Before I go to sleep is the debut, thought-provoking novel from SJ Watson. Three words describe this dramatic, psychological thriller: addictive, intriguing and haunting. The novel is seen through the eyes of a middle-age woman, called Christine, who wakes up each morning forgetting everything; her name, life and history.

As the story unravels and the suspense increases, Christine begins to question her surroundings, including her beloved husband, Ben and the hazy memory of a child. She is approached early on by a young doctor, Dr Nash, who tries to help her piece together her lost and often confusing, mismatching life. He wholly encourages Christine to keep a record of their meetings and her daily progress (flashbacks of memories, discoveries). This diary is fundamental to her survival and is a daily reference to refresh her memory. It is also a constant reminder that she must find out the truth of who she really is and what happened to cause her permanent memory loss.

The novel takes sharp twists and turns revealing shocking, unpredictable discoveries which keep you hooked whilst also fearing for Christine’s safety. Each revelation will be sure to give you an uneasy feeling within your stomach, unsettling to say the least. The ending is truly spectacular and will definitely (with guarantee), raise the hairs on the back of your neck. SJ Watson’s writing is effortlessly powerful and readers will find themselves joining Christine on her unexpected journey of self discovery; leading to an unforgettable denouement, excuse the pun. Before I go to sleep is a remarkable psychological thriller that will be remembered for years to come.