"The Sleeping Angel" by Alice Clover, summary

The novel "Sleeping Angel" is a psychological thriller with elements of romantic fiction, published in 2015. The author uses an "unreliable" narrator whose perception of reality is distorted by panic and physical captivity.

Captivity and suspicion

The narrative begins with the protagonist’s physical restraint. Dasha awakens tied up on a bed. She is disoriented. Her eyes are tightly covered with a blindfold. She experiences an animalistic, paralyzing fear. She suspects her own husband, Andre, of orchestrating the kidnapping. The scent of Chinese menthol oil hangs in the air. This is the product Andre usually used to lubricate her fresh tattoo. The physical sensations intensify her panic.

Dasha recalls the events leading up to this moment. Previously, she had believed her husband guilty of a series of serious crimes. She was absolutely certain that Andre had orchestrated the brutal murder of Dick Whiter. She also blamed her husband for the mysterious disappearance of a young man named Seryozha. Dasha suspected her husband of murdering his former lover, Audrey. She believed that Audrey had been following her on Andre’s orders.

Convinced of mortal danger, the heroine decided to take a desperate step. She devised an escape plan. Dasha emptied Andre’s gold credit card. Afterward, she fled France for Russia. She tried to blend in among the vast metropolis. She hid in the residential Moscow neighborhood of Bibirevo. Dasha wore as inconspicuous clothing as possible. She wore a gray windbreaker, jeans, and a baseball cap pulled down over her eyes. She constantly felt she was being followed.

Investigation and the truth

In the capital, the heroine desperately tries to cover her tracks. She visits the Three Stations Square. Dasha contacts lawyer Yusuf by phone. He helps her sort out the confusing situation. Yusuf carefully studies Audrey’s diaries. The entries in the documents are written in Arabic. The specialist reveals shocking information to the heroine. The timeline of events proves Andre’s complete innocence. The culprit turns out to be someone else entirely. All the evidence points to Andre’s brother, Marco.

The brothers bear a strong resemblance. Marco skillfully manipulated the facts. He deliberately cast suspicion on his brother. The villain took advantage of Andre’s inability to fight back. Dasha realizes her terrible mistake. Her perception shifts. She realizes she blamed an innocent man. A cognitive bias (a thinking error) led her to draw false conclusions. Andre simply tolerated her unfair suspicions.

Clash at the theater

Events unfold rapidly. Marco secretly arrives in Moscow. He tracks down Dasha’s mother. The criminal is planning a double murder, intending to eliminate any witnesses forever. The villain gains entry to the theater with a regular ticket. Dasha is also there. She tries to save her mother. Marco attacks her. He openly and cynically confesses to the crimes he committed. The villain confirms the murder of Seryozha. He mocks Dasha. The criminal offers her a cruel choice. The situation seems absolutely hopeless. Suddenly, Andre appears in the wardrobe room. He pulls his brother away from his wife. A brief physical confrontation ensues. Marco is severely hit and loses consciousness. Andre successfully saves his wife.

The Disappearance of the Villain

The police quickly arrive at the scene. Law enforcement searches my mother’s apartment. Marco mysteriously disappears before the patrol arrives. No trace of him can be found. Several months later, French police discover Seryozha’s body. The corpse had been safely hidden. Commissioner Trenoux conducts a surprise inspection of the medical facility. He establishes the involvement of Andre’s clinic in the concealment of the body.

André refuses to cooperate with the investigation into his brother’s case. He completely cuts Marco out of his life. The brothers’ mother, Gabrielle, persistently tries to establish contact. She calls André’s father. Gabrielle begs her son to return to France. She asks him to call her at least occasionally. André steadfastly ignores his mother’s pleas. He cuts off all family ties. He believes Gabrielle is complicit in Marco’s crimes.

Restoring trust

The couple’s relationship gradually recovers. They spend time in a high-rise apartment with a panoramic view of Moscow. They indulge in passionate sexual games with elements of dominance. Andre ties Dasha up with a belt, physically restricting her movement. She voluntarily consents to these practices. Physical pain mingles with intense pleasure. Deviation (deviation from the norm) becomes a way for them to restore lost trust. Dasha feels protected in her husband’s arms. Andre promises to take his wife to the French resort of Cap d’Agde.

Soon, the couple does indeed set off on their long-awaited vacation. They live in a linen tent on the very shore of the Mediterranean Sea. They sleep naked in the fresh air, a warm breeze caressing their bodies. In the morning, Andre tenderly offers Dasha breakfast. He carefully lists the available options: fresh croissants, warm pancakes with blackberries. Dasha categorically refuses sweets. She unexpectedly demands a sandwich with Dutch salted herring. Andre’s strange gastronomic preferences greatly surprise her. He guesses the reason first. Dasha is pregnant. The couple freezes in joyful surprise. They realize the absolute reality of what is happening. They eagerly await the arrival of their child. They affectionately call the unborn baby a sleeping angel.