I requested this book for review for two reasons: I liked the previous book by the author and I wanted to absorb more Icelandic culture in preparation for an upcoming trip. I was not disappointed. In this novel, the main character, Helgi, is a soon-to-be detective who is studying the handling of a nurse's murder nearly 30 years earlier at a sanatorium in Akureyri (in northern Iceland.) He interviews the people who worked there at the time and begins to wonder if the conclusion was the right one. The story bounces back and forth between current day (and Helgi's investigation) and the time of the murder, so we get two perspectives on the incident. The characters are interesting and the narrator provides us with great insight into each of them. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to more by this author.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing an advance review copy of this audiobook. My opinions are my own.

Wow, so many emotions!

What I love about Nordic fiction is it's not shiny happy endings like here in the US, but what I don"t love is there are no shiny happy endings. It's a paradox of my brain.

This was a fantastic read, with the melancholy sanitorium setting juxtaposed against the modern re-investigation. I wanted so many things to happen in this book, like more of Hulda's story, more of Helgi standing up for himself, more dressing down of Magnus, and the person I didn't like who I wanted to be the killer wasn't, so it was a lot of tension and dread and anxiety that built throughout.

And the ending, I have no words for. I loved it and I hated it. And I'm immediately going to find more of this author's books.

This author's name was familiar to me, but I had not read any of his other books. This definitely feels like Nordic noir, so if that's your thing, you'll probably enjoy this. With multiple timelines and POVs, we follow a police officer writing a dissertation on a decades-old case as he explores the events surrounding the case.

I'm still trying to decide how much I like the Nordic noir style. It was a fine enough mystery, but I wasn't compelled to keep coming back to it whenever I had a spare moment. The narration was good, and it was a quick read. If you aren't sure if it's your style, I'd recommend trying it.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for a free copy of #DeathAtTheSanatorium by Ragnar Jonasson. All opinions are my own.

Death at the Sanatorium was slow and light on action. The author chooses to tell the reader about things that happened more often then let us experience it ourselves. The plot meandered and was good when we got back to it. The atmosphere was possibly the best part of this entire book. I left the whole thing more sad than anything else.

Really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the look into the Icelandic settings and the protagonist’s love of mystery novels. It kept me guessing until the end and showed the tragedies and trauma we all go through and the struggles to overcome them. Will seek out the author’s other books.

This is such a gripping tale of an old murder suicide that a graduate student begins looking into- thinking it was rather a double murder. This book holds your attention all the way to the bitter end. And that ending…

"Death at the Sanatorium" is a slow-paced, character-driven cold case mystery, set in Iceland. I found this novel satisfyingly strong on atmosphere, but light on plot with very little action. It is primarily a "talking book," as Helgi Reykdal, a young and ambitious police officer, attempts to interview the central characters from a murder-suicide event many years before. While I admire the underlying mystery and Jonasson's skill at crafting a culprit I didn't sleuth out, the story and characters ultimately fell flat for me. I often struggle with cold case mysteries, where the reader is inherently held distant from long-ago action, so take this review with a grain of salt.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ragnar Jonasson, and Macmillan Audio for an advance copy of this book for honest review.

In 1983, death came to an Icelandic sanatorium, and this time it wasn't from tuberculosis, but was it murder or something else? Thirty years later, those present at the time are still grappling with the memories and the parts they played. Now, a criminologist working on his dissertation is stirring up things that might be better left undisturbed. His probing will make some people uncomfortable and might just have some unexpected consequences.

