An Insomniac's Dream

Stan Brookshire #3

by Allison M. Cosgrove

As a kidnapper with a lifelong grudge holds an innocent woman captive, Detective Stan Brookshire has little evidence to go on. When he accepts help from an unlikely source, he comes to rely on her psychic vision. Will she lead him to Missy before it’s too late? Or will he humiliate himself and the entire Lake City Police Department chasing bogus leads while Missy Sheen’s time runs out?

214 pages, Paperback

Published February 4, 2015

About the author

Allison Cosgrove was born and raised in a suburb of Toronto, Ontario. A married mother of three daughters, she runs her own business by day and creates her own worlds by night. She enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters hiking in the woods or sitting by the fire reading a good book. She has had the love of reading and writing detective mysteries from the age of twelve but it has only been since the birth of her youngest that she has gotten serious about crafting some of her own works for others to enjoy. She credits her family and friends with being the driving force that has given her the strength to breathe life into her books.

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What people are saying about the Stan Brookshire Series

Sacrifice of Innocence

"Couldn't put this down; read in a couple sessions. What I love about this novel is it's a mystery but not your typical mystery as it isn't like all the other books in this genre. The good guy is a good but he's up against corrupt cops, his own bad reputation (former drunk), a child-snatching cult... we also get to read from the point of view of the good guys, the bad guys and even both primary and secondary victims. The action really doesn't stop but it still manages to fit in plenty of getting to know each player and their backstory while providing small peaks into the mastermind behind the crime(s).
I do not even have to be sad that it is over, thanks to Dragon Twins & I'll be checking that out right away as I need more of Stan & his partner."

~Lacie Redding, Kissimmee, Fl

"Allison has created a memorable detective with Stan Brookshire. The premise of the story is, a cult has been killing children and Stan has to stop them before it's too late. The police believe they have the right man in custody but another kidnapping casts that into doubt. The trial is not going well, and despite the hope that the child was abducted by a copycat, Stan begins to believe that something more is happening. The mother of the child gets involved, and slowly the protagonists realize that this is not a standard kidnapping.

It was a well-crafted mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat. But the real reason I kept reading was I felt like I really got to know Detective Stan Brookshire through the story. I loved his interactions with the different characters and how he becomes emotionally involved.

I can't wait for the follow-up and to read more about Stan Brookshire. I would strongly recommend it to anybody who has grown tired of the other detective series out there."

~Joel Mark Harris, author of 1000 Bayonets

Dragon Twins

"Another great book! I couldn't put it down one I started reading. I can't wait for the next book. Great job!!!"

~Valerie Snyder, Fairbury, NE

"In Book 2 of the Stan Brookshire series, Cosgrove doesn’t miss a beat. Continuity is perfect as the recurring characters and places are just as they were in Book 1. Stan & Jane once again take a case to heart as it becomes personal and throughout the action and psychological thrills we are also treated to the strength of family – both that with blood ties and that without. Stan still hasn’t really learned how to follow the rules; will this be the case he loses his job over? I highly recommend this read, as well as its predecessor ‘Sacrifice of Innocence’."

Reviews

[Linda Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

How long can a person hold a grudge? In this instance it is many years.

When a wealthy man's wife goes missing, Detective Stan Brookshire and his partner Detective Jane Trinity are called to investigate. Seems like the wife had a girls' night out and never came home.
They do determine that she left the nightclub, said she was going home. Her friends all agree that she did leave early, so what happened to her?

Brookshire does get a lead... the next morning, there is a woman waiting to see him ... she's a psychic and has had a vision. Does he go along with the psychic and pray that her vision is accurate or will he become the laughingstock of the department?

This is a well-written mystery with enough suspense that carries the reader to the end. I like how it's written ... every couple of chapters the voice is of the kidnapper .... and then a chapter in the victim's voice. I love how Stan and Jane play off each other .. almost like siblings.

I look forward to reading the others in this series.

