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The Guilty Sleep
A debut thriller that recalls C.J. Box’s unlikely hero Joe Pickett, along with the heartfelt love and despair of S.A. Cosby’s damaged, downtrodden dads, this is a tale of robbery and ruse in which a father’s love faces off with a soldier’s debt.
Veteran Dexter Grant is suffering from PTSD and on the verge of divorce when he is approached by his former Army buddies to help save the life of their interpreter in Afghanistan. It means robbing a lot of money from a vicious queen pin—
But not to worry. They have it all worked out, and if anyone can pull it off, it's Dexter’s former team lead Staff Sergeant Saenz.
Tempted by an easy score that could make his own problems disappear and imbued with new purpose, Dex agrees to play his part. But as in combat, the best laid plans don’t survive first contact, and when the heist goes off the rails, Dex’s wife and daughter become targets for bloody revenge. Dex must call on all his strength and training to save them, and in his quest he will learn there was much more to this robbery than he ever imagined.
Veteran Dexter Grant is suffering from PTSD and on the verge of divorce when he is approached by his former Army buddies to help save the life of their interpreter in Afghanistan. It means robbing a lot of money from a vicious queen pin—
But not to worry. They have it all worked out, and if anyone can pull it off, it's Dexter’s former team lead Staff Sergeant Saenz.
Tempted by an easy score that could make his own problems disappear and imbued with new purpose, Dex agrees to play his part. But as in combat, the best laid plans don’t survive first contact, and when the heist goes off the rails, Dex’s wife and daughter become targets for bloody revenge. Dex must call on all his strength and training to save them, and in his quest he will learn there was much more to this robbery than he ever imagined.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published May 6, 2025
10 people are currently reading
1178 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 19, 2025
Dex is the kind of guy you want to root for; a Veteran who served his country well and tries to adjust to life outside of the military. On first reading, I thought Dex was just an angry guy who was looking to pick fights. But as I got further in to the story, his dedication to his team, his family, his sense of duty and honor, I couldn’t stop. Told from different points of view, this novel stays exciting, got my blood pumping, my heart racing and I was raising my fists (not that I could ever fight my way out of a paper bag). A definite good read!
Disclaimer - I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway
Disclaimer - I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway
dnf
May 31, 2025This is a Mystery/Thriller. I could not connect to any of the characters. I ended up DNFing this book around 30% into the book. I was just making myself read the book, and I was not enjoying it. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
January 9, 2026
I really like this author's short story collections of horror, fantasy, etc., so I read this. I don't often read thrillers, and wasn't sure what to expect. But this was great. Plot/character twists, but the book lets us know something is off ahead of time without saying exactly what. Multiple heists and actions scenes, yes, but also war memories, organized crime, family relationships, and a rich set of unique characters. Plenty of great prose, as detailed below. This novel is a big accomplishment, and only a first novel. I hope to see another, but maybe rooted in the tone or ideas from his short story worlds.
The following notes have some vague hints at spoilers.
I loved most of the metaphor, imagery, and word play (when I noticed it). Here are a few examples:
- p.19, Saenz, main character's (Dex's) former Army leader, makes Dex an omelet, "dropping the spent shells back into the carton". Spent shells, nice! Also, runs parallel to both character's plots throughout the book, evokes the saying "you make an omelet without breaking some eggs".
- p.37, Dex wakes up with hangover, "The night spit him out like he was Jonah . . . The dark bedroom was unfamiliar, its angles strange and haunted . . . the blackest corners, the lightless void behind the closet door. Nothing moved. Everything moved. The darkness pulsed like a swallowing throat. The waves of the black river [tried to pull him under]" . I love "night spit him out". I like the Jonah reference, and its water-theme ties in with the black river, and the spit-out ties in to the darkness as throat. I love the darkness pulsing like a swallowing throat - reminds me of sitting in dark to pacify a migraine, and also evokes the desire to rinse mouth out after sleep or during hangover.
