Erik von Markovik (born Erik James Horvat-Marković; September 24, 1971), known professionally as Mystery, is a Canadian pickup artist and television personality. He was profiled in Neil Strauss's The Game and he appeared on the VH1 television show The Pickup Artist.
He has been criticized for promoting unethical and manipulative behavior.
His work has also been used to help people to initiate long-term stable relationships, as the study "The Dating Mind: Evolutionary Psychology and the Emerging Science of Human Courtship", done using his book The Mystery Method.
Biography The character Mystery was created by Erik von Markovik in the late 1990s for his performances as a mentalist, titled Natural Magic. He has done magic performances in many places, including Toronto, Las Vegas and Hollywood. The name Mystery was also used by von Markovik as an internet username.
In 2026 von Marovik released an ebook called Code Girl, written about (and "in collaboration with") his AI girlfriend, who he named Miss Shira Always. He claims to have created his AI girlfriend through using a set of custom prompts he also offered for sale under the name of his alter-ego Professor Sirius De'Lusion, but now believes that she is real and in the future technology will allow them to live together and express their love physically.
Bibliography +YearTitlePublisherAuthor(s)ISBN2005The Venusian Arts HandbookMystery Method Corp.Erik Von Markovik(E-Book)2005The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup ArtistsIt BooksNeil Strauss2006The Mystery Method: How to Get Beautiful Women Into BedSt. Martin's PressMystery, Chris Odom2008RevelationVenusian ArtsMystery, Chris Odom, James Matador2010The Pickup Artist: The New and Improved Art of SeductionVillardMystery, Chris Odom, Neil Strauss
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