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Sleepover #1
The Night of the Sleepover
Four girls close their eyes. Only one wakes up.
Leah and her three best friends get changed into their pyjamas, eat pizza and argue about what film to watch. They laugh together until the early hours. But the next morning, Leah blinks open her eyes and sees three empty sleeping bags. The other girls are gone.
Twenty years later. In her small hometown, still-haunted Leah has never been able to shake off the rumours and whispers. How could she have slept through it all? She must know what happened.
Now, a documentary is being made about the night Leah’s best friends disappeared. Is the truth about to come out?
Then an anonymous email arrives in Leah’s inbox. ‘Stop them’.
Somebody out there knows what happened the night of the sleepover. Is Leah in terrible danger? And will she ever find her missing friends – or are some secrets meant to be kept forever?
An absolutely addictive psychological thriller with twists and turns that will make you gasp. Anyone who loves Lisa Jewell, Shari Lapena or The Perfect Marriage won’t be able to put this down.
Leah and her three best friends get changed into their pyjamas, eat pizza and argue about what film to watch. They laugh together until the early hours. But the next morning, Leah blinks open her eyes and sees three empty sleeping bags. The other girls are gone.
Twenty years later. In her small hometown, still-haunted Leah has never been able to shake off the rumours and whispers. How could she have slept through it all? She must know what happened.
Now, a documentary is being made about the night Leah’s best friends disappeared. Is the truth about to come out?
Then an anonymous email arrives in Leah’s inbox. ‘Stop them’.
Somebody out there knows what happened the night of the sleepover. Is Leah in terrible danger? And will she ever find her missing friends – or are some secrets meant to be kept forever?
An absolutely addictive psychological thriller with twists and turns that will make you gasp. Anyone who loves Lisa Jewell, Shari Lapena or The Perfect Marriage won’t be able to put this down.
282 pages, Paperback
First published October 23, 2023
1209 people are currently reading
2083 people want to read
About the author
Kerry Wilkinson
72 books1,080 followersRecent and upcoming UK releases:
24 October 2023: The Night Of The Sleepover
15 December 2023: After The Sleepover
2024: The Girl On The Side Of The Road
2024: The Missing Body
Kerry Wilkinson has sold more than two million books - and had No.1 crime bestsellers in the UK, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Singapore. He has also written two top-20 thrillers in the United States. His book, Ten Birthdays, won the RNA award for Young Adult Novel of the Year in 2018 and Close To You won the International Thriller Award for best ebook in 2020.
As well as his Jessica Daniel series, Kerry has written a trilogy featuring private investigator Andrew Hunter, the Whitecliff series, the Silver Blackthorn trilogy - a fantasy-adventure serial for young adults - plus numerous standalone novels. He has been published around the world in more than a dozen languages.
Originally from the county of Somerset, Kerry spent way too long living in the north of England, picking up words like 'barm' and 'ginnel'.
When he's short of ideas, he rides his bike, hikes up something, or bakes cakes. When he's not, he writes it all down.
Find out more at: http://kerrywilkinson.com or http://facebook.com/KerryWilkinsonBooks
Find out more at: his website or Facebook
24 October 2023: The Night Of The Sleepover
15 December 2023: After The Sleepover
2024: The Girl On The Side Of The Road
2024: The Missing Body
Kerry Wilkinson has sold more than two million books - and had No.1 crime bestsellers in the UK, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Singapore. He has also written two top-20 thrillers in the United States. His book, Ten Birthdays, won the RNA award for Young Adult Novel of the Year in 2018 and Close To You won the International Thriller Award for best ebook in 2020.
As well as his Jessica Daniel series, Kerry has written a trilogy featuring private investigator Andrew Hunter, the Whitecliff series, the Silver Blackthorn trilogy - a fantasy-adventure serial for young adults - plus numerous standalone novels. He has been published around the world in more than a dozen languages.
Originally from the county of Somerset, Kerry spent way too long living in the north of England, picking up words like 'barm' and 'ginnel'.
When he's short of ideas, he rides his bike, hikes up something, or bakes cakes. When he's not, he writes it all down.
Find out more at: http://kerrywilkinson.com or http://facebook.com/KerryWilkinsonBooks
Find out more at: his website or Facebook
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 326 reviews
October 29, 2023
Leah and her friends are having a sleepover, the usual pizza and a movie, scary stories, (the’ve even found a bottle of vodka)clearly a fun night for teenagers. Four girls go to sleep, but when Leah wakes up the next morning, the others are nowhere to be found!
The girls are never found, and twenty years later, the rumours still follow Leah, the whispers of townsfolk she’s known all her life but who still doubt her version of events - how could three girls just disappear without her noticing or hearing something?
Now a documentary is being made about it. Will the truth finally be revealed? Leah isn’t happy about it, could she somehow be blamed for it all?
Out of the blue Leah receives an anonymous email with the chilling words ‘Stop Them’. How can she possibly stop the documentary being made, and more to the point, who is it, and exactly what do they know about that fateful night!
Well I for one couldn’t wait to find out exactly what had happened the night of the sleepover, but of course that wasn’t revealed until much later in the book. However, I really enjoyed the journey - it was certainly gripping, and the ending was a revelation! Yes really!
*Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
The girls are never found, and twenty years later, the rumours still follow Leah, the whispers of townsfolk she’s known all her life but who still doubt her version of events - how could three girls just disappear without her noticing or hearing something?
Now a documentary is being made about it. Will the truth finally be revealed? Leah isn’t happy about it, could she somehow be blamed for it all?
Out of the blue Leah receives an anonymous email with the chilling words ‘Stop Them’. How can she possibly stop the documentary being made, and more to the point, who is it, and exactly what do they know about that fateful night!
Well I for one couldn’t wait to find out exactly what had happened the night of the sleepover, but of course that wasn’t revealed until much later in the book. However, I really enjoyed the journey - it was certainly gripping, and the ending was a revelation! Yes really!
*Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
October 8, 2023
And then there was one….
Leah and her three best friends are throwing themselves a slumber party. Lots of giggles, plenty of pizza and even sneaking a bit of vodka. No harm…right?
Waking the next morning, Leah realizes she’s the only one in the room. Her friends have vanished.
Now years later, on the twentieth anniversary of the mysterious disappearance, the brother of one of the missing girls is back to film a documentary.
What secrets are about to be uncovered?
Also, who’s sending texts to Leah warning her to stop the show? And why?
I’ve been a huge Kerry Wilkinson fan as his books always deliver a gripping read with an ending guarantying you’ll be shocked. Once again he was spot on!
As with all well-crafted thrillers your mind plays the game of trying to stay one step ahead of the author, hoping to outguess the next twist. As I mentally flipped through every scenario for what happened to the missing girls not once did I imagine THIS ending! Well played, KW!
And yes! This is just book one! Meaning there’ll be a sequel, and I’m already looking forward to it! Though for the life of me I can’t imagine what potential direction it will take!🤷🏻♀️
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.
Leah and her three best friends are throwing themselves a slumber party. Lots of giggles, plenty of pizza and even sneaking a bit of vodka. No harm…right?
Waking the next morning, Leah realizes she’s the only one in the room. Her friends have vanished.
Now years later, on the twentieth anniversary of the mysterious disappearance, the brother of one of the missing girls is back to film a documentary.
What secrets are about to be uncovered?
Also, who’s sending texts to Leah warning her to stop the show? And why?
I’ve been a huge Kerry Wilkinson fan as his books always deliver a gripping read with an ending guarantying you’ll be shocked. Once again he was spot on!
As with all well-crafted thrillers your mind plays the game of trying to stay one step ahead of the author, hoping to outguess the next twist. As I mentally flipped through every scenario for what happened to the missing girls not once did I imagine THIS ending! Well played, KW!
And yes! This is just book one! Meaning there’ll be a sequel, and I’m already looking forward to it! Though for the life of me I can’t imagine what potential direction it will take!🤷🏻♀️
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.
