Review: Sleeping Beauty

During a sleepover with her best friend Tanya, Ashley Spencer, a popular high school soccer star, barely escapes a horrific crime that takes the life of her father and best friend while her mother, Terri, is away on a business trip. No clues to his identity are left at the scene. Only the words "See you later" whispered to Ashley.

Trying to help her daughter overcome the trauma, Terri contacts Oregon Academy. Oregon Academy is a prestigious school owned by the wealthy Van Meter family who includes a party girl turned dean and a novelist lawyer, Miles Van Meter, and an abusive, ogre father. The Academy has a superb athletic/soccer team. After touring the school, Ashley is a scholarship and a soccer counselor's position for the summer. During the tour, Terri is has the opportunity to attend a writing classes with best selling author but a one-book- wonder, Joshua Maxfield. On the first night of class, Maxfield reads a manuscript that contains information regarding her husband's death that only the killer would know. Armed with this information, Terri does not go to the police, but to the dean. This knowledge causes Terri's death and the six-year coma of the Dean Casey Van Meter.

That night, even though her roommate and new best friend begs off with a stomachache, Ashley decides to maintain her running schedule. Ashley hears a woman's screams and becomes a witness to Joshua's crimes. After chasing Ashley with a bloody knife, Joshua runs only to be caught by Detective Burke. Ashley manages to escape to her dorm and notifies security. To keep Ashley safe, Burke supplies guards for Ashley only to have them killed. During his preliminary trial, Joshua escapes putting Ashley in danger again.

Knowing that no one can protect her, Ashley goes underground and flees to Europe. After six years, a family secret is revealed forcing Ashley to return to the States with her attorney who supplies a romantic interest for Ashley despite the age differences. Finally, Ashley summons the courage to read Miles Van Meter's best selling book, "Sleeping Beauty." Miles wrote the book as a closure for his sister and Ashley.

Philip Margolin, "Sleeping Beauty" has more twists and turns than a country road. Just when you think you know who the serial killer is, Mr. Margolin throws in another possible suspect. A flashlight couldn't be clicked on and off any faster than Margolin's flips from past to present and back again. At times, a little too fast. As Harlan Coben, Author of Second Chance, stated "Sleeping Beauty will keep you awake all night...", this book will have you reading all night and then thinking about it for many nights to come. Do I see a book featuring the sassy, loving District Attorney in the making? I hope so.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, NH Storm

Book Review: Sleeping Beauty