When you’re a kid, you imagine monsters to have horns and fangs. That they hide under the bed or in the wardrobe. And you believe they can only come after you when it’s dark.
You don’t expect them to look like everyday people or that they may be someone you already know…
The summer in question started out with hot, fun-filled days and new friendships.
We had just turned thirteen and had our whole lives ahead of us.
But that was before her…
Before we became known as the Hixton Five and our lives became defined by one night.
It’s hard to believe twenty years have passed since she was locked away.
But now she’s free and strange things have started to happen.
When I close my eyes, the creeping anxiety and fear is overwhelming and all too real.
Because the monster is back, and I know she has a score to settle with us.
Official Summary
29 April 2024
This was a five-star read for me and it’s not often that I give a new-to-me-author a five-star rating. The story delves into the chilling realities of childhood fears coming to life. It explores the transformation of innocent summer days into a dreadful nightmare that follows a group of friends well into adulthood.
The author crafts a suspenseful and atmospheric narrative that keeps you on edge throughout the story. Her writing is vivid and evocative, effortlessly capturing the essence of youthful camaraderie tainted by a looming threat. The pacing is tight, with each character adding layers of tension and intrigue.
Set in the past and present, the story unfolds around a group of thirteen-year-old friends dubbed the Hixton Five. Their carefree summer takes a dark turn when a sinister event during a sleepover results in the imprisonment of one of their own. Two decades later, the release of this individual coincides with a resurgence of strange occurrences, reigniting old fears and forcing the group to confront their haunted past.
“The Sleepover” evokes a mix of nostalgia and unease. The author portrays the vulnerability of childhood and the long-lasting trauma caused by betrayal and fear. The psychological depth of the characters and the intricate unravelling of the mystery kept me gripped. However, some plot elements felt slightly predictable. Among the Hixton Five, Sophie stood out as a resilient and complex character. Her internal struggles and unwavering determination added depth to the narrative.
I thoroughly enjoyed the tension-filler atmosphere and the blend of psychological thriller with coming-of-age themes. Readers with sensitivity to depictions of trauma and violence should approach this one with caution. Fans of psychological thrillers and mysteries will appreciate “The Sleepover”. It caters to those who enjoy narratives exploring the impact of childhood trauma on adult lives, with a compelling mix of suspense and emotional depth.
If you haven’t read this one yet, I would highly recommend you add it to your TBR. Keri Beevis weaves together past and present, offering a haunting exploration of friendship, fear and the enduring effects of childhood trauma. I cannot wait to add more of this author’s work to my TBR.
Also By Keri Beevis
Dying to Tell
How far would you go to keep a secret?
As the only survivor of a horrific car crash, Lila Amberson believes she is on the road to recovery after she is released from the hospital. Her memories of the accident are blurred, though and a series of unsettling incidents leave her fearing for her safety. Does she have survivor’s guilt or is something more sinister at play?
Jack Foley is reeling from the shock of losing his sister in the crash and when he first meets Lila, he lashes out, blaming her for Stephanie’s death. But when Lila gives him a locket that she believes belonged to his sister, it presents more questions than answers.
As Lila and Jack work together to find out what really happened on the night of the accident, they are unaware that someone is watching them closely. Someone who has much to lose if the truth comes out, and someone who is prepared to do everything necessary to ensure all loose ends are taken care of.
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Keri Beevis is the internationally bestselling author of Deep Dark Secret, Dying To Tell, The Sleepover and the recent global smash hit, The Summer House.
Born in the village of Old Catton, less than a mile from where Anna Sewell was living when she wrote Black Beaty, Keri had a passion for reading and writing from a young age, though her tastes veered more to the macabre.
Today she still lives in Norfolk, along with her two old lady kitties, Ellie and Lola and a plentiful supply of red wine (her writing fuel), where she writes a comedic lifestyle column for the Iceni Magazine. When she is not writing or editing or proofreading or promoting, she loves movies (horror, thriller and romcom are her go-to) and live music – especially indie (her favourite band is Wolf Alice). She is also big on dinner parties, exploring creepy places and gets extremely competitive in local pub quizzes.
Thank you for visiting the blog and reading my review. This is the last one for April. Are you a Keri Beevis fan? What is your favourite book? Please leave a comment below with a suggestion of which one I should add to my TBR next. Until next time…Happy Reading!
