Intriguing mystery novel by a first time author

[Lydia Leftcoast]

Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson starts with a woman waking up in an unfamiliar bedroom next to a strange man. Thinking that she's been partying hearty, she stumbles into the bathroom and sees a face in the mirror that is 20 years older than she expects it to be.

When the man wakes up, he tells her that he is her husband and that she has had short-term memory amnesia for 22 years and cannot remember anything more than a day.

When her husband goes off to work, she receives a phone call from a doctor who wants to study and try to treat her case. She agrees to meet him, and he suggests that she keep a journal. Every day, he will phone her to remind her of its existence so that she can read what has happened on the previous day and record the current day.

It isn't long before she notices discrepancies between what people are telling her and what she has recorded in the journal. Furthermore, she is starting to get flashes of memory that don't fit.

Whom can she trust? Who is lying? Is everyone lying? How did she really acquire her amnesia? How can she find out the truth when every new development seems to negate the previous ones?

If this book doesn't get at least nominated for Best First Novel from one of the mystery awards, then there's no justice.

[RandomThoughts]

1. I have heard of that kind of thing.

Could it be a book of many short stories. From many different perspectives, not trying to say what perspective is correct for sure.

Except of coarse, that I am due beer and travel money.

That can explain how the same thing can be seen many different ways.

[murielm99]

2. That sounds like a good read.

Thanks!

[JDPriestly]

3. Sounds fascinating! Thanks for the tip.

[LAGC]

4. Just added it to my Kindle library.

Sounds like quite an interesting read... there are some real gems from first-time authors out there, lots of budding talent.

Thanks for sharing.

Edit: typo.

[Jim__]

5. Sounds like an interesting read.

I'll put it on my list.

[Little Star]

6. Ok Lydia, you got my attention. Your description was...

awesome. I've put the book on my list, it sounds very good.

Thanks, LS

[Little Star]

11. Just ordered it for my new Kindle.

I hope I live a long time because I have so much reading I want to do!!!!!!!!!

Lord knows when I'll get around to reading it. But I will eventually.

[Worried senior]

7. Already wrote it down

so I can order from my library. Love mysteries like this.

[SheilaT]

8. I have it on reserve at my local library.

I can hardly wait.

[BlueIris]

9. Thanks, Lydia. nt

[boston bean]

10. Hey Lydia, took your advice, bought the book last night on Kindle,

couldn't put it down, and just finished!

Great Book!

Thanks for the tip!

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SheilaT]

13. I'm about two-thirds of the way

through it, and so far it's getting better. I find I often have to hold my breath when reading novels, any novels, first-time author or multiple offender, because all too often the endings are something of a cheat. I'm hoping this one won't be.

[matt819]

14. I finished it last week

It's a bit of a slow start, but then you can't put it down. You know, of course, that something is fishy, but there are any number of possible culprits.

What's remarkable is that this condition is real, and she captures the futility, pain, frustration, etc. of living with this.

[jannyk]

15. 1/3 of the way through and enjoying it - thanks Lydia!

[LWolf]

16. I read this last week.

It was pretty interesting.

I have to say, though, that I wasn't surprised by the climax.