This novel, the debut by Tom Grieves, is just brilliant. One of those rare gems that mess with your head and leave you feeling exhausted. I loved it! Easy to read because it was impossible to put down, I steamed through the story in just 3 nights of reading and am now feeling somewhat light-headed, as well as champing at the bit to see what else this man will produce. SLEEPWALKERS has already been optioned for film or television and it definitely has the potential to be a first-rate movie.

Ben is a happily married man and leads a pretty boring life. Toby is a troubled teen who doesn't get on very well with his peers at school and has strangely over-protective parents. Both seemingly unconnected individuals suffer from disturbing dreams and wake up in the morning covered in cuts and bruises, suffering from severe pain. Ben eventually cracks, as he believes he is going crazy, and is taken away by the proverbial "men in white coats" for his own "safety". Toby, meanwhile, tried to jump off the school roof and is then kept away from school by his parents, again for "safety" reasons. Except they both manage to escape and meet up, weirdly recognizing each other and determined to find out what has been happening to them. Not knowing what memories are real, which people they can trust and whether their waking reality is better than their sleeping one, they set off on a mad chase across the British countryside, assisted by Toby's teacher, Anna, and with the distinct feeling that their every move is being watched. Closely.

If, like me, you love books that draw you in and freak you out, this one is for you!

Extremely highly recommended.

Amanda C M Gillies, Scotland
April 2013