Thursday, August 2, 2012

The Hypnotist

The Hypnotist
By Lars Kepler
Sarah Crichton Books/Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2011. 503 pgs. Mystery

A bloody double murder leaves its lone survivor unresponsive and recovering from over one hundred knife wounds.  Swedish inspector Joona Linna enlists the aid of Dr. Erik Maria Bark, a famous, though retired, hypnotist, in an attempt to retrieve information from the traumatized young man before his would-be killer strikes again.  But Dr. Bark’s reluctant assistance not only places his career in danger but his family as well and he and Linna will race to save the next victim from a horrific death. 

‘The Hypnotist’ is another gripping and gruesome mystery from Sweden very similar to the works of Stieg Larsson and Jo Nesbo.  Lars Kepler is actually a husband and wife writing team with a second book, ‘The Nightmare’ featuring Inspector Linna, released earlier this month.  Graphic, violent, and psychologically chilling this would especially appeal to readers who enjoyed the drama of ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ but would like to avoid the sexual violence of Stieg’s work.




CZ

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