Felice Picano – The Mesmerist

Felice Picano – The Mesmerist   (New English Lbrary, 1978)

David M Allister

Blurb:
“From page one, the reader is pulled into the horror of minds in jeopardy. A gripping, well-written tale.” Mary Higgins Clark, author of Where Are the Children?

Few paid much heed when Frederick Dinsmore slipped into town, took shabby rooms and set out his sign promising ‘Anti-Septic and Painless Dentistry’. They little dreamed that Dinsmore’s uncanny skill as a dental surgeon concealed his true — and far more sinister — art. Nor did they suspect that the handsome stranger with the dazzling smile and diamond blue stare was in command of an irresistible power that held the town’s richest man in its thrall.

Until the night Henry Lane hanged himself. The year was 1899, the season Sprlng, and the Mesmerist’s reign had begun. For Henry Lane left a fortune, a cryptic note proclaiming himself ruined — and a young wife, Carrie, too beautiful, too rich to remain a widow. Gradually, Dinsmore took over her wealth, her body, her mind, and when his lust for power grew there were others in the town he could manipulate. Outraged by Dinsmore’s influence, and his wicked hold over Carrie Lane, one man, James Ransom, determined to bring the Mesmerist to trial – only to find himself pitched against a terifying force of evil that would not be denied.

Felice Picano – The Mesmerist

Felice Picano – The Mesmerist (New English Library, 1980) [ First British publication by NEL (hardback?) in 1978. ]

Photograph Ron Alexander (revived from Peter Hawkins' 'The Man With Mad Eyes'.

Blurb:

The mesmerist. A man posessed of the power of hypnotic evil. The power to enslave woman and to terrorise an entire community.

He came to Center City, Nebraska, out of nowhere. He began as a dental surgeon of uncanny skill. He caused the town’s most prominent citizen to die by his own hand, and reduced a lovely wife to the most appalling depths of depravity.

To satisfy his lust for wealth and power he could bend the free will of anyone he chose to serve his own satanic purpose.

Only one man is determined to destroy him, whatever the cost. A man prepared to do battle with evil to save the woman he loves…

Thanks to Calenture for the cover scan and blurb.