Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

Hypnosis: A Return To The Past by Maria Inês Rebelo is an engrossing novel. Marcus Belling is a renowned hypnotist known throughout the country for many years after appearing on his first national television show where he talked about hypnosis. The most famous of his many public presentations were his interviews on the Therapy of Past Lives and Regression, which had become especially legendary. But everything changes the moment Anne Pauline Roux knocks at his door, not even knowing what she really wants. It happens that this woman possesses exceptional power when hypnotized. What makes it even worse is the fact that a fellow hypnotist knows about this power. He is Josef Salvaterra who is not particularly fond of Marcus. Now he has something he can use to kick Marcus off stage and he is ready for anything.

This is an intriguing story about hypnosis, a novel with an unusual plot and characters that are exceptionally complex. There is something mysteriously disturbing about Anne and the effect she has on the self-controlled, level-headed hypnotist. Maria Inês Rebelo is a great storyteller and I loved how this author makes readers connect with the characters. The narrative has strong psychological underpinnings and a conflict that allows the characters to evolve through the story. I read on, wanting to see what happens between Marcus and his enemy Josef. Josef is a very ambitious character and this is something that drives him to envy and the desire to hurt a renowned peer. The tension is strong and the story moves fast with scenes that are focused and skillfully written.