Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this spine chilling, edge of your seat thriller.

It took me a minute to get into it but boy once I did I sped through it! It was so good,, crazy twists, interesting plot lines, characters and craziness without being too crazy. It got a liiiiiitle too paranormal there for a bit but then reigned itself back in again for a solid finish.

4/5 ⭐️

I loved this book so much! This is my second J.H. Markert novel, and I will definitely be reading more. This one was my favorite between the two. I couldn't put it down. Tess is such a strong character. She stops at nothing to find her daughter while weeding through her forgotten memories from a traumatic childhood. I really enjoyed her character development. Justin has made many mistakes, but it is clear that his family is important to him. Father Silence was terrifying. There was an excellent amount of horror and suspense in this book. It was a perfect read for October! The story is well written, and it was a fast read for me. I have heard parts of the audiobook and found that to be just as entertaining.

Amazing!
Sleep Tight was a horror mystery story that had me turning pages until the very end. It was also the perfect read for Halloween season. The author was new to me and I can not wait to read more books by this author. The book kept me guessing the entire time and it was so intense. All of the characters were interesting and I cared what happened to all of them. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and I loved this book a lot. I would recommend this one to any reader especially to those who love horror or thrillers. Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this creepy read in exchange of my honest review of Sleep Tight by J.H Markert.

I was so excited to see this as a BOTM option!! This one is so good and creepy! It’s been compared to Whisper Man by Alex North and it’s definitely in that same vein if not a smidge darker. My kind of book!

A serial killer from 20ish years ago is finally facing his death sentence. And the next day a copy cat appears and the granddaughter of the detective who caught him is kidnapped! Can her detective mom save her? She’s going to have to face her own demons and unravel the mystery that took place all those years ago. And the only person who can help is the man in the psychiatric hospital who was the one survivor of the killer.

It’s good. Dark and gritty and if you haven’t hit checkout on your order yet, this is a perfect spooky season read!

A fun horror-mystery story that will keep you up at night, perfect for the Halloween season. I’ve loved JH Markert’s previous stories and found this one just as intense and chilling. I love serial killer books and found this creepy mixture of horror and thriller, just perfect. The story has interesting characters who you will come to care about and feel invested in what happens to them. I’d certainly recommend this one as well as the authors earlier works. If you’re looking for a fun-to-read nightmare-inducing thriller, be sure to pick this one up.

A creepy psychological thriller that could possibly border on the supernatural. Sleep Tight is a well written, character driven novel that will keep you guessing. There are lots of twists and turns keeping the reader wondering what is going to happen next.
Tess, the main character lived in Twisted Trees. Her father, a retired detective whisked her away across the country without giving her a reason. Tess has blocked out part of her past and doesn’t seem to remember until the end. Many locations and characters add to this well crafted story: the playhouse, the orphanage, several towns, the old amusement park. Father Silence, nuns, lost children of father silence, Lisa Buchanan, Benjamin Knowles, Noah and his many personalities, and so many more add to the this perfect serial killer novel.

An intense and disturbing story about a serial killer and the lengths his followers will go to support his message.

"Beware of the one that got away". Those are the last words from Jeff Pritchard, aka Father Silence, upon his arrest. And after his death penalty is served, the people he terrorized, should sleep better now. Only, his warning may have had some teeth to it.

Tess Claibourne knows Father Silence very well, more than her dad being the arresting officer. It takes awhile for her to reveal her connection to this man, but as people close to the case are brutally murdered and her daughter kidnapped, Tess and those around her have to wonder, is this just a fan of the serial killer seeking revenge, or is it something much darker?

The author does a great job of creating multiple threads in the past and present, and weaving them together to create a gripping story. Given all the variables in play, I didn't have much hope for Tess and her team. But despite her personal issues, Tess doesn't give up and is pretty sharp on her feet (even under the influence of opioids). And a surprising alliance makes a difference in the course of events.

For those looking for a spooky October read, this dark thriller should definitely be added to your TBR.

A family drama with some police procedural and a supernatural element.

I love J. H. Markert's writing. He writes some of the craziest stories with a mix of so many different characters and story lines. And instead of being confusing it creates an interesting story you just can't wait to see how it turns out. This book was no different. A mysterious serial killer that hasn't said a word in decades being executed is already intriguing enough. Then a kid is kidnapped and it's all connected had me hooked. Tess is an interesting and flawed character and learning how she's connected in so many different ways made the story more mysterious. Seeing things from her perspective and having her have to juggle so many different things; being a detective, mourning a death, being a mom trying to find her kidnapped daughter, and being a wife and friend gave so many different angles to connect me to the story and the characters. See different narrators and perspectives pop up throughout the book made it that more mysterious but also answered some questions along the way. All of these aspects leading to a satisfying end in my opinion.

