The Hypnotist's Love Story

Ellen O'Farrell, a professional hypnotherapist in Sydney, meets Patrick, a single father and widower. Their relationship progresses quickly, but Patrick reveals he has a stalker - his ex-girlfriend Saskia, who has been following him for three years. Ellen becomes fascinated by Saskia's perspective and the psychological dynamics at play. The narrative alternates between Ellen's present-day experiences and Saskia's observations, creating parallel views of the same events and relationships. The story follows Ellen as she navigates her new relationship with Patrick and his young son while dealing with the constant presence of Saskia in their lives. Her professional training as a hypnotherapist gives her a unique lens through which to view the situation. The novel explores themes of obsession, grief, and the complex nature of relationships - both romantic and familial. It raises questions about perspective in relationships and how past experiences shape current behavior.

Readers found this book slower-paced and less suspenseful than Moriarty's other novels. Many described it as more of a character study than a thriller. Readers appreciated: - The realistic portrayal of relationships - The stalker's perspective chapters - The exploration of hypnotherapy as a profession - Complex, flawed characters Common criticisms: - Too long and repetitive - Plot moves slowly with minimal tension - Less engaging than Big Little Lies or The Husband's Secret - Some found the ending anticlimactic Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (178,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (3,800+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "The stalker's POV was fascinating but the story dragged in places" - Goodreads reviewer "I kept waiting for something big to happen" - Amazon reviewer "A thoughtful look at relationships but not the page-turner I expected" - BookPage review

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Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough A single mother becomes caught between a psychiatrist and his wife in a story of stalking, manipulation, and psychological power plays.

You by Caroline Kepnes A bookstore manager's romantic obsession transforms into a pattern of stalking and manipulation as he pursues a woman through increasingly dark methods.

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen The lives of a former wife and a new fiancée intertwine through a narrative of obsession, marriage, and psychological manipulation.

Watching You by Lisa Jewell Multiple characters' lives intersect in a neighborhood where stalking and surveillance reveal hidden connections and dark secrets.

📚 The book was published in 2011, marking one of Moriarty's earlier works before her breakthrough success with "Big Little Lies" 🇦🇺 Moriarty drew inspiration for the Sydney setting from her own experiences living and working as a copywriter in the Australian city 💫 Real hypnotherapy techniques mentioned in the book were researched through consultations with professional hypnotherapists to ensure accuracy 🎭 The story uniquely presents stalking from multiple perspectives, including the stalker's point of view - a narrative choice that was controversial but praised by critics 💌 The novel was partly inspired by Moriarty's fascination with how social media has changed the way people maintain connections with former partners