From USA Today Bestselling author Keri Lake comes an intense and gritty romantic thriller that’ll have you turning the pages well past your bedtime.The most terrifying monsters aren’t found in dreams …Four young socialites have gone missing in the Chicago area. Two found dead, bearing the signature marks of a brutal serial killer. With the kind of tragedy that mars Nola Tensley’s past, she … Tensley’s past, she should be concerned, but without a pot to piss in, all the struggling single mom cares about is making a normal life for her son.
After all, she’s clearly not the murderer’s type.
Or is she?
When Rhett Voss, an enigmatic and handsome stranger, answers her ad for the outdated in-law suite at the back of her property, offering double her asking price, Nola really can’t refuse. Even though the supposed Wall Street Wolf seems better suited for a high-rise downtown—a suspicion that quickly turns into hindsight once she submits to the flirtations of her charming new tenant, and consequently, unearths a series of disturbing revelations.
Her curiosities lead her down the path of a madman, whose moniker, The Sandman, only hints at the grisly nature of his crimes. He’s smart. Evasive. A cunning psychopath with a twisted method of disposing his victims.
And his hunting grounds are hitting too close to home.
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Nola is a single mom, struggling to make ends meet, trying to give her son the best life she can. Her son is miserable and now mute after witnessing his father’s murder. Unbeknownst to her, she’s caught the attention of the cities latest serial killer, The Sandman… a killer Voss seems to know very well. In order to finally catch this killer and put him down, Voss needs to get close to the next potential victim. What was supposed to be all business soon turns into so much more when Nola embodies everything Voss never knew he wanted.
This was my first read from Keri Lake and she has me stunned! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, trying to figure out what would happen next. Between the cat and mouse game the killer has going with Voss and new victims turning up right and left, I wanted to see if I could guess who the killer was. But every time I think I’m close, something happens to leave me in doubt. I still think I’m right though. I loved getting the perspective of the killer. While his voice made me cringe and want to cleanse myself, I couldn’t get enough of his sickness. Hey, don’t give me that look! I’m also a little bit in love with Voss. He’s former military and is now employed to ‘take care of things’. He’s got a special set of gifts that only make him hotter in this fictional world.
Bring on the next book of this duet! Let me scare myself some more, constantly looking over my shoulder, and protecting my eyeballs from any and all threats. I can’t stand Nola and her irrational behavior and illogical thoughts, but I love how perfect she is as a victim. I wonder how Voss will protect her and if he’ll be able to save everyone in the end. Fingers crossed!!
A clever thriller that had me on the edge of my seat with unpredictable twists and just the right amount of alpha hotness. The writing is superb. Nothing about this duet is a cliché. It’s dark and gritty, perfectly paced, and a riveting read I couldn’t put down until the beautiful light that balances the darkness at the end.
I’d forgotten how much I love this author’s writing since it has been awhile since I have read anything by her. Her RIPPLE EFFECT series was outstanding, and when I read the synopsis for this duet, I knew I had to get my dark and twisted loving hands on a copy. And again, she knocked it out of the park because this book was f-cking fantastic.
I legit could not put this book down. I skipped lunch. I told my family if anyone tried to talk to me I’d gut them (don’t worry; I smiled when I said it). I locked myself in my bedroom, and I read this one cover to cover. The writing was fantastic. It was well paced. The plot was SO frigging engaging. It was dark. It was twisted. It was freaky. It was disturbing. It was heartbreaking. It was sexy. It was a super slow burn. In fact, I’d say the “romance” probably took more of a backseat to the story setup in this first book. That’s not to say it didn’t have it moments between Voss and Nola, because it did. It just wasn’t the main focus I felt. Not to worry though, because the thriller parts will have you flipping the pages like a crazy person.
