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Mississippi #3
Dead Sleep
Jordan Glass, a photojournalist on a well-earned vacation, wanders into a Hong Kong art museum and is puzzled to find fellow patrons eyeing her with curiosity. Minutes later, she stumbles upon a gallery containing a one-artist exhibition called "The Sleeping Women," a mysterious series of paintings that has caused a sensation in the world of modern art. Collectors have come to believe that the canvases depict female nudes not in sleep but in death, and they command millions at auction. When Jordan approaches the last work in the series, she freezes. The face in the painting seems to be her own.
This unsettling event hurls her back into a nightmare she has fought desperately to put behind her—for, in fact, the face in the painting belongs not to Jordan but to her twin sister, murdered one year ago. At the urging of the FBI, Jordan becomes both hunter and hunted in a duel with the anonymous artist, a gifted murderer who knows the secret history of Jordan's family, and truths that even she has never had the courage to face.
This unsettling event hurls her back into a nightmare she has fought desperately to put behind her—for, in fact, the face in the painting belongs not to Jordan but to her twin sister, murdered one year ago. At the urging of the FBI, Jordan becomes both hunter and hunted in a duel with the anonymous artist, a gifted murderer who knows the secret history of Jordan's family, and truths that even she has never had the courage to face.
452 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
1022 people are currently reading
4410 people want to read
About the author
Greg Iles
122 books7,203 followersGreg Iles spent most of his life in Natchez, Mississippi. His first novel, Spandau
Phoenix, was the first of seventeen New York Times bestsellers. His Natchez
Burning trilogy continued the story of Penn Cage, the protagonist of The Quiet Game,
Turning Angel, and #1 New York Times bestseller The Devil’s Punchbowl. Iles’s novels have been made into films and published in more than thirty-five countries. He was a
member of the lit-rock group The Rock Bottom Remainders.
Phoenix, was the first of seventeen New York Times bestsellers. His Natchez
Burning trilogy continued the story of Penn Cage, the protagonist of The Quiet Game,
Turning Angel, and #1 New York Times bestseller The Devil’s Punchbowl. Iles’s novels have been made into films and published in more than thirty-five countries. He was a
member of the lit-rock group The Rock Bottom Remainders.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 771 reviews
July 9, 2017
Great thriller/mystery opening as Jordan Glass, photo journalist happens upon an exhibition in a Hong Kong museum, where she feels inexplicably unwelcome and noticed. The paintings - a series of 'Sleeping Women', in which the artist has gradually changed his style from the abstract to naturalism, is increasingly disturbing as in the later works, the feeling that the models are actually dead, rather than sleeping, creeps in. Jordan plunges from uneasiness to close panic, as one of the last paintings is of herself. Or rather, of her identical twin sister, missing for some months. She contacts the FBI, where the investigation into that disappearance has gone stale - but with the new development, it goes into full gear.
The book's a real page turner, and as long as you're willing to suspend disbelief - some - you will have a good time. I had some small troubles with the picturing of Jordan, I like the character, but some of her traits and reasoning feels an awful lot of male picturing of female sexuality (for example). And, as far sexuality goes, I had more than a little troubles with the strange and contradictory view on homosexuality. It feels a lot more abundant in this quite small cast of characters when compared to society as a whole and it is prescribed an awful lot of significance. Add that one of the characters 'became' gay due to sexual abuse in her youth and that another (male) is described as having 'sea-green eyes' "in a shade I have previously only seen in a woman".
I was undecided about the ending - the good part is that it wasn't outrageously unprobable given the information we had. On the other hand, it is kind of far-fetched in any other respect.
Borderline 4, it will work fine on the beach or in the hammock, but you have to silence some objections along the way.
The book's a real page turner, and as long as you're willing to suspend disbelief - some - you will have a good time. I had some small troubles with the picturing of Jordan, I like the character, but some of her traits and reasoning feels an awful lot of male picturing of female sexuality (for example). And, as far sexuality goes, I had more than a little troubles with the strange and contradictory view on homosexuality. It feels a lot more abundant in this quite small cast of characters when compared to society as a whole and it is prescribed an awful lot of significance. Add that one of the characters 'became' gay due to sexual abuse in her youth and that another (male) is described as having 'sea-green eyes' "in a shade I have previously only seen in a woman".
I was undecided about the ending - the good part is that it wasn't outrageously unprobable given the information we had. On the other hand, it is kind of far-fetched in any other respect.
Borderline 4, it will work fine on the beach or in the hammock, but you have to silence some objections along the way.
