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Sleep No More
Act The Way To Dusty Death
Sir Morris Oxford lies critically wounded in Stratford Hospital. Oliver Lawrence, whose cunning plan put him there, thought his revenge was complete but it takes a lot to kill a King
Boundless ambition collides headlong with the cold fury of revenge as we enter the final scene of this tragedy. There can be no hiding place for those that harbour secrets. As Toby Marlowe and Fred Williams try desperately to catch their killer, a huge storm surges into Stratford and drowns all hope of a happy resolution.
On the dark streets of Stratford, something wicked this way comes!
Sir Morris Oxford lies critically wounded in Stratford Hospital. Oliver Lawrence, whose cunning plan put him there, thought his revenge was complete but it takes a lot to kill a King
Boundless ambition collides headlong with the cold fury of revenge as we enter the final scene of this tragedy. There can be no hiding place for those that harbour secrets. As Toby Marlowe and Fred Williams try desperately to catch their killer, a huge storm surges into Stratford and drowns all hope of a happy resolution.
On the dark streets of Stratford, something wicked this way comes!
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2025
21 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 9, 2026
Thank you to Guy Hale, Bullington Press and Love Books Tours for my gifted copy.
What a finale! It was nail biting with the tension ratcheting up with every page that was turned. I was fully invested in this series and this final book does not disappoint. The plot is cleverly interlaced with Shakespeare's Macbeth, the characters we know and love from the previous books continue to develop and deepen, whilst some step forward to take their spot in the limelight such as Lady Beatrice.
Oliver's ingenious murder plots were such addictive reading and some of the situations from other characters' and their pasts really had me pondering ethical dilemmas and morality.
I'm still a massive fan of Whomper and his intuitions and I loved that DC Toby Marlowe really went with his gut instincts.
The book picks up exactly where Put Out The Light left off up on the stage with the shocking ending. It jumps right into the fray and just keeps going. Sir Morris Oxford is fighting for his life whilst Oliver ponders his next moves, just who should be next off his list. The police clutch desperately at any leads trying to get a chance to bring him to justice, whilst Felix has a crisis of conscience and struggles with his own demons.
All the while a storm is brewing, the likes of which Stratford has never seen but the consequences will be long felt.
What a finale! It was nail biting with the tension ratcheting up with every page that was turned. I was fully invested in this series and this final book does not disappoint. The plot is cleverly interlaced with Shakespeare's Macbeth, the characters we know and love from the previous books continue to develop and deepen, whilst some step forward to take their spot in the limelight such as Lady Beatrice.
Oliver's ingenious murder plots were such addictive reading and some of the situations from other characters' and their pasts really had me pondering ethical dilemmas and morality.
I'm still a massive fan of Whomper and his intuitions and I loved that DC Toby Marlowe really went with his gut instincts.
The book picks up exactly where Put Out The Light left off up on the stage with the shocking ending. It jumps right into the fray and just keeps going. Sir Morris Oxford is fighting for his life whilst Oliver ponders his next moves, just who should be next off his list. The police clutch desperately at any leads trying to get a chance to bring him to justice, whilst Felix has a crisis of conscience and struggles with his own demons.
All the while a storm is brewing, the likes of which Stratford has never seen but the consequences will be long felt.
December 14, 2025
The finale is here, Act IV in The Shakespeare Murders series and what a finale it is. Take a bow Guy, your final curtain call is a huge success.
All the way through this series we have felt very little sympathy for Oliver as he has claimed revenge for the betrayal he and his father faced by those in Sir Morris' company many years earlier, but by the end of this, I did feel a tiny smidgen of sympathy, and regret that Oliver could not have lived a happier life.
One of the things I have really loved in this series, and I felt it was again vital to this tale, is the relationship between Fred and Toby. They make a wonderful detective pairing, and I would love to see more from them in the future.
I have also always really enjoyed the appearances of Whomper, despite his visions being quite mad. He has a wonderful heart and makes a lovely supporting character.
The story is dark, and this book is probably the darkest of the series. It holds a lot of troubling scenes, but there is always moments of hope and humour throughout too which help to balance it out.
I raced through this, though now I'm sad that its all come to an end. The author has a magical way of writing dark humour and I look forward to seeing what comes from him next.
All the way through this series we have felt very little sympathy for Oliver as he has claimed revenge for the betrayal he and his father faced by those in Sir Morris' company many years earlier, but by the end of this, I did feel a tiny smidgen of sympathy, and regret that Oliver could not have lived a happier life.
One of the things I have really loved in this series, and I felt it was again vital to this tale, is the relationship between Fred and Toby. They make a wonderful detective pairing, and I would love to see more from them in the future.
I have also always really enjoyed the appearances of Whomper, despite his visions being quite mad. He has a wonderful heart and makes a lovely supporting character.
The story is dark, and this book is probably the darkest of the series. It holds a lot of troubling scenes, but there is always moments of hope and humour throughout too which help to balance it out.
I raced through this, though now I'm sad that its all come to an end. The author has a magical way of writing dark humour and I look forward to seeing what comes from him next.
January 18, 2026
I have loved reading this series by Guy Hale each book has had me gripped and I was so hyped to read this final book - Sleep No More.
Now I've finished reading I'm sad because that's it, no more. I am however left satisfied with the outcome of the story.
Guy Hale has managed to build up suspense throughout the series, we knew from the early on set who was the murderer in this series and I loved how we took this different route in the crime fiction story. I loved following Oliver on his escapades of murder, his mindset allowing him to justify all his actions and I loved how it all played out giving us that ending.
I love Guy's writing, it's captivating. Reading this novel I was turning the pages with a greediness of wanting more. The humour throughout this novel was a great contrast to the darkness of the topics, stand out humour to me was Hugh Pitt starring in Four Dates and A Christening.
Everything about this novel has me sat here thinking "wow, that was so good! Excellent"
Highly recommend this series to everyone.
Now I've finished reading I'm sad because that's it, no more. I am however left satisfied with the outcome of the story.
Guy Hale has managed to build up suspense throughout the series, we knew from the early on set who was the murderer in this series and I loved how we took this different route in the crime fiction story. I loved following Oliver on his escapades of murder, his mindset allowing him to justify all his actions and I loved how it all played out giving us that ending.
I love Guy's writing, it's captivating. Reading this novel I was turning the pages with a greediness of wanting more. The humour throughout this novel was a great contrast to the darkness of the topics, stand out humour to me was Hugh Pitt starring in Four Dates and A Christening.
Everything about this novel has me sat here thinking "wow, that was so good! Excellent"
Highly recommend this series to everyone.
January 20, 2026
Sleep No More by Guy Hale is a mystery thriller and the fourth book in the Shakespeare Murder series. The story opens with an immediate hook — “A Crime” — surrounded by uncertainty, and it pulled me in from the very first page.
The short chapters keep the tension building and the momentum racing forward, making it impossible not to keep turning the pages. Hale writes with wit and humour too, which added lightness and made me smile along the way.
This is the fourth book in the series and, although I’ve read three of them, it can absolutely be enjoyed as a standalone. That said, if you know me as a reader, you’ll know I adore a good series and hate reading them out of order — I always feel you get a richer understanding of the characters as you journey with them throughout the books.
Hale’s writing is an art form. It appears deceptively simple on the surface, but underneath lies a beautifully complex weave of nuance and emotion. Before you realise it, you’re completely drawn in, immersed in the story and its characters.
The short chapters keep the tension building and the momentum racing forward, making it impossible not to keep turning the pages. Hale writes with wit and humour too, which added lightness and made me smile along the way.
This is the fourth book in the series and, although I’ve read three of them, it can absolutely be enjoyed as a standalone. That said, if you know me as a reader, you’ll know I adore a good series and hate reading them out of order — I always feel you get a richer understanding of the characters as you journey with them throughout the books.
Hale’s writing is an art form. It appears deceptively simple on the surface, but underneath lies a beautifully complex weave of nuance and emotion. Before you realise it, you’re completely drawn in, immersed in the story and its characters.
January 5, 2026
Sleep No More, the final story in the Shakespeare Murders series, was an incredible ending — I absolutely loved it. It is possibly the darkest book in the series and continues to follow Oliver on his revenge mission for his father, which made the story feel intense and emotionally charged.
Throughout the entire series, I’ve really enjoyed Toby and Fred and the relationship between the two detectives. Their dynamic is one of the highlights for me, and I would genuinely love to see a spin-off series focused on them.
I also loved Whomper and his weirdness, which makes him a great supporting character. I would have liked him to feature a little more in this book, as he always adds something unique to the story.
I used to think Oliver was bad, but his mother far exceeds him. Her manipulative plan to get her own way in the acting world — especially using her own son — is, in my opinion, even worse than anything Oliver does.
Throughout the entire series, I’ve really enjoyed Toby and Fred and the relationship between the two detectives. Their dynamic is one of the highlights for me, and I would genuinely love to see a spin-off series focused on them.
I also loved Whomper and his weirdness, which makes him a great supporting character. I would have liked him to feature a little more in this book, as he always adds something unique to the story.
I used to think Oliver was bad, but his mother far exceeds him. Her manipulative plan to get her own way in the acting world — especially using her own son — is, in my opinion, even worse than anything Oliver does.
January 22, 2026
Is the net closing in on Oliver? This book starts off exactly where book 3 finished, at the theatre with sir Morris being stabbed.
There is a massive plot twist with Beatrice when Beatrice finally comes face to face with Oliver but I don't want to give too much away for those that haven't read it yet!
Another fantastic chapter in the Shakespeare murders with plenty of twists and turns. Will Macbeth finally meet his Macduff?
I cannot wait to see where the story goes next! Is it really the final curtain call?
There is a massive plot twist with Beatrice when Beatrice finally comes face to face with Oliver but I don't want to give too much away for those that haven't read it yet!
Another fantastic chapter in the Shakespeare murders with plenty of twists and turns. Will Macbeth finally meet his Macduff?
I cannot wait to see where the story goes next! Is it really the final curtain call?
January 23, 2026
Book 4 in the Shakespeare murders series. I have loved these books for their settings, Stratford, their mystery and murders and the time period. Pre Internet, mobile phones and cctv etc. Book 4 is darker than the predecessors but still retains Guy's tongue in cheek humour. Whilst I would say this book is medium paced, the last quarter is where it really took off. Also, have fun with the characters' names and placing them with their real-life counterparts .Seems like a finale, but I'm not so sure. A good read and altogether a great series. Commended and recommended
January 11, 2026
Sleep No More by Guy Hale is the fourth book in The Shakespeare Murders Series.
Oliver Lawrence is slowly working his way toward revenge against those he feels have wronged him. The body count has been piling up, but there are just a few names left on Oliver’s list.
Written with the same intelligence and skilful storytelling as the previous books in this series, Sleep No More is a fire storm of a book, flooding with moments of suspense.
January 18, 2026
What a fantastic ending to the series. I absolutely loved this series but book 4 Sleep No More was my favourite. It had everything you wanted and what a way to bow out. The story as always kept you intrigued from start to finish. The revelations had you gasping. Was Oliver ever going to stop? Was a question throughout.
The ending wow! Is this the last story? I'm not so sure.
Just a perfect ending to a perfect series
The ending wow! Is this the last story? I'm not so sure.
Just a perfect ending to a perfect series
January 16, 2026
What a brilliant series this has been, spread out over a few books, Oliver has had his work cut out for him with the RSC group that wronged him before he supposedly disappeared.
I love Fred and Whomper's sense of humour, or I should say Guy who created them! I like that Toby always tries to be the sensible one when it comes to his investigations but when Whomper shares his dreams, although it sounds crazy, maybe there is something there?!
I don't really know the stories of Shakespeare, Macbeth, King Lear, Othello etc but even without knowing the backstories of those, you can still follow along with the gist of each and the reasons for why they need to go.
An enjoyable series, worth a read and a good ending and overall tie up.
I love Fred and Whomper's sense of humour, or I should say Guy who created them! I like that Toby always tries to be the sensible one when it comes to his investigations but when Whomper shares his dreams, although it sounds crazy, maybe there is something there?!
I don't really know the stories of Shakespeare, Macbeth, King Lear, Othello etc but even without knowing the backstories of those, you can still follow along with the gist of each and the reasons for why they need to go.
An enjoyable series, worth a read and a good ending and overall tie up.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews