What I liked:
✨Cults themes
✨Serial Killer named Father Silence and the potential copycat killer, Outcast
✨Police procedure: imperfect detective dealing with past trauma
✨Multiple versions of Noah

Where I struggled:
✨Large Cast - I found keeping track of all the characters while listening to the audio a little challenging.
✨Ending: A lot happens in a short span of time, which made me replay the ending twice to fully grasp it. I’m not sure I fully understood it all.

Y’all do not sleep on this book 😉 This book made my little spooky soul so happy. The beginning is very much police procedural, which I love. The ins and outs of the case and how our FMC, Tess, handles everything is mind blowing. Tess is especially close to this case which makes it even better. The anxiety this book gave me was off the walls, but in the best way possible. I loved the “before” chapters and was constantly trying to piece together the old case and how this new one was connected. There were a lot of characters and a lot going on in this book but I was able to follow it all easily. The audio was also amazing and I flew through this one because I HAD to know what happened. There’s also some cult aspects and everyone should know my love of the culty vibes by now. It was just the perfect read for spooky season and I just loved it

I don’t usually read horror. But this book was amazing! I was on the edge of my seat for the entire book due to the suspenseful writing and numerous twists and turns the plot took. It was pure entertainment and I might just be reading a few more horror books in the future.

SLEEP TIGHT by @jamesmarkert74 . Thank you to the author, @netgalley and the publisher, @dreamscape_media for the audio-ARC.

An intricate puzzle of a thriller exposing the dark secrets of a small Appalachian town after a notorious serial killer dubbed Father Silence is executed unleashing a chain reaction of deadly events. Layered and sprinkled with bread crumbs, the story follows Tess, Missoula police officer and daughter of the detective who brought down Father Silence, as she tries to connect the dots as to why Father Silence's execution resulted in her father and mother also being murdered in their sleep along with her father's old partner. When Tess' daughter is snatched from school, she knows something orchestrated has been lying in wait and building a house of cards that has just started to fall.

⭐⭐⭐

There were many twists in this one and I only saw a handful of them coming while being smacked in the face with the others. I generally enjoyed the plot and the characters, but I was a bit baffled by the idea that cops from Missoula would be welcomed into this small town in Kentucky to do the sleuthing even if they were related to the victims. Besides suspending my disbelief there, this one kept me coming back to find out the whole story. I definitely enjoyed the intrigue and the unravelling story but the set up was a hard sell for me. I liked it but it wasn't my favorite either. I feel like this is pretty normal for me with lots of thrillers.

Speaking of sleeping...do you have any bedtime rituals? Or are you kinda just a scrolling gremlin like myself before bedtime? 😂

💚SMASHBOT💚

If this book isn’t already on your spooky season TBR, get it there immediately! This high octane serial killer horror/thriller will keep you up long past your bedtime, fueled with adrenaline, flipping pages until dawn. Y’all know I love stories with serial killers and this one has TWO! The twists are executed perfectly and the narrator, Andi Arndt, is a master of increasing the tension with her storytelling skills! I finished this one in one day because pressing pause just wasn’t an option!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape for the ALC! I'm so confused how some are classifying this as horror when it is clearly a police procedural with serial killer themes and thriller elements.
This had me in the first half, I was compelled and intrigued.
Somehow it all just went down the drain. I hate to put it that way but the set ups did NOT have satisfying conclusions (some had literally no resolution). The characters were 1) not well-developed and 2) FAR too plentiful in number. I think this book suffered from having way too many characters and way too much going on and it sadly scoured its potential. I wish I would've DNF'd tbh,

The beginning of this book was instantly captivating, pulling me in and making it hard to put down. However, my motivation waned shortly after, and it took some time for the story to regain momentum. The main character, though intriguing, was challenging to follow due to her unreliable narration stemming from drug use. Additionally, the plot was densely packed—navigating between the parents, the child, the past and present murders, the setting, and the various characters with significant roles felt overwhelming at times. It became almost a chore to keep track of the many plot threads the author wove together.

That said, the complexity did keep me engaged. The constant movement from one storyline to another maintained a steady forward pace, preventing the story from becoming stagnant. I listened to Sleep Tight on audio, and the narration was exceptional—immersive and vivid, breathing life into the story.

I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers and police procedurals. However, it leans dark, with horror elements and a heavy focus on children, so it may not suit everyone. Content warnings for alcohol and drug addiction/abuse are worth noting.

Thank you to the publisher for the advanced listener's copy as well as the finished copy of this title.

Sleep Tight by J.H. Markert

There’s nothing quite as creepy as a mask wearing nutjob and the second this little sequence hit, I was both petrified and invested. I love this author and he has the ability to instill a sense of fear and horror into every chapter.

Small town horror is the best, a cultish vibe instilled into the marrow of a creepy back history gives this audiobook an overwhelming sense of dread and impending doom and I was loving every tension filled second.

