6BeSO0

In this episode, we’re joined by Sandy Marshall, who talks about his father—Jay Marshall—and his influence on the world of magic … and then we jump into a reading of Chapter Six of “The Ambitious Card.”The reading of Chapter Six starts at 00:21:33LINKSThe Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/Sandy Marshall on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandy.marshall.54Jay Marshall – Newspaper Magic: https://www.magicana.com/video/jay-marshall-newspaper-magicJay Marshall – Strange Pastimes: https://www.magicana.com/video/jay-marshall-strange-passtimesJay Marshall – The Ed Sullivan Show – Jay & Lefty sing “If I Had My Way”: https://youtu.be/qxvowzSuNrcJay Marshall & Lefty – 1996: https://youtu.be/hos1XW8Dcmw

David Regal—magician, writer, reviewer, and all-around great guy—talks about the ups and downs of creating and selling magic … some chat about Eagle Magic in Minneapolis … and then we jump into a reading of Chapter Seven of “The Ambitious Card.” The reading of Chapter Seven starts at 00:29:15. LINKSThe Eli Marks Mystery Serieshttp://www.elimarksmysteries.com/ David Regal Website: https://davidregal.com/David Regal Store: https://davidregal.com/store/David Regal: Penn & Teller Fool Us: https://youtu.be/UW2gHwTRkX4David Regal at The Magic Castle: https://youtu.be/RWtbsYS9LyYUnplugged: David Regal Live (Long Interview): https://youtu.be/FXlkCB0Fv3E David Regal: Cups & Balls & Cups & Balls: https://youtu.be/MbnwgwnLe38

Dick Cavett talks about his early influences in magic, including Johnny Carson, Jay Marshall and Dick’s first appearance on television … and then we jump into a reading of Chapter Eight of “The Ambitious Card.”The reading of Chapter Eight starts at 00:23:45LINKSThe Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavjListen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ddaauus80lDick Cavett Performs Magic: https://youtu.be/qz1GgllFNLsJohnny Carson Performs Magic: https://youtu.be/PHOR-Zthfj0Dai Vernon on “The Dick Cavett Show”: https://youtu.be/Hfyjpvp-ads Slydini on Dick Cavett (First Appearance): https://youtu.be/Ir-0j4YCHi8 Slydini on Dick Cavett (Second Appearance):https://youtu.be/J913AVe3adUDon Allen Chop Cup Routine: https://youtu.be/Pm2ALFQKA00

Dick Cavett talks about Slydini, Doug Henning, Ricky Jay, Dai Vernon, Johnny Carson, Penn & Teller, Orson Welles, and even Groucho Marx’s encounter with Houdini! And then we jump into Chapter Nine of “The Ambitious Card.”The reading of Chapter Nine starts at 00:28:44 LINKSThe Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavjListen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ddaauus80lDick Cavett Performs Magic: https://youtu.be/qz1GgllFNLsJohnny Carson Performs Magic: https://youtu.be/PHOR-Zthfj0Dai Vernon on “The Dick Cavett Show”: https://youtu.be/Hfyjpvp-adsSlydini on Dick Cavett (First Appearance): https://youtu.be/Ir-0j4YCHi8Slydini on Dick Cavett (Second Appearance): https://youtu.be/J913AVe3adUAlan Arkin: An Improvised Life (Memoir): https://www.amazon.com/Improvised-Life-Memoir-Alan-Arkin/dp/030681966X Steve Cohen: Think a Drink: https://youtu.be/AamubW0wnNo

Magician Julie Eng recounts her early years in magic, working in her father Tony Eng’s Victoria magic store, Tony’s Trick and Joke Shop. And then we jump into Chapter Ten of “The Ambitious Card.” Then we discuss Wallace of Minneapolis and other magic store experiences. And John learns about Glorpy!The reading of Chapter Ten starts at 00:30:23LINKSThe Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavjListen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMDJulie Eng website: https://www.magicienne.com/Julie Eng on Twitter: https://twitter.com/anjusanJulie Eng on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magicienne/Julie Eng on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/je.magicienneJulie Eng Performs Coins and Handkerchief: https://youtu.be/Hw2PshZKzCAJulie Eng Performs a Card Trick: https://youtu.be/cNp2IJM8XBEJulie Eng on The Science of Magic: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1162587203825/Tony Eng Performing: https://youtu.be/-U3CE9xx70gGlorpy on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GlorpyGlorpy Demonstration: https://youtu.be/w67o3YouaGQ

Comedian Jeff Altman talks about growing up with a father who was well-known and respected in the magic community …. his career in comedy and magic … celebrity encounters (Johnny Carson, Muhammad Ali) … the world’s best Dai Vernon impression … and more! Then we jump into Chapter Eleven of “The Ambitious Card.” Plus, Jim learns that we have a YouTube Channel!The reading of Chapter Eleven starts at 00:39:05.LINKSThe Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavjListen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMDJeff Altman’s Card Trick from the Interview: https://youtu.be/Ikthc3VPJaIBehind the Page: YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6JYsGoD_Yx_LWtg-gJqc9QJeff Altman Doing a Card Trick for David Letterman: https://vimeo.com/100145564Jeff Altman - Stand-Up at Dangerfield’s (1986): https://youtu.be/BQiChvtke9gDavid Frye on Ed Sullivan: https://youtu.be/X340XtpKDoA

Fourth-generation magician Liberty Larsen talks about growing up in and around The Magic Castle … And then we jump into Chapter Twelve of “The Ambitious Card.”The reading of Chapter Twelve starts at 00:32:46 LINKSThe Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavjListen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMDBrookledge Follies:  https://youtu.be/Y5UU--C8q8ELiberty on Penn & Teller Fool Us:  https://youtu.be/idFyByK9krcBilly McComb (1990):  https://youtu.be/JARqu3WZ1eoMalin Nilsson:  https://youtu.be/5rpJBwk0zjwFloyd Thayer: https://geniimagazine.com/wiki/index.php?title=Floyd_Thayer“A Haunting We Will Go” Trailer (Laurel & Hardy and Dante):  https://youtu.be/KzT8Lh1hOYc

Comedian, actor, podcaster and college professor Wayne Federman talks about Uncle Harry’s passion hobby: comedy albums and their history … John and Jim recount memories of meeting and seeing Steve Martin, Mort Sahl, Ray Romano, The Smothers Brothers … and more! And then we jump into Chapter Thirteen of “The Ambitious Card.” The reading of Chapter Thirteen starts at 00:42:43. LINKSThe Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/ Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavj Listen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMD Wayne Federman website: http://www.waynefederman.com/Wayne_Federmans_Official_Web_Site/Welcome.html The History of Stand-Up Podcast:  https://www.thehistoryofstandup.com/ More with Wayne Federman: His Favorite Comedy Album: https://youtu.be/iNoenmbSU3k Mort Sahl—At Sunset (Complete Album): https://youtu.be/qszRqPIRdc0 Redd Foxx—Life of the Party (1956): https://youtu.be/88O2cdiafxI Rusty Warren—Knockers Up:  https://youtu.be/Ekr1h6inO_8 Bob Newhart—The Button-Down Mind (side one): https://youtu.be/_zNbnPFUlTABob Newhart—The Button-Down Mind (side two): https://youtu.be/XCSzA2P8flIAlbert Brooks—Comedy Minus One: https://youtu.be/tJmHzJIyGjQDennis Miller—The Off-White Album: https://youtu.be/vONY9zzWQbYRichard Pryor—Wanted Live (In Concert): https://youtu.be/EbWwR7p_Pk8The Smothers Brothers “Mediocre Fred”: https://youtu.be/kLyY-si0IP0

Ventriloquist Jay Johnson offers up stories about his dear friend, Harry Anderson … and then we jump into Chapter Fourteen of “The Ambitious Card.”The reading of Chapter Fourteen starts at 00:32:36LINKSThe Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavjListen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMDJay Johnson on How He Got On “Soap”:  https://youtu.be/lPGFFp6f02kJay Johnson wins a Tony: https://youtu.be/unwe840I2gsHarry Anderson: Needle Through Arm:  https://youtu.be/O8EyYc4XxYkHarry Anderson on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson”:  https://youtu.be/f8Px7MPg9WcHarry Anderson on “Cheers” (Harry The Hat):  https://youtu.be/KYMO0IyGuuAHarry Anderson on “Saturday Night Live”:  https://youtu.be/g0UuVTUv4ZQHarry Anderson does “The Grappler Routine”:  https://youtu.be/oTZJbwBjMo8