May 11, 2019
This is a long but intriguing mystery/thriller read. Jordan Glass, protagonist, photojournalist and truly living with life’s hard knocks. I found her a lot difficult to engage with, despite her optimism.
There are also many aspects of this novel you need to take ‘with a pinch of salt’ or as the author would have it, creative license. There are some implausible moments, unrealistic manoeuvrings and timeline problems but the overall concept is well-crafted. Quite a mystery, with many twists (as long as you’re okay with a bit of deviation from what would really happen, i.e. regarding FBI procedures,etc). Overall, it’s worth the extended read.
There are also many aspects of this novel you need to take ‘with a pinch of salt’ or as the author would have it, creative license. There are some implausible moments, unrealistic manoeuvrings and timeline problems but the overall concept is well-crafted. Quite a mystery, with many twists (as long as you’re okay with a bit of deviation from what would really happen, i.e. regarding FBI procedures,etc). Overall, it’s worth the extended read.
June 17, 2020
I like this author. This book is the 14th one, written by him, that I've read. I like his writing style, his character development, and the suspense that he builds. He can create a great story with plenty of intrigue. There was a dark edge to this one that hooked me from early on as the plot began to unfold. I was IN.
I liked the MC. She shined in this one. I liked too, that her personality was unique. But I had to laugh that her outward appearance was so similar to so many other female leads.....good looking, had guys throwing themselves at her, yada, yada yada. But the creative plot twists made up for that. This was a page turner for me....4 stars.
I liked the MC. She shined in this one. I liked too, that her personality was unique. But I had to laugh that her outward appearance was so similar to so many other female leads.....good looking, had guys throwing themselves at her, yada, yada yada. But the creative plot twists made up for that. This was a page turner for me....4 stars.
October 23, 2017
This is my first Greg Iles book - how did I miss his work? A great thriller and I loved the premise of the story set in the art world around a group of paintings of nude women, exhibited in Hong Kong, that everyone is trying to decide whether the women are alive are dead. The paintings are by an anonymous artist and are commanding huge sums of money. I really enjoyed it.
September 3, 2010
While in Hong Kong, photojournalist Jordan Glass wanders into an exhibit of paintings called "The Sleeping Women," and is unable to imagine why her presence is causing such a stir among the patrons and staff of the museum. The paintings alone are unsettling, because it appears to her trained eye that the women are not merely sleeping but are, in fact, dead. And then Jordan gets the shock of her life when she sees her own mirror image staring lifelessly back at her from one of the paintings.
More than a year ago, Jordan's twin sister, Jane, was kidnapped near her home in New Orleans, one of a string of women to be abducted in the city. None of the women, Jane included, has ever been seen again and now the victims have surfaced in this series of paintings, which are selling for upwards of a million dollars apiece. But who is the artist, and what has become of the women he has abducted and used as his models?
Jordan's discovery is the first major break in the case, and the FBI suggests that they might use Jordan to bait the killer into revealing himself. Haunted by the memory of her lost sister, Jordan readily agrees and soon finds herself at the center of a complex and absorbing investigation.
This is, really, a first-rate, complex, psychological thriller that grabs you from the opening chapter and keeps you enthralled through the final sentence. The characters are well-imagined and expertly fleshed out. The plot is taut and gripping and the action is well staged. It's hard to imagine that any fan of crime fiction would not be immediately seduced by this book.
More than a year ago, Jordan's twin sister, Jane, was kidnapped near her home in New Orleans, one of a string of women to be abducted in the city. None of the women, Jane included, has ever been seen again and now the victims have surfaced in this series of paintings, which are selling for upwards of a million dollars apiece. But who is the artist, and what has become of the women he has abducted and used as his models?
Jordan's discovery is the first major break in the case, and the FBI suggests that they might use Jordan to bait the killer into revealing himself. Haunted by the memory of her lost sister, Jordan readily agrees and soon finds herself at the center of a complex and absorbing investigation.
This is, really, a first-rate, complex, psychological thriller that grabs you from the opening chapter and keeps you enthralled through the final sentence. The characters are well-imagined and expertly fleshed out. The plot is taut and gripping and the action is well staged. It's hard to imagine that any fan of crime fiction would not be immediately seduced by this book.
September 14, 2019
One of Greg's earlier books, he introduces two characters that will later play an important role in the Natchez Burning trilogy, Jordan Glass and Agent John Kaiser. Jordan is far from typical as is Kaiser, the traits of well thought out characters. A rather unique spin to a crime story, various possibilities for motive and suspects fly, as the 'crescendo' of momentum builds. As I've stated in previous reviews of this author, he's mastered momentum building and utilizes this skill within the context.