- p.40, "past two rueful strip malls, each with more than half their storefronts empty -- rotten teeth in failing gums. . . Past the funeral parlor and its faltering porch, black windows gaping like hollowed eye sockets. . . The town was a skull." A dying town, fun skull imagery (maybe not sure the skull reference was necessary). But also, these couple paragraphs have other body imagery, stores and pension plans being "gutted" (a fun parallel as well), and streets being veins. Then add that the town's opioid clinic is thriving, which connects the metaphorical meanings to the literal meanings savagely.
- p.58, Dex talking with separated wife Daria, "He swept the feeling away before it could spread, let the anger flow over the dry ground of their conversation." This intrigues me. The idea that liquid anger can become part of the basis of a connection, when it's mixed with dirt, espec when the anger is not at things that are the other person, or not that person's fault, or at least that person wasn't malicious in harming you. But this also follows a scene where cement is poured on the ground, and the person doing it is not connecting with anyone, is not really angry, but is willing to do harm.
- p.114, Dex crossing street in Kandahar, "A packed minibus blazed by right in front of him, blowing hot diesel grit in his face." Could have written "hot diesel and sand". But chose to collapse that into "diesel grit", which makes the line sing without feeling forced. I already knew what diesel grit was, but now I have a concise word for the concept.
- p.130, of a Bible on a table, says "The thin pages stirred in a breeze that whispered through the trees." I like the first half, because people who use Bibles, or grew up with them, will connect to the thin pages often used, and be able to hear the crinkling sound. Great detail. And then I like that you would swear the word "leaves" was in this sentence, because two words rhyme with it, and pages of books are called "leaves", So the leaves are rustling, but not just the ones in the tree.
Other notes:
- I like that the book refer to doing the next right thing, which is a saying taken up in Let It Go 2, where it's talking about depression when you don't want to take any step and are ready to join the dark. Here Dex is in that place, but it's the real world, not fantasy, and we see how true rock bottom prevents someone from being able to judge what is the "right" thing.
- I like the attention on the truth and one's experience are powerful and need to be handled, processed, spoken. This comes out in Dex and his war service in general. But more specifically, Dex has a depression and despair that is caused by more than the PTSD of having seen what he saw, and by wondering how much is mattered, but also by his lingering survivor's guilt, and wanting to return the favor by saving the life of the person who saved his. But the even stronger contributor to Dex's mental state is having a gnawing sense that something isn't right about his memories of that time, that it's not fully understood, so he can't tell his truth yet and release himself. Then when is forced back into more and more memories of war time, he puts together what really happened, thereby silencing the irritant, the tap-tap-tap that his attention seizes on everywhere.
- Book lays the groundwork for believing actions by characters later in book. E.g., if characters are going to surprisingly intervene in a scene that was not "starring" them, by shooting from the surrounding trees, it will make sense that those char.s are nearby, and in the trees, even if the narrator hasn't mentioned them recently. Those char.s will have been killers before, or would likely stick close to the main char.s in the scene, or will have been seen disappearing into the trees before, etc.
- Queenpin lady quotes the Bible, but "only the O.T. parts", with God doing His smiting, not Jesus doing his loving neighbors. She is painted as not loving anyone barring maybe through loyalty. But importantly, even of these O.T. verses, she gets the wrong meaning half the time, because she's just using it as a way to justify her ruthless actions and possibly keep a better reputation for morality (or for being smart and well-read). (Or it's her soul's best attempt to engage with the whole moral aspect of the universe, shallowly and only on the terms of other parts of her mind.)
-- For instance, "If a thief is caught while breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there will be no bloodguiltiness on your account." She uses this to indicate her henchmen should kill anyone who tries to steal a certain package from her. But the Bible verse actually says you're not guilty of murder if a thief breaks in at night, in darkness when you're blind and have your guard down. If it's not night, the rule does not apply. But the Queenpin applies it to all times of day. (She also applies it to when you're not breaking into someone's house, again way too broad).
- I liked that the narrator in the Dex chapters was very serious for a bunch of chapters, reflecting his mental state, but then when Dex finally got some sleep and felt a bit of hope for his turning his life around, the Dex-narrator made facetious comments and joked a bit. The author didn't just use the narrator to say he felt terrible, then less terrible, but showed it in the narration. This was good because it made me root for him more, knowing that if the life gets any chance to turn, this could be a fun guy.
