There were a couple of things about this book that prevented a five star rating. My biggest issue was the domestic violence element. The circumstances were great for a plot twist, but aren’t often the case in a domestic violence situation, at least here in the States. I can understand the backstory, and that that component was a major twist, but that’s not typically the way these things play out. I worry that a storyline like this discredits women in a similar situation, and gives credence to the idea that domestic violence situations occur equally across relationships when in fact, it is typically a male aggressor and an intimidated woman.

Another thing was the alternating perspectives and timelines. I had trouble keeping up with the characters, and where we were in time with the stories. I believe the changes in time and perspective gave the story complexity and texture, but for me personally it was kind of hard to keep up with.

Overall I enjoyed listening to this audiobook. The narrator, actor Sam Woolf, was fantastic. He gave character and personality to each of the players of the story. This novel had many layers, from main character Helgi’s work on his dissertation, and his home life, plus his work life at the police station. Other characters were spotlighted in their daily life, adding a bit of reality. I liked the pace and the authors /translators style. At the end, the translator presented a short piece. I don’t usually listen after the story is over when there is additional material but I found his perspective especially interesting. I recommend continuing to listen once the story wraps up, to hear from the translator.

<b>3.5 Stars</b>
This was kind of the slow brooding atmospheric novel I have come to appreciate by this author. This is slow paced and suspenseful. I would classify this as more of a mystery than a thriller.

Personally, I found this one a bit too long and plodding. I wish it had been shorter but found the actual ending smart. I really appreciate how this author address mental health in his depictions of his characters.

I would recommend this one to readers looking for an atmospheric, character focused mystery.

Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

*4.5 Stars On My Instagram Account*

"After Ysra was murdered it was very obvious one of us must have been involved, it was...well... personal. The murderer obviously knew her."

Sometimes you just want a good solid who-dun-it. Death at the Sanatorium by, quickly becoming the must read mystery author, Ragnor Jonasson, is that tightly honed police procedural murder mystery.

In 1983 nurse Ysra was found brutally murdered at the soon to be abandoned TB Sanatorium near Reykjavik, Iceland. There are 5 suspects in the building: the chief physician, 2 junior nurses, a young doctor and the caretaker. The caretaker is taken into custody after a false testimony, "sometimes people can be judged by their appearance."

With only circumstantial evidence he is let go but the eyes of detective Hulda are on him. But when the chief physician dies it's assumed he caused his own death out of guilt from killing Ysra.

Thirty years later young criminologist police officer Helgi, taking over for the retiring Hulda, uses this case for his dissertation and what he discovers is a twisted murder mystery that was never really solved and is an open case.

The real treat of this audiobook is actor Sam Woolf, of The Crown and Witcher, performing this translated Icelandic Noir with the perfect atmospheric tone. You feel the cold seeping into the tone of the mystery through his phenomenal acting abilities.

With obvious respect to Agatha Christie, whose books the author translated from English to Icelandic, this mystery is perfect for the start of a hopeful Helgi detective series, though the ending is a bit disconcerting to be honest. Death at the Sanatorium is live for all who-dun-it fans.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from Macmillan Audio via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

In 1983, in a former sanatorium, now TB hospital ward, a nurse is found dead; less than a week later, at the same ward, a doctor’s body is also found; the same nurse discovered both bodies. The doctor’s death is ruled a suicide and the nurse’s death is never solved leaving a cold case open. Years later, in 2012 Helgi, a young police officer who is getting his doctorate in criminology delves into the case for his thesis and attempts to meet with the original suspects and witnesses - many who seem reticent to speak to him. However once the case is reexamined, new secrets and twists are revealed.

In this (is it Scandinavian noir? - I’m not sure if Iceland in considered part of that genre?)) mystery you’ve got all the interesting characters and slow burn that I personally have come to love in the genre (if we’re allowing it to be Scandinavian Noir). There are three different storylines occurring in this novel - the 1983 flashback, the 2012 storyline of Helgi gathering evidence and then another one of Helgi’s messy private life - they are a bit complicated to follow if you are doing only an audiobook (like I did) but it can be done. The narrator of the audiobook was amazing so the tad bit of confusion that I had was absolutely worth it (although I would suggest maybe reading some of it just to keep all the characters straight) - but again the audiobook of this one is superb.. I really enjoyed this novel, loved the ending, and will absolutely be looking for more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC to review

The minute I see a new Ragnar Jónasson @ragnarjo book is being released, it’s immediately on my TBR. I love a good Icelandic noir, and Ragnar always delivers. Death at the Sanatorium is no exception. The multiple timelines really worked to reveal parts of the story a little bit at a time, and it was good to see Hulda again after LOVING The Darkness series. I also enjoyed the references to classic detective stories through Helgi's character, and I have added a few of them that were included in "Helgi's Golden Age Reading List" ate the end of the book to my TBR, Once again, I thought I had it all figured out, but of course I didn’t.

Thanks to the publisher for this eARC in audiobook format.

Death at the Sanatorium: A Mystery by Ragnar Jónasson, narrated by Sam Woolf, is an enthralling audiobook that immerses listeners in a chilling and atmospheric tale set in the remote northern reaches of Iceland.

Jónasson masterfully crafts a dual-timeline narrative, intertwining the original investigation led by Detective Hulda Hermannsdottir with a renewed effort to solve the cold case nearly thirty years later. 

Sam Woolf’s narration is a standout feature, bringing the characters and the eerie setting to life with his compelling voice. 

The plot is meticulously crafted, with each twist and turn keeping listeners on the edge of their seats. Jónasson’s skillful storytelling, combined with Woolf’s evocative narration, ensures that the suspense is maintained throughout. The vivid descriptions of the Icelandic landscape and the intricate details of the investigation add depth to the narrative, immersing listeners in a world where every shadow holds a secret.

For fans of mystery and crime fiction, Death at the Sanatorium offers a gripping and immersive experience. This audiobook is a must-listen for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted mystery with a strong sense of place and atmosphere.

Death at the Sanitorium features Helgi, in 2012 and Sverrir and Hulga in 1983 and centers on two deaths at a former tuberculosis sanatorium in a small city in Iceland. Helgi has gained respect when he temped with the local police force. He is grieving his father, a former bookstore owner whose death left Helgi with all his favorite translated American mysteries. These are his safe place. Right now, Helgi is finishing his Masters' thesis in criminology and his focus is on two deaths in 1983 that occurred at the sanatorium and were closed with resolution that seems off. He is applying modern criminology to the case and interviewing interested parties. This is a stand alone novel and as I do like dual timelines and what turns out to be a police procedural of sorts it's a winner for me. Interesting characters. Good plot. Fast paced but everything is there. As usual, one cannot go far with a review of a mystery but I highly recommend this one.

I read the audio version of this with Sam Woolf, a well-known actor as the narrator. Woolf does a fabulous job with the reading.

Taking place in a dual timelines 30 years apart Death at the Sanatorium reads like part Nordic noir and part classic police procedural. It’s a medium paced mystery/thriller with intriguing characters and a satisfying resolution. I don’t want to give too much away but I enjoyed it very much as a fan of both genres!

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan audio and the author for providing an audio ARC in exchange for my honest review. The narration was very good and added to the atmosphere of the novel.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I haven't read this author previously but wanted to read about Iceland plus I enjoy police procedurals. Death at the Sanatorium was interesting and not what I expected. I did read that this is sort of a spinoff from a television show The Darkness so maybe that is why some things seemed odd. It didn't feel like there were a lot of things specific to Iceland.

The story alternates between 1983 when murder occurs at the sanatorium and 2012 when Helgi is finishing his dissertation on those murders and has an offer to join the CID as a detective. The primary perspectives we get are Helgi, the graduate student and Tina, a nurse who discovered the bodies.

Helgi was alright, if maybe a bit of a slacker but when he did decide to do something he was pretty skilled. I think it was more he was young and trying to decide what to do rather than being lazy. He had been a police intern so he knew the ropes. He didn't really have official standing or protection of any kind as he talked to people though. There is also his personal life and disruptions with his partner. Again, while he didn't decide quickly I think he did the right things.

Tina thought she was better than others, and told lies to get attention. She was ambitious and did work hard. I just wasn't happy with the dishonesty. I didn't like her at all.

The detective in charge of the initial case was relatively young, didn't think the lodgings were up to his standards and wanted to get back to the bigger city. He didn't do much of a job of solving the case or spend much time on it. Hulda, his partner, wanted to take more time and gather more evidence but he was in charge.

Now Hulda is retiring. Helgi plans to talk to her but they never actually meet which I found stupid. Helgi is actually taking over her position. Although the police don't really support him, his investigation is solid and he solves what really happened. I also disliked the abrupt ending which left Helgi's personal life in question.

So I enjoyed this while reading. The pace was a bit meandering, perhaps because Helgi was. But I thought he had good intentions and skills. I would have liked Hulda being a bit more a part of things, really in both timelines. I would have appreciated a few less loose ends.

Narration:
I have not listened to this narrator previously. I felt very comfortable with his performance, allowing me to stay in the story. The voices were clear and understandable even with different people and ways of speaking. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.

