I can’t deny that this was clever and complex as a murder story but I also didn’t enjoy reading the long and difficult life of Anna O. There weren’t really any characters in this that were relatable other than a child. I found the trajectory of the story confusing but I had to keep going because it had to have an end. There were so many ‘late developments ‘ in the plot that I wondered if I had been reading the same story early on. It may well attract readers, the hype around it seems huge but it really wasn’t for me. Thanks to @netgalley for an advance copy to read in return for a public review.

In "Anna O" by Matthew Blake, the intriguing mystery unfolds around Anna Ogilvy, a young writer who, in a sleepwalking episode, allegedly commits a brutal crime. Afflicted with "resignation syndrome," she remains in a seemingly perpetual slumber. Dr. Benedict Prince, a forensic psychologist, enters the scene to awaken Anna, aiming to unravel the truth behind the infamous "Anna O" case. The narrative explores the delicate balance of solving crimes while dealing with career secrets and complex personal lives.

The premise promises a gripping exploration of sleep-related homicides, with Anna's condition adding a layer of psychological depth. However, the narrative suffers from a somewhat cumbersome structure and an abundance of references. The myriad allusions to Hitchcock, literature, and mythology, while attempting to enrich the story, might come across as overwhelming.

Despite some structural issues, "Anna O" captivates with its initial setup and the mystery surrounding Anna's predicament. Dr. Prince's involvement adds an element of suspense, as the consequences of waking Anna become increasingly unpredictable. While the plot's trajectory may become apparent early on, the narrative keeps readers engaged, especially if they appreciate thoughtful, slow-burn thrillers. For those intrigued by the mysteries of sleep and crime, "Anna O" offers a unique exploration into the world of psychosomatic disorders and the potential darkness lurking within dreams.

Firstly thanks to Harper Collins Aust and Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a psychological thriller about Anna O who apparently murdered two of her friends and has been asleep ever since. Her psychologist is Dr Benedict Price who is a forensic expert on sleep disorders. He will attempt to wake her up and hopefully solve the mystery and determine whether she is innocent or guilty as charged.
I enjoyed the book overall, however I found that I had to really concentrate for it to keep my interest. There was a lot of repetition in describing the events from different points of view. The build up to the climax was slow, and to be honest I could see where it was gong. However there was still one twist to the plot that I was not anticipating. Well done!
Overall, I did not love any of the characters. It could have reached the conclusion earlier without the waffle.
The book was well written. So I will give it 3.5 stars.

I loved this. It was about sleep-walking and sleep disorders. Dr Benedict Prince works at the Abbey, in Harley Street in London. He is interested in people who commit crimes while asleep.
He has a young daughter, and his ex-wife is a police Detective who has an interest in one of Dr Benedict Princes patients. The patient is known as Anna O and she is suspected of murdering two people in 2019. For four years she has been asleep and not woken. Anna O can not be put on trial until she wakes.
Dr Prince is given the task of finding a way to waken Anna but there are people who don’t want Anna wakened. Dr Prince and his family are in danger.
This was a psychological thriller, full of twists and turns, secrets and murder.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review prior to publication.
What a twisty read! Anna O has not opened her eyes in four years after stabbing two people to death.
This is no usual murder mystery- there’s police procedural, journalism and research, and psychology and sleep specialty.
Some of the story line was tricky to follow with the number of twists and possible red herrings but a very original and enthralling story!

Unfortunately I really struggled with this book. The descriptions seemed to go off on tangents and when it felt like you were about to find something out, we switched to monotonous pages of history. The idea was great but for me, way too much in-depth analysis to a pretty boring tale. I was sadly glad when I got to the end.

‘Forget the past. Manage the present.’

Anna Ogilvy was a twenty-five-year-old writer with a bright future. But one night while sleepwalking, she apparently stabbed two people to death, and hasn’t woken up since. Four years later, she is still asleep and has been diagnosed as suffering from ‘Resignation Syndrome’. Naturally, the tabloids have dubbed Anna ‘Sleeping Beauty’.

