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The Sleeper
Lara Finch is living a lie.
Everyone thinks she has a happy life in Cornwall, married to the devoted Sam, but in fact she is desperately bored. When she is offered a new job that involves commuting to London by sleeper train, she meets Guy and starts an illicit affair.
When Lara vanishes from the night train without leaving a trace, only her friend Iris disbelieves the official version of events, and sets out to find her.
For Iris, it is the start of a voyage that will take her further than she's ever travelled and on to a trail of old crimes and dark secrets.
For Lara, it is the end of a journey that started a long time ago. A journey she must finish, before it destroys her...
Everyone thinks she has a happy life in Cornwall, married to the devoted Sam, but in fact she is desperately bored. When she is offered a new job that involves commuting to London by sleeper train, she meets Guy and starts an illicit affair.
When Lara vanishes from the night train without leaving a trace, only her friend Iris disbelieves the official version of events, and sets out to find her.
For Iris, it is the start of a voyage that will take her further than she's ever travelled and on to a trail of old crimes and dark secrets.
For Lara, it is the end of a journey that started a long time ago. A journey she must finish, before it destroys her...
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 4, 2013
53 people are currently reading
2452 people want to read
About the author
Emily Barr
43 books584 followersEmily Barr worked as a journalist in London, but always hankered after a quiet room and a book to write. She went travelling for a year, writing a column in the Guardian about it as she went, and it was there that she had an idea for a novel set in the world of backpackers in Asia. This became Backpack, which won the WH Smith New Talent Award. She has since written eleven more adult novels published in the UK and around the world, and a novella, Blackout, for the Quick Reads series. Her twelfth novel, The Sleeper, is a psychological thriller set on the London to Cornwall sleeper train.
In 2013 she went to Svalbard with the idea of setting a thriller in the Arctic. The book that came out of it was The One Memory of Flora Banks, a thriller for young adults, which attracted universal interest from publishers before being bought pre-emptively by Penguin earlier this year. It will be published globally in January 2017.
She lives in Cornwall with her partner and their children.
In 2013 she went to Svalbard with the idea of setting a thriller in the Arctic. The book that came out of it was The One Memory of Flora Banks, a thriller for young adults, which attracted universal interest from publishers before being bought pre-emptively by Penguin earlier this year. It will be published globally in January 2017.
She lives in Cornwall with her partner and their children.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 340 reviews
September 19, 2013
***SPOILERS***
Every now and then I veer from my usual path which leads straight to the shelf with the literary prize winners/nominees. Occasionally something catches my eye; a shiny, flashing attention-grabber makes me consider broadening my horizons and trying something new. In this instance, it was a graphic email from Audible announcing a huge discount on certain reader-voted top titles.
I selected 'The Sleeper' from a list of 50 best-sellers. The title was simple, the plot summary intriguing, the narrator one of my favourites. The author, it transpires, had written a dozen books, both travelogues and novels. I thought she must be worth a try. I listened. To all 13 h-o-u-r-s.
I gave it two stars for two reasons: firstly, because the author wrote a whole book, something I have not managed to do myself and which is much harder than people think, and because she found a publisher despite writing like a high school English student. Secondly, because the language and grammar were generally very good (although everyone in it spoke with exactly the same mix of cardboard and plummy voice). Although I was listening, I imagine the spelling was top-notch.
The three stars I failed to award this book would have been for plot, character and overall literary accomplishment. All of these elements were completely absent from 'The Sleeper'.
So why did I stick with this to the bitter (contrived, ridiculous, far-fetched) end? I think it was a sort of masochism, and because it was interesting to see just how many more imaginary friends, lottery winners, evil sisters-turned-angels, godfathers-turned-murderers, mean domineering fathers, or wimpy cardboard husbands one could squeeze into a single novel, not to mention the benevolence that we were asked to bestow upon a scheming, lying, escaped drug dealer! Oh, I forgot the handsome, single policeman and the poor dead best friend... and the miraculous rescue from an underwater Thai beach prison by local fishermen. Need I say more?
I'm making a bee-line for the Bookers (Man or not), Whitbread/Costas, Orange/Womens, etc. immediately.
Every now and then I veer from my usual path which leads straight to the shelf with the literary prize winners/nominees. Occasionally something catches my eye; a shiny, flashing attention-grabber makes me consider broadening my horizons and trying something new. In this instance, it was a graphic email from Audible announcing a huge discount on certain reader-voted top titles.
