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Dead Tired
Imagine if you could take a pill that reduced or even eliminated your body’s need for sleep. Would you take it? What would be the implications for society if millions took it? And what if something went wrong?
Camden Walker is a second-year medical student at the University of Seattle fighting to keep his head above water. When he’s invited to trial an experimental anti-sleep drug named Consurge, opportunity appears to knock. A budding romance with a brilliant British geneticist at the pharmaceutical company seems to sweeten the deal. But will the new wonder drug be everything he dreamed it would be?
Camden Walker is a second-year medical student at the University of Seattle fighting to keep his head above water. When he’s invited to trial an experimental anti-sleep drug named Consurge, opportunity appears to knock. A budding romance with a brilliant British geneticist at the pharmaceutical company seems to sweeten the deal. But will the new wonder drug be everything he dreamed it would be?
249 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 18, 2018
9 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Derek J. Pack
1 book3 followersDerek J. Pack grew up in Seattle, Washington, where his father specialized in optical effects for movies. This early exposure to the film industry led to interest in a wide variety of genres, including science fiction.
Early literary influences included Jean Craighead George, Harper Lee, Jack London, J.D. Salinger, Rob Macgregor, Michael Crichton, George Orwell, and others. In his twenties, Derek turned his attention mainly to non-fiction, but never lost his interest in a good story. In recent years, his interest in fiction was rekindled.
Derek trained as an AutoCAD technician, and later as an ecological surveyor. He also enjoys doing regular volunteer work.
The publishing of Dead Tired is Derek’s first novel, conceived by a simple thought while lying in bed one night: What if I didn’t need to sleep? After three years of writing and researching on evenings and weekends, and extensive assistance, the novel was finally published in December 2018.
Derek and his wife currently reside in New York.
Early literary influences included Jean Craighead George, Harper Lee, Jack London, J.D. Salinger, Rob Macgregor, Michael Crichton, George Orwell, and others. In his twenties, Derek turned his attention mainly to non-fiction, but never lost his interest in a good story. In recent years, his interest in fiction was rekindled.
Derek trained as an AutoCAD technician, and later as an ecological surveyor. He also enjoys doing regular volunteer work.
The publishing of Dead Tired is Derek’s first novel, conceived by a simple thought while lying in bed one night: What if I didn’t need to sleep? After three years of writing and researching on evenings and weekends, and extensive assistance, the novel was finally published in December 2018.
Derek and his wife currently reside in New York.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 25, 2020
Definitely a page turner
I loved the concept of ‘consurge’. I quickly got into this book and if I’d been able to take consurge would have finished it in one sitting!
I found Camden Walker a great character to journey with and I enjoyed the narratives along with great descriptions of places I’ve ever been to but can now picture clearly. The subject of medical research and our need for sleep must have been well researched.
The twist and turns in this book kept me guessing right up until the end.
If you like fast moving, thought-provoking reads with a hint of adventure and plenty of imagination then definitely read this book.
I loved the concept of ‘consurge’. I quickly got into this book and if I’d been able to take consurge would have finished it in one sitting!
I found Camden Walker a great character to journey with and I enjoyed the narratives along with great descriptions of places I’ve ever been to but can now picture clearly. The subject of medical research and our need for sleep must have been well researched.
The twist and turns in this book kept me guessing right up until the end.
If you like fast moving, thought-provoking reads with a hint of adventure and plenty of imagination then definitely read this book.
July 22, 2020
There were many interesting ideas put forth in this book. I happen to be taking part in a sleep survey right now, and a lot of information I'm getting from that matches what was said in the book. However, I thought a lot of the story was kind of cheesy. On the other hand, I enjoyed much of the dialog between the main characters. I applaud the author's first novel and look forward to his next effort.
February 17, 2019
Not tired !!
Thought provoking and well written . The author manages to make the reader wonder if they would like more hours in the day to achieve their goals whilst telling the story. Altogether a well researched story with many a twist that keeps you thinking about how will the story end. The book does not feel like a first time author's work. Well done Derek J Pack
Thought provoking and well written . The author manages to make the reader wonder if they would like more hours in the day to achieve their goals whilst telling the story. Altogether a well researched story with many a twist that keeps you thinking about how will the story end. The book does not feel like a first time author's work. Well done Derek J Pack
May 24, 2020
I found Dead Tired to be gripping, fast-paced and unpredictable right up to the end. The concept is novel and has been well-explored. There is just enough medical content to make it plausible but not too much to put off a lay-person like myself. This is a perfect holiday or weekend read; it won't change your life but it will make you appreciate that sometimes a power-nap just isn't enough!
July 27, 2024
I really enjoyed the book, it gathered pace reasonably early on and never slowed down. It was definitely a fine effort in the life mystery category - lots of real life points, and a book which left you guessing to what would happen next. I am really glad I purchased it and would recommend it to anyone.
May 7, 2021
What If You Didn't Need to Sleep?
For many, a good night’s sleep comes easy, for others like me, sleep comes around 3am and lasts for a few hours. But what if we didn’t need to sleep? Think of the things we could do with the extra eight hours, what we could learn, accomplish at work or at home. The only thing you would need to do is take a pill and the body would have the rest it needs. This is the premise of the book, Dead Tired.
What If You Didn't Need to Sleep?
For many, a good night’s sleep comes easy, for others like me, sleep comes around 3am and lasts for a few hours. But what if we didn’t need to sleep? Think of the things we could do with the extra eight hours, what we could learn, accomplish at work or at home. The only thing you would need to do is take a pill and the body would have the rest it needs. This is the premise of the book, Dead Tired.
SYNOPSIS: Camden, a second-year medical student is introduced to a wonder drug that minimizes the need for sleep. After struggling with his studies, he now becomes a star student, his love life improves, and things are looking good. But is the age-old adage, ‘all good things, must come to an end’ true?
