Sleep No More (Paperback)

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, went on 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 certainly worth a read because it’s enjoyable and very suspenseful, but don’t expect it to be brilliant.

John Waters is living a comfortable life in Natchez, Mississippi with his wife and 8-year-old daughter when he meets Eve Sumner. The chance meeting takes on greater significance when she mentions facts and little code words from his past that only he and his former girlfriend, Mallory Candler, knew. The disturbing aspect of this is that Mallory has been dead for over 10 years. The explanation provided by Eve steps us into the realms of the supernatural as she explains that she is actually the spirit of Mallory Candler living in the body of Eve Sumner.

Such is the skill of Greg Iles that he takes this implausible scenario and makes it sound believable. He does this simply through the rational reasoning of John Waters and his friend Penn Cage. It’s actually thanks to their disbelief that the concept of soul transference becomes more real.

I enjoyed Sleep No More for a couple of reasons. The pace is frantic as Waters is kept off balance throughout. Facts and events keep coming at him quicker than he is prepared for. The second reason is the fact that it’s quite reminiscent of some of Stephen King’s books. Life starts off very normally, but soon the protagonist’s world is thrown into total disarray by the seemingly impossible. You soon find yourself wistfully remembering when things weren’t quite so exciting. But then, the way forward is always more interesting, and Iles wraps things up nicely, still leaving a few of the more curly questions open for possible further exploration.