This is a twisty-turny mystery that keeps readers on there toes from beginning to end. No one's motivations are clear which makes for a great whodunnit. The author's familiarity with and love for the works of Agatha Christie is evident throughout. The work is set in Iceland, a country which I know relatively little about, so it was fascinated to get a glimpse into their culture. I enjoyed our main protagonist and his quest for truth and understanding even as his personal life is somewhat chaotic. The rest of the characters were well-drawn, although, we don't get a huge amount of personal details or back stories, we do get just enough to help us along as the mystery unfolds. The plot itself is slow-burn with a few intense moments sprinkled throughout, but it really works in this case because there is a lot to keep track of and more action might have been distracting. One important thing to note is that this book is told through multiple points of view and multiple timelines. Some characters even show up in more than one of the timelines, so it can be a bit challenging to keep track of where and when we are in the narrative. I think, if you can handle that though, it's an interesting way to tell this story, and it gives us some insightful glimpses into our characters as they age.

Bottom line: I would recommend this to fans of slow-burn mysteries with interesting protagonists. I would also recommend it to people who enjoy translated works as I think this one was done really well. I will definitely read more from this author.

Absorbing mystery thriller set in Iceland.

The author definitely channels Agatha Christie in this well-plotted novel best described as a whodunit. If you like Icelandic Noir, this is one book that begs to be read.

Helgi Reykdal is meant to be working on his dissertation in criminology when he looks into an old, unsolved murder case that occurred at a sanatorium in the north of Iceland in 1983. It's now 2012, almost 30 years later, but some of the former employees, all one-time suspects, present during the old murder investigation are still alive and Helgi is tracking them down to interview them. He's about to join the Reykjavik Police Department and take over a job held by Detective Hulda Hermansdottir who is about to retire. She was one of the original investigators on the 1983 case involving the deaths of a nurse and doctor at the sanatorium. Helgi, involved in a dangerous relationship with a live-in girlfriend, is finding the former suspects difficult to talk with. He grapples with indecision about his future but is desperate to solve the old mystery.

I've read a couple of other books by this author and always enjoy them. I was able to listen to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Sam Woolf, did a great job of voicing all the characters. His pacing, intonation, accents, and dramatic flair really enhanced the production and my appreciation of the book.

A serviceable mystery novel, this audiobook kept my attention and was enjoyable to listen to while cleaning the house and running errands - though I never had that moment of wanting to stop what I was doing and just listen. The mystery unfolds in two/three timelines, and while the ending was not a complete shocker, I didn't fully predict it, so it was still satisfying! The way some of the loose ends were tied together at the end (particularly how the third timeline was incorporated into the final reveal) worked well.

Given the references to Golden Age Mysteries, and the previous book by this author I have read, I was a little disappointed by the lack of atmosphere in this novel. While the sanatorium is a creepy setting, it wasn't used to great effect, and for the majority of the novel I felt like I was primarily just listening to a series of conversations. Similarly, some of the most interesting character backstories (for instance the main detective's upsetting relationship situation) seemed only superficially explored, in way that made them feel less meaningful than they otherwise could have been.

I liked the references to Icelandic food/culture/traditions.

Overall I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a mystery!

The book had an interesting premise and some engaging moments, but I found it difficult to stay focused. The narrator's style, combined with the slow pacing, made it a bit challenging to fully immerse myself in the story. That said, I believe this would be a great read for someone who enjoys slow-building narratives and doesn't mind a more deliberate storytelling approach. It's worth a try if you appreciate a gradual build-up, but it just didn't hold my attention the way I had hoped.

This is my first time enjoying anything by Ragnar Jonasson, and I loved it so much, I will definitely be reading more!
This story is a captivating read that blends two timelines set against the eerie landscapes of northern Iceland. The story delivers a dark, locked-room mystery filled with tension.

In 1983, a nurse, soon retiring, is found murdered at a former sanatorium in northern Iceland. Detective Hulda Hermannsdottir and her boss, Sverrir, are assigned to the case, but when the chief physician dies in an apparent suicide, the investigation is abruptly closed. Nearly thirty years later, criminology student Helgi Reykdal returns to Iceland and reopens the case, facing resistance as he searches for answers.

