ARE YOU SLEEPING by Kathleen Barber
Gallery Books; 8/1/17
CBTB Rating: 4.5/5
The Verdict: a fresh take on psychological suspense
Sometimes you pick up a book and feel like it was made for you. ARE YOU SLEEPING by Kathleen Barber was that kind of read for me. This psychological thriller is billed as Serial meets Ruth Ware—a winning combination of two of my favorite things! As an avid podcast listener, I’m immediately drawn to any book that takes inspiration from true crime podcasts. (Remember SIX STORIES by Matt Wesolowski? An instant hit for me.) ARE YOU SLEEPING succeeds in blending the compulsively-readable style of authors like Ruth Ware and Clare Mackintosh with a plot that captures the engrossing, very particular style of true crime podcasts. I highly recommend this suspense novel as a fresh, unique addition to your summer reading list.
Plot Summary:
The only thing more dangerous than a lie...is the truth.
Josie Buhrman has spent the last ten years trying to escape her family’s reputation and with good reason. After her father's murder thirteen years prior, her mother ran away to join a cult and her twin sister Lanie, once Josie’s closest friend and confidant, betrayed her in an unimaginable way. Now, Josie has finally put down roots in New York, settling into domestic life with her partner Caleb, and that’s where she intends to stay.
The only problem is that she has lied to Caleb about every detail of her past—starting with her last name.
When investigative reporter Poppy Parnell sets off a media firestorm with a mega-hit podcast that reopens the long-closed case of Josie’s father’s murder, Josie’s world begins to unravel. Meanwhile, the unexpected death of Josie’s long-absent mother forces her to return to her Midwestern hometown where she must confront the demons from her past—and the lies on which she has staked her future.
Right off the bat I’d like to address a question I’ve already received from many readers on Instagram: is this book similar to SIX STORIES by Matt Wesolowski? The answer, in short, is no. But to elaborate a bit: there is clearly one fundamental commonality between the two. Both titles incorporate podcast storytelling into a crime novel, complete with podcast “transcripts” and narration by the fictional show’s host. From this fundamental similarity, the two novels diverge completely; I loved them both, but they will each suit a different kind of reader. SIX STORIES veers more towards a dark, almost folklore-laced story of childhood secrets buried for years, unearthed by a podcast. It’s less focused on interpersonal relationships, and has much less “regular” narrative—it’s focused primarily on podcast “transcripts.”
On the other hand, ARE YOU SLEEPING takes a more familiar psychological suspense story and injects it with doses of non-traditional storytelling content, from podcast “transcripts” to “screenshots” of tweets and Reddit threads. This title takes a wider view on the podcast trend, including those “transcripts” interspersed throughout a more traditional narrative. Readers delve into the relationships between the main character, her boyfriend, and her family, and will find more of a focus on family secrets and betrayals than on dark, chilling events. ARE YOU SLEEPING will be a natural fit for fans of psychological thriller authors like Ruth Ware, Clare Mackintosh, and Emily Carpenter, while SIX STORIES will suit readers looking for something a bit experimental. Both are fantastic choices.
But back to ARE YOU SLEEPING. There’s so much to love about this book, from its engaging and accessible suspense storyline to the way Barber infuses an on-trend psychological thriller with inventive and original storytelling tools. I absolutely loved the addition of “screenshots” of tweets and Reddit threads to this story—it made the plot come to life, and helped me get a sense of just how all-consuming the media firestorm surrounding our main character is. Wherever our main character turns, her life is consumed by the podcast which has reopened the case of her father’s murder. As public obsession over the case grows, our main character finds her life permanently altered: betrayals within her family are revealed, and her personal life crumbles. These “screenshots” with "commentary" from listeners of the fictional podcast felt authentic, and put readers squarely in the shoes of the main character, who is unable to escape public scrutiny of and interest in her personal life.
Beyond the addition of these nontraditional storytelling elements, ARE YOU SLEEPING is just plain fun to read. It has that addictive quality that authors like Ruth Ware and Clare Mackintosh have mastered—it’s compulsively readable, and I can practically guarantee fans of current psychological thrillers will find this book unputdownable. ARE YOU SLEEPING isn’t necessarily as dark a read as some of its peers—I wouldn’t classify it as particularly chilling, and there is minimal violence in this book, but I certainly don't consider that a flaw of the novel. It's something to be aware of, of course; if you're looking for a spine-tingling and dark psychological thriller, this won't work for you. But if you're in the market for an inventive and addictive summer suspense novel, ARE YOU SLEEPING will be right up your alley. Barber has set up a fantastic story of lies catching up to us: in 2017, can our secrets really stay hidden? And if they were to be dug up, what would happen to our lives? Readers will find themselves hooked on this compulsive story of truth, lies, and the intersection of the two.
ARE YOU SLEEPING is an excellent choice for your summer reading list. Accessible, engaging, and not too dark or violent, this psychological suspense novel will hook readers looking for a binge-worthy beach read. As for me, I’ll be here hoping Barber writes a follow-up—I’d love another book on the (wholly distasteful) podcaster who causes so much trouble in this story.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. All opinions my own.
PLUS: True Crime Podcast Recommendations
Just for fun—here are a few of my favorite true crime podcasts!
- Sword & Scale: My absolute favorite. You can’t beat this podcast for its insider insight into real crimes. S&S doesn’t shy away from delving into the most gruesome, twisted cases you can imagine—definitely proceed with caution, this podcast is serious business.
- Serial: Okay, this recommendation is obvious! There’s a reason Serial became such a cultural phenomenon. Highly recommended, although (unfortunately) I’d only recommend Season 1.
- Thinking Sideways: A blend of mystery-solving and quirky humor! A group of friends discusses unsolved mysteries, from homicides to unexplained disappearances to UFO’s and more, each presenting their own personal theories on what might have happened. This one is just plain fun!
- Casefile: This is a newer podcast discovery - a friend of mine recommended it to me, and I’m really enjoying it so far! Case discussions presented by a host with a fantastic accent - what more could you ask for, honestly? (That’s a joke of course, but still! A great listening experience.) Like Sword & Scale, Casefile is also quite dark—proceed with caution.
Book Details:
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Gallery Books (August 1, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1501157663
ISBN-13: 978-1501157660
Find ARE YOU SLEEPING on Amazon.
Home ownership feel like a distant dream? Zillow listings have you convinced you’ll be renting for the rest of your life? The woman at the heart of Carissa Orlando’s debut The September House feels your pain—and she’s prepared to put up with a lot if it means she and her husband can finally have a place to call their own. In this case, that might just mean living in a house that’s haunted. Playful and irreverent, spine-tingling and spooky, The September House puts a fresh spin on the classic haunted house story, delivering an immersive tale about the secrets lurking within one building’s walls, and within the lives of its inhabitants.