I selected 'The Sleeper' from a list of 50 best-sellers. The title was simple, the plot summary intriguing, the narrator one of my favourites. The author, it transpires, had written a dozen books, both travelogues and novels. I thought she must be worth a try. I listened. To all 13 h-o-u-r-s.
I gave it two stars for two reasons: firstly, because the author wrote a whole book, something I have not managed to do myself and which is much harder than people think, and because she found a publisher despite writing like a high school English student. Secondly, because the language and grammar were generally very good (although everyone in it spoke with exactly the same mix of cardboard and plummy voice). Although I was listening, I imagine the spelling was top-notch.
The three stars I failed to award this book would have been for plot, character and overall literary accomplishment. All of these elements were completely absent from 'The Sleeper'.
So why did I stick with this to the bitter (contrived, ridiculous, far-fetched) end? I think it was a sort of masochism, and because it was interesting to see just how many more imaginary friends, lottery winners, evil sisters-turned-angels, godfathers-turned-murderers, mean domineering fathers, or wimpy cardboard husbands one could squeeze into a single novel, not to mention the benevolence that we were asked to bestow upon a scheming, lying, escaped drug dealer! Oh, I forgot the handsome, single policeman and the poor dead best friend... and the miraculous rescue from an underwater Thai beach prison by local fishermen. Need I say more?
I'm making a bee-line for the Bookers (Man or not), Whitbread/Costas, Orange/Womens, etc. immediately.
May 16, 2017
Απελπιστικά προβλέψιμο και τοσο συνηθισμένο από ένα σημείο και μετά που αναρωτιέσαι -δεν βαρέθηκαν να γράφουν στο ίδιο μοτίβο-αν ειναι παγίδα και θα γίνει η περιζήτητη ανατροπή από σελίδα σε σελίδα.
Αναρωτιέμαι το λόγο που οδήγησε στην επισήμανση που υπάρχει στο εξώφυλλο πως το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο θα το αγαπήσουν οι λάτρεις της Gillian Flynn. ΚΑΜΙΑ ΣΧΕΣΗ
Σκέτη παραπλάνηση.
Μέχρι σχεδόν τη μέση του βιβλίου ολα κυλούν όμορφα. Υπάρχει πάθος,ένταση,δράση,σχετικά γρήγορη πλοκή. Από εκεί και μετά όσοι ειναι λάτρεις του αστυνομικού μυθιστορήματος και ως εκ τούτου έχουν διαβάσει πολλα, αρχίζουν και φοβούνται πως έρχεται η απογοήτευση.
Έχουν καταλάβει την υπόλοιπη εξέλιξη,έχουν ανακαλύψει το δολοφόνο (καθόλου δύσκολο) και περιμένουν μάταια συνεχίζοντας να διαβάζουν πως θα αποδειχτούν παράλογοι και απαιτητικοί ως αναγνώστες. Πως θα έρθει επιτέλους η μεγάλη έκπληξη. Πως δεν θα ειναι τοσο απελπιστικά αναμενόμενα ολα.
Όμως η συγγραφέας δεν καταβάλλει ούτε ελάχιστη προσπάθεια να διαψεύσει όλους τους φόβους μας και απλά και όμορφα συνεχίζει ως το τέλος να γράφει το χρονικό ενός προαναγγελθέντος φόνου από έναν αθώο και εξαιρετικά τέλειο δολοφόνο και που φυσικά μια απλή γνωστή (ούτε καν φίλη) της ηθικής αυτουργού με περισση αυτοθυσία ,θάρρος και αλλά τέτοια απαραίτητα σε μια ηρωίδα, λύνει το μυστήριο και ανακαλύπτει τον ένοχο,που παρεμπιπτόντως ειναι υπεράνω υποψίας....
Από κει και πέρα ολα συμβαίνουν ανεξήγητα απλώς γιατί πρέπει να συμβούν και τέλος καλό ολα καλά.
Λατρεύω το αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα και έχω διαβάσει αρκετά εξαιρετικά βιβλία μυστηρίου και εγκλημάτων.
η "νυχτερινή Ριβιέρα" δεν ανήκει σε αυτά!
Αναρωτιέμαι το λόγο που οδήγησε στην επισήμανση που υπάρχει στο εξώφυλλο πως το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο θα το αγαπήσουν οι λάτρεις της Gillian Flynn. ΚΑΜΙΑ ΣΧΕΣΗ
Σκέτη παραπλάνηση.