That said, the biggest difference between this book and others, is a tinge of predictability in the outcome, something I hadn't experienced in his other stories. Regardless, its well crafted, engaging and definitely worth reading if suspense and crime are the sort of stories you enjoy.
I'd rate the book 3.5 stars were the system to allow it. Enjoy!
That said, the biggest difference between this book and others, is a tinge of predictability in the outcome, something I hadn't experienced in his other stories. Regardless, its well crafted, engaging and definitely worth reading if suspense and crime are the sort of stories you enjoy.
I'd rate the book 3.5 stars were the system to allow it. Enjoy!
July 7, 2016
A superb thriller that had you enthralled to the last page.
October 15, 2020
This book started off slow for me, but after about 50 pages I started getting invested in the mystery of the paintings. Even though I didn't like the main character, like at all, at that point I wanted to know who was behind it and why the create the paintings. However, the ending was too unbelievable for me.
2.5 stars
2.5 stars
April 11, 2010
Others have already gone over the finer points of the story in their reviews, so I'll concentrate on the writing itself. Iles definitely knows how to create unique crimes and the characters who commit them - the methods and scenarios he utilized for the villain(s) of the piece were unlike any that I had read about before.
Iles' weakness, then, isn't in the overall story-telling in this case, but lies in the fact that at times, he telegraphs his punches too much - the foreshadowing used in some scenes had all the subtlety of an anvil falling from the sky and hitting a cartoon character on the head.
Then, too, the romance element in the story felt, at times, entirely too rushed, not nearly developed enough, and even somewhat not-in-keeping with the main character and what she'd gone through. My last quibble is with the fact that Iles' main character - a photographer - was allowed to outsmart the entire FBI many different times throughout the book, and that she was basically given free reign to participate in (and even take over, at times) the entire investigation.
That said, those points ultimately took a backseat to the fact that the story itself is incredibly interesting, and is full of twists. It incorporates family drama, the long-term effects of war, terminal illness, psychological disorders, the art world, murder, and the list goes on and on. Iles successfully managed to juggle each of those elements, and wove them into a coherent, (mostly) well-plotted, intelligent thriller.
The book is not perfect, but it is intriguing, and most readers should find the reading of it to be time well spent.
Iles' weakness, then, isn't in the overall story-telling in this case, but lies in the fact that at times, he telegraphs his punches too much - the foreshadowing used in some scenes had all the subtlety of an anvil falling from the sky and hitting a cartoon character on the head.
Then, too, the romance element in the story felt, at times, entirely too rushed, not nearly developed enough, and even somewhat not-in-keeping with the main character and what she'd gone through. My last quibble is with the fact that Iles' main character - a photographer - was allowed to outsmart the entire FBI many different times throughout the book, and that she was basically given free reign to participate in (and even take over, at times) the entire investigation.
That said, those points ultimately took a backseat to the fact that the story itself is incredibly interesting, and is full of twists. It incorporates family drama, the long-term effects of war, terminal illness, psychological disorders, the art world, murder, and the list goes on and on. Iles successfully managed to juggle each of those elements, and wove them into a coherent, (mostly) well-plotted, intelligent thriller.
The book is not perfect, but it is intriguing, and most readers should find the reading of it to be time well spent.
November 4, 2011
I know there are so many things that can be talked about in this book but the ending for me was one of the best endings I've read in a long time. I enjoyed the ride it took to get to the end. I won't give anything away from the actual story or plot but... this author, Iles, has not disappointed me yet.
Read
July 7, 2020DNF @30%
I couldn’t, for all the money in the world, listen to another minute of this audiobook narrator!
Horrible horrible horrible!
What a shame, I rather enjoyed the author’s Cemetery Road (with a great narrator!).
I couldn’t, for all the money in the world, listen to another minute of this audiobook narrator!
Horrible horrible horrible!
What a shame, I rather enjoyed the author’s Cemetery Road (with a great narrator!).
April 14, 2015
Ugh, just more misogyny. Stop writing as a woman, Greg Iles; you're incredibly bad at it.
February 4, 2008
Greg Iles has spoiled me with Mortal Fear.