The following notes have some vague hints at spoilers.
I loved most of the metaphor, imagery, and word play (when I noticed it). Here are a few examples:
- p.19, Saenz, main character's (Dex's) former Army leader, makes Dex an omelet, "dropping the spent shells back into the carton". Spent shells, nice! Also, runs parallel to both character's plots throughout the book, evokes the saying "you make an omelet without breaking some eggs".
- p.37, Dex wakes up with hangover, "The night spit him out like he was Jonah . . . The dark bedroom was unfamiliar, its angles strange and haunted . . . the blackest corners, the lightless void behind the closet door. Nothing moved. Everything moved. The darkness pulsed like a swallowing throat. The waves of the black river [tried to pull him under]" . I love "night spit him out". I like the Jonah reference, and its water-theme ties in with the black river, and the spit-out ties in to the darkness as throat. I love the darkness pulsing like a swallowing throat - reminds me of sitting in dark to pacify a migraine, and also evokes the desire to rinse mouth out after sleep or during hangover.
- p.40, "past two rueful strip malls, each with more than half their storefronts empty -- rotten teeth in failing gums. . . Past the funeral parlor and its faltering porch, black windows gaping like hollowed eye sockets. . . The town was a skull." A dying town, fun skull imagery (maybe not sure the skull reference was necessary). But also, these couple paragraphs have other body imagery, stores and pension plans being "gutted" (a fun parallel as well), and streets being veins. Then add that the town's opioid clinic is thriving, which connects the metaphorical meanings to the literal meanings savagely.
- p.58, Dex talking with separated wife Daria, "He swept the feeling away before it could spread, let the anger flow over the dry ground of their conversation." This intrigues me. The idea that liquid anger can become part of the basis of a connection, when it's mixed with dirt, espec when the anger is not at things that are the other person, or not that person's fault, or at least that person wasn't malicious in harming you. But this also follows a scene where cement is poured on the ground, and the person doing it is not connecting with anyone, is not really angry, but is willing to do harm.
- p.114, Dex crossing street in Kandahar, "A packed minibus blazed by right in front of him, blowing hot diesel grit in his face." Could have written "hot diesel and sand". But chose to collapse that into "diesel grit", which makes the line sing without feeling forced. I already knew what diesel grit was, but now I have a concise word for the concept.
- p.130, of a Bible on a table, says "The thin pages stirred in a breeze that whispered through the trees." I like the first half, because people who use Bibles, or grew up with them, will connect to the thin pages often used, and be able to hear the crinkling sound. Great detail. And then I like that you would swear the word "leaves" was in this sentence, because two words rhyme with it, and pages of books are called "leaves", So the leaves are rustling, but not just the ones in the tree.
Other notes:
- I like that the book refer to doing the next right thing, which is a saying taken up in Let It Go 2, where it's talking about depression when you don't want to take any step and are ready to join the dark. Here Dex is in that place, but it's the real world, not fantasy, and we see how true rock bottom prevents someone from being able to judge what is the "right" thing.
- I like the attention on the truth and one's experience are powerful and need to be handled, processed, spoken. This comes out in Dex and his war service in general. But more specifically, Dex has a depression and despair that is caused by more than the PTSD of having seen what he saw, and by wondering how much is mattered, but also by his lingering survivor's guilt, and wanting to return the favor by saving the life of the person who saved his. But the even stronger contributor to Dex's mental state is having a gnawing sense that something isn't right about his memories of that time, that it's not fully understood, so he can't tell his truth yet and release himself. Then when is forced back into more and more memories of war time, he puts together what really happened, thereby silencing the irritant, the tap-tap-tap that his attention seizes on everywhere.
- Book lays the groundwork for believing actions by characters later in book. E.g., if characters are going to surprisingly intervene in a scene that was not "starring" them, by shooting from the surrounding trees, it will make sense that those char.s are nearby, and in the trees, even if the narrator hasn't mentioned them recently. Those char.s will have been killers before, or would likely stick close to the main char.s in the scene, or will have been seen disappearing into the trees before, etc.