This is a book that will keep you completely intrigued and flipping through the pages.

If you are looking for a taut thriller, this is it. A well-written story with some exceptional characters. This was my first J.H.Markert book and I was pleasantly surprised.

I feel that the plot could have been tighter in some places but I am not complaining much.

4 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC.

If you're looking for a spooky read to kick off the Halloween season, "Sleep Tight" by J.H. Markert should be on your radar. The story is set in the eerie town of Twisted Tree, where a serial killer, Father Silence, seems to linger even after his execution. With nineteen victims to his name and only one survivor, you'd think the terror would be over, but the nightmare is just beginning. A new killer, known as the Outcast, emerges, and Detective Tess Claibourne is thrust back into her personal hell when her daughter is kidnapped. Tess, grappling with her own unresolved trauma, must return to the scene of past horrors to find answers and face secrets buried deep in the town’s past.

This novel is a blend of horror, crime, and mystery, with plenty of religious and cult undertones. The plot moves at breakneck speed, packed with complex, grisly scenes that feel both creepy and suspenseful. Told through multiple points of view and shifting timelines, the narrative keeps you on edge, and cliffhanger chapter endings only add to the tension. At times, though, there’s almost too much happening— with themes of multiple personality disorders, addiction, childhood trauma, and grief, it can feel overwhelming.

Still, "Sleep Tight" delivers on its promise of a dark, disturbing atmosphere. The characters are well-developed, and despite the whirlwind of events, it’s easy to get caught up in their stories. Fans of serial killer thrillers will appreciate the inventive twists and the tight pacing. While the ending feels a little rushed, the journey is gripping enough to make this a worthwhile read for thriller fans.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I’m a sucker for a good creepy story, and this hit the mark. When Father Silence is finally executed for his crimes, a series of murders begin, and it becomes a race to save all involved.

Though I did pick a few things early on, I wasn’t prepared for just how twisted it all was going to be.

Great character building, compelling storyline, creepy bad guys, and an ending that could have you torn - it certainly gave me mixed emotions!

A great read for spooky season!

Sleep Tight by J.H. Markert is a chilling psychological thriller that masterfully intertwines suspense and emotional depth. The narrative centers around a mother whose life spirals into chaos when her son goes missing, prompting her to confront dark secrets that threaten her family’s safety. Markert’s writing is gripping, filled with unexpected twists that keep readers on the edge of their seats. The exploration of fear, love, and resilience makes this a compelling read for fans of thrillers that delve into the complexities of the human psyche.

Thank you, Netgalley, the author, and Crooked Lane Books for the gifted e-book! ❤️ #gifted. My review is comprised of my honest thoughts.

Read this book if you like: Deep stories, spooky vibes, small towns

Well, this is deeply unsettling, creepy.. just wow. It was filled with action, every single page. I enjoyed it very much. It's a great spooky read pick.

Sleep Tight by J. H. Markert was a creepy read. I have loved all of this author's books. Looking forward to the next installment by this author.

The serial killer called Father Silence is finally executed by Lethal Injection, bringing an end to the horror inflicted upon the residents of Twisted Tree, or so it would seem. Then the deaths start and children are being kidnapped. This is a very creepy and dark story. Heads up- lots of graphic talk about animals being killed-I skimmed right past. I thank Netgalley, Librarything and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

4.25/4.5 ⭐️

Jeff Pritchard, known as “Father Silence” by the media, is executed after 17 years in prison. A former janitor who disguised himself as a priest to lure victims, including children.

Tess Claiborne feels deeply relieved after the execution. Her father, Leland Patterson, was the detective who captured Pritchard back when Tess was a teenager. After many years, the family can finally have this dark burden lifted off their shoulders. Tess still has to worry about her marriage crumbing after her husband Justin’s recent affair though.

Tess, a detective herself (following after her father), drops off her daughter, Julia, at school the next morning. When she gets to work, she received an urgent phone call from a man calling himself, “The Outcast.” He tells her that, “We did a bad thing” and apologizes before hanging up. Tess discovers that she has lost both her parents and her daughter that day.

Tess, Justin, and Danny (Tess’s partner) are thrown into a double murder and kidnapping case that they know must be connected to “Father Silence.”

