“The Little Sleep” by Paul Tremblay
He’s a narcoleptic, which tends to complicate his job as a private investigator. Not as much as the two enforcers who work for the local D.A. off the books, but enough for someone who’s paid to look for things.
His name is Mark Genevich, and he is the only hope for a local girl whose claim to fame is being a finalist on a reality talent show. Oh yeah, and she’s the daughter of the District Attorney; The same one who employs the aforementioned enforcers.
Paul Tremblay’s book follows Genevich through South Boston, into Quincy, and finally Cape Cod as he tries to connect hazy dots with the help of his mother/landlord, Ellen, and a gruff cabbie.
The story starts with the clichès of a PI novel: a dark figure alone in an office living on coffee and cigarettes, hoping to land a client before the landlord reminds him how far behind he is in the rent again. “Sleep”, however, soon finds its own voice as Genevich evolves into a lovable, wisecracking native of Southie who struggles to keep away his physical and mental afflictions long enough to do his job.
Genevich knows the delicacy of the case. Anything that involves the D.A.’s daughter is delicate, even if compromising photos aren’t involved, but families growing up together in South Boston will only get you so far. Genevich knows he can’t do it alone. He also knows he’ll need all of his street-smarts if he wants to live to see the next day, let alone solve his case. Just how does a PI find his mark when the pictures he has doesn’t exactly match her? And what, exactly, happens to a narcoleptic when he’s driving a rental down route 3? There are plenty of little subplots and side stories in this caper, and the wisecracking Mark will keep you amused and entertained no matter how much or what kind of trouble he finds himself in.
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