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The Hypnotist
In 1906, San Francisco has reached the peak of its golden age. Fortunes have created a society that attracts European opera singers and cordon bleu chefs. It is a world defined by elegant balls, oysters, and champagne. But there are darker sides to the city as well. One of these darker places is The Mission district south of Market Street houses tenements where shanties huddle together and rats plague the streets. And nearby sits Chinatown, an endless warren of dark alleys that offers gambling, prostitution, and opium, all controlled by vicious gangs, called tongs.
Into these disparate worlds steps Marta Baldwin, a young woman who has shunned her own social background to help the poor. She is confronted by a hypnotist, a man who hypnotizes young women from the tenements and delivers them to the tongs in Chinatown to work in their brothels. Marta escapes his hypnotic trance, but when her assistant, Missy, disappears, Marta realizes she has been taken by the evil man who confronted her. She seeks the help of Byron Wagner, one of San Francisco's most prominent citizens. Marta finds herself drawn to Byron but knows his high social standing prevents any possibility of a relationship between them. This is confirmed when Marta discovers Byron having an intimate conversation with Lillie Collins, the daughter of one of the city's most elite families. Marta is flushed with jealousy.
However, Lillie defies social customs, and her rebellious nature fits naturally with Marta's. Despite her envy, the two women become close friends. Marta is caught up in a whirlwind of opulent balls, opium dens and brothels, and police raids in Chinatown. She cannot deny her feelings for Byron, but she must save Missy and protect her new friends from harm. For lurking in the background is the hypnotist. He has become obsessed with Marta and will use all his guile to ensnare her. When he threatens those she loves, Marta is determined to stop him, even at her own peril. Will her boldness entrap her? If so, how can she hope to escape the man's hypnotic embrace? Then the earth moves, and nothing will ever be the same again.
Into these disparate worlds steps Marta Baldwin, a young woman who has shunned her own social background to help the poor. She is confronted by a hypnotist, a man who hypnotizes young women from the tenements and delivers them to the tongs in Chinatown to work in their brothels. Marta escapes his hypnotic trance, but when her assistant, Missy, disappears, Marta realizes she has been taken by the evil man who confronted her. She seeks the help of Byron Wagner, one of San Francisco's most prominent citizens. Marta finds herself drawn to Byron but knows his high social standing prevents any possibility of a relationship between them. This is confirmed when Marta discovers Byron having an intimate conversation with Lillie Collins, the daughter of one of the city's most elite families. Marta is flushed with jealousy.
However, Lillie defies social customs, and her rebellious nature fits naturally with Marta's. Despite her envy, the two women become close friends. Marta is caught up in a whirlwind of opulent balls, opium dens and brothels, and police raids in Chinatown. She cannot deny her feelings for Byron, but she must save Missy and protect her new friends from harm. For lurking in the background is the hypnotist. He has become obsessed with Marta and will use all his guile to ensnare her. When he threatens those she loves, Marta is determined to stop him, even at her own peril. Will her boldness entrap her? If so, how can she hope to escape the man's hypnotic embrace? Then the earth moves, and nothing will ever be the same again.
324 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
27 people want to read
About the author
Gordon Snider
12 books7 followersGordon Snider missed becoming a native Californian by 5 months, which may explain his wanderlust. He has traveled extensively throughout the world, including such exotic destinations as Uzbekistan, Patagonia, Amazon, Borneo, Burma and the Himalayan countries of Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal.
Prior to becoming a full-time author, Gordon spent thirty years as an independent marketing consultant and taught at four universities, most recently at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Ever popular with his students, Gordon has received two Faculty of the Year awards, one from University of Phoenix in the MBA program, and one from Cal Poly.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in business from UCLA and his masters in marketing from California State University Los Angeles, where he was named the Outstanding Marketing Student of the Year. He has also been active in professional associations, including President of both the Southern California American Marketing Association and the Northern California Decorating Products Association.
Gordon has published numerous magazine articles, many on travel destinations, and two business books. His second business book, How to Become a Killer, was published in 1999 and was the basis for a popular seminar that he presented at trade shows and conventions throughout the U.S. and Canada. The magazine articles often included his photography.
One thing led to another, and he eventually found himself photographing for tour operators. One of his assignments took him to Tibet. The country so mesmerized him that he wrote his first novel about it, entitled Sigourney’s Quest. Since then, he has published three more novels, The Separatist, The Hypnotist, and Venice Lost. His latest book, a humorous look at travel entitled I’m Traveling as Fast as I Can, is scheduled to be released later this year.
Currently, Gordon and his wife, Fe, enjoy walking the beaches and observing the migrating whales from their home in Pismo Beach, California. It is, he says, the perfect setting for his creative writing.
