The cover fits the book really well, it certainly draws your attention and makes you want to pick up the book to learn more about it. I think the byline of “The World Will Know Her Name” adds to your curiosity about the content of the book and it also fits the content really well.

The main characters of the book are Anno Ogilvy and Dr Benedict Prince. To be honest life isn’t going great for either of them separately and becomes even more complicated after their paths cross.

Dr Benedict Prince is divorced from his wife DI Clara Fennel, he found messages on his wife’s phone that suggested she was cheating on him. They have one daughter Kitty or Kit Kat as Benedict regularly calls her though Clara hates him doing so. Clara of course kept the house so there was less disruption for Kitty and Benedict ended up in a rather drab flat in Pimlico. Benedict if a forensic psychologist and also works at The Abbey. A place where the rich and famous come to have sleep issues dealt with. Its very exclusive and does everything possible to protect the identities of these famous patients, even having a separate VIP floor away from other patients. It’s a fairly normal day for Ben when he is called into the office by head of the clinic Professor Virginia Bloom, to discuss a patient being transferred to the Abbey from Rampton Prison. The Ministry of Justice, the government, all want Ben to wake up this patient so they can stand trial for the double murder they have been holding her for.

That patient is Anna Ogilvy, comes from a relatively “well to do” family. At the time of the crime, her mother was Baroness Emily Ogilvy was a Shadow Home Secretary and her father was a Global Fund Manager, her brother Theo a “want to be” Tv Presenter. Anna herself was a journalist on a magazine she had co-founded with her friends Indira Sharma and Douglas Bute who were also her flatmates.

The crime occurred on the 30th August 2019. Anna O was found by her parents in her cabin at 3.10am at The Farm an exclusive retreat, with a 20cm kitchen knife in her hand and fast asleep. The bodies of Indira and Douglas were found in their cabin, stabbed to death. First at the scene of the crime was DI Clara Fennel and she found only Anna’s prints on the knife and that the blood on her clothing matched that of the victims.

Those that believe in Anna’s innocence refer to her as “Anna O” her Instagram handle and are known as “believers”. Those who think that Anna is guilty refer to her as “sleeping beauty”. There has been lots of coverage about what happened that night, but no one really knows the truth except Anna. One blog in particular seems to know a lot and keep the story alive by @Suspect8. This is where the byline fits really well everyone has heard about Anna and of course everyone has their opinion and thoughts about what happened at The Farm that night in August 2019. Ben’s job is to wake her up so that the justice system can put her on trial and determine whether she killed her friends and decide what to do with her.

The plot is quite intricate, and fairly complex, in that the fact Ben’s now ex-wife was first on the scene does sort of complicate things. The book was quite slow paced for my taste, I felt like I was wanting it to speed up at times and get on with it and reveal what actually happened that night. Then when Professor Bloom is murdered and someone puts Ben in the frame things become even more complicated than before.

I found the plot sections surrounding waking up Anna fascinating, and have read about some of the techniques that Ben used in the book elsewhere too. The sounds, her mums voice, the music she loved and then the smells, her favourite perfume, etc all small things that Ben builds on to coax Anna back to the world of the awake and living. I thoroughly enjoyed the Sally Turner story within the book, the way the reader is kept guessing right up to the end of the identity of Sally Turner’s child that was given a new identity.

There are quite a few “real life” references within the book about other murderers such as Dr Harold Shipman, and then laws that were changed regarding anonymity of minors involved in crimes due to the James Bulger case, all of which made the book feel “real” as if it had actually happened.

The book also covers how the crime at The Farm affected so many people in different ways, from Anna’s parents divorcing, her mother walking away from politics and turning to religion, to DI Clara Fennel and how it changed her career. When Ben is working with Anna at the Abbey, he has to consider his families safety as there are people who do not agree with him waking Anna to put her on the stand.

This book has it all mystery, suspense, twists, turns, betrayal, and revenge. There were a few times I thought I had solved the mystery of Sally Turner’s child and knew their identity. I had several theories as to what had happened at The Farm too, these varied and changed as I read more of the book! Matthew Blake really takes you on a journey leading the reader down one track of presenting the identity of Sally Turners child and exactly what happened on that August night, just when you start to believe that track there’s a twist/turn and you have to start pondering the mystery child’s identity and their involvement in the murders at The Farm.

Summing up this Author really keeps you waiting to the very end to confirm the identity of the child and the relevance of what happened at The Farm. I did enjoy the book though there were times it felt a little drawn out and slower paced than I would have preferred it to be for my personal taste. If you want a book that makes you think, makes you really, really, think then this book is a great fit for you.

Wow! This book has had me absolutely gripped from the very beginning and I really didn’t work out the truth until I was very close to the end. And what a big reveal that was!
An absorbing and chilling read, that really holds the tension throughout. I loved the writing, totally gripping with lots of short, shock inducing sentences. The gradual revelation of the past through Anna’s diary alongside the present day and the quest to wake her all added to the sense of foreboding that the truth would bring. Was Anna guilty or was she innocent? I certainly flitted between the two throughout. This book has already had a huge presence on social media and for once, I’m in agreement with the hype. It would make a brilliant film!
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, Harper Collins UK for an arc in exchange for a review.

The idea is original but I never felt it was a thriller or very dramatic even. The diary never sounded like how a real diary is written and there’s a lot of it so that was a huge negative for me. Struggled to be bothered finishing it especially as. It was very long… or it seemed to be.

Forensic psychologist Dr Benedict Prince has one important patient. Anna Ogilvy has been asleep for 4 years, ever since four of her friends were murdered in a cabin deep in the woods. Government agencies including the Police want her to wake up so that they can charge and convict her.
Anna had a history of sleepwalking but since the murders she has neither moved nor woken. Dr Prince believes he can be this Sleeping Beauty’s special Prince, even if it’s not a kiss that wakes her. He believes that Anna has resignation syndrome; where young people are in a coma-like state, lying prone, with their eyes closed, disconnected from the world around them.
Ben Prince’s approach seems sensible and as he talks us through his different techniques we learn of the things that people can do while sleep walking and just how plausible it is that Anna might have been sleepwalking when she committed these murders.
To understand Anna, Ben delves into her past, looking at her upbringing and considering what elements might have contributed to her sleeping state today. The more we see of Anna’s past, the more intriguing this story becomes.
Ben is not the only person we hear from though and as we wait for the results of Ben’s ministering, we get more information that stretches far into the past and makes us think there is a great deal more to this story than we first thought.
This involves a certain amount of flitting back and forwards in time seeing events from different perspectives and at times it felt like doing a jigsaw – finding elusive pieces that might slot together to give you the real picture.
This sometimes made the writing seem disjointed and at other times repetitive and it did slow the action somewhat.
The book revolves around how much of the various narrations we can trust and whether Anna really is guilty. Though Matthew Blake wraps it up well, the answer was a bit too obvious for me.
Verdict: Overall this is an interesting premise for a thriller that spins out the story rather too far and is rather longer than it needs to be. A fun read for the holidays if it were a bit less padded.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

wow where to start... have to say i thought it would hold my attention and it did in the beginning but then i started to get bogged down with to much information when i just wanted the storyline to continue....

can someone commit murder whilst sleep walking and then stay asleep for years after... i have to admit to being intrigued but the amount of information about a real condition took away the enjoyment of the actual storyline

"The dead came back to life. A ghost became flesh again. The stakes feel even higher now. The puzzle harder to solve. The past is now present."

Anna O has been asleep for 4 years, and in that time she has become an infamous celebrity. After she allegedly killed her two friends, Anna fell asleep - and has remained that way since. Now, Dr Benedict Prince of the Abbey Clinic, has been tasked by the Ministry of Justice to wake her up. But Anna's case has connections to another notorious murder, and the further Dr Prince looks into the case, the more it seems that someone is pulling the strings...