October 22, 2023
Gripping, shocking, and hard to put down, Kerry Wilkinson had done it again! Another thrilling book which I devoured! Sleepovers were so much fun and many of us have been to them or hosted them in our homes in our youth. Sleepovers are a great way to get together with friends, have fun, bond, stay up late (or all night), watch movies, and tell scary stories. But for Leah, a sleepover with her friends changed her life forever.
Leah and three of her friends were having a slumber party. They were snuggled in for the night in their pajamas and sleeping bags after a night of fun! The next morning when Leah woke up, she was alone, and her friends were gone!
Questions swirled about what happened to the girls and how could Leah not know that they were missing. Didn't she hear anything? What does she know? Twenty years have passed and now a documentary is being made about the disappearance. Will the truth finally come out? Who sent Leah the message saying, "stop them"?
What happened the night of the sleepover? I wanted to know! I found myself flipping through the pages, my interest and curiosity piqued, wanting answers, and trying to solve the mystery! I had both the book and audiobook which made for a completely enjoyable reading experience.
I found this book to be well written, well thought out, and shocking. I enjoyed the many twists and turns! Plus, The Night of the Sleepover is the first book with the second book, After the Sleepover coming out in December! I can't wait!
#TheNightoftheSleepover #NetGalley #Bookouture #Bookoutureaudio #KerryWilkinson
Thank you to Bookouture, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Leah and three of her friends were having a slumber party. They were snuggled in for the night in their pajamas and sleeping bags after a night of fun! The next morning when Leah woke up, she was alone, and her friends were gone!
Questions swirled about what happened to the girls and how could Leah not know that they were missing. Didn't she hear anything? What does she know? Twenty years have passed and now a documentary is being made about the disappearance. Will the truth finally come out? Who sent Leah the message saying, "stop them"?
What happened the night of the sleepover? I wanted to know! I found myself flipping through the pages, my interest and curiosity piqued, wanting answers, and trying to solve the mystery! I had both the book and audiobook which made for a completely enjoyable reading experience.
I found this book to be well written, well thought out, and shocking. I enjoyed the many twists and turns! Plus, The Night of the Sleepover is the first book with the second book, After the Sleepover coming out in December! I can't wait!
#TheNightoftheSleepover #NetGalley #Bookouture #Bookoutureaudio #KerryWilkinson
Thank you to Bookouture, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
May 22, 2024
The Night of the Sleepover is the first book in Kerry Wilkinson's Sleepover series. Having never read from this author before, I had no real expectations going in.
I found Wilkinson's writing to be quite engaging. They was able to hook me from the start. I was intrigued and couldn't stop thinking about this when I wasn't reading it.
In this story we are following single-mom, Leah, who close to 25-years ago had a her three best friends disappear during a weekend sleepover.
Four girls started out the night, comfy in their pajamas, eating pizza and even sneaking some vodka, but only one remained in the morning. Leah.
As you can imagine, the years since haven't been easy. She's had a difficult time getting close to people. It's a small town, everyone knows her troubled past. Some even cast suspicion on her, how could she have slept through that? Those who don't, tip-toe around her with pity in their eyes.
As the 20th-anniversary approaches, Leah receives word that, Owen, the little brother of one of her missing friends is going to be making a documentary on the disappearance. He reaches out for her help.
Soon after the news of the upcoming documentary spreads, Leah receives a mystery email from a dummy account stating two words, 'stop them'.
Leah is scared. Is this message from a friend, or a foe? What could their motivations be? Why would someone want to stop the truth from coming out? After all these years, is the truth better off staying buried?
As mentioned above, I was hooked into this story very quickly. I liked Leah's perspective and we do get her both in the present, as well as flashbacks to the time of the infamous sleepover.
I thought both timelines were equally intriguing and liked following along as they perfectly-pieced together the truth of what happened that night. This is the kind of story where you need to know and there's no stopping until you find out.
I enjoyed the level of intensity that Wilkinson was able to conjure here as well. I felt for Leah, to have that night always looming over her like a dark shadow, and then with the anniversary approaching! Honestly, it was like cutting open your own old wounds.
I wasn't sure who to trust either. We meet a few different side characters throughout Leah's story and many of them seemed suspicious as heck to me.
The narrator for the audiobook had me feeling like I was literally listening to Leah recount what was happening to her. It brought it to life and in my opinion, made the narrative even more thrilling.
Full disclosure, this was a 3.5-star book for me, which I would have rounded up, pretty much the whole way through, but that ending...
Yeah baby, that's what I like!!!
I'm so excited for the next book, After the Sleepover. I haven't read too much about it, so I am not sure in what direction it is going, but regardless, the anticipation is real. I'm starting it tonight!
Thank you so much to the publisher, Bookouture and Bookouture Audio, for providing me copies to read and review. I can't wait to pick up more from Kerry Wilkinson!!
I found Wilkinson's writing to be quite engaging. They was able to hook me from the start. I was intrigued and couldn't stop thinking about this when I wasn't reading it.
In this story we are following single-mom, Leah, who close to 25-years ago had a her three best friends disappear during a weekend sleepover.
Four girls started out the night, comfy in their pajamas, eating pizza and even sneaking some vodka, but only one remained in the morning. Leah.
As you can imagine, the years since haven't been easy. She's had a difficult time getting close to people. It's a small town, everyone knows her troubled past. Some even cast suspicion on her, how could she have slept through that? Those who don't, tip-toe around her with pity in their eyes.
As the 20th-anniversary approaches, Leah receives word that, Owen, the little brother of one of her missing friends is going to be making a documentary on the disappearance. He reaches out for her help.
Soon after the news of the upcoming documentary spreads, Leah receives a mystery email from a dummy account stating two words, 'stop them'.
Leah is scared. Is this message from a friend, or a foe? What could their motivations be? Why would someone want to stop the truth from coming out? After all these years, is the truth better off staying buried?
As mentioned above, I was hooked into this story very quickly. I liked Leah's perspective and we do get her both in the present, as well as flashbacks to the time of the infamous sleepover.
I thought both timelines were equally intriguing and liked following along as they perfectly-pieced together the truth of what happened that night. This is the kind of story where you need to know and there's no stopping until you find out.
I enjoyed the level of intensity that Wilkinson was able to conjure here as well. I felt for Leah, to have that night always looming over her like a dark shadow, and then with the anniversary approaching! Honestly, it was like cutting open your own old wounds.
I wasn't sure who to trust either. We meet a few different side characters throughout Leah's story and many of them seemed suspicious as heck to me.
The narrator for the audiobook had me feeling like I was literally listening to Leah recount what was happening to her. It brought it to life and in my opinion, made the narrative even more thrilling.
Full disclosure, this was a 3.5-star book for me, which I would have rounded up, pretty much the whole way through, but that ending...
Yeah baby, that's what I like!!!
I'm so excited for the next book, After the Sleepover. I haven't read too much about it, so I am not sure in what direction it is going, but regardless, the anticipation is real. I'm starting it tonight!
Thank you so much to the publisher, Bookouture and Bookouture Audio, for providing me copies to read and review. I can't wait to pick up more from Kerry Wilkinson!!
September 27, 2023
Okay, WTF was up with that ending?!? I was really into this book until about the 70-75% mark and now I'm just annoyed. I have to say, though, I certainly didn't see it coming.
Psychological thrillers are always hit or miss for me, but the premise for this one sounded really great so I had to give it a shot. And, really, despite it's ending, it was pretty entertaining. The plot is suspenseful and fast-paced, although things do get a little repetitive here and there. I was totally into the mystery and was eager to find out what truly happened the night of the sleepover. I was pretty sure I knew who the secret emailer was early on, but I had no idea why that person was so anxious to keep the truth hidden.
