The hypnotist

Kepler, L. (2009). The hypnotist. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.


Annotation: Detective Inspector Joona Linna demands to investigate a triple homicide against the wishes of the national police.


Summary: In Tumba, Sweden, a family has been found brutally murdered. The sole survivor is the 15-year old son, who suffered nearly 100 knife wounds and is in a state of shock. Detective Inspector Joona Linna enlists the help of Dr. Erik Maria Bark, a trauma physician who was barred from hypnotizing patients nearly 10 years ago. At Linna's request Bark agrees to hypnotize the boy in the hopes of finding the killer before the killer finds the boy's missing older sister. This sets off a series of increasingly violent events leading to a climactic and unpredictable conclusion. 


Review: This psychological thriller is packed with fast paced adventure, subplots, and twists and turns.At times the book heads off in so many directions that it is somewhat confusing, but everything comes together with a satisfying conclusion. Readers should be aware that there is incest in this book. 


Sequel: The nightmare, scheduled to be released July 3, 2012


Possible recommends: Other Lars Kepler books, Larsson Stieg trilogy. Jo Nesbo, Jussi Alder-Olsen


Rating: 4Q/4P