Rafael Sabatini (1875–1950)

Rafael Sabatini was the master of swashbuckling adventure tales in the early years of the twentieth century that were consumed like candy and impossible to put down! The Sea Hawk, Captain Blood and Scaramouche were among the best of it's kind and I still have fond memories of discovering him in my early teens.

Early in his career Sabatini was apparently fascinated by hypnotism and the cult-like following that grew around that pseudo-science. The Hypnotic Tales of Rafael Sabatini, edited by Donald K. Hartman, gathers in one volume the two stories that Sabatini penned on the subject. The Avenger appeared in 1909 and features Roger Galliphant, a medical man who has transferred his interest to psychic research. With characters that are larger than life and typical of the era, the story of an evil mesmerist, foresaken love, heroic detective work and, of course, an imposing mist-ridden castle adds to the excitement. If you like hypnotic adventure tales, this is for you.
If anything, the second tale, The Dream may be even more interesting in concept. Our hero Galliphant appears again in this story but only at the end to solve the mystery and explain what we just witnessed. Good stuff!… (meer)

This book has 2 short stories written in 1920 to 1930.

Both stories have the subject of hypnosis.
And the 2nd story has a small part of one of the characters from the first story.

I devoured this book, It was a book I did not want to put down. I love stories that take place in the early 1900's.

Both of these stories were very fascinating and a subject I have not ever read about. The author did an amazing job keeping me on the seat of my chair.

My only wish is the stories to be longer.

How intriguing to read about murder under hypnosis. 5 Star book!!… (meer)