There were times when I found it quite a struggle to carry on, but I hate not finishing a book, so I made sure that I got there in the end. A wuick and easy read that was gripping, twisty and unpredictable and kept me guessing all the way through. I've read a few of Clare McGowan's back library and found them excellent thrillers so started this one anticipating another great read. The story didn't really pick up until the end, and I can't really say if it was worth sticking it out.

The characters felt flat and unbelievable and I had to suspend my disbelief at some of their decisions and actions. Then, there are books like this one that are so ridiculous and inconceivable that you only continue to invest your time in them, simply to find out how much more unbelievable they can get. Some artistic licence is mandatory but there were a few too many cliches, convenient coincidences and glossing over of logistics for it to be a very convincing read. Overall, Are You Awake is a domestic thriller with an intriguing premise, but it ended up being disappointing.In the heat of summer in a London suburb, Mary can’t sleep because her new born and toddler won’t let her. Tim is a journalist on sick leave but still keeping his ear to the ground, and Mary is a frustrated mum on maternity leave. But I found that I wasn't invested in the characters, they were a bit odd and didn't match the tone. I wasn't fully convinced by Mary or Tim's motives in becoming so involved with the investigation, but I appreciate there wouldn't have been a story if they hadn't! One night while walking around a nearby park, they think they see a murder in the window of a nearby house.

And life becomes a constant revolving door of meeting each childs' needs one after the other after the other after the other. With the waking world too harsh, too cold, and hard to navigate, Tim and Mary join forces at night and begin to look into a crime they aren't even certain they saw. One night whilst soothing the cries and demands of her children, she is looking out the window when she sees something.I really enjoyed the way the story twisted and turned so that I could not be sure what would happen next. Overall this was an OK read - I wanted to read until the end, at no point did I want to DNF but it isn't a book that will stay with me long after reading. A chilling story of two sleep deprived strangers coming together to find a missing person, not knowing whether they can trust their minds.

The police don't believe them, but when they hear of a potential link to an old murder and a string of disappearances from the area, pressure mounts to find her before it's too late.The book really entertains the reader with the who did it, did they actually do it premise and I will read more in future!