by Sebastian Fitzek
Narrator: Robert Glenister
Genres: Thriller
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 4 cups
As a young man, Leon Nader suffered from insomnia. As a nightwalker, he even turned to violence during his nocturnal excursions and had psychiatric treatment for his condition. Eventually he was convinced he had been cured - but one day, years later, Leon's wife disappears from their flat under mysterious circumstances. Could it be that his illness has broken out again? In order to find out how he behaves in his sleep, Leon fits a movement-activated camera to his forehead - and when he looks at the video the next morning he makes a discovery that bursts the borders of his imagination. His nocturnal personality goes through a door that is totally unknown to him and descends into the darkness....
I was totally in the mood for a good thriller and selected, The Nightwalker by Sebastian Fitzek, narrated by Robert Glenister. Both men were new to me, but the synopsis drew me in and I was delighted with this creeptastically twisted tale.
From the synopsis, we know that Leon Nader suffered from insomnia as a child and sought treatment. Now he is a well-adjusted adult who has put the past behind him. That is until he and his wife move into a new flat, the perfect flat and things begin to fall apart. After a disturbing incident, his wife disappears. The tale that follows was deliciously dark and twisted as Leon fits a motion-activated camera on his head.
Fitzek slowly build up the suspense, and in Leon, he gave us an unreliable narrator. I love unreliable narrators and navigating the murky waters of their thoughts. The Nightwalker grabbed me from the very first chapter. I needed to know what happen. Was Leon to blame? Is he in fact sleepwalking again? The deeper Fitzek took me into this dark story the more I had to listen. Just when I thought I had things figured out, we navigated around a corner and I was uncertain again. I love when a story can thrill me like that.
Leon was likable enough and while there are secondary characters present, they are only fleshed out as far as Leon’s thoughts and perceptions of them. I thought this was clever. Someone from Leon’s past provides clues that had Leon and the reader spinning.
At times, the tale was very dark and there are moments of violence. What made things interesting is that the reader is not sure if things actually happen or if Leon is dreaming/imagining them. Maybe he is stark raving mad! Usually, I can see a plot twist coming, but I was surprised when we reached the climactic reveal. The ending was quite the thrill and left me with a shiver.
The narrator Robert Glenister did a wonderful job of bringing Leon to life, and taking him through the story. Through his tones, he amplified Leon’s uncertainty, anxiety and anxiousness. It was brilliant really.
The Nightwalker is perfect for those who crave a dark thriller. Fans of You, Mara Deyer, and The Night Strangers will find this has similar tones.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Tyler H Jolley
This sounds like it was exquisitely done.
kimbacaffeinate
I really enjoyed this one Tyler 🙂
Bookworm Brandee
I’m a fan of an unreliable narrator and even more so of a thriller that keeps me guessing right through to the end. I’m happy this one was a great read for you, Kimberly!
kimbacaffeinate
I had a good time with this one Brandee, and agree 🙂
Ann Noser
Ooh, I wish this came in paperback! I can only find the audible version. Sounds fantastic!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, it was originally published overseas. I am hoping it comes to kindle in the US too, but the audible is wonderful!
Resh Susan
Not very often that you get good thrillers published. Great review!
Deborah
Oh, this sounds interesting Kimberly!
kimbacaffeinate
It really was Deborah. I love a twisted tale 🙂
Melanie Simmons
This sounds like a great listen. I haven’t read a lot of Thrillers, but I do enjoy them when I do. I’m going to add this one to my TBR list. It sounds great.
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Melanie!
Ksenia
Great review, Kim! I’m not sure this book is for me, I probably wouldn’t be able to sleep after such creepiness. Though I do love a good unreliable main character.
kimbacaffeinate
I hear you, although Ksenia!
Lorna
This one does sound so unique! You have me intrigued and I love it when a twist completely surprised me. I just looked on Amazon and it’s not available for Kindle? Wonder why… Great review Kimberly!
kimbacaffeinate
It sold outside the states, it is available on audio though. Mayne the kindle will come later.
Rita
Lol, wow, what a premise! That author certainly has something original going on here!
kimbacaffeinate
It was different and certainly kept me listening.
The Bibliophile Babe
This sounds really creepy!
kimbacaffeinate
It was and I enjoyed the twist.
Sophia Rose
My mom walked in her sleep a lot and even out of the house and then my best friend in college was the same way. It was weird tracking them. They don’t move the same or have the same expressions when they are sleepwalking. So yeah, a thriller based on it would definitely be spinetingling.
kimbacaffeinate
I am taking some meds to deal with my Dad’s death and last week I woke up to discover I had gotten up in the middle of the night and ate. Ironically I ate something I do not even like. Thankfully it wasn’t something like laundry detergent. We adjusted meds..LOL
Stormi
Not heard of this author but it sounds like a winner! Going to put it on my list. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
He was new to me too Stormi, I am enjoying discovering these authors.
Angela Adams
Merely reading the blurb gave me the chills!
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, now you know why I picked it up!
Melissa (Books and Things)
Oh not knowing what is real and what is imaginary always drives me mad (pardon the pun) but also keeps me interested in trying to figure it out. I think this one sounds like it could keep me up at night thinking about it.
kimbacaffeinate
Exactly….and it was a great narration!!
Kristin
This reminds me of that Prodigy video “Smack my Bitch Up” from forever ago where it’s filmed entirely from the person’s POV and you watch as the person goes around pretty much on crime spree of terror and abuse and then the surprise at the end when they look in the mirror and you’re like – HOLY CRAP!
Scary enough, I think my mom would love this book! 😀 Great review!!
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, I haven’t watched that one. This was intense, and I love an unreliable narrator.
Paij Slater
Sold, sold and sold! I listen to the preview and had to go buy it! I love dark and twisty! Fabulous review!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes..I am excited to hear your thoughts!
Cyn
Oh boy, this sounds pretty terrifying, I can only image the build up! Glad to see it was an awesome listen and I’m definitely curious about the plot twist! Great review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Cyn, it was an intense listen!
Debbie Haupt
oh wow Kim, this looks like something I would enjoy, during the day, when it’s sunny, not at night. Yikes 😉
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, more suspenseful then bump in the night Debbie
Tanya
This sounds freaking awesome! I haven’t read a good thriller in a long time! Listening to them always freaks me out even more!
kimbacaffeinate
This has some freak, I hope you decide to try it Tanya!
Wattle
Robert Glenister narrates audiobooks? Oh gosh he narrates the Robert Galbraith books too, that’s exciting. He’s been in a few TV shows I’ve watched and I’m weirdly excited by this haha there’s nothing like a familiar voice reading audiobooks to you (is that weird? I think it might be).
This sounds like a really interesting thriller, I love the sound of the synopsis, unreliable narrators are perfect for dark stories like this 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I get the same way over narrators who act and narrate series I love..so I totally get it!
sherry fundin
LOVE the title and the cover. Sounds like it’s right up my alley!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, I do believe you would enjoy this tale
kindlemom1
Creeptastically twisted tale, I love it! Sounds like one that would be a good one to try.
Thanks for the awesome review as always Kim! Have an amazing weekend. 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Ali, this was a good one. I love when a story grabs me.
Lekeisha
You had me at WTF! I don’t read a lot of thrillers, but I’m adding this one to my list. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
I love when a story delivers WTF-ery!!
Jenny
Oh this sounds good Kim! I really love an unreliable narrator too, and I love that we have to guess as we read as to whether Leon is sleepwalking or dreaming the things that happen. Plus, I’m all for plot twists, so I’m excited that this one ends as strongly as it starts:)
kimbacaffeinate
It really was and I love an unreliable narrator.
Nick
Ooh I love that the reader is unsure whether the stuff is really happening or not. I like the feeling of that kind of confusion. This sounds like an utterly engrossing story, Kim! I’ll have to check it out for my dad perhaps since he enjoys these kinds of story.
Lovely review!
kimbacaffeinate
Awesome Nick, your Dad sounds cool
ailyn
i do like the WTF? icon, it does sum up some stories perfectly. sorry for the mia i have been ill
kimbacaffeinate
Hehe..it really does. No worries Ailyn this has been a bad month for me with my father passing.
Mary Kirkland
Hmm, this sounds awesome. I might have to look into this one.
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo I hope you try it Mary.
blodeuedd
Ohhh creepy
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, it was twisted Linda
Priscilla
Holy moly, it sure sounds deliciously dark. I had no idea this is a translated work 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
It was quite the twisted tale.