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Reviewed by Kamil Wróbel for Readers' Favorite
Hypnotized by W. B. Edwards takes us back to the sweating Southern California summer of 1969, when the lives of several young Whittier residents are on a direct collision course. Nick O’Brien has just left the Army and accepted a mundane factory job; a path that leads him right into the trajectory of Hampton Masters III, an insecure nineteen-year-old heir to a huge business empire. When Hampton goes looking for a legendary figure named Margo, he crosses paths with an aspiring actress named Imelda. Imelda seizes the opportunity, hoping to exploit his vulnerability. She invents an elaborate ruse using her performance skills. This scam quickly snowballs into a poorly planned kidnapping scheme driven by opportunistic individuals looking to get rich quick. Throw in Harry, an old detective trying to solve a 1943 cold case, and the present-day disappearance of Hampton turns into a complex web of extortion and desperation. How far can a desperate performance stretch before the dark history of the canyon swallows everyone involved?
Hypnotized by W. B. Edwards is a gripping historical mystery with a supernatural twist that perfectly explores the atmosphere of a changing world. The book really hits its stride when painting a picture of Turnbull Canyon and the sunny sands of Laguna Beach, fully immersing you in the setting. Edwards backs up this vivid backdrop with an impressive cast, revealing their soft spots and their deep need to escape it all. Watching their distinct paths slowly collide builds real tension without ever slowing the plot down. At the same time, the way the book handles class issues and the youth counterculture adds a great layer of reality to the investigation. Watching the 1943 case echo alongside the modern-day conflict makes the story very engaging from start to finish. If you want a detailed period piece with strong character development, grab this mystery novel.