And then the “truth” was revealed, and then there was a twist and the actual truth came out. I was not at all a fan. I can suspend disbelief for these types of books to a certain extent, but the big reveal just seemed so implausible. Multiple characters did ridiculous things that pretty much no one would have done. All of the previous Goodreads reviewers appeared to love the ending, though, so I guess it's entirely possible that I'm alone in my dislike of it.
There were also several loose ends that weren't wrapped up at all, but it looks like there's going to be a sequel so I assume those will be addressed then.
So, did I enjoy this book? Yes … at least for the first 70% or so. But will I read the next book knowing how the first one ended? Probably not. But if you like psychological thrillers and can enjoy the book while knowing that there's a car crash of an ending ahead (according to one random online reviewer, anyway), it's worth a read. The premise is definitely original.
My final rating? Four stars for the first 70% and two stars for the last 30%. My husband tells me this averages out to a 3.4 star rating when adjusting for the percentages, and I'm just going believe him because I was an English literature major who can't math. 3.4 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
Psychological thrillers are always hit or miss for me, but the premise for this one sounded really great so I had to give it a shot. And, really, despite it's ending, it was pretty entertaining. The plot is suspenseful and fast-paced, although things do get a little repetitive here and there. I was totally into the mystery and was eager to find out what truly happened the night of the sleepover. I was pretty sure I knew who the secret emailer was early on, but I had no idea why that person was so anxious to keep the truth hidden.
And then the “truth” was revealed, and then there was a twist and the actual truth came out. I was not at all a fan. I can suspend disbelief for these types of books to a certain extent, but the big reveal just seemed so implausible. Multiple characters did ridiculous things that pretty much no one would have done. All of the previous Goodreads reviewers appeared to love the ending, though, so I guess it's entirely possible that I'm alone in my dislike of it.
There were also several loose ends that weren't wrapped up at all, but it looks like there's going to be a sequel so I assume those will be addressed then.
So, did I enjoy this book? Yes … at least for the first 70% or so. But will I read the next book knowing how the first one ended? Probably not. But if you like psychological thrillers and can enjoy the book while knowing that there's a car crash of an ending ahead (according to one random online reviewer, anyway), it's worth a read. The premise is definitely original.
My final rating? Four stars for the first 70% and two stars for the last 30%. My husband tells me this averages out to a 3.4 star rating when adjusting for the percentages, and I'm just going believe him because I was an English literature major who can't math. 3.4 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
October 25, 2023
I like the concept and ending, but the pacing was too slow for my taste.
The book was relatively uneventful until the final 15%. I feel the story could have been more engaging if it had contained more action and excitement throughout the book, rather than saving it all for the very end. Overall, it was an okay read.
*** Thank you to NetGalley, Kerry Wilkinson, and Bookouture for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
The book was relatively uneventful until the final 15%. I feel the story could have been more engaging if it had contained more action and excitement throughout the book, rather than saving it all for the very end. Overall, it was an okay read.
*** Thank you to NetGalley, Kerry Wilkinson, and Bookouture for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
October 14, 2023
When Leah was 15 she and her 3 friends had a sleepover. When Leah awakens they are gone. 15 years later a documentary is being made. Leah starts getting weird texts and has no idea who’s sending them. This was a very exciting read and I can’t wait to read the next in the series. Thanks NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC that will be released October 23, 2023!
January 22, 2024
This was really hard to review. For the majority of this book, although I enjoyed how it was written and the premise sounded really good. Nothing really happened. Then towards the end there was a twist, and then after that came an even bigger one that has left me desperate to read the second book
I really wish this app gave you the option of leaving a half star review because three stars after the ending felt too harsh, but four stars feels too much. Based on other books, I’ve read recently, I decided that three stars was a fairer rating.
I would recommend this if you want an easy read and I am now. I’d be really interested to see what everybody else thinks and if they’ve predicted the ending. Because somehow, despite the rack, the fact that I read so many books like this, I am still so terrible at predicting how they end!!!!
I really wish this app gave you the option of leaving a half star review because three stars after the ending felt too harsh, but four stars feels too much. Based on other books, I’ve read recently, I decided that three stars was a fairer rating.
I would recommend this if you want an easy read and I am now. I’d be really interested to see what everybody else thinks and if they’ve predicted the ending. Because somehow, despite the rack, the fact that I read so many books like this, I am still so terrible at predicting how they end!!!!
September 30, 2023
Four girls close their eyes. Only one wakes up.
Leah and her three best friends get changed into their pyjamas, eat pizza and argue about what film to watch. They laugh together until the early hours. But the next morning, Leah blinked open her eyes and saw the three empty sleeping bags. The other girls have gone.
Twenty years later, in her small hometown, still haunted Leah has never been able to shake off the rumours and whispers. How could she have slept through it all? She must know what happened. Now a documentary is being made about the night Leah's best friends disappeared. Is the truth about to come out? Then an anonymous email arrives in Leah's inbox. "Stop them."
Three young girls went missing at a sleepover at their friend Leah's house. All Leah ever wanted to be was loved, she got that from her friend but not her parents. Her father was always in and out of prison, her mother was always distant with her. But twenty years later, it's the girl's disappearance is still a mystery. There are so many twists and red herrings, but there are also clues along the way so watch out for them. There's a documentary being made about the girl's disappearance, will the truth behind the sleepover be unravelled? The chapters switch between the present day, and the days before, during, and after the sleepover. I'm not quite sure of my thoughts on how this book ended, but I was thoroughly intrigued by this story.
I would like to thank #Netgalley #Bookouture and the author #KerryWilkinsin for my ARC of #TheNightOfTheSleepover in exchange for an honest review.
Leah and her three best friends get changed into their pyjamas, eat pizza and argue about what film to watch. They laugh together until the early hours. But the next morning, Leah blinked open her eyes and saw the three empty sleeping bags. The other girls have gone.
Twenty years later, in her small hometown, still haunted Leah has never been able to shake off the rumours and whispers. How could she have slept through it all? She must know what happened. Now a documentary is being made about the night Leah's best friends disappeared. Is the truth about to come out? Then an anonymous email arrives in Leah's inbox. "Stop them."
Three young girls went missing at a sleepover at their friend Leah's house. All Leah ever wanted to be was loved, she got that from her friend but not her parents. Her father was always in and out of prison, her mother was always distant with her. But twenty years later, it's the girl's disappearance is still a mystery. There are so many twists and red herrings, but there are also clues along the way so watch out for them. There's a documentary being made about the girl's disappearance, will the truth behind the sleepover be unravelled? The chapters switch between the present day, and the days before, during, and after the sleepover. I'm not quite sure of my thoughts on how this book ended, but I was thoroughly intrigued by this story.
I would like to thank #Netgalley #Bookouture and the author #KerryWilkinsin for my ARC of #TheNightOfTheSleepover in exchange for an honest review.
December 22, 2023
Twenty years ago Leah and three of her friends had a sleepover night. They had some pizza and some vodka and Leah fell asleep only to find her friends were gone in the morning. The girls or their bodies were never found.
Now one of Leah's friend brothers is making a documentary about that event in town and is asking many questions about the past. Leah receives an anonymous email suggesting that she must help to put an end to the investigation.
What happened that night and why?
The story is a not-put-down one with twists and a completely unexpected end.
Now one of Leah's friend brothers is making a documentary about that event in town and is asking many questions about the past. Leah receives an anonymous email suggesting that she must help to put an end to the investigation.
What happened that night and why?
The story is a not-put-down one with twists and a completely unexpected end.
December 18, 2023
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Night Of The Sleepover' by Kerry Wilkinson.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Kerry Wilkinson, Bookouture publishers, Bookouture Audio and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 23rd October 2023.
This is the eighth book I have read by this author. It is also the fourth book in the 'Whitecliff Bay' series. I have previously read 'The Child Across The Street', 'The Party At Number 12' and 'The Child In The Photo', 'Truly, Madly Amy', 'The Boyfriend', 'The Ones Who Are Hidden' and 'The One Who Fell' which I would also recommend reading. It is also the first book in 'The Sleepover'.
This novel consists of 47 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
Well, well, well Wow!!! What another absolute cracker of a book by an extremely talented author!!! This book sucked me straight in from beginning to the explosive ending. It was very well written with excellent descriptions which put me straight into the storyline. The blog and the cover suited the book perfectly.
An absolutely perfect start to an addictive and edplosive series!!!
This is yet another absolutely fantastic page turner by the extremely talented Kerry. Kerry's evocative writing skills really brings the story to life. This was helped by Olivia Darnley's brilliant narration of the audiobook that I listened to. In this book we go on a trip down memory lane to 15 years ago when Leah and three of her friends had a sleepover. However, by the morning four have become one and only Leah is remaining. One of the missing girls brothers is a film maker in present day and wants to commemorate the anniversary of the date by creating a documentary. Where did the other three girls go and will they ever be found? This book is a locked room mystery with only a small number of characters who could know the truth. I absolutely love locked room mysteries, especially if they are done well, because they make you look even closer at each of the characters than you normally would. When each of these characters hiding their own secrets it leaves the reader suspect every single one of them but whether for the right reasons or not, you will have to grab your copy to find out. The storyline is addictive and filled with suspense, tension, mystery and everything you could ask for in a fantastic page turner!! I loved all the twists and turns and throughout it kept me guessing what was going on and who was doing what. I would NEVER have guessed at the ending so a MASSIVE WELL DONE to Kerry . I have read many thrillers and it's getting harder and harder for me to be surprised so great job there. I loved the storyline and just loved everything about it. It was all done perfectly!! An absolutely addictive page turner that kept my heart in my throat on the edge of the seat and absolutely absorbed me. The fact there were so many different red herrings and so many possibilities that all would have worked perfectly I could not put this book down!!! I was so invested in the storyline that I was up until 2am!! I would LOVE to see this turned into a movie!!! I cannot wait to get hooked into the second book in this series and see what happens next!!
WARNING ⚠ DO NOT START THIS UNTIL YOU HAVE CLEARED YOUR SCHEDULES AS THIS BOOK IS ADDICTIVE!!!!
This is one of the books that I have listened 100% on Audiobook. If I listen to a book on audiobook I usually also read the physical book between but I listened to the whole book and I was impressed! I must say a HUGE congratulations to the narrator Olivia Darnley who did a great job bringing this story to life. I would listen to it in the car and while walking at any opportunity and Olivia did a fantastic job on both male and female characters voices!!! I'm not only looking forward to reading more books by Kerry but also to listening to more books narrated by Olivia!
.There was a great eclectic mix of characters that were all strong, realistic and believable...or not? Kerry's fantastic evocative writing skills and Olivia's brilliant narrative brought each and every one of them to life and it felt like you were standing next to them throughout. With a small cast of suspects you are left with no idea who you can trust and if any of them are telling the truth especially when you start discovering they each have something to hide. When it came to what actually happened there was no chance I would have ever worked it out so well done Kerry!!!
They all had such different and strong personalities and all suited the storyline perfectly.. There were such a mix of personalities and its hard really to say too much about any of them without giving too much away!!! Regardless of whether you liked, loved or disliked any of the characters they all work perfectly together to bring this story to life. I cannot wait to see who will return in the next book in this series!! A great cast of characters that come to life thanks to Kerry's extremely evocative writing talent!!
CONGRATULATIONS KERRY ON YET ANOTHER ABSOLUTELY ADDICTIVE PAGE TURNER!!!! AN ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC START TO A PAGE TURNING AND ADDICTIVE SERIES!! THIS IS EXACTLY WHY YOU ARE ONE OF MY TOP 5 MALE AUTHORS!!! HERE'S TO YOUR NEXT SUCCESS 🥂
Overall a compelling, addictive, action packed and fantastic addition to an explosive page turning series!!
339 pages/ 8 hours and 47 minutes.
This book is 99l to purchase on kindle via Amazon, free on kindle unlimited, £7.99 in paperback and £16 for the audiobook (at time of review) which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
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Review for 'The Night Of The Sleepover' by Kerry Wilkinson.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Kerry Wilkinson, Bookouture publishers, Bookouture Audio and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 23rd October 2023.
This is the eighth book I have read by this author. It is also the fourth book in the 'Whitecliff Bay' series. I have previously read 'The Child Across The Street', 'The Party At Number 12' and 'The Child In The Photo', 'Truly, Madly Amy', 'The Boyfriend', 'The Ones Who Are Hidden' and 'The One Who Fell' which I would also recommend reading. It is also the first book in 'The Sleepover'.
This novel consists of 47 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
Well, well, well Wow!!! What another absolute cracker of a book by an extremely talented author!!! This book sucked me straight in from beginning to the explosive ending. It was very well written with excellent descriptions which put me straight into the storyline. The blog and the cover suited the book perfectly.
An absolutely perfect start to an addictive and edplosive series!!!
This is yet another absolutely fantastic page turner by the extremely talented Kerry. Kerry's evocative writing skills really brings the story to life. This was helped by Olivia Darnley's brilliant narration of the audiobook that I listened to. In this book we go on a trip down memory lane to 15 years ago when Leah and three of her friends had a sleepover. However, by the morning four have become one and only Leah is remaining. One of the missing girls brothers is a film maker in present day and wants to commemorate the anniversary of the date by creating a documentary. Where did the other three girls go and will they ever be found? This book is a locked room mystery with only a small number of characters who could know the truth. I absolutely love locked room mysteries, especially if they are done well, because they make you look even closer at each of the characters than you normally would. When each of these characters hiding their own secrets it leaves the reader suspect every single one of them but whether for the right reasons or not, you will have to grab your copy to find out. The storyline is addictive and filled with suspense, tension, mystery and everything you could ask for in a fantastic page turner!! I loved all the twists and turns and throughout it kept me guessing what was going on and who was doing what. I would NEVER have guessed at the ending so a MASSIVE WELL DONE to Kerry . I have read many thrillers and it's getting harder and harder for me to be surprised so great job there. I loved the storyline and just loved everything about it. It was all done perfectly!! An absolutely addictive page turner that kept my heart in my throat on the edge of the seat and absolutely absorbed me. The fact there were so many different red herrings and so many possibilities that all would have worked perfectly I could not put this book down!!! I was so invested in the storyline that I was up until 2am!! I would LOVE to see this turned into a movie!!! I cannot wait to get hooked into the second book in this series and see what happens next!!
WARNING ⚠ DO NOT START THIS UNTIL YOU HAVE CLEARED YOUR SCHEDULES AS THIS BOOK IS ADDICTIVE!!!!
This is one of the books that I have listened 100% on Audiobook. If I listen to a book on audiobook I usually also read the physical book between but I listened to the whole book and I was impressed! I must say a HUGE congratulations to the narrator Olivia Darnley who did a great job bringing this story to life. I would listen to it in the car and while walking at any opportunity and Olivia did a fantastic job on both male and female characters voices!!! I'm not only looking forward to reading more books by Kerry but also to listening to more books narrated by Olivia!
.There was a great eclectic mix of characters that were all strong, realistic and believable...or not? Kerry's fantastic evocative writing skills and Olivia's brilliant narrative brought each and every one of them to life and it felt like you were standing next to them throughout. With a small cast of suspects you are left with no idea who you can trust and if any of them are telling the truth especially when you start discovering they each have something to hide. When it came to what actually happened there was no chance I would have ever worked it out so well done Kerry!!!
They all had such different and strong personalities and all suited the storyline perfectly.. There were such a mix of personalities and its hard really to say too much about any of them without giving too much away!!! Regardless of whether you liked, loved or disliked any of the characters they all work perfectly together to bring this story to life. I cannot wait to see who will return in the next book in this series!! A great cast of characters that come to life thanks to Kerry's extremely evocative writing talent!!
