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Sleeping: An explosive British thriller
Being an infamous terrorist was the last thing on her mind when Louise set off for her gap year in Afghanistan…
Identified by an extremist group as ripe for grooming, she is lured to ‘meetings’ where she’s brainwashed and radicalised. Returning to the UK as a ‘Sleeper’, she is prepared to carry out unspeakable acts of terrorism.
Louise falls in love with a high-flying M.P., but remains loyal to ‘the cause’. Despite carrying out terrible acts, deep inside she believes that Islam is a kind and loving religion. Could she break through the fig of brainwashing before it was too late?
After committing a horrendous act, something snaps. For the first time in years, she could see her actions were wrong, could think for herself again. She refuses to carry out further acts and bitterly regrets everything she’s done, committing herself to spending her life promoting the good in Islam.
The group demand she carry out one final act, striking at the heart of the UK Government, her refusal is met with threats to her children.
As the pressure builds, will Louise buckle and agree to one last act, against everything she now believes in? Or will she come to her senses and come clean?
Identified by an extremist group as ripe for grooming, she is lured to ‘meetings’ where she’s brainwashed and radicalised. Returning to the UK as a ‘Sleeper’, she is prepared to carry out unspeakable acts of terrorism.
Louise falls in love with a high-flying M.P., but remains loyal to ‘the cause’. Despite carrying out terrible acts, deep inside she believes that Islam is a kind and loving religion. Could she break through the fig of brainwashing before it was too late?
After committing a horrendous act, something snaps. For the first time in years, she could see her actions were wrong, could think for herself again. She refuses to carry out further acts and bitterly regrets everything she’s done, committing herself to spending her life promoting the good in Islam.
The group demand she carry out one final act, striking at the heart of the UK Government, her refusal is met with threats to her children.
As the pressure builds, will Louise buckle and agree to one last act, against everything she now believes in? Or will she come to her senses and come clean?
343 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 21, 2021
4 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 1, 2022
I was intrigued to read this book as I enjoyed Evan’s previous first novel. I like an easy to read book which this book is. The short chapters make for easy reading. The characters come alive and you can relate to each character and their view points. At times the book is harrowing and has a few unexpected turns. There are only two typos in the book which is good. The subject matter will always be controversial but unfortunately this is the way of the world at this moment in time. Some sections I would have liked to have been explained better for instance I wondered how the alleged disappearance of her best friend was playing our behind the main story. I liked how it clearly explains that the Islamic religion is a peaceful religion with core values which is the same with many other religions and that people that do not want to learn Islam can get a very twisted view of it by way of radicalisation. Well written book and I look forward to what Evan is writing next.
September 28, 2021
I was sent a copy of this book for review.
Louise wants to make a difference on her gap year in Somalia but is targeted by an extremist group who radicalise her for the Islamic State. Her boyfriend shares his views on Islam and invites her to a secret meeting. What occurs there is her systemic conversion into being a sleeper agent. She is returned to the UK as her missions will involve bombing UK government targets.
Her sleeper cell contact tells her to get involved in politics and to ingratiate herself into that world as high up as she can go. Louise meets an up and coming MP, falls in love and marries him. While pregnant with their first child she is given her first assignment. Though Louise knows that Islam is a loving religion, her brainwashing back in Mogadishu has skewed her world view which allows her to carry out a horrendous bombing.
As the years go by her willingness and motivations to carry out future attacks wains slightly. But when someone close to her starts to suspect her involvement in the attacks, the action she is forced to take finally snaps her out of her erroneous beliefs to see the atrocities she committed for what they are – terrorism. Can she escape this double life and atone for her crimes? When faced with one final assignment that could cause serious mayhem for the UK government and kill many innocent lives, will backing out now result in consequences worse than anything she could ever imagine?
🌟🌟🌟🌟. Given current world realities this book really hit home how this situation can occur. It was hard to sympathise with Louise, even knowing she had been brainwashed, because of the awful things she commits. Her journey is one of shockingly harsh reality check when she finally sees what she has done and how it affected others. I appreciated the aspects of the story that emphasised that the Islamic faith is one of love and that it is the work of extremists that taint that religion by its heinous actions, much like other religious groups throughout history and today. The story made for tense and tough reading which was thought-provoking and saddening.
Louise wants to make a difference on her gap year in Somalia but is targeted by an extremist group who radicalise her for the Islamic State. Her boyfriend shares his views on Islam and invites her to a secret meeting. What occurs there is her systemic conversion into being a sleeper agent. She is returned to the UK as her missions will involve bombing UK government targets.
