The Waking Nightmare

Diagnosis Murder #4

by Lee Goldberg

A new mystery featuring Dr. Mark Sloan.

Dr. Mark Sloan saves a would-be suicide victim, but her jump from a building ledge has left her in a coma. Obsessed with learning why she attempted suicide, Sloan stumbles into a manhunt for a cop-killer-who may turn his attention to nosy physicians next.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 1, 2005

About the author

Lee Goldberg is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over forty novels, including Malibu Burning, Calico, Lost Hills (the first novel in his acclaimed "Eve Ronin" series), 15 "Monk" mysteries, five "Fox & O'Hare" adventures (co-written with Janet Evanovich), and the new thriller Ashes Never Lie, the second in his "Sharpe & Walker" series.. He's written and/or produced many TV shows, including Diagnosis Murder, SeaQuest, and Monk and he co-created the Hallmark movie series Mystery 101.

Reviews

[Jennifer Oberth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not care much for this installment. The characters (like Dr. Sloan) irritated me to no end. Amanda is just basically not in these books which is a real shame because she's such a great fixture in the show. The characters are just too different in the books than the show for my taste.

The book also went on and on and on. Instead of enjoying the twists, I was annoyed by them.

The writing was well done except for too many ticking clocks and twists that seemed to be there just to be there. (They did not enhance the story for me.)

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable entry in the Diagnosis Murder series. I enjoy this series I find Mark and the gang to be a fairly comforting read. The actual mystery took me by surprise several times. Even though I know Mark will solve it in the end I can't help but worry just a bit that maybe this time he will be stumped. lol I will definitely read more in the series.

(Warnings: Suicide)

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mystery in The Waking Nightmare was artfully crafted, but also just too much. Right when I thought it was figured out - surprise - it wasn’t! About four times! Too many twists are never a good thing, and this book was no exception. I did enjoy the creativity involved, but it just wasn’t my favorite.

[Luna Chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorites from the Diagnosis Murder book series. At first I was kinda confused since the book description said the book was about a cop killer but I got got five chapters in and Dr. Sloan was trying to figure out why the suicide jumper tried to kill herself and who stabbed the sky diver in mid air but the only mention of a cop was Dr. Sloan's son Steve. You eventually get to the cop killer but not till much later in the book. Most prominent are the sky diver and suicide jumper mysteries, so the description on the back of the book is rather misleading. The book is still a great read even with the misleading description. And you'll want to reach the end just to find out what happened to the sky diver.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diagnosis Murder #4 The Wakening Nightmare by Lee Goldberg

This is the 4th novel in the Diagnosis Murder series.Diagnosis Murder novels are great reads.Intricate plots and engaging characters makes for a page turning journey.

Dr. Mark Sloan is at the office when his day takes a turn for the worst. He looks out the window and sees a woman jump from the ledge of a building. Mark is able to save her life, but she remains in a coma. Mark investigates the causes behind the woman's attempted suicide, which leads him to a manhunt for a cop killer. And Mark has to take care or he will be next.

A very enjoyable read

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are three different stories in this one. The first, a chain smoker who will die if she doesn't stop, isn't really a mystery and you know she'll somehow stop by the end. The second, a suicide, was interesting although easy to spot what was going to happen. The third, a murder occurring while skydiving, i figured out right away how it occurred and who could have helped. Easy read not much of a challenge but always nice to read Mark Sloan.

[Mark Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A murdered parachuter and a suicide that Dr. Sloan witnesses are the cases in this fast paced mystery. I enjoyed it, but I did feel that there was one more twist than needed at the end.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

I needed a quick read to wait for a friend to have a colonoscopy and this did the trick! Pretty decent mystery, plus two other plot lines going on, so it kept my interest fairly well. Nothing to write home about but it met my needs for this purpose.

[Monica Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two mysteries and the saving of multiple lives. The stabbing by skydiving was a real puzzler. Well crafted. I can imagine the scenes playing out for real; thanks to Lee Goldberg's writing. Still miss the TV series. The books help.

[Ike · Rating 3 out of 5]

One word = matlockish

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I shall always love DM.