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    The Hypnotist
    The Hypnotist
    The Hypnotist
    Audiobook10 hours

    The Hypnotist

    Written by M J Rose

    Narrated by Phil Gigante

    3.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    An FBI agent, tormented by a death he wasn't able to prevent, a crime he's never been able to solve and a love he's never forgotten, discovers that his true conflict resides not in his past, but in a...Past Life.

    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 19th century Persia, while the case takes him from New York to Paris and the movie capital of 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.

    International bestselling author M. J. Rose's The Hynpotist is her most mesmerizing novel yet. An adventure, a love story, a clash of cultures, a spiritual quest, it is above all a thrilling capstone to her unique Reincarnation novels, The Reincarnationist and The Memorist.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateMay 1, 2010
    ISBN9781423390268
    Author

    M J Rose

    New York Times bestselling author M.J. Rose grew up in New York City exploring the labyrinthine galleries of the Metropolitan Museum and the dark tunnels and lush gardens of Central Park. She is the author of more than a dozen novels, the founder of the first marketing company for authors, AuthorBuzz.com and cofounder of 1001DarkNights.com She lives in Connecticut. Visit her online at MJRose.com. 

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    Reviews for The Hypnotist

    3.5/5

    102 ratings35 reviews

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    • 3/5
      From My Blog...The Hypnotist is the third book in M.J. Rose’s Reincarnationist series and the first one I have read. The previous two novels are The Reincarnationist and The Memorist, which inspired the television series, Past Life, which I have never seen, and a rather round about way of me stating that while the genre was not for me, the writing is absolutely brilliant. The Hypnotist opens with the death of Lucian Glass, which occurred twenty years ago, but now Lucian is an F.B.I. agent and part of the Art Crime Division who will travel through time and space, his past lives via hypnosis. Meanwhile, in Manhattan the Iran and America cultural exchange is not going quite as planned. The Metropolitan Museum of Art happens to have the statue of Hypos and claims it was bequeathed to them and they have the proper documentation of the lineage of this piece of art. Iran wants Hypos returned, first using legal channels through Vartan Reza and then devolving to Farid Taghinia and Samimi being ordered to recover Hypos. Rose writes extremely well and her characters are quite well developed and her plot lines and twists are solid, well placed, suspenseful and strong. The history of Hypos and the plans to steal a gigantic statue from Metropolitan Museum of Art intrigued me; unfortunately the paranormal aspects of this story were lost on me. I believe that had I an interest in this genre I would have truly enjoyed The Hypnotist. However, even the strength of M.J. Rose’s writing could not change my opinion of paranormal romance, hypnosis and reincarnation. The Hypnotist is a strong book, and even though I have not read the previous two, guessing based on the strength of this novel, I would hazard to guess that if one was interested in a mystery/thriller steeped in the paranormal then this would be a series to read.
    • 4/5
      This book was a bit of a surprise. I did not honestly think that I would like it as much as I did. The main character has many levels. He is consumed with the death of his childhood girlfriend. The book involves past lives and how they relate to the present. The statue that is a main part of the story is called Hypnos. It was created in Persia long ago. The Iranian government has claimed ownership even though it is currently in the possession of the Met. It was left to the Met by a donor who claimed that he received the statue through legal means. The Iranian government concocts a plan to get the statue back, legally or no. Another group learns that the statue is connected to some things called Memory Tools. One of the interesting things in the story is that we learn so little about the tools. They are something on the edge and somehow in the middle of the book. The story is slow in places but it is definitely something that I would recommend to anyone who likes mysteries or any story out of the ordinary.