Μέχρι σχεδόν τη μέση του βιβλίου ολα κυλούν όμορφα. Υπάρχει πάθος,ένταση,δράση,σχετικά γρήγορη πλοκή. Από εκεί και μετά όσοι ειναι λάτρεις του αστυνομικού μυθιστορήματος και ως εκ τούτου έχουν διαβάσει πολλα, αρχίζουν και φοβούνται πως έρχεται η απογοήτευση.
Έχουν καταλάβει την υπόλοιπη εξέλιξη,έχουν ανακαλύψει το δολοφόνο (καθόλου δύσκολο) και περιμένουν μάταια συνεχίζοντας να διαβάζουν πως θα αποδειχτούν παράλογοι και απαιτητικοί ως αναγνώστες. Πως θα έρθει επιτέλους η μεγάλη έκπληξη. Πως δεν θα ειναι τοσο απελπιστικά αναμενόμενα ολα.
Όμως η συγγραφέας δεν καταβάλλει ούτε ελάχιστη προσπάθεια να διαψεύσει όλους τους φόβους μας και απλά και όμορφα συνεχίζει ως το τέλος να γράφει το χρονικό ενός προαναγγελθέντος φόνου από έναν αθώο και εξαιρετικά τέλειο δολοφόνο και που φυσικά μια απλή γνωστή (ούτε καν φίλη) της ηθικής αυτουργού με περισση αυτοθυσία ,θάρρος και αλλά τέτοια απαραίτητα σε μια ηρωίδα, λύνει το μυστήριο και ανακαλύπτει τον ένοχο,που παρεμπιπτόντως ειναι υπεράνω υποψίας....
Από κει και πέρα ολα συμβαίνουν ανεξήγητα απλώς γιατί πρέπει να συμβούν και τέλος καλό ολα καλά.
Λατρεύω το αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα και έχω διαβάσει αρκετά εξαιρετικά βιβλία μυστηρίου και εγκλημάτων.
η "νυχτερινή Ριβιέρα" δεν ανήκει σε αυτά!
August 5, 2013
I loved this book! I could not put it down.
I thought it reminded me a bit of Gone Girl, since it had surprisingly twists scattered over the book. I also really like that even though there is a mystery to be solved, you also get a lot of interesting small side stories of the main characters. I highly recommend reading this book!
I thought it reminded me a bit of Gone Girl, since it had surprisingly twists scattered over the book. I also really like that even though there is a mystery to be solved, you also get a lot of interesting small side stories of the main characters. I highly recommend reading this book!
September 17, 2014
One of the most absorbing and atmospheric thrillers I've ever read. Absolutely brilliant. I guessed the ending but that didn't spoil it at all. Very highly recommended.
February 7, 2017
4.45 stars
Whew, this one was all over the map & had me from the get-go!! Wonderful dosmestic yet far-reaching thriller with characters that will keep you guessing!!!
Whew, this one was all over the map & had me from the get-go!! Wonderful dosmestic yet far-reaching thriller with characters that will keep you guessing!!!
August 3, 2017
3 de 5 estrellas ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (me ha gustado)
Al principio me pareció tan tan bueno que pensé que iba a acabar siendo un súper favorito, una historia que sin pensarlo iba a calarme pero.... cuando llegas a la segunda parte pierde emoción y hasta cierto sentido y en la tercera parte te das cuenta de que va a decepcionarte. Le doy tres estrellas única y exclusivamente por su primera parte, interesante, intensa y escrita fenomenalmente. Dime Emily Barr, las otras partes de tu novela, no las escribiste tú, verdad?? No tengo otra explicación
Al principio me pareció tan tan bueno que pensé que iba a acabar siendo un súper favorito, una historia que sin pensarlo iba a calarme pero.... cuando llegas a la segunda parte pierde emoción y hasta cierto sentido y en la tercera parte te das cuenta de que va a decepcionarte. Le doy tres estrellas única y exclusivamente por su primera parte, interesante, intensa y escrita fenomenalmente. Dime Emily Barr, las otras partes de tu novela, no las escribiste tú, verdad?? No tengo otra explicación
February 24, 2016
Mystery, illicit romance, dark secrets, murder, feisty females, sibling rivalry and a twisting storyline made The Sleeper a very good book.
December 29, 2013
I felt torn - the premise was interesting - the tagline on the cover lured me in "Two Strangers meet on a train. Only one gets off"
As with any literary 'Locked Room" puzzles, it's more a case of how the author writes out a path of escape for his/her antagonist and lead the reader on a path of discovery and back stories. And boy does this one have a back story (almost 1/4 worth of the book)
But in the end, I just lost interest because the plot was just spiralling out of control with more and more characters that in the end, I just turned off the logic switch in the brain and just read it.
The ending wasn't what I expected but then it almost lacked credibility as well.
As with any literary 'Locked Room" puzzles, it's more a case of how the author writes out a path of escape for his/her antagonist and lead the reader on a path of discovery and back stories. And boy does this one have a back story (almost 1/4 worth of the book)
But in the end, I just lost interest because the plot was just spiralling out of control with more and more characters that in the end, I just turned off the logic switch in the brain and just read it.
The ending wasn't what I expected but then it almost lacked credibility as well.
September 30, 2024
3,5/5
Pues me ha gustado más de lo que esperaba, la verdad. No tenía las expectativas muy altas, sobre todo porque era la primera vez que leía a esta autora.
Me ha parecido que la historia estaba muy bien hilada. A ver, no ha sido nada del otro mundo, pero está muy bien llevada.
En cuanto a los personajes, tenemos a Iris, muy excéntrica y con una evolución muy buena; y a Iris, que me ha llevado por la calle de la amargura con sus contradicciones, pero ¿no nos contradecimos todos en algún momento? Creo que han sido dos buenos personajes, aunque sí es cierto que les faltaba profundidad. O quizá más tiempo para tener ese tipo de amistad. Esta ha sido una de las cosas que más me han rayado.
Eso y el final. Es verdad que no supe quien era el agresor hasta el último momento. No me lo vi venir. Pero cómo se resuelve todo... mmm... me ha parecido muy fácil. Precipitado no, que conste; la autora se toma su tiempo. Sin embargo, hay una parte que me ha chirriado.
En general, me ha parecido un muy buen libro. Engancha y te mantiene en vilo.
Pues me ha gustado más de lo que esperaba, la verdad. No tenía las expectativas muy altas, sobre todo porque era la primera vez que leía a esta autora.
Me ha parecido que la historia estaba muy bien hilada. A ver, no ha sido nada del otro mundo, pero está muy bien llevada.
En cuanto a los personajes, tenemos a Iris, muy excéntrica y con una evolución muy buena; y a Iris, que me ha llevado por la calle de la amargura con sus contradicciones, pero ¿no nos contradecimos todos en algún momento? Creo que han sido dos buenos personajes, aunque sí es cierto que les faltaba profundidad. O quizá más tiempo para tener ese tipo de amistad. Esta ha sido una de las cosas que más me han rayado.
Eso y el final. Es verdad que no supe quien era el agresor hasta el último momento. No me lo vi venir. Pero cómo se resuelve todo... mmm... me ha parecido muy fácil. Precipitado no, que conste; la autora se toma su tiempo. Sin embargo, hay una parte que me ha chirriado.
En general, me ha parecido un muy buen libro. Engancha y te mantiene en vilo.
March 19, 2018
This is another book that has been hanging around on my TBR pile for ages but when I saw it was one of the Kindle Monthly Deals this month, I thought I had better bump it up and get it read! I’ve always been a big fan of Emily Barrs travel related, psychological suspense books so I was keen to delve into this mystery set mainly on-board a sleeper train. Having spent some time on sleeper trains before, I already had a touch of apprehension due to past experiences!
Lara is married to Sam. From the outside they look like the golden couple but after failing to add to their family, Lara has got bored with their life and goes back to London to work Monday to Friday to get away from her dull marriage and to seek excitement in the bright lights of the capital. But she finds that illicit thrill and companionship in an unexpected place-the sleeper train she takes to and from Paddington station every Friday and Sunday night. I found it very difficult to relate to Lara at first. She seemed spoilt and rather petulant and her relationships with her husband and family members seemed to reinforce that idea. There was obviously something hidden away in her past that had lead to her restrained behaviour but I couldn’t for the life of me work out what it would be!
