What do you think?
Rate this book
The Sleeping Angel
Something is astir in Highgate Cemetery. The dead want justice and so do the living.
January 1870: Isabelle Hart has a secret. It lies buried in Highgate Cemetery, beside the statue of the sleeping angel. The enigmatic medium, Madeleine Fox, seems to offer Isabelle hope, but is it all a terrible lie?
March 1970: Strange happenings of a sinister nature are reported at Highgate Cemetery. Who or what is lurking amongst the gravestones? A teenager discovers an obsession that will consume him for the rest of his life.
July, present day: Lauren reluctantly participates in a séance only to discover that someone is trying to contact her from beyond the grave.
Tom doesn’t believe that his father’s death was an accident. He is determined to find his father’s killer.
As Lauren uncovers Isabelle’s story and Tom chases his father’s murderer, everything points towards the sleeping angel, a Victorian statue in Highgate Cemetery. Lauren and Tom must discover the truth before the killer strikes again.
The Sleeping Angel is a gripping time-slip mystery thriller that cleverly interweaves the Victorian period and the present day.
January 1870: Isabelle Hart has a secret. It lies buried in Highgate Cemetery, beside the statue of the sleeping angel. The enigmatic medium, Madeleine Fox, seems to offer Isabelle hope, but is it all a terrible lie?
March 1970: Strange happenings of a sinister nature are reported at Highgate Cemetery. Who or what is lurking amongst the gravestones? A teenager discovers an obsession that will consume him for the rest of his life.
July, present day: Lauren reluctantly participates in a séance only to discover that someone is trying to contact her from beyond the grave.
Tom doesn’t believe that his father’s death was an accident. He is determined to find his father’s killer.
As Lauren uncovers Isabelle’s story and Tom chases his father’s murderer, everything points towards the sleeping angel, a Victorian statue in Highgate Cemetery. Lauren and Tom must discover the truth before the killer strikes again.
The Sleeping Angel is a gripping time-slip mystery thriller that cleverly interweaves the Victorian period and the present day.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 10, 2014
17 people are currently reading
799 people want to read
About the author
Margarita Morris
13 books69 followersShortlisted for the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award in 2014 with her first novel, Oranges for Christmas, Margarita Morris brings a love of history to her writing.
Margarita studied languages at Oxford and it was as a student that she visited Berlin and saw at first hand the effects of the Berlin Wall on this divided city. Years later this experience led her to write Oranges for Christmas about a family trying to escape from Communist East Berlin.
Other passions include the Victorian era. The Sleeping Angel was inspired by the haunting beauty of Highgate Cemetery and the urban legends that surround it. In her Scarborough Fair series, historical mysteries meet contemporary thrillers.
Scarborough Fair #1
Scarborough Ball #2
Scarborough Rock #3
Margarita is married with two grown-up children. She lives in Oxfordshire.
Find more about Margarita Morris at her website at margaritamorris.com
Margarita studied languages at Oxford and it was as a student that she visited Berlin and saw at first hand the effects of the Berlin Wall on this divided city. Years later this experience led her to write Oranges for Christmas about a family trying to escape from Communist East Berlin.
Other passions include the Victorian era. The Sleeping Angel was inspired by the haunting beauty of Highgate Cemetery and the urban legends that surround it. In her Scarborough Fair series, historical mysteries meet contemporary thrillers.
Scarborough Fair #1
Scarborough Ball #2
Scarborough Rock #3
Margarita is married with two grown-up children. She lives in Oxfordshire.
Find more about Margarita Morris at her website at margaritamorris.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 27, 2019
The Sleeping Angel by Margarita Morris is a beautiful contemporary and historical novel that had me engaged and enchanted from the start. The action is set in present day and 1870 in the form of a diary. It revolves around Highgate cemetery.
Grief takes many forms – to lose a parent is awful, to lose a child is devastating. The living need answers. Unfortunately there will always be people who prey on the desperate. This links in to the theme of trust. What happens when you suspect someone of wrong doing but no one believes you? There are also secrets that must be kept. Knowing who to trust requires discernment.
To be a single mum in 1870 was a social taboo, no matter how the child was conceived. Unmarried mothers were hidden away in homes run by Sisters. These were places of hard work at best and downright cruel at worst.
The diary that surfaces unites the past and the present as there is unfinished business. Ordinary teenagers get caught up in extraordinary events.
The Sleeping Angel was a beautifully written novel that revealed the depth of love of a mother. I read it in just one sitting as I could not put it down. The Sleeping Angel has a unique storyline where all is not as it first seems. It was a beautiful, beautiful read and I am sad that it has ended.
Grief takes many forms – to lose a parent is awful, to lose a child is devastating. The living need answers. Unfortunately there will always be people who prey on the desperate. This links in to the theme of trust. What happens when you suspect someone of wrong doing but no one believes you? There are also secrets that must be kept. Knowing who to trust requires discernment.
To be a single mum in 1870 was a social taboo, no matter how the child was conceived. Unmarried mothers were hidden away in homes run by Sisters. These were places of hard work at best and downright cruel at worst.