Current Releases:
Sigourney's Quest - by Gordon Snider
The Hypnotist - by Gordon Snider
The Separatist - by Gordon Snider
Venice Lost - by Gordon Snider
Prior to becoming a full-time author, Gordon spent thirty years as an independent marketing consultant and taught at four universities, most recently at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Ever popular with his students, Gordon has received two Faculty of the Year awards, one from University of Phoenix in the MBA program, and one from Cal Poly.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in business from UCLA and his masters in marketing from California State University Los Angeles, where he was named the Outstanding Marketing Student of the Year. He has also been active in professional associations, including President of both the Southern California American Marketing Association and the Northern California Decorating Products Association.
Gordon has published numerous magazine articles, many on travel destinations, and two business books. His second business book, How to Become a Killer, was published in 1999 and was the basis for a popular seminar that he presented at trade shows and conventions throughout the U.S. and Canada. The magazine articles often included his photography.
One thing led to another, and he eventually found himself photographing for tour operators. One of his assignments took him to Tibet. The country so mesmerized him that he wrote his first novel about it, entitled Sigourney’s Quest. Since then, he has published three more novels, The Separatist, The Hypnotist, and Venice Lost. His latest book, a humorous look at travel entitled I’m Traveling as Fast as I Can, is scheduled to be released later this year.
Currently, Gordon and his wife, Fe, enjoy walking the beaches and observing the migrating whales from their home in Pismo Beach, California. It is, he says, the perfect setting for his creative writing.
Current Releases:
Sigourney's Quest - by Gordon Snider
The Hypnotist - by Gordon Snider
The Separatist - by Gordon Snider
Venice Lost - by Gordon Snider
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
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July 20, 2016Snider deserves high praise for creating such a wonderful character Marta Baldwin. Her intelligence, strength, independence and altruism leaves the most misogynistic of men softened. A feminist, a woman clearly out of place in the era, undeterred she makes her way, knowing when to pull in her superiority, the woman is whip smart fully aware of her ability to intimidate males. Her fearlessness and determination is to be admired. Brave, courageous Marta is a true heroine.
The abundance of secondary characters also adds interest, increasing the weight of the plot. You are provided enough background with varying personalities allowing full character development. Once again Snider does a wonderful jon marrying a loaded cast with an elaborate narrative.
I’m not a fan of a narrative that’s busy. Multiple story lines are usually distracting. Snider manages to craft multiple plots effortlessly with plenty of interest intersecting without annoyance. Despite the title, the narrative does not fully focus on the hypnotist, rather the focus is central to Marta, certainly staving off monotony.
The setting is vibrant, you feel Chinatown, the fog of San Francisco, the presence of tongs and the sweet sickening smell of opium. The San Fransisco Earthquake of 1906 is described impeccably, you can almost feel the earth shake along with the harrowing plight of survivors.
Entertaining story with the perfect amounts of romance, suspense, mystery and of course paranormal. A pleasant surprise and a thriller of a reading adventure.
http://ravenhairedgirl.com
The abundance of secondary characters also adds interest, increasing the weight of the plot. You are provided enough background with varying personalities allowing full character development. Once again Snider does a wonderful jon marrying a loaded cast with an elaborate narrative.
I’m not a fan of a narrative that’s busy. Multiple story lines are usually distracting. Snider manages to craft multiple plots effortlessly with plenty of interest intersecting without annoyance. Despite the title, the narrative does not fully focus on the hypnotist, rather the focus is central to Marta, certainly staving off monotony.
The setting is vibrant, you feel Chinatown, the fog of San Francisco, the presence of tongs and the sweet sickening smell of opium. The San Fransisco Earthquake of 1906 is described impeccably, you can almost feel the earth shake along with the harrowing plight of survivors.
Entertaining story with the perfect amounts of romance, suspense, mystery and of course paranormal. A pleasant surprise and a thriller of a reading adventure.
http://ravenhairedgirl.com
September 7, 2015
I must admit that was really got me interested in the book in the first was the extraordinary fascinating cover of the book. It's almost...hypnotizing to look at (pun intended).
Luckily the book was also good to read. Although sometimes I felt that the romance between Marta Baldwin and Byron Wagner took a little too much place. I mean I don't mind romance in crime novels. I just prefer it to not take over the story and frankly it was a bit too much instalove, with Marta feeling her heart flutter every time she sees Byron. Sorry to everyone out there that loves that kind of book. I just don't. I mean I do not mind that there is romance in the book. But sometimes it takes over the story and I would have liked the focus more on the hunt for the hypnotist then their blossoming romance.
But anyway, there are two things with this book was I really like. The setting is one thing. San Francisco 1906 and we get to see both sides of the city, both the rich part and the poor part and Chinatown is an interesting part of the story. It's like its own tiny world. And, I liked the idea of a hypnotist as a criminal that was a new approach. Unfortunately I wished that he had been a more interesting character, but frankly he was a bit pathetically. No really master plan, just a mentally unstable person. I never felt that he was a real threat that he would case real hurt or damage.
