The Hypnotist is an intricately woven thriller that is both smart and original. The beginning of the story lands us in the scene of a gruesome murder in a suburb just outside of Stockholm. A family, two parents and their daughter have been killed in a most horrendous way. The only survivor is the older son, Joseph Elk. He is in the hospital in critical condition, stabbed countless times. There is also an older sister, who was not living at home, and detective inspector Joona Linna believes her to be in imminent danger. Without any other witnesses and no known motive Inspector Linna decides to have Joseph hypnotized. When Inspector Linna first requests Doctor Erik Maria Bark to hypnotize Joseph Elk, he at first refuses. Dr Bark has not practiced hypnosis in over ten years and has vowed to never again perform it on anyone. But when told the gravity of the situation he reluctantly agrees to do it. The hypnosis is successful, however Dr Bark and Inspector Linna are completely surprised by the results and unknown to them it sets off a terrifying chain of events that throw Dr Bark and his family into a series of violent events. I loved this book, highly suspenseful and terrifying. Be warned this book has some pretty gruesome scenes, but they are an integral part of the story. ~ Mara