The diary that surfaces unites the past and the present as there is unfinished business. Ordinary teenagers get caught up in extraordinary events.
The Sleeping Angel was a beautifully written novel that revealed the depth of love of a mother. I read it in just one sitting as I could not put it down. The Sleeping Angel has a unique storyline where all is not as it first seems. It was a beautiful, beautiful read and I am sad that it has ended.
September 4, 2018
Like the heroine's mother in this book, I also belong to a cemetery friends group, so this caught my eye. From the outset, the book had me entranced and I lost a lot of sleep because I could not put it down.
The characters are all very believable and the tale rocks along at a steady pace with a great twist. I expect to read this again in the future. Highly recommended.
The characters are all very believable and the tale rocks along at a steady pace with a great twist. I expect to read this again in the future. Highly recommended.
April 5, 2020
Reading this book felt like rediscovering my love of traditional English supernatural mysteries. If, as a child, you loved the Armada ghost anthologies you will enjoy this book as an adult. Great story well written. I will be reading more of this author's work, I've already added the Scarborough trilogy to my reading list.
January 8, 2016
Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The Sleeping Angel by Margarita Morris is a young adult supernatural mystery that perfectly mixes past and present to reveal the sinister secrets surrounding Highgate Cemetery.
In the present, the novel follows Lauren and Tom as they search for the connection between Isabelle Hart, a woman who used to live in Lauren's house, and the death of Tom's father. In the past, the novel recounts the life of Isabelle through her diary as well as provides glimpses into those around Isabelle through their journals and memoirs. Despite having seven different narrators throughout the novel, the past and present pieces fit together seamlessly, each divulging just enough information to keep the reader desiring more. The sections of the novel are short, action-packed, and end on such intriguing notes that I frequently couldn't put the book down.
Unfortunately, that is all I can say about the plot without risking spoilers. However, there is much to comment on in relation to the writing of The Sleeping Angel. Morris does a fantastic job of writing to suit the voices of each of her characters. Even if they were not named, it would be easy for the reader to identify the narrator, as each is so distinct and personable. Morris also had a great knack for writing in time-appropriate language. Her word choice feels authentic whether she is writing from the perspective of a young woman or gravedigger in 1870, a teenager in 1970, or a teenager or professor in present time.
My one critique about The Sleeping Angel is that, at times, it was difficult to tell what the supernatural "rules" of the world were, so-to-speak. The novel features paranormal elements, namely ghosts or spirits, but the characters themselves were unsure about how much of what they experienced was real, and other supernatural subjects were considered to be highly unrealistic by the characters. While it is clear which paranormal elements were "real" in terms of plot, I still found it a bit unbalanced in terms of the world Morris created (which was strongly based in present day reality). However, this seems to be a mostly subjective critique, and it did not detract from my enjoyment of the novel.
Overall, The Sleeping Angel is a well-written, well-executed paranormal mystery. The multiple story lines intertwine perfectly for an enjoyable journey and satisfying conclusion. If you love young adult paranormal/supernatural tales, historical fiction, and a dash of mystery, you will adore The Sleeping Angel.
The Sleeping Angel by Margarita Morris is a young adult supernatural mystery that perfectly mixes past and present to reveal the sinister secrets surrounding Highgate Cemetery.
In the present, the novel follows Lauren and Tom as they search for the connection between Isabelle Hart, a woman who used to live in Lauren's house, and the death of Tom's father. In the past, the novel recounts the life of Isabelle through her diary as well as provides glimpses into those around Isabelle through their journals and memoirs. Despite having seven different narrators throughout the novel, the past and present pieces fit together seamlessly, each divulging just enough information to keep the reader desiring more. The sections of the novel are short, action-packed, and end on such intriguing notes that I frequently couldn't put the book down.
Unfortunately, that is all I can say about the plot without risking spoilers. However, there is much to comment on in relation to the writing of The Sleeping Angel. Morris does a fantastic job of writing to suit the voices of each of her characters. Even if they were not named, it would be easy for the reader to identify the narrator, as each is so distinct and personable. Morris also had a great knack for writing in time-appropriate language. Her word choice feels authentic whether she is writing from the perspective of a young woman or gravedigger in 1870, a teenager in 1970, or a teenager or professor in present time.
My one critique about The Sleeping Angel is that, at times, it was difficult to tell what the supernatural "rules" of the world were, so-to-speak. The novel features paranormal elements, namely ghosts or spirits, but the characters themselves were unsure about how much of what they experienced was real, and other supernatural subjects were considered to be highly unrealistic by the characters. While it is clear which paranormal elements were "real" in terms of plot, I still found it a bit unbalanced in terms of the world Morris created (which was strongly based in present day reality). However, this seems to be a mostly subjective critique, and it did not detract from my enjoyment of the novel.
Overall, The Sleeping Angel is a well-written, well-executed paranormal mystery. The multiple story lines intertwine perfectly for an enjoyable journey and satisfying conclusion. If you love young adult paranormal/supernatural tales, historical fiction, and a dash of mystery, you will adore The Sleeping Angel.