I must admit that I didn't expect the ending. It was logical when you think about. I like it when things happen that people have no way of predict, things that make every plan just collapse because you can't control everything.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for a blog tour at TLC Book Tours.
Luckily the book was also good to read. Although sometimes I felt that the romance between Marta Baldwin and Byron Wagner took a little too much place. I mean I don't mind romance in crime novels. I just prefer it to not take over the story and frankly it was a bit too much instalove, with Marta feeling her heart flutter every time she sees Byron. Sorry to everyone out there that loves that kind of book. I just don't. I mean I do not mind that there is romance in the book. But sometimes it takes over the story and I would have liked the focus more on the hunt for the hypnotist then their blossoming romance.
But anyway, there are two things with this book was I really like. The setting is one thing. San Francisco 1906 and we get to see both sides of the city, both the rich part and the poor part and Chinatown is an interesting part of the story. It's like its own tiny world. And, I liked the idea of a hypnotist as a criminal that was a new approach. Unfortunately I wished that he had been a more interesting character, but frankly he was a bit pathetically. No really master plan, just a mentally unstable person. I never felt that he was a real threat that he would case real hurt or damage.
I must admit that I didn't expect the ending. It was logical when you think about. I like it when things happen that people have no way of predict, things that make every plan just collapse because you can't control everything.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for a blog tour at TLC Book Tours.
June 4, 2019
Marta Baldwin ignores social convention by wearing men's trousers while doing social work in 1906. Marta helps who she can with what means she has available. Meanwhile, a strange man is kidnapping young women off the streets never to be seen again. He's very tall and wears an amber ring. When Marta's assistant Missy goes missing she believes the same man tried to hypnotize her has taken Missy. Marta enlists the help of Bryon Wagoner to search for the hypnotist and her assistant Missy. Will the hypnotist be found? Will Missy also be found? Find out in The Hypnotist.
August 4, 2015
The Hypnotist by Gordon Snider is my first foray into early twentieth century San Francisco and during the Great Earthquake to boot. Well, in a straight historical fiction sense at least, as I adore Mercedes Lackey’s The Fire Rose, which is set at the same time, but has a whole different explanation for the earthquake! But the synopsis for Snider’s novel sounded intriguing and the strong bonds of friendship between women that seemed at its core were a strong draw as well. Snider certainly delivers on the latter, but The Hypnotist wasn’t always an easy or pleasant read for me, mostly due to its prose.
I found myself having a hard time reading for long stretches of time and at the same time having a hard time picking the book back up when I had been away from it. It was as if it took me a while to sink back into the writing and the rhythm of the book before the reading got easy again, yet to get to that point was hard, as I kept drifting away. To be fair, this struggle with concentrating might also be on me, as I was really tired and just starting my vacation when I read the book; a different reader might not have this problem at all. But for me it created a choppy and uneven reading experience, which drew away from the book’s wonderful characters and interesting story.
The Hypnotist’s strong suit is its protagonist, Marta Baldwin. Marta is a fabulous character, whose drive and independence jump off the page. I really liked her spirit and her determination to manage her own life and not be defined by the men around her. The way she stood up for herself, to her brother and other men who patronise her, was wonderful and sadly even over a hundred years later very familiar. I also liked her very modern conviction that it was better to teach the impoverished how to budget and manage their money than just giving them a one-time handout. And that one of the main steps was making sure that not all the money was blown on payday on booze and other entertainments, preferably by having the wife manage all of the finances. She’s also fiercely loyal to her friends and not afraid to reconsider her opinions on people, such as happens with Angela Cummings, the society wife who falls from grace.
Marta isn’t the book’s only unconventional woman, she is joined by the ineffable Lillie Collins, a young socialite who is anything but conventional or demure. I adored Lillie and her ‘take charge, can do’-attitude. She is loud and brash and couldn’t careless about society’s bad opinion, though both she and Marta acknowledge that she can only afford to be due to her affluent background. Marta’s assistant Missy is a clear counterbalance, as she can’t afford to be anything but respectable and even then is vulnerable to popular opinion, just as the afore-mentioned Angela, who is dropped from society when her husband leaves her.
Snider’s female characters were far more interesting to me than his male characters. While Byron is definitely sympathetic, I had a harder time with Byron’s friend Charles, who rubbed me the wrong way due to reasons best left out to avoid spoilers. Similarly, I had a hard time with the Hypnotist. Snider wrote his point of view in the first person and seemed to be trying to create a sense of sympathy for this awful man due to his past, but it had the opposite effect on me. I really disliked him and I found his point of view hard to get through, always being glad when we moved away from him and back to another character.
