The Hypnotist by M.J. Rose

Published May 1st 2010 by Brilliance Corporation

Hardcover, 416 Pages

Review Copy

Book Synopsis

Haunted by a twenty-year-old murder of a beautiful young painter, Lucian Glass keeps his demons at bay through his fascinating work as a special agent with the FBI’s Art Crime Team. Currently investigating a crazed art collector who has begun destroying prized masterworks, Glass is thrust into a bizarre hostage negotiation that takes him undercover at the Phoenix Foundation — dedicated to the science of past-life study — where, in order to maintain his cover, he agrees to submit to the treatment of a hypnotist. Under hypnosis, Glass travels from ancient Greece to nineteenth-century Persia, while the case takes him from New York to Paris and the movie capital of the world. These journeys will change his very understanding of reality, lead him to question his own sanity and land him at the center of perhaps the most audacious art heist in history — the theft of a 1,500-year-old sculpture from the Metropolitan Museum of Art............(GoodReads)

Review

So political crime thrillers are right up there with westerns for me...something I tend very rarely to read and nothing I would normally pick up. What intrigued me about M.J Rose's political, espionage series was the presenting of the story. Rose has a unique style to blend so many genre's together that you walk away having dabbled in a bit of everything from mystery to romance (were talking HOT romance) paranormal elements to draw darker fans and plenty of thrilling crime drama. The novels while richer when read in order can be read as stand alones and The Hypnotist indeed surprised me with its twisty story and crafty writing.

Memory Tools - objects that can help people with their pasts and grant access to great power, play a huge role in this series. When Lucian Glass an FBI art investigator is called to investigate a stolen painting, he is thrown back into his past and comes face to face with the man who destroyed his long ago art career. Little does Lucian now that this will put him at the center of a power play lead by Dr. Samuels a reincarnation expert who will stop at nothing to possess the Memory Tools. He also doesn’t know in the midst of his investigation a woman holding the key to both the past and the future will reawaken a desire so intense it will change him forever. The characters will race nonstop till the end diving deep into the world terrorism, art thief’s, wild romance and smuggling.

Overall I enjoyed diving into this dark and mysterious world, besides the huge amount main characters playing front and center which I tend not to like, it worked with the style of author as I haven't read anything like her out there. Over use of characters can be a turn off for readers wanting simple story's but don't let that scare you......be prepared for a mix of a bit of everything and to walk away shocked, thrilled and wanting more.

Rating

The Hypnotist is recommended to adult readers only and contains graphic language, violence, murder, paranormal elements and explicit sexuality (borderline erotic).

3.5/5- Mystery-Thriller

Thank you to Pump up Your Book for review copy