Every novel I read by him now has the unenviable task of having to measure up to what I consider his best work. Regardless of whether it stands up in the face of this scrutiny, He can't seem to write a bad novel. He is as good if not better than any of the "masters of suspense" diluting the market today. Dead Sleep is a clever thriller in which
a world class photojournalist (a woman, written in the first person) who is haunted both by the disappearance of her father in Cambodia, and the recent abduction of her twin sister.
The Sleeping Women is the name of a series of paintings depicting nude women who appear either asleep or dead. When she inadvertently discovers the series at an exhibit, she is shocked at the mirror image of herself in one of them. Welcome to the first 10 pages.
Iles pulls us through the investigation at a good pace towards the inevitable climax, but there was something with this story I really didn't buy into. I can't really see a civilian being so privy to
an FBI investigation much less being permitted access into a dangerous situation to grab a set of car keys.
Nonetheless, Dead Sleep is standard fare in the sea of
suspense-thrillers, and even if it didn't
have the little snippets of brilliance that stopped me in Mortal Fear, it's never a waste of time to read this guy.
Every novel I read by him now has the unenviable task of having to measure up to what I consider his best work. Regardless of whether it stands up in the face of this scrutiny, He can't seem to write a bad novel. He is as good if not better than any of the "masters of suspense" diluting the market today. Dead Sleep is a clever thriller in which
a world class photojournalist (a woman, written in the first person) who is haunted both by the disappearance of her father in Cambodia, and the recent abduction of her twin sister.
The Sleeping Women is the name of a series of paintings depicting nude women who appear either asleep or dead. When she inadvertently discovers the series at an exhibit, she is shocked at the mirror image of herself in one of them. Welcome to the first 10 pages.
Iles pulls us through the investigation at a good pace towards the inevitable climax, but there was something with this story I really didn't buy into. I can't really see a civilian being so privy to
an FBI investigation much less being permitted access into a dangerous situation to grab a set of car keys.
Nonetheless, Dead Sleep is standard fare in the sea of
suspense-thrillers, and even if it didn't
have the little snippets of brilliance that stopped me in Mortal Fear, it's never a waste of time to read this guy.
May 19, 2021
I know I read this when it came out 20 years ago, but I had no memory of it. Turns out that’s because this isn’t Greg Iles’ best work. It’s an okay story but not the page turner I’m used to with his books. Still a nice vacation read, though.
March 13, 2019
Another Great read by Greg Iles, lots of twist and turns... Would make a Awesome Movie!!!
August 1, 2024
It was a good ride but it would have been even better if Jordan and John did not get intimate.
November 3, 2025
It has been quite a few years since I read a noir where women are the target. The story is okay, the lead character is good. She's a war photographer. The male characters are all, even the lead, either mansplaining or arrogant jerks.
Why did I finish it ? The art has the main plot points was interesting and I had never read Iles. Since he passed away, I wanted to give it a try, I got it from my library. The French translation was bad.
Why did I finish it ? The art has the main plot points was interesting and I had never read Iles. Since he passed away, I wanted to give it a try, I got it from my library. The French translation was bad.
March 14, 2013
I wish I could give this one three and a half stars, because for me it only misses the four star mark by a small margin! Primarily because of its extremely contrived and silly stuff that follows the main resolution. Sorry, he just took it a step too far.
Still, the remainder of the novel has some really neat Hannibal Lectorish moments, some artsy fartsy characters, and enough suspects to confuse even the most careful reader.
The story begins when photographer Jordan Glass enters an art museum in Asia only to create a stir when she is a dead ringer for one of the figures in a series of pictures called "The Sleeping Women" in which a nude woman is in repose and it is uncertain whether she is dead or alive. Of course, Jordan knows she is not the model for the picture, but more likely, her kidnapped sister, missing for more than a year. Soon, she is intertwinned with a number of FBI agents and odd characters, many of whom are suspects in the seriel kidnappings and probably murder of these women.
Iles builds the suspense well and does a fantastic job of painting Jordan and Jane's twin relationship in both bright and dark colors. Jordan has done some things to her twin sister that bring shame and avenging her murder becomes priority for her. The characterization of most of the characters in this novel is very, very, good.
The one thing I didn't like was the explicit sexual relationmship between Jordan and the FBI agent.. It just felt very contrived and out of place. For them to be thrown together and fall in love is one thing, the torrid sexual affair just seemed poorly constructed and thrown together to add page count.
The pyschology of the suspects is very interesting and when the bad guy is revealed the reader is treated to a background story that is shocking and sad, explaining the evil the man is involved in.
A good story, with the exception of the after-resolution resolution.
Still, the remainder of the novel has some really neat Hannibal Lectorish moments, some artsy fartsy characters, and enough suspects to confuse even the most careful reader.
The story begins when photographer Jordan Glass enters an art museum in Asia only to create a stir when she is a dead ringer for one of the figures in a series of pictures called "The Sleeping Women" in which a nude woman is in repose and it is uncertain whether she is dead or alive. Of course, Jordan knows she is not the model for the picture, but more likely, her kidnapped sister, missing for more than a year. Soon, she is intertwinned with a number of FBI agents and odd characters, many of whom are suspects in the seriel kidnappings and probably murder of these women.
Iles builds the suspense well and does a fantastic job of painting Jordan and Jane's twin relationship in both bright and dark colors. Jordan has done some things to her twin sister that bring shame and avenging her murder becomes priority for her. The characterization of most of the characters in this novel is very, very, good.
The one thing I didn't like was the explicit sexual relationmship between Jordan and the FBI agent.. It just felt very contrived and out of place. For them to be thrown together and fall in love is one thing, the torrid sexual affair just seemed poorly constructed and thrown together to add page count.
The pyschology of the suspects is very interesting and when the bad guy is revealed the reader is treated to a background story that is shocking and sad, explaining the evil the man is involved in.
A good story, with the exception of the after-resolution resolution.
February 24, 2022
¡Excelente libro!
Desde que leí el primer libro de Greg Iles en el año 2000, mi corazón se quedó prendado de tan grandioso escritor. Su prosa emociona y te llena de suspenso desde el primero, hasta el último suspiro.
En Sueño Mortal, Jordan Glass, nos llevará por una intensa lucha contra el reloj, tras percatarse, a través de una exposición, llamada: "Mujeres durmiendo" donde aparentemente las mujeres están muertas, pero que una de las mujeres, es identica a ella.
Siendo así, inicia una exhaustiva investigación que trascenderá fronteras, entre Estados Unidos y Hong Kong. La tensión y el suspenso aumentan vertiginosamente, tras querer descifrar el acertijo, para descubrir qué fue lo que sucedió con su hermana melliza.
Resoné de forma especial con este libro, porque cuando uno es gemelo, existe una conexión y un deseo profundo, por tratar por todos los medios, que tu hermano y esa otra parte de ti, estén bien. Que su integridad física, mental y emocional, prevalezcan, a pesar del difícil camino, al que Jordan, tuvo que enfrentarse, en el caso de ir hasta lo más profundo, para saber si su hermana estaba viva o muerta.
Un thriller electrizante, que me dejó sin aliento y que a veces incluso hacía que se me secara la garganta y que me temblara la mano, tras avanzar a lo largo de sus páginas.
Le doy 4 estrellas, (en lugar de 5), porque aunque me enganchó y fascinó, creo que la historia pudo compactarse un poco, creo que 380 páginas, fueron demasiadas y que la historia pudo contarse en menos páginas.
El final representó un tremendo climax, donde no podía parar de leer, tras el suspenso y la angustia de llegar a su fabuloso desenlace.
Qué increíble la imaginación de los escritores para crear una trama con un ritmo tan adictivo y con una complejidad y riqueza, como la plasmada por Iles, en esta obra de descubrimiento, tensión, energía y suspenso insuperables.
Desde que leí el primer libro de Greg Iles en el año 2000, mi corazón se quedó prendado de tan grandioso escritor. Su prosa emociona y te llena de suspenso desde el primero, hasta el último suspiro.
En Sueño Mortal, Jordan Glass, nos llevará por una intensa lucha contra el reloj, tras percatarse, a través de una exposición, llamada: "Mujeres durmiendo" donde aparentemente las mujeres están muertas, pero que una de las mujeres, es identica a ella.
Siendo así, inicia una exhaustiva investigación que trascenderá fronteras, entre Estados Unidos y Hong Kong. La tensión y el suspenso aumentan vertiginosamente, tras querer descifrar el acertijo, para descubrir qué fue lo que sucedió con su hermana melliza.
Resoné de forma especial con este libro, porque cuando uno es gemelo, existe una conexión y un deseo profundo, por tratar por todos los medios, que tu hermano y esa otra parte de ti, estén bien. Que su integridad física, mental y emocional, prevalezcan, a pesar del difícil camino, al que Jordan, tuvo que enfrentarse, en el caso de ir hasta lo más profundo, para saber si su hermana estaba viva o muerta.
Un thriller electrizante, que me dejó sin aliento y que a veces incluso hacía que se me secara la garganta y que me temblara la mano, tras avanzar a lo largo de sus páginas.
