What if your nightmares weren’t just dreams—but a doorway to something far more sinister? Fatigued by John S. Bartolotta is a pulse-pounding supernatural thriller that blurs the line between sleep and wakefulness, justice and vengeance. Detective Henry Calloway’s battle with sleep apnea takes a terrifying turn when his dreams become a conduit for a malevolent force—one that threatens not only his sanity but the entire city he’s sworn to protect.

A Detective Haunted by More Than His Past

Henry Calloway is no stranger to exhaustion. A seasoned detective who’s seen the darkest corners of the human soul, he’s also plagued by sleep apnea, a condition that leaves his nights filled with restless torment and his days dragging under a haze of fatigue. But when those dreams start bleeding into his waking life—visions of brutal attacks, a shadowy phantom figure, and whispers of a decades-old conspiracy—Henry realizes something deeply unnatural is at work. The deeper Henry digs into these eerie occurrences, the clearer the connection becomes. His nightmares are more than just the manifestations of a troubled subconscious—they’re tied to a wrongful conviction, a long-buried cover-up, and a vengeful spirit seeking retribution.

What starts as a personal affliction soon becomes a city-wide threat, and Henry is thrust into a case that’s far more chilling than anything he’s faced before. Teaming up with his loyal partner, Ray Morales, a cop with a level head and a skeptical streak, and an enigmatic clairvoyant who seems to know more than she should, Henry sets off to unravel a web of corruption that reaches the highest levels of political and police power. But as the phantom’s grip on his psyche tightens, Henry is forced to face a terrifying question: is he hunting a killer, or is the killer hunting through him?

A Masterful Blend of Crime Noir and Supernatural Horror

Bartolotta crafts a story that is as much a gritty, hard-boiled detective thriller as it is a chilling supernatural tale. Fatigued exists in a space where the gritty realism of police work collides with eerie, dreamlike horror, creating a suspenseful, disorienting atmosphere that keeps readers constantly on edge. As Henry’s struggle with sleep deprivation deepens, so does the psychological tension—how much of what he’s experiencing is truly happening, and how much is his fractured mind playing tricks on him?

The novel’s exploration of guilt, redemption, and the cost of justice elevates it well beyond the boundaries of a standard thriller. Henry isn’t just fighting an external evil; he’s battling his own demons—both literal and figurative. Every lead he chases, every phantom he encounters, brings him one step closer to a truth that might unravel him completely. The supporting cast adds richness and complexity to the unfolding mystery. Ray Morales, ever-loyal yet grounded in logic, serves as Henry’s anchor to the real world, while the cryptic clairvoyant, with her unsettling insight into Henry’s dreams, provides eerie guidance on his journey through the supernatural. Their dynamic adds both emotional depth and narrative tension, making the mystery even more compelling.

About the Author: A Life of Grit and Storytelling

John S. Bartolotta’s own life reads like a novel in itself. Born into a large Italian family in New York City, he experienced life’s struggles early and often. His early years as a meat cutter gave way to a period of service in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War—a transformative experience that left a lasting mark on him. After returning home, he worked as a plumber, a real estate broker, and a labor relations professional before finally retiring.

But Bartolotta wasn’t content to fade quietly into retirement. He channeled his energy into the arts—painting, sculpting, and wood carving—before discovering a passion for storytelling. His diverse life experiences lend Fatigued its gritty realism. Whether he’s describing the physical and mental toll of sleep deprivation or the shadowy corruption of city institutions, Bartolotta’s prose feels lived-in, authentic, and powerfully visceral.

There’s a sense throughout the novel that the author understands his characters not just from the outside, but from the inside out. Henry Calloway’s exhaustion, his moral conflicts, his weariness with the world—all of it feels real, and all of it stems from a storyteller who’s seen both the beauty and the brutality of life.

Final Thoughts: A Must-Read for Fans of Dark, Mind-Bending Thrillers

Fatigued is perfect for readers who love crime thrillers with a supernatural twist—think The Outsider by Stephen King meets Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane. Bartolotta delivers a story that is as thought-provoking as it is terrifying, weaving together a chilling tapestry of mystery, horror, and raw human emotion. It’s a book that forces readers to question the boundaries of reality and the power of the human mind—and what happens when those boundaries are shattered.

Available now on Amazon Kindle, Fatigued is a haunting exploration of justice, redemption, and the thin, often perilous veil between dreams and nightmares. With each turn of the page, the stakes rise and the mystery deepens, culminating in a climax that’s both emotionally resonant and utterly chilling.

Have you read Fatigued? Do you believe dreams can be more than just subconscious visions? Share your thoughts in the comments!

“When sleep is the enemy, waking up might be the real nightmare.” — Dive into Fatigued by John S. Bartolotta today.