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Sleepless: A Cold Case Novel

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Just as she feared, their words were not those of comfort or spiritual joy.Just as she anticipated, the voices told her of unspeakable things.While recuperating from a near-fatal gunshot wound, Special Agent Caden O’Connor is relegated to a desk job with the Cold Case Squad. Three months in, miserable and on the verge of depression, an anonymous letter arrives and changes everything.Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away, concert violinist Alaina Reynolds fears the voices she hears might slowly drive her insane. Nevertheless, when these long-dead souls whisper in her ear and reveal clues that could send their killers to jail, Alaina risks all by becoming the Cold Case Squad’s new confidential informant. But not without taking some precautions, as to them she is known only as "Sleepless."That is until Caden discovers his informant’s identity. And while a romance develops, another long-dead soul seeks to expose some long-buried truths that someone close will kill to leave right where they are.

289 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 18, 2016

6 people want to read

About the author

Gina Salamon

8 books56 followers
Author of Romantic Suspense with a Paranormal Twist

I can’t explain where my stories come from or why some paranormal aspect always seems to find its way inside my pages. But I can tell you that I find inspiration everywhere.

Among other genres, I enjoy a great romance novel, especially when it has lots of suspense-filled pages. And after reading any one of my novels, I believe you’ll be able to guess that I adore romantic comedies, which is why you’ll also find plenty of humor in my stories as well.

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5 stars
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5 (15%)
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3 (9%)
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1 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Profile Image for Trina Burgermeister.
19 reviews9 followers
September 16, 2016
SLEEPLESS was a fantastic read!! Mysteries are one of my favorite genres - and I have to admit that this one really took my by surprise!! There were many times I thought 'oh, this is the point where it becomes predictable,' and every time I was more than pleasantly surprised. The characters were very well developed, and I found myself still in the story even when not reading it. When I had to walk away from SLEEPLESS, it kept me in the story until the next time I was able to read. I literally could NOT wait to get back to it!

I loved Agent O'Connor, because of all of his faults and struggles. He was completely believable - and I fell in love with his powerful vulnerability. I also LOVED Alaina as his challenge. She was beautifully written and imagined, and stays in my mind still. I find myself in a position of REALLY looking forward to the next installment of this series because I cannot wait to see what they do in Colorado!

This is one of the best, most successful cross genre novels I've read in a very long time. It shines in every way - you'll find yourself falling in love with not just the characters, but Colorado too. Great read!!
Profile Image for S. Behr.
Author 2 books92 followers
March 29, 2019
Not my usual genre, but I stuck a toe in to feel the water, glad I did!

Gina has a way to put you in the scene and feel the characters, how they feel, then the twists!!
I am told this was her first, definitely a good outing looking forward to visit Caden and alaina again!!!
Profile Image for Tirza Schaefer.
Author 40 books270 followers
Read
August 4, 2020
This book is the perfect balance of real life, psychological and psychic elements. It is telling that in our modern Western society people discovering psychic abilities are often left to themselves or misdiagnosed with psychological dysfunctions. It is not an easy path but, as the story of Alaina and the Cold Case Squad show, one that is very rewarding not only for one's self but many others who are finally helped where all else failed before. I love the way this story is written, the style of the author, the action, the details, everything fusing together to make an outstanding first book of this amazing series which I read in full before writing the individual reviews, so I can already promise, this book is by no means a one-hit-wonder. You should get all the books. You will love every single one of them!
3 reviews
May 26, 2016
I am normally a very slow reader, taking at least a week to finish a great book. I flew through this in four days, because I just could not put it down. I love the supernatural aspects mixed with the FBI crime solving flair, but the real hook here is the cast of characters. I love every one of them, their depth, their interactions. They are incredibly real, and extremely engaging. Can't wait for the next installment to this series!
Profile Image for Ariel C.
38 reviews18 followers
April 26, 2017
Sleepless is an absolutely thrilling fiction masterpiece!

The most spectacular, suspenseful supernatural crime novel I've ever read!
Stunningly crime fiction with fabulous writing, a strong fascinating plot and characters brimming with so much personality they leap off the pages as if embodied with a life of their own.

All the characters are so realistic and so vividly drawn- the minor characters as well as the main characters, ghost and canine characters too.
Alaina is so engaging- ultra skilfully portrayed as a totally 3 dimensional mass of human contradiction ; witty yet innocent, amazingly knowledgeable but naive, fiesty and vulnerable at once. She and Caden made such an amazing couple, he was clearly the missing partner that Alaina had no idea she was just waiting to meet.
But my favourite character has got to be Norman, the German Shepherd. So much personality and a great sense of humour. I'm hoping he turns out to be Alaina's animal guardian, his paws silently guiding her and nudging her towards her destiny unseen by all.

Sleepless is one superb intriguing novel, which takes the reader on a highly interactive journey with the opportunity to become almost entirely immersed in pages filled with shocking twists & turns.
One of the most atmospheric novels I've ever read- almost every single page is oozing with a spine tingling degree of suspense, with tension of epic proportions omnipresent throughout the duration of the novel.
Very clever use of humour successfully lightens the mood and ensures that Sleepless never becomes too intense or creepy.
A spellbinding narrative, flawless dialogue and perfectly adjusted pacing on every single page.

Gina Salamon is an amazing storyteller, with a fabulous sense of humour.
Such an exceptional writer whose fiction defies all the usual genre classifications, yet seamlessly blends an assortment of genres together to perfection, producing the perfect page turner.
A true master of so many different genres: crime, paranormal, thriller, mystery and romance.