Le doy 4 estrellas, (en lugar de 5), porque aunque me enganchó y fascinó, creo que la historia pudo compactarse un poco, creo que 380 páginas, fueron demasiadas y que la historia pudo contarse en menos páginas.
El final representó un tremendo climax, donde no podía parar de leer, tras el suspenso y la angustia de llegar a su fabuloso desenlace.
Qué increíble la imaginación de los escritores para crear una trama con un ritmo tan adictivo y con una complejidad y riqueza, como la plasmada por Iles, en esta obra de descubrimiento, tensión, energía y suspenso insuperables.
February 22, 2015
1.5 stars
Overall I found myself disappointed by Dead Sleep. In the beginning I enjoyed Jordan Glass, the main character, though by the end I did not necessarily recognize her. Glass was a strong, aloof, distrusting female character that suddenly became very forthcoming and chatty person whenever she was in a room with the FBI or anyone else it seemed. The person Glass was in the opening simply did not coincide with the chatterbox we encountered throughout in random spurts.
I also found myself bored by large blocks of dialogue discussing suspects and situation details, it quite reminded me of having to sit through Law & Order or some show like it (I am not a fan). The dialogue overall felt forced much of the time and just did nothing for me. You would think with the amount of dialogue and details Iles put in the mix that the plot would be fast paced and exciting, but I found myself bored.
I felt as though the relationship that developed between Glass and one of the agents was entirely unnecessary and thrown in there to spice up the plot or something along those lines. The sex scenes were annoying and completely unnecessary rather than adding anything to the plot or relationship.
The ending was also far-fetched and bit in the clouds, but I wasn't surprised and I was entirely uninterested at that point to care.
Overall I found myself disappointed by Dead Sleep. In the beginning I enjoyed Jordan Glass, the main character, though by the end I did not necessarily recognize her. Glass was a strong, aloof, distrusting female character that suddenly became very forthcoming and chatty person whenever she was in a room with the FBI or anyone else it seemed. The person Glass was in the opening simply did not coincide with the chatterbox we encountered throughout in random spurts.
I also found myself bored by large blocks of dialogue discussing suspects and situation details, it quite reminded me of having to sit through Law & Order or some show like it (I am not a fan). The dialogue overall felt forced much of the time and just did nothing for me. You would think with the amount of dialogue and details Iles put in the mix that the plot would be fast paced and exciting, but I found myself bored.
I felt as though the relationship that developed between Glass and one of the agents was entirely unnecessary and thrown in there to spice up the plot or something along those lines. The sex scenes were annoying and completely unnecessary rather than adding anything to the plot or relationship.
The ending was also far-fetched and bit in the clouds, but I wasn't surprised and I was entirely uninterested at that point to care.
June 18, 2015
Not the worst book I've ever read but pretty crappy. I was on vacation in another country, had finished the book I brought with me and plucked this one off of my hosts' bookshelves. Finished reading it because of some warped sense that I should (and maybe hoping it would redeem itself). The split personality plot device is one that is seldom used successfully, in my humble opinion. This wasn't one of those times.
August 10, 2015
It was annoying that the book was so suspenseful that I couldn't put it down, yet I ended up thinking the plot was stupid and implausible, and he made one major error in the middle. I hate that.
But I can't resist the plug anyway for book buyers Inc. in Mountain View. I got this book through their "blind date with a book program." The book is wrapped in plain brown paper and you get only a skeleton description. Very cute idea.
But I can't resist the plug anyway for book buyers Inc. in Mountain View. I got this book through their "blind date with a book program." The book is wrapped in plain brown paper and you get only a skeleton description. Very cute idea.
December 15, 2018
How have I never read any Greg Iles? What an oversight. While this thriller wasn't necessarily woven around my favorite subject (the art world), it was well-crafted, well-written, and exciting. Actually, the first half was a little slow for me, but once Iles set the stage, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Lots of twists I didn't see coming. I look forward to reading more from this author.
February 17, 2017
My first Iles book - and it won't be my last. I've heard about this author for years, not sure why it took me so long to pick up one of his books.
March 20, 2020
Enjoyed the story. HATED the present simple. Weak final.
April 14, 2024
Interessante, scorrevole, originale e ti prende fino all'ultima pagina. Leggero' altri suoi libri, bravo Greg Iles.
