Sleepless Book Review

Sleepless will leave you without sleep for sure.  This thriller is a brilliant piece of fiction that includes lies and deception, a bad childhood, a sister’s love for her little brother and heart-wrenching panic attacks that will leave you breathless.

The story is broken up into different timelines as we as pieces featuring different letters that have been written over time allowing you to remain intrigued as the story unfolds. The author manages to keep you just a little unsure as you turn the pages making it extremely hard to put this book down.

Initially, I found myself a little in the dark, not quite sure what the letters were about or how the various characters fit together. However, as I kept reading the pieces fell into place and I understood who was who.

Nadja Kulka’s life has been a series of unfortunate events. Imprisoned for the murder of her mother, and life has been a struggle since her release. Despite her hectic panic attacks and insecurities, Nadja has everything she wants. A clean little flat of her own, a job and a friend in Laura van Hoven – who happens to be married to Nadja’s boss. When Laura gives birth to Vivi, her friendship with Nadja becomes more distant. So, when Laura appears, needing help, Nadja would do anything for her. Unfortunately, Nadja discovers that Laura does not feel the same and she is being used as a scapegoat. After everything Nadja has endured, is she about to return to prison for a murder she did not commit, or is her life finally reached its end?

The story starts a little confusing leaving you unsure how all the characters fit together, but the emotions experienced by Nadja is so strong you cannot drag yourself away, you need to keep reading. When the piece starts falling into place you experience a “light-bulb” moment that removes all the initial confusion. I loved that moment when I felt I started understanding.

Nadja Kulka is a badly damaged individual and as her life story unfolds your heart breaks for everything this young woman has been forced to endure. She starts the story being weak and insecure and the more she is pushed into a corner the stronger and more determined she becomes. Her will to live is remarkable. This flawed character steals your heart no matter what she might do. Nadja is a brilliant character that is full of surprises.

This translated book is only the second I have read that I can say I loved. This book keeps you unsure as you turn the pages and only when all the pieces fall into place are you left in awe with how great the author planned this story. I loved this book.

Psychological thriller fans are guaranteed to read late into the night when they reach for this book. Sleepless is clever, unique and features the most likely heroin you have ever met. Go ahead, add this title to your TBR, it’s sure to leave you Sleepless.