Sleep Alone

J a W McCarthy’s Sleep Alone presents a narrative centered on Ronnie, a merchandise seller for a touring band of succubi. For six years, she has endured late nights in sweaty clubs and dingy motel rooms across endless roads. This lifestyle leaves bodies in their wake until the arrival of Helene, an enigmatic figure who shares similar restlessness and secrets. Together with the band, they travel through the Pacific Northwest to escape past mistakes and a mysterious disease that consumes succubi from within. The text explores themes of insatiable hunger and isolation against the backdrop of rock and roll culture. It draws upon gothic traditions by blending supernatural elements with the gritty reality of life on the road. The narrative structure follows their journey as they attempt to outrun both their errors and the internal decay threatening them. McCarthy, a finalist for the Shirley Jackson Award and the Bram Stoker Award, crafts a story that balances lust with horror. This book suits readers who enjoy supernatural fiction mixed with musical subcultures. It may not appeal to those seeking traditional haunted house tales or non-supernatural romance. The inclusion of the bonus short story With Animals adds further depth to the exploration of desire and danger. The narrative concludes with Ronnie questioning her need for solitude, suggesting that connection might be possible despite the endless hunger.