A recent rather long train trip to London gave me ample time to catch up on some netgalley reading, so my first choice this time was Anna O by Matthew Blake.
Anna O hasn’t opened her eyes for over 4 years, not since the night that her two best friends were found murdered and she had the murder weapon in her hands. She soon became a worldwide sensation. Those who believed her to be innocent call her Anna O, those who think she committed double murder call her Sleeping Beauty. Dr Price thinks he can wake her up, but what if waking her up is just the start?
I really enjoyed this story of a sleep disorder specialist who wants to crack the crime of the century. It is a very suspenseful story yet at the same time is a real slow burner. The story is told through the eyes of Benedict as well as flash backs to Anna’s life and varying diaries and newspaper articles. This gives the story an interesting dynamic as you almost feel that you are discovering the truth alongside Benedict.
The characters are a mixed bunch of people, all of whom have secrets they are hiding. The more we delve into the mystery the more blurred the lines become between good and bad as motivations are revealed and backstory appears.
As is the case with all good stories there are plenty of twists and turns along the way. Anna’s homelife is revealed through her diaries and we gain an understanding of the Sleeping Beauty. Whilst there were some bits that felt a little repetitive and padded out, overall this was a really intriguing read that I can imagine being a huge success when it comes out next year.
Anna O is released on the 1st February 2023m get it on amazon here.
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