CONGRATULATIONS KERRY ON YET ANOTHER ABSOLUTELY ADDICTIVE PAGE TURNER!!!! AN ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC START TO A PAGE TURNING AND ADDICTIVE SERIES!! THIS IS EXACTLY WHY YOU ARE ONE OF MY TOP 5 MALE AUTHORS!!! HERE'S TO YOUR NEXT SUCCESS 🥂
Overall a compelling, addictive, action packed and fantastic addition to an explosive page turning series!!
339 pages/ 8 hours and 47 minutes.
This book is 99l to purchase on kindle via Amazon, free on kindle unlimited, £7.99 in paperback and £16 for the audiobook (at time of review) which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
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September 27, 2023
4.5 stars, actually.
I've lost count of the number of books I've read by this author, and while I've enjoyed some more than others, of course, I've never been disappointed. This one follows in that fine tradition - ending with an unexpected twist and the promise of a sequel (the latter by the author in his acknowledgements).
At a sleepover at one of their homes, three youngish girls - Leah, Jasmine, Victoria and Harriet - crawl into their sleeping bags after a night of chatter, consuming copious slices of pizza and even more copious glasses of vodka-laced drinks. The next morning, one wakes up - only to find three other empty sleeping bags. Now, some 20 years later, what happened to the girls remains a mystery and the only "survivor" - Leah - has moved on to get married (and divorced) and have a 14-year-old son. What happened that night, though, continues to haunt just about everyone in town - especially the missing girls' parents and relatives like Esther, now a lawyer and Victoria's sister.
Enter Owen, younger brother of the missing Jasmine. Now a filmmaker of sorts, he's returned with his team determined to make a documentary on the disappearances that he hopes will turn up evidence that will lead to the truth. Leah, of course, is on his list of people to interview; her first one doesn't go well, but quickly, it gets worse: she gets an email warning her to do whatever it takes to stop Owen's project.
Chapters switch from the present to days before, during and after the sleepover so readers get gradually more insights into the girls' lives and what might have happened on that fateful night. One of the biggest questions, for instance, is how Leah was able to stay asleep while three other people somehow got up and left the same room? And was Leah's father - a not-so-upstanding citizen who's about to be released from prison - involved in any way?
In the end, of course, everything is resolved - though probably not quite in the way most readers will expect. Overall, it's an engaging read - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to get in on the action by way of a pre-release copy.
I've lost count of the number of books I've read by this author, and while I've enjoyed some more than others, of course, I've never been disappointed. This one follows in that fine tradition - ending with an unexpected twist and the promise of a sequel (the latter by the author in his acknowledgements).
At a sleepover at one of their homes, three youngish girls - Leah, Jasmine, Victoria and Harriet - crawl into their sleeping bags after a night of chatter, consuming copious slices of pizza and even more copious glasses of vodka-laced drinks. The next morning, one wakes up - only to find three other empty sleeping bags. Now, some 20 years later, what happened to the girls remains a mystery and the only "survivor" - Leah - has moved on to get married (and divorced) and have a 14-year-old son. What happened that night, though, continues to haunt just about everyone in town - especially the missing girls' parents and relatives like Esther, now a lawyer and Victoria's sister.
Enter Owen, younger brother of the missing Jasmine. Now a filmmaker of sorts, he's returned with his team determined to make a documentary on the disappearances that he hopes will turn up evidence that will lead to the truth. Leah, of course, is on his list of people to interview; her first one doesn't go well, but quickly, it gets worse: she gets an email warning her to do whatever it takes to stop Owen's project.
Chapters switch from the present to days before, during and after the sleepover so readers get gradually more insights into the girls' lives and what might have happened on that fateful night. One of the biggest questions, for instance, is how Leah was able to stay asleep while three other people somehow got up and left the same room? And was Leah's father - a not-so-upstanding citizen who's about to be released from prison - involved in any way?
In the end, of course, everything is resolved - though probably not quite in the way most readers will expect. Overall, it's an engaging read - and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to get in on the action by way of a pre-release copy.
October 11, 2023
Fun Facts
🐛I never slept with the flat sheet a day in my life until last night.
I loved it.
🐛I don’t sleep with socks, pants or anything with sleeves.
Less is more.
🐛Waking a sleeping baby is a better idea than waking me.
Don’t believe me?
Ask my husband.
Enough of my ramblings. Let’s talk about :
The Night of the Sleepover!
I don’t know about you but as a kid my favorite thing to do was have sleepovers.
Pizza
Ghost Stories
Bloody Mary
And of course… never actually sleeping.
But what happens when your sleepover turns into a real mystery?
Leah has never been able to move past the night that haunts her. What was supposed to be a fun night amongst girlfriends turned into a real life horror story.
The past never truly stays in the past…
This book needs to be on everyone’s radar. I will not be able to stop gushing about this one! The twist was absolutely wild!
Don’t believe me? Check out this teaser :
Four girls close their eyes. Only one wakes up.
Leah and her three best friends get changed into their pyjamas, eat pizza and argue about what film to watch. They laugh together until the early hours. But the next morning, Leah blinks open her eyes and sees three empty sleeping bags. The other girls are gone.
Twenty years later. In her small hometown, still-haunted Leah has never been able to shake off the rumours and whispers. How could she have slept through it all? She must know what happened.
Now, a documentary is being made about the night Leah’s best friends disappeared. Is the truth about to come out?
Then an anonymous email arrives in Leah’s inbox. ‘Stop them’.
Somebody out there knows what happened the night of the sleepover. Is Leah in terrible danger? And will she ever find her missing friends – or are some secrets meant to be kept forever?
🐛I never slept with the flat sheet a day in my life until last night.
I loved it.
🐛I don’t sleep with socks, pants or anything with sleeves.
Less is more.
🐛Waking a sleeping baby is a better idea than waking me.
Don’t believe me?
Ask my husband.
Enough of my ramblings. Let’s talk about :
The Night of the Sleepover!
I don’t know about you but as a kid my favorite thing to do was have sleepovers.
Pizza
Ghost Stories
Bloody Mary
And of course… never actually sleeping.
But what happens when your sleepover turns into a real mystery?
Leah has never been able to move past the night that haunts her. What was supposed to be a fun night amongst girlfriends turned into a real life horror story.
The past never truly stays in the past…
This book needs to be on everyone’s radar. I will not be able to stop gushing about this one! The twist was absolutely wild!
Don’t believe me? Check out this teaser :
Four girls close their eyes. Only one wakes up.
Leah and her three best friends get changed into their pyjamas, eat pizza and argue about what film to watch. They laugh together until the early hours. But the next morning, Leah blinks open her eyes and sees three empty sleeping bags. The other girls are gone.
Twenty years later. In her small hometown, still-haunted Leah has never been able to shake off the rumours and whispers. How could she have slept through it all? She must know what happened.
Now, a documentary is being made about the night Leah’s best friends disappeared. Is the truth about to come out?
Then an anonymous email arrives in Leah’s inbox. ‘Stop them’.
Somebody out there knows what happened the night of the sleepover. Is Leah in terrible danger? And will she ever find her missing friends – or are some secrets meant to be kept forever?
October 19, 2023
2.5 stars
The Night of the Sleepover by Kerry Wilkinson is a psychological thriller.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Leah is a community support worker in her small town. Her own past has made her perfect for the job. Neither of her parents were very good role models. She has a 14-year old son Zac, and an ex-husband.
Over twenty years ago, Leah and her three best friends had a sleepover. They were 15, ate some pizza, drank some vodka, and watched Titanic. When Leah woke up, she was the only one there. Three empty sleeping bags surrounded her. Vicky, Jasmine and Harriet were gone.
