Customer Reviews

The Hypnotist (The Reincarnationist)

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A priceless sculpture that hides an ancient secret; an FBI investigator haunted by the past; and a terrorist plot involving the theft of magnificent works of art all combine to create THE HYPNOTIST, the unputdownable thriller and third entry in M.J.Rose's superb Reincarnationist series (The Reincarnationist and The Memorist).

No author currently writing in the suspense/thriller category does quite what M.J. Rose does; underpinning her novels is the haunting premise that all of us have past lives that connect us to the present, and within this framework she's conjured a high-stakes world of treacherous business dealings, international intrigue, and the often lethal search for the elusive Memory Tools - objects that can assist people to access their pasts and which, if found and harnessed, could provide their owner with unimaginable power. At the center of this web is Dr Malachi Samuels of the Phoenix Foundation, a gifted yet amoral reincarnation expert who allegedly will stop at nothing to possess the Memory Tools.

These entwined themes are spun throughout the series; however, each novel can be enjoyed on its own merits and The Hypnotist is no exception. When Lucian Glass, FBI criminal art investigator, is called in by the Metropolitan Museum in New York City to investigate the horrific mutilation of a stolen painting, he is plunged into a search for the man who, years ago, destroyed his youth and aspiring career as an artist. His investigation leads him back into the elegant, dangerous milieu of the Phoenix Foundation, where a young girl is being treated for nightmarish visions, and the presence of a mysterious woman who might hold the key to his quest. As Lucian begins to uncover a plot centered around a millennial-old sculpture that has surfaced after years of neglect, he finds himself caught up in an intricately linked conspiracy of art smuggling, terrorism, and the race to claim a coveted Memory Tool.

The Hypnotist stands out from the other entries in the series for its lyricism and the timely question: Who truly owns art? In this novel, which is replete with Ms Rose's trademark moments of breathtaking suspense and secrets-within-secrets, Rose has gone deeper into her mythology, detailing the subtle ways in which senseless tragedy shifts and defines us, and the hallowed effect that art exerts on our beings. While her previous novels have all featured lost souls seeking redemption, in The Hypnotist something of Rose's own complex soul comes into display, and it is a fascinating glimpse into a writer who, with this novel, has both matured and exceeded the very high expectations she has set for herself and her readers.

To some deja vu is more than just a coincidence. It is pieces from our past lives that play an important part on the here, the now and the future.

Lucian lost the love of his life a long time ago and blames himself for not being able to save her. He works for the FBI and the current case has him tracking down a thief. Under hypnosis, Lucian reveals some information that he didn't even know he had. Demands are made and one wrong move could destroy everything.

This is one of those books that take you to another level that you didn't even know existed. We've all heard about reincarnation by M.J. is so talented that her story seems like the first one to ever. Definitely 5 stars!

Lucian Glass was just a young boy when the woman he loved, Solange, was murdered. Ridden with guilt, Lucian has not been able to forgiven himself for not being able to protect Solange.

Now twenty years later, Lucian works for the FBI as part of the Arts Crime Team. He and the Arts Crime Team are trying to track down the person responsible for destroying priceless works of art. Lucian's investigation brings him to Malachai Samuels. Malachai is a skilled hypnotist and part of a powerful secret society known as the Phoenix Foundation. He is very interested in getting his hands on some very old artifacts called memory tools. Is there a connection between Malachai and Lucian's case?

The Hypnotist is book three in the Reincarnationist series. It can be read as a stand alone novel. I jumped into the middle of this series. My first experience with Ms. Rose was with The Memorist. That was all it took for me to become hooked. At a little over four hundred pages, this book reads like a dream. I started reading this book right before I went to bed. This was not a good idea as I had to force myself to put the book down and get some sleep. Lucian and Malachai are both very strong male leads. There were a few twists that were placed well in the plot. It is easy to see why author, MJ Rose is so fascinated by the subject of reincarnation. Be warned as you will be hypnotized by The Hypnotist.

Having read the first two books in this series, The Reincarnationist and The Memorist (The Reincarnationist), I must say that though the first two are really very good, this book is the best of the three. The first two kept me interested in continuing the series, but "The Hypnotist" takes it to the next level. It's an excellent read, with a slightly faster pace, and 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, as 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 though out of context to the character, they are 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. Her descriptions of exotic locales and well known sites is detailed - she has done her research. 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 plot 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.

Art theft is big business, and Lucian Glass should know. He is part of the FBI's crime team, and is investigating some strange happenings, all dealing with items called the Memory Tools. A group of reincarnationists believe that these tools will unlock the mysteries of past lives, and some will stop at nothing to find them. When a large statue called Hypnos is discovered at the Met in New York, it becomes clear that different groups have different reasons for wanting the statue, and nothing will stand in their way of getting it. The situation forces Lucian to deal with his very painful past.

I was concerned that I would be a little lost when reading this book, since it is the third in a series, but I must say, this is an excellent stand alone book. The plot, while complex, is easy to follow, and draws the reader in to the storyline from the very beginning. Past and present are woven together in such fluidity, I never had difficulty seeing how all the pieces fit together, nor questioned the author's technique in changing time settings and narratives throughout the book. It was like a delicate dance, and was executed perfectly.

I never felt as connected to the characters as I would have liked, but I think that this too served a purpose. With a story this complex and intense, a reader cannot get too attached to any character; there just really is not time. I certainly sympathized with many of the characters in the book, some major players and some minor.

