Anna O: A Novel

#1 International Bestseller

GMA Buzz Pick • A Today Show Pick • A People Magazine Pick

“A riveting, unsettling crime novel that will keep you turning pages well past your bedtime. Is Anna O a sleeping beauty or a sleeping killer? Matthew Blake's tension-filled thriller is as elusive and mysterious as sleep itself.”Nita Prose, #1 New York Times author of The Maid and The Mystery Guest

Joining the ranks of Gillian Flynn, A. J. Finn, and Alex Michaelides, Matthew Blake delivers the thriller of the year: a dark, twisty, and shocking mystery about a young woman who commits a double murder while sleepwalking, and then never opens her eyes again.

ANNA O WILL WAKE UP THE WORLD

What if your nightmares weren’t really nightmares at all?

We spend an average of 33 years of our lives asleep. But what really happens, and what are we capable of, when we sleep?

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 hasn’t woken up since. Dubbed “Sleeping Beauty” by the tabloids, Anna’s condition is a rare psychosomatic 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 are the last hope of solving the infamous “Anna O’”case and waking Anna up so she can stand trial. But he must be careful treating such a high-profile suspect—he’s got career secrets and a complicated personal life of his own.

As Anna shows the first signs of stirring, Benedict must determine what really happened and whether Anna should be held responsible for her crimes.

Only Anna knows the truth about that night, but only Benedict knows how to discover it. And they’re both in danger from what they find out.

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Average rating: 6.79

39 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Andrea-The Shelf Life Books
Jul 03, 2025
4/10 stars
This psychological thriller novel has a very intriguing premise - a young woman is accused of the double murder of her friends and business partners. The Murders were committed while 25 year old Anna Ogilvy was sleepwalking. “Sleeping Beauty”, as she is referred to by the press, lies in a bed asleep since these crimes occurred. Dr. Benedict Prince, who is a forensic psychologist and an expert in the field of sleep-related homicides, must determine if Anna should be held responsible for her crimes.

The story is told from multiple points of view, including diary entries from Anna, which provide insights into the characters. We learn so many different secrets that the other characters are hiding, and what could actually be related to Anna’s case.

However, I found the pacing very slow and I found myself taking breaks while reading it. I also felt that there were so many other characters with secrets and murky backgrounds that it all was convoluted with Anna’s story. I loved the stories concept but it didn’t match up with what I had expected. Especially the end of the book.
Todd Katz
Dec 11, 2024
8/10 stars
This was so flipping twisty! I found it a bit confusing because of the twists and character turns. But great ending.
joss94
Oct 03, 2024
7/10 stars
This book was over hyped but I did like the it make me guess until the last minute.
CharleyB
Feb 16, 2024
7/10 stars
This was a slow burn and I wanted to not finish but a massive twist at the end redeemed it. 7/10

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