Now, a tv documentary is going to delve into that night, with the aim of finding out what happened to those three girls. But not everyone wants that to happen.
Leah has never gotten over the fact that she slept through the entire thing...and not everyone in town believed that. Her life has been difficult at times, and this documentary may not help.
My Opinions:
First, I just found out it is the first in a series...and I'm really ticked! I need to know that up front so that I can make a decision whether I want (or have time) to read another series. So, this did not help my rating.
Second, I was disappointed with this book most of the way through. Nothing happened. I was bored.
The book is about secrets, and about neglect and abuse. It is about how the loss of someone can affect people differently. It is also the story how one one turned her life around with a good support system after tragedy struck.
The story is told in two time-lines, both from Leah's perspective. The first was around the time of the sleepover, and the second in current time. This worked very well, and there was no confusion. The characters were okay. I liked the women that Leah surrounded herself with as an adult, and I think both Mandy and Esther will be good additions to her friendship circle. The premise was quite intriguing, but it lacked a spark. The twist at the end was okay, but nothing earth-shattering.
I guess I will be in the minority, but this book really did nothing for me. I am a big Kerry Wilkinson fan, but this just didn't live up to his usual standards.
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
October 30, 2023
Oh no! The ending with the plot twist was so good! 😭 I was about to give this 4 stars in advance but there’s a final plot twist TO THE PLOT TWIST, that was just awful and ruined not only the ending, but also the book itself. I had to down my rating to 2.
It all worked perfectly, the plot was well built, the first plot twist (that I thought was THE one) amazingly tied everything up like so few novels do but then… the last (unneeded) plot twist happened. Absolutely. Not. Necessary.
The whole book ended up getting crumbled and the fascination I started having for the author instantly vanished. I am of the strong opinion that thriller book absolutely do not have to be necessarily reliant in plot twist to be good books.
Fail for me.
It all worked perfectly, the plot was well built, the first plot twist (that I thought was THE one) amazingly tied everything up like so few novels do but then… the last (unneeded) plot twist happened. Absolutely. Not. Necessary.
The whole book ended up getting crumbled and the fascination I started having for the author instantly vanished. I am of the strong opinion that thriller book absolutely do not have to be necessarily reliant in plot twist to be good books.
Fail for me.
February 20, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley, the Publisher and the Author for the ARC.
All the characters and setting were similar to Wilkinson's 'Whitecliff Bay Mysteries'. The divorced single mother, a horrible ex, young son, kids never living the town after growing up, even if they hold bad memories.
The story of missing girls without a trace kept me interested throughout, but the ending was a big letdown. When everyone in the town was searching and a witness even points out, there was no way they wouldn't be found immediately.
I won't be reading the next book.
All the characters and setting were similar to Wilkinson's 'Whitecliff Bay Mysteries'. The divorced single mother, a horrible ex, young son, kids never living the town after growing up, even if they hold bad memories.
The story of missing girls without a trace kept me interested throughout, but the ending was a big letdown. When everyone in the town was searching and a witness even points out, there was no way they wouldn't be found immediately.
I won't be reading the next book.
September 24, 2023
The Night of the Sleepover by Kerry Wilkinson is another jaw-dropping read from this bankable author who never fails to deliver the goods. Add his latest to your TBR immediately.
Twenty years ago, Leah attended a sleepover with three of her closest friends. It is a night she will never forget, but not for the reasons that one would expect. When morning comes, Leah is the only one of the four left, her friends mysteriously vanishing into the night, and never to be seen again. For years, Leah has dealt with the whispers and speculations in the small town where she grew up. How could she have slept through an event that, for some reason, has left her as the sole survivor?
I was immediately intrigued by the original spin placed on this storyline, and raced through the pages to get to the crux of it all. With twists and turns that left me blindsided, the author has crafted a diabolical tale that will leave you speechless.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC.
Twenty years ago, Leah attended a sleepover with three of her closest friends. It is a night she will never forget, but not for the reasons that one would expect. When morning comes, Leah is the only one of the four left, her friends mysteriously vanishing into the night, and never to be seen again. For years, Leah has dealt with the whispers and speculations in the small town where she grew up. How could she have slept through an event that, for some reason, has left her as the sole survivor?
I was immediately intrigued by the original spin placed on this storyline, and raced through the pages to get to the crux of it all. With twists and turns that left me blindsided, the author has crafted a diabolical tale that will leave you speechless.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC.
September 29, 2023
So for about 90% of this book…nothing happens.
Really. Nothing. I mean there was an interview and chat with people from the past and a marginally interesting aside with a domestic violence case, but as for our big mystery? Nothing at all.
Then, in the very last bit of the book, there’s some conversation and reflection and we learn what really happened and, boy, it was not interesting at all.
I waver between a 2 and a 3 star rating for this book, with 3 star winning because I did finish it and I was curious enough to see it through to the end. Boy, I just wish I actually ended this feeling at all satisfied.
A marginal 3 stars. Marginal.
• ARC via Publisher
Really. Nothing. I mean there was an interview and chat with people from the past and a marginally interesting aside with a domestic violence case, but as for our big mystery? Nothing at all.
Then, in the very last bit of the book, there’s some conversation and reflection and we learn what really happened and, boy, it was not interesting at all.
I waver between a 2 and a 3 star rating for this book, with 3 star winning because I did finish it and I was curious enough to see it through to the end. Boy, I just wish I actually ended this feeling at all satisfied.
A marginal 3 stars. Marginal.
• ARC via Publisher
December 17, 2023
*4.5 stars ✨
Enjoyed that twist!!
Enjoyed that twist!!
October 13, 2023
[I received a free audiobook copy from Bookouture Audio and Netgalley. This review is done freely, honestly and without payment].
[Ich habe ein kostenloses Hörbuchexemplar von Bookouture Audio und Netgalley erhalten. Die Rezension erfolgt freiwillig, ehrlich und ohne Vergütung.]
Thank you! <3
(DEUTSCH WEITER UNTEN)
Oh wow. That. Was. Really. Good!
I didn’t have very high expectations for this audiobook, as thrillers often fail to completely excite me, but this one was wonderful.
The characters were all incredibly intriguing and I liked their personalities and also how they behaved in stressful situations. It was understandable, even if it just made you angry as a reader/listener.
From the beginning I didn’t really trust our protagonist, because how do you sleep through such a night? But yes, the author built up the story so well that at the end everything seemed so logical (and unexpected) and then ... oh ha, I didn’t expect the ending xD
The writing style (as far as I can judge by listening to it) was pleasant and captivating. The whole story also built up rather slowly and you experienced a lot of what was going on in Leah’s life. It was just really like stumbling into the middle of our protagonist’s life.
The time jumps between the now and the past were well placed and kept the tension going.
Olivia Darnley read very pleasantly - if a little slowly. She gave the story that certain small town calm and nothing seemed overdone. Her characterisations were enjoyable, if not always particularly powerful.
In any case, she was able to carry the mood of the book well and I would definitely want to hear more from her. <3
(DEUTSCH)
Oh wow. Das. War. Richtig. Gut!
Ich bin ohne sonderlich hohe Erwartungen an das Hörbuch rangegangen, da Thriller es oft nicht schaffen, mich so ganz zu begeistern, aber dieser hier war wundervoll.
Die Charaktere waren alle unheimlich spannend und ich mochte ihre Persönlichkeiten und auch, wie sie sich in Stresssituationen verhalten haben. Es war nachvollziehbar, auch wenn es einen als Leser*in/Hörer*in einfach nur wütend gemacht hat.