The plot of The Hypnotist is quite interesting. The reader is presented both with the mystery of Marta’s trying to discover who the Hypnotist is and with a story arc dealing with Marta’s struggle to gain control of her own financial circumstances and inheritance and saving her house. The culmination of the story in the Great Quake was very well done and I found the passages dealing with Marta’s passage through the wrecked city some of the most powerful scenes in the novel. The utter devastation of San Francisco and the fires and survivors roaming the streets created an almost post-apocalyptic impression.
While I struggled with the book, in the end it was a worthwhile read and one whose protagonist was quite memorable. Marta, and Lillie too, were the highlights of the book and they are certainly the sort of characters I like to read about. If you enjoy a mystery starring a smart, independent woman then The Hypnotist definitely provides that in spades.
This book was provided for review by the publisher as part of a blog tour.
I found myself having a hard time reading for long stretches of time and at the same time having a hard time picking the book back up when I had been away from it. It was as if it took me a while to sink back into the writing and the rhythm of the book before the reading got easy again, yet to get to that point was hard, as I kept drifting away. To be fair, this struggle with concentrating might also be on me, as I was really tired and just starting my vacation when I read the book; a different reader might not have this problem at all. But for me it created a choppy and uneven reading experience, which drew away from the book’s wonderful characters and interesting story.
The Hypnotist’s strong suit is its protagonist, Marta Baldwin. Marta is a fabulous character, whose drive and independence jump off the page. I really liked her spirit and her determination to manage her own life and not be defined by the men around her. The way she stood up for herself, to her brother and other men who patronise her, was wonderful and sadly even over a hundred years later very familiar. I also liked her very modern conviction that it was better to teach the impoverished how to budget and manage their money than just giving them a one-time handout. And that one of the main steps was making sure that not all the money was blown on payday on booze and other entertainments, preferably by having the wife manage all of the finances. She’s also fiercely loyal to her friends and not afraid to reconsider her opinions on people, such as happens with Angela Cummings, the society wife who falls from grace.
Marta isn’t the book’s only unconventional woman, she is joined by the ineffable Lillie Collins, a young socialite who is anything but conventional or demure. I adored Lillie and her ‘take charge, can do’-attitude. She is loud and brash and couldn’t careless about society’s bad opinion, though both she and Marta acknowledge that she can only afford to be due to her affluent background. Marta’s assistant Missy is a clear counterbalance, as she can’t afford to be anything but respectable and even then is vulnerable to popular opinion, just as the afore-mentioned Angela, who is dropped from society when her husband leaves her.
Snider’s female characters were far more interesting to me than his male characters. While Byron is definitely sympathetic, I had a harder time with Byron’s friend Charles, who rubbed me the wrong way due to reasons best left out to avoid spoilers. Similarly, I had a hard time with the Hypnotist. Snider wrote his point of view in the first person and seemed to be trying to create a sense of sympathy for this awful man due to his past, but it had the opposite effect on me. I really disliked him and I found his point of view hard to get through, always being glad when we moved away from him and back to another character.
The plot of The Hypnotist is quite interesting. The reader is presented both with the mystery of Marta’s trying to discover who the Hypnotist is and with a story arc dealing with Marta’s struggle to gain control of her own financial circumstances and inheritance and saving her house. The culmination of the story in the Great Quake was very well done and I found the passages dealing with Marta’s passage through the wrecked city some of the most powerful scenes in the novel. The utter devastation of San Francisco and the fires and survivors roaming the streets created an almost post-apocalyptic impression.
While I struggled with the book, in the end it was a worthwhile read and one whose protagonist was quite memorable. Marta, and Lillie too, were the highlights of the book and they are certainly the sort of characters I like to read about. If you enjoy a mystery starring a smart, independent woman then The Hypnotist definitely provides that in spades.
This book was provided for review by the publisher as part of a blog tour.
August 6, 2015
This review first appeared on Books That Hook
I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
The Hypnotist is a captivating story about a woman named Marta who encounters a stranger who has the ability to hypnotize and manipulate victims. Because she wears an amulet that lessens his power over her, he becomes fixated on her and her friends. While Marta deals with the hypnotist's escalating behavior, she meets Byron, falls in love, saves her home from foreclosure, and much more. The story is set in 1906, San Francisco, and incorporates the devastating earthquake and fire of that time.
The book has been listed as a historical mystery novel, but I don't feel that classification is correct because there isn't any mystery. From very early on, the reader knows who the perpetrator is and why he does what he does. The way the story unfolds is more like a thriller, yet I hesitate to call it a thriller because the term feels too strong for this story. After some thought, I decided to classify it as a historical suspense. I suppose the genre isn't that important, but I like to be as accurate as possible on the blog. Plus, I mention all this here so you can have an idea of what this story feels like. Marta is afraid of the hypnotist. Something has to be done about him. However, there aren't unanswered questions or riddles to solve.
When I first started reading this book, I wondered if the first three pages were necessary because they are mostly about Angela, not Marta. As I got further into the story, and Angela played a bigger role, I could see their purpose. Not only did they introduce Angela's character, but they also were a way to set up what Marta was like. By contrast, the reader learns about Marta's personality and values. So, if you find the first few pages boring, I encourage you to keep reading. By page four, Marta encounters the hypnotist.
One thing I noticed early on was how convincing the descriptions of the setting and culture were. I could visualize the time period very well. I had the impression that the book was historically accurate. Also, the author made it easy for me to suspend disbelief. Everything was believable to me, even though I never knew how the hypnotist had the power to control people against their will.
I was really getting into the story until the third chapter threw me through a loop. I had just begun to connect to Marta. Suddenly, the point of view switches from third person to first person, with Harold (the hypnotist) as the narrator. It also switches from past to present tense. I found these changes disruptive to the flow of the story. I never got used to them. Chapter three was also problematic for me because I felt it ruined any chance for mystery by identifying the hypnotist and his motives.
In chapter four, I ran into another problem. Marta talks about Angela Cunnigham. I was like, "who the **** is that?" It took me a few pages to realize this was a mistake. Marta was still talking about Angela Cummings. It's such a minor error, but it stopped the flow of reading while I tried to figure it out.
The middle of the book focuses mostly on Marta's other problems, not the hypnotist. I didn't mind this because I was interested in what was going on with her brother, the shipping business, her house, and her new friendships. Some readers might not like it though because it does seem to get off track for a considerable amount of time. The romance kind of takes over for a little while. Like I said, it didn't bother me, but I can see how some people might not like it.
The characters are well-developed. I really liked Marta's character. She wasn't a wilting flower; she was progressive and feminist. The only thing I didn't like about her was when she made a dumb mistake and walked into a trap. Even when she realized she had been stupid, she didn't consider the obvious question of what the person who had sent the message looked like, which would have been my first question if I had been her.
As a whole, I thought the story was well-written. The best aspect, in my opinion, was the descriptions of the earthquake and the fire. Not only did it feel real and historically accurate, but it also evoked my emotions of sympathy, fear, and worry.
I would read another book about Marta. I recommend The Hypnotist to readers who like books about non-conventional women in the 1900s, books with fantasy and romance in the mix, and books with first person narration from the point of view of the villain. I give this book four stars for vivid descriptions, likable characters, and interesting subplots.
I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
The Hypnotist is a captivating story about a woman named Marta who encounters a stranger who has the ability to hypnotize and manipulate victims. Because she wears an amulet that lessens his power over her, he becomes fixated on her and her friends. While Marta deals with the hypnotist's escalating behavior, she meets Byron, falls in love, saves her home from foreclosure, and much more. The story is set in 1906, San Francisco, and incorporates the devastating earthquake and fire of that time.
The book has been listed as a historical mystery novel, but I don't feel that classification is correct because there isn't any mystery. From very early on, the reader knows who the perpetrator is and why he does what he does. The way the story unfolds is more like a thriller, yet I hesitate to call it a thriller because the term feels too strong for this story. After some thought, I decided to classify it as a historical suspense. I suppose the genre isn't that important, but I like to be as accurate as possible on the blog. Plus, I mention all this here so you can have an idea of what this story feels like. Marta is afraid of the hypnotist. Something has to be done about him. However, there aren't unanswered questions or riddles to solve.
When I first started reading this book, I wondered if the first three pages were necessary because they are mostly about Angela, not Marta. As I got further into the story, and Angela played a bigger role, I could see their purpose. Not only did they introduce Angela's character, but they also were a way to set up what Marta was like. By contrast, the reader learns about Marta's personality and values. So, if you find the first few pages boring, I encourage you to keep reading. By page four, Marta encounters the hypnotist.
One thing I noticed early on was how convincing the descriptions of the setting and culture were. I could visualize the time period very well. I had the impression that the book was historically accurate. Also, the author made it easy for me to suspend disbelief. Everything was believable to me, even though I never knew how the hypnotist had the power to control people against their will.
I was really getting into the story until the third chapter threw me through a loop. I had just begun to connect to Marta. Suddenly, the point of view switches from third person to first person, with Harold (the hypnotist) as the narrator. It also switches from past to present tense. I found these changes disruptive to the flow of the story. I never got used to them. Chapter three was also problematic for me because I felt it ruined any chance for mystery by identifying the hypnotist and his motives.
In chapter four, I ran into another problem. Marta talks about Angela Cunnigham. I was like, "who the **** is that?" It took me a few pages to realize this was a mistake. Marta was still talking about Angela Cummings. It's such a minor error, but it stopped the flow of reading while I tried to figure it out.
