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S J Watson

(b.1971)

S. J. Watson's first novel, Before I Go To Sleep, became a phenomenal international success. A bestseller around the world, it won the Crime Writers' Association Award for Best Debut Novel and the Galaxy National Book Award for Crime Thriller of the Year.

The film of the book, starring Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth and Mark Strong, and directed by Rowan Joffe, was released in September 2014 and is now available on DVD.
S. J. Watson was born in the Midlands and now lives in London.

Awards: CWA (2011) see all

Genres: Mystery

New and upcoming books

May 2027

Before I Sleep Forever
(Before I Go To Sleep, book 2)

Series

Before I Go To Sleep
1. Before I Go To Sleep (2011)
2. Before I Sleep Forever (2027)

Novels

Second Life (2013)
Final Cut (2020)

Awards

2011 ILP John Creasey First Novel : Before I Go To Sleep

Award nominations

	2012 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year (shortlist) : Before I Go To Sleep
	2012 Macavity Award for Best First Novel (nominee) : Before I Go To Sleep
	2012 Barry Award for Best First Novel (nominee) : Before I Go To Sleep
	2012 Anthony Award for Best First Novel (nominee) : Before I Go To Sleep
	2011 CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger (shortlist) : Before I Go To Sleep

S J Watson recommends

The Woman Who Wasn't There (2026)
William Hussey
"A stunning standalone thriller from William Hussey, with a killer twist. I was gripped from start to finish and you will be too. His best book yet."

Bad Influence (2026)
Will Carver
"His best yet!"

Dirt (2023)
(Jonny Murphy Files, book 1)
Sarah Sultoon
"Shocking and visceral, this novel details with the horrors of war a brave, important and utterly compelling book."

Auld Acquaintance (2022)
Sofia Slater
"A tense, moody and terrifically atmospheric book, with a vice-like grip."

Truly, Darkly, Deeply (2022)
Victoria Selman
"An absorbing and captivating read, this held me in its thrall from beginning to end. Brilliant!"

Flight Risk (2021)
Joy Castro
"A deftly intelligent literary thriller, Flight Risk is that rarest of beasts—beautifully written yet a real page-turner, too. Wonderful."

The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle (2021)
Matt Cain
"Touching and tender."

Tall Bones (2021)
Anna Bailey
"An intricate and compelling thriller, beautifully nuanced and wonderfully claustrophobic. Brilliant."

The Lamplighters (2021)
Emma Stonex
"Beautifully written and evocative, this is a mystery, a love story and a ghost story, all at once. It kept me gripped throughout, and I didn’t want it to end. Wonderful."

Red Corona (2020)
(Richard Knox, book 1)
Tim Glister
"A thoroughly engaging spy thriller that had me gripped from start to finish and left me desperate for more!"

Take Nothing With You (2018)
Patrick Gale
"A fascinating story, gripping, moving and exquisitely written, this is a wonderful gift of a book from one of the best writers working today."

The Feed (2018)
Nick Clark Windo
"The Feed is a chilling, dystopian page-turner - I was hooked from the very beginning and haunted for days after finishing it."

The Day She Disappeared (2017)
Christobel Kent
"Utterly compulsive."

Death and the Seaside (2016)
Alison Moore
"A gem of a book. bewitching and beguiling. Moore's writing is beautiful and precise."

The Miniaturist (2014)
(Miniaturist, book 1)
Jessie Burton
"The Miniaturist is that rarest of things – beautifully written, yet also a compelling page-turner. It's haunting, magical, and full of surprises, the kind of book that reminds you why you fell in love with reading."

Under a Silent Moon (2013)
(DCI Louisa Smith, book 1)
Elizabeth Haynes
"Intense, gripping . . . utterly unputdownable."

Tideline (2011)
Penny Hancock
"Brilliantly written and totally gripping. I loved it."

Wool (2011)
(Silo Trilogy, book 1)
Hugh Howey
"Exhilarating, intense, addictive."

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