“The Little Sleep” by Paul Tremblay
276 pages; Published by HarperCollins , ©2009 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, wisecrack