Von Anfang an habe ich unserer Protagonistin nicht so ganz vertraut, denn wie schläft man bitte solch eine Nacht durch? Aber ja, die Autorin hat die Geschichte so gut aufgebaut, dass am Ende alles so logisch wirkte (und unerwartet) und dann ... oh ha, mit dem Ende habe ich nicht gerechnet xD
Der Schreibstil (soweit ich ihn durch Hören beurteilen kann) war angenehm und fesselnd. Die ganze Geschichte hat sich auch eher langsam aufgebaut und man hat viel vom Geschehen drumherum mitbekommen. Es war einfach wirklich so, als wäre man mitten ins Leben unserer Protagonistin gestolpert.
Die Zeitsprünge zwischen dem Jetzt und der Vergangenheit waren gut gesetzt und haben die Spannung aufrecht gehalten.
Olivia Darnley hat sehr angenehm – wenn auch ein wenig langsam – gelesen. Sie hat der Geschichte diese gewisse Kleinstadtruhe gegeben und nichts wirkte übertrieben. Ihre Charakterisierungen waren angenehm, wenn auch nicht immer sonderlich aussagekräftig.
Auf jeden Fall konnte sie die Stimmung des Buches gut tragen und ich würde auf jeden Fall noch mehr von ihr hören wollen. <3
[Ich habe ein kostenloses Hörbuchexemplar von Bookouture Audio und Netgalley erhalten. Die Rezension erfolgt freiwillig, ehrlich und ohne Vergütung.]
Thank you! <3
(DEUTSCH WEITER UNTEN)
Oh wow. That. Was. Really. Good!
I didn’t have very high expectations for this audiobook, as thrillers often fail to completely excite me, but this one was wonderful.
The characters were all incredibly intriguing and I liked their personalities and also how they behaved in stressful situations. It was understandable, even if it just made you angry as a reader/listener.
From the beginning I didn’t really trust our protagonist, because how do you sleep through such a night? But yes, the author built up the story so well that at the end everything seemed so logical (and unexpected) and then ... oh ha, I didn’t expect the ending xD
The writing style (as far as I can judge by listening to it) was pleasant and captivating. The whole story also built up rather slowly and you experienced a lot of what was going on in Leah’s life. It was just really like stumbling into the middle of our protagonist’s life.
The time jumps between the now and the past were well placed and kept the tension going.
Olivia Darnley read very pleasantly - if a little slowly. She gave the story that certain small town calm and nothing seemed overdone. Her characterisations were enjoyable, if not always particularly powerful.
In any case, she was able to carry the mood of the book well and I would definitely want to hear more from her. <3
(DEUTSCH)
Oh wow. Das. War. Richtig. Gut!
Ich bin ohne sonderlich hohe Erwartungen an das Hörbuch rangegangen, da Thriller es oft nicht schaffen, mich so ganz zu begeistern, aber dieser hier war wundervoll.
Die Charaktere waren alle unheimlich spannend und ich mochte ihre Persönlichkeiten und auch, wie sie sich in Stresssituationen verhalten haben. Es war nachvollziehbar, auch wenn es einen als Leser*in/Hörer*in einfach nur wütend gemacht hat.
Von Anfang an habe ich unserer Protagonistin nicht so ganz vertraut, denn wie schläft man bitte solch eine Nacht durch? Aber ja, die Autorin hat die Geschichte so gut aufgebaut, dass am Ende alles so logisch wirkte (und unerwartet) und dann ... oh ha, mit dem Ende habe ich nicht gerechnet xD
Der Schreibstil (soweit ich ihn durch Hören beurteilen kann) war angenehm und fesselnd. Die ganze Geschichte hat sich auch eher langsam aufgebaut und man hat viel vom Geschehen drumherum mitbekommen. Es war einfach wirklich so, als wäre man mitten ins Leben unserer Protagonistin gestolpert.
Die Zeitsprünge zwischen dem Jetzt und der Vergangenheit waren gut gesetzt und haben die Spannung aufrecht gehalten.
Olivia Darnley hat sehr angenehm – wenn auch ein wenig langsam – gelesen. Sie hat der Geschichte diese gewisse Kleinstadtruhe gegeben und nichts wirkte übertrieben. Ihre Charakterisierungen waren angenehm, wenn auch nicht immer sonderlich aussagekräftig.
Auf jeden Fall konnte sie die Stimmung des Buches gut tragen und ich würde auf jeden Fall noch mehr von ihr hören wollen. <3
October 18, 2023
A seemingly innocent sleepover 4 friends over 20 years ago. A group as close as family but full of sexrets and sibblong rivalry. Only 1 woke up the other 3 vanished and havenever been foubd. With the 20 year anniversary a family member desperate for answers starts a documentary. Leah was tge only one left and she is fighting her iwn demobs from that night but someone knows what gappened. What gappened tgat nifht?
I found this interesting. The chatacter development and scene setting through alternative chapters of now days before sleepover and days after really hooked ne in
There were lots ofvred gerting and tge finsl reveal had me blown away. But desperate for more. So look forward to oart 2.
Thank you netgallery author and publusher hir a 5 star read. I was hooked from page one and sad qhen it ended. Tge collection of side characters gave it more depth
I found this interesting. The chatacter development and scene setting through alternative chapters of now days before sleepover and days after really hooked ne in
There were lots ofvred gerting and tge finsl reveal had me blown away. But desperate for more. So look forward to oart 2.
Thank you netgallery author and publusher hir a 5 star read. I was hooked from page one and sad qhen it ended. Tge collection of side characters gave it more depth
October 15, 2023
This books premise had so much potential, but for me it just didn’t work. Nothing about the story really gripped me or sucked me into the mystery.
I thought the last twist was decent & at least explained why Leah was really going to keep the secret of what happened? But by the time I got to the end I was just ready for it to all wrap up. It never felt like “Leah was in terrible danger” or that the documentary was uncovering anything.
Also, Leah.. please tell Mandy your dad is an abuse psycho instead of thinking “she won’t listen”. I found this to be the most unbelievable part of the whole book. That Leah is just like “wow I like her” and just casual about her abusive father getting out of prison and remarrying.
Unsure how a sequel is going to work out? I guess we will see.
**Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy!
I thought the last twist was decent & at least explained why Leah was really going to keep the secret of what happened? But by the time I got to the end I was just ready for it to all wrap up. It never felt like “Leah was in terrible danger” or that the documentary was uncovering anything.
Also, Leah.. please tell Mandy your dad is an abuse psycho instead of thinking “she won’t listen”. I found this to be the most unbelievable part of the whole book. That Leah is just like “wow I like her” and just casual about her abusive father getting out of prison and remarrying.
Unsure how a sequel is going to work out? I guess we will see.
**Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy!
April 2, 2024
Who reviewed this?
These crazy reviews are lying. Lying, LIARS. This book was such a snooze fest. It was so boring until the last few pages and then the ending was awful. Terrible. I refuse to go with that ending especially after enduring 200 plus pages of nothingness.
Also, I swear I’ve read this before but I know I haven’t because it’d be logged in Goodreads so there must be another book out there that’s identical.
These crazy reviews are lying. Lying, LIARS. This book was such a snooze fest. It was so boring until the last few pages and then the ending was awful. Terrible. I refuse to go with that ending especially after enduring 200 plus pages of nothingness.
Also, I swear I’ve read this before but I know I haven’t because it’d be logged in Goodreads so there must be another book out there that’s identical.
November 3, 2023
Crazy good
I did not see that twist coming. Omg. Just crazy. At first it was a little slow and I almost skimmed it to find the answer of who did it but I didn't. I am glad I really read the whole thing. It was quite scary. The conclusion and I am still shaking my head!
I did not see that twist coming. Omg. Just crazy. At first it was a little slow and I almost skimmed it to find the answer of who did it but I didn't. I am glad I really read the whole thing. It was quite scary. The conclusion and I am still shaking my head!
October 14, 2023
This intricately crafted thriller immediately captured my attention with its dual timeline narrative. The author's adept handling of the past and present storylines added layers of complexity, keeping me engrossed throughout. The characters were skillfully developed, making their experiences and emotions relatable and authentic.
