Sleep Tight really straddled the line between Horror and Thriller, and I would say it leans a bit more toward gritty thriller. This is my third novel by JH Markert and I have enjoyed all three. The story of Tess Claiborne, a very troubled cop, and the story of Father Silence and his acolyte's were equally compelling. Stories dealing with addiction are always extra stressful to read about, and that was definitely the case here. Overall, I enjoyed the separate, but somewhat parallel storylines happening in Sleep Tight. The ending was satisfactory and fit the story. I will be first in line for the author's next book!

This book was excellent! Reading it felt like watching a really great thriller movie!! I was sucked in from the very first page and was so excited to find out what was going to happen. The twist was surprising and I loved it. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

I ended up listening to this on audio, and really loved it! It was super dark and fast paced and kept me guessing every step of the way. I do think because I ended up listening to it on audio that I got a little confused with the different POVs and time jumps, but overall i still really enjoyed it. It felt really unique to other thrillers and I loved the cult element to it as well. I'd definitely like to read more by this author in the future!

This book was pretty good. It was creepy and great for spooky season. The cover had me intrigued and that’s why I requested it. I enjoyed it so much I bought a physical copy when it released. Thank you NetGalley for the arc copy.

1.5 stars because I read the dang thing.

This book is just horrible. You throw in everything known to man and then the ending gets even more crap threw in. Oh and it's not horror. It's a really bad thriller.

Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books for my copy of SLEEP TIGHT.

This one was just okay for me. Honestly, I read it and forgot to review it, and then went to read it before I realized I'd already read it... That was less than a month ago and I had already forgotten about it. It was entertaining and I had fun with it but as you can see, it didn't stick with me at all.

James Markert is a pro at writing horror with a paranormal element. I loved the twists and turns that kept me in the dark enough to be surprised by the identity of the antagonists

I have posted this review on Amazon, Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6819194289

And Instagram

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Well, this was my sleeper (no pun intended) hit of 2024! I requested Sleep Tight, expecting the usual horror fare: a creepy house, a stalky serial killer, and possibly some supernatural activity. Instead, it delivered this and plenty more. There's a cult of knife-wielding, animal-mask-wearing drug addicts, an abused boy who kills his father and has multiple personalities, a detective with amnesia and a “House of Horrors”--that’s just scratching the surface.

Explaining the plot will spoil the many surprises, but at it’s core is Detective Tess Claibourne, the daughter of the detective who put serial killer Jeff Pritchard behind bars twenty years ago. Pritchard has just been put to death, but the murders aren’t stopping. It’s up to Tess to figure out who took over Pritchard’s crusade while at the same time facing her own past in the rural town of Twisted Tree.

Even though all the elements feel like a lot to cram into a single novel Markert makes it work and the result is a suspenseful read which is a whole lot of fun.

A thriller set in my home state of Montana, count me in!

Sleep Tight follows detective Tess as a mysterious serial killer known as the Outsider murders her parents then stalks and kidnaps her daughter. Silence of the Lambs meets Taken as she begins to unravel the case before her to hunt the killer/kidnapper down.

It took me a while to finally pry this book open but once I got reading I couldn't stop! It had gore, suspense, intrigue and a relatable setting to boot (Lolo/Missoula, MT - only a few hours away from my town and I've got a good bunch of friends who live there).

It reminded me a lot of Jeffrey Deaver's writing style, in a similar vein to his Lincoln Rhyme (Bone Collector) series. Heavy on the police procedural drama, which I actually really enjoy.

First off, I cannot explain how much I love this author. I couldn’t snatch this one up fast enough. Not only does it make a perfect comp for my thesis project, it’s an AMAZING book. Not to mention the fact that there were parts of it set in Kentucky! My in-laws live in all the areas he talked about, so it was a real treat to be able to actually picture them while reading the story.

As far as the story itself? Chef’s kiss. It was entertaining as hell and a wild ride. It’s a rare occasion, but I didn’t guess who the bad guy was until right before the characters did. At least, not 100%. Once you start reading, you’ll understand what I mean. There were so many twists and turns to this one, I couldn’t keep my head on straight. Absolutely fantastic. J.H. Markert os one of those authors I will buy aything from without reading the synopsis. If you like authors in the vein of Joe Hill, do yourself a favor and buy this book. You will absolutely not be disappointed!

Huge thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

Oh my goodness!!!! I love this book and all its stuff!!!! The atmosphere, crime, storytelling, characters, all of it. I was in!

I have to admit that I started and stopped Sleep Tight several times. The characters felt underdeveloped (I was not invested in the main character outcome) , the pacing was off (parts dragged and some information felt unnecessary) and the plot not mind-blowing I did not get the spooky vibes the story, it was just okay.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thank you Netgalley, author and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC.
In the eerie town of Twisted Tree, Father Silence, a notorious serial killer, was executed. But for detective Tess, daughter of the cop who caught him, his death was only the beginning. When Tess’s daughter is kidnapped by a new evil known as The Outcast, it becomes a race against time. As old memories resurface and dark secrets unravel, Tess must return to her hometown to uncover the truth behind the sinister murders that hit too close to home.

Sleep Tight by J.H. Markert delivers an intriguing mix of crime procedural and horror that grips you from the very first page. As soon as the story kicks off, we’re thrown into a high-stakes investigation with Tess, a tough yet emotionally vulnerable detective, desperately searching for her kidnapped daughter. What I loved most was how quickly the tension escalates—there’s no slow burn here. You’re immediately caught in a whirlwind of action, secrets, and chilling revelations.

The setting of Twisted Tree adds to the eerie atmosphere. This small town with a dark past serves as the perfect backdrop for a twisted mystery, and I enjoyed how the flashbacks to Father Silence’s reign of terror were seamlessly woven into the current timeline. These flashbacks helped flesh out the backstory while heightening the suspense, making you feel like the past and present were colliding in an almost inevitable way.

The procedural elements were well-done, especially if you’re a fan of shows like Criminal Minds or Mindhunter. Interviews, case files, and pieces of evidence slowly come together, creating that classic puzzle-solving feel. However, it doesn’t rely too heavily on police jargon, which makes it accessible for all readers, even if you’re not usually into crime procedurals.

One area where the book could have been a bit stronger is character management. There are quite a few secondary characters, and at times, it can feel a bit overwhelming trying to keep track of who’s who. I found myself having to pause occasionally to remember which character was tied to which part of the story. However, once I focused on the main players—Tess, her estranged husband, and the key figures in Twisted Tree—I was able to immerse myself more fully in the narrative.

The second half of the book ramps up the intensity, with twist after twist. While this kept me engaged, I will say that some of the twists felt a bit excessive, almost as if too much was packed into the plot at once. It made the story feel a little chaotic at times, and I think some readers, especially those listening to an audiobook version, might struggle with keeping up.

What really made this book stand out for me was the underlying creepiness and horror elements. The religious undertones gave the story an extra layer of depth and darkness that I appreciated, without being too overbearing. It added an almost gothic feel to the procedural aspects, which made this read perfect for the spooky October season.

Overall, Sleep Tight is a strong blend of horror and thriller, with enough twists and tension to keep you hooked from start to finish. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, creepy thriller with a mix of crime and supernatural undertones, this is a solid pick!

Rating: 4/5 ⭐
Highly recommend for fans of crime thrillers with a horror twist—this one will leave you checking your doors at night!

Thank you to NetGalley, J.H. Markert and Crooked Lane Books for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Another unpredictable, twisty thriller from this author. He’s easily becoming an auto buy author for me because once I start, I can’t stop his novels. I loved the twists and I would recommend this to everyone.

Audio and ebook

If want a creepy thriller to read for spooky season, Sleep Tight by J.H. Markert is good. It’s set in the town of Twisted Tree, where a serial killer known as Father Silence was executed. A new killer, the Outcast, is targeting people connected to the Father Silence case, and Detective Tess Claibourne’s nightmare is reignited when her daughter is kidnapped.

What I liked about Sleep Tight is the way it blends horror, crime, and mystery. The short, fast-paced chapters had me racing through the book. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers with a some horror, this is a good start.

3.5 stars rounded up

Thanks to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. This is the perfect book for spooky season. It has everything, a cult, a serial killer, an asylum for the criminally insane, and CREEPY DOLLS. I was afraid to be in my house by myself while I was reading this book, that's how good it was.

I could not put it down and read it in 24 hours. Definitely pick this one up if you are a horror fan!

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a little backlogged with my ARC’s but working diligently to get caught up. This book read more like a detective novel than horror to me. It had some disturbing moments, but overall felt pretty tame compared to some other books I’ve read. I liked the storyline and people with multiple personalities are always interesting. I can honestly say I had no idea where this story was headed and enjoyed all the twists along the way. I would recommend to anyone who likes mysteries and serial killer books!

Tess is a detective in the town of Twisted Tree, and the daughter of a renowned police officer who caught a serial killer named Father Silence many years ago. When Father Silence is finally executed, her father is found dead and Tess’ daughter is kidnapped by a copycat calling himself the Outsider. Together with the help of her recently separated husband, the race is on against the clock to find their child before it’s too late.

This book gave big movie vibes!! Full of twists and turns, fallible characters and creepy imagery, it could definitely be a blockbuster. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I particularly enjoyed the audiobook. The narrator was great! I thought the plot was a bit convoluted at times and could be hard to follow. However, the ending was sooo suspenseful and it hooked me back in. I liked the cast of characters, and Tess was easy to root for. Thanks to @crookedlanebooks, @dreamscape_media and @netgalley for my review copies!

This was honestly a perfect spooky season read! The combo of a procedural, serial 💀 and cult made for quite the page turner - I definitely didn't want to put this one down! Markert is great at bringing that classic horror vibe into his books as well. The characters in this one are super interesting, one character in particular made the entire story harrowing and tense! The plot is fast paced, engaging and twisty. I listened to this one via audiobook and the narrator was excellent. Definitely excited to add this one to my collection!

CW: Kidnapping, murder, animal death, child abuse, infidelity, sexual assault, suicide.

Rating: 4.25/5

A huge thanks to Crooked Lane Books, Dreamscape media and NetGalley for the ARC/ALC and for the free copy! All opinions are my own.

3.75 stars round up

I went into Sleep Tight excepting a gothic horror book but got myself a serial killer cult book instead. And I was more than OK with that! Such a great spooky read. The beginning started off a bit slow for my liking but it picked up about a third of the way in. I would recommend this for fans of the show The Following.

A Big thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author, J. H. Markert, for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.