Sleep Tight: A Novel
The sole survivor of a serial killer might hold the key to stopping a new spree of murders in this propulsive horror thriller in the vein of The Black Phone and The Whisper Man.
Dark and twisting at every turn, fans of Catriona Ward will love this chilling new tale from the deviously inventive horror author that Peter Farris calls the "clear heir to Stephen King.”
Beware the one who got away . . .
Father Silence once terrorized the rural town of Twisted Tree, disguising himself as a priest to prey on the most vulnerable members of society. When the police finally found his "House of Horrors," they uncovered nineteen bodies and one survivor–a boy now locked away in a hospital for the criminally insane.
Nearly two decades later, Father Silence is finally put to death, but by the next morning, the detective who made the original arrest is found dead. A new serial killer is taking credit for the murder and calling himself the Outcast.
The detective’s daughter, Tess Claibourne, is a detective herself, haunted by childhood trauma and horrified by the death of her father and the resurgence of Father Silence’s legacy.
When Tess’s daughter is kidnapped by the Outcast, Tess is forced to face her worst fears and long-buried memories. With no leads to follow, she travels back to Twisted Tree to visit the boy who survived and see what secrets might be buried in the tangled web of his broken mind.
With captivating prose and an old-school horror flair, Sleep Tight is a must-read, haunting tale from a true master of the genre.
Dark and twisting at every turn, fans of Catriona Ward will love this chilling new tale from the deviously inventive horror author that Peter Farris calls the "clear heir to Stephen King.”
Beware the one who got away . . .
Father Silence once terrorized the rural town of Twisted Tree, disguising himself as a priest to prey on the most vulnerable members of society. When the police finally found his "House of Horrors," they uncovered nineteen bodies and one survivor–a boy now locked away in a hospital for the criminally insane.
Nearly two decades later, Father Silence is finally put to death, but by the next morning, the detective who made the original arrest is found dead. A new serial killer is taking credit for the murder and calling himself the Outcast.
The detective’s daughter, Tess Claibourne, is a detective herself, haunted by childhood trauma and horrified by the death of her father and the resurgence of Father Silence’s legacy.
When Tess’s daughter is kidnapped by the Outcast, Tess is forced to face her worst fears and long-buried memories. With no leads to follow, she travels back to Twisted Tree to visit the boy who survived and see what secrets might be buried in the tangled web of his broken mind.
With captivating prose and an old-school horror flair, Sleep Tight is a must-read, haunting tale from a true master of the genre.
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Community Reviews
This was my first J.H. Markert read, and I loved it. Just in time for spooky season.
Seventeen years ago, Jeff Pritchard reigned terror over the town of Twisted Tree, Kentucky. He would disguise himself as a priest to be able to kidnap and murder the outcasts of society. Targeting the neglected, the addicted and the forgotten. When Jeff Pritchard was arrested, he never spoke a word to the media, so they dubbed him Father Silence. But now his reign of terror is over, and his day of execution has come. Or is it?
The morning after Jeff’s execution, Missoula police detective Tess Claiborne receives a call from someone who identifies themselves as “the Outcast” and claims to have killed the lead detective from the Father Silence case. Tess has close connection to both cases and works tirelessly to catch the latest killer while juggling her own present and childhood trauma surrounding the Father Silence case.
I read so many thriller/mystery and horror books, but this one, yikes! I was reading this on the edge of my seat, flipping pages to find out what happens next. Markert hits us hard within the first chapter leaving us needing answers. For me this was a fast paced, tension from cover-to-cover thriller novel. He also sprinkles in some creepy, atmospheric, serial killer living in a house of horrors. Then if your anxiety has not hit the roof, he tosses in some cult activity and messed up lullaby’s he sings to his victims. Contrary to what the title says, you will not Sleep Tight after reading this. This was a 4 ½ star read for me.
Seventeen years ago, Jeff Pritchard reigned terror over the town of Twisted Tree, Kentucky. He would disguise himself as a priest to be able to kidnap and murder the outcasts of society. Targeting the neglected, the addicted and the forgotten. When Jeff Pritchard was arrested, he never spoke a word to the media, so they dubbed him Father Silence. But now his reign of terror is over, and his day of execution has come. Or is it?
The morning after Jeff’s execution, Missoula police detective Tess Claiborne receives a call from someone who identifies themselves as “the Outcast” and claims to have killed the lead detective from the Father Silence case. Tess has close connection to both cases and works tirelessly to catch the latest killer while juggling her own present and childhood trauma surrounding the Father Silence case.
I read so many thriller/mystery and horror books, but this one, yikes! I was reading this on the edge of my seat, flipping pages to find out what happens next. Markert hits us hard within the first chapter leaving us needing answers. For me this was a fast paced, tension from cover-to-cover thriller novel. He also sprinkles in some creepy, atmospheric, serial killer living in a house of horrors. Then if your anxiety has not hit the roof, he tosses in some cult activity and messed up lullaby’s he sings to his victims. Contrary to what the title says, you will not Sleep Tight after reading this. This was a 4 ½ star read for me.
This one gripped my attention right from the beginning and the plot was well thought out. I enjoyed the listening experience of this audiobook to the utmost. The narration by Andi Arndt was excellent and she made the story come alive and hold my attention for hours. The characterization was well developed to the extent of presenting some of the best character transformations I have come across.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
Feeling kind of conflicted about this one. I was intrigued and enjoyed reading the book. However, I had issues with the pacing, the plot was confusing at times, and it felt like it needed more editing. Sometimes the choices/actions of the characters felt so weird and lifeless to me. It was good, but a few things kept it from being great.
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