June 19, 2024
"Todo lo que sé es que tengo que encontrarla. Muerta, viva, como sea. Es mi sangre y la quiero. Es así de sencillo. Tengo que encontrar a mi hermana"
Sueño mortal era uno de esos libros que llevaba mucho tiempo acumulando polvo. Me lo regalaron el año pasado y como buscaba algo innovador que leer, que me volara la cabeza, elegí este, quería/necesitaba algo fuerte después de terminar la saga after para salir de la extrañitis. Apenas leí la sinopsis porque quería adentrarme derecha en la historia y que me sorprendiera.
El trhiller es un genero del que disfruto mucho (cuando mi T.O.C me lo permite), y esa es la razón por la que no puedo leer este tipo de dinámicas muy seguido. Así que cuando lo hago es como paladear un sabor nuevo en la boca, la misma sensación exquisita y única. Una especie de fruta prohibida que siempre sé que sí o sí voy a disfrutar enormemente. Me la pasé bien elaborando las teorías más locas y sospechando de todos. Me imaginé cada escenario, experimenté cada emoción de los personajes, como si el escritor estuviera deslizando la pluma directamente dentro de mi cabeza.
El hilo está bien llevado en toda la historia, manteniendo la tensión y el misterio en todo momento. Los personajes se verán envueltos en una danza entre la justicia y la muerte.
La protagonista por su trabajo como fotógrafa, ha visto y vivido horrores. Por ende, todo lo que conlleva atrapar a un asesino no la convierte en una muchachita temblorosa, pero tampoco en una tonta que se lanza de cabeza al peligro. Es un personaje que demuestra fortalezas y debilidades muy bien equilibradas, y que resulta creíble. Conocemos su pasado y es una excelente fuente de información, tanto por los hechos en sí mismos como por sus razones para actuar como lo hace. Gran parte de lo que define a este personaje tiene que ver con su relación con su familia y su trabajo.
Un libro para aquellos lectores que gustan de casos policiales e incógnitas no resueltas. Su protagonista se siente atípica, y resulta refrescante. También cuenta con buenos secundarios —sobre todos los posibles malos—, y con una narración bien pulida. Si tenes la posibilidad, no dudes en leerlo.
Sueño mortal era uno de esos libros que llevaba mucho tiempo acumulando polvo. Me lo regalaron el año pasado y como buscaba algo innovador que leer, que me volara la cabeza, elegí este, quería/necesitaba algo fuerte después de terminar la saga after para salir de la extrañitis. Apenas leí la sinopsis porque quería adentrarme derecha en la historia y que me sorprendiera.
El trhiller es un genero del que disfruto mucho (cuando mi T.O.C me lo permite), y esa es la razón por la que no puedo leer este tipo de dinámicas muy seguido. Así que cuando lo hago es como paladear un sabor nuevo en la boca, la misma sensación exquisita y única. Una especie de fruta prohibida que siempre sé que sí o sí voy a disfrutar enormemente. Me la pasé bien elaborando las teorías más locas y sospechando de todos. Me imaginé cada escenario, experimenté cada emoción de los personajes, como si el escritor estuviera deslizando la pluma directamente dentro de mi cabeza.
El hilo está bien llevado en toda la historia, manteniendo la tensión y el misterio en todo momento. Los personajes se verán envueltos en una danza entre la justicia y la muerte.
La protagonista por su trabajo como fotógrafa, ha visto y vivido horrores. Por ende, todo lo que conlleva atrapar a un asesino no la convierte en una muchachita temblorosa, pero tampoco en una tonta que se lanza de cabeza al peligro. Es un personaje que demuestra fortalezas y debilidades muy bien equilibradas, y que resulta creíble. Conocemos su pasado y es una excelente fuente de información, tanto por los hechos en sí mismos como por sus razones para actuar como lo hace. Gran parte de lo que define a este personaje tiene que ver con su relación con su familia y su trabajo.
Un libro para aquellos lectores que gustan de casos policiales e incógnitas no resueltas. Su protagonista se siente atípica, y resulta refrescante. También cuenta con buenos secundarios —sobre todos los posibles malos—, y con una narración bien pulida. Si tenes la posibilidad, no dudes en leerlo.
July 29, 2023
This was a 3rd in a series but luckily it could be read as a stand alone. I listened to the audiobook. It was read by Susie Breck. She was ok. Again this was another reader where I didn't like her "male" voice but overall she was serviceable and she was excellent as the protoganist Jordan Glass.