Comedy magicians Derek Hughes and Nick Diffatte talk about the art and craft of comedy magic … And then we jump into Chapter Fifteen of “The Ambitious Card.”The reading of Chapter Fifteen starts at 00:38:48LINKSThe Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavjListen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMDRate us on Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/behind-the-page-the-eli-marks-podcast/id1547293027Bonus Video—More with Derek and Nick: https://youtu.be/pgFoWldQcGkDerek Hughes – Card Cheat: https://youtu.be/P4fXCGxKOXADerek Hughes – The Ellen Show: https://youtu.be/YGFbPai_hvsDerek Hughes – AGT:  https://youtu.be/0QYSrsf9ExYNick Diffatte – Demo: https://youtu.be/riqZ8WSRYzoNick Diffatte – James Corden Show:  https://youtu.be/KVOKT8kv2mQBill Arnold (Triple Espresso):  https://youtu.be/n4blxicrHj0

Mike Caveney takes us through the history of one of magic’s most iconic tricks: Sawing a Woman in Half … And then we jump into Chapter Sixteen of “The Ambitious Card.”The reading of Chapter Sixteen starts at 00:38:50LINKSThe Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavjListen to a Free Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMDRate us on Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/behind-the-page-the-eli-marks-podcast/id1547293027Mike Caveney Website:  http://www.mcmagicwords.com/“Sawing” book:  http://www.mcmagicwords.com/books_sawing.htmlDante Sawing a Woman in Half:  https://youtu.be/rHBTiFMe95AMasked Magician—Sawing a Woman in Half:  https://youtu.be/BvH7fKF1f-YMike Caveney – Coat hangers: https://youtu.be/bhoqj9oY5Ng

Carisa Hendrix (Lucy Darling) offers her perspective on creating unique characters and memorable magic … And then we jump into Chapter Seventeen of “The Ambitious Card.”The reading of Chapter Seventeen starts at 00:36:39.LINKSThe Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavjListen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMDRate us on Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/behind-the-page-the-eli-marks-podcast/id1547293027Carisa Hendrix website: https://www.carisahendrix.com/Lucy Darling: Hide & Seek (Chop Cup Routine): https://youtu.be/tK3PfS0bGOILucy Darling on Fool Us: https://youtu.be/dZiMzpQCdQ8Carisa on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/carisahendrix

David Kaye (Silly Billy) provides insight into the special challenges of being a kid’s show magician; Morgan & West talk about creating a routine overnight … and then we jump into Chapter Eighteen of “The Ambitious Card.”The reading of Chapter Eighteen starts at 00:31:00LINKSThe Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavjListen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMDRate us on Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/behind-the-page-the-eli-marks-podcast/id1547293027Silly Billy website: https://www.sillymagic.com/Silly Billy: Silk Tube Trick:  https://youtu.be/1iLLYO4tJG0Silly Billy: The Bread Trick:  https://youtu.be/xj2-wXx7I7ASilly Billy: Princess in a Pickle Trick:  https://youtu.be/W6hraZjA4qA

Tina Lenert talks about how to create, shape and hone a routine … And then we jump into Chapter Nineteen of “The Ambitious Card” (and the killer is revealed!)The reading of Chapter Nineteen starts at 00:27:39 LINKSThe Eli Marks Mystery Series: http://www.elimarksmysteries.com/Get yourself a Free Eli Marks Short Story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jj1r1yaavjListen to an Eli Marks Audio Short Story: https://BookHip.com/LZBPPMDRate us on Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/behind-the-page-the-eli-marks-podcast/id1547293027Tina Lenert Facebook Page: https://m.facebook.com/Tina-Lenert-Magic-375962585808487/Tina Lenert – The Mop Man: https://youtu.be/FVf5Sx70nE4Tina Lenert - Simply Magic (Rings and Scarf): https://youtu.be/JRlwWrDVhn8Tina Lennert - Magic and Mime 1982: https://youtu.be/0W-z_gcw1t4Kenny Raskin – My Old Friend: https://youtu.be/5fDSl0MgjK0Wabasha Cave Deaths: http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2004/04/28_ap_cavedeaths/