January 19, 2018
Brilliant
storyline. Held me enthralled to the point where I couldn't put it down. Covers two timelines with diary type input from maids, grace digger and family. Never read this author before but will look out for other books by her.
storyline. Held me enthralled to the point where I couldn't put it down. Covers two timelines with diary type input from maids, grace digger and family. Never read this author before but will look out for other books by her.
April 17, 2020
A beautiful haunting story
I enjoyed the passages of time....Victorian era, 1970a to present day...the characters were done well but my only criticism would be Alan...it's not fully explained what had happened to him in the cemetery
I enjoyed the passages of time....Victorian era, 1970a to present day...the characters were done well but my only criticism would be Alan...it's not fully explained what had happened to him in the cemetery
February 19, 2023
A obsession turns a person into a future of torment
A weird tale a man's obbesion hunting through time a young girl also bad thing happened to her tossed out these seem to come together in this story with a diary to reveal Highgate cemtery at the centre
A weird tale a man's obbesion hunting through time a young girl also bad thing happened to her tossed out these seem to come together in this story with a diary to reveal Highgate cemtery at the centre
June 18, 2023
This was ok but I found the flashbacks to 1970 irrelevant to the story and the author should’ve left it as 1870 and present day.
I did finish the book though so it did interest me a little and you can’t help but feel for Isabelle and her baby, Emily.
I did finish the book though so it did interest me a little and you can’t help but feel for Isabelle and her baby, Emily.
November 3, 2018
An excellent tale
I loved the way this book told the story chronologically even though it moved through different time zones to do it. Very well done.
I loved the way this book told the story chronologically even though it moved through different time zones to do it. Very well done.
October 16, 2020
Well worth reading
I couldn't put this book down .Margarita grabs your attention from the very beginning I love time slip books brilliant
I couldn't put this book down .Margarita grabs your attention from the very beginning I love time slip books brilliant
February 20, 2023
Enjoyed this tale…well written and easy to follow which is always a plus when reading Time slip novels.
December 25, 2024
A Fascinating Story
Great story to read especially if the plot becomes suspenseful. Make the reader ponders why the plot have
piognant twist in its climax.
Great story to read especially if the plot becomes suspenseful. Make the reader ponders why the plot have
piognant twist in its climax.
February 22, 2017
Simple story
This is a simple story that might have done better as a short story rather than a novel. The plot line is thin, and the characters are not well developed. However, if you're interested in Victorian social mores or behavior around death, you might find it of interest.
This is a simple story that might have done better as a short story rather than a novel. The plot line is thin, and the characters are not well developed. However, if you're interested in Victorian social mores or behavior around death, you might find it of interest.
July 17, 2014
The Sleeping Angel is an atmospheric and exciting Young Adult mystery set – unusually - in three different time periods. Lauren is a teenager living in present day Highgate in London. A game with a Ouija board gives Lauren and her friends a mysterious message, apparently from the past, revealing a name – Isabelle Hart.
Tom’s father has just died in a car accident, or, as Tom believes, a murder made to look like an accident. As Tom begins to investigate his father’s death, he uncovers clues that lead him to the diary of Isabelle Hart and then to Lauren bringing them face to face with yet more mysteries set in a third time period – the 1970s.
I liked the way that the twin story lines unfolded in and around the hauntingly beautiful yet sinister setting of Highgate Cemetery. This makes the book very atmospheric.
Lauren and Tom’s investigation leads them on a trail of fallen women, Victorian secrets, spirits, guardian angels and night-time graveyard visits! It brings them face to face with obsession, jealousy, deception and cold-blooded ruthlessness.
This is a real page-turning novel that alternates effectively between the various characters and moves seamlessly through three time periods, revealing more of the complex, intertwining stories with each new chapter.
There’s plenty going on to keep you gripped right to the last page!
Tom’s father has just died in a car accident, or, as Tom believes, a murder made to look like an accident. As Tom begins to investigate his father’s death, he uncovers clues that lead him to the diary of Isabelle Hart and then to Lauren bringing them face to face with yet more mysteries set in a third time period – the 1970s.
I liked the way that the twin story lines unfolded in and around the hauntingly beautiful yet sinister setting of Highgate Cemetery. This makes the book very atmospheric.
Lauren and Tom’s investigation leads them on a trail of fallen women, Victorian secrets, spirits, guardian angels and night-time graveyard visits! It brings them face to face with obsession, jealousy, deception and cold-blooded ruthlessness.
This is a real page-turning novel that alternates effectively between the various characters and moves seamlessly through three time periods, revealing more of the complex, intertwining stories with each new chapter.
There’s plenty going on to keep you gripped right to the last page!
July 17, 2016
2.5 stars I would have been happy with just the story of Isabelle - and not of the weird murder mystery. I understand the author's intent, but surely there's another option for finding an old diary and getting the two main characters together. That part just didn't work for me at all.
December 24, 2014
Thank you for putting Isabell`s story into words. This was a tale I knew had to end, but I really didn't want it to. Kudos to your proof readers, they did a marvelous job of editing. Keep on writing.
May 16, 2016
This was a good book.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews