In this fast-paced, read-in-one-sitting novel, Markert weaves a tale with intricate moving parts. The narrative is dark, gloomy, reminiscent of the movie Identity, and infused with elements akin to HBO’s True Detective. As the action unfolds, the story introduces compelling complexities that leave readers pondering the true identity of the antagonist.

Our main character (MFC) may hold a crucial childhood memory that could connect to her daughter’s kidnapper. Could it be linked to the notorious serial killer her father, a respected detective in their hometown of Twisted Trees, brought down decades ago? With flawed yet hopeful characters, we follow Tess—a detective like her father—and her estranged husband, Justin, a psychologist, as their daughter is abducted from school. Is this incident related to the recent murder of Tess’s parents, which occurred just before the serial killer’s long-awaited execution? And why do the clues lead to a man recently laid to rest?

Tropes:
Cults
Serial killers
MFC returning home after decades to solve a mystery
Second-chance love
Missing child

Triggers:
Abundant instances of child abuse and death
Sexual assault
Animal fatalities
Some gore

This marks my first encounter with this author, and I found their storytelling both vibrant and dark. I eagerly anticipate diving into more of their work. Brace yourself—this book will keep you guessing, reluctant to set it aside.

You will not be able to Sleep tight after reading this book. It was so good and keeps you awake at night thinking about all the creepy things in it. People wearing animal masks, storms, and even an amusement park. This book is a dual timeline but not confusing at all. It really drew me in from the very beginning and I couldn't put it down. If you are looking for a new creepy book, this is the one for you. Thanks, NetGalley for the ARC.

SLEEP TIGHT is a genre-bending psychological thriller/horror novel about a serial killer known as Father Silence and his House of Horrors. It’s complex, with characters you can invest in emotionally. The ‘BEFORE’ chapters are all about the build-up; they create an air of mystery and suspense that makes you doubt everything you think you know. The strong cast of characters keeps you intrigued and following along to the last page. This one’s for horror fans who like their villains to be memorable, their stories twisty, and their resolutions satisfying.

SLEEP TIGHT will be available on September 10th, 2024. 4 out of 5 Stars.

I loved this book! it had me hooked from the beginning, kept me on the edge of my seat through the whole story, and I even audibly gasped at one point! Aha...that never happens!
A lot is going in this book, so get ready for a dizzying ride! You're constantly being dragged from one lead to another, and then off we go again on another loop. But I loved it!
There were just a couple things that kept me from rating it higher than I did. I can't say too much without making it a spoiler. So I will just say I was left wanting more of an explanation, or maybe more of a build up to one of the key elements of the most fascinating character in the book.
And I wanted more from them!
But even despite that, it was a nail biter and I loved every second! Highly recommend and I will be looking into other books from this author. =)

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the advanced ebook copy in exchange for an honest review!

Publication date: Sep 10/24

Sleep Tight
By J. H. Markert
Pub date: 10 Sep 2024
• A thrilling police procedural mixed with a touch of horror
• Slow moving, multiple characters, constant swapping of perspectives and timelines
• Horrifying and compelling plot lines
• Flawed protagonist that I felt needed a humbling moment
• Masterfully developed villains' backstories
• Explores DID, dissociative identity disorder, through a paranormal lens
• Somewhat satisfying ending but left me somewhat confused and unsure and led me to review and reread some scenes throughout the book
• Overall an entertaining and chilling horror mystery depicting inner demons propelled by unexplained supernatural forces

What a fantastic book! Struggled to put it down.

I mean serials killers, cult, creepy animal masks, priests, haunted forests, abandoned amusement Park....what more do you need? This has it all and it grabs you at the beginning for one hell of a ride. Loved it!

Notorious serial killer coined "Father Silence" is finally put to death 2 decades after his capture. Not having spoken a word since his arrent Father Silence's final words are haunting.

"Beware the one that got away."

Detective Tess Claiborne's father was the detective that caught Father Silence in his house of horrors. Within 24 hours of the execution, both Tess's parents are murdered and her daughter is kidnapped by someone calling themself "the Outcast." Along with her partner and psychiatrist husband Justin, Tess and her team slowly unravel what really happened the night of Father Silence's arrest and how her daughter's kidnapping ties into it.

This was a gripping story from page one and the story kept up it's momentum. There wasn't any downtime or slow spots in the story. The characters were believable and the twists felt true to the story and not out of nowhere. It reminded me a lot of the movie S7ven which is ironic because Tess says she was obsessed with that movie as a kid. I really enjoyed this book and will be continuing to watch for more books by this author.