I would like to thank the author and Netgalley who provided a digital copy.

[Suzzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving Stan’s stories he is a great detective. Jane rocks also. Yay Julian was back :) I am enjoying how each case plays out.

[PelicanFreak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am SO EXCITED that Stan Brookshire is back! In this installment, we have the usual cast of Stan, Jane and the Lake City PD as they try to track down a deranged kidnapper before it is too late for his victim. Nuts as this kidnapper is, he's also smart and leaves no clues behind. Stan has to rely on help from a new-to-the-Lake-City-cast psychic -Beth. Beth is a really sweet person, a very well developed character that left me hoping she appears in future books in this series. I was also pleased to discover that Julian is still around! Another brilliantly designed character.

I love this series because Stan has this crazy instinct that so far, has served him well. He reminds me in a way of Detective Alex Cross, but without all the fancy degrees. He is very versatile - he is able to profile his suspects to a tee, he doesn't miss anything - even the tiniest of details and he doesn't rule anything out, no matter how crazy a notion. He accepts help when he should - he isn't too prideful and always puts the victims first. He puts his whole life on hold when someone is in trouble in order to find them.

This book is very well written, packed with action, drama, a story of revenge, a touch of violence and a splash of paranormal activity (just the psychic's visions). It has it all and kept me on the edge of my seat. Very well written. Cosgrove manages to be very descriptive without being too wordy, making this book the perfect balance of a good read, and a fairly quick read. I love this installment and cannot wait for more Stan Brookshire.

[Spunky N Sassy · Rating 4 out of 5]

SNSBAH Rating: 4.0

~~~~~~~~~~Lillian's ★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~

How long can someone hold a grudge? A rich woman had been taken from her home, a kidnapping or has she just left her husband? Stan & Jane have just been handed another case and they both have their doubts about this being a kidnapping.

They don't have much to go on as there aren't any clues to where Missy could have gone, they are about to receive some information from a young lady that has visions. They both know that they need all the help that they can get.

Julian is back and he gets stuck in with helping them and he works with the young woman Beth and he is able to work out a list of men that they need to look at.

The kidnapper is not happy as no one is looking for Missy so he makes a bold statement and that is what Stan was waiting for.

Be careful of who you hurt going through your life as you never know who will want payback. Stan just continues to grow on me, Jane tries so hard to keep him on the straight & narrow. Julian is becoming a great young man and even the Chief was nicer this time round.

[Ruby McDemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allison's Stan Brookshire works have been amazing so far and adding in a physic who saw what actually happened is this case just makes the series better. From the book's I've read by Allison so far I've come to expect great things and she produces amazing results. One of the things I love most about this novel is how it keeps bouncing from one person to the next so it doesn't lose momentum. Getting the story from 5 different perspectives is truly amazing especially with how seamlessly it all flows together. This isn't just a novel its a work of art.

[Joy Whiteside · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, I could not put it down until the very last page was done. The story will keep you interested and entertained all the way through. The characters are amazing and the book moved along at the perfect pace, not to fast nor to slow. This book must be read, you will not be sorry that you did.

[Michelle Ferrari-Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and full of life. The only problem I had was it's predictability. I knew what was going to happen and unfold before I got that far into the story. It is solidly written and police work is accurate. Easy to read and holds your attention. A great story if you want to read something light while vegging.

[Bex’s reading corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stan is the man!! With each new book, the play changes yet stays the same. Stan and Jane keep facing amazing challenges but they all differ. Love that it's not all similar feats to surpass, but that the characters still rock it like they did in previous books in the series. Onto the next one!! Woohoo

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and really easy to get into its got every thing you could possibly want in a great book. aLlison definitely has a gift for using words to paint a picture and create the scenes in the readers mind.I look forward to seeing what's next!

[Lillian Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in the series. I love Stan he makes the books for me. Can you trust someone's visions? Will they lead you to the victim before it is too late? I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.