This is literally a book of two very different halves. In the first half the emphasis is on Lara and the build up to the event on the train mentioned in the blurb. Iris is only included in the storyline very briefly at first, a friend who has not known Lara for long but their friendship seems to fill a need within both women, even though it’s superficial nature starts to become obvious to the reader as it goes along. The second half of the book bumps up the tension and follows Iris as she looks for clues into her friends disappearance, refusing to believe the official version of events. I quite liked how the character of Iris developed in this section of the book, even though I found it a little far fetched that such a weak connection between the two women would lead to such an extreme reaction from Iris. But I was enjoying the story so much that I was happy to suspend belief at that and some of the plot twists that took place during the search for Lara.
This definitely entertained me on a cold, snowy afternoon stuck by the fire drinking lots of cups of tea, curled up wishing I was in the warmer climates mentioned in The Sleeper! Emily Barr weaved a wicked tale of obsession and deception that I found hard to put down, enjoying the brainache she induced as I tried to figure out where it was going. A recommended read!
Lara is married to Sam. From the outside they look like the golden couple but after failing to add to their family, Lara has got bored with their life and goes back to London to work Monday to Friday to get away from her dull marriage and to seek excitement in the bright lights of the capital. But she finds that illicit thrill and companionship in an unexpected place-the sleeper train she takes to and from Paddington station every Friday and Sunday night. I found it very difficult to relate to Lara at first. She seemed spoilt and rather petulant and her relationships with her husband and family members seemed to reinforce that idea. There was obviously something hidden away in her past that had lead to her restrained behaviour but I couldn’t for the life of me work out what it would be!
This is literally a book of two very different halves. In the first half the emphasis is on Lara and the build up to the event on the train mentioned in the blurb. Iris is only included in the storyline very briefly at first, a friend who has not known Lara for long but their friendship seems to fill a need within both women, even though it’s superficial nature starts to become obvious to the reader as it goes along. The second half of the book bumps up the tension and follows Iris as she looks for clues into her friends disappearance, refusing to believe the official version of events. I quite liked how the character of Iris developed in this section of the book, even though I found it a little far fetched that such a weak connection between the two women would lead to such an extreme reaction from Iris. But I was enjoying the story so much that I was happy to suspend belief at that and some of the plot twists that took place during the search for Lara.
This definitely entertained me on a cold, snowy afternoon stuck by the fire drinking lots of cups of tea, curled up wishing I was in the warmer climates mentioned in The Sleeper! Emily Barr weaved a wicked tale of obsession and deception that I found hard to put down, enjoying the brainache she induced as I tried to figure out where it was going. A recommended read!
February 15, 2015
3'5/5
La verdad es que ha resultado ser una lectura muy buena, intrigante y que, aunque no tiene grandes dosis de acción, sabe mantener al lector en tensión y constantemente pendiente de los movimientos de los personajes. Mi pega ha sido que al final todo se resuelve muy rápido (en comparación al problema que tenían), pero por lo demás, muy recomendada.
La verdad es que ha resultado ser una lectura muy buena, intrigante y que, aunque no tiene grandes dosis de acción, sabe mantener al lector en tensión y constantemente pendiente de los movimientos de los personajes. Mi pega ha sido que al final todo se resuelve muy rápido (en comparación al problema que tenían), pero por lo demás, muy recomendada.
August 3, 2013
One of those books that starts one way and finishes another, a bit like From Dusk til Dawn, but without the vampires.
A woman, Lara, bored with her quiet life in Cornwall and marriage to the lovely but dull Sam, takes a job that requires weekly commutes on an overnight sleeper train to London. She meets new friends, succeeds at her job, meets someone she can't help being attracted to.
It starts as Hitchcockian suspense, I held high hopes - I love his train thrillers. And it does keep you intrigued. Lara is mostly likeable, certainly sympathetic, though we know there's a secret or two hidden that have led her ton settle for dull but sweet Sam and to having such a poisonous relationship with Olivia, her sister.
I really liked the way, just as things were happening and you wanted to follow Lara, you couldn't. A minor character suddenly takes over the narrative, and ultimately a great portion of the sympathy and story. This was cleverly done.
It was the ending really that, not disappointing, just didn't seem to be as knockout as the start promised. A 'bad guy' there is, but his role seemed a bit stereotypical, and underused, it all seems over too quickly.
Thrillers aren't a genre I read many of. And so I don't have the experience to say how this one measures up against them. I know I enjoyed it, wanted to keep reading and found elements of it very clever and intense, but it could have ended with a bit more of a kick.
