Night night, sleep tight

Since I had recently attended a workshop that Hallie Ephron did on Voice and Point of View at the Surrey International Writers Conference, I wanted to read one of her works. The story moved well and the ending surprised me, which is what you'd expect from any clever mystery writer.

Soon after I started reading it the story seemed vaguely familiar. Like the author, when I was a child, I had heard of a murder that a Hollywood star was involved in. Ephron reveals in her author's note that that same story had inspired her to write this novel.

Ephron, whose own parents were Hollywood screenwriters, sprinkles celebrity names throughout and for any old-time movie lover, those parts are fun to read. Night Night, Sleep Tight was a quick read. It's been nominated for an Edgar mystery award.