    • 5/5
      Having read the first two books in this series, “The Reincarnationist” and “The Memorist”, I must say that though the first two are really very good, this book is the best of the three. While the first two books were enjoyable enough for me to continue with the series, “The Hypnotist” is an excellent read, with a slightly faster pace, and it leaves me looking forward to the next book. It was captivating enough that I read the book in one day because I literally did not want to put it down! The ongoing theme throughout the books is the acquisition of certain “memory tools” that allow the users to see clearly into all of their past lives, thereby proving that reincarnation exists. The problem is that the “tools” are scattered around the world and that no one knows for sure exactly what each tool is, let alone where it is located, or even if it still exists. The search for these tools takes the reader around the globe, while characters search for clues in libraries, old documents, letters and buildings, encountering espionage, murder, theft and a variety of other crimes along the way. Meanwhile, certain characters experience “past life” regressions, both through hypnosis and spontaneously, but only in small segments and out of context to the character, but not to the reader. I think what makes this series so enjoyable is that we all would like to think that not only will there be a chance to “do over” past mistakes, but that there is a purpose to our lives. The human condition wants us to believe that we will go on endlessly and death isn’t really an end at all. Rose weaves an imaginative storyline, capturing all the nuances needed for the reader to care about the characters and enjoy the suspense and intrigue of the story. Her plot development is excellent and the reader can easily follow the storyline, and her descriptions of exotic locales and well known sites is deatiled. I usually do not enjoy books that move back and forth between characters and settings almost every chapter because I have found it disrupting, but Rose uses this method (in all three books) in the best possible way, actually making it easier to follow the different motives and the actions/reactions of all the principals in the plot. And she does so in a totally unobtrusive manner. She moves smoothly between past and present and even the “past lives” segments fit easily into the story and make total sense to the storyline and character development.While it is not necessary to have read the prior Reincarnationist books, as I think they each can stand alone, I would strongly suggest doing so. Having been introduced to some of the characters in the previous two books is to have a little background on why they are involved in reincarnation at all, and allows the reader to fully appreciate the depths of each protagonist’s individual personality and their involvement in each new story. Highly recommended.
    • 1/5
      This book is third in a series of books written by M.J. Rose. However, this is the first one I have read.Agent Lucian Glass is on the trail of Malachi Samuels of the Phoenix Foundation who is trying to find the Memory tools that could prove whether people are reincarnated. Lucien?s first love Solange was killed during a heist of a Matisse that was stolen 20 years earlier which may be tied to Samuels? quest for the artifacts. Lucien becomes involved with Emmeline, who is Solange?s cousin and Lucian starts to believe that Solange has been reincarnated as Emmeline. Unfortunately, it took me a very long time to get through this book. I don?t know if it was because it was about artifacts and the art world (of which I?m not a connoisseur) or that I had not read the previous two books, or that the story itself seemed to drag on for me and I kept getting everyone mixed up. Nevertheless, it was not a good read for me.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Interesting and fast paced.
    • 2/5
      Received an Early Reviewers copy in 2010. Forgot to write my review earlier! The premise of the story in The Hypnotist is everything Iove about a book: timeslip, paranormal elements and hint of romance. Unfortunately, I just could not get onboard with the author's writing, which was too disjointed for my taste.
    • 4/5
      Welcome to spoilerville! Malachi is front and center again and this time presents as a malevolent figure, not a avuncular one. He’s still driven to steal another Memory Tool in hopes that he will manifest some kind of past life memory despite having not done so when the rest of the concert hall did when the flute was played for all of them and all hell broke loose. He’s so determinedly delusional. This installment has another convoluted plot involving past lives, buried memories and conspiracy. It was choppy and disjointed and I have to attribute that to its complexity. For example I still don’t know how Shabaz knew about the Hypnos statue and what it hid which was the reason for his decades-long art theft. I put the timeline together and it makes no sense. I enjoyed the book despite its faults. With novels like these you have to really suspend disbelief in order to go with the flow, but once in the flow it can be a lot of fun. There are others that follow these three, but I’ll be giving them a miss.
    • 3/5
      You start out feeling very sorry for Lucian Glass. He’s late picking up his girlfriend; she ends up dead. He meets with an important witness; he gets bashed over the head and the witness ends up dead. He has nightmares, compulsions, crippling headaches. But what if it is all his fault? What if this is all related to his past…his past lives.In The Hypnotist, Lucian Glass is a member of the FBI’s Art Crime Team. He is caught up in the case of Malachi Samuels, a renowned reincarnationist who is searching for Memory Tools, artifacts which may finally prove that reincarnation exists and help us access our past lives.It’s a complicated plot, with much of it is centered in New York, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. There are stolen paintings, artwork with shady origins, espionage and an assortment of plots and subplots, designed to keep a reader guessing. There’s a Matisse, a statue of a Greek god, and a Trojan horse. Throw in some startling coincidences, some past-life drama and a little romance, and you’ve got a pretty entertaining mystery.You can read my full review on my website, Alive on the Shelves.