A woman, Lara, bored with her quiet life in Cornwall and marriage to the lovely but dull Sam, takes a job that requires weekly commutes on an overnight sleeper train to London. She meets new friends, succeeds at her job, meets someone she can't help being attracted to.
It starts as Hitchcockian suspense, I held high hopes - I love his train thrillers. And it does keep you intrigued. Lara is mostly likeable, certainly sympathetic, though we know there's a secret or two hidden that have led her ton settle for dull but sweet Sam and to having such a poisonous relationship with Olivia, her sister.
I really liked the way, just as things were happening and you wanted to follow Lara, you couldn't. A minor character suddenly takes over the narrative, and ultimately a great portion of the sympathy and story. This was cleverly done.
It was the ending really that, not disappointing, just didn't seem to be as knockout as the start promised. A 'bad guy' there is, but his role seemed a bit stereotypical, and underused, it all seems over too quickly.
Thrillers aren't a genre I read many of. And so I don't have the experience to say how this one measures up against them. I know I enjoyed it, wanted to keep reading and found elements of it very clever and intense, but it could have ended with a bit more of a kick.
September 8, 2013
I have mixed feelings about The Sleeper.
All the time whilst reading I couldn't make up my mind if I really liked Lara or not, parts of her I did but other sides to her character, I wasn't so keen on, but then that's quite like real life I suppose. I was intrigued to find out what was in her past and how this was going to impact on her life. Iris was an interesting character and surprisingly I quite liked Lara's sister who, I felt, came good in the end and was given a bit of a rough deal early on. I found their personal conflicts interesting and thought these were portrayed very well.
The plot wasn't quite as pacy as I thought it would be and the ending seemed to suddenly happen. I did flick back to make sure I hadn't missed anything and there are a couple of points I'm still not entirely clear about but that may just be me.
All the time whilst reading I couldn't make up my mind if I really liked Lara or not, parts of her I did but other sides to her character, I wasn't so keen on, but then that's quite like real life I suppose. I was intrigued to find out what was in her past and how this was going to impact on her life. Iris was an interesting character and surprisingly I quite liked Lara's sister who, I felt, came good in the end and was given a bit of a rough deal early on. I found their personal conflicts interesting and thought these were portrayed very well.
The plot wasn't quite as pacy as I thought it would be and the ending seemed to suddenly happen. I did flick back to make sure I hadn't missed anything and there are a couple of points I'm still not entirely clear about but that may just be me.
April 28, 2015
I cannot believe I wasted so much time reading this book. Not only is it terribly thought out when it could of went a whole different direction but this book was incredibly unrealistic. Sadly it could of been better but I didn't write this wretched mess. The characters were just all odd.
January 19, 2018
Un 2,5 para un libro que me ha costado pese a tener una premisa interesante.
El problema ha sido una protagonista a la que no he tragado demasiado y que ha llevado a una historia que, llegado un punto, me ha dejado de interesar.
Una pena, le tenía ganas
El problema ha sido una protagonista a la que no he tragado demasiado y que ha llevado a una historia que, llegado un punto, me ha dejado de interesar.
Una pena, le tenía ganas
June 30, 2013
A solid 4.5 stars from me.
August 12, 2013
I was 3/4 done with this book by the time the first day ended & had to stop to sleep. Would have finish this at one go.
I love it that it was gripping & made me wanna get to the end fast. Because I've been to Thailand many times & thus able to picture the scenarios so that made reading this book doubly enjoyable. + I'm from Singapore thus a book with 2 familiar countries is refreshing & somewhat real.
The description & presence of character of Lxxx in earlier chapters created awareness that this would be a character to watch... Somehow... I had wish it's be harder to guess though.
Overall still a good 4.5*!
I love it that it was gripping & made me wanna get to the end fast. Because I've been to Thailand many times & thus able to picture the scenarios so that made reading this book doubly enjoyable. + I'm from Singapore thus a book with 2 familiar countries is refreshing & somewhat real.
The description & presence of character of Lxxx in earlier chapters created awareness that this would be a character to watch... Somehow... I had wish it's be harder to guess though.
Overall still a good 4.5*!
February 9, 2018
This was okay. It kept my interest for the most part, but when the story veered off from the original plot I didn’t find it that enthralling.
There were some fun twists and turns. It reminded me of Gone Girl mixed with Girl on the Train, with a bit of that 90’s movie Brokedown Palace.
I wasn’t a huge fan of the main character, or most of the characters. Some of their decisions baffled me.
