3noreviews

"This is my new favorite effect. The cards are beautiful, and I don't plan on aging them at all. The nice thing about this set is that you can take them everywhere since they don't take up much space, yet the routine plays big. Story effects (when done properly of course) get the best audience reactions, and the rainforest expedition concept is refreshing and not one of the usual well-worked themes (don't get me wrong - my Eye Of The Ripper set gets a lot of use, and Jack always makes for an absorbing tale). Most of my shows are themed events, so these kind of props and effects are my bread and butter.
I love my Higley's Ripper set, and so I had high expectations for 3 No Evil. I was not disappointed. Doug could sell these for a lot more and they would still be a bargain. Great work!"
BEDFORD

"I got my 3No Evil a few days ago and have had several opportunities to try it out. The postcards all look great. I will be getting the leather envelope, but as Doug has stated, it is not necessary (cool, but not necessary).
First run through was for a group of 10 year olds. The effect went over very well. One girl (friend of my daughter, who has seen me do LOTS of effects) even said it was the best magic she's seen me do.
Last night, I demonstrated it for a group of adult friends, and they were very impressed. After the routine, statements were made concerning "what are the heads going to make him do next?"
Tonight I performed it at The Magic Castle! It went over VERY WELL! Great stuff!"
Dr Mage

"3 No" arrived the other day and has been field-tested successfully. Being a medical professional/magician at a facility for children between the ages of 6 and 17 years, I can say this is possibly even more effective (if that's possible) than Doug's 3 dimensional versions of the Dark Museum (I own and use several). The cards are obviously easier to cart around (although I haven't let this stop me in the past) than the other versions; but for some reason, the effect seems to play more cleanly using the postcards. Perhaps the kids are less distracted by the photographs- the actual props are so friggin' realistic and fascinating that they sometimes get really wound up trying to touch the specimens and see if they are "real" (well... they're real creepy...). With the cards, they seem to be more moved by the magic. I don't know; I'm just getting better responses from the kids for some reason- maybe my timing and presentation have improved since I perform this trick so often.
As far as age appropriateness, I have to say that the 10 year olds and up have been the target group for my efforts. Because the kids I work with have oftentimes been traumatized, or are sometimes developmentally delayed, my input may not be the most representative as far as the general kiddie population is concerned. I will field test this further targeting a younger group, let's say 8 years old and up and report my findings at a later date. Bear in mind that these children are somewhat special. This is probably the best thing I have purchased in a long time. Have I mentioned that Doug Higley is the finest person I can imagine doing business with? He creates works of art that he refuses to call art, and then undercharges for them. I hope he makes a fortune on this thing. If your waffling about getting this, just get it. I promise you'll get your money's worth and more. Can't wait for the wallet..."
---Steve Bosque

"I've had the chance to run through this several times with excellent results! I was showing a group of kids (ages 8-16) and had one leave before I even finished the back story. The one who "helped" me is still talking about it.
One of my friends I showed the cards to told me he could feel the power of the head that goes into the museum, even before I asked him to choose.
Very spooky, nice job Doug! I've been reading your blog daily... " H.S.

Though Doug Higley has self-deprecatingly referred to '3 No Evil' as 'just a packet trick', it is not that at all. It doesn't look like one, it doesn't play like one, and it doesn't get audience reactions like one.
What 3 No Evil is, is an easily transportable, versatile, highly affordable variation on his venerable and well-respected 'Dark Museum' set. And what that means is that no matter whether you're a magician or a mentalist, it's one of the best effects you can buy. Period.
It's easily transportable in that this effect only needs Higley's four custom postcards and an envelope to perform. This makes it perfect for buskers or restaurant performers. While Doug provides a regular envelope with the set, he is also selling a custom leather envelope that would really punch up the presentation by a notch or three. (Even though I'm just an amateur magician, I'm thinking strongly of adding it to my set. If I were a pro, I'd have it already.)
It's versatile in that it isn't as... well, 'intense' as his other stuff. Doug's work is so good that it can be absolutely stomach-churning, especially if you couple it with the right presentation. While this is great for bizzarists, it can come across as pretty strong in, say, a dining room setting. And you'd have to be a heck of a performer to pull off, say, his 'floating eyeball' gracefully at a kid's birthday party. But the postcards in 3 No Evil have just enough of the patented Higley 'Ewwww!' factor to impress a bunch of young boys, while being tasteful enough to bring out over dessert and coffee.
It's highly affordable in that it's only $20 (US, + $3 domestic postage). Even if you add in another $20 for the leather envelope, this is still the most affordable Higley, by far. If price is the only thing that's been keeping you from adding a Higley effect to your repertoire - and if it is, shame on you - then by all means order 3 No Evil today!
In a word, my review is 'Recommended'. In two words, it's 'Highly Recommended' (Mark B.)

I got mine earlier in the week. It's a beautiful thing. And you're right, it's not just a packet trick. It's a trip back in time. It's Indiana Jones meets Allen Quartermaine meets King Kong. Doug has invented a new genre that he's dubbed Adventure Magic, a name which feels so right to me.
I've worked with my Dark Museum set (Ripper Set) for several months now, so it was easy to jump right into this. I've done it several times, including for my 2nd grade class, at a dinner party, and a few times for friends at work and in life. It plays big! You can play it for 2 minutes or 10, for 1 person or a bigger group (the biggest group I've done so far was 10). And you can carry it around in your jacket pocket! As far as difficulty goes, it's dead simple. You do need to get your timing down right (not difficult at all, you just need to work it through several times). Even if I didn't have experience with Doug's stuff, it won't take long to get it up to speed.
I thought about aging the cards and envelopes to make it seem like something I found, but have decided against it. Aging will happen on its own. In the mean time, I'm playing with some time "travel"ish type of presentations. I'm also planning on getting the leather envelope (delayed by the evil "the truck needs a transmission" fairy). The cards are beautifully printed and beautifully photographed, I can't bring myself to mess with that.
I would give this my highest recommendation. I'm always happy when I see someone I like and respect get great reviews. My only reservation is that Doug isn't charging enough (though my wallet appreciates it) and that so many other people will be doing this. Ah heck, the world's big enough for all of us. I DO give it my highest recommendation.

Addition Edited in: "Okay, just got back from a bowl-a-thon with a bunch of folks from work. I spent three hours alternating bowling and doing this (a great way to practice, by the way) up and down about 40 lanes. I hate this expression, but I don't know how else to say it, IT KILLED 'EM!
Mark Raven

Greetings everyone.
My birthday present has arrived. I got a lovely leather envelope that says "Higley Expedition 1942" on it and some very cool postcards of a few shrunken heads. I read the instructions through twice and then tried this out on my wife whom is very familiar with many of my "methods." When she got to the prediction at the end she was floored and could not figure it out even with her inside knowledge. That in and of itself should tell you that it's a great effect - my toughest critic loves it - so I give it a 10/10.
My dad came over later on and I performed it for him after thanking him for getting it for me for my present. He to was very impressed with it. I am eagerly looking forward to trying it out tomorrow on my mother-in-law who will be completely grossed out from the shrunken heads photos.
Now I am very tempted to get the "real" shrunken heads as well...
Anyway, for those of you on the fence - I highly recommend this and am pleased with my purchase (I purchased it and my parents paid me back for it!). Not to mention the whole Indiana Jones theme with the new movie - lots of opportunities to perform this with that in mind as well.
Once again, well done Doug.
Chad