This book is not bad. I’m not a huge fan of suspense novels (anymore) but I did go through a big suspense phase a while back and this one is pretty good. It is a fatal attraction type story based on a supernatural premise. If you can say sure, I believe in transmigration, then you should have no problem getting right into the plot. I liked the fact that the author at least tried to create some ‘rules’ for the supernatural stuff and pretty much stuck to them. The characters are ok, but came across a little on the cardboard cut-out side.

Where this book really shines is the suspense. There were actually a couple places where I felt my heart race with fear. Bravo Mr. Iles, I don’t recall the last time that happened. There were enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, and the pacing was right on. A nice bundle of romance, betrayal, fear, adultery, and moral dilemmas. Some of it got weird, but the author kept it mostly in check. I am undecided on how I feel about the ending. I think it would be better suited for a movie. There is quite a bit of sex and language, but not too shocking.

Now a side note on why this book greatly offended me. There are a bunch of quotes on the paperback copy from various authors and newspapers about how great the book is. There was even a quote by Stephen King on the copy I had and I’ll paste it here:

“Greg Iles’s new novel, SLEEP NO MORE should come with a red wrapper marked DANGER, HIGH EXPLOSIVES. It is that rarity, a thriller that really thrills . You’ll find yourself afraid to turn off the light after seven chapters, and after eleven, you may find yourself wondering if the person lying next to you when you do darken the room is someone you really know or a dangerous stranger. This one gets under your skin, and then burrows deep. Imagine what Rebecca might have been if it had been written by a man. That will give you the idea of how successful this novel is.”
–Stephen King

Ok, imagine what Rebecca might have been if it had been written by a man? Are you kidding? I’ve read Rebecca and I thought is was fantastic. (allegations of plagiarism aside.) Why would a story about the relationship between a man who is powerful and a woman who is not, written from the woman’s point of view, be better written by a man? What the crap are you trying to say here Stephen King? Does no one else find this offensive?