Sleeping Giants

A Novel

By: Rene Denfeld

Narrated by: Alex Hyde-White

“Rene Denfeld reminds us that storytelling remains one of the most powerful means we have of confronting our darkest human impulses, and sometimes overcoming them.”—Washington Post

From the bestselling author of The Child Finder and The Enchanted, a compelling and poignant story of sibling bonds, monsters masquerading as caretakers, terrifying secrets, and the power of love to right even the most egregious wrongs.

Twenty years ago, a nine-year-old boy was swept away by powerful waves on a remote Oregon beach, his body lost to the sea. Only a stone memorial remains to mark his tragic death.

For most of her life, Amanda Dufresne had no idea she had an older brother named Dennis Owens, or that he had died. Adopted as a baby, she learned about him while looking into her late birth mother, and is curious to know more about this lost sibling. A solitary young woman, Amanda has always felt distanced from the world around her. Her brain works differently from others, leaving her feeling set apart. Her one true companion is the orphaned polar bear she cares for working at the zoo. By getting to know her birth family, she hopes to understand more about herself.

Retired police officer Larry Palmer is a widower with nothing but time and in need of a purpose. He offers to help Amanda find answers. The search leads to shocking and heartbreaking discoveries. Dennis Owen had been a forgotten foster child abandoned to a home for disturbed boys off the coast. As Amanda and Larry dig deeper into the past, the two stumble upon decades of cruelty and hidden crimes—including a barbaric treatment still used today.

Told in Rene Denfeld’s inimitable style, Sleeping Giants is an enthralling and heartbreaking novel that burrows deep in the heart and will leave no reader untouched.

Another excellent novel

Another excellent novel by Rene Denfeld. A story of separated siblings and police working a case from years prior never solved.

I liked this one!

I intentionally listened to a book that didn’t have a ton of reviews. I just wanted to see if big-name authors write better than lesser-name authors. Turns out, they don’t.

Sleeping Giants was complex and educational. The characters were well-developed and likable. I recommend this one.

outstanding story telling

I didn't want to stop listening. The story really nailed how inadequate the foster system can be. I hope one day we, as a society, will find a better solution to help children who have no one else.

Awesome story line

This didn’t feel like a fictional story at all. The abuse the poor kids receive at institutions like the one in the story should be made more public. I laughed, cried and shook my head throughout this book. Best read in a long time!

“The Treatment “

The narrator was excellent. I could almost always tell who was speaking. The story was very good, too. I was surprised at the end, didn’t see it coming, although I suspected Charlie was a shady character. The added side story about polar bears was nice, maybe a little too cute that the bear sisters were reunited.