Cover Image: The Sleepwalker

The Sleepwalker

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Member Reviews

If I had known back when I requested this that it was the 3rd book in a series I’d never have requested it as I like to read series in order, so my confusion and feeling like I was missing something is on me. The other reviews for The Sleepwalker are fantastic but for me it was ok. Very dark story. Probably won’t read the first 2 in the series.

Thanks to the publisher for the copy via NetGalley.

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What an amazing storyline! The Sleepwalker had all of the elements that are required for a great novel. The characters were well-written, and the story was so captivating it kept me wanting more at the end. I can't wait for the next book!

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A good novel with a number of twists throughout. Enjoyed working the case alongside aiden. Thanks for the opportunity to read

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Dark, Angry, Violent and quite simply some of the most superb Crime writing out there from a supremely talented and unique voice,

These books are not for everyone. They are gritty, urban, broken tales of a man at the very bottom of the barrel. Even the humour which Is there is bleak and uncomfortable.

Waits is a protagonist that is not just troubled, he’s a character that feels very real, not words on a page or a figment of imagination.

It’s astonishingly good, one of my favourite writers currently around.

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

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Didn’t realise this was 3rd in a series but it didn’t spoil my enjoyment from the book and I’m looking forward to number 4! Fast paced with good characters and great twists i ploughed through it, great book and series.

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Thank you NetGalley, Random House and Transworld for the copy of this and apologies for the delay in reviewing.
This was the third book in the series and having read the first two I just want to say I havent enjoyed a series of books so much for a very long time.
I hope Joseph keeps writing, as I want more books place

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Fast becoming my favourite detective series. This is the best one of the three. Bold, gritty and really shows the darkness at the heart of Manchester. Knoxx's flawed detective just keeps getting better and better.

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Read this within the space of around 4 hours, so I’m definitely going to reread when I receive my signed copy from Waterstones. Truly incredible. The ending was not what I expected at all after reading ‘Sirens’ and ‘Smiling Man’, (both amazing pieces of work that I definitely recommend reading before ‘The Sleepwalker’) and I can only hope Joseph continues to write, as I am completely hooked! Before picking up ‘Sirens’ I had never considered that I’d be interested in this genre, but as soon as I finished it I was frantically buying any books that were even remotely similar and I’m now obsessed! Just buy it! You won’t regret it. I plan to leave a more in depth review after rereading a few times and fully processing everything. Bravo!


Goodreads

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Aidan Watts is a policeman on the edge, he's unpopular with his colleagues who think he shouldn't be a policeman and he's very much the fall guy for his superiors. He's hiding a secret and is trying to do the right thing by everyone whilst his own life is at risk. The start of this book sees him, with his partner, DI Sutcliffe, guarding a multiple killer in hospital. Unfortunately, whilst he's away from the bedside the multiple killer is set on fire, a policeman is murdered and his partner is seriously injured. Before the multiple killer dies he manages to tell Aidan that he was innocent of the crimes he was convicted of, leaving Aidan and his new partner Naomi to find out who really killed a woman and her two children. This is a fast paced book, with numerous twists and turns, with Aidan not only watching his own back but also that of his partner and in doing so manages to almost alienate her. The ending isn't predictable and leaves the reader with the question, is there going to be more about Aidan?
I thought this was an excellent book, it's one of those books you can't put down - and when you do you go back to it quickly because you want to know what happens next!

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This was a very absorbing crime thriller. Some interesting characters and some highlighting problems in the police force. The story built to a fascinating conclusion, sad at times, unexpected at others, developed into a great finale.

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I was given a preview copy through Net Galley, and I am most grateful for the opportunity to read another brilliant story by Joseph Knox.
I loved the Aidan Waits character, part-devil, part-saint, pursuing, at times reluctantly, a pathway to redemption, or is he?
The characterisation was exceptional, detailed, totally believable, and capable of instilling loathing and empathy in equal amounts. The story twisted and turned, and just when you thought you had it straight in your head, another path opened up.
I was completely drawn in and, after taking some time with the book, rushed to complete it.
I love Joseph Knox and his cast of characters. Long may they continue!

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With thanks to Netgalley and Radom House

The sleepwalker is another brilliant book by Joseph Knox that features Adian Waits. The sleepwalker is a dark and gritty book that kept me reading to the very last page.

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Great addition to an already fab series. Aiden Waites is one of the most intriguing new characters I've come across in the last few years. Manchester is brought to life as well as any other setting - love the dark, gritty edge to it all. Highly recommended.

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Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for this é-copy in return for my honest review. A dark and gritty read that kept me reading long into the night. I'll definitely read the previous 2 books in the series.