The middle of the book focuses mostly on Marta's other problems, not the hypnotist. I didn't mind this because I was interested in what was going on with her brother, the shipping business, her house, and her new friendships. Some readers might not like it though because it does seem to get off track for a considerable amount of time. The romance kind of takes over for a little while. Like I said, it didn't bother me, but I can see how some people might not like it.
The characters are well-developed. I really liked Marta's character. She wasn't a wilting flower; she was progressive and feminist. The only thing I didn't like about her was when she made a dumb mistake and walked into a trap. Even when she realized she had been stupid, she didn't consider the obvious question of what the person who had sent the message looked like, which would have been my first question if I had been her.
As a whole, I thought the story was well-written. The best aspect, in my opinion, was the descriptions of the earthquake and the fire. Not only did it feel real and historically accurate, but it also evoked my emotions of sympathy, fear, and worry.
I would read another book about Marta. I recommend The Hypnotist to readers who like books about non-conventional women in the 1900s, books with fantasy and romance in the mix, and books with first person narration from the point of view of the villain. I give this book four stars for vivid descriptions, likable characters, and interesting subplots.
November 26, 2015
Rating: 3.5 stars
Most people would Marta Baldwin is a spoiled rich girl, but they only knew part of the story. Not only is her brother running their family business, and livelihood, into the ground, but she devotes her time to helping those less fortunate.
Her world is shaken by an encounter with a hypnotist, who uses his ability to kidnap young women (it felt like modern day human trafficking). He becomes obsessed with her, because she seems impervious to his abilities. A game of cat and mouse ensues. Will she make it okay? Will anyone in the area be safe?
One of the reasons I picked this book to review was the San Francisco setting. I've lived in the Bay area for the last two years, and I find the area fascinating. In that way, this book succeeded... the reader is transported to San Francisco in the early 1900s. I love it when setting becomes a character, and that was very much true here.
Still, for me to love a book, there has to be an intriguing and memorable main character (bonus points for multiple characters who fit the bill). Again, the book scores points here. Marta Baldwin bucks the rules society has for her, shows determination and strength, and faces problems head on. I love these qualities in a heroine. Plus, the book is full of other interesting secondary characters.
Then there's the aspect of a captivating storyline with unique elements. Again, the novel scores. I love the paranormal twist of a hypnotist with subtle abilities, something that could explain some of history's lesser understood crimes.
Why 3.5 stars?
I'm sure after reading the praise above, you're wondering why not a higher rating. It comes down to editing and missed opportunity. As an editor myself, I have a keen eye. For an incredible story, I can look past some mistakes. Lord knows nobody is perfect. But there were too many (pronoun issues galore) and some odd sentence structure that I stumbled over (which is always a negative because it pulls the reader out of the story). And I thought the book could have been so much better without the romance and with more paranormal/drama elements. It could have been deliciously dark.
Finally, alternating point of views can be amazing, but too often they are confusing. I liked seeing into the hypnotist's mind (actually would have liked more of it), but changing tenses on top of point of view changes proved a bit cumbersome to me.
Overall, however, The Hypnotist is an intriguing story that would appeal to fans of historical fiction (with a particular interest in San Francisco and the time period) and mysteries.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own.
Most people would Marta Baldwin is a spoiled rich girl, but they only knew part of the story. Not only is her brother running their family business, and livelihood, into the ground, but she devotes her time to helping those less fortunate.
Her world is shaken by an encounter with a hypnotist, who uses his ability to kidnap young women (it felt like modern day human trafficking). He becomes obsessed with her, because she seems impervious to his abilities. A game of cat and mouse ensues. Will she make it okay? Will anyone in the area be safe?
One of the reasons I picked this book to review was the San Francisco setting. I've lived in the Bay area for the last two years, and I find the area fascinating. In that way, this book succeeded... the reader is transported to San Francisco in the early 1900s. I love it when setting becomes a character, and that was very much true here.
Still, for me to love a book, there has to be an intriguing and memorable main character (bonus points for multiple characters who fit the bill). Again, the book scores points here. Marta Baldwin bucks the rules society has for her, shows determination and strength, and faces problems head on. I love these qualities in a heroine. Plus, the book is full of other interesting secondary characters.
Then there's the aspect of a captivating storyline with unique elements. Again, the novel scores. I love the paranormal twist of a hypnotist with subtle abilities, something that could explain some of history's lesser understood crimes.
Why 3.5 stars?
I'm sure after reading the praise above, you're wondering why not a higher rating. It comes down to editing and missed opportunity. As an editor myself, I have a keen eye. For an incredible story, I can look past some mistakes. Lord knows nobody is perfect. But there were too many (pronoun issues galore) and some odd sentence structure that I stumbled over (which is always a negative because it pulls the reader out of the story). And I thought the book could have been so much better without the romance and with more paranormal/drama elements. It could have been deliciously dark.
