Book Review: Sleeping Beauty

Reviewed By: Gina Metz - RAM

Sleeping Beauty     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Phillip Margolin
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Thriller   Woman Main Character
HarperCollins; 2004; 329pp

Sleeping Beauty is the name chosen by author Miles Van Meter’s for his best selling, true crime account of an attack on his sister, Casey by a serial killer. The story begins with Miles out on a book tour promoting the book and then drops back six years earlier to the life of Ashley Spencer.

Ashley Spencer is a seventeen year-old high school student who is very involved in soccer. She has a happy and normal life until she awakens one night to a killer in her home. Ashley’s father is murdered and her best friend is brutally raped and murdered during the attack. Ashley is the only survivor besides her Mother, Terri, who happened to be out of town on this fateful night. Ashley is able to escape with the help of her Father right before he dies.

A guilt ridden Ashley attempts to put her life back together and get back involved in soccer at the Oregon Academy, an elite private school. She is offered a scholarship at the Academy by the school dean, Casey Van Meter. Thus begins Ashley’s relationship with the Van Meters and tragedy strikes again at the Academy.

I truly enjoyed this story with its many twists and turns. My only problem with the book was Ashley seems to be incredibly lucky to be able to escape harm in so many instances. However they were possible and believable as she receives help in at least one instance of danger. I have also enjoyed previous works of Mr. Margolin and look forward to reading others by this author.

Gina Metz - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Gina Metz - RAM