Member Reviews

This story was not what I was expecting. Going in blind, I definitely had a different view of what I thought the book was going to be about vs what it was actually about. Overall, the book was a good book. However, I did feel that it was longer than it needed to be.

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“In hindsight, a lot of people should have known a lot of things. But unfortunately, the world doesn’t ever run in reverse. And one thing I’ve learned to be a hard truth is that hindsight never proves useful.”

“______ might be alive, but they both knew that sometimes for victims, it was better off if they weren’t.”

I really liked the different types of formatting in the book from regular chapters to interrogations and transcripts. The overall atmosphere of this one gave me criminal minds vibes. The creep factor was real!

Markert also touches on women’s reproductive rights in the book and as much as I don’t typically like such hot political topics in the book he did a nice job with it and it created a deeper bond between Tess and Eliza. So it was totally appropriate and not overtly political.

The interview with Mrs. Nichols was so creepy. All that “friend” and “baddy boy” talk eeek yeah super creepy.

One thing I struggled with a bit was the complexity of this one at times, just keeping everything straight in my hyperactive brain was hard for me. There was a LOT going on and I wanted a bit more from the ending.

This is a book I could totally see being a huge hit in theaters.

TW ⚠️ Drug abuse, murder, miscarriage, animal abuse (implied not detailed), loss of a child, gore, cults, infidelity, sexual assault. It’s got it all basically.

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I liked this book very much. The plot and pacing were excellent, and the narration added to the overall vibe of the story.

I'd say it's more thriller than horror for 98% of the book and then more horror than thriller for 2%. Still, it was quite good.

I hate to leave such a short review, but when a book is this good, you don't really have to say much about it. The multiple four- and five-star reviews will tell people all they need to know.

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I'm so conflicted with this one. I loved the horror aspects of this book! The plot was so good but then I found myself confused about all the different characters. Maybe that's just me and my attention span. I'm excited to read more books from this author.

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Omg this book was amazing!!!! I didn’t see the twists coming and the book did end but could possibly lead to a sequel. This was the first book by this author I have read and look forward to reading more.

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After reading several horror/thriller/crime fiction books that fell short, this one was a really palate cleanser! Great story, mostly believable outcome, and it really kept me wanting to hear more and more. There were so many moving parts to this one that I could see it being confusing to some but for me it works. I can't help but think how this would make an excellent limited series tv show as well!

Much gratitude to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and the author, J.H. Markert for the complementary digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

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Father Silence, a notorious serial killer, is put to death nearly two years after his horrific house of horrors was discovered with the bodies of 19 children in the basement. Now another child has been kidnapped, and she is the daughter of Detective Tess Claibourne, whose dad helped put Father Silence behind bars. It seems that the only survivor of the original killer's spree may hold the key to stopping a new reign of terror, but Tess must delve into the survivor's troubled mind to uncover the dark secrets.

This is an excellent and terrifying book that I could not get enough of! Such a great balance of thriller and horror. I was captivated by the plot, and I thought the author did a great job of providing detailed characters who were well thought out. At no point in time did I have any clue where this was going, even if I thought I had it figured out multiple times. I will say, that I did get a little confused with one specific piece of this (but I can't share what it is without spoiling it). There are a lot of names and characters, especially in the second half, so I did need to slow down and rewind the audio a couple of times. Regardless, I found this to be a really fantastic read!

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Thank you Dreamscape Media for making my dreams come true (or lack thereof from the lack of sleep😉) by gifting me an ALC!

If you’re a spooky season girlie and looking for books to keep you up at night - boy do I have the rec for you!! Honestly I was a little initimidated by the cover since I normally stick to domestic/psychological thrillers but I’m excited to report this was the perfect amount of spooky (as long as you aren’t home alone or about to go to sleep🫣😅). I had no idea when I started this that it was set in my home state KY (in Bowling Green, where I went to college and only about an hour away) which was so cool! It leans more toward horror than I have read before and the audiobook made it even more chilling. I can’t rave enough about the audiobook narrator, Andi Arndt! Immediately looking up what else she narrates because I need more audiobooks by her in my life! Overall, such a fun read and will absolutely be a favorite among horror fans!

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Sleep Tight by JH Markert, narrated by Andi Arndt, delivers a gripping experience from start to finish. The audiobook opens with a jolt, instantly capturing your attention with its dark and unsettling premise. Arndt's narration is a standout feature; her voice brings an intense and creepy atmosphere to the story, making it hard to stop listening.

Arndt excels in differentiating characters through her distinctive voices and emotional tones. Her portrayal of Tess Claibourne, the detective grappling with her father's murder and her own traumatic past, is particularly compelling. The nuances in Arndt's performance really bring Tess’s inner turmoil to life, while her voice work for other characters adds depth and clarity to the unfolding drama. Her reading style not only enhances the text but also heightens the psychological tension that makes this book so captivating.

Markert’s writing is chilling and masterful, reminiscent of Apple TV’s The Crowded Room in its psychological complexity and dark narrative. The story’s blend of police procedural elements, psychological thrills, and intricate character development keeps you hooked. The pacing is expertly managed, with suspense building steadily and maintaining a tight grip on your attention.

This audiobook experience has left me eager to explore more of JH Markert's work. His storytelling is haunting and addictive, and Andi Arndt's narration adds an extra layer of immersion. I’ll definitely be seeking out more books narrated by Arndt, as her performance significantly enriched my listening experience.

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I listened to the audiobook and loved the narrator.

This is an action-packed police procedural with elements of horror. I enjoyed the overall concept, but I think I expected more horror than crime fiction from the blurb. Hence, this may suit other readers with suited preferences.

I think the ending and twists were good and suspenseful. The characters were wildly interesting. Particularly when we get to meeting those multiple personalities.

It was an extremely slow burn for most of the middle of the book but picked up in pace at the end. The number of characters crowded the story, particularly when you're dealing with multiple cops and multiple priests. Then, there's also the constant swapping of perspectives. I think the story would have benefitted from a big edit, as I can see how ambitious the author may have been to want to include all these wonderful ideas/characters, but perhaps separating them into other books could really give the main characters a stronger limelight.

Overall, it's a strong concept for fans of police procedural and horror. Perfect read for this time of year.

Thanks to Netgalley and J.H. Markert for this audiobook for review.

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Tess has a past she can’t remember. Her and husband Justin are about to get divorced. When her daughter Julia is taken by a man claiming to be Father Friday, they must come together to figure out what Tess can’t remember and how to find their daughter. Tess also has a partner Danny to help save Julia.
I feel like there is a lot to unpack in the book. First Tess is a cop with a blurry past and a pain pill addiction. Honestly didn’t really like her character too much. Second her husband cheated on her and so they are in the midst of a divorce. She works too much and doesn’t pay attention to her family. Justin is a Psychologist. Noah is the loan survivor of a kidnapping years ago and is a person with many personalities. This book has a lot that we as readers need to focus on. Everything came together in the end to make perfect sense.
There were parts of this book that had my heart pumping and other parts that made me want to nod off. The narrator did a very nice job telling the story. Her studder for the outcast was perfect!

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an ARC audiobook.

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Everyone's been talking about this book right now and for good reason. It's gory, suspenseful and creepy. You usually can't go wrong with a serial killer novel.
Andi Arndt is a talented narrator and created an amazing listening experience. I almost finished this book in under 24 hours.


The infamous serial killer Father Silence seems to have some fans because even though he was sentenced to death, children are still going missing under similar circumstances. One of those children is the daughter of detective Tess Claibourne. She's particularly close to the case because her dad was one of the detectives who made the arrest. And now with her daughter missing she will do anything to solve this case.


You'll find:
creepy cults
animal head masks
repressed memories
dissociative identities
drug/alcohol addiction

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I really enjoyed The Nightmare Man by J. H. Markert so I'm not surprised I like this ghostly supernatural story that definitely keeps you feeling not necessarily scared the whole time but unsettled. I had a feeling of dread through every chapter wanting to know what would happen next but not wanting to know at the same time. Also one of the most useful and well-written prologues I've ever read.

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Listen, it takes a special type of narrator to successfully voice male and female characters without sounding cheesy. This narrator nailed every single character. I’m definitely putting her on my running list of favorite narrators. I can’t get over it. I have a physical copy as well which I normally prefer over audio but I was HOOKED to this audio. It truly enhanced the story.

As for the story- I’m almost as equally obsessed. It was impossible for me to predict. Every chapter the story got more and more eerie. It felt like a cross between criminal minds and x-files. Tess was my favorite kind of character. Flawed, yet incredibly intriguing.

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I just finished JH Markert’s "Sleep Tight," and loved it! Had some great twists that were hard to guess.

The characters were well developed and overall this had such a creepy tone.

If you’re into thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat, “Sleep Tight” is definitely worth checking out. I loved every minute of it!

Andi Arndt (You Shouldn’t Have Come Here) was a great narrator too!

For fans of:
- Gone Girl
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
- Prisoners
- Zodiac
- The Others

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape media for this complimentary review copy.