My opinions:

This book was very well written. It is almost too detailed at times and feels longer than it should be, but I appreciated the elaborate information at the same time.

This is a great thriller/mystery for someone who enjoys crime books. It keeps you guessing and had many twists.

I enjoyed this book and I liked the ending; however, I was left feeling a lot of sympathy for Benjamin and all the abuse and neglect he endured. His twisted vision of trying to save other children from a childhood like his.

Overall, it was an awesome thriller and I will be reading more by this author!

I also listened to the audiobook and it was very well done.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for access to the ARC of this book. I truly appreciate the opportunity!

I am not normally a huge horror fan (or so I thought before reading this)

I really enjoyed this and I didn't think I would!

It was like being in a slasher film or a nightmare, it was so well written and actually made me a bit nervous to keep reading but at the same time I couldn't put it down!

Tess's character was also great!

Full review to be on instagram shortly!

“Are we born evil or made that way?”

Sleep Tight by J.H. Market
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫

This was a PAGE TURNER. The POVs, the story, the thrills.

A silent serial killer is put to death but not before uttering some chilling last words. This puts in motion a string of events that lead you down a path where the answers are rooted in the path and for our FMC, in her hometown she left many years ago.

She has to return not only to find answers but rescue her daughter.

My fave book by JH Markert to date.

Are you ready for a very creepy read? Do you love serial killer stories? If so, Sleep Tight is a book for you!

When a serial killer is put to death, the detective who put him in jail is murdered and a string of crazy events begins. From characters with multiple personalities, to gritty cops, to cults, this book has it all.

Overall the story is very well written, and the ending caught me by surprise. It is a dark read though, so be prepared! This one is out now if you need something creepy to read for October!

Sleep Tight by J.H. Markert is a horror novel.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Crooked Lane Books and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

 
My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions):
Twisted Tree is a small town in Kentucky with a horrendous history.  Noah Nichols is in a hospital for the criminally insane after brutally killing his father.  Noah himself is the sole survivor of a madman, who had disguised himself as a priest and preyed on the weak.  When the police arrested the man,  they found the bodies of both children and adults in and around the house.  Noah Nichols was lucky to survive Father Silence and his "House of Horrors".

Now, nearly 20 years later, Jeff Pritchard (or Father Silence, as he came to be known), has just been put to death.  At the end, he finally broke his silence.  His parting words...."Beware the one that got away".  Is he talking about Noah?

The morning after his execution, the arresting officer and his wife are brutally found murdered by someone calling himself the Outcast.

Tess  Claibourne is a detective, and the daughter of the slain couple.  She and her husband Justin (a psychologist)  have recently separated. after his drunken affair.  Their 9 year old daughter isn't happy, and Tess is taking the brunt of Julia's anger.  Tess's work partner Danny isn't happy with the situation either.  He and his wife Eliza have been Tess and Justin's best friends forever.  Now the foursome has been torn apart.

But they will have to work together now....Julia has been kidnapped by the man calling himself the Outcast.  He may be one of the growing fans that have flocked to the area to immortalize Father Silence.  A cult is forming, and they have no qualms about killing.  

Tess and Justin head to the Hospital to talk to  Noah,  in hopes that he can shed light on what happened in that house and if there was someone else that they should be looking for.  But Noah is not what he seems, and it is hard to trust his broken mind.  But Tess has her own issues with a broken mind.


My Opinions:
WOW... I can't get enough of this author!  Beware, there is a lot going on in this book (as you can tell from my synopsis).

Yes, this was horror, but it was more "horrific events".  It was more creepy and suspenseful than outright horror.  That being said, the author doesn't shy away from visual grossness, so be warned.

This plot was just "out there" with plenty of twists.  Although I had an idea as the identity of the perpetrator when first introduced to the character, the reasons behind everything were slow in coming.  When revealed, everything fit.  The storyline went back and forth in time-lines, but it was never confusing.

The characters were fully fleshed out, and there are a lot of them!  I loved Tess and her missing memories. Personally, I may have smacked Justin for constantly pushing Tess to remember her past.   I absolutely loved the relationship between Danny and Eliza.  Now it's hard to cheer for the bad guys, but both Noah and "the Outcast" had some redeeming qualities and I really liked them  (well, maybe not all of their actions).

 Overall, I loved the book.  I don't give that many 5 star reviews, but this one deserved every star!.  It held my attention from start to finish.  Be ready for a wild ride.  It was one creepy read!