Death at the Sanitorium left me with mixed feelings. This was my first experience with Nordic noir, and I expected to be captivated.
I was intrigued by the mystery. I liked the unusual circumstances, setting, and characters. The audiobook production is flawless. The narration is excellent, and actor Tom Woolf’s performance helped hold my interest.

Many aspects of reading are a matter of taste. For me, this book was too heavy on internal monologue and meandering scenes.

I appreciated the new investigator’s passion for classic mysteries and the dual timeline. There are some sharp characterizations.

Overall, the book delivers a grim vision and reminded me of certain literary novels that highlight alienation. The atmosphere and sense of place worked well, and there's an aspect of male experience illuminated here that’s not often explored in fiction.

Although I found this too slow-paced to be as immersive as I like, I’d look at future books by Ragnar Jónasson. He has talent and brings a fresh, unusual perspective to noir, particularly in his depictions of lives and relationships affected by crime–on both sides of the law.

Thank you, Macmillan Audio for the ALC via NetGalley for consideration. These are my unbiased opinions.

This was interesting! I've never read a book set in Iceland before, so this is a new one for me. He mentions that his inspiration is from Agatha Christie, and I see this reflected in the way the story is told. I liked the mystery of things and the resolution of the actual murders. I didn’t much care for the ending personally, because I’m one of those who HAS to know what happened, but is a nice ending overall. I also appreciate some of the topics broached in this book. All in all, I enjoyed listening as it kept me guessing the whole book. 4⭐️

I'm so glad to be introduced to this author! Even though this was a typical whodunnit mystery, I still had a great time reading it. It was laid out well with characters that were more than just surface. I enjoyed all of the interactions with Helgi. There was a curiosity throughout this book of how the author was going to round this out, and I really enjoyed the ride from beginning to end.

And that ending - whattt! The overall answer to the mystery - that was to be expected, and it was fun to get there. But the ending with Helgi - I am shook for sure. I listened to this on an audiobook, and rewinded a few times, thinking something happened to the last chapter. And I'd come to like this author even more from his note about Agatha Christie. I love the eeriness from the title alone, knowing the pacing and the setup would be much like Agatha Christie's tone. This was great.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for an audio copy of this thriller. All opinions are my own.

Ooh a new Ragnar Jónasson? Count me in

I usually enjoy Scandi-noir and Ragnar Jónasson is a master of this genre. It doesn't take the reader long to get situated and comfortable in the atmospheric setting.

Helgi Reykdal has returned to Iceland after studying in the UK to a job with the police, putting his criminology studies to use. An avid reader of "Golden Era" mysteries (like Ragnar himself), Helgi is writing his thesis on the 1983 murders at a sanitorium and gets drawn into mysterious and dangerous situations.

This was a cracking book, what a pleasure to read. The audiobook performance was excellent, and as always, the story was intriguing right until the end. An excellent plot with surprises, but not "what where did that come from" surprises, more like "oh duh why didn't I think of that?"

An excellent read.
Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook arc in return for an honest review.

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of Death at the Sanatorium by Ragnar Jónasson, narrated by Sam Wolf. Jónasson's atmospheric and gripping storytelling shines in this novel, weaving a compelling mystery set in a remote sanatorium. The plot is both intricate and engaging, keeping me on the edge of my seat with its suspenseful twists and turns.

Sam Wolf's narration adds an extra layer of depth to the experience. His delivery captures the chilling mood of the story and brings the characters to life with nuanced performances that enhance the tension and drama of the plot.

Overall, Death at the Sanatorium is a captivating read for fans of Scandinavian crime fiction, and Wolf's narration perfectly complements Jónasson's masterful storytelling. Highly recommended for those who enjoy a well-crafted mystery with a strong sense of place. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance audiobook copy.

Ragnar Jónasson is back with another thriller featuring Hulda Hermannsdottir, making Death At The Sanatorium a character spin off from Jónasson's Hidden Iceland Series!

After learning of this connection, I think Jónasson's mind is even more brilliant than I did before! As that series is told in chronologically reverse order, I don't feel it needs to be read prior to Death At The Sanatorium. And if a reader were to go back and read the series after reading this standalone? Well, that's the point isn't it!? This is just another case in Hulda's detective career, which is again being learned in reverse order! Mentioning Hulda in a 2020 article (https://www.deadgoodbooks.co.uk/ragnar-jonasson-hidden-iceland-trilogy/) Jónasson says, "maybe we’ll meet her again, a little bit younger than before…" truly proving what a master-mind author he is!