    • 3/5
      I didnt enjoy this one as much as I did the others. Still a good read just not what I was expecting. This will be one of those I pick up again and retry.
    • 5/5
      What’s worst than blaming yourself for the death of the woman you love? Living with that blame for 20 years and then when you get a chance to solve the crime that changed your life you have to change everything you ever believed in to do it. In the process the chance to find and save lost art is out weighed by the chance to find the woman you loved again.The Hypnotist by M.J. Rose is a fast paced thriller jam packed with twist and turns that will keep her characters and readers rethinking everything they ever thought about what happens after you take your last breath.I received this book from First Reads and hope the television show based on Rose’s prose does her justice!
    • 4/5
      The Hypnotist is book three in The Reincarnationist's series. It is a mystery suspense thriller with mild to moderate expletives and violence.Lucian Glass works for the FBI as part of their Art Crimes Team who has a past surrounded by murder and mystery. At nineteen, he returns from his artist studio, to find his girlfriend murdered and hanging amongst the picture frames of her father's framing business. However, before Lucian can react, he too is attacked and left for dead, now twenty years later, that past is coming back to haunt him.Dr. Malachai Samuels is a long-standing reincarnationist who is obsessed with proving that people's souls do, in fact, reincarnate into other bodies. His speciality is working with children, like little Veronica who begins her tale in ancient Persia, he hypnotizes the children and does past regression therapy upon them. However, Veronica's tales are tying into the memory stones that he desperately seeks, and he will stop at nothing to obtain them.Emeline Jacobs is a cousin of Solange's who has been adopted by Solange's parents, shortly after her murder. In a desperate need to feel wanted, her family was killed in an accident, Emeline begins to take on the persona of Solange. Causing her aunt and uncle to whisk her from doctor to doctor trying to uncover the secret of Emeline's uncanny mannerisms of her late cousin.Samimi is an Iranian who is working to return a statue of the God, Hypnos, back to his country. He and his people know the secrets of the statue and will cheat, lie, steal and murder to regain control of the piece, which now sits in the restoration department of the New York Metropolitan Museum. Samimi works for a boorish, murderous oaf and wishes to displace him, fearing he will be called home to Iran or worse, murdered, he works to bring salvation to his people while keeping his own self alive and intact.Each person moves separately towards their destinations not realizing they are all being directed to the same point in time. As each of the characters come to realize they are but a small piece in a bigger game, they must come to terms with their past, in order to preserve their futures.I absolutely enjoyed the book and loved all the historical references to the art pieces mentioned throughout the story. My favourite painter is Monet and reading about his work was very interesting, as were the informative pieces about Matisse, Van Gogh and the mythology behind the statue of Hypnos was equally enthralling to read. I wish there had been more of it dispersed throughout the book. I loved the blending of the past with the present with the past life transgression therapy and appreciated the tales being told through both Veronica and Lucian. The tie-ins of all the participants was well-written and convincing.The story is both slow and fast paced and it works to build momentum within the story, making you turn the pages in order to finish the tale that M.J. Rose has choose to tell. I wasn't much impressed with Emeline and wished she had been kept as an associate instead of a love interest. I don't think good stories need such and I'm often left wondering why, in times of horror, do authors have a need to throw a love story into the fray, it just doesn't make sense to me and often takes away from a story, The Hypnotist falls into such a category, unfortunately. In my honest opinion, its the books only real downfall to the plot. A small hindrance however, to a great story.