I think it could have been more exciting, but it was entertaining I suppose.
There were some fun twists and turns. It reminded me of Gone Girl mixed with Girl on the Train, with a bit of that 90’s movie Brokedown Palace.
I wasn’t a huge fan of the main character, or most of the characters. Some of their decisions baffled me.
I think it could have been more exciting, but it was entertaining I suppose.
February 25, 2015
I have read and enjoyed a few books by Emily Barr and the start of this is great. It describes the tensions in a marriage and a passionate and sexy affair....then we move to a different character's part in the story and it is so much worse. This new character conveniently wins the lottery...and it just becomes both boring and not credible. A shame.
February 21, 2016
I found this a very enjoyable crime thriller. I liked the characters and the story, although I must admit I felt the story got a bit unrealistic at the end, hence three stars instead of four.
Lovers of crime thrillers will like this alot. It rips along at a good pace and makes you want to read more and more - quite a quick read - recommended.
Lovers of crime thrillers will like this alot. It rips along at a good pace and makes you want to read more and more - quite a quick read - recommended.
April 7, 2017
Не стоила эта книга 400 руб. Аж жаба задавила.
July 28, 2014
This was a cracking read; there are thrills, mystery, romance and intrigue in a well balanced and well written book, very enjoyable indeed. I have previous read a couple of the authors books but it was quite while ago and this is the was the first time I have read one of her psychological thrillers.
Lara is a fairly likeable character, one might be able to understand what is going on in her mind, she is the main character in the book and takes up most of it. There is alot of background information that is slowly revealed at the right times. She has a difficult relationship with her younger sister and not the best of relationships with her parents.
What i didn´t enjoy is the sudden change from Lara to Iris at a crucial point in the book, but as I read on I got over that and it turned out to be the correct way to write the novel.
I didn´t enjoy the Iris character though, she seemed to get in people´s way, wanting to know what is going on, as well as a bit psychotic with her imaginary boyfriend. Although at the end it was lucky for Lara that she was like this otherwise the book would have had a completely different ending.
The ending was a surprise to me,. The title and cover are great, this is a great book for the beach as it is easy to get into and not put down.
Lara is a fairly likeable character, one might be able to understand what is going on in her mind, she is the main character in the book and takes up most of it. There is alot of background information that is slowly revealed at the right times. She has a difficult relationship with her younger sister and not the best of relationships with her parents.
What i didn´t enjoy is the sudden change from Lara to Iris at a crucial point in the book, but as I read on I got over that and it turned out to be the correct way to write the novel.
I didn´t enjoy the Iris character though, she seemed to get in people´s way, wanting to know what is going on, as well as a bit psychotic with her imaginary boyfriend. Although at the end it was lucky for Lara that she was like this otherwise the book would have had a completely different ending.
The ending was a surprise to me,. The title and cover are great, this is a great book for the beach as it is easy to get into and not put down.
February 22, 2017
A clever piece of escapism that travels from Cornwall commuter-land to Thai islands - Barr uses the idea of 'sleepers' creatively, from the literal sleeper train to London, to women sleepwalking through their lives, albeit for different reasons.
At the heart of the story is Lara Finch: married to boring Sam and suddenly awakened when she meets Guy on the weekly London train; and Iris, similarly buried in Cornwall, until she, too, is brought back to life via her friendship with Lara.
The tale unfurls carefully and goes through different phases as we gradually learn the back stories of each woman and the precise reasons why they have retreated from life - there are gentle parallels between Lara and Iris, but nothing too obvious - and the plot revelation about Laurie is pulled off brilliantly! The second half set in Thailand ramps up the excitement but, to Barr's credit, she keeps things just about on this side of the plausibility line.
Barr is great if you want something which is relaxed and easy reading but which is also well-written with proper characterisation and emotional intelligence: I listened to the audio-book which kept me effortlessly entertained and gripped on the commute.
At the heart of the story is Lara Finch: married to boring Sam and suddenly awakened when she meets Guy on the weekly London train; and Iris, similarly buried in Cornwall, until she, too, is brought back to life via her friendship with Lara.
The tale unfurls carefully and goes through different phases as we gradually learn the back stories of each woman and the precise reasons why they have retreated from life - there are gentle parallels between Lara and Iris, but nothing too obvious - and the plot revelation about Laurie is pulled off brilliantly! The second half set in Thailand ramps up the excitement but, to Barr's credit, she keeps things just about on this side of the plausibility line.