- Queenpin lady quotes the Bible, but "only the O.T. parts", with God doing His smiting, not Jesus doing his loving neighbors. She is painted as not loving anyone barring maybe through loyalty. But importantly, even of these O.T. verses, she gets the wrong meaning half the time, because she's just using it as a way to justify her ruthless actions and possibly keep a better reputation for morality (or for being smart and well-read). (Or it's her soul's best attempt to engage with the whole moral aspect of the universe, shallowly and only on the terms of other parts of her mind.)
-- For instance, "If a thief is caught while breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there will be no bloodguiltiness on your account." She uses this to indicate her henchmen should kill anyone who tries to steal a certain package from her. But the Bible verse actually says you're not guilty of murder if a thief breaks in at night, in darkness when you're blind and have your guard down. If it's not night, the rule does not apply. But the Queenpin applies it to all times of day. (She also applies it to when you're not breaking into someone's house, again way too broad).
- I liked that the narrator in the Dex chapters was very serious for a bunch of chapters, reflecting his mental state, but then when Dex finally got some sleep and felt a bit of hope for his turning his life around, the Dex-narrator made facetious comments and joked a bit. The author didn't just use the narrator to say he felt terrible, then less terrible, but showed it in the narration. This was good because it made me root for him more, knowing that if the life gets any chance to turn, this could be a fun guy.
May 8, 2025
The Guilty Sleep
Jeremy D. Baker
05/06/2025
Diversion Books
One of my favorite things about ARC reading is that I get to read and help debut authors get some traction and help those book babies get out into the world. I picked this one for two reasons (1) our author is a former Army Ranger and CIA contract and (2) Lee Child said read it !
Jeremy D. Baker’s The Guilty Sleep is a blistering debut that hits with the force of lived experience. Drawing on his background as an Army Ranger and CIA contractor, Baker crafts a story that doesn’t just feel real — it is real, pulsing with the kind of raw intensity and emotional depth that can only come from someone who’s been there.
At the heart of the novel is Nate Harver, a combat veteran haunted by his past and barely holding it together in civilian life. When a rescue mission goes off the rails, Nate is forced into action — alongside his estranged ex-wife and daughter — in a desperate attempt to save his Afghan interpreter. What follows is a high-stakes, morally complex journey through a shadowy version of Los Angeles, where every choice carries weight and nothing is clean.
What sets this book apart is its emotional core. Baker doesn't just deliver action — he explores the damage that comes with it. Nate isn’t your typical vigilante; he’s a deeply human character, broken but still fighting to do what's right, even when the lines blur.
Jeremy D. Baker
05/06/2025
Diversion Books
One of my favorite things about ARC reading is that I get to read and help debut authors get some traction and help those book babies get out into the world. I picked this one for two reasons (1) our author is a former Army Ranger and CIA contract and (2) Lee Child said read it !
Jeremy D. Baker’s The Guilty Sleep is a blistering debut that hits with the force of lived experience. Drawing on his background as an Army Ranger and CIA contractor, Baker crafts a story that doesn’t just feel real — it is real, pulsing with the kind of raw intensity and emotional depth that can only come from someone who’s been there.
At the heart of the novel is Nate Harver, a combat veteran haunted by his past and barely holding it together in civilian life. When a rescue mission goes off the rails, Nate is forced into action — alongside his estranged ex-wife and daughter — in a desperate attempt to save his Afghan interpreter. What follows is a high-stakes, morally complex journey through a shadowy version of Los Angeles, where every choice carries weight and nothing is clean.
What sets this book apart is its emotional core. Baker doesn't just deliver action — he explores the damage that comes with it. Nate isn’t your typical vigilante; he’s a deeply human character, broken but still fighting to do what's right, even when the lines blur.
July 11, 2025
Thanks for the ARC kindle e-book through #GoodreadsGiveaway
The Guilty Sleep by Jeremy D. Baker is a military-crime thriller centered on Dex Grant, a war veteran struggling with PTSD, financial hardship, and a crumbling family life. When old Army friends ask him to help rescue their Afghan interpreter through a risky heist, Dex reluctantly agrees.
