"It Happened Yesterday" is a novel turning upon the distasteful subject of mesmeric, or magnetic, influence. A more unpleasant theme for fiction could hardly be conceived; but it must be allowed that it is skillfully and powerfully handled by Mr. Frederick Marshall. The heroine and "subject" is a German; all the other personages are French, with the exception of the unauthorized influencer, who is a Russian. Though the work is interlarded with very few foreign phrases, the author is evidently thoroughly conversant with both French and German life, habits, and modes of thinking. It is not our intention to reveal the plot; but, in order to give an idea of the author's view of the hideous subject of "suggestion" — a view which seems quite in accordance with the latest scientific investigations — it must be stated that the unhappy girl, whose will is completely subdued and extinguished—almost to the temporary loss of her own individuality — is described as exceptionally fair complexioned and colorless, with hair of the palest blonde, and eyes of a light porcelain-blue. She is not unhealthy, nor even delicate, but has the appearance of extreme fragility. Mentally, she is of an abnormally dreamy temperament, yet proud, and, on occasion, passionate. She lives in an ideal world. The hypnotizer is a man of unusually strong, determined, character — outwardly cold, but, an fond, rancorous, overbearing, violent, and unscrupulous. It is evidently Mr. Marshall's conviction that, for any luckless creature once subjugated and accaparé by this direful influence, the only hope of release lies in the death of the influencer. "Morte la bête, mort le venin." It is a powerful well-written book, but very painful to read.
–The Westminster Review, Vol.136