    • 3/5
      Lucian Glass has had a hard life. A talented artist, he is rocked by the death of his lover, Solange Jacobs in her father’s gallery. Mr. Jacob restored art and, after closing one evening; someone breaks in and steals a priceless Matisse, killing the girl in the process. Nearly killing Glass as well which might have been a blessing since he obsesses with Solange and cannot find a way to let her go. He is with the FBI Art Crimes Team and researches art theft, fraud, etc. Someone wants a statue that is in the care of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. A very, very old statue of Hypnos, the god of sleep. Nothing sleepy going on here, though. A group of folks called Resurrectionists, thinks the statue contains certain gems to help people recall their past lives. They will stop at nothing to get their hands on it, and some folks right in New York also want it for the same reason – it contains what they refer to as Memory Tools.The best way for Lucien to investigate the New York contingent is to pose as someone in need of help. The hypnotist he sees isn’t involved in the plot but is determined to help Lucian find his past lives. And find them he does.In a very interesting tale which is part of a series beginning with The Reincarnationist followed by The Memorist, we learn quite a bit about memory regression and if you are immersed in this it’s a great way to gain some knowledge. Rose has violence, murder, history and art all married into this novel and it works perfectly. I could not put this down until the final page and am now looking for parts one and two to satisfy my curiosity. Excellent work!
    • 4/5
      Lucian Glass is an FBI agent with the Art Crime Team, a long suffering artist, and a man damaged by not only his past but his job. Working though a recent head injury, headaches plague him along with dreams of unknown women and the love of his life --- a woman murdered at 19 years of age. Attacked in the same robbery where his girlfriend lost her life, Lucian lives with guilt over not being able to save her and surviving. That guilt pours over into his job tracking and retrieving stolen art. When he is pulled into a case involving his dead girlfriend’s family, his life takes one stumble after the other pulling him into a game with too many players all wanting the same thing.The Hypnotist is the third book in The Reincarnationist series. I haven’t read the two previous books: The Reincarnationist and The Memorist. As a standalone book, The Hypnotist worked but as a person who loves a series, I wished I had read the two earlier ones but was already into this one when I realized that was the case. Lucian is a tortured person and one who doesn’t seem to want much help either. As a character, he can be frustrating but it also lends him the sad artist persona, sketching away in his notebook trying to ease headaches that only cease when he’s frantically drawing women he doesn’t know. A sculpture with a mythical power that no one understands fully is at the center of the story but the focus is on its heist, however, I wanted to know more about what it could do. It was a part of the story I started to get into when it ended. In fact, a few of the story lines ended abruptly for me but also left me wondering if another book is in the works.I liked this book and moved through it fast. I’m a lover of museums and staring at art for no other reason than to admire its simple beauty and I found myself getting entranced by that aspect of the story. I haven’t been to the MET in years (much of the story takes places there) and this book made me want to go back. It also made me want to pick up the other two books to get the back story.I won this book through LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers Program. The ARC was downloaded as an ebook from NetGalley.
    • 5/5
      When I signed up for this book, I had no idea it was a third in a series.That didn't matter, I fell right into the characters. I admit in the beginning it was different, flipping back and forth between the stories, but when it came together it was beautiful!This book took forever to get to me, but it will stay with me forever.I can only compare it to The Da Vinci Code, but honestly, I liked this one better.Definitely one I'm adding to my recommendation list!
    • 3/5
      I read the first book in this series, The Reincarnationist, and really enjoyed the combination of past lives and modern day mystery. The idea of going back in time to witness events surrounding an ancient artifact is compelling especially set against the backdrop of human drama and tragedy. I did not read The Memorist, the second book, and while it did not detract from the main mystery I felt I had missed something. Despite this, the author does a good job of relating what's necessary to understand the relationships between the characters.In The Hypnotist, I connected right away with the main character but I felt the execution of the premise fell a bit flat. Some of the villains (middle eastern terrorists) seemed almost superfluous to the main storyline except as a device to introduce more suspense. I found that particular piece of the plot rather uninteresting. However, the main character was well drawn and the mystery of the memory tools hidden in various works of art was fascinating. I still enjoyed the past life regressions and the connections to present day events. The author leaves a certain amount of that unexplained and I find that makes it a bit more believable. The last 60 pages or so were a bit predictable but the resolution of the main characters personal mystery was still very satisfying. Recommend.
    • 1/5
      This book is third in a series of books written by M.J. Rose. However, this is the first one I have read.Agent Lucian Glass is on the trail of Malachi Samuels of the Phoenix Foundation who is trying to find the Memory tools that could prove whether people are reincarnated. Lucien’s first love Solange was killed during a heist of a Matisse that was stolen 20 years earlier which may be tied to Samuels’ quest for the artifacts. Lucien becomes involved with Emmeline, who is Solange’s cousin and Lucian starts to believe that Solange has been reincarnated as Emmeline. Unfortunately, it took me a very long time to get through this book. I don’t know if it was because it was about artifacts and the art world (of which I’m not a connoisseur) or that I had not read the previous two books, or that the story itself seemed to drag on for me and I kept getting everyone mixed up. Nevertheless, it was not a good read for me.