The story promises high stakes and emotional depth, especially as Dex’s choices begin to endanger his wife and daughter. The author, a veteran himself, brings authenticity to the military aspects, and there are moments of real tension and gritty realism that reflect lived experience.
There’s a solid story somewhere in here, but it needs stronger character development and smoother writing to really work. I appreciate what the author was going for especially bringing light to the realities vets face but the storytelling just didn’t quite hold together for me.
A rough, sometimes heartfelt debut that struggles with pacing and voice. Would skip unless you’re really into military fiction.
The Guilty Sleep by Jeremy D. Baker is a military-crime thriller centered on Dex Grant, a war veteran struggling with PTSD, financial hardship, and a crumbling family life. When old Army friends ask him to help rescue their Afghan interpreter through a risky heist, Dex reluctantly agrees.
The story promises high stakes and emotional depth, especially as Dex’s choices begin to endanger his wife and daughter. The author, a veteran himself, brings authenticity to the military aspects, and there are moments of real tension and gritty realism that reflect lived experience.
There’s a solid story somewhere in here, but it needs stronger character development and smoother writing to really work. I appreciate what the author was going for especially bringing light to the realities vets face but the storytelling just didn’t quite hold together for me.
A rough, sometimes heartfelt debut that struggles with pacing and voice. Would skip unless you’re really into military fiction.
March 29, 2025
Dexter Grant is former military, working at a bank, and facing separation from his wife and daughter due to his PTSD issues. Dex’s former team leader approaches him and proposes a money heist in order to guarantee the safe passage of their Afghan interpreter to the US. However, their plans don’t work out and Dex’s family gets caught in the crossfire. This book wasn’t my favorite. The writing style was confusing. I appreciate that the author was trying to convey how people actually speak, but it didn’t help the story at all. The overall plot was good, although slow getting started. There was a lot of focus on past events while in the military. There were very descriptive scenes, but I feel they took away from the focus of the plot. *Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
May 18, 2025
The Guilty Sleep brings the grit, the heart, and the chaos—in all the best ways.
Dex Grant’s life is a mess. He’s broke, dealing with PTSD, and his marriage is barely hanging on. So when his old Army crew asks him to help rescue the interpreter who once saved his life (by robbing a drug queenpin, no less), he signs on. Easy money, good cause… what could go wrong? Spoiler: everything.
The story moves fast, the tension builds with every chapter, and Dex’s fight to protect his family hits hard. The PTSD rep feels real, and the rotating POVs add extra depth to the mayhem.
If you’re into military-meets-crime thrillers with tough choices, raw emotion, and characters who won't quit, this one's totally worth your time.
Thank you to the author, Jeremy D. Baker and @booksforwardpr for the #gifted book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Dex Grant’s life is a mess. He’s broke, dealing with PTSD, and his marriage is barely hanging on. So when his old Army crew asks him to help rescue the interpreter who once saved his life (by robbing a drug queenpin, no less), he signs on. Easy money, good cause… what could go wrong? Spoiler: everything.
The story moves fast, the tension builds with every chapter, and Dex’s fight to protect his family hits hard. The PTSD rep feels real, and the rotating POVs add extra depth to the mayhem.
If you’re into military-meets-crime thrillers with tough choices, raw emotion, and characters who won't quit, this one's totally worth your time.
Thank you to the author, Jeremy D. Baker and @booksforwardpr for the #gifted book. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 27, 2025
A hardbitten look at the life of an Afghan vet as he adjusts back into the "real world", the bonds of wartime and squaring that away with the pressures of civilian life... yeah, you've seen this story before but never quite done like this. There's an authenticity that bleeds through the pages, from the small hints of tradecraft right down to the Haqqani family, and a wickedly dry gallows humor at times. But it is never overdone.
Some of the switching POVs can be discombobulating at first - but stick with it, because the book really finds its stride once all the players come into focus. Every piece of the puzzle matters, and it gradually becomes a race to the finish line and a question of who will make it.
