Book Review: Before I Go to Sleep by S. J. Watson

Before I Go to Sleep is the tension-filled debut novel from S. J. Watson.

 

Christine wakes each morning in a strange house in bed with a stranger. She has no memory of her life. Each day she has fragments of memory from her past and flashbacks of the accident but as soon as she goes to sleep it is all erased.

 

Every morning her husband Ben patiently explains about the accident and who he is and leaves her a list of chores to keep busy until he gets home from work. But why does she feel so frightened and why does she feel she can't trust Ben?

Before I Go to Sleep was an instant hit when it was released in 2011 and was nominated for a whole host of awards. I was expecting a real page-turner and I wasn't disappointed!

 

Watson slowly builds an atmosphere of unease and I found myself, along with Christine, not knowing who she could trust.

 

Before I Go to Sleep is a dark psychological thriller with a slow-burn mystery and plenty of twists and turns I didn't see coming.

 

Before I Go to Sleep is a deeply disturbing story about repressed memory, obsession, manipulation and trust. It's a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

 

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Text Publishing

Publication date: 1st October 2011

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Pages: 368

Source: Own copy