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Another in the Aiden Waits detective series. A good story that recalls a family murder some years before and has far reaching consequences. Aiden Waits continues in his chaotic life where personal problems and work life overlap causing impossible situations for him. I have to admit that I didn’t enjoy this as much as previous ones but as I was moving house while trying to read it and it took me about five weeks to get through I feel a poor review would be unfair. I look forward to reading the next in the series (if there is one) and promise to give it my undivided attention!

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This is my first novel by bestseller author Joseph Knox. The Sleepwalker sees the return of DC Aidan Waits and I have to say I was completely and thoroughly hooked right from the start, even though have yet to read Sirens (book #1) and The Smiling Man (book #2).

In this third book set in Manchester, Aidan and his partner, DI Peter 'Sutty' Sutcliffe has been assigned to protect the terminally ill serial killer, labelled 'The Sleepwalker', Martin Wick, in hospital, and tasked with trying to ascertain the location of the body of one of his victims. Wick was convicted of killing a mother and her three children several decades ago, but he has never revealed the location of one of the children he murdered. Now, Wick has asked to speak to Sutty. After becoming aware that someone has breached security, an anxious Aidan returns with Sutty, only to find themselves in the middle of an absolute pandemonium, resulting in Wick and an armed police guard dead, and Sutty in intensive care with serious burns.

Joseph Knox’s latest novel follows a very intriguing, multi-layered story. With murder, blackmail, violence and many suspects that befit a high calibre crime thriller such as this one, I was gripped by the perfect plotting and pacing. The reader learns more about protagonist Aidan, whose life is complicated as he struggles with alcoholism, drug abuse and an assortment of mental health issues, as well as hoping he can hold onto his job. The icing on the cake is that he has largely unresolved family problems and another police employee is blackmailing him.

Joseph Knox's writing-style is impressive and noteworthy and evidently the author is a gifted storyteller who can provide readers with thrills, sophistication and a story packed with substance. I like the way the story evolved and there is a good amount of humour in there, too. A very highly recommended five star read that will be of interest to many readers.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my request, from Random House UK via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

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Although I can’t understand how the main character, Waits, functions, this is a compelling read. Filled with realistic, and some very evil, characters, the plot is fast paced and well written. Kept me gripped from start to finish. I hope there’s going to be another book in this series.

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A brilliant dark gritty read. This book kept me reading long into the night. There are so many twists and some wonderful dark characters. I now want to read the previous 2 books in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

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This has to be the most complicated book that I’ve read in a very long time. Two years ago I read the second book, The Smiling Man, even though I hadn’t read the first one, Sirens, and loved it, so I was keen to read the third one. It certainly didn’t disappoint me and although I think the books read well as stand-alones, it would probably be best to read them in order. To say that Waits has troubled background is an understatement. He is a disturbed and complex character, other police officers don’t trust him or want to work with him. He plays very close to the edge and has little regard for his own safety.

The Sleepwalker is dark, violent and absolutely brilliant. I just didn’t want it to end and at the same time I just had to know what happened next. There are so many strands that you have to keep in mind, so many characters to sort out where they fit into the story and it’s all so cleverly linked together. You think you have it sorted and then you realise there’s more to come. It’s perfectly paced throughout, culminating in an astounding and shocking conclusion that had me reeling.

Quite simply, I loved it.

My thanks to Transworld Publishers for a review copy via NetGalley.

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Joseph Knox is a writer of great quality, and nowhere is that more evident than in his latest instalment in the Detective Aidan Waits series.

It seems to be a thing in recent years that our protagonists must come with their own personal demons, but Detective Waits comes with a whole gamut of them, this is one very dark and troubled individual.

This time around Waits and his partner DI Peter Sutcliffe ( Sutty)are relegated to keeping guard over serial killer Martin Wick, who’s slowly dying of cancer in St Mary’s hospital in Manchester. Wick’s has something important to tell Sutty, but just as he’s passing on this information, an attack takes place leaving Wicks dead, along with one police officer, and results in Sutty suffering from severe burns, and fighting for his life. However, what information Wick did manage to pass on, will take Waits into some very dark places, and will involve even darker characters.

I won’t go into any more detail but what an excellent read this is. The storyline is just brilliant, with Knox’s Manchester proving as gritty and raw a backdrop as you’re likely to come across. Wait’s character is even more flawed than your average protagonist, with some of his colleagues believing he’s as corrupt as the criminals they’re up against, but that makes him all the more interesting. A terrific read right the way through, leading to a heart pounding conclusion! Very dark, very complex, but complex as it is, Knox brings it all together beautifully, with many curve balls thrown in for good measure. Utterly riveting!

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