A twisty, well-written thriller/suspense that hooked me right from the start. I really enjoyed this novel and will keep an eye out for more from this author.

Thank you, net Galley and Crooked Lane Books, for this title.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
If I had judged the book solely on its cover, I would've probably passed on it. However, I was pleasantly surprised that the description was spot on. Whisper Man meets Black Phone, and I’ve read and seen both.

THAT'S DISTURBING
😳 Excerpt..." While at the orphanage, Danny (Tess's partner) is looking for clues about the copycat killer, and he finds a room full of creepy porcelain dolls that seem to follow who enters the room. (Cause ...yeah, that's not creepy at all 🫳🏿)

MY OBSERVATIONS
🕵🏻‍♀️ A serial killer in a small town named Twisted Tree is put to death, but right before the electrocution, he whispers his last words to a priest, and the murders continue.

🕵🏻‍♀️ Tess's (the detective) daughter has been taken, and she is determined to find her, even though she's too close to the case.

🕵🏻‍♀️ Tess knows she has been targeted because her father (also a detective) arrested the original serial killer, Jeff Pritchard, known as Father Silence because after he was caught, he never spoke a single word.

🕵🏻‍♀️ Is there a copycat killer? That wants to keep police guessing.

🕵🏻‍♀️ The new copycat is also leaving Tess clues at every scene, but Tess knows she only has a limited amount of time to find her daughter.

WHAT I ENJOYED
This story had a few plot twists with some BIG reveals in the ending, and I was pleasantly surprised.

The story keeps the pace, and there are just enough details to keep you from getting lost, but not so many that the story seems to be going in a whole new direction.

There is a supernatural element that's (also) revealed at the end. This quick-paced thriller will have you second-guessing the killer in each chapter. It took me several chapters to figure out who was behind everything as the story kept eluding to “the mother,” or so I thought.

I loved this title. While it was light on the horror element, it's definitely a great true-crime-styled mystery-thriller with a paranormal element. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fast-paced read.

I really enjoyed this author's prior books, especially The Nightmare Man, so I was really excited for this book when I saw it. At first I thought it wouldn't be my favorite, it didn't start off with a really creepy scene, or at least not as much as I had expected from this author. So I thought that's fine, I rarely love everything from an author and maybe this is the one I am just meh on.

Only I kept reading and after a few chapters I couldn't put it down. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. This one actually might be my favorite of the three. It is the story of a cop returning to her hometown after her daughter was kidnapped (and everyone involved in that). She has to try and remember what happened back then and figure out what is happening now to save her. There are a lot of moving parts, a lot of stuff in the past and present that were really fun to read. There is a creepy cult that I loved and just some of the idea were really interesting. Trying to figure out how it all fit together and why everything was happening was really great. Some of the scenes, just like the author's prior books, were so imaginative and interesting and creepy. I loved it. Such a great read. I don't want to say much more as I don't want to spoil anything, but if you are a fan of this author definitely check it out. If not it is a good place to start.

This is the story of Father Silence, a brutal serial killer that left behind 19 bodies and one survivor. A small kid was the only one to make it out alive from this sadistic killer’s basement.

He dressed up as a priest to approach people and get them to trust him. After his arrest, he refused to speak. This got him the nickname of Father Silence.

Right after his execution, people are being murdered again, kids are being kidnapped and the police are running out of time to find them alive.

We follow detective Tess as she tries to uncover the identity of this new killer and catch them before it is too late. This is personal for Tess and there is no stone she will leave unturned to find those children.

Even though this did feel more of a thriller than a horror, it was a thrilling cat and mouse tale between a smart detective with nothing to lose and an evasive killer.

For me personally the first part of the book felt much stronger but I did appreciate all the intricate twists and turns to the story and all the reveals you get in the last 20% of the book. That part was great and it felt like the ending of a Saw movie where all the pieces of the puzzle just connect.

Thank you to NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for the ARC.

This is the first book I read by the author and I thought the idea was interesting. That being said, the beginning started a bit slow, but once it got going it was interesting but then it kind of fell off again.

Overall this was just a middling book for me. There were interesting characters and ideas, but some of it that never really got explained very well. Then the ending just felt a little too neatly wrapped up. I might try more by this author down the road because the characters were intriguing.

Thank you for the opportunity to preview Sleep Tight. This is part police procedural and drama.
A police detective named Tess is a tough cop but she is plagued with trams and secrets. She just separated from her husband due to an affair and she’s on her own raising a child.
She’s lives in the shadows of death and her father who was a cop is part of it
An execution of a serial killer sets the stage for old memories to erupt. Soon Tess is not part of a circus and memories of the past. Her child is now kidnapped and all she has now is the determination to get her back and find the man who has changed her life forever.
Good book but too much dialogue that’s not necessary. 3 stars

James Markert has done it again. He has the ability to set his reader in the middle of a storm, as the story whirls around them. The pace picking up speed as the cracks of thunder breaks through. As the flicking of the pages increases, the intensity mounts. Sleep Tight held me captive, chilling me to my bones, my heart rate increased, my toes curled, as I plunged headfirst into this phenomenal read.

Tess, a small-town detective in Montana, has been having a heck of a few months. She has kicked her husband out of the house, she is not the parent her daughter picks, and the dreaded execution of Father Silence is just around the bend. Her father made his arrest twenty years ago. Uncovering a house of horrors. Bodies buried in the yard, children found in the basement, one boy making it out alive. Father Silence is the devil in priests clothing. He still rocks the small town of Twisted Tree from his prison cell. The morning after he is put to death Tess is given the news that her father and mother were both murdered the night before. If Father Silence was on the electric chair, who was doing the killing? Did her father miss something twenty years ago. As the case ramps up and Tess’s own daughter is kidnapped. All clues lead back to her small hometown of Twisted Tree!

The way the characters are written makes you feel like they are old friends. They are flawed, down on their luck, each having their own secrets. The settings are tense, atmospheric, and puts you on the edge of your seat. That clap of thunder, the rain gushing out of the heavens, makes anyone stop and take notice. I also love a book that brings cults into the mix. This needs to be at the top of your Spooky Season reading list! I have loved all of his books, but this is my new favorite. Thank you to James Markert and Crooked Lane Books for this highly bingeable read. Did I mention I was up until 1am this morning. Unable to put it down, my eyes clued to the pages.

Five stars for the best horror book I’ve read in ages! Honestly, there wasn’t a single thing that I would change about this story. It was dark, insanely twisted and jam-packed with crazy twists and turns that I never saw coming.

Child abduction tropes aren’t my jam. But, apparently, I neglected to read the full synopsis before requesting it. With that being said, it wasn’t the primary focus of the story and there was so much else going on that it didn’t bother me one bit.

I highly recommend adding Sleep Tight to your spooky season TBR immediately, if not sooner!

Read if you like:

✨Child abduction tropes
✨Unpredictable plots
✨Fast-paced reads
✨Childhood trauma
✨Serial killers

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I kept seeing this book and was so excited when it came to NetGalley! A thrilling story about murder and a girl who has gone missing, will have you at the mercy of your kindle until the very end!

This definitely took me a while to get into, but I’m glad I stuck with it because it all came together in the end. There were a lot of moving parts, different timelines, forgotten memories that made it feel a bit tedious. Once I got to the last quarter of the book though things were coming together and it was a very satisfying read! I will definitely read this authors other books.

4 stars

Fans of Markert's and of horror, thriller, and mystery, will find a lot to enjoy in this most recent effort!

Tess has a mysterious past that her parents whisked her away from early in life, though she has ongoing questions and lingering suspicions that keep her tied to those suspicious times and events. This all comes back full force when, at the start of the novel, her daughter is kidnapped.

As is so often the case in mystery/thriller, a standout part of this experience is getting to see how all the pieces fit, so I recommend reading as little as possible about this book in advance. That noted, readers who are sensitive to child abuse and suicide should be mindful of the content.

I loved the pacing, characterization, and way that events both unfold and resolve here. This is another engaging read from Markert, and it won't be my last!

What a thrilling journey this book took me on! As a first-time reader of this author, I was unsure of what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. The synopsis piqued my interest when I saw it on Netgally, and the actual read exceeded my expectations. This heart-pounding and chilling thriller, with its tale of murder, suspense, and psychological terror, had me on the edge of my seat. Now I can't wait to get to 'The Nightmare Man' by this author, which is on my September/October TBR.

This story begins just before the execution of a notorious serial killer known as Father Silence, whose dark and twisted crimes haunted the Southern town of Twisted Tree. Several miles away in Montana, recently separated detective Tess Claibourne waits for midnight to roll around and the news that Father Silence has finally been put to death. Her father was the one to catch him, and his crimes have haunted their family for years.

Once the execution has been carried out, Tess feels as though she can move on with her life and figure out what to do about her cheating husband, Justin. But what Tess doesn't know is things are about to get worse for her. The day after the execution, someone close to Tess is murdered in a fashion eerily similar to the murders committed by Father Silence. When the killer, who calls himself The Outcast, kidnaps Tess's daughter, it's a race against time to bring him down.

With no clear leads to follow, Tess is forced to team up with her husband, Justin, and delve into the mind of the sole survivor of Father Silence's gruesome crimes. The problem is that this is a very dangerous man, and he's locked away in prison, but Tess will do whatever she needs to do to get her daughter back, even if it means taking some risky chances. The further she involves herself in the case, the more dangerous things become, culminating in a heart-pounding final act.

What made this one so enjoyable for me was the way the author combined elements of horror and psychological suspense. While the plot feels familiar (detective hunting a copycat serial killer while struggling with childhood traumas and needing to connect with another murderer to help solve this crime - hello, "Silence of the Lambs"), Markert makes it feel fresh and exciting. Thriller lovers will find much to love in this book, with its captivating and fast-paced plot.