Barr is great if you want something which is relaxed and easy reading but which is also well-written with proper characterisation and emotional intelligence: I listened to the audio-book which kept me effortlessly entertained and gripped on the commute.
June 22, 2017
This book was weird, I couldn't decide if there was too much info in the beginning and not enough at the end. It started off well, the premise was intriguing, but then the author seemed to get bogged down in too much detail. The whole Iris story seemed far to convenient - especially the part where she just happened to have won the lottery (I dont really understand why it was there). I couldn't decide which character the author wanted to be the main character in the 2nd half of the book. I felt like the reader barely got to know either girl. I didn't really like any of the characters in the book either, except Olivia. And the twist was somehow too much - yes, it was unexpected, but instead of being shocked I just thought ohh...and then I thought but how did that happen and what happened to Laura and the "bad guy" really.
October 14, 2018
Όλο το βιβλίο αν μπορούσα να το σχολιάσω θα το έκανα κάπως έτσι:
Μπλα μπλα μπλα φόνος μπλα μπλα μπλα εξαφάνιση μπλα μπλα μπλα μπλα ναρκωτικά μπλα μπλα μπλα μπλα γεροντική ερωτολαγνεία μπλα μπλα μπλα μπλα απόπειρα φόνου μπλα μπλα μπλα επίλυση υπόθεσης μπλα μπλα τέλος.
Το μόνο ίσως σημείο που μπορεί, κάπως να ευχαριστήθηκα ήταν στο κομμάτι της Άιρις αλλά και πάλι όπως λέει και ο σοφός λαός μας ... το πολύ το μπλα μπλα το βαριέται και ο παππάς...
Όσο για την μοναδική επιλογή για τους Φανς της Φλιν αυτοί που βγήκαν σε αυτό το συμπέρασμα, ή δεν έχουν διαβάσει Φλιν ή μιλάμε για μια απλή συνωνυμία...
2 αστέρια σταράτα και ξεκάθαρα...
Μπλα μπλα μπλα φόνος μπλα μπλα μπλα εξαφάνιση μπλα μπλα μπλα μπλα ναρκωτικά μπλα μπλα μπλα μπλα γεροντική ερωτολαγνεία μπλα μπλα μπλα μπλα απόπειρα φόνου μπλα μπλα μπλα επίλυση υπόθεσης μπλα μπλα τέλος.
Το μόνο ίσως σημείο που μπορεί, κάπως να ευχαριστήθηκα ήταν στο κομμάτι της Άιρις αλλά και πάλι όπως λέει και ο σοφός λαός μας ... το πολύ το μπλα μπλα το βαριέται και ο παππάς...
Όσο για την μοναδική επιλογή για τους Φανς της Φλιν αυτοί που βγήκαν σε αυτό το συμπέρασμα, ή δεν έχουν διαβάσει Φλιν ή μιλάμε για μια απλή συνωνυμία...
2 αστέρια σταράτα και ξεκάθαρα...
October 21, 2013
Oh Ms Barr what are you doing writing such a load of twaddle. I used to really love your books but this one had so many holes in it, I could have not just put a coach and horses through but a train and a Boeing 407 too. Plus the fact that the main character, Lara, was totally unlikeable and the "villains" should have come wearing a black cape and twirling their moustaches. However, it passed a few hours and I didn´t give up on it hence the 3 stars.
September 4, 2016
Finally a good, solid, well written, well structured and with deep characters mystery, woohoo!! I've been finding some terrible ones lately so this was a delightful surprise. I couldn't stop listening to this novel.
Imogen Church narrating can only help, she is a wonderful narrator.
Hard to say much about this story without spoiling it but it's an incredibly solid British mystery and I strongly recommend this book.
Imogen Church narrating can only help, she is a wonderful narrator.
Hard to say much about this story without spoiling it but it's an incredibly solid British mystery and I strongly recommend this book.
October 8, 2014
enjoyed the way this started, then everything changed when the story moved to being told from another character's point of view. It didn't quite work from there on for me. Plus I worked out whodunnit quite early on, and why they dunnit. Disappointed.
January 26, 2017
I really loved the first 2/3 or so of this book. I don't know what happened in the last third, but the book completely derailed, as it were. We found out who the killer was, and it rapidly descended into stupidity. I plodded through til the end, hoping the novel would redeem itself, but alas, no.
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