Rating:  Summary: What went wrong? Review: I can't even begin to say how disappointed I was in this book. After reading the other books written by Greg Iles and combing different stores awaiting its arrival, this book was not at all what I expected. To say the least, it was a disappointment. The plot was wholly unbelievable and completely unrealistic, even for a fiction novel. Perhaps the thing I found most unpleasant was the fact that the characters were doing the horizontal hokey pokey on every other page. This story was so bad that I didn't even bother to finish it, which is a first for me. For these reasons, I give "Sleep No More" one star, though I am not even sure it deserves that.
Rating:  Summary: An Intense and Eerie Account Sure to Intrigue Review: Greg Iles has a storytelling knack that is almost startling in its intensity. Every one of his books is worth reading as a vivid, compelling story.In Sleep No More he creates a story of the supernatural worthy of Stephen King. It is an eerie story of young love, death, a family, and threats almost beyond imagining. It is a murder mystery, a love story, and an account that at times seems to verge on insanity. At every page you will find yourself drawn deeper and deeper into the plot and more and more curious about how it will end. The plotting for the last third of the book continues to build in intensity until you can't put it down until you finish. I have to admit that I had no idea how the conflict would be resolved and found the conclusion very satisfying but the story very troubling. If the supernatural frightens you, this book may be too much. On the other hand if it intrigues you, then you should rush down to your bookstore and buy Sleep No More. If you just like interesting personalities and fascinating stories, anything by Greg Iles is worth reading. This book continues that high standard.
Rating:  Summary: Fascinating story with a different twist Review: When I first read the blurb about this book I thought it might be the first Greg Iles book that I did not enjoy, but happily I was wrong. The story is so good that I was able to accept the surrealistic premise. John Waters first sees Eve Sumner, a local real estate agent, across the soccer field while watching his daughter play. Her words and actions eerily remind him of his deceased former lover, Mallory Gray Candler. Subsequent encounters lead him into a torrid affair with Eve, who he is more and more certain is possessed by the soul of Mallory. As Waters becomes involved with 'Eve' he realizes that he is endangering his family both emotionally and physically by his continued obsession with her. In fact it may already be too late to disentangle himself from his insatiable lover. Then Eve is murdered and Waters is the most likely suspect. What is worse is that he is still not free from Mallory's threats. He must find a way to save his marriage, his child and his wife. The twists and turns at the end make it impossible to guess how it is resolved. As usual Greg Iles' writing is difficult to put down and his characters are so well drawn that you hate to leave them.
Rating:  Summary: Blew Me Away! Review: Oh my gosh! The incredibly talented Mr. Iles has us believing the unbelievable. I can see why author Stephen King praised this book, although it is not written in the King style. It is a supernatural thriller, unlike anything I have ever read, but this exceptional storyteller has us believing that it could happen, and makes the incredible seem logical. Iles takes us back once again to wonderful Natchez, Mississippi, (his actual home town) for the locale of this novel. The main character is John Waters, a likeable, decent man, 41 years old with a young daughter and a wife who loves him, but is unable to make love with him after 2 traumatic miscarriages. Along comes Eve Sumner, lady realtor, to tempt him - in the process of luring him in she shocks him by telling him things only a former lover would know - Mallory Candler, with whom he had an obsessive love affair, culminating in her trying to kill him, before she herself was murdered by a rapist 10 years prior. How can Eve Sumner possibly know these personal things about his relationship with Mallory of long ago? She is 10 years younger than Mallory would have been if she lived. John spends 2 weeks out of his life seeing Eve Sumner nights as he sneaks out of his house instead of sleeping, returning before morning, then his life starts to fall apart, and he wonders if he is losing his mind, and if his past will doom his future. The plot twists and turns of this book keep shocking the reader. Our sympathies go out to this likeable main character because we can't imagine how we would react in a situation such as he is in - it's just overwhelming - you root for him to fight back! Stephen King said something on the jacket about being hooked after the 7th chapter - it keeps your interest from the beginning, but he's right, after the 7th chapter, look out, and by the 11th chapter, I recommend you not pick it up at bed-time or you will "Sleep No More." I agree with one other reader, however, who found that it ended abruptly, and left us wondering about a couple things... but I will leave that to you to determine for yourself... Thank you, Greg for a gripping novel - can't wait to see what's next!
