The Sleep Police [Paperback]

Jay Bonansinga (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 6, 2001

When police detective Frank Janus falls asleep...people die. Either a killer is playing mind games with him-or he's a killer himself-in this riveting new thriller from an author who "delivers the punch of early Spillane, the pace of The Fugitive, and the body count of a Schwarzeneggar epic." (Kirkus Reviews)

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Signet (March 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451202554
• ISBN-13: 978-0451202550
• Product Dimensions: 16 x 9.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,508,850 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good read, but not his best., April 26, 2001

By 

Jim Lay (Knoxville, TN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sleep Police (Paperback)

I really like Jay Bonansinga. From his first book, a horror novel called THE BLACK MARIAH, to his subsequent thrillers, I've watched a good writer approaching greatness. THE SLEEP POLICE is not his best work, I'm sorry to say, but it is a good read and I would recommended reading it. A detective investigates a series of brutal murders, known as "thumbsuckers" because the way the victims are positioned after death, but he comes up against a brick wall as he delves into the case. Strange messages appear and periods of black outs and fugues lead him to believe he himself may be the killer. Then things really heat up. Bonansinga kind of overplays his hand a bit here, which is surprising for such a small book. Towards the end it got so relentless and incredible, it sort of stretched believability for me. But it is a neat idea, and a fast moving thriller. Keep your eye on this author. He's one to watch.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun, exciting, elaborate, March 12, 2001

By 

"khurram750il" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sleep Police (Paperback)

This book is truly great! The first 30 pages really bring you in, and after that, this book is a ride! If you like police chases, and police cases, this book is for you, because it talks about police lives. A new murder reminded Janus of a cold case that almost ruined his career ten years ago, and may ruin it now...THIS BOOK IS AWESOME!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars To Sleep Perchance To Dream, August 18, 2002

By 

sweetmolly (RICHMOND, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sleep Police (Paperback)

That is what Detective Frank Janus does NOT want to do. Natty Frank is much admired by his fellow detectives, not just for his meteoric rise in the department, but for his abilities, his genuine kind good nature and his unfailing consideration for others. (I kept picturing someone who looks like a young George Stephanopolus).

There is a serial killer on the loose, and Frank knows he is heading for a nervous breakdown every time he looks at one of the victims. Something seems familiar and frightens him very badly. He has had a terrible childhood and has had psychiatric help in the past. He has blackouts and memory loss and terrible dreams. He fears he might be a case of multiple personalities. Is it possible, this vicious serial killer is Frank himself? Whatever it is, Frank is in thrall to something or someone. Even his name, Janus denotes the two-faced god,

"The Sleep Police" is one wild ride into the unknown. I really cannot analyze the plot; I was turning the pages too fast. Never mind that it goes from the improbable to the absolutely unbelievable. You signed on for the ride, so enjoy!

It 's a good book to read while unpleasant things are going on around you--a bumpy airplane ride, a kiddy birthday party, sitting around with the in-laws--all that will fade into the background while you wrestle with Frank's demons. "The Sleep Police" gives new meaning to the word "pot-boiler."