Matthew Blake's debut is a wildly compelling read; resignation syndrome! Double murder! Everyone's a suspect! I found myself putting things off so I could read just one more of its short, punchy chapters. The plot - told through multiple points of view - requires quite a bit of suspension of disbelief, but if the reader can manage to do so, it's twisty and a lot of fun. It doesn't all work - and when this novel flops, it flops badly, with too many coincidences and stretches of credibility. The execution is messy, as well, and the multiple POVs all start to sound the same after a while.

As usual for thrillers; once I switched off the critical thinking part of my brain, I had a great time. I think books like this benefit from being quick reads: closer examination means room for the reader to notice plot holes and general ludicrousness. So for me, Anna O suffered because I had it to review (!) and I probably would have enjoyed it more if I'd picked it up on a Kindle deal or from the library.

Early reviews of this book complained about a *lot* of Harry Potter references, and in my e-ARC these were mercifully toned down; one cringe-worthy Lord of the Rings reference is worse again, though.

A fun read overall, but better in concept than execution.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Anna O by Matthew Blake is a mystery thriller that is set around the basis that people are asleep for an average of 33 years, in which we know nothing of what happened. In that time

Anna Olgilvy is an individual who has done a number of things while she was asleep, including some believe killing two of her friends, however since that time, Anna has been in deep sleep.

Enter this scenario: a sleep clinic on London's Harley Street and Dr. Benedict Prince, a forensic psychologist and an expert in the field of sleep-related homicides, whose ex-wife is in charge of the investigation.

There are times when as a reader you either pick up a book and read the synopsis or even start reading it, when the premises of the novel has a great plot line and idea is different to the usual novels of its genre In Anna O’s case mystery thriller that it grips you as a reader from the start.

The novel will either then go on to be a great read even an all time favourite as it lives up to the start of the novel all the way through, or the book will fall to live up to its start becoming a an average read at best,

The problem with Matthew Blake’s novel Anna O, it falls into the latter of the two choices with a brilliant start and preemies but failing with execution of the story.

As a review I have to say that Anna O is not a bad book, in fact I felt it was better than average with Matthew Blake’s writing style keeping me engaged with the story all the way though.

With the story being told from a number of different perspectives throughout the story including Anna’s herself through her diary.

The major problem I had is that the book is a Mystery & Thriller novel which means that as a reader you would expect to have some mystery to the story.

Unfortunately for Matthew Blake’s novel it felt like the twist and turns you would expect from a novel of this genre to be hidden, felt like Anna O were put in neon lights, with not enough red herrings to dry and disguise them.

Having said that, I would still recommend Anna O to readers of this genre despite its flaws due to the idea of the story and Matthew Blake’s writing style.

Thank you Harper Collins UK for the ARC. Unfortunately this was not for me. Too many characters making HP references. I'm sure this will be a big commercial success.

4.5⭐ 

Matthew Blake's Anna O is a well-crafted, unsettling, layered and suspenseful story. 

A story that explores what humans are truly capable of when we are sleeping. 

After all, as the synopsis states, the average person spends thirty-three years of their lives in bed asleep.

But none of us know what we are really capable of when we are catching some well-earned zzz's.

Which is undoubtedly true for Anna Ogilvy. Who at twenty-five years old, had a bright future ahead of her. Until whilst asleep, she randomly stabbed two people to death. Without any explanation, motive, or reason, and she hasn't woken up since.

That was four years ago, and she has since been dubbed  'sleeping beauty' by the press. Although Anna has a rare medical condition known to neurologists as 'resignation syndrome'.

Which means Anna is yet to be tried for her crime. But Dr. Benedict Price, a forensic psychologist and expert in sleep-related murders, is on hand. As a last hope, to try and treat her and wake her up so she can face the music.

But Dr. Price has to be extremely careful in treating such a high-profile suspect,patient. Especially given his complicated personal life and the substantial secrets he holds in his professional life.

So when Ben makes a breakthrough and Anna starts to stir, he must determine the truth and ultimately decide if Anna should be held accountable.

Yet, being the only person who knows what truly happened and the only person who can reveal that truth isn't all it's cracked up to be. 

Particularly when revealing the truth could be the most dangerous move ever!

And with a plot that is both intricate and complex. Not to mention a brilliantly shock inducing climax. This was a story that kept me riveted. But I did struggle with parts of it and if I'm honest I became lost in the narrative a few times. Which is why I didn't give this story five stars.

However, Anna O certainly delivered on the hype and if you're searching for a psychological thriller. That's dark, twisty, shocking, and unlike anything else you'll read this year. This story is for you.

The premise of this, with murder and a strange sleeping condition and family secrets, was so enticing and Matthew Blake didn't disappoint with his treatment of these themes. There was a dark foreboding feeling laced throughout, especially whenever The Farm was brought up (or visited - I was totally convinced something was going to happen when Benedict and Harriet went there!!) as it was described so well and pulls on our childhood fears of creepy cabins and dark forests.
I've seen people saying that the book is slow, and it is a little, but I feel it was intentionally written this way to prolong the reader being kept in the dark. I was definitely spurred on to keep reading so that I could find answers.
The inclusion of diary extracts from Anna worked brilliantly as a vehicle to lift the curtain just a little more each time they appeared.
I felt that the book was written in a very visual way that will lend itself to film adaptation easily, it also enhanced my feeling of being immersed in the situation right alongside Benedict.
Using different perspectives for chapters and having unreliable narrators (or narrators who didn't know everything) scattered through them was an excellent way to get me constantly flip-flopping about how it was all going to end - the actual ending was one of about four possibilities I had in my head when I got to it. It is a complex story and you need to concentrate on all the different threads but I'm happy to have to be fully present in my reading o long as the story is engrossing enough...and I found this one incredibly engrossing

This was such an addictive and gripping read that I ended up devouring in less that 24 hours. This book had me guessing up until the very end even when I managed to guess one bit early on it never took away from the experience and tense atmosphere. ⁣
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Told in multiple POVs you really get to see all sides of the story and it just added to the mystery of it all. I also loved the fact that my thoughts on whether Anna was innocent or guilty continuously changed throughout as new evidence or information came to light! ⁣
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Honestly a great psychological thriller which has just aided in my desire to devour more this year! I absolutely recommend picking this one up! ⁣
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Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book, it had me guessing until the end.
The ending felt a bit rushed, there were a few bits that could have done with a bit more explanation, but it's difficult to say here without giving spoilers!
I think this story would make the good basis of a film or short series.
Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read and review.

"The dead came back to life. A ghost became flesh again. The stakes feel even higher now. The puzzle harder to solve. The past is now present."

A strangely compelling mystery full of hidden secrets and a morally ambiguous cast of characters. There was a looming intensity from the get-go, as we wonder what secrets Anna is holding onto in her sleep and waiting along with everyone else to see when she wakes up.

There was a quick, exciting pacing with short chapters and paragraphs that made it feel nervous, impatient almost - although at times it just felt a bit too jumpy to really keep the flow. As we wait to see if Anna can ever stand trial for her accusations, we heard from many perspectives all invested in her story and the different roles and positions of these people made it a very interesting journey, with new views and fresh ideas about the case every step of the way with years-old murders, secret programmes, vigilante reporters and revenge plots all thrown into the chaos to create a dark and twisty conspiracy. The ending was curious, with plenty of clues all slotting together in a somewhat satisfying way but it felt like the story had ended several times, with a lot of repetition and parts of the plot being stretched out in ways that just didn’t make sense - which made the last part of the book a little difficult to read, with just a lot of explaining rather than revealing.

It was definitely an experience trying to form your opinions and a connection with a character you don’t know when you’ll meet - but everyone was confusing in a very interesting way. I found myself a little lost with some of their backstories and motivations, at times it felt there was key information missing but overall there was a great, if dark and confusing cast of characters who you just couldn’t figure out if you could trust them or not. The narration style was shared between characters perspectives and split between now and before - with observant, almost formal storytelling that set the scenes well and captured little details that set the tone of the moment (although far too many Harry Potter references, especially for a thriller)

A highly conceptual, unique idea for a thriller with an intriguing discourse on the mysteries of sleep and guilt.