Rating:  Summary: Very disappointed! Review: I am a huge fan of Mr. Iles, but this book was a big disappointment. I am afraid he is going the way of "selling out" to make production deadlines. I bought the book because the reserve list at the library was LONG and I knew I could pass it on to others. After my husband and I read the book, I donated it to the local library because I could not recommend it to anyone. I am from Mississippi and have been proud to read and own ALL of the other books he has written. This was such a disappointment. Come on Greg, get back to the good stuff! Don't become the next Danielle Steele, cranking them out to make money.
Rating:  Summary: Doesn't always work Review: John Waters is a happily married man, with a daughter he loves very much. But one day, something happens to shatter all that. A beautiful stranger speaks to him across a football field, and sends him spiralling back into the past, to a time in his life that he would rather forget. Mallory Candler and John used to be an item, until one day her overwhelming passion threatened to destroy them both, and he had to break it off, choosing stability and security over passion and ecstasy with the beautiful Mallory. She, like John, wen ton to marry and have children, until one day all that ended when she was found raped and murdered on a New Orleans pier. Now, Mallory seems to have returned in the form of Eve Sumner...Eve bears not just Mallory's smile and intense sexuality, but she also knows things about their relationship that only Mallory could. Then, when they cross paths once more at a party and she whispers to him "You're not imagining anything, John. It's me. Call me." Waters' soul chills. Soon, he becomes involved with Eve, and she tells him things that seem scarcely within the realms of belief...But to John Waters, strike unavoidably true. Beware: To read this novel, you need an open mind. If you have one, you will be fine. Because, whilst this is a suspense novel, and to some extents (although not many) also a mystery, there are several strong elements of the supernatural. These elements work well, and help in the formation of this original, engaging tale. It's got a good, reasoned pace, which follows some nice, likeable characters. Ordinary people made fascinating by the events that happen to them, and how they act. It's written in concise, flowing prose, with nice descriptions of the South, and is a good study on the nature of obsession and all-consuming passion. While this is certainly an enjoyable, diverting read, I do have some mixed feelings about it. "Sleep No More" should most certainly be classified as a "supernatural thriller", to give the reader at least some idea of what they are in for. At times, the book seems a little thin. It needs a few good subplots injecting into it to build on the, sometimes, simple plot. However, my main foible is with the ending...The resolution is a little unsatisfying, when you consider that this is what the entire novel has been building up to. Also, the final "twist" which has its origins in the supernatural elements of the book, just seems far too convenient. In the end, it's probably worth a read because it's enjoyable and very suspenseful, but don't expect it to be brilliant.
Rating:  Summary: don't waste your time Review: i feel i have to warn other potential readers about this novel. having previously enjoyed iles' mortal fear i was looking forward to this one. but what a disappointment. not only does the story revolve around the transmigration of souls but we have to believe that one's DNA changes when another soul takes over. please, mr. iles, in your next novel try to credit your readers with just a little intelligence. and stick to writing credible thrillers.
Rating:  Summary: And Then What? Review: Greg Iles, never-fail creator of hair-raising suspense, has succeeded again in this tale of not-so-subtle reincarnation. The problem is the reader is left high and dry. I actually started reading the Acknowledgements thinking it must be the last chapter! John Waters is sucked into a clandestine affair with Eve Summers, a realtor who seems to have uncanny knowledge and mannerisms of John's first love, the sensuous Mallory Candler who has been dead for ten years. Only John knows that under Mallory's (Miss Mississippi 1982) charm and beauty lays a tortured borderline personality who is evilly possessive. John comes to realize Eve is not trying to trick him; she has become possessed by Mallory's soul/spirit. In an ever-widening swath of terror, murder and madness; John's family and friends are drawn into his downward spiral. Once you are hooked, you will be flipping pages fast enough to create a whirlwind as Mr. Iles works his wonders on your curiosity. I give him five stars for the great suspense, but take away two for an ending that leaves his characters wondering and waiting. -sweetmolly-Amazon Reviewer
Rating:  Summary: Iles first disappointing novel Review: As a huge fan of all of Iles prior novels, I was hugely disappointed with his latest effort. Given his prior work, I can only hope that this is not an indication of what is too come. Hopefully, the attention from Hollywood has not put an end to an immensely entertaining author.
Rating:  Summary: Disappointing Review: I couldn't wait for this book to be published. I have read and thoroughly enjoyed everything written by Greg Isles. If I wanted to read graphic sexual content I would purchase the latest "Penthouse" Magazine (I am broad minded). Get back on track Greg Isles and forget the filth - we don't need it!!! I would rather have spent the [$$$]on something else.
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