I liked the story well enough. Photojournalist, Jordan Glass stumbles upon the painting of her dead sister in Hong Kong. Realizing it's part of a series of paintings known as the Sleeping Women. With the help of the FBI and agent John Kaiser and the local New Orleans police, Jordan is on a mission to find her dead sister and help the FBI catch the killer. I did like the little bit of romance in the story and the joke about Silence of the Lambs. I literally was thinking about Silence of the Lambs at the beginning of the story.
The ending was too fantastic and unreasonable. I just kept thinking how is the FBI going to explain this.
I liked the story well enough. Photojournalist, Jordan Glass stumbles upon the painting of her dead sister in Hong Kong. Realizing it's part of a series of paintings known as the Sleeping Women. With the help of the FBI and agent John Kaiser and the local New Orleans police, Jordan is on a mission to find her dead sister and help the FBI catch the killer. I did like the little bit of romance in the story and the joke about Silence of the Lambs. I literally was thinking about Silence of the Lambs at the beginning of the story.
The ending was too fantastic and unreasonable. I just kept thinking how is the FBI going to explain this.
September 13, 2020
I was torn between giving this book 4 or 5 stars and settled on 4.
This was the first book I have read of Greg Iles and I will definitely be looking to get another soon.
The only reason I don't give this 5 stars is because sometimes i felt there was to much conversation. Chapters at a time were 1 conversation so sometimes it felt a bit long winded.
What I loved about this book was the plot! OMG what a great plot for a thriller.
This is about Jordan Glass a photojournalist who visits an art gallery in Hong Kong. She gets strange looks and when she gets to a room full of paintings of what appear to be dead women she is looking at a painting of herself or her twin sister.
This is gripping from the very start and i just needed to know what happened.
I highly recommend this book, there are some parts that are incedibly shocking and some hard hitting points but if you like a good thriller with twists then give this a go.
This was the first book I have read of Greg Iles and I will definitely be looking to get another soon.
The only reason I don't give this 5 stars is because sometimes i felt there was to much conversation. Chapters at a time were 1 conversation so sometimes it felt a bit long winded.
What I loved about this book was the plot! OMG what a great plot for a thriller.
This is about Jordan Glass a photojournalist who visits an art gallery in Hong Kong. She gets strange looks and when she gets to a room full of paintings of what appear to be dead women she is looking at a painting of herself or her twin sister.
This is gripping from the very start and i just needed to know what happened.
I highly recommend this book, there are some parts that are incedibly shocking and some hard hitting points but if you like a good thriller with twists then give this a go.
June 9, 2024
4 stars
Greg Iles is very good at his work. I enjoy his writing. This is quite a page-turner.
The story, however, had a few problems. Most of them are based on the main character Jordan Glass, a photojournalist who stumbled on an art exhibit called "The Sleeping Women." One of the paintings is of her missing twin sister. Are all the subjects dead? Did the anonymous painter abduct and kill all these women?
It is refreshing to read a smart, female protagonist, but the plot was a bit disjointed.
Other reviews mention the photographer becoming "smarter" than a room full of top FBI agents. She might have been smarter than them all along, but Iles doesn't really give us enough crumbs. I don't mind her becoming Sherlock Holmes. I'd just like to see the character fleshed out earlier.
Much like the last book I read, there is a disconnect between Act 2 and Act 3. I assume it's difficult for writers to head toward that final stretch. As a reader, an editor, my answer is to remove most of the mud. As a writer, I can't imagine the struggle. Are there enough clues? Enough red herrings? That's frightening.
Anyway, this was good. It's not perfect, but it's a really good read. Like I said, it is a real page-turner.
Greg Iles is very good at his work. I enjoy his writing. This is quite a page-turner.
The story, however, had a few problems. Most of them are based on the main character Jordan Glass, a photojournalist who stumbled on an art exhibit called "The Sleeping Women." One of the paintings is of her missing twin sister. Are all the subjects dead? Did the anonymous painter abduct and kill all these women?
It is refreshing to read a smart, female protagonist, but the plot was a bit disjointed.
Other reviews mention the photographer becoming "smarter" than a room full of top FBI agents. She might have been smarter than them all along, but Iles doesn't really give us enough crumbs. I don't mind her becoming Sherlock Holmes. I'd just like to see the character fleshed out earlier.
Much like the last book I read, there is a disconnect between Act 2 and Act 3. I assume it's difficult for writers to head toward that final stretch. As a reader, an editor, my answer is to remove most of the mud. As a writer, I can't imagine the struggle. Are there enough clues? Enough red herrings? That's frightening.
Anyway, this was good. It's not perfect, but it's a really good read. Like I said, it is a real page-turner.
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