This book completely drew me in. As my introduction to Ragnar Jónasson, it left me eager for more. Helgi’s pursuit of the truth behind the sanatorium deaths was gripping, with the story keeping me guessing. The references to Golden Age crime fiction were a nice touch, and Helgi’s growth added depth. The tension builds perfectly, ending with the ultimate cliff hanger! Leading me to wonder (hoping) there is another part to this story.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Sam Woolf, and it was an immersive experience. Woolf’s narration brought the story to life, making it hard to stop listening.

If you enjoy dark, atmospheric mysteries with intricate plots, Jonasson’s latest thriller is a must-read. It’s a story that lingers long after the last page.

Thank you sincerely NetGalley and Macmillan Audio

I think I just need to accept that his writing style in my reading style do not match. I struggled with his last book also, and thought I might have better luck with an audiobook this time around, but really didn't. I just don't seem to connect to his characters or his style of storytelling. I couldn't finish this one despite an extremely compelling concept...

This dual-timeline story focuses on deaths occurring in 1983 at a former sanatorium in the north of Iceland. A senior nurse is found murdered, then the chief physician plummets to his death at the hospital ward that exists at the site. Detective Hulda Hermannsdottir and her boss, Sverrir investigate the deaths and possible suspects (two junior nurses, a young doctor and the caretaker). The case is eventually closed but nearly 30 years later Helgi Reykdal, a young police office studying criminology, reviews the case and meets with the original suspects. He ultimately realizes that there may be more to the murders, but will this prompt deadly consequences? The premise was what initially drew me in and I enjoyed how the investigation unfolded. Helgi is an imperfect, but largely likable character especially with his love of Golden Age mysteries that he discusses throughout the book. The author’s love of Agatha Christie is evident with this story and that really worked for me. There are a number of quite flawed characters which made the mystery more interesting with their suspicious behavior. The plot and pacing were satisfying to read and that ending! It is probably the most memorable one I have read this year (and I read a lot of mysteries). This book solidifies my opinion that Ragnar Jonasson is the best mystery author in Iceland. Narration by Sam Woolf was strong and worked well with the characters.

Death at the Sanatorium has a decidedly Icelandic feel to it, and bounces between time periods within the story as well as characters. If you enjoyed Stuart Turton's Murder At The End Of The World, you may also enjoy this story. A great mystery to unravel!

Death at the Sanatorium involves Hulda Hermansdottir but it doesn’t come across as part of the Hidden Iceland series. Instead, there are multiple main characters and Hulda barely makes an appearance. The initial plot takes place in 1983 and concerns the murder of a nurse at a former TB sanatorium, one that is now being run as a research hospital ward. Hulda, along with her boss, investigate the case which is never truly solved, although it was closed after the apparent suicide of the ward doctor.
Three decades later, Helgi, a young doctoral candidate, decides to write his thesis on that case and starts to interview those involved. We are also given glimpses into Helgi’s personal life.
The story goes back and forth between the two timelines and varies among different POVs. It was a slow moving story with no real action other than lots of interviewing suspects/witnesses. Yet, at the same time, the characters often felt flat and lacking in depth. In particular, I wanted to learn more about Tinna. But I will give Jonasson credit in that I was unable to figure out who was behind the murder and the why of it all was heartbreakingly fabulous.
Jonasson does a good job of providing a dark atmosphere. It’s meant to be homage to the golden age of detective stories and the Author’s Note at the end speaks of Agatha Christie and her impact on Jonasson.
This can easily be read or listened to as a standalone.
I listened to this and Sam Woolf was a decent narrator. He’s got a very soothing voice but I prefer a little more emotion.
My thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advance copy of this audiobook.

My thanks to Net Galley and MacMillan audio for allowing me to review this advanced audio copy.

I liked this audio a lot. Narration very engaging. Story goes back and forth between 2 timeliness. 1983, a staff nurse and a doctor are murdered in a sanitarium that houses TB patients. 2012, a police officer working on a dissertation regarding the 1983 murder finds himself connecting a 2012 murder to the 1983 murders.

