This is not my normal type of novel to read but it sounded intriguing so I gave it a go. I felt that it started off quite well but the twists and turns seemed quite ridiculous to me and the ending was tortuous. As I said I don’t usually read this kind of book so maybe that had something to do with it but sadly I won’t be reading anything more by Matthew Blake.

I liked the premise of this story, a woman in an unexplained coma following the murder of her two best friends, of which the police would want to charge her for.. however for her to be accused and go on trial, she has to be awake. A troubled sleep psychologist Ben Prince is engaged to wake her up…
An intriguing book, which I want to get into and enjoy but I have had trouble sticking with it, as not invested with the characters perhaps. On writing this I am inspired to give it another try though

An intriguing, fascinating novel. I found it thought provoking and chilling at times with a totally unexpected ending. Two people are stabbed to death in a cabin in the Forest and Anna O is found asleep, covered in blood with a knife in her hand. Anna O remains in a deep sleep and unable to be wakened to prove whether she killed them or not, but a psychologist arrives- Dr. Prince who tries different methods to waken her.

Huge thanks to the publisher for this ARC, this was a really compelling read. It’s dark, mysterious, keeps you on edge. A great book.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the advance reader copy.

The premise of this book was so intriguing and I quickly went to request it. I found that I didn’t get into the book at all throughout the read and had to push to finish the overall story.

I felt nothing for all the characters and their varying points of view. Even the ‘twist’ didn’t shock as much as confuse me. There seemed to be a lot of things tacked on to the story in terms of revelations which just felt forced and aiming for shock.

I didn’t feel like I’d read the book that was promoted to me and still feel like there was something lacking on the story.
I think a lot of reviewers have said this, but so much of this book is so slow it feels like wading through mud. You don’t know what the point of certain information is and it doesn’t ever really become relevant to the final reveal.

Thank you, Harper Collins and Netgalley for Anna O by Matthew Blake.
I didn’t know fully what to expect from this book from the brief blurb that I read. But the story intrigued me that I had to give it a shot.
Doctor Benedict Prince is an expert in sleep disorders and has been given details of Patient X or Ann O has the media calls her. Who has been in a resignation state since she murdered two people four years ago. The Ministry of Justice has contacted him ask him to help wake Anna O up. So, she can attend trail for the murders she has committed. Sounds Good right?
I found the concept of this story intriguing and original and I enjoyed the most parts of this story. But I also found that it was laden with loads on technical and medical jargon which, got a bit too heavy for me personally. Especially after the time that Anna O woke up and towards the ending. But I didn’t expect the conclusion of the story. 3.5 stars from me.

Thank you for the advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

It starts with Ben ( Dr. Benedict Prince) receiving information on a case Anna O. He is an expert on sleep disorders or more specifically when a person commits a crime while still asleep.

You also meet Lola a nutritionist who was there that faithful evening along with Emily, Anna’s mother.

About halfway through Anna wakes up from the sleep state she’d been in for the last 4 years, now things start to get interesting.

Was not expecting the ending!

Overall I enjoyed this book, I found the plot engaging and a well written psychologic thriller, I didnt see the ending coming at all. My only grip was the author wrote a lot about Bens thought and at times I felt they were long winded and drawn out. The book started slow for me and picked up pace towards the end with a good plot twist

I was really excited for Anna O as the premise was intriguing - a murder suspect suffering from a long term sleeping condition and the potential that we could actually do unexpected things in our own sleep.

The story got off to quite a slow start which was partly down to the overly flowery language the author uses throughout. In places it reads like someone who has just found out what a thesaurus is and there are a jarring number of Harry Potter references from Anna’s perspective.

I also didn’t find Benedict (the main doctor) to be a very sympathetic character and there was a lot of repetition in his thoughts (theories and paranoia).

I saw the ending coming from early on in the book but, when the story picked up the pace, I became hopeful that I was wrong and there would be a spectacular twist. Sadly there wasn’t and I found the reveal to be predictable and disappointing.

Very cleverly written. This book is a real page turner. You'll think you've cracked it a fair few times and be wrong at every turn.
A mystery to be solved, this feels fresh and different.

A sleep doctor, a murderess and everyone around them. I was convinced I could crack this, but no! You will want to keep reading to find out more after every chapter.

I loved this. And would want to read more by this author.