Doctor Benedict Prince is a forensic psychologist, considered an expert in the field of sleep-related homicides. He becomes involved with Anna’s case in a last-ditch attempt by officials to wake Anna up so she can stand trial for the murders. While initially reluctant to become involved (for reasons that will become clear as the story unfolds), Doctor Prince agrees to try to wake Anna. While Dr Prince is aware of some of the dangers involved, he cannot anticipate the consequences.

What are we capable of while asleep? And how responsible are we for actions taken? I did not anticipate a couple of the twists in this story, partly because I was fascinated by ‘Resignation Syndrome’ and was easily distracted while trying to learn more about it. The story unfolds through several viewpoints, the tension ratchets up throughout the novel, and the ending took me by surprise. While I wasn’t entirely satisfied, I was intrigued by this story, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a mystery with an unusual twist (or two).

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Fascinating and thrilling all in one. Loved the premise of sleep as the catalyst and it grabbed me from the first page and didn't let go!

My Rating: ★★★ 1/2

I recently had the opportunity to delve into the mysterious world of "Anna O" by Matthew Blake, courtesy of the team at NetGalley. First and foremost, a big shoutout to them and to the author for allowing me to be a part of the ARC team.

Matthew Blake weaves a compelling narrative in "Anna O," introducing us to the enigmatic Anna Ogilvy, a once-promising writer whose life takes a dark turn with a seemingly motiveless double homicide. The story revolves around Anna's peculiar condition, labeled "resignation syndrome," which keeps her trapped in a perpetual state of slumber. Blake explores the intricate realm of sleep-related homicides, drawing in readers with a promise to unravel the mysteries that lie within the confines of Anna's unconscious mind.

One of the standout aspects of the book is Blake's writing style, which skillfully immerses the reader into the storyline. The prose is engaging, and the pacing keeps you turning the pages, eager to uncover the secrets shrouding Anna's nightmarish reality.

However, my rating reflects a personal sentiment that the book didn't entirely meet all my expectations. Admittedly, this could be influenced by my current preference for different genres. As a reader, I found myself yearning for something more or perhaps a twist that would elevate the narrative to the next level.

Nevertheless, I appreciate the complexity of the plot and the author's ability to maintain a sense of intrigue throughout. The character of Dr. Benedict Prince adds an interesting layer to the story, bringing with him the expertise of a forensic psychologist and the challenges of a complicated personal life.

I've decided to give "Anna O" another chance. A promise to myself to revisit this novel once I shift my literary preferences, acknowledging that sometimes the right book at the wrong time might not shine as brightly as it should. There's an anticipation that with a fresh perspective, the narrative might reveal nuances and depths that I initially missed.

In conclusion, "Anna O" is a captivating exploration of the blurred lines between dreams and reality, with a gripping premise that holds promise. I recommend it to readers who enjoy delving into psychological mysteries and are ready for a journey through the uncharted landscapes of the human mind.

I wish I could say I enjoyed this book, but the more I think about it, I realize I can't.

The story follows a psychologist treating a woman who's fallen into a multi-year-long sleep after allegedly having murdered two of her friends. The psychologist is tasked with waking her up in order to solve the case.

It's an interesting premise that, unfortunately, was let down by the execution:

- The characters didn't seem fully developed, and choices or statements they made were often not explained or explored in any detail.
- Relationships between characters were often described differently to how they came across in the pages. For example (SPOILER ALERT), when the main character's boss is murdered, he is inconsolable for hours and describes their relationship as almost that of a mother and son. But up until this point, I can't remember ever thinking their relationship was anything but professional. Similarly, when the main character's ex-wife meets with her boss's boss - for what seems to be only the first or second time - he tells her she's the only person he can trust. How is that possibly the case when they don't know each other?
- The chapter breaks were frequent and often unnecessary. Many books in this genre are written with short chapters that end on a cliffhanger, but when the next chapter picks up exactly where the previous one ends, I can't help but feel that it's a bit unnecessary - especially if the "cliffhanger" isn't that great to begin with.
- The use of pop culture references quickly became tedious - you could read about Harry Potter, Marie Kondo, WhatsApp, Spotify, and KitKat, all in a single chapter.
- It could've done with more editing, as the story often felt repetitive and the pacing inconsistent - sometimes it moved very slowly, other times almost too fast.

I don't read a lot of murder mysteries, but with this book being marketed as 'the next global phenomenon,' my mind went straight to The Da Vinci Code, Gone Girl, and the like, and my interest was peaked. -lAnna O, unfortunately, doesn't come close to comparing with these excellent mysteries. Perhaps I would've enjoyed this more had my expectations not been so high thanks to the publisher's marketing team.

This gripping thriller explores the psychology behind those who commit crimes whilst sleepwalking. The combination of this fascinating phenomena combined with a high profile murder had me up all night reading. Told from multiple points of views - Ben, a psychologist specialist in sleep disorders, his ex-wife Clara, who was the first police officer on the scene, Lola, a blogger who is fascinated by the crime and Anna, through her journals. I was hooked as we discovered more about the crimes, tried to work out who was patient X and to see if Ben would succeed in waking Anna up. The fast pace kept up all the way and I enjoyed the twists and turns at the end. For fans of The Silent Patient and Before I go to Sleep.

Wow what a mind blowing ending that I was not expecting! This has all the makings of a brilliant physcological thriller and then some. It's a bumpy ride and I had to hold on extra tight.

I am a first-time reader of Matthew Blake, and all I can say is, OMG! I couldn’t put it down!

Anna O is about a girl named Anna who has been asleep for four years, but she is accused of murder. Can you kill in your sleep? Matthew Blake does not give anything away, and the ending is not what I expected, but it is so worth it!
The book mentions - Functional Neurological Disorder - a condition I have, so I was interested to see how it was portrayed. I wasn’t disappointed.

If you love psychological thrillers, drama, and suspense, then this is a book for you.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Australia for an advanced copy. Anna O is set for release on February 1st, 2024.

A wonderfully thrilling book, well thought out and gripping. Blake has clearly put a lot of time and effort into this novel, and it shows.

I really wanted to read this book but just couldn't the writing was to small and i couldn't download to my kindle .

mindblowing and suspenseful are two words I would use to describe this book. It was incre=ibly paced, with twists and turns to keep you on your toes though the whole story. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

4/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC

Well I started this book and wasn't sure at all whether I would be able to get into it. But before long I was a bit hooked as the subject matter was quite intriguing. And the further I got in I just couldn't stop reading as the story is told from the angle of numerous characters but foremost in the eyes of Ben (the sleep specialist) and Anna O (through her diary).

This is a story that will get your mind reeling as you decide who is at fault, who is the murderer, what the outcome should be and if this really does happen. A double murder, the murderer asleep for four years and the twists and turns of past lives coming together to make a more than exciting conclusion.

This is a book that will keep you guessing and you have to be good to know how it will end. I certainly couldn't figure it out. A well written book (though at times I did find it a bit overwhelming with all the references and jargon), great characters that evolved throughout the story but I must confess it isn't fast paced but it is psychologically thrilling for sure. 4 1/2 stars (had to take 1/2 star off for the long-windedness of it).

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I hadn’t heard much about this book going in to it, a well paced psychological thriller that was easy to read. Alas it wasn’t for me.

Anna O is a debut novel by British author Matthew Blake. This was a crime thriller unlike anything I have ever read before as it focusses on such an unusual topic, resignation syndrome. This syndrome is a real condition in which people go into a state of deep sleep, similar to hibernation. Anna Ogilvy, known as Sleeping Beauty, murders her two closest friends and then falls asleep straight after committing the crime. Sleep expert Dr. Benedict Prince is called in to try and reverse the symptoms so Anna can be put on trial for murder. What follows is an interesting mystery told from several characters points of view. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more from this author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

The idea was really intriguing and drew me in, however I felt like this was a much slower pace than I like. I couldn't get into it and ended up DNFing.