Jónasson has solidified my love of Nordic noir, with Death At The Sanatorium being a perfect case study in this thriller sub-genre! Setting this book in a sanatorium instantly creates the perfect chilling and atmospheric backdrop for murder! I loved the succinct and well thought out way this story developed! This is a fun and easy-reading little book with all the nods to Agatha Christie, starting with this brilliant cover!

I was convinced that I had one main character completely figured out, but as the book progressed I learned that I REALLY didn't! This alone should get a standing ovation, but I also couldn't spot the murderer and was blindsided by the outcome of this book!

Sam Woolf's audiobook narration is consistently smooth, continuously drawing the reader further into Jónasson's story; his accent never once causing me confusion. The voice Woolf uses for one character in particular shows off dark and menacing qualities, exemplifying the reclusive character Broddi is!

ONE TERRIFYING MURDER. FIVE SUSPECTS. AND A CASE THAT NEVER CLOSED.

WELCOME TO THE SANATORIUM!

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary copies to read and review.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest thriller by Ragnar Jonasson, wonderfully narrated by Sam Woolf. All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars!

In 1983, at a former sanatorium in Iceland, now a hospital ward, nurse Yrsa is found murdered. Detective Hulda Hermansdottir and her boss, Sverrir, are sent to investigate her death. Less than a week after the murder, the chief physician is also found dead from a fall from a balcony; later ruled as a suicide. He was presumed to have commited the murder as well and the case was closed. Almost 30 years later, Helgi Reykdal, a young police officer, has been studying criminology in the UK, but returns to Iceland when offered a job – the job from which Detective Hermannsdottir is about to retire. Helgi is writing his thesis on the sanatorium murders and begins his investigation.

The story goes back and forth between these two timelines and with different POV. The atmosphere is dark and the story spools out mostly as interviews, so it’s a bit slow. It’s a nod to Agatha Christie’s novels (be sure to read the author’s note at the end), and the building tension and many suspects follow suit. A good old-fashioned murder mystery!

3.5 stars. It took me a minute to get into this one but once I did, I found it an interesting and compelling read. The story and mystery are well written and the characters are excellent. The ending was a bit odd and it made me go back and make sure I didn't miss anything. Definitely memorable.

Death at the Sanatorium follows Helgi Reykdal, a criminologist that has returned to Iceland from the UK when he decides to look at an old case file from 1983 at the Sanatorium. In 1983 an old nurse is found dead one morning at the sanatorium. There are five suspects that the police are looking into. 2 nurses, a grounds keeper, and two doctors. As the police try to narrow the suspect list down to one suspect another person is killed or committed suicide. Now in 2012 Helgi is going back through the file and reinterviewing all of the surviving suspects on his own. This was a very good story with a twist at the end. I truly loved this book and others by Ragnar Johasson. I would like to thank both NetGalley and Macmillan for letting me listen to the advanced audio book of Death at the Sanatorium.

I was excited about this ALC, but I couldn’t connect with it. I felt it moved fairly slowly at first and ended abruptly. In my opinion, the characters needed better development and I felt had missed a book prior to this one. Overall, I seem to be in the minority on this, so don’t let my opinion sway you.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for the ALC.

It’s 2012 and Helgi Reykdahl, who had been studying criminology in the UK, has returned to Rekjavik to write his dissertation on the gruesome murder of a nurse at a tuberculosis sanatorium in 1983. A doctor had fallen from a balcony at the sanatorium a week later. It was declared a suicide at the time, assumed by most that he had been the murderer and the suicide had been the result of later guilt. But, even at the time, there were questions about the case having been closed too soon. As Helgi looks into it and questions people involved at the time, he also begins to have his own doubts but his purpose isn’t to try to reopen the case and besides he has personal problems to deal with. But then one of the witnesses of the events at the sanatorium is murdered, he accepts a job with the Rekjavik police, so he can be part of the investigation.

Ragnar Jonasson, the author of Death at the Sanatorium was a fan of Agatha Christie, had even translated many of her novels into Icelandic in his youth and this novel is definitely a homage to her as shown by the atmospheric setting and the untrustworthiness of the suspects. Not to say this is just a copy of an Agatha Christie book because Jonasson definitely has his own style and knows how to ramp up the suspense in one compelling, twisty tale with a tight plot, some very untrustworthy suspects, and a complex, smart and likeable main protagonist. The mystery kept me guessing throughout. But the ending - I was kinda anticipating something like it but when it finally came…damn!

I received and read an eARc of the book from St Martin’s Press while listening to an advance audiobook from Macmillan Audio narrated by Sam Woolf who does a pitch perfect job of bringing the novel to life and I would like to thank both publishers as well as Netgalley. All opinions are my own.