FICTION

The Innocent Sleep

Holt. Feb. 2014. 336p. ISBN 9780805098723. $26; ebk. ISBN 9780805098730. F
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OrangeReviewStarThis debut literary thriller opens with a terrible tragedy: a sudden earthquake in the Moroccan city of Tangiers kills Harry and Robin's only child, a young son, Dillon. Five years later, the couple have long since relocated to Ireland and are slowly becoming hopeful for their future. All seems well until Harry sees their son in the streets of Dublin—and with this glimpse, long-held secrets threaten to destroy Harry and Robin's new life. The novel, with alternating narratives from each spouse, investigates whether Dillon is truly alive, and if so, how. The breakneck pace of the narrative, which is spiced with the ingredients of deceit, infidelity, and secret lives, forms a gripping, well-written read. Perry is a pseudonym for the Dublin-based authors Paul Perry and Karen Gillece; this is the duo's debut project. Outside of their literary partnership, both authors have written several solo novels to much acclaim.
VERDICT This novel, with a premise that taps into the fears of every parent, is an entertaining thriller that fans of Tana French and Gillian Flynn will enjoy. [See Prepub Alert, 8/9/13.]
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