I personally am skeptical about metaphysical topics, including reincarnation. I thought the book did a nice job of including metaphysical elements in the story without being over the top. Similarly, I know know little about the world of fine art, but its incorporation into the storyline was done in such a way that it made sense to me. I think it is sheer brilliance when an author can take topics about which readers are unaware or uninterested and incorporate them into a storyline that still can draw that reader in to the book. I am curious to read the other books in the series now.

M.J. Rose continues her Reincarnationist series with her newest release and number three in the series following The Reincarnationist and The Memorist , The Hypnotist. Though I have not had the pleasure of reading the first two, I loved The Hypnotist and can't wait to go back and read the previous books. With that being said, I feel that this is a book that strongly stands alone, as I never found myself lost or confused within the story.

The Hypnotist is brimming with suspense, thrills and twists and turns. With the opening packing a powerful punch, it was amazingly easy to fall right into the story from the very beginning. M.J. Rose brings her characters to life upon the pages and weaves together the past and present with amazing ease. The plot and story line are incredible and will keep the reader guessing until the very end. I definitely recommend The Hypnotist for anyone looking for an incredible and suspense filled story!

Iran is pressing the U.S. for the return of an eight-foot-tall chryselephantine statue of the Greek god Hypos, the god of sleep, now kept at Metropolitan Museum of Art where a new director's first crisis is facing threats from thiefs who want to force an unexpected trade to get it. The ruthless Minister of Iranian Culture, Farid Taghinia, doesn't care about the art itself but craves the secret Memory Tools it holds. Those tools offer a way of having power of others that is a coincidental variation on the movie Inception.

As in most satisfying mysteries there are sub-plots (five stolen masterpiece paintings the thief wants to trade), twists, love, murder and conflicting motives here that lead up to a logical yet unexpected conclusion.

The title comes from the protagonist, Lucian Glass, a Special Agent with the FBI's Art Crime Team, who, in attempting to infiltrate a suspicious institute, agrees to be hypnotized by someone at it to see if understanding his past lives will relieve his current nightmares. He thinks he can fake going under, but can he?

I enjoyed learning a bit about ancient art along the way. This is the first M.J. Rose book I've read (on the airplane) and I enjoyed it enough to look for another. I was surprised to read in the book that, "Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, art crime has become the third largest worldwide crime, following the drug trde and illicit drug deals."

I found the opening quote in the book so evocative that I typed it out to keep. It is by Roberta Smith, writing in the New York Times about the exhibit Silent Survivor of Afghanistan's 4,000 Tumultuous Years:

"Often, in the cosseted quarters of a museum, we forget that every work of ancient art is a survivor, a representative of untold numbers of similar artworks, that perished. This triumphant exhibition makes us remember, while demonstrating that every survivor saves much more than just itself: long strands of culture, identity and history waiting to be woven back together."

I had not heard of this book (or the series) until Lisa from TLC Book Tours asked me if I wanted to be on the tour. I'm glad she gave me the opportunity to read The Hypnotist because had it not been for her, I probably wouldn't have found out about this book otherwise. The Hypnotist is the 3rd book in The Reincarnationist series. I have not read the 1st two books but I had no problem reading this book as a stand alone.

The beginning of the book felt like I was getting pulled from all different directions. It was hard for me to follow the storyline at first; it kept bouncing around from one narrative to another in a way that I found somewhat confusing. But once I had my feet firmly planted in the foundation of the storyline, I was ready for the adventure. This took about 50-60 pages.

Another thing I had trouble with was following the characters. The main reason being that at one point a character would be referred to by their first name, then at another time by their last name. Because of this inconsistency, I found myself backpedalling to remind myself who a character was. I think it would have been a bit easier to follow if the characters were all referred to the same way - either by their first name or their last. There is enough going on in the storyline that needs my attention; I don't want to have to constantly think `who's this guy again?". I finally decided to keep a list of characters, to keep everyone straight.

All in all, The Hypnotist was a good read. Once I got into the story, it was hard to put the book down. It had an intricate plot with the character's paths intertwining with one another in ways you would not expect. I am not a firm believer in reincarnation; however, the author presented very convincing theories on the subject matter. The highly climatic ending kept me on the edge of my seat. I got closure for the most part; no cliffhanger ending here. The intense-filled, suspenseful ending had me! It was not what I was expecting. I like getting an ending that I didn't see coming. Word of insight - this book is one to savor; The Hypnotist is not a light, fluffy read.

The Hypnotist by M.J. Rose

A mayhem fest sets the stage for an FBI art crime investigator. A search for memory tools to prove and facilitate reincarnation, leads to death, destruction and redemption.

Lucien Glass lives with loss. His life has been defined by his loss. Ms. Rose paints Lucien's pain and pathos with diligence. You have to be made of stone not to feel for the guy. His perseverance in his work is fuel by his frustration and loss.

The story had subtle levels of deception that touched on current events while titillating with the bizarre and macabre. Iranian terrorists, monomaniacal philanthropists, demented movie moguls combine for a delightful bouillabaisse to tickle the literary palate. And lest I forget, a poignant love story to round out this excellent book.

I highly recommend the book.

As I read through MJ Rose's THE HYPNOTIST I was struck by the feeling that the themes in this book felt similar to a Dan Brown book. Ms. Rose shows the same interest in history, spiritual matters and a good page-turning thriller. I have not read the other books in the Reincarnationist series, and this book certainly can stand alone. Ms. Rose has a wonderful ability to draw the reader in from the first page and to continue to hold your interest through compelling characters and a plot that will keep you guessing until the very end. Her books are sure to end up at the top of the bestsellers lists.