I really hope that Sleepless is adapted for tv or the cinema.
Profile Image for Jamie Raintree.
Author 3 books39 followers
July 29, 2016
I absolutely LOVED this book! I cannot believe it's a debut--it's written so well that you feel like you are in the hands of a seasoned pro from the first page all the way through. There wasn't a single slow moment. The characters were likable and their chemistry believable. I'm glad to know this is the beginning of a series because I will look forward to following Caden and Alaina on their journey for many books to come. I can't wait to see what that last line means!
Profile Image for K.M. Mara.
Author 11 books1 follower
October 3, 2016
When a pragmatic FBI agent is ordered to pry a secret from a sassy musician, he finds himself on tenterhooks of desire instead. Doing his best to ignore her attractions, he gradually realizes the answers he is getting are far from what he expected.

If you like your mysteries hot and spicy, a little sexy, and relentless page-turners, Sleepless will hold you breathless right to the end.
Profile Image for Carole Davis.
55 reviews
January 10, 2020
Love the entire series! Hunky FBI agent, beautiful musician, ghostly whisperings and a hot romance-what more could you ask for. Oh, and loved the dog. The author is great at adding lovable characters in each of her novels. This one was the dog, the next is a friendly ghost. Excellent read.
Profile Image for L.H. Whitlock.
Author 12 books20 followers
May 8, 2016
Loved how Sleepless incorporated suspense, romance AND the paranormal. I was hooked and turning the pages for more. Each time I thought I knew who had 'done' it, I was giving a new clue that made me question everything. Caden and Alaina make a hot couple and I couldn't wait for them to meet. This was truly a unique twist on the average romance suspense and I recommend it to anyone, although I offer a warning, you may not be able to put the book down.
Profile Image for Temperance Dawn.
Author 5 books113 followers
April 16, 2022
WOW!!! This book is a whirlwind full of mystery, paranormal suspense and romance. I couldn't put this book down. I loved it, and I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
Profile Image for Anna Marie Leffew.
392 reviews19 followers
July 13, 2025
You simply cannot miss out on "SLEEPLESS" by Gina Salamon ! If you think you’ve experienced every genre, think again. This astonishing blend of paranormal and detective mystery will grip you from the very first page and won’t release you until you’ve devoured every last word. The book is full of action, mystery, suspense and secrets.

I recently found myself on the edge of my seat, caught up in a story so captivating that I nearly lost track of time. The moment the suspense builds, you'll feel compelled to keep reading – it’s that good! At one point, I nearly had a meltdown when my hearing aids went dead just as I was getting to the best part! Fortunately, I have the ebook to tide me over, but the narrator is so good I waited patiently for them to charge a little because Dustin Davis, narrator of the audiobook, truly brings the story to life in a way that is simply swoon-worthy.

Give your ears a treat and listen to the audio version—it's absolutely worth it! And for those who prefer reading, the ebook is right at your fingertips. I can't wait to dive into book 2, and I'm sure you'll feel the same way once you finish this gem.

Don't wait—grab your copy of "SLEEPLESS" today and immerse yourself in this thrilling mystery!0

Thank you, Gina Salamon , for this incredible journey!
Profile Image for Chantelle Miller.
Author 5 books3 followers
April 8, 2025
The angst of hearing voices and some paranormal twists made this a fun read.

The characters are intertwined in a way that they help each other and come together to solve this mystery. I'm looking forward to catching up on more of the series!
Profile Image for Mellie Miller.
Author 15 books29 followers
October 5, 2022
Great read.

Loved this story. Mystery, action, the paranormal and some romance. What's not to love? Can't wait for the next one.
Profile Image for Mike DeLucia.
Author 8 books13 followers
October 27, 2025
Gina Salamon’s Sleepless is a compelling, beautifully crafted blend of suspense, emotion, and the supernatural. The writing flows effortlessly, with characters that feel real—flawed, resilient, and easy to root for. Caden’s strength beneath the scars and Alaina’s courage in the face of fear make them an unforgettable pairing. The pacing never lets up, building tension and depth in equal measure. I loved Dustin Davis’ narration in the Audible edition as it enhances every beat of the story, making it an immersive experience from start to finish. A standout debut that promises great things to come. I really enjoyed the read and highly recommend it.

1 review
November 29, 2025
I wanted more…Typically mystery is not my genre. But I am so happy I read this novel! The characters were so well developed, and, they felt so real. I couldn’t wait to read more. This was a sit on the edge of your seat squirming for more kind of book! Loved every word!
Profile Image for Daniel Nanto.
Author 6 books19 followers
September 30, 2016
After reading the synopsis of Sleepless by Gina Salamon, I was intrigued by her combination of the paranormal and solving crimes. I thought it would make a good combination and the idea of ghosts leading to their murderers would be a great new twist. I was not disappointed.

Salamon does an excellent job of drawing the reader into her story and making the characters real and believable. The story itself kept me guessing and had me captivated early. She has a great written voice and provided just enough clues that the ending was not only logical but satisfying.

There were a few minor editing issues, but they didn't detract from the story at all. There were also a few times when the transitions between sections seemed a little jumpy and left me questioning why the characters didn't react stronger to some of the events around them. These things were very minor though and didn't prevent me from thoroughly enjoying her writing.

Overall I was happy to read Sleepless and glad I picked it up. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good blend of crime solving and the paranormal!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews

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