Bedtime Story

Christopher Knox reads bedtime stories to his son David every night, maintaining their cherished ritual even after his divorce. When he discovers a mysterious book called To the Four Directions at a used bookstore, he decides to share it with David. As Christopher reads the fantasy novel to his son, David falls into a coma-like sleep that doctors cannot explain. Christopher becomes convinced there is a connection between the book and his son's condition, leading him on a desperate search for answers about To the Four Directions and its enigmatic author. The narrative alternates between Christopher's increasingly frantic investigation and passages from the fantasy novel itself, creating two parallel storylines. The boundaries between fiction and reality begin to blur as Christopher uncovers dark secrets about the book's origins and its effects on previous readers. This novel explores the primal bond between parent and child, while examining the power of stories to shape our reality and the lengths people will go to protect those they love. The book raises questions about the nature of fiction itself and its ability to transform both reader and storyteller.

Readers found this supernatural thriller engaging but noted pacing issues, particularly in the middle sections. The parallel storylines and exploration of parental bonds resonated with many readers. Liked: - Strong emotional core focused on father-son relationship - Integration of book-within-a-book concept - Detailed Victoria, BC setting - Horror elements balanced with family drama Disliked: - Slow middle section - Some found the ending unsatisfying - Several readers mentioned confusion about certain plot threads left unresolved - Some supernatural elements felt underdeveloped Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (486 ratings) Amazon: 3.8/5 (32 ratings) Selected Reader Comments: "The father's desperation feels real and drives the story" - Goodreads reviewer "Started strong but lost steam halfway through" - Amazon reviewer "The Victoria setting adds authenticity but the supernatural parts need more explanation" - LibraryThing review

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📚 Author Robert J. Wiersema wrote this novel while working full-time as a bookseller in Victoria, British Columbia. 🌟 The book weaves together three parallel narratives: a father reading to his son, a mysterious book that seems to trap its readers, and a fantasy world where a young boy must complete a quest. 📖 The novel pays homage to classic children's fantasy literature, particularly Michael Ende's "The Neverending Story." 🕰️ The story alternates between modern-day Canada and a medieval-style fantasy realm, with the transitions marked by different typefaces in the book's design. 💫 The author drew inspiration from his own experiences reading bedtime stories to his son, making the father-son relationship at the heart of the novel particularly authentic and touching.