Well written from the start and an interesting premise. There were definite hints as the story progressed as to the genuine innocence or not of Anna O - a long period of sleep - and two camps in the public about her innocence or guilt. The story keeps a good pace, although one or two events stretch believability (no spoilers).
The story has its twists and turns and is original.
Can't wait to read more by Matthew Blake.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Matthew Blake/HarperCollins UK for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

Anna O is a mystery that all of the country are aware of. She allegedly killed her two friends and then fell asleep and has been sleeping ever since.
Dr Benedict Prince of the Abbey Clinic, has been tasked by the Ministry of Justice to bring her around so that she can be assessed and taken to trial.
On paper it appears simple. Except that it's not and someone is pulling the strings. What is the connection to a 20 year old murder case? Who are the people behind the blogs?
An interesting book, but I felt it was a bit rushed at the end. I would of liked to know more.

I absolutely loved this book from start to end! I was gripped all the way through. I've never read anything like it before and would love to see this story on the big screen

Rating – 4.5 stars

😵‍💫Anna O has left me in a reverie, a kind of daze or fugue😵‍💫 Who even am I anymore? 😅

Thanks HarperCollins, Harper Fiction and NetGalley for the ARC!

First of all, kudos 👏 to the author for this incredible debut. It's highly accomplished, very well researched, expertly plotted and written with a water tight grip on both the storyline and language.

Synopsis –

The thriller revolves around Anna O, the infamous writer who has allegedly murdered two of her friends before slipping into a state of 'sleep' ever since. She is now the 'sleeping beauty' who is said to have the rate psychosomatic disorder called 'resignation syndrome'. Dr Benedict Prince, a forensic psychologist who specializes in sleep related homicides is the only person who might be able to wake her and the last ever hope of solving this case. But will Ben's own secrets interfere with his treatment and investigation?

Review -

Goodness, this book was seriously confounding! Alternating with Ben's present narrative and voices from the past, including certain 'notes' from a diary, the plot introduces us to Ben's efforts to bring Anna back to consciousness, glimpses into his troubled personal life, as well as Anna's history leading up to the day of the murders.

Dealing with the much debated topic of sleep-related crimes, sleepwalking disorders and related illnesses, Blake constructs a mind-numbing, twisty plot that hovers in the grey area between the guilt and innocence of the accused.

A cloud of enigma is built around Anna and her impossible state of sleep. It was fascinating to delve deep into Ben's world of expertise! I had no idea such psychosomatic disorders existed - resignation syndrome, sleepwalking and dream states! I marveled at his ingenious methods, thoughts and ideas, as he tries to revive Anna from the depths of her own mind.

I loved how the threads crossover, forming complex and multilayered structures entwined with revenge, dark secrets, mean and vicious mind-games.

When they all finally form a cohesive pattern, the result messes with our minds - as we debate over the moral dilemmas it invokes, shocks us with reveals that are insurmountable to expect and conspiracies that are unfathomable. It was all beyond the mental grasp - blurring the already hazy lines between sleep, dream and reality.

If you love a thriller that is based on a unique, utterly stupefying premise and enrapturing concepts, then this book is for you!

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review. The storyline behind this book I loved it was original and not like anything I’ve read before, however I did not love the book overall. The first half of the book was not gripping and I found it very wordy snd repetative at times. It did a pick up in the second half once Anna woke up the story became more gripping. But I did guess the ending quite early on which I’m surprised it was given away quite so easily

The premise was intriguing but too much going on and the plot is close to being ridiculous at times,

It took me a while to get into this book, but then the twists kept me from putting it down. Told by different characters in different timelines it told the story and the motives until I wasn't sure who was actually responsible for the murders . I have a sleepwalker in the family so I know how they have no idea what they do, though nothing extreme. The ending I did not see coming until a comment made just before the last death. Worth reading in my opinion