We get three POVs here. Nola’s (whose inner thoughts I found a bit annoying at times). Voss’s (who I am just in lust with), and The Sandman’s (who was freaky as f-ck and made me want to take a bath). (lol) And speaking of The Sandman I have SOOO many theories about who he is. I feel like the author gave us a lot of red herrings to choose from. I was convinced I had it figured out, but then I thought the person was WAY to obvious. Now I have someone else in mind. Plus a few WAY out there possibilities. Honestly, at this point I have like ZERO idea where this is going and who all is involved. How they are all connected. Or why this is all going down the way it is. I legit CANNOT wait to get my hands on the next book.
Two HUGE thumbs up from yours truly!
Oh my lord this book needs more than 5 stars all the suspense and twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat. This is the first book that I’ve read from a new arthur for me and wow how have I not read any of her book’s before and what’s so sad is I have some of her book’s in my tbr
This book had me hooked from the start no spoilers, but I can say this much it’ll suck you in and spit you out and you’ll feel like you’ve been pulled the wringer so many twists and turns just when you might think you know who was doing it gah another twist it was so good so good.
I’d definitely recommend it. I can’t wait to get my grubby lil hands on the 2nd book.
This is just my opinion and my review.
His past will determine her future, unless he can win the game.
Rhett Voss doesn’t lose, he learned at an early age the consequences of losing and has no intention of entertaining the emotions as an adult. He doesn’t hurt, he doesn’t love…he’s been hardened into what those consequences forced on him and now he’s become the secretive, sadistic, most sought-after assassin for the organization known as The Gallows. Why? Because Voss doesn’t fail, Voss doesn’t lose.
Nola Tensley’s life is colored with tragedy and loss, some would say crippling loss, but Nola is a fighter and a survivor and she has Oliver, her young son. Struggling to provide Oliver with something close to normal, after their devastating loss, life has other intentions for this mother and son as the demons from Voss’ past come creeping into Nola’s present and suddenly, unbeknownst to her, the game is on.
This is book 1 of The Sandman Duet. The story is intricately woven with an off the charts creep factor, as we not only get the view from inside the heads of our two MCs but also the Sandman. The crazed serial killer has set his sights on Nola and now Voss has to play his game in order to keep Nola safe.
For Voss…failure is not an option.
This one will leave you dangling a bit over the edge as you turn the last page, but fear not, I understand we don’t have long to wait to find out what happens next. If psychological thrillers with a side of romance are your jam, you don’t want to miss this one.
I think I just found my new book boyfriend! Voss, a beautiful bad boy assassin can’t let his deranged abusive psychopath uncle escape him this time. He’s going to win this game because he WILL NOT lose! Nola, the single mom who can’t seem to escape from the unrelenting challenges of her life is his next target. Can Voss save her from this madman?
“I didn’t come here to play guardian angel to a woman who doesn’t seem to have her shit together. I came to catch a deranged psychopath,”
“There’s something about her that I can’t quite put my finger on. She’s strong, but vulnerable in a way that doesn’t come off as pathetic. It appeals to me, somehow.”
This psychological thriller with a splash of kinky romance doesn’t disappoint!
Keri has quickly climbed the ladder to becoming one of my very favorite writers. I can’t wait to get into the next book!
Wow yet another amazing book from this author. This book is a mind blowing start to what I can tell will be a duet that readers will always remember.
Definitely not for the faint hearted
Nola is a young woman who has been through so much in her young life. She is suddenly widowed with her son, her husband killed brutally in front of her son, and now she struggles to go forward. To make extra money she rents her in law suite to a mysterious man.
While this is unfolding there are young women being brutally killed in her town and she thinks the murderer will not look at her.
This is my first book by Keri Lake and I will definitely be reading more. Her stories keep the reader captive and engaged in the story.
GAHHHHH!!! I need to move more of Keri Lake’s books up my tbr list! This book was creepy good that makes me running for book 2 right NOW! I don’t even have any concrete idea who The Sandman is!
