Customer Reviews

The Sleeping Boy

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Barbara J. Stewart portrays "real" people - the main character, Annie, uses her intelligence and determination to solve the mystery while, on a personal level, Annie must deal with emotional, physiological and social stresses.

The intriguing plot of The Sleeping Boy takes us down uncharted pathways that causes the reader to question one's vulnerability at the whim of large corporations.

An exciting book by a new author - my husband and I, both, look forward to another.

The Sleeping Boy

This is an entertaining book about a multiple murder in a well-respected part of the town. The lead person (Lt. Anne Shannon) in the investigation must be very careful in her handling of the information and of the people she encounters as the story unfolds. Each new character is unique in their own way and has a story and background of their own. As we get deeper into the book, they all somehow have a part in piecing together not only the murder investigation but also the life of Lt. Anne Shannon. I found myself keeping a mental tally of the characters and all along, in my mind I was trying to fit them into the story like some type of puzzle. Interesting what a book can do. "The Sleeping Boy" is an excellent book and one worth spending some time with.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading "The Sleeping Boy"-a thinking person's mystery. It's an excellent bookclub selection because there are so many issues to be discussed. The book keeps you guessing till the surprise ending. Hard to believe it is a first book as the writing and details are top notch. I highly recommend reading this book.

Excellent Story, very descriptive. Written for the educated amoung us. I received it as a Christmas gift - read it by New years. Enjoyed it.

Emma the Cat discovers the murder-suicide of her owners and the 'sleeping boy' when all she wanted was someone to feed her. A unique entry into a complex thriller and some neat characters.

A strong first novel. I wonder what Barbara Stewart will come up with next?

The Sleeping Boy is the best mystery novel that I have read in a long time. It's a book that catches you up in the mystery but as a reader I related most strongly to the three female characters. They remind me of me and my friends. As one reads the book you are faced with questioning your ethics and what is... or is about to happen. The issues are ones we are all going to have to face in our live time and should care about very deeply. I'll watch the news with a new prespective after this!

I read this book so my wife would stop going-on about it.
It was excellent, she was right. Now, I'm afraid I'm doing the same thing. It was interesting for me to read a book with so much insight on the womans perspective. Not all romantic. Intellegent, complicated, intense. Damn good read.

This is one of the best novels I've read in years. What a good buy ! As soon as I finished it I gave it to my neighbor to read so that we could talk about it. She loved it as much as I did, but for different reasons. I was swept into this world of intrigue by the characters that were so well described. My neighbor felt it was the sharpest suspense novel she's ever read. It's not at all the usual cookie-cutter mystery. This is a unique story & way of writing. We will be watching for another novel by Stewart.
P.S. I have bought two more to give as Christmas presents.

Finally a thinking person's thriller with characters that are totally believable and ones with whom you would love to spend more time. You honestly care about Annie which makes the ending that much more moving. This book should provide fodder for some very lively discussions at book clubs everywhere.

I was intrigued by Barbara J. Stewart's first novel. I loved the way she starts her book with a "nonchalant" cat who expects to be fed on demand but has no one to welcome her that particular morning. The mystery unfolds first in the eyes of the cat, taking you through a silent house where slowly the reader discovers that the entire family is dead. Or are they. The child, one boy seemed to have survived the murder attempt, but at what cost? Who killed who and who committed suicide and why? After all, this was an affluent and influential family.

The police investigation starts with a lot of assumptions and the truth in the end is not what one expected. The main character, a middle age menopausal women called "Annie" by friends and who has been in the police force for years is taken into the investigation with an unexpected intensity and passion. The "Malick" case will trigger emotions and uncover secrets she would rather have not dealt with. Barbara J. Stewart depicts Annie and her connections with other characters in the novel very powerfully. Every middle age women reading this novel will certainly relate to Annie.
I liked reading the book very much from beginning to the end. Congratulations Ms. Stewart for your first novel.
I look forward to your next one.