    • 4/5
      I've read all three in this series so far now, and find them quite uneven as to quality. The first, The Reincarnationist, was the weakest of the three by far. The pacing and plot were unimpressive, and it felt too much like a tract written to persuade the reader of the truth of reincarnation. Polemical books of any stripe just aren't as interesting to read, whether one agrees with the viewpoint they are espousing or not. In my case, I was wonderfully excited about reincarnation at age twelve when I discovered it. It seemed so much more sensible than heaven and hell decided by one short life. Now, at age 52, some days I believe it, some days not, but on all days the argument is not that attractive - feels too much like "been there, done that."The first book was about the theft of some gemstones from a burial vault dating to the late Roman Empire. The stones are reputed to allow people to remember their past lives. The next two books expand on the idea of these memory tools. In the 2nd book, The Memorist, the tool is a bone flute which Beethoven had for a while and hid. It is found and used to devastating effect, and then broken. In the third book, The Hypnotist, the tool is something hidden in an ancient statue of the Greek God Hypnos. The statue was found in Persia in the 19th century and lost in the bowels of a museum until the present. In each of the three books, there are bad guys desperate for the tools, who don't hesitate to kill for them. In the third book we find there is a list of the ancient memory tools, though it is not complete, but that there are 12 of them.The plots in the 2nd and 3rd books are much better, much more tightly written than in the first book. Although the three books are called a series, they are more related books than a series, as they focus on different characters with some carryover. Worth reading all three, although the read the first mostly for background. It is an interesting series and I'm looking forward to the next books in the series.
    • 3/5
      This book is the third in a series written by M.J. Rose. I have not had the opportunity to read the first two books and started reading this one, hoping it would work out without any background.What struck me was the almost lyrical language at times. Descriptions are almost poetic. The story itself could not quite grip me but for some reason I did keep on reading.It did make a very good impression and I have to admire the way past and present in the story entwine.I do have to admit however I did not have a lot of time these past few months and I did not give the book the attention it deserves. As english is not my first language I do need some extra time to really grasp and fully get a story. It was a hasteful job and I will have to re-read it once my personal life settles down.
    • 4/5
      This novel is the third in a trilogy. Having read the first two books, I was ready to delve into the third. While this book continues with the theme of reincarnation and revisiting the past lives, I didn't find it as instantly engaging as the others. That being said, once I got about half way through the book, I was hooked. Once you pass the mid-way point, buckle in for a heck of a ride. I have seen other reviewers say that it is unnecessary to read the first two books in the series, but I would advise against that. I don't believe the reader can develop a true appreciation for this story without the background.All In all I felt it was a satisfying end to a thrilling trilogy.
    • 4/5
      This latest novel by M.J.Rose is the third in the Reincarnationist trilogy. Phoenix Foundation, a group that specializes in past-life research is the main focus of the story along with the theft and recovery of four famous paintings and a sculpture that has not seen the light of day in 2000 years. Agent Lucian Glass does not believe in reincarnation but as events occur he becomes aware of a past life through hypnosis, that has its basis with the statue, Hypnos, a sleep chamber of sorts. Lucian is on the trail of Malachi Samuels of the Phoenix Foundation who is after the Memory tools that he wants that could prove whether people do come back. Some people believe that a person gets the chance to do things right each time they are reincarnated and that even though it may be in a different time and place, the same people could be involved. Lucien's first love Solange was killed during a heist of a Matisse that was stolen 20 years earlier. Lucien becomes involved with a young woman, Emmeline, who is niece to Solanges father Andre. Lucian starts to believe that Solange has been reincarnated as Emmeline. I had a bit of a hard time getting into this story as it is the third in the series and I had not read the previous two books. I did get into it though and it turned out to be an enjoyable, suspenseful read. This is a story that shows man's greed, even 2000 years in the past and how this greed can destroy lives, loves and careers. I would recommend reading all the books in order to get the entire concept of the story.
    • 4/5
      I read the first book in this series and thoroughly enjoyed it. The third book took me more time to get interested in the characters and by the time it had me hooked I was about ready to give up on it. The chapters themselves are short by the time you become invested in the character your reading about, the chapter ends and you're thrown into another character. It was easy for me to put the book down when I have to switch from one character to another so quickly. When I read I want to stay invested in the character. And with so many characters to "care" about at times it got a little confusing for me. Character hopping is not something I like to do.The plot itself was engaging. The central theme revolving around Memory Tools (tools to help people revisit their past lives) and the statue of Hypnos, a statue whose origin and ownership are greatly contested throughout the book. You don't have to read the 1st two books in the series to understand what's going on. But it helps to give a background. All in all, I finished the book and enjoyed the twist at the end. I became invested in the characters although it took way to long in my opinion. I would recommend this book if only to those who believe the idea of reincarnation is a fascinating topic.
    • 4/5
      I was first introduced to M.J. Rose's writing through her crime fiction series, featuring a sex therapist Dr. Morgan Snow. I enjoyed the series and so was excited when she came out with the Reincarnationist series, especially given the subject matter. Like so many books, however, the series went on my wish list, and I hadn't had the opportunity to read any of the books until now, beginning with the third book in the series, The Hypnotist. Although labeled a series, the Reincarnationist books (The Reincarnationist, The Memorist and The Hypnotist) can be read in any order. Their only connection seems to be the fact that they deal with past lives at their heart. The stories and the characters are independent of one another.The above synopsis only covers a piece of what can be found in The Hypnotist. So much is going on that I would not recommend setting the book aside once you start for days a time before returning to it. You may lose a thread or forget an important detail. I had the luxury of reading most of this book in one sitting and found it captivating all the while. It was never dull and each thread of the story seemed carefully crafted to create a suspenseful and fascinating ride. As I read, I could hardly wait to see how everything would come together in the end.The idea of past lives has long interested me, and so I was especially drawn to that aspect of the book. I haven't done nearly as much research into the subject as the author has, but my interest has been piqued. While the novel itself stretches believability, it does not do so in a way that interferes with the suspension of disbelief. I was hooked from the start and lost in the novel right through to the end. The characters were well developed, some more complex than others.Art history has never been one of my strong suits, but I am fascinated by history itself and find the world of art theft intriguing. One issue the novel brought up that especially caught my interest was the trail of ownership a piece of art may leave, the complexities of it and just how difficult it could be to trace the art back to its origin. History is full of its own mysteries. It is no wonder I love it so.Having been reading so many books about the Vietnam War recently, The Hypnotist was a nice change. I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.
    • 4/5
      This was my first novel by M.J. Rose. This book is the third in a series, I have not read the previous two. While I could tell that there was quite a bit of back story that I had missed, it was not so much that I could not figure out what was going on and enjoy the story.I always enjoy thrillers that are centered around interesting subject, in this case, high end art theft and reincarnation. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is central to the story and the author shares quite a bit of information about the facility. I knew the basic concept behind reincarnation theory, but I admit that I learned quite a bit more about the history and how believers use hypnotism to explore a person's previous life.Don't let the museum atmosphere fool you into thinking the book is slow. There is plenty of action and twists with this one. Add in the political intrigue and you have a first-rate thriller. I do not like to give away any endings in my reviews, so I will just say that there are several interesting decoys along the way and a surprise ending that I enjoyed very much.I love discovering interesting new authors. I will check out the first two books in this series and then explore some of the earlier novels.
    • 3/5
      I received this as an e-book by way of Library Thing Reviewers.Allow me to begin by saying I had a slight disadvantage while reading this book because it is the second in a trilogy and I've not read the others. This caused me to be not as familiar with characters as the author presumes you to be. Having said that I still thoroughly enjoyed the book. I love a variety of plot lines tied up in one novel and The Hypnotist does not disappoint. It was an enjoyable, thrilling read and I will be sure to look for the rest of the trilogy.
    • 4/5
      Of the three books in the Reincarnationist series, I liked this one the best. The plot was tighter (if still on the very edge of believable) and the characters were more developed. Also, this one tugged at my emotions more being directly about art, which is a passion of mine. I'm still not a fan of when the author tells us too much instead of showing us, or by giving the protagonist information that we don't have, but it does keep you reading. This book more clearly showed the effects of karma on the reincarnated people, and it's nice to see the bad guys get their comeuppance. I appreciated the behind the scenes look at the museum and I wished I could be the librarian hired by the Phoenix Foundation. Like the previous books, this story mixes history and fiction well, and the author isn't afraid to put her characters in peril.Received as an eARC through the LT Early Reviewers program and Netgalley.
    • 2/5
      The Hypnotist is an enjoyable thriller dealing with the intricacies of art theft, the machinations of a fanatical reincarnationist who it appears will stop at nothing to prove the reality of reincarnation, and the devious scheming of Iranian government representatives to bring a relic held by the Metropolitan museum of New York back to their country where it was originally uncovered.The relic in question is an ancient eight foot tall statue of Hypnos, the Greek personification of sleep. This relic has more value to some people than its mere existence as a piece of surviving ancient history.M. J. Rose has done a good job of weaving a number of story strands together with several different groups interested in Hypnos for different reasons. She has also laced the novel with factual information, in particular about the art world, which adds credence to the main theme. It could, however, be considered biased against Iran.I imagine the Iranian government could take umbrage at being portrayed as willing to support illegal means to acquire the art piece in question.This book is the third in a series of books, the first being The Reincarnationist and the second The Memorist. I was afraid I would be at a disadvantage by not having read the earlier books, but that was not the case.I enjoyed the book, but one needs to be aware that it could be viewed as subliminal promotion for belief in reincarnation and it does require a generous application of poetic licence in some areas.Not a book I would recommend wholeheartedly, but if you wanted a light summer read, then this will fit the bill if you are not too concerned about a few flaws here and there.
    • 3/5
      The book is well written - nice sentences, lots of details, an interesting premise.Unfortunately, there are a lot of characters with "foreign" names which makes it difficult to recall which is which and what they're doing. And... none of the characters make you want to connect with them - it was like reading about interesting cases from a clinical point of view. Someone got killed? Wow, but who cares since we never "knew" the dead guy anyway? A piece of art was destroyed, that's bad, right? Right? Logically, it's a bad thing, but emotionally? the storyteller didn't seem to care.That's the other part of this story I didn't really like - too much artsy-fartsy stuff - I don't know who these artists are, and I don't care. I don't care that the author knows X from Z... so please stop the art history lesson and continue with the story, k?More story, fewer art lessons, fewer politics and the addition of some emotional attachment to at least one character and this would have been a much better book.
    • 4/5
      Suspended disbelief is a must with unique, fast paced mystery. However, if the reader can accept reincarnation theory and extreme coincidences, he will become fully immersed in the originality of the carefully crafted plot, the creative artistic and historical atmosphere and the well-defined characters. There are a few flaws: too many characters, deus ex-machina twists, abrupt ending. The general story, however, gives the sense of a well-researched book without too much moralizing and great suspense. A fabulous summer read.
    • 2/5
      This book was difficult for me to stick with. There are many, many characters to follow (some of which I found unnecessary) and twists and turns throughout the plot that I wanted to follow, but just couldn’t. I honestly think I might have been able to follow along better had it been an actual copy of the book. This was an e-book and I read it on my computer. I do think the premise of the book is interesting. Stolen art, reincarnation, mystery and intrigue…all things I usually like in a book. I will give it another chance, but I will definitely find a hard copy for that read.
    • 2/5
      To sum up this book, I could use the old saying, “Too many cooks spoil the broth.” I really, really wanted to enjoy this book. I think the subject matter was very interesting: hypnosis, re-incarnation, and art. It had a lot of promise, using mystery/crime and tying it in with real world places. Where it failed, was in the multitude of characters. There were so many random unnecessary characters with minor subplots that I felt it tended to distract me from the main story itself. It kind of reminded me of a screen-play writer writing bit parts in a movie so their friends could each have a line or two and qualify for a SAG card. It took about ten chapters before I could remotely get interested in the story, but was then able to stay interested after that. All in all, the main story itself was good, and the idea and thought put into the story was interesting and thought provoking, but it would have been much better with less characters.