I was intrigued as soon as I read the brief blurb for this novel, and it immediately went on my TBR list! The thought that someone could commit murder in their sleep and be unaware of it is a brilliant premise for a story.
Unfortunately, I found the first half of the book slow going and difficult to get into. Although the explanations of resignation syndrome and sleep disorders were necessary to the story, I found them quite technical, and the jargon detracted from my enjoyment. I found myself thinking a few times in the early part of the book that I had no idea what was going on! Thankfully, the pace picked up in the second half, and I sprinted through it, keen to get some answers and confirm or disprove my theories.
Speaking of theories, I suspected just about everyone by the midway point! The author does an excellent job of planting red herrings and introducing plot twists along the way. I had called part of the ending quite early on, but I did not see the final twist coming AT ALL. The ending left me a little unsatisfied. I still felt like I had unanswered questions or didn’t fully understand the characters’ motives for acting the way they did.
I agree with other reviewers that the Harry Potter references felt out of place and cringeworthy in this kind of novel. I also didn’t think the “patient notes” were particularly credible.
I enjoy books that teach me something along the way, and this one did that in spades. I had never heard of resignation syndrome before and spent a long time reading about the Swedish refugee children and resignation syndrome. The book has also sparked some interesting conversations with family and friends, so I agree with others that this would make a great book club read since opinions and theories would vary widely. I can also see the story working well in film or TV format.
Another aspect I liked was the refreshing perspective on divorce/separation through the man’s eyes. I thought Matthew Blake did this really well. I wonder if he draws on personal experience here. I found Dr Prince’s thoughts about losing his child and marriage thought-provoking and moving. It was a far cry from the stereotypical portrayal of the unreliable dad who fails to show up for his kids/ex-partner that we see all too frequently in books/media, and I applaud that. The sense of grief was real, and it gave me a lot of food for thought as a recently separated mother.
Overall, I enjoyed Anna O. It kept me intrigued throughout, and the brisk pace of the second half more than made up for the slow start. I learned a lot along the way. This is, I believe, the author’s debut, and it’s quite an accomplishment for a first novel. I’m curious to see where this author goes next. I think he will only improve. One to watch.
With thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#AnnaO #NetGalley

Anna O was an interesting read, I enjoyed the story and was intrigued by resignation syndrome, I have never heard about it before.
I liked the twists and turns of the story and Ben made a good character to follow as the introduction of Anna throws his life into disarray.

This is a really good idea for a story, which, for me, was not told well. It took me weeks to read as I couldn’t engage with the characters. The ending is surprising and in a way made my hard work worthwhile, I just don’t believe that reading for pleasure should be hard work.

Not a writer for me to follow.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

This seriously had me back peddling and what the helling throughout the final chapters…brilliant novel I hope he writes more, a story full secrets that simmer under the surface of this gripping thriller, ensuring that every twist and turn is more shocking than the last, the ending is beyond belief. A must read!!!

I can be quite a tough reviewer when it comes to thrillers, and while I have seen some hot and cold reviews for this book, I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. I haven't enjoyed a thriller this much since I read the Silent Patient! Which is interesting as I think it;s fair to say the two books have some parallels, what with the main characters in both books being incapacitated in some way. In this book Anna O is a mysterious sleeping beauty. Yes of course from the beginning of the book I knew it was too obvious that Anna O wasn't the true culprit, however the author succeeded to plant enough red herrings throughout the book that I was led astray and did not guess the ending. For me that is the biggest compliment I can give a thriller!

This book had a very interesting premise but I'm afraid I couldn't connect with the characters or indeed the writing. I imagine the hook could sustain other readers but I did not finish it

A great storyteller who draws you in and great characters who are multi-layered and not necessarily likeable people which, for me, is more believable.

A mystery from start to finish, Anna O had me jumping from one potential suspect to another and back again. A great weaving tale of murder, mystery and suspense.
My reservation of this novel is possibly more to do with my preference in genre. I thought from the blurb that this would be a psychological thriller but i feel it is better explained as murder, mystery and suspense. However, i cannot judge it based on my own misconception.

I found the analytical information regarding resignation syndrome and post traumatic amnesia very interesting indeed. I love it when novels teach me something scientifically researched; it gives the novel a whole new layer to focus my mind upon and read up on after i put the book down.

A great debut novel from Matthew Blake. Thanks to the Publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this novel, in exchange for an honest review.

Where do I start with this amazing book. It would be easier to write what I didn’t like about it rather than what I did. Basically there is nothing I did not like. The story ambles along and you think you know where it’s going however you actually have no idea! In my opinion it is a very cleverly written book and I would implore everyone to read it!

A really great and intriguing read. I loved the characters and the story. Will look out for more from this author.

SPEECHLESS! BLEW ME AWAY! PHENOMENAL! LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS DEBUT!
Matthew Blake, will take the book world by storm when this PHENOMENAL debut is released. There are not enough words to express how much I loved this book. Anna O and Dr Benedict Prince are amazing central characters. There stories intertwine in such a twist filled way, that you think you know where the book is heading. Trust me you don't. When all the secrets and twists are revealed, it will blow your mind. It's well researched, written well and just gripping from beginning to end, the plot is out of this world brilliant. Huge Congrats to Matthew Blake, Anna O will shoot to the top of the charts in 2024.