The Sleepless

Graham Masterton again taps into ethnic mythology to produce this tale which refuses to tip its hand until the screws have been really tightened down. Insurance investigator Michael Reardon looks into the deaths of a Supreme Court nominee and his family in a helicopter crash that the reader knows from the opening chapter is a lot more gruesome and mysterious than he is told. But he gradually comes to understand how bad it was and the growing threat to him and others. Well written, Masterton builds the suspense...I spent the last 100 pages trying to figure how Reardon was going to get out of this quandary. Or if he would...because that is a way to go in a horror novel (I do not care for that kind of ending...why put your hero through all that misery just to let him lose?) Excellent book from a highly regarded horror writer.

I was glued to this book it haunted my dreams. When people talk about horror, some say king while I say Masterson. I haven't read alot of him maybe five books but all were original. The way he writes about American life is awesome. If you haven't read this you should but beware nightmares are ahead.

This was by far the most frightening book I have ever read. I have to worry about your imagination Grahaeme Masterson! However I couldn't stay away from it for very long, but a relaxing read? I don't think so! I really liked it, so that's a bit of a worry.

The story seemed to drag at times and would've been a better read if 25% shorter. Also too many characters with common names. I started losing track of who was who.

its ok. was a while since i was reading his books...sometimes its hard to jump from one writer to another...takes a while to use to it to the style, but its ok

THIS BOOK IN MY OPINION IS SET FOR THE BIG SCEENS,IF NOT ALLREADY TAKEN UP ? FROM START TO FINNISH IT HOLDS YOU WANTING MORE HERES TO THE NEXT ONE.HOPE WE GET MORE LIKE THIS.

Very good read ,with twists and turns everywhere

HARDBACK REVIEW:Masterton uses mythology as a stepping off point in much of his highly creative works where he weaves masterworksthat involve complex multi-layer mythology, as well as characters that have complex interleaving. Sleepless is onesuch brilliant work. Often coming in at about 400 to 500 pages or above, these are great adventures in the surreal,and illustrate why the fans of Masterton have such a love of his work. The mis-conception I see about Masterton isthat his short novels ( often 250 pages)which usually have such a powerhouse use of the myths and characters thatyou can see the difference as well as the similarity in REVENGE OF THE MANITOU, DEVILS OF D-DAY, PARIAH, and CHOASTHEORY, however, the perception is that these are lesser than the books the size of SLEEPLESS. I could use otherexamples, but what Masterton uses is the first person narrative to convey that sense of immediacy. In a lot of novels I saw early on, Masterton would have a tantalizing quote that was a fictional half truthwhich gave you a stepping off point, driving your curiosity in, for example, DEVILS OF D DAY. The role of eachcharacter served as a key discovery point. The links in the chain would always be developed, and tied, or moreoften, weaved together. In Sleepless, the key characters are quickly introduced, but at what point do we discover who is who in thestory? The strong point in this 1993 work is Masterton's Uber-Sex-Violence-and the Surreal ( or the mystical, forwant of another phrase). In his greatest works, or what I consider his greatest, best and most entertaining works,he has an ancient evil behind the steps, and mis-steps of the characters in the book. He has done this in severalworks, both short form novels, and the works the length of the SLEEPLESS.Some reviewers have complained thatMasterton has not developed his characters enough, but in what I have seen , the characters are written very well.And, in SLEEPLESS, the move quickly brings in a seasoned insurance investigator, but no-one knows why? Themysterious Mr. Hillary pops up in the investigators hypnosis therapy sessions. BUT, all is not what what it seems,and as layers are revealed, the horror deepens in all respects. the conspiracy widens and deepends, but the battlejust begins. This is a story where the past, present and future are all one adrenalin filled rush. Masterton takes on another tour de force in his Uber-Horror expedition into the minds and the world of thesurreal and the supernatural.This was a gift to me. As a better summary, see the Graham Masterton Web Site Summary:"A helicopter crashes with a young judge on board. The wreckage reveals his and his wife's mutilated bodies - but not their daughter's. An insurance investigator attempts to resolve this bizarre case - and to his cost discovers a merciless race of beings who never sleep...Fast-moving and highly readable, this features some very graphic violence and is definitely not for the squeamish. Masterton utilises the American setting well, managing to conjure up a genuinely scary portrait of an alien-like race which should - quite literally - get your adrenaline pumping."

One that stays in memory. If you are fan of Saw movies and NCIS/CSI, you will like this one.

Terrific opening and within the first few pages I was engaging with the characters and looking forward to how they would develop. - and that was where I was disappointed. After a promising start the characters remain strictly 1 dimensional. As the central plot becomes ever less credible the characters reactions to it become increasingly wooden and rather than being able to empathise I just found them irritating. So overall this book was not to my taste however the author did show that he can spin a good yarn, at least in parts and I would be prepared to at least try some of his other titles.

I was a fan of Graham Masterton back in the last century (The Manitou, Devils of D Day, Black Angel etc.) so wanted to rediscover some of his work. Have to say I was a little disappointed with this one. I found the story dragged a bit was very gory and unpleasant in parts, without being truly 'horrific' or 'scary'. Unbelievable characters, especially the African American gangsters. On the whole quite forgettable!

I HAVE READ GRAHAM MASTERTONS OTHER BOOKS AND FIND THEM BRILLIANT!THIS BOOK I FOUND TO BE SICKENING AND WONDER WHAT ON EARTH WAS GOING IN THE MIND OF THE AUTHOR.IF YOU WANT TO TO BE MADE TO FEEL ILL READ IT.I SKIPPED TO THE END AS MY STOMACHED COULD NOT COPE!

This US the third book I have read by this author, but it is the best so far, his writing grips oh in a way no other author does. This book is compulsive reading , excellent from start to finish , a must read book, totally different from any book I have read.