Title:	Sleeping Beauty
	Author:	Phillip Margolin
	Published:	2004, Harper Torch
	No. of Pages:	385
	Cover Price:	$8.99 (Paperback), $5.99 (Kindle)

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Phillip Margolin’s novel, Sleeping Beauty begins when 17 year old Ashley Spencer wakes up to a man in her room who murders her best friend, who is staying with her, and also her father. The police don’t find the perpetrator, and a year later, a novel called Sleeping Beauty is released that tells her horrific story; the book is written by Miles Van Meter, and outlines not only the events as they happened, but presents evidence of the killer’s identity. Ashley is a soccer star, and has been invited to attend a prestigious school; she is excited, but finds that one of the teachers there, Joshua Maxfield, who is a bestselling author of one book, is the suspect in her father’s and friend’s murder as well as others which are subsequently committed. Ashley’s mother, Terri is also attending writing classes at the school, taught by Joshua Maxfield. Maxfield is seen by Ashley on his way to the boathouse and she hears screams and discovers her mother’s body. Casey Van Meter, the dean of the school and daughter of the owner, is also in the boathouse and injured so badly that she is in a coma and will remain so for several years.

Ashley is sure that Joshua Maxfield is the murderer, and disappears to Europe for a number of years. When the book regains popularity due to some new murders that are occurring where the suspects have the same MO as the murders in the book, Ashley returns to testify against Maxfield.

Phillip Margolin is a bestselling author for many reasons. His books are well-written, suspenseful, and have enough twists and turns that most readers will have difficulty putting them down. As this story progresses, readers are sure they have the end figured out and know who the murderer is, but things are definitely not as they seem, and the ending is a total surprise. Different scenarios in the novel point to other suspects, but most readers will not be able to figure it out. Margolin’s characters are well-presented, and very likeable and believable. Casey and Miles Van Meter’s father takes a liking to Ashley, and he protects her before she goes away. Much of the drama happens after his death, and Ashley is in grave danger to the end.

Sleeping Beauty is highly recommended for thriller readers who love lots of suspense and unexpected events. Even though this book has been out for several years, it is still very readable and fascinating. If not already, Margolin will most likely become a favorite thriller author, and after reading Sleeping Beauty, many readers will surely seek out his other novels to enjoy.

This book was purchased with personal funds and no promotion of the book was solicited by the author or publisher.

This book may be purchased at Amazon:
Sleeping Beauty (Paperback)
Sleeping Beauty (Kindle Version)