Markert's storytelling skills are truly impressive, creating a tense and suspenseful atmosphere that held me captive until the end. The character development is also top-notch. Tess is a complex and relatable protagonist I rooted for the entire way. Justin, her philandering husband, is also someone I actually liked, and Danny, Tess's coworker and Justin's best friend, is equally likable. While I enjoyed all these characters, I think I was most transfixed with Noah, the boy who survived Father Silence and then turned into a cold-blooded murderer. His character was creepy yet sympathetic. And of course, we can't forget about "The Outcast" - the big bad at the story's center. He was even creepier, and I loved that the author fleshed him out in a way that made him more than just an ominous presence.

Overall, Sleep Tight is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a tightly wound fast-paced thriller with a touch of horror. It's a haunting and suspenseful tale full of great characters and creepy antagonists that had me eagerly flipping the pages. This is definitely one that you'll want to add to your TBR for the upcoming Halloween season.

This story came out of the gate at a full gallop! The opening chapters were gripping and intense and an absolutely riveting beginning for the author's newest standalone horror book. With themes of long buried trauma, memory, and the complicated web of family relationships, this book both explores some fascinating topics and keeps the thrills coming at a fast pace.

Sleep Tight leans more into police procedural and psychological thriller than the author's last book, Mister Lullaby, and it's a well developed, suspenseful story that kept me engaged until the end. The author's writing quickly pulled me in and got me invested in his flawed, believable characters, creative storylines, and nightmarish villains. Whichever direction he takes within the horror genre, I'm a fan.

I loved Sleep Tight just as much as I did the author's previous books. I know J.H. Markert never lets me down when I'm in the mood for a clever, multi-layered plot, sinister atmosphere, and characters who intrigue me and get me invested in their stories. This is a book best read when you can fully focus on the story and keep up with all the story threads, but for readers who love complex, well written stories that won't allow you to glance away for even a moment this book isn't to be missed.

Thank you Netgalley & Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review!

Sleep Tight is my first read by this Author and it definitely did not disappoint. I was sucked in right from the very first page. If you like horror, serial killer vibes this book is for you. Highly recommend.

Father Silence, a criminal who has committed terrorizing acts in the town of Twisted Tree is on death row and finally executed after 19 bodies were found in his terror house.

Detective Tess Clairebourne and her psychologist husband, Justin's marriage is going through a rough patch. When her parents are brutally murdered and their daughter is kidnapped, they are compelled to work together setting aside their marital issues. A new serial killer is taking credit for the murders and calling himself the Outcast.

Tess knows she has to seek out Noah Nichols, the only survivor of Father Silence's murder spree who is now in a criminally insane mental hospital. But finding the truth is more difficult than Tess thought as Noah proves to be an enigma - a puzzle that Tess and Justin must solve before time runs out.

This book is chilling and dark. It teeters on the edge of the supernatural while also dealing with psychological elements and real-world horror. The compelling prologue sets the stage for an action packed, enthralling mystery and complex, flawed characters propel the story forward.

Told in a series of flashbacks, old interviews and articles the narrative effortlessly helps piece together the past with the present. Still I felt the ending did not give me the much needed closure and left me wanting more. A sequel maybe??

I would still recommend it as the fast pace and spine tingling twists are sure to keep you up way past your bedtime.

Thank you @netgalley and @crookedlanebooks for the ARC to read and review.

I had previously read The Nightmare Man by J. H. Market and loved it, so I had high hopes for Sleep Tight. I was not disappointed! It weaves small town true crimes, mental health, and maybe some supernatural elements. The pace of the story moves along perfectly and left me hooked until the very end.

I gave Sleep Tight 4 stars because it kept my interest the whole way through. I had to keep reading to know what was going on. I did not give it 5 stars because it was a bit out there. I felt the author crammed a lot of different topics into this book and maybe it was a bit too much. You will encounter dissociation, cults, kidnapping, repressed trauma, murder, sexual assault, serial killers, mental health hospitals, and the list goes on. Maybe the author was going for complex and that's fine but it was hard to keep up. This isn't a book that you can skim and you have to pay attention to the details. I personally would not do well listening to this book in audio version due to complexity. That being said, it was an interesting story written by a creative author. This book is for you if you like complex detective stories.

It was so good!
The story is a twisty nightmare of lost children, missing memories and a trail of dead bodies that plague Detective Tess Claibourne, her husband and her partner and friend.
This was so twisty and insane that sometimes I got a little confused or overwhelmed at the info and had to sit back and think about it. But in the end everything became clear and the impression remained excellent!

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane books for the advanced readers copy of Sleep Tight by J.H. Markert. This story started off with a bang! It kept me intrigued till about half way thru and then the story got a little slow. Good creep factor and thriller atmosphere.

It was definitely interesting. I think the plot and concept was a lot more interesting than the characters. Of all of the characters, only one really felt irreplaceable. I still had a super fun time reading it and read it incredibly quickly.