Holy hell! What an intense read! This book had me anxiously turning the pages. I devoured every single word trying to figure out what was going to happen next. Keri Lake writes the BEST romantic suspense stories. They captivate you from the very beginning. Voss and Nola’s story is dark, thrilling, and a bit creepy. I’ll never look at latex the same again! I can’t wait to get my hands on book 2. I have my suspicions and SO many questions! Who is The Sandman! Gah! I just know that Ms. Lake is going to blow readers away with the conclusion to this unconventional love story. Eeek! I am counting down the days!
Review by Lys
Twisted, disturbed, dark, gripping, kinky, erotic and one of the biggest MF’s I have ever read. I devoured this book in one sitting and it made my dark heart dance. I highly recommend it for all of you super dark read lovers.
first time to experience this author and wow what a thrilling experience!!Kept me on edge the entire time!! Thrilling and mysterious! Dark and twisted!! Awesome read!!
Nocturnes & Nightmares is the first book in The Sandman Duet. A psychological thriller with endless twist and turns, Keri Lake has created a dark and suspenseful delight. I was consumed from the start. I was mesmerized and caught up in the story and was absolutely enthralled. A spine tingling and chilling read.
This book is NOT for the faint hearted. It’s extremely dark, but more than that, it’s terrifying. It puts the reader inside the mind of a psychopath as they systematically and meticulously go on their killing spree. It introduces you to a serial killer that’s not only deranged, but smart in a way that’s allowed them to avoid being caught as more and more women fall into their deadly path
Nocturnes & Nightmares is a dark and disturbing romance thriller that captures the reader’s morbid curiosity and titillates in the most unexpected of ways. I can’t wait for the conclusion in Requiem & Reverie.
At 28 years old, Nola Tensley is a single mother raising her son and is financially strapped. As a short-term financial solution, Nola rents the in-law quarters on her property to a man who is willing to pay a premium for his privacy. However, she is unaware how she has caught the attention of a killer.
“He doesn’t look like a potential tenant. He looks like danger wrapped in a nice suit.”
Rhett Voss isn’t a stranger to violence or depravity. Since leaving Chicago, he hasn’t looked back but a significant person from his childhood is beckoning him to play deadly game. Focused on the end goal, Voss is prepared to win, but he doesn’t expect such a pleasant distraction.
“It appeals to me somehow. The tenacity of a woman who refuses to break, even when shit keeps weighing her down. A sadist’s wet dream.”
Alternating between POVs, the character development for Nola and Voss is steady as passages from the past are intertwined into the present. From the first page, an edgy tone is set with the author delving into a grim situation, which soon escalates into a chilling, psychological thriller. As the reader knows these characters are being watched, it adds to a constant unnerving feeling of “when and not if” the inevitable will occur.
“They all played that game – trying to appeal to some empathy that just didn’t exist.”
With Voss, I like how he exudes kinky dominance from every pore and tests Nola’s limits, as their connection is pretty steamy. The Sandman is eerily fascinating with his sinister rituals. As I’ve come to expect (and enjoy) a gritty landscape from a Keri Lake book, the thriller direction of this book is captivating and I like how boundaries are being pushed.
Nocturnes & Nightmares is a dark and disturbing romance thriller that will capture a reader’s morbid curiosity and titillate in unexpected ways. I look forward to reading the conclusion in Requiem & Reverie.
Monsters are Real!!! And the Sandman isn’t waiting to send you into peaceful dreams. He’s poised to make your every nightmare a reality and your sleep permanent. GAH!
Keri had devised a delectably depraved villain with a plot so twisted that it has me pointing my finger at nearly every character. I have no clue who the Sandman is…….no that’s wrong, I have too many clues and theories rolling around in my head. No character is above suspicion.
When I heard one of my favorite writers say she’s writing a thriller (my favorite genre), I was chomping at the bit to get my greedy hands on it. Not only were my expectations met, I am now greedily awaiting for the next installment in this duet. I have so many questions that need answers and I need them yesterday!
Bravo, Keri! You’ve delivered a thriller of epic proportions and I love every depraved word of it! Muah!