👁️ Sleep Tight by J.H. Markert 👁️ A cultish nightmare the likes of which will keep you up well past your bedtime as Sleep Tight guarantees anything but. The story follows our main character Tess, who’s a detective and daughter of one of the men responsible for bringing going down Father Silence years ago, a serial killer who terrorized the residents of a small town and will forever be remembered as the boogeyman whom left a permanent scar on humanity’s memory. But now there’s a new killer who goes by the moniker of the Outcast who kidnaps the daughter of Tess. Now, Tess is sent on a collision course the likes of which you’ll never see coming as she is forced to work with her estranged husband, her partner detective, the FBI and many others but there are other forces at play here that may prove to much for Tess; even with all the help she has. Be prepared for an onslaught of cults, serial killers, twists and turns you will not see coming and a psychological aspect I could have spent hours delving into. Sleep Tight will leave you with many a great things running through your head but sleeping tight, well, that’s just not one of them. I primarily went into this read blind and I am more then glad I did, Sleep Tight is one of my top contenders for book of the year right up there alongside Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay. I’ll leave you all with this, would you enter an insane asylum for the weekend and interview the most depraved criminals they have? Let me know down below my friends!Thank you to @netgalley and @crookedlanebooks for this ARC! This review is my opinion and only my opinion. #arcreviewer #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookreviewersofinstagram #horrornovel #horrorbooks #horrorbookstagram #horrorbook #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #horrorreader #horrorfan #horrorreads #horrorart #horroraesthetic @jamesmarkert74 #cult #cultbooks #nightmarestories #scarystories

I loved this book and could NOT put it down. I was absolutely enthralled by the characters and the story. It was definitely a 5 star read for me. I want to say so much more about my favourite parts, the twists and turns, and the parts that made me gasp... but I don't want to spoil anything, so I will just say, you should ABSOLUTELY read this book if you're into thrillers, Child abduction stories, police procedurals (that aren't boring), character development, character psychology/ abnormal psychology.


Now, this book is categorized as horror, personally, I'd probably put this more in the "thriller" category, or "horror-lite" category, but that did not take away from my enjoyment of it in any way- just something to note.

I've already ordered one of J. H. Markert's other books- Mr. Lullaby, and I can't wait to read it when it arrives.

Book TW's: Child abuse, death/ torture of pet dog(s) - suggested but not described at all.

Thank you to NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an ARC to read and review!

J.H. Markert could write a manual on how to properly watch paint dry, and it would keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time.

Markert hits a grand slam with his newest novel, Sleep Tight. Gripping from beginning till end, I could not put this one down and when I was forced to put it down, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Markert has a knack for storytelling that is gripping, horrifying and just damn good.

Markert has been called “the heir to Stephen King” and that title couldn’t be more true. If you haven’t read anything by Markert, what are you waiting for?

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the pleasure of reading this horrifying gem!

Sleep Tight by J.H. Markert is a deeply complex, action packed crime thriller that I would probably call a dark detective style thriller rather than horror.

I adored this book and it definitely gave gritty 70-80s feel. I kept picturing a series in my head with this one not unlike True Detective and boy would that be incredible.

The story delivered on all the things you expect in a thriller, cults, serial killers, The plot is very complex, lots of characters, a lot happening, lots of twists that just keep you guessing. I enjoy this kind of read as being a seasoned horror/thriller reader and watcher I always tend to guess ending or twists really early on. This story has you following so many different twists and scenarios that you just are just trying to take everything in.

Sleep Tight is a fantastic read and I can’t wait to read more from this author now! Definitely will be adding this to my library.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this early. Publishcation Date Sep 10th 24

In 'Sleep Tight', we are taken on a journey following detective Tess Claibourne. Tess, the daughter of the detective who captured the notorious serial killer 'Father Silence', is now facing challenges in her adult life. Her daughter Julia is kidnapped, triggering Tess to confront her past.

Despite the well-introduced characters, J.H. Markert dives straight into the plot, allowing readers to understand the characters through subtle details. The book kicks off with intensity, building tension as the story progresses.

While events unfold quickly, some developments could have been more fleshed out. J.H. Markert excels in immersing readers in the narrative, creating a gripping tale with realistic characters. The inclusion of psychiatric disorders adds depth and intensity to the story, alongside the presence of a chilling murderer and a traumatized protagonist. The intricate layers of the plot are what made this thriller stand out for me.

I loved this book, from the moment I saw the cover to the moment I finished the last page. Absolutely loved it! But and this is a big but… how is this marketed as horror? A dark and twisty thriller? Absolutely! Horror? Not even close!
This book will keep you on the edge of your seat. Especially me, because it had all the things I love. A cult like group, trauma, serial killers, repressed memories, consulting with a criminal and dissociative identity disorde. (You learn it quite early in the book, so this is not a spoiler.) All those aspects take you as a reader on one wild ride!
The only comment I have about this book is the showdown. Its was very rushed an very anticlimactic. For something that has been build towards for an entire book and how villainous the ultimate evil was… Well it felt like a little bit of a letdown. Not the actual plot, don’t get me wrong. I loved the twist of who was eventually the villain in this story, but the showdown… well that could have been more elaborate.
I cant wait to explore more by this author! Cause this book really left me wanting more!

This book could definitely be a movie.
Phenomenal from begiining to the end
It did not disappoint!!!!

Jeff Pritchard is being executed by the state today. He has been silent since he's been arrested. They call him the silent father. Jeff has been executed. So, no more killings. Right?! Jeff killed the unwanted, mentally, wounded, and troubled.
Jeff has been executed. So, who the hell has just killed Tess's parents and who has her daughter who has been kidnapped from school. Tess's father actually was the detective who arrested Jeff so many years ago
Is this a copy cat killer or someone seaking revenge on Jeff's honor
Someone is revenge killing everyone involved in the case or arrest of Pritchard
More outcast children are being reported as missing
And now the other arresting cop has been murdered. How did this copycat get to the airport so quickly and with Tess's daughter in tow as well. Is Tess looking for 2 killers now
A satanic cult?
What is the motive
Tess needs to go back to where this all started, where she abruptly moved from when she was a teenager Twisted Tree Kentucky. She is bound to find some sort of answers there and hopefully find her daughter as well
Sleep Tight! Don't let the killer bite!

This horror-thriller aims to check off every box on the ‘This Book Will Give You Nightmares’ laundry list: murders, kidnappings, revenge, ominous psychic visions, creepy priests, crazy cultists, a man with a very Split-like case of Dissociative Identity Disorder, and more! No really — so, so much more. (Too much, one might say.) Though it has the feel of a 90s detective thriller that I really enjoyed, I really struggled with the convoluted nature of the plot.

And listen, I love a complex, complicated web of murderous, spooky fun! You wanna introduce a serial killer who has a flair for the dramatic? I’m here for it. A tough female detective with an amnesia problem? OK, yes, sign me up. Some missing kids, a few creeps prowling the woods in animal masks, and haunted houses? Sure, why not? Sounds like a blast.

I think the issue with all the moving parts to this one, for me, is that some of the plotlines are really great. Compelling and horrifying and interesting. Which might not seem like a problem at first, right? But when you consider the fact that the strongest parts of the story never have a chance to breathe since there’s so much else going on, well . . . you get it.

TL;DR — even if this book wasn’t necessarily my cup of tea, I was certainly never, ever bored. And sometimes that's enough!

Markert is quickly becoming one of my prefered horror authors after reading this, The Nightmare Man, and Mister Lullaby.

The story follows Detective Tess Claibourne, a woman haunted by her father’s legacy as the detective who captured the infamous serial killer, Father Silence. Tess's life is thrown into chaos when her daughter is kidnapped, drawing Tess back into the shadows of her past, filled with repressed memories and dark secrets. The narrative is masterfully split between past and present, creating a suspenseful build-up as Tess unravels the tangled threads of her history and the sinister figures lurking within.
Markert's portrayal of Tess as a flawed protagonist is compelling, although her character could have benefitted from more moments of vulnerability to balance her otherwise strong, assertive demeanor.

The supernatural elements introduced through discussions of various mental illness (trying not to give too much away) add an additional layer of mystery but occasionally blur the line between psychological insight and paranormal activity, which might not appeal to all. However, this does contribute to the novel's chilling undertone and aligns with the eerie settings—from haunted forests to an abandoned amusement park—that Markert vividly describes.

The use of flashbacks and police interviews cleverly interspersed throughout the narrative not only enhances the mystery but also provides depth to the secondary characters and the central plot. The dialogue-driven storytelling amplifies the urgency and emotional stakes of the narrative, pulling the reader deeper into the labyrinthine plot crafted by Markert.

Despite some pacing issues and character developments that might have benefitted from deeper exploration, the novel’s strengths lie in its complex characters, intricate plot, and the relentless suspense that Markert maintains throughout the book. It’s a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and those who relish a story that can both intrigue and terrify. Thanks to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and J.H. Markert for the ARC.

I ATE THIS UP!! Sleep Tight was captivating and filled with so many twists! The story was always keeping me up at night to just get that “one more chapter” I honestly felt like I was part of the investigation and trying to figure out who it all came down to! I will definitely recommend this to anyone who loves Freida McFadden because even though you get the back stories and side stories of characters it wasn’t confusing to the plot. It really made you part of the story and I loved this book so much!!

Sleep Tight by J.H. Markert is a chilling narrative filled with unexpected twists and harrowing turns. At its core lies the abduction of innocent children, beginning a desperate race against time to locate them before the unthinkable occurs.

Content Warnings:
Blood, violence, death, infidelity, addiction, drugs, alcohol, miscarriage, child abuse, kidnapping, child death, mental illness, suicide, animal death, physical abuse, and more!

Let’s dive in!

My Thoughts on Sleep Tight by J.H. Markert –
When a famous serial killer is put to death, many people think that the nightmare has ended… but it’s only just begun.

The next morning, the detective who had arrested the killer years ago is found dead. Reeling from the news, the victim’s daughter, Tess Claibourne, doesn’t have time to mourn her father before she’s set on a path of even more terror; her daughter has been kidnapped by the man that they believe did the killing.

Throughout the investigation, the killer/kidnapper toys with Tess, forcing her to face her past and uncover her long-buried memories.

My gosh, could Tess have anything more to deal with all at the same time?! She had her husband’s infidelity, the death of her parents, the kidnapping of her only child, and so much lingering trauma from her past both recent and decades old. As the story centers mainly around her, we’re really able to get into her head to see how she is processing everything. My heart broke for her the more we learned about her and saw her go through.

Mixed in between the chapters from Tess, we also get the perspective of the kidnapper himself as well as the little girl that he kidnapped. As each storyline was so perfectly placed, readers won’t want to put this one down! I was so anxious to see what would happen at each twist and turn that we came to!

One last note, I would definitely caution readers with this one as it covered a lot of elements that could be triggering. I think the author handled each one perfectly, but please be aware that the darkness is there.

My Favorite Passages from Sleep Tight –
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.

He squeezed the sides of his head to keep his thoughts in order. Sometimes they got muddled.

At least he sounded less drunk now, Tess thought, like Danny had somehow punched the alcohol right out of his bloodstream. Or at least, some sense into him.

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

Her grandfather’s voice, when he’d taken a break at the kitchen table, grandmother fixing a pot of coffee as the sun began to rise, a sliver of orange glow amid the trees out there, like the horizon was on fire.

Wind pushed the tall grass like ocean waves, and Tess smelled rain, Dark clouds had gathered suddenly from the west. The news had forecast storms, and they’d arrived. As if on cue, distant thunder rumbled. The approaching clouds looked ominous.

My Final Thoughts on Sleep Tight –
I had a blast immersing myself in this gripping dark mystery, which intertwines real-world horrors with inexplicable supernatural phenomena.

If you enjoy exploring the human psyche’s complex and sometimes dark framework, set in a fast-paced race for answers, this read is for you!

(full review will be posted on my blog April 19th at jensequel.com)

From the very first page, Markert masterfully crafts an atmosphere of suspense and unease, drawing readers into a sinister world where the line between predator and prey blurs. The initial premise is undeniably compelling, and the author's skillful pacing keeps the tension taut throughout the narrative. Readers will find themselves eagerly flipping pages, eager to unravel the mystery behind the Outcast's identity and motives.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its exploration of trauma and its lingering effects. Tess Claibourne, haunted by her own past and the specter of Father Silence's reign of terror, is a deeply flawed yet compelling protagonist. Her journey to confront her demons while navigating the perilous investigation is both poignant and riveting, adding layers of depth to the story.

However, "Sleep Tight" falters somewhat in its execution as the plot progresses. While the initial momentum is strong, the narrative loses some of its steam midway through as the investigation meanders in multiple directions. Tess, ostensibly the lead investigator, takes a backseat as other characters take the reins, diluting her impact on the story. This shift may disappoint readers expecting a more central role for the protagonist.

"Sleep Tight" by J. H. Markert is like stepping into a heart-pounding nightmare that you just can't tear yourself away from – and I give it a solid four stars.

A small town shrouded in darkness, haunted by the legacy of a serial killer who once posed as a priest. Sounds intense, right? Well, buckle up, because this book takes you on a wild ride through twists and turns that'll leave you breathless. The premise alone – a detective's daughter forced to confront her deepest fears and darkest memories – had me hooked, and I couldn't wait to see where the story would take me. And it's a wild ride from start to finish!

What I loved most about this book was its breakneck pace. Seriously, there's never a dull moment! Each chapter is packed with action, suspense, and enough twists to make your head spin. Just when you think you've got it all figured out, Markert throws another twist, leaving you scrambling to keep up.

However I'll admit, there were moments when I had to pause and catch my breath because there was just so much going on. But you know what? That's part of what makes "Sleep Tight" so darn exciting! From serial killers to kidnapping to cults and addiction, this book has it all.

And then there's Tess Claibourne. She's flawed, haunted by her past, and yet she's also incredibly brave and determined. Her journey to uncover the truth about her family's dark secrets while racing against the clock to save her daughter had me totally invested from start to finish.

"Sleep Tight" is a must-read for anyone who loves a good thriller. With its fast-paced plot, complex characters, and spine-tingling twists, it's a book that'll keep you up way past your bedtime, eagerly turning pages until the very end.