If you're a fan of regional gritty crime stories, or more of a military fiction type of reader, this novel delivers on both fronts.
Some of the switching POVs can be discombobulating at first - but stick with it, because the book really finds its stride once all the players come into focus. Every piece of the puzzle matters, and it gradually becomes a race to the finish line and a question of who will make it.
If you're a fan of regional gritty crime stories, or more of a military fiction type of reader, this novel delivers on both fronts.
January 12, 2025
I am forever and eternally grateful I got to read this book months before its release because it is quite good. Granted, it is not the most breathtaking work I have read, but it keeps you captivated and interested as a veteran decides to save their Afghan interpreter which quickly involves saving his ex-wife and daughter when the mission goes sideways. This in itself opens up an exciting plotline.
There is not much else to say about this book. Its plot speaks for itself and brings a sense of curiousness about how it will be resolved. That is the one thing that got me going. The writing and characters did not invoke much interest in me, as it was tough to understand what the author tried to convey or explain. Overall, it is a good book, and I am extremely excited about its release.
There is not much else to say about this book. Its plot speaks for itself and brings a sense of curiousness about how it will be resolved. That is the one thing that got me going. The writing and characters did not invoke much interest in me, as it was tough to understand what the author tried to convey or explain. Overall, it is a good book, and I am extremely excited about its release.
May 8, 2025
Dex is a military veteran struggling with PTSD. He is focused on putting his life back together so he can be with his wife and daughter again. Dex’s former team leader reaches out for a job to help get Jalal, their former interpreter in Afghanistan, to the United States safely. When the plan doesn’t go well, Dex ends up in the middle of a bad situation. I thought this book had a lot of potential. I liked the twist at the end, and I appreciated the author’s portrayal of PTSD and how the families of veterans can also struggle. I also liked the flashback scenes because they added a lot of context to the plot. However, I just couldn’t get into the writing style specifically how the dialogue was written. Thank you to the publisher and the author for my advanced copy!
May 2, 2025
This is an emotional read that explores guilt, loyalty and the long term cost of war and it hits hard and stays with you long after the final page. The story follows combat veteran Dexter Grant as he battles PTSD, broken trust, and a dangerous rescue mission that puts everything on the line including his family.The pacing is relentless, and the stakes are personal, making for a compelling read. If you enjoy military and crime fiction books full of heart then you will definitely enjoy this one! Thank you Books Forward PR and Jeremy D. Baker for sharing this book with me!
May 27, 2025
This book had me wanting to DNF. That is until the action started around Chapter 35 or so. Gave the five stars for the action scenes. The back and forth with present and pass was confusing. Although understand this was necessary to the main Character and what reasons lead him in his path. I am an action pack girlie when it comes to these types of military books. Thanks for allowing me to read.
June 23, 2025
This was a great book but far from my typical read! It was an eye opening truth into life following military service with a great fictional story attached! I highly recommend this to anyone interested in diving in to a great suspense!
November 5, 2025
One of the standout aspects of the book is its exploration of the human cost of war and the impact it has on those who fight. Baker tackles this theme with sensitivity and nuance, avoiding easy answers and instead opting for a thought provoking exploration of the complexities.
April 11, 2025
Fantastic novel! Real and intense. Baker has a way with words you can't miss!
May 9, 2025
Loved it
September 1, 2025
The characters are hard, the plot twisty, the premise intriguing. What more could you want from a crime thriller? This is definitely worth the read!
May 28, 2025
liked The Guilty Sleep. It mostly follows Dexter Grant, but you do get a couple of other POVs.
It was well written and had a lot of action. they shot out scene at the end had me closing my eyes at points. I felt bad for his wife and daughter had gotten caught up in the mess.
I would read more by Jeremy D Baker. I liked his writing style.
thank you @booksforwardpr for allowing me to be part of this book tour.
It was well written and had a lot of action. they shot out scene at the end had me closing my eyes at points. I felt bad for his wife and daughter had gotten caught up in the mess.
I would read more by Jeremy D Baker. I liked his writing style.
thank you @booksforwardpr for allowing me to be part of this book tour.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews