Sleep No More by Susan Crandall

What if you were scared to fall asleep, afraid you might hurt someone?  Sleepwalking can have serious consequences.

Abby Whitman used to sleepwalk when she was younger.  One night, she started a fire in her sleep that burnt down the house and scarred her younger sister for life.  Now, Abby lives alone, running her flower shop and she is scared the sleepwalking has returned.  She blacks out and doesn’t remember any events prior to falling asleep.

One time, she woke up in the middle of the night in her van, which was half submerged in the swamp.  Hurt, she ran for help, and she was devastated to see that she had hit and killed a young man on a motorcycle.  She doesn’t even remember going to sleep, let alone getting in her van in the middle of the night.  The guilt brings her to her knees.

Dr. Jason Coble is a psychiatrist.  Recently divorced, he isn’t looking for a new relationship.  His work and his children keep him busy.  But when he runs into Abby one evening and asks her to join him for dinner, he wants to pursue a relationship.  Abby doesn’t let anyone get close to her because of her sleepwalking, but Jason insists on helping her.

The investigation of Abby’s accident reveals a third vehicle was at the scene.  Abby begins getting threats about ‘not telling.’  She has no idea who it is or what they want, but the threats are real.  Her house is broken into, and then set afire.  Jason wants to keep her safe and to find out who is determined to silence Abby forever. 

SLEEP NO MORE is a thrilling romantic mystery.  The characters are realistic in their emotions and actions, and the plot twists and turns leaving you guessing until the very end.  Susan Crandall is a master storyteller, and I look forward to reading more of her work.