Sleepyhead by Mark Billingham

Sleepyhead (Thomas Thorne) (Tom Thorne)

by Mark Billingham

A stunning 20th anniversary paperback edition of the groundbreaking first Tom Thorne novel, a case that changed crime fiction forever . . .

Alison Willetts has survived a stroke, deliberately induced by a skilful manipulation of pressure points on the head and neck. She can see, hear and feel but she is completely unable to move or communicate. In leaving Alison Willetts alive, the police believe the killer's made his first mistake.

Then DI Tom Thorne discovers the horrifying truth: it isn't Alison who is the mistake, it's the three women already dead.

Thorne must find a killer whose agenda is disturbingly unique, and Alison, the one person who holds the key to the killer's identity, is unable to say anything . . .

'One of my favourite authors'
Harlan Coben

'A terrifically stylish debut novel'
Independent on Sunday

'The next superstar detective'
Lee Child

Reviewed by Mystereity Reviews on

4 of 5 stars

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Sleepyhead DI Tom Thorne joins a taskforce set up to investigate the murders of several young women who, despite having no risk factors, have died of strokes before being thoroughly washed and then dumped. A terrifying and riveting plot, one that will definitely stay with me for awhile. Although I really enjoyed it, I have to say that the sudden switching between characters with no warning dulled my enjoyment a bit. Although I got used to it after awhile, it continually jarred me from the book. Perhaps that was the point, a little psychological mind game in a psychological thriller. But still, in my opinion, it was the difference between a 5 star book and a 4 star book.Overall, a great read.

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  • Started reading
  • 30 June, 2015: Finished reading
  • 30 June, 2015: Reviewed