Finally, alternating point of views can be amazing, but too often they are confusing. I liked seeing into the hypnotist's mind (actually would have liked more of it), but changing tenses on top of point of view changes proved a bit cumbersome to me.
Overall, however, The Hypnotist is an intriguing story that would appeal to fans of historical fiction (with a particular interest in San Francisco and the time period) and mysteries.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own.
August 22, 2015
Review:
The Hypnotist is an engaging blend of history and suspense with a touch of romance and the supernatural thrown in. Both the story and Marta Baldwin, its protagonist, are interesting and appealing, as are the author's vivid descriptions of 1906 San Francisco. Marta is a strong character--using the inheritance from her father to operate her non-profit agency (the Pacific Aid Society) to help the poor and the recently immigrated. Marta grows throughout the book, gaining more independence and more courage to stand up for herself and fight for what she believes in--including keeping her home and agency after her brother's mismanagement of the family shipping business pushes them towards bankruptcy. For the most part, the female characters (Marta, her rebellious friend Lillie, and assistant Missy) come across as stronger and better developed than the male characters. Although the Hypnotist was creepy, he seemed more mentally unstable than diabolical. His portions of the story are told in first person, and while that did give a picture of what he was thinking, it also made him seem somewhat pathetic at times. Byron Wagner, Marta's love interest, was the only strong male character and he and Marta were a good pairing--although the romance wasn't essential to the story or its strongest element.
I loved the author's glimpse into San Francisco in its golden age. From his writing I felt as though I could see, hear, and even smell the city, and my pulse pounded when the great earthquake struck. The end did strike me as fairly abrupt for all of the build up. I like my ends tied up, and to know at least a little about what happens to the characters that I have grown invested in. The afterword gave an update on the earthquake and historical information about the city rather than Marta and her friends and family. I was somewhat disappointed before finding out that the author did write a sequel--so I can at least find out the details there. Overall I enjoyed the The Hypnotist and would recommend it to fans of historical fiction, mystery and suspense novels, and San Francisco history.
You can see my review and a recipe for a San Francisco-Style Shrimp Louie Salad at my Kahakai Kitchen blog post here: http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/20...
Note: A review copy of "The Hypnotist" was provided to me by the publisher and TLC Book Tours in return for a fair and honest review. I was not compensated for this review and as always my thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Hypnotist is an engaging blend of history and suspense with a touch of romance and the supernatural thrown in. Both the story and Marta Baldwin, its protagonist, are interesting and appealing, as are the author's vivid descriptions of 1906 San Francisco. Marta is a strong character--using the inheritance from her father to operate her non-profit agency (the Pacific Aid Society) to help the poor and the recently immigrated. Marta grows throughout the book, gaining more independence and more courage to stand up for herself and fight for what she believes in--including keeping her home and agency after her brother's mismanagement of the family shipping business pushes them towards bankruptcy. For the most part, the female characters (Marta, her rebellious friend Lillie, and assistant Missy) come across as stronger and better developed than the male characters. Although the Hypnotist was creepy, he seemed more mentally unstable than diabolical. His portions of the story are told in first person, and while that did give a picture of what he was thinking, it also made him seem somewhat pathetic at times. Byron Wagner, Marta's love interest, was the only strong male character and he and Marta were a good pairing--although the romance wasn't essential to the story or its strongest element.
I loved the author's glimpse into San Francisco in its golden age. From his writing I felt as though I could see, hear, and even smell the city, and my pulse pounded when the great earthquake struck. The end did strike me as fairly abrupt for all of the build up. I like my ends tied up, and to know at least a little about what happens to the characters that I have grown invested in. The afterword gave an update on the earthquake and historical information about the city rather than Marta and her friends and family. I was somewhat disappointed before finding out that the author did write a sequel--so I can at least find out the details there. Overall I enjoyed the The Hypnotist and would recommend it to fans of historical fiction, mystery and suspense novels, and San Francisco history.
You can see my review and a recipe for a San Francisco-Style Shrimp Louie Salad at my Kahakai Kitchen blog post here: http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/20...
Note: A review copy of "The Hypnotist" was provided to me by the publisher and TLC Book Tours in return for a fair and honest review. I was not compensated for this review and as always my thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 26, 2015
The Hypnotist by Gordon SniderMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
In 1906, San Francisco must have been at the height of its golden age. Fortunes created a society that attract only the crème de la crème of European opera singers and cordon bleu chefs. As with all things, there is a darker place known as The Mission district which lies south of Market Street. Houses, tenements, and shanties cluster together and rats overrun the streets. Nearby sits Chinatown the ugliest of all downtrodden dwellings which offers gambling, prostitution, and opium, controlled by rancorous gangs, called tongs. From her world of money, Marta Baldwin steps into this world, a young woman who is passionate about helping the poor but shunned by her own social elite. She is confronted by The Hypnotist, a man who “hypnotizes young women from the tenements and delivers them to the tongs in Chinatown to work in their brothels.” Marta escapes his hypnotic trance, but when her assistant, Missy, disappears, Marta realizes she has been taken by the evil man who confronted her. Marta knows she must move fast and find Missy before she can't be found at all.
View all my reviews
April 5, 2015
Gordon Snider
I seldom find a book's cover so intriguing that it draws me in completely. So I was especially taken by the cover of The Hypnotist by Gordon Snider. Since I love mysteries, I also find it fascinating that a little bit of history about the San Francisco earthquake was thrown in, too.
In 1906, San Francisco has all the charm of an idyllic utopia. Marta Baldwin is a socialite who distains her own rich upbringing and follows her heart to help the poor. On the street one day, she is confronted by the hypnotist, a man who hypnotizes young women from the tenements and delivers them to the tongs in Chinatown to work in their brothels.
Marta resists his hypnotic advances, and runs away for her life. She seeks the help of Byron Wagner, one of San Francisco’s most prominent citizens. Marta finds herself drawn to Byron but knows his high social standing prevents any possibility of a relationship between them. When Missy, her new assistant disappears, Marta fears the worst.
I seldom find a book's cover so intriguing that it draws me in completely. So I was especially taken by the cover of The Hypnotist by Gordon Snider. Since I love mysteries, I also find it fascinating that a little bit of history about the San Francisco earthquake was thrown in, too.
In 1906, San Francisco has all the charm of an idyllic utopia. Marta Baldwin is a socialite who distains her own rich upbringing and follows her heart to help the poor. On the street one day, she is confronted by the hypnotist, a man who hypnotizes young women from the tenements and delivers them to the tongs in Chinatown to work in their brothels.
Marta resists his hypnotic advances, and runs away for her life. She seeks the help of Byron Wagner, one of San Francisco’s most prominent citizens. Marta finds herself drawn to Byron but knows his high social standing prevents any possibility of a relationship between them. When Missy, her new assistant disappears, Marta fears the worst.
July 21, 2015
This was my first book from author Gordon Snider and I can say that I was pleasantly surprised with this novel. Set in San Francisco in the early 1900s, Snyder did an excellent job describing old San Francisco and the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.
The book tells the chilling story of a man who hypnotizes young women on the streets and delivers them to criminals in Chinatown. Martha Baldwin is a wealthy young woman who makes a living helping the poor on the streets of San Francisco. Both the hypnotist's and Martha's lives intertwine in an exciting and well-crafted plot. Snider's writing flows smoothly and the characters are really well developed. I found this book to be a fun and easy read.
The book tells the chilling story of a man who hypnotizes young women on the streets and delivers them to criminals in Chinatown. Martha Baldwin is a wealthy young woman who makes a living helping the poor on the streets of San Francisco. Both the hypnotist's and Martha's lives intertwine in an exciting and well-crafted plot. Snider's writing flows smoothly and the characters are really well developed. I found this book to be a fun and easy read.
August 14, 2015
copy from TLC Book Tours for an honest review
I really enjoyed "The Hypnotist" by Gordon Snider. There were many different aspects of the story that surprised me. It was a little darker than I anticipated but it was very interesting and engaging. I rally liked Marta and her conflict of feelings for Byron. I really enjoyed learning about California during this time period. I really loved how the author developed the relationship with Lillie. It was very refreshing to see two strong females in the same story and have them be friends.
The story instantly drew me in and I enjoyed the main characters and the secondary characters. I think anyone that enjoys mysteries and history will really enjoy this story.
I really enjoyed "The Hypnotist" by Gordon Snider. There were many different aspects of the story that surprised me. It was a little darker than I anticipated but it was very interesting and engaging. I rally liked Marta and her conflict of feelings for Byron. I really enjoyed learning about California during this time period. I really loved how the author developed the relationship with Lillie. It was very refreshing to see two strong females in the same story and have them be friends.
The story instantly drew me in and I enjoyed the main characters and the secondary characters. I think anyone that enjoys mysteries and history will really enjoy this story.
December 28, 2016
Gordon Snider's "The Hypnotist" is a standalone thriller. I don't usually read in this genre, so I don't have much to compare it to. It creeps you out and makes you wonder about the power of hypnotism. The writing really flows, and you're able to read it very quickly, even though it is a full length novel. I like that you also get to see some things from the bad guy's point of view. Also liked the historical details and the setting a lot. Like if Criminal Minds were set in San Fran at the turn of the century!
December 24, 2012
Awesome book. Loved the era that it was written in (early 1900's San Francisco) and also love that it was fiction but also with a little non fiction thrown it also. Would highly recommend this book if you like mysteries, historical fiction.
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