REVIEW: What happens when you cross, sci-fi, medical research, a musical soundtrack, romance, and suspense together? You end up with Dead Tired. It has been described as a medical mystery on Amazon, but this book encompasses much more than that and doesn’t belong to just one genre.
The level of detail to the neurological details of the book is thoroughly researched. I will admit that I even looked up some of the medical terms used just to make sure. The very name of the wonder drug shows a depth to the research the author has taken. Considering that the author has no medical background, his only sources have been, what he has managed to gleam from a few friends in the medical sector, and a lot of hours spent online, it is perfectly accurate and detailed and reads like a medical journal in its description of sleep, the effects of the lack of it, and the damage that can cause.
There are loads of references to music and the grunge era, which if you look closely, there is a subtle theme to the songs revolving around the subject of the book.
Then there is the romance. The detail to Camden’s love life reads like Romeo and Juliette and makes you think about the time you asked that pretty girl out and she said yes. It captures that awkwardness about the beginning of a relationship and how your relationship changed with your friends and what your friends think about your other half.
All these elements are entwined with the mystery aspect of the story which brings all the little details and the subplots neatly together.
But then there is also a strong moral argument about such a drug. The creator of the drug in chapter 12 of the book is questioned about the moral argument. Is stopping the body’s need for sleep changing the natural order of man? This makes you think hard about what man has accomplished in the field of medicine that has already affected the natural order of things.
Pack has used his knowledge of Seattle and Ireland to his advantage in his description of both areas, and it shows a love of both places, the bar mentioned in the book exists, for all you non-visitors to Seattle.
The characters are all very relatable, the nerdy student, the best friend who argues with your girlfriend, the fatherly professor, the girlfriend who just gets you and the pharmaceutical billionaire who pushes the boundaries. They all fit perfectly with the story and make you cheer and cry for them and with them.
If you love a good mystery, romance, medical documentaries or the TV shows, CSI, Bones, Fringe, or Black Mirror, this is a book just for you. If you do not like these shows, this is still a book to be added to your “to be read” list. I cannot decide on a specific genre that it belongs to, but that’s ok, it appeals to all who love the time and effort an author has gone into to make a fascinating and compelling story.
VERDICT: 4****/5 A brilliant read, that both captivates and challenges your thinking. Well researched, and a thoroughly enjoyable book that deserves to be read and a bestseller.
The Word Whisperer Online
For many, a good night’s sleep comes easy, for others like me, sleep comes around 3am and lasts for a few hours. But what if we didn’t need to sleep? Think of the things we could do with the extra eight hours, what we could learn, accomplish at work or at home. The only thing you would need to do is take a pill and the body would have the rest it needs. This is the premise of the book, Dead Tired.
What If You Didn't Need to Sleep?
For many, a good night’s sleep comes easy, for others like me, sleep comes around 3am and lasts for a few hours. But what if we didn’t need to sleep? Think of the things we could do with the extra eight hours, what we could learn, accomplish at work or at home. The only thing you would need to do is take a pill and the body would have the rest it needs. This is the premise of the book, Dead Tired.
SYNOPSIS: Camden, a second-year medical student is introduced to a wonder drug that minimizes the need for sleep. After struggling with his studies, he now becomes a star student, his love life improves, and things are looking good. But is the age-old adage, ‘all good things, must come to an end’ true?
REVIEW: What happens when you cross, sci-fi, medical research, a musical soundtrack, romance, and suspense together? You end up with Dead Tired. It has been described as a medical mystery on Amazon, but this book encompasses much more than that and doesn’t belong to just one genre.
The level of detail to the neurological details of the book is thoroughly researched. I will admit that I even looked up some of the medical terms used just to make sure. The very name of the wonder drug shows a depth to the research the author has taken. Considering that the author has no medical background, his only sources have been, what he has managed to gleam from a few friends in the medical sector, and a lot of hours spent online, it is perfectly accurate and detailed and reads like a medical journal in its description of sleep, the effects of the lack of it, and the damage that can cause.
There are loads of references to music and the grunge era, which if you look closely, there is a subtle theme to the songs revolving around the subject of the book.
Then there is the romance. The detail to Camden’s love life reads like Romeo and Juliette and makes you think about the time you asked that pretty girl out and she said yes. It captures that awkwardness about the beginning of a relationship and how your relationship changed with your friends and what your friends think about your other half.
All these elements are entwined with the mystery aspect of the story which brings all the little details and the subplots neatly together.
But then there is also a strong moral argument about such a drug. The creator of the drug in chapter 12 of the book is questioned about the moral argument. Is stopping the body’s need for sleep changing the natural order of man? This makes you think hard about what man has accomplished in the field of medicine that has already affected the natural order of things.
Pack has used his knowledge of Seattle and Ireland to his advantage in his description of both areas, and it shows a love of both places, the bar mentioned in the book exists, for all you non-visitors to Seattle.
The characters are all very relatable, the nerdy student, the best friend who argues with your girlfriend, the fatherly professor, the girlfriend who just gets you and the pharmaceutical billionaire who pushes the boundaries. They all fit perfectly with the story and make you cheer and cry for them and with them.
If you love a good mystery, romance, medical documentaries or the TV shows, CSI, Bones, Fringe, or Black Mirror, this is a book just for you. If you do not like these shows, this is still a book to be added to your “to be read” list. I cannot decide on a specific genre that it belongs to, but that’s ok, it appeals to all who love the time and effort an author has gone into to make a fascinating and compelling story.
VERDICT: 4****/5 A brilliant read, that both captivates and challenges your thinking. Well researched, and a thoroughly enjoyable book that deserves to be read and a bestseller.
The Word Whisperer Online
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews