An exciting and thrilling read from start to finish with plenty of twists and turns.

I found myself gripped by the mystery loved the different POVs and Anna’s diary for the story telling.

Knocked one star off as did guess the final twist but overall a great thriller with plenty of surprises.

Being a fan of psychology and the workings of the brain I really enjoyed most of this book. It was clear a lot of research had been done and could be considered as faction as some of the writing was fiction based upon fact.
This was a slow-burn but did not detract from the reading. As it is a psychological thriller it gave an opportunity for the reader to think about the storyline.
I think this is a book you will generally enjoy, or not, depending on your reading style. I really enjoyed it up until the final last big twist but then it got quite confusing and the writing seemed to be a bit rushed and did not glow correctly.
This is one of those books where you will be wanting to search the internet to find out more about some of the things discussed.
A good debut and I will be looking out for more publications from this author.
The book is published on 1t February 2024 in hardback, audio book and e-book formats.
Many thanks to Harper Collins UK, NetGalley and Matthew Blake for providing me with an electronic advanced copy of the book in return for an honest and unbiased review

I was instantly gripped by the synopsis of this book and once I started reading it, could not put it down. It’s dark, mysterious and deadly and had me completely hooked. It’s one of those novels that you will keep thinking about for days to come afterwards. Did she do it, how did she do it. Brilliantly written, in an highly recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction and the author for the chance to review.

Really impressive debut. A complicated and twisty story.
Anna O has been asleep for 4 years after committing 2 murders and sending a text admitting her guilt. Why did she do it?
Psychologist Ben Prince specialises in sleep disorders and when Anna O is transferred to The Abbey it’s his job to wake her up ready for her trial.
Told through several different POV’s including a notebook of Anna’s written leading up to the night of the murders we try and unravel, along with Dr Prince the real story of that night.

This book didn't go where I expected it to. That's not a bad thing, not at all. But if you are looking for a book that has echoes of The Silent Patient, and really has you questioning your understanding of what is going on and where the real guilt lies, then this will definitely be a book for you. With Anna O, Matthew Blake has served up a psychological thriller which is pulsing with suspense, steeped in atmosphere and rich in misdirection. It's a lesson in psychology, perhaps a touch of mythology, and a slow burning whodunnit. I can see why there is, and will be, a lot of talk about this book next year.

This is the story of the eponymous Anna Ogilvy, Anna O, or Sleeping Beauty, depending on your point of view, a young woman who has been lost in a deep sleep since an incident several years earlier when her to best friends and business partners were killed. Anna has been tried in the court of public opinion for the past four years, but now it is time for the real courts to decide. To convict, they need her toe be awake, a task they entrust to Dr Benedict Prince. He is a psychologist, specialising in sleep disorder, and with an untested theory on waking patients from prolonged sleep, or 'Resignation Syndrome'. Anna O is to be his guinea pig.

Matthew Blake has taken an interesting approach with the narration of this book. Most is told from Prince's point of view, but there are alternative chapters told from the perspective of an unidentified third party - at least we do not know their true identity or their role in all that occurred. There are also excerpts from Anna's diaries from around the time of the murders. All adds to the mystery and makes the reader question themselves and the truth of what happened. The diaries do little to aid Anna's case, or to make her appear sympathetic in the eyes of the reader, but Prince's absolute certainty that Anna is innocent, despite evidence to the contrary, including episodes of sleepwalking and parasomnia as a child, is infectious. There are so many moments when I found myself uncertain about what was truth and what was well orchestrated lies, that it really helped propel me to the end of the book.

The book is very atmospheric and deliberate in style. It's not a fast paced read, nor does it need to be, but there is a constant feeling of unease trickling throughout the narrative, and being faced with unreliable narrators, which they all are at certain times, keeps the suspense levels high. The psychological aspects of the book captured my attention too, the author making me want to learn more about sleep psychology (possible link to the fact I suck at sleeping on a good day). I honestly couldn't decide how I felt about any of the characters - still can't - but I felt some kind of affinity for Prince by the end of the book. It's the kind of story that will divide readers into a like or dislike camp for all of the characters, a bit like the Anna O/Sleeping Beauty divide.

The ending of the book ties everything up nicely, if not exactly neatly. Did it comes as a surprise? Yes, to a degree, although I had my suspicions about some of the characters. Was justice served? Well ... you'll have to read and decide for yourself. It's a very clever game the author has played so perhaps prepare to be blindsided. Not in all aspects of the case, but certainly in some. Thriller fans will love the switchbacks in determining guilt or innocence, and it's a book that will definitely get people talking.

WOW!!!!!! WHAT A READ!! I was not disappointed. Truly gripping, didn't want to put it down.
Anna is found with her best friends and business partners. She is holding the knife, they have been murdered. Anna has fallen into a deep sleep and has remained so for 4 years. There's a mysterious suspect 8 and patient X all involved somehow.
What happened that night? Did Anna kill her friends? She has been moved to the Abbey, sleep clinic where it is hoped Dr Prince will be able to wake her using a new technique.
More murder follows. Who is in danger? Who is the killer? Anna is still asleep.
What an ending!! Brilliant twist.
I absolutely recommend this book.

Anna has been asleep since killing her two friends and business partners. She can't be charged, or deemed unfit for trial, unless she wakes up, so is sent to the Abbey sleep clinic for Dr Benedict Prince to test his "cure" for resignation syndrome. We are also shown Anna's diaries in the lead up to the murder, which are in the possession of another unknown character. The plot is a bit convoluted, who is the mysterious patient X? Is Anna guilty or innocent? The ending seemed a bit rushed and the twist completely changed my reading of the book. A few things didn't make sense to me. OK for a beach read.

What a twist at the end! I considered it at some point but then dismissed the idea.
I found the premise fascinating, the concept of committing murder then falling into an endless sleep. I do enjoy reading the science of sleep and dreams, so this thriller was ideal and I pretty much read it in a day. The only reason I haven't given 5 stars, is due to some parts feeling a bit repetitive. Thank you for this netgalley arc.

So this is a warning…. Lock your doors, close your curtains, turn off your phone and make a flask of strong coffee because once you start to read this book you sure as hell aren’t going to want to put it down !!
The story is a fascinating one can someone commit murder whilst asleep/ sleepwalking and can they be charged with murder if they were still asleep some 4 years later on life support. This is the question throughout the story and there were so so many twists that right until the end I was never sure of just who was guilty of what.
It’s an impossible book to try and describe because it very cleverly deals with thoughts and feelings and I found myself changing my mind more than once as to what exactly went on when two people were killed.
I loved this book so much it had me fooled more than once, the writing was superb and the characters were well crafted and believable and the subject matter made it a compulsive read that I would highly recommend, many thanks to Matthew Blake for a very addictive 5 star read.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Anna Ogilvy has been asleep for four years following the fatal stabbing of two people of which she is accused of committing in her sleep. However in order to face trial she must wake up and she is transferred from the high security unit in which she has been cared to the Harley street sleep clinic under the care of Dr Benedict Price. Told from several view points the story of Anna and what lead to the murders is gradually revealed.. But is she guilty? Are you #TeamAnna? Although the story was slow in parts I did enjoy this novel despite working out the reveal well before the end. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this novel in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. Anna Ogilvy has been in a deep sleep since she was found next to her 2 murdered friends with a blood covered knife in her hand. Now the powers that be want to bring her to court and turn to Harley Street sleep specialist Ben for help. Ben is convinced that he can bring Anna back to full consciousness. This is an unusual story but is full of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat to the end.
Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

I received an advanced reading copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, and the author Matthew Blake.
While exciting at times and an interesting premise, the story dragged on, the ending was drawn out and extremely frustrating. I went from quite enjoying the story around the middle of the book, to just wishing it would end. Despite this, the story felt rushed which is why I can only give it a generous 3 stars.

This was a twisty psychological thriller which kept me guessing right up until the end. Anna O falls into a deep sleep after the murder of her 2 best friends. The book flicks between present day and her diaries, so we get to understand her a bit better. Was she capable of killing them in her sleep, did she kill them when she was conscious or was it someone else all together?

We spend an average of thirty-three years asleep. But what really happens, and what are we capable of when we are sleeping?

Anna Ogilvy was a budding twenty-five-year-old writer with a bright future. Then, one night, she stabbed two people to death with no apparent motive - and she hasn't woken up since. Dubbed "Sleeping Beauty" by the tabloids. Anna suffers from a rare psychotic disorder known to neurologists as "resignation syndrome." Dr. Benedict Prince is a forensic psychologist and an expert in the field of sleep-related homicides. His methods represent the last positive hope of solving the famous "Anna O" case by waking Anna up so she can face trial.

This well-written thriller kept me guessing. Anna O has been sleeping for four years after stabbing two of her friends. Dr, Benedict Prince specialises in sleep disorders, and he is going to try and wake Anna up.

This story is multi=layered and complex. I certainly learned a lot about the psychology surrounding this story, and it's told from multiple points of view. The pace is on the slow side. I quite enjoyed this debut novel that had me gripped and guessing all the way through.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #HarperFicton and the author #MatthnewBlake for my ARC of #AnnaO in exchange for an honest review.

This book sounded right up my street but I just could not connect with it and DNF. I often read in bed before sleep and this was making me feel uncomfortable about falling asleep - maybe that was the intention.

Apart from that, it felt slow paced and a little repetitive.

I hope the book has a lot of success and having read the other reviews I think I’m in the minority of not getting into it.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #HarperCollins for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

"Anna O" by Matthew Blake is a riveting psychological thriller that unfolds the mystery of Anna Ogilvy, accused of a chilling crime that left her in a perpetual slumber. Found with a bloody knife and the bodies of her friends nearby, Anna becomes the focal point of the crime of the century. The narrative weaves through multiple timelines, blending Dr. Benedict Prince's attempts to wake Anna with the events leading to the murders.

As Dr. Prince navigates the complexities of Anna's case, his personal struggles, including a recent divorce and strained relationship with his daughter, Kit Kat, add layers to the storyline. Blake masterfully intertwines Anna's diary entries, Ben's investigation, and the echoes of a past case, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

The novel explores themes of guilt, innocence, and the impact of sleep crime, delivering a menacing atmosphere and a cast of ambiguous characters. "Anna O" captivates with its intricate plot, ensuring that the quest for truth takes center stage, making it a compelling and thought-provoking read.

I absolutely loved the premise of this book and it drew me in straight away. The concept and research that went into the book is mind boggling. So Bravo to the author because the detail really was exceptional.
Unfortunately I felt it was far too long and it dragged a lot and became a bit repetitive for me. The ending was decent but it took a long time to get there but it kept me turning the pages.
Certainly a memorable book for the story line.

Anna is accused of murdering two people but has yet to stand trial as she's been asleep since doing so. Dr Benedict Prince, a specialist in sleep crime, is now tasked with seeing if he can wake her and determine the truth.

Following Ben's attempts to awaken Anna, while he also grapples with the fall out of his recent divorce and the impact on his relationship with his daughter, who he calls Kit Kat. We also follow the build up to the day of the murders through Anna's diary entries and the interviews Ben carries out with her family.

Blending the timelines of Anna's case with Ben's life and the legacy of a case from the late 90s, I challenge you not to get immersed in the quest to work out the identity of Patient X and Suspect 8. Indeed, trying to work these out may well take priority over wondering whether Anna is innocent or guilty of the crimes she's suspected.

Filled with menace and a cast of ambiguous characters, Anna O is engaging and gripping. An amazing debut novel, I look forward to seeing more from Matthew.

I found Anna O quite an intense but very interesting and fascinating read. It is a thriller, a murder mystery and a psychological drama all rolled into one. The plot is a bit of a rollercoaster and the twists at the end......Wow!
There is quite a lot of medical jargon in the text but this didn't concern me as I have a medical background. I read the book over Christmas and it provided a superb dark counterpoint to the colourful jangle of the season. Thoroughly enjoyable and definitely recommended but a book you will need to concentrate on. 5* 
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Longer review to come. But it's definitely worth the read. Anna O. has more than one strong twist and the pacing is great.