Her sleeper cell contact tells her to get involved in politics and to ingratiate herself into that world as high up as she can go. Louise meets an up and coming MP, falls in love and marries him. While pregnant with their first child she is given her first assignment. Though Louise knows that Islam is a loving religion, her brainwashing back in Mogadishu has skewed her world view which allows her to carry out a horrendous bombing.
As the years go by her willingness and motivations to carry out future attacks wains slightly. But when someone close to her starts to suspect her involvement in the attacks, the action she is forced to take finally snaps her out of her erroneous beliefs to see the atrocities she committed for what they are – terrorism. Can she escape this double life and atone for her crimes? When faced with one final assignment that could cause serious mayhem for the UK government and kill many innocent lives, will backing out now result in consequences worse than anything she could ever imagine?
🌟🌟🌟🌟. Given current world realities this book really hit home how this situation can occur. It was hard to sympathise with Louise, even knowing she had been brainwashed, because of the awful things she commits. Her journey is one of shockingly harsh reality check when she finally sees what she has done and how it affected others. I appreciated the aspects of the story that emphasised that the Islamic faith is one of love and that it is the work of extremists that taint that religion by its heinous actions, much like other religious groups throughout history and today. The story made for tense and tough reading which was thought-provoking and saddening.
October 31, 2024
A young British woman, Louise, goes to Afghanistan to do a twelve month voluntary aid programme. She gets close to one of the Muslim volunteers, and he encourages Louise to come to some 'meetings' with him. Louise has been brought up a church going Christian, but she secretly converts to Islam. Louise's year ends, and she comes home. She remains, outwardly, a Christian, but in her heart, she's a Muslim. She is also a sleeper for a terrorist organisation.
On returning home, Louise gets a job in local government. She also marries an ambitious man, who enters Parliament. Louise is called on three times to plant devices for the terrorists she works for. She believes her actions will get her Allah's blessings, but begins to doubt this when, after a night out, Louise attacks her best friend, Millie.
The first twp devices detonate and cause havoc and death. The third device she plants in the master bedroom of Number 10 Downing Street, and this will detonate during a Cabinet Meeting. By this time, Louise wants no more to do with the terrorist group, but she has to plant the third bomb, or her children will get hurt. Just before the third device detonates, Louise informs her security detail, but is too late.
She is arrested, and cooperates fully with the investigation. Louise loses a lot when the third bomb goes off, including her freedom. She neither wants or expects sympathy for her situation. She knows she's done wrong, and can't believe how gullible she's been over the years.
I really enjoyed this story. I really felt sorry for Louise, as her life changed for ever as a result of her actions. She lost so much because of her indoctrination/brainwashing. Even though I felt sorry for her, Louise had broken the law, mistakenly thinking she was furthering the cause of Islam. But, as one two of the characters point out, true Islam is a peaceful faith.
On returning home, Louise gets a job in local government. She also marries an ambitious man, who enters Parliament. Louise is called on three times to plant devices for the terrorists she works for. She believes her actions will get her Allah's blessings, but begins to doubt this when, after a night out, Louise attacks her best friend, Millie.
The first twp devices detonate and cause havoc and death. The third device she plants in the master bedroom of Number 10 Downing Street, and this will detonate during a Cabinet Meeting. By this time, Louise wants no more to do with the terrorist group, but she has to plant the third bomb, or her children will get hurt. Just before the third device detonates, Louise informs her security detail, but is too late.
She is arrested, and cooperates fully with the investigation. Louise loses a lot when the third bomb goes off, including her freedom. She neither wants or expects sympathy for her situation. She knows she's done wrong, and can't believe how gullible she's been over the years.
I really enjoyed this story. I really felt sorry for Louise, as her life changed for ever as a result of her actions. She lost so much because of her indoctrination/brainwashing. Even though I felt sorry for her, Louise had broken the law, mistakenly thinking she was furthering the cause of Islam. But, as one two of the characters point out, true Islam is a peaceful faith.
August 15, 2021
3.5 stars.
ARC from SRL Publishing.
A fast paced novel, packed with action (albeit a little far fetched at times). A proper page-turner!
ARC from SRL Publishing.
A fast paced novel, packed with action (albeit a little far fetched at times). A proper page-turner!
August 4, 2022
Great read, page turner, loved it.
September 6, 2023
Rather unusual but enthralling
I found this story easy to read as it was very well written. The subject matter was sort of turned around and it had me hooked
I found this story easy to read as it was very well written. The subject matter was sort of turned around and it had me hooked
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews