Serial meets Ruth Ware’s In A Dark, Dark Wood in this inventive and twisty psychological thriller about a mega-hit podcast that reopens a murder case and threatens to unravel the carefully constructed life of the victim’s daughter—soon to be a major TV series from Apple and produced by Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine!The only thing more dangerous than a lie…is the truth. Josie Buhrman has … truth.
Josie Buhrman has spent the last ten years trying to escape her family and with good reason. After her father’s murder thirteen years prior, her mother ran away to join a cult and her twin sister Lanie, once Josie’s closest friend and confidant, betrayed her in an unimaginable way. Now, Josie has finally put down roots in New York, settling into domestic life with her partner Caleb, and that’s where she intends to stay.
The only problem is that she has lied to Caleb about every detail of her past—starting with her last name.
When investigative reporter Poppy Parnell sets off a media firestorm with a megahit podcast that reopens the long-closed case of Josie’s father’s murder, Josie’s world begins to unravel. Meanwhile, the unexpected death of Josie’s long-absent mother forces her to return to her Midwestern hometown where she must confront the demons from her past—and the lies on which she has staked her future.
more
I am so excited that Kathleen Barber’s book ARE YOU SLEEPING is being adapted by Apple TV – and being rereleased under the title TRUTH BE TOLD.
I loved this book. I was completely hooked from the very first page. Layers of deceit, family drama, a murdered father, a disturbed mother, mayhem, cults, lies, betrayals, and a possibly deranged podcaster–this story has it all. Lanie and Josie are Janus twins, and their twisting lives left me breathless. Who to trust? Who to believe? Who really killed their father? TRUTH BE TOLD taps into our collective conscience with a true crime podcast propelling the narrative and takes an unflinching look at the truths we create about ourselves. Kathleen Barber is a fabulous new author to watch. If you like twisty psychological thrillers, this is your book. And watch the Apple TV series, starring Oscar winner Octavia Spencer & produced by Reese Witherspoon, coming soon!
This story has such a realistic, plausible and *current* feel that it will make you think twice about what so many of us consider entertainment value (in this case, a viral podcast digging up an old murder case) and how the real people behind these stories are affected by public fascination/intrusion into their personal tragedies. I felt deeply for Kathleen Barber’s characters, even when I was unsure who the victims really were, who the accomplices may have been, and who shared the blame. This was an engrossing, fast-paced read and I’m grateful to have lucked into an ARC. I’ll be looking for Kathleen Barber’s next book!
A smart, heart-in-your-throat thriller about a young woman whose life is turned upside down when a podcast calls into question whether the man convicted of her father’s murder is actually guilty. Barber is a talent to watch.
This was a fun and fast read for me that I enjoyed very much, I enjoyed it actually more than I thought I would.
The writing just had a way to draw you in and I didn’t want to put the book down and wanted to know what is going on.
Of course it goes back and forth in time, between and of course past, but it’s clear early in that we don’t know who is a bigger liar. Of course there is a lot of Mystery about what really happened that night and every time we think we get it and find out what really, really happened or do we?!
I also enjoyed all the family drama, past and present and the people around them.
I’m a true crime fan and I enjoy podcasts, so while this is not true crime, it presents itself as such ,it also has the parts of the podcasts and excerpts and such which honestly were my favorite part of the book.
Overall I really enjoyed this book, tons of suspense, kept me guessing and was easy and fast to read. There were a few slower parts for me, but mostly it was great and enjoyed it a lot.
I hope to find more books like that.
Now that I read and enjoyed the book I might actually check out the TV show but we shall see.
I rate it 4
Are You Sleeping is a page-turner about a woman’s life turned upside-down when a podcast decides to “uncover the truth” about her father’s murder 13 years ago, despite the fact that a neighbor was convicted of the crime at the time. It’s a terrific, innovative concept for a book, exploring modern social media—the podcast harnesses some of the positive power of investigative journalism but also exploits people’s lives and sanity for likes, shares and ratings. The characters are vivid; the plot moves quickly; and I raced to the end.
What would you do if your life is all of a sudden splashed all over a podcast . The life you tried to keep quiet from your boyfriend . That is what has happened to Josie Buhrman . After trying to hide her past and all the craziness that happened after her father was murdered . When a podcaster starts to investigate the murder of her father . This opens a flood gate of emotions and Josie’s world starts to fall apart as she heads back to her home town to get to the bottom of lies and misgivings
This book was a really interesting read . Most of the story is told in Josie’s point of view and it is her coming to terms with what is happening and has happened . The author also to has the point of view from Poppy and the podcasts . It was cool that the author posted them as facebook, twitter and other social media comments . It added a more realistic edge to the book .
The characters were well written but i did have a little bit of trouble connecting with Josie and Lanie . Josie at the beginning felt just a little wimpy . She hid and didn’t want to deal but she did redeem herself and grew a back bone . She did have a lot of trauma to work through . She became a stronger person as she worked through everything and everything started to come together . The tension between Lanie and Josie is so deep seated . Josie has so much hatred for Lanie . Lanie is the character you want to shake and say wake up and smell the coffee you are hurting everyone around you . You want to feel sorry for her and hug her but you can’t because of all the crap she pulled on everyone when she was younger . Now Poppy you really just want to slap her and tell her to get a life . She is pushy and smug . There are things that she does that are well not really popular with Josie and the family .
The author takes us on an emotional roller coaster ride that will get you thinking about what the media can do . I enjoyed reading this book and the twists and turns were really good . The red herrings thrown in to lead us to other characters where good . But there were a couple of time that i felt it was dragging just a little but not enough for me to put the book down . Over all this is a good book that will take you on the ride of your life . I bet you won’t figure it out until the last chapters . So add this book to your Christmas list . It is a really good first novel for this author can’t wait to read more from her
Intense page turner! Josie’s story scooped me up and took me along for the ride. I was immersed in her relationships—family and romantic—and gobbled up the clues in the mystery. The podcast subplot felt so relevant, same with Josie’s reaction to her past laid bare for the curious public. Highly recommend.
I listened to the audio version of this book. I enjoyed the narrator of this book and the story was nicely done. A good mystery until the end.
When Josie returns to her hometown for a funeral her world is turned upside down. I had to keep turning pages in this twisted tale to find out how it was going end and if Josie could put her life back together. This book was a joy to read and I wanted to finish it before it came to television.
I did not expect the ending! Page Turner!
Good twists and turns. Characters were likeable and some easy to dislike. Pod cast as a plot was current and interesting.
Great story couldn’t put it down
Okay. Not great, but okay.
Are you Sleeping by author Kathleen Barber is a very well written and intriguing suspense mystery. The main character is Josie Burhman, who has changed her last name since leaving home.Josie has secrets…lots of secrets.
The book starts with an excerpt from a podcast by Poppy Parnell who is trying to promote her career as a reporter by questioning the facts of cold cases. She is now focused on the Chuck Burhman murder. Poppy floods the public media questioning the conviction of Warren Cave, a neighbor in the murder of Chuck Burhman.
Josie lives with her boyfriend Caleb, who is away on assignment in Africa. At 3:00 am Josie is awakened by an eerie phone call. A haunting female voice whispers… ” I Miss You, Too.”
I won’t post spoilers because some of the mystery of the plot reveals itself as your reading progresses. Once you start reading, you may not want to put the book down, It is intriguing and intense! The author has written a wonderfully complex mystery which intertwines family sorrow, grief, loss, and reconciliation.