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Rating: 5/5 Stars
Pub Date: 9/10

Happy pub week to this absolute gem of a book. I absolutely devoured this book in less than 24 hours and loved every single second of it.

Sleep Tight will immediately catch your attention right from page one. Markert is able to weave such a chilling and haunting story in a dual timeline. I absolutely loved the little glimpses into Detective Tess's past and to what happened to Noah. There are a lot of different topics in this story as well and I really truly loved how Markert not only discussed these topics with respect, but he did a phenomenal job once again weaving these different topics together. The characters are great in this one and I really enjoyed seeing how a select few of them grew throughout the book. I connected with almost all of them.

This entire book gives off unable to put down vibes, I literally didn't put this one down once i started it. I was absolutely glued to my air Pods and my book. It is gripping and thrilling and suspenseful and you can't help but wonder what the hell is going to happen the entire time. It is so fast paced, and action packed with some gore galore and I found it to be *chefs kiss* perfection. Let's not forget this book has epistolary elements with police records and interviews scattered throughout. One of my favorite features in books! Oh, and that ending though, I absolutely loved where he went with it, what went down and everything in-between. Absolutely phenomenal.

I listened to this one via audiobook while reading both my eARC and my physical copy from BOTM. The ALC was narrated by Andi Arndt, and I have nothing but the highest praises. I loved every single second of the audiobook, I felt like I was sucked into the story and was living right alongside the characters watching what was happening. It was absolutely brilliant. Highly recommending the audiobook.

I buddy read this with three of my favorite people: @analyzedbychris @shannonjumpreads and @erikalaceyreads and It was such a blast to be able to discuss things with each other!

Overall, this book is an absolute must for all of my thriller / horror / mystery / crime fans looking for a spooky read. I cannot say enough how much I loved this book. Don't sleep on this one. Huge thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, Dreamscape Media and J. H. Markert for the eARC and ALC in exchange for my honest review.

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"Beware the one who got away . . ."
- Sleep Tight by J.H. Markert

The cover of "Sleep Tight" is irresistibly creepy, and I've heard amazing things about the author's previous work. With the spooky season approaching, it's the perfect time to dive into this must-read. 👻☠️🔪

As soon as I hit the play button, I was utterly captivated! I mean, come on, a serial killer named "Father Silence" and a town called "Twisted Tree" - how could anyone resist diving into this eerie tale? Whether you're a J.H. Markert fan or not, you'll definitely become one after reading this book. Read if you dare!

Thanks to the author and Dreamscape Media for providing this audiobook via NetGalley. All opinions shared are my own and left voluntarily.

#SleepTight #JHMarkert #DreamscapeMedia #NetGalley #ARC

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Huge thank you to Dreamscape Audio for the gifted audiobook!

Title: Sleep Tight
Author: J. H. Markert
Narrator: Andi Arndt
Audiobook Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins
Pub date: 09-10-24

Wow- I had no idea what to expect going into this one, so I was definitely pleasantly surprised by how good it was.

I was super creeped out at times (not ever enough where I didn't want to keep reading), and was engrossed in the character's lives and drama. This was darker than your average thriller, but also didn't feel super "horror-y" to me, which I actually appreciated as someone who is a baby.

I thought the pacing was great and I was never bored. I was surprised by the ending and overall very satisfied!

This will definitely be a hit!

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Sleep Tight was such a fun read. You will learn about Father Silence who was convicted of several murders roughly 20 years ago. Fast forward 20 years father silence is executed and new murders/kidnappings start up. In comes detective Tess Claiborne who needs now figure out who is doing the killings and find her kidnapped daughter.

This book had my mind spinning trying to figure out who did what. Are the new killings/kidnappings done by the Outcast or is there a copycat killer/kidnapper.

In the beginning the book was a bit slow but it did pick up. This is a sold 4 star read.

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📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
Sleep Tight by J.H. Markert
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 328 / Genre: Horror
Audiobook Narrator: Andi Arndt
Duration: 11 hours 55 minutes

20 years ago, a monster known as Father Silence impersonated a priest in order to lure children to his house of horrors. When finally captured, they found the bodies of 19 children plus one boy, who has since been locked up for the criminally insane. Father Silence has finally been put to death thanks to the justice system. But now, everyone connected to his captured is being hunted and killed, starting with the lead detective, whose daughter is now on the case. And as more children start going missing, can she stop the copycat before history repeats itself?

I thought this chilling tale was interesting, twisty, creepy, and just the perfect spooky read for this Halloween season. And Andy Arndt did an excellent job narrating the audiobook.

Thank you, @NetGalley, @Dreamscape_Media, and @JamesMarkert74 for my gifted copy of the audiobook and this incredible PR box!

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