Anna O by Matthew Blake (Harper)

 In his psychological thriller "Anna O," author Matthew Blake masterfully entwines mystery, deception, and the fragility of the human psyche. 

Central to the narrative is Anna Ogilvy, a young journalist who has been ensnared in a coma-like state for four years following the alleged murder of her two closest friends. Entrusted with uncovering the truth, forensic psychologist Dr. Benedict Prince embarks on a harrowing exploration of Anna's subconscious, where the demarcations between reality and dreams become increasingly nebulous.

One of the novel's foremost strengths is its adept use of unreliable narration, which perpetually unsettles the reader. Through the alternating viewpoints of Dr. Prince and the comatose Anna, Blake compels us to question the nature of truth and the reliability of memory. As the story unfolds, the distinctions between fact and fiction, wakefulness and sleep, grow progressively indistinct, mirroring the protagonist's tenuous grasp on reality.

At the core of "Anna O" lies an engrossing fascination with the subconscious and the concealed recesses of the human mind. Blake's meticulous examination of sleep disorders, parasomnia, and the power of sensory stimulation therapy to unlock the secrets of the unconscious mind endows the narrative with captivating psychological depth. The reader is invited into a realm where the rational and the irrational coexist, where the waking world and the dreamscape collide in disconcerting and often terrifying ways.

The palpable atmospheric tension is a testament to Blake's evocative prose and masterful pacing, which instills a pervasive sense of unease throughout the novel. The setting of the remote wilderness retreat, where much of the action unfolds, serves as a character in its own right—a haunting and foreboding presence that reflects the turmoil within the characters' minds.

However, despite these strengths, the novel is not without its shortcomings. 

The characters, while complex, are often difficult to empathize with. Anna and her friends occasionally come across as younger than their mid-20s, and Dr. Prince's personal demons and fractured relationship with his ex-wife, Clara, add layers of complexity that sometimes blur the lines between the professional and the personal. Even Kitty, who is still a child, seems quite robotic and unemotional. 

Moreover, the book's slow-burn pacing can feel laborious, and the ending, while thematically consistent, is somewhat predictable. 

The novel bears a resemblance to the works of Sebastian Fitzek, whose execution and writing style may be considered more inviting and masterful. 

Nonetheless, "Anna O" remains a worthwhile read for those seeking a temporary escape into a fantastical world.

3/5