The writing style was exceptional, painting vivid imagery and evoking a range of emotions. The attention to detail and descriptive prose immersed me in the story's setting and the characters' world. The pacing was perfect, allowing the tension to build steadily and keeping me eagerly anticipating the next revelation.
The suspense in this novel was electrifying, with each chapter unveiling new twists and turns. I found myself constantly guessing the characters' motives and the direction of the plot. The unpredictability of the story heightened the excitement, and I was on the edge of my seat, eagerly awaiting each surprising development.
The climax was executed brilliantly, tying together the various storylines in a way that was both unexpected and satisfying. The resolution provided closure while leaving room for contemplation, making for a deeply engaging read.
This book is a must-read for thriller enthusiasts. Its gripping dual timeline narrative, coupled with exceptional writing and unpredictable suspense, delivers an immersive reading experience. I highly recommend this novel to anyone seeking a captivating, well-crafted thriller that will keep them enthralled from beginning to end."
The writing style was exceptional, painting vivid imagery and evoking a range of emotions. The attention to detail and descriptive prose immersed me in the story's setting and the characters' world. The pacing was perfect, allowing the tension to build steadily and keeping me eagerly anticipating the next revelation.
The suspense in this novel was electrifying, with each chapter unveiling new twists and turns. I found myself constantly guessing the characters' motives and the direction of the plot. The unpredictability of the story heightened the excitement, and I was on the edge of my seat, eagerly awaiting each surprising development.
The climax was executed brilliantly, tying together the various storylines in a way that was both unexpected and satisfying. The resolution provided closure while leaving room for contemplation, making for a deeply engaging read.
This book is a must-read for thriller enthusiasts. Its gripping dual timeline narrative, coupled with exceptional writing and unpredictable suspense, delivers an immersive reading experience. I highly recommend this novel to anyone seeking a captivating, well-crafted thriller that will keep them enthralled from beginning to end."
July 18, 2024
Terrific ending! I absolutely love a powerful curve ball!!
When Leah goes to a sleepover with her three best friends and then wakes up the next morning finding them gone without a trace, she is left puzzling what happened. Now, years have passed, and the mystery has never been solved. When one of the missing girls' brothers decides to do a podcast about the disappearance, old memories start to resurface for Leah. As the podcast starts to uncover more information, Leah also starts receiving cryptic messages from an unknown source who isn't keen to have the night revisited
This story was one that slowly crept up on me. As the suspense grew, I became increasingly eager to know what happened to the three friends. The author did a wonderful job in creating various avenues and character tangents that added to the mystery and kept me from guessing the answer. It wasn't at all what i was expecting. Told from Leah's perspective with a dual timeline, this is a must-read for folks who enjoy a well-crafted mystery thriller.
Thanks Netgalley for an advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.The audio performance was solid.
When Leah goes to a sleepover with her three best friends and then wakes up the next morning finding them gone without a trace, she is left puzzling what happened. Now, years have passed, and the mystery has never been solved. When one of the missing girls' brothers decides to do a podcast about the disappearance, old memories start to resurface for Leah. As the podcast starts to uncover more information, Leah also starts receiving cryptic messages from an unknown source who isn't keen to have the night revisited
This story was one that slowly crept up on me. As the suspense grew, I became increasingly eager to know what happened to the three friends. The author did a wonderful job in creating various avenues and character tangents that added to the mystery and kept me from guessing the answer. It wasn't at all what i was expecting. Told from Leah's perspective with a dual timeline, this is a must-read for folks who enjoy a well-crafted mystery thriller.
Thanks Netgalley for an advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.The audio performance was solid.
September 24, 2023
Yikes, The Night of the Sleepover by Kerry Wilkinson was a rollercoaster of a ride. This truly was an addictive psychological thriller filled with head-turning twists.
Four girls close their eyes. Only one wakes up.
Leah and her three best friends get changed into their pajamas, eat pizza, and argue about what film to watch. They laugh together until the early hours. But the next morning, Leah blinks open her eyes and sees three empty sleeping bags. The other girls are gone.
Twenty years later. In her small hometown, still-haunted Leah has never been able to shake off the rumors and whispers. How could she have slept through it all? She must know what happened.
Now, a documentary is being made about the night Leah’s best friends disappeared. Is the truth about to come out?
The story and writing were done well as the author unraveled the story and brought tension and twists to this story. The plot is quite clever, and the characters are written well and believable. I thought I might have had it figured out, but then so many good twists kept me guessing until the shocking end.
And, yay, there is a sequel to this book. Cannot wait. I would recommend this book and this author.
#TheNightoftheSleepover #NetGalley @bookouture
Four girls close their eyes. Only one wakes up.
Leah and her three best friends get changed into their pajamas, eat pizza, and argue about what film to watch. They laugh together until the early hours. But the next morning, Leah blinks open her eyes and sees three empty sleeping bags. The other girls are gone.
Twenty years later. In her small hometown, still-haunted Leah has never been able to shake off the rumors and whispers. How could she have slept through it all? She must know what happened.
Now, a documentary is being made about the night Leah’s best friends disappeared. Is the truth about to come out?
The story and writing were done well as the author unraveled the story and brought tension and twists to this story. The plot is quite clever, and the characters are written well and believable. I thought I might have had it figured out, but then so many good twists kept me guessing until the shocking end.
And, yay, there is a sequel to this book. Cannot wait. I would recommend this book and this author.
#TheNightoftheSleepover #NetGalley @bookouture
January 7, 2024
Four best friends went to sleep, but only one woke up.
It's been 25 years since the worst night of Leah's life, the night she slept through her friends going missing.
There are those who are skeptical about her story and think she knows more than she's letting on.
Now, one of the missing girl's brothers is making a documentary about that night, hoping for some clarity.
The cat and mouse game between Leah and someone who does not want this documentary to happen ensues.
Theories and lies are uncovered and exposed.
You will not believe the truth.
It's been 25 years since the worst night of Leah's life, the night she slept through her friends going missing.
There are those who are skeptical about her story and think she knows more than she's letting on.
Now, one of the missing girl's brothers is making a documentary about that night, hoping for some clarity.
The cat and mouse game between Leah and someone who does not want this documentary to happen ensues.
Theories and lies are uncovered and exposed.
You will not believe the truth.
January 17, 2024
The ending was shocking..never saw it coming. Looking forward to 2nd book
September 29, 2023
The Night of the Sleepover by Kerry Wilkinson is the stuff of nightmares. Well, the stuff of my nightmares from 1994. See, in 1994, I was a frequent sleepover haver and goer. Every weekend, I was waking up in a house full of girls. I can not imagine going to sleep with those girls and waking up and being alone.
Leah did just that. When she was 15, she went to sleep after a night of pizza, Titanic, and soda (and maybe some vodka). When she woke up, her friends were missing. 25 years later, no one has seen them and there have been no traces of them.
Now, a documentary crew wants to try and find out what happened that night, and Leah starts receiving emails from someone who appears to know what happened.
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This was an excellent thriller and kept me turning pages late into the night BUT (and this is a big BUT) there is NO need to have a sequel. I felt that the story wrapped up with it's final twist and there's really nothing more that needs to be expanded on. But perhaps that's just me.
Either way, this is a fun read, and tons of people will enjoy it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Leah did just that. When she was 15, she went to sleep after a night of pizza, Titanic, and soda (and maybe some vodka). When she woke up, her friends were missing. 25 years later, no one has seen them and there have been no traces of them.
Now, a documentary crew wants to try and find out what happened that night, and Leah starts receiving emails from someone who appears to know what happened.
-------
This was an excellent thriller and kept me turning pages late into the night BUT (and this is a big BUT) there is NO need to have a sequel. I felt that the story wrapped up with it's final twist and there's really nothing more that needs to be expanded on. But perhaps that's just me.
Either way, this is a fun read, and tons of people will enjoy it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
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