Dickey’s novel a bit ‘strange’ to avid fans

In the gritty novel, “Sleeping With Strangers,” professional hit man Gideon has always been on top of his game, with an abundance of money, women, and power. Based in a world that flourishes on the wicked passions of vengeance and temptation, the story of Gideon’s life begins.

The first chapter gets the reader well acquainted with Gideon. Gideon gets his name from a Bible lying next to a dying minister. “Every man needed a name. People needed to know who to praise. Or who to fear. Gideon. My name would be Gideon.”

Author Eric Jerome Dickey takes readers on an electrifying ride through perpetual dangers and the extremities of love. In, Sleeping With Strangers, Gideon takes a high-profile job that gets him on the bad side of dangerous people. He flees to London and meets two mysterious women on the flight. Both women catch his attention, but no one could be trusted. Gideon indulges in insidious pleasures, which could possibly bring him down.

Most of the novel is set in England, with a vindictive supporting cast of killers, streetwalkers, thieves, and three women yearning to be Gideon’s leading lady. Dickey stepped outside of his norm because usually, his books have a more urban feel, and are normally set in Southern California or other big cities such as New York.

Like most of Dickey’s books, “Sleeping With Strangers,” was kind of slow in the beginning, and then the pace picked up after the first few chapters.

It was not an immediate page-turner, but after the reader catches the feel of the novel it becomes more difficult to put down.

“Sleeping With Strangers” isn’t a book that I would recommend purchasing. Borrowing the book from a friend would be a better idea. Over all, the book was a descent read.