This is the third book I’ve read/listened to by Markert and I’m hooked by his writing style along with his character development and keen sense of horror aka scaring the tar out of me.

My thanks to Dreamscape Media for this well preformed audiobook!

What a wild and crazy ride!
This is my second book of this author and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
It was chilling, dark, suspenseful and addictive. So if you haven’t read it be prepared, you won’t be able to put it down once you start.

Thank you Libro.fm and Dreamscape Media for this complimentary audiobook.

𝗦𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗧𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 by J.H. Markert released September 10, 2024.

JH Markert's "Sleep Tight" is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the depths of the human mind. The audiobook, expertly narrated by Andi Arndt, brings the story to life with its atmospheric soundscapes and chilling performances.

Markert masterfully weaves a tale of suspense, weaving together multiple perspectives that converge on a chilling conclusion. The characters are complex and flawed, making their motivations and actions all the more intriguing. The author's ability to create a sense of unease and dread is palpable, drawing the listener into a world of paranoia and fear.

While the pacing may fluctuate at times, the overall narrative is compelling and keeps the listener engaged. The audiobook format enhances the experience, allowing the listener to fully immerse themselves in the dark and twisted world of "Sleep Tight."

If you enjoy psychological thrillers that explore the darker side of human nature, "Sleep Tight" is a must-listen.

Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC.

Story: 🌟🌟🌟
Narration: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Overall: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Sleep Tight tells the story of a sole survivor of a serial killer who must stop a new killing spree. This is a great Fall thriller with excellent narration by Andi Arndt. Andi really elevates the story and made this a great listen.

ALC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sleep Tight by J.H. Markert is a police procedural thriller that packs plenty of creepy atmosphere and suspense. The story unfolds with a well-crafted eerie vibe, and Markert does a great job of pulling readers into a world where nothing is as it seems. The protagonist is compelling, and the mystery keeps you turning pages, eager to find out what happens next.

That said, I really wanted more horror and less police procedural. Some parts felt a bit slow, and a few plot points could have used a little more development. Still, the tension and spooky ambiance make this a worthwhile read. If you enjoy an unsettling, slow-burn thriller, this one is worth checking out.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Andi Arndt. Arndt delivered a superb performance and created a spooky atmosphere. There were a lot of characters to keep track of so some people may find the audiobook hard to follow, but I really enjoyed it.

Thank you Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an advanced listeners copy in exchange for my honest review.

Serial killer Jeff "Father Silence" Pritchard was caught nearly two decades ago in the small Kentucky town of Twisted Tree and sentenced to death, but on the night of his execution one of the detectives involved in his arrest is brutally murdered by someone calling himself The Outcast. Tess Claibourne, the murdered detective's daughter--and a detective herself--is committed to discovering who The Outcast is, especially as the next day he kidnaps her daughter. The plot winds through the present investigation with flashbacks to Tess's childhood and her father's police work. This is set up like a police procedural with horror elements, and I wouldn't recommend reading it in the dark!

The audiobook narrator did a good job of distinguish characters through subtle vocal changes, but I found the narration especially slow, making the story feel more plodding than it might had I read it myself.

TW: Drug Abuse/Addiction, Alcohol Abuse, Mentions of Miscarriage, Animal Death, Suicide, Mentions of Rape

This story starts with the sentencing of the criminal Father Silence to death.
Tess and her father who both were involved in his case confide in each other the night of. But then the next morning, Tess wakes to horrible news learning about the murder of both her parents while also getting a strange call. Next thing she knows that her daughter and a young boy have been kidnapped and she needs to work alongside her husband to get her daughter back.

Although the audiobook was amazingly done, I found it really difficult to follow along and keep track of everything in this police procedural/thriller. When I saw the title and cover for this book, I was thinking it would be more of haunted thriller instead of a detective story which may have been part of why I struggled to get into the story at first. I think I would've preferred reading this book instead of listening to it.

Thank you NetGalley for letting me listen to this audio ARC
3.5 Stars

Tess is having a bad week. First she finds out that her husband is cheating on her. Then she gets a phone call that will change her life forever. Her parents have been attacked and her daughter Julie has been kidnapped. Tess is the daughter of the detective that helped capture the serial killer Father Silence. Now they might have a copy cat on their hands.

I picked this book up after hearing a lot about it. It’s a police procedural that follows Tess investigating the case and trying to find her daughter. The book kept me interested in the beginning but I wish there was more character development. I listened to the audiobook which I thought was well done but at times confusing. There were a lot of characters to kept straight and not much back story. I wasn’t too impressed with this one because the twists weren’t shocking and it felt sort of predictable to me. I know a lot of people loved this one though so pick it up and prove me wrong.


Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book.

Sleep Tight was the perfect October spooky listen! The vibes were immaculate for the season. The character development was great in this police procedural/horror/thriller!

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

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.

This book is a fantastic representation of thriller verging on procedural. More for plot readers, it presents great scenarios and follow throughs.