A bit confusing focusing on the 2 timelines but highly recommend.

Inspired by the novels of Agatha Christie and her fellow "Golden Age of Mysteries" contemporary authors, Jonasson gives us a straight-up murder mystery reminiscent of that era. The investigation of a murder at a former TB sanatarium in 1983 was closed quickly, after the accused caretaker's probable guilt was negated by the death of one of the institution's physicians. Jump to 2012 and we find Helgi, who is writing a masters thesis about the murders and intrigued with proving or disproving the deceased physician's guilt by visiting all of the people who were working at the sanitarium back in 1983.. When he joins the police force as a criminalist, At the same time, he is struggling with unpredictable volatility of his partner, whose emotional abuse while a student left her in an unstable state but unwilling to seek or accept any help. There are many twists and turns but never a red herring in this skillfully written book. Jonasson is an excellent student of his model writers, and coupled with the excellent narration by Sam Woolf, offers an audiobook that is worthy of the time it takes to listen.

*** four and a half stars

An enthralling read by the Icelandic author Ragnar Jonasson, the first of his that this reader has experienced, but certainly not to be the last.

This sequel to “The Darkness” can be read and enjoyed successfully as a standalone novel, (as I did,) with the loss of some backstory in the main characters. However, after reading (and loving) this story, I for one, do intend to go back and read more of this author, including this first prequel.

Helgi Reykdal is a thirty-something former Icelandic cop, now studying for an MA in criminology, who appears to have a somewhat sinister secret personal life. Helgi is writing his academic dissertation on a thirty-year-old unsolved series of murders that took place in a rural Akureyri (Northern Iceland) sanatorium. Once (back in the 60’s and 70’s), this sanatorium was a depressing death-cloaked institution, doing its best to cope with slews of bed-ridden patients, (many of them tragically doomed), suffering from the largely-incurable Tuberculosis (chillingly known as the White Death).

Now an administrative institution housing two doctors, two nurses, and a creepy caretaker, as Helgi delves deeper into the mystery housed at the sanatorium — tracking down the former house staff, interviewing them and attempting to recreate the factors driving the crimes thirty years ago — we, the reader travel along with him, absorbing a winding and weaving story that spans current day (2012 in this book, and the timeline of Helgi’s experiences ) and 1983 (the year of the original crimes and the people involved).

Fascinating and slow-burning, this tale unfolds as a sort of Icelandic “film noir” - deeply atmospheric, insular, and with undercurrents creaking as they run deep. This mystery is also reminiscent, and inspired by (as explained by the author) crime novels of yore featuring detectives in hats, little old ladies, and Belgians with magnificent waxed mustaches. Glorious literary fodder for this reader in youth, as clearly was also the case for this author.

I enjoyed this book tremendously, including its two-part ending (satisfying in part one, and a total cliff-hanger in part two) and am looking forward to reading more of this series and this talented author.

Note: I reviewed the audio version of this story, made magnificent by the velvet tones and immersive performance of the narrator Sam Woolf. Truly a treat to listen to and experience what was already a wonderful story, made even more entertaining in this medium.

A great big thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own

3-1/2 stars. Jonasson describes himself as a fan of Agatha Christie, and has in fact translated many of her books into the Icelandic language. He shares with her a similar style of plotting out his mysteries, with lots of red herrings that seem to prefigure something that turns out not to be the case. Death at the Sanatorium is centered on Helgi Reykdal, a former police officer (and a fan of old crime novels, including Christie's) who is working on his dissertation for a graduate degree in criminology; the dissertation focuses on a series of mysterious deaths that occurred at a Sanatorium in the far north of Iceland some thirty years earlier. His attempts to get some background by interviewing staff who worked there at the time lead mostly to silence and dead ends, until another death occurs and he begins to wonder if his inquiries could have caused the killer to strike again after so many years. More police procedural than thriller, Death at the Sanatorium is a compelling read that draws the reader in and sustains the suspense until the stunning conclusion.