What a read! I devoured this book and didn’t let it breathe. I’ve been a fan of Keri’s writing since Ricochet years back & let me tell you all. The woman can write! Fcking talented! I’d read hundreds of other great books but when I’d open her works and get into it deep I’m reminded that this is it, this is Keri and her addicting sense of writing I’m forever obsessed with and it made me so happy because I feel so satisfied. I’m a junkie and her writing is my fix. There’s this eerie feeling in her way of writing that gives me major major chills and she does it perfectly. The psychotic-ness of this duet was off the charts & was very well written. I loved this so much. Can’t wait for the next one.
This book had my heart racing! Nola and her son have been through enough trauma – they don’t need more complications in their lives. But trouble has found them! I loved the way the twists and turns kept me on my toes. I don’t know how I could sleep through the night with The Sandman invading my dreams! And then there’s Voss, mysterious, sexy, and I needed to know just how they’re all connected! This was a dark, thrilling bok 1, and I can’t wait for the next one!
“If given the choice, would you prefer to be strangled in your vehicle, or raped against the hood of it?”
‘Tis the disturbing words of a devious and sadistic serial killer known as The Sandman, whose M.O. is carving out the eyes of his victims and filling their empty eye sockets with sand made of finely crushed bone.
Nocturnes & Nightmares is a sinister and chilling game of cat and mouse between Rhett Voss and a ghost from his past he thought he buried years ago, with single mom Nola Tensley unknowingly being caught in the crosshairs.
Having read several of Keri Lake’s books, I’ve come to know her as a badass writing dark romantic suspense novels. She skillfully spins a web of mystery and suspense with this dark and steamy thriller while keeping me on the edge of my seat constantly trying to figure out who exactly The Sandman is. Every time I think I have the identity of this madman figured out, something happens to completely throw me in another direction… and by the time this book ended, I was still no closer to figuring out who the killer is, or why he’s targeted Nola and taunting Voss.
As eerie and ominous as this story begins, it did start out a bit on the slow side for me while introducing Nola and Voss’s characters and backstories… but Keri Lake takes the time to paint a vivid picture showing us who these characters are, their needs, their desires and what drives them, thoroughly fleshing them out while slowly adding puzzling layers of suspense to the story. Things really didn’t begin to pick up until about halfway through when these characters become more involved with each other and the twisted plot starts moving along at a faster pace. When we get more of The Sandman’s spine-chilling POV and a firsthand account of his gruesome murders, it finally sets this shuddersome story in motion, not letting me put it down until I turned the very last page.
The steamy romance between Voss and Nola was just an added bonus. They fought their growing attraction to one another, knowing they shouldn’t act on their feelings, but Nola has worked herself under Voss’s skin to the point where he has to have her… and when he finally makes his move on Nola, my kindle damn near exploded! But the icing on the cake was the “clay play” scene, like in the movie “Ghost” … gahhh I love that movie! R.I.P. Patrick Swayze .
With this being a duet, I knew there would be a cliffhanger but I’m dying to find out the identity of The Sandman and what his endgame is. Thank God the next book will be releasing soon and I don’t have to wait long! Highly recommend this one for all lovers of dark and depraved thrillers!
Nocturnes & Nightmares, the Sandman Duet #1, is a different one. Dark and disturbed! Filled with secrets and twists.
We get POV’s from the three main characters, which I love. The sweet, the dark and the depraved!
Can’t wait for the conclusion in the next book!
-Stina, Book Haven Book Blog
10 + screaming stars!
Want a story that’s hauntingly dark and gritty? One that will for sure that will make you want to double check your surroundings when you go out at night? Then prepare yourselves and get ready for Nocturnes & Nightmares (book 1 of The Sandman Duet).
N&N is a psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the book. Seriously folks the suspense is thick, there sexual tension between hero and heroine, the plot is original and keeps you guessing about who the mysterious psychotic Sandman is. This is a duet with a cliffhanger.
If you’ve read Keri Lake’s Vigilante series, then you should be familiar with how this author can pull you in and wrap you up in her deliciously dark stories. Add it to your TBR because you will NOT want to miss out on this captivating dark thriller!