Are You Sleeping (novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2017 |
| Founder | Kathleen Barber |
| Products | Murder mystery novel |
Are You Sleeping, the first novel by Kathleen Barber, is a murder mystery inspired by her background in law practiced in Chicago and New York. Drawing influence from the Serial podcast, the narrative revolves around a podcast exploring the case of an inmate who may have been wrongly convicted of murder.[1] Originally released in hardcover in 2017 and later in paperback in 2018, the book’s television rights were secured and transformed into the series Truth Be Told by producer Nichelle Tramble Spellman for Apple TV+, debuting in 2019.[2] To coincide with the show, the novel was retitled Truth Be Told in 2019.
Plot
After losing their parents at age fifteen, twins Josie and Lanie Buhrman became estranged: their father Charles "Chuck" was murdered, while their mother Erin became involved with a cult. Thirteen years onward, investigative journalist Poppy Parnell publishes a podcast questioning whether Warren Cave, convicted mainly based on Lanie’s eyewitness account, was unjustly found guilty of Chuck’s murder.[3] As Parnell’s inquiry deepens, the sisters come back together following their mother’s suicide.[1]
Differences with TV series
According to Bustle magazine, notable alterations appear in the television adaptation: Josie Burhman serves as the protagonist in the novel, while Poppy Parnell plays a smaller role, with her podcasts casting doubt on Cave’s conviction. Conversely, the TV show places Poppy at the forefront as the central character.[3]