The Innocent Sleep

A Novel

De: Karen Perry

Narrado por: Aaron Abano, Michelle Ferguson

When a couple's lost child resurfaces they are forced to embark on a journey into their shared past - one rife with dark secrets and lies.

Tangiers. Harry is preparing his wife's birthday dinner while she is still at work and their son, Dillon, is upstairs asleep in bed. Harry suddenly remembers that he's left Robin's gift at the café in town. It's only a five minute walk away and Dillon's so tricky to put down for the night, so Harry decides to run out on his own and fetch the present.

Disaster strikes. An earthquake hits, buildings crumble, people scream and run. Harry fights his way through the crowd to his house, only to find it razed to the ground. Dillon is presumed dead, though his body is never found. Five years later, Harry and Robin have settled into a new kind of life after relocating to their native Dublin. Their grief will always be with them, but lately it feels as if they're ready for a new beginning. Harry's career as an artist is taking off and Robin has just realized that she's pregnant. But when Harry gets a glimpse of Dillon on the crowded streets of Dublin, the past comes rushing back at both of them. Has Dillon been alive all these years? Or was what Harry saw just a figment of his guilt-ridden imagination?

With razor-sharp writing, Karen Perry's The Innocent Sleep delivers a fast-paced, ingeniously plotted thriller brimming with deception, doubt, and betrayal.

©2014 Karen Perry (P)2014 Macmillan Audio

Intimate, complex and compelling

It took me a while to get into the flow of this book, but once I did, I was hooked. Listening with AirPods, the narration was difficult to understand on my morning walks. However, I eventually got accustomed to that, and allowed myself to become immersed in this intriguing story. The word pictures is Tangiers were especially rich. The story was… well, you’ll have to listen for yourself - it will be worth your while.

Feels more like an intimate conversation

This book feels more like an intimate conversation than a book. Two narrators makes the difference. Both are excellent. Much of this story takes place in and around Dublin. Having traveled to Dublin myself I was able to picture where the characters were. The narrators both sound like they are native Irish which I also enjoyed. I thought the first few chapters were difficult to get into and almost gave up. Really glad I didn't. The plot twists and turns. Just when you think you have it all figured out it twists again! it's a story about a marriage, tragedy, and suspense. Read it!

Suspenseful, beautiful and gripping

Would you consider the audio edition of The Innocent Sleep to be better than the print version?

I didn't read the print version.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Innocent Sleep?

Harry is so complex a character. He's flawed and yet deeply passionate about his son, his work and his wife. He gets so caught up in the moments of life that he fails to consider the consequences of his actions. This doesn't serve him well, and ultimately he pays an unbearable price for what seemed so harmless at the time.

What does Aaron Abano and Michelle Ferguson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrators absorbed each character so well, they could not have done a better job in portraying the mercurial nature of Harry and the stoic pragmatism of Robin. The minor characters are no exception. Aaron Abano especially voiced each personality in distinct and heartfelt dimensions.

Any additional comments?

Just get this book - you will want to sit and listen all the way through. That would be a mistake. This is one of those books that is better with time to ponder over what you heard. You will be surprised as the story develops and will enjoy every minute.

Oh what a tangled web we weave

This book is tedious. I only kept going to see how it all turned out and to see if I was right with my figuring it out 1/2 way through. I was. The ending twist was .... To keep from spoiling the end, I won't say. I can't get the hours back I listened so I will move on in hopes of a more to my taste book next go round.