Praying for Sleep [Hardcover]

This book has everything...there is a great title, just for a start. then there are some great characters, who are very interesting. They are all on the hunt for Michael Hrubek, who has escaped from his psychiatric hospital and is now on his way to gain vengeance on Liz Atchesion, the teacher who testified at his murder trial...

this book is typical Deaver. A book set over a short period of time, with twists and turns all the way. Deaver reveals the plot slowly skein by skein, and it unfolds before us like a tapestry. This is one of his most complex plots yet, and almost certainly his most character driven ever. it focuses much more on the relationships between all the characters, and how they act, than many of his others.

there is a great plot, it's devious, inventive, exciting, and intriguing. typical Deaver, basically. you never, never, know where the book is going. there are some great revelations along the way, too. the dark and stormy night is a perfect setting for the book, and gives a great feel of calustrohpobia and isolatedness.

However, the one thing i didn't like quite so much about this book was that, although it is an excellent thriller, it is a bit too long. Not a lot, but perhaps if it had been 50 pages shorter, and the pace a bit quicker, it would have been perfect, and definitely Deaver's best ever book.

Why this book is such a muct-read is the absolutely fantastic twist at the end. It is the best twist Deaver has ever devised. it shies away from the usual twists to do with identity which Deaver usually uses (i.e. people not really being who you tihnk they are) but is much more than that. it is a superb twist, and it really blew my socks off. (even if it is delivered a bit weakly.) A stunning twist. Much more complex and deep than many of his others. I feel proud to say that i have read it, and hope that a little bit of his magic rubs off on me.

'Praying for Sleep' is probably not as fast-paced as some other crime-thrillers I have read, but nonetheless, it is a really good book. I stuck with it and by the last few chapters I had changed my mind about the entire book! Jeffery Deaver's portrayal of the Hrubeck (one of the main character's) is great. You feel sorry for him one moment, then think he's a cold blooded killer! The author doesn't go into unnecessary details abouts scenery or characters' pasts, everything he writes has a purpose, which is revealed at the end.

If you've already read a Jeffery Deaver novel, or are thinking of reading one, I would definately recommend this book to you!