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Death at the Sanatorium

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Death at the Sanatorium

By: Ragnar Jónasson
Narrated by: Sam Woolf
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

AN OLD SANATORIUM. ONE TERRIFYING MURDER. FOUR SUSPECTS. AND A CASE THAT NEVER CLOSED...
'ONE OF THE FINEST CRIME WRITERS IN THE WORLD TODAY' DAILY MAIL
WELCOME TO THE SANATORIUM
High up in the mountains stands a sanatorium. Once a hospital dedicated to treating tuberculosis, it now sits haunted by the ghosts of its past.

One wing of the hospital remains open and houses six employees: the caretaker, two doctors, two nurses and a young research assistant.

Despite the wards closing decades ago, they remain at the hospital to conduct research. But the cold corridors, draughty windows and echoey halls are constant reminders of the building’s dark history.

When one of the nurses, Yrsa, is found brutally murdered, they discover that death has never left this place – and neither did its secrets. None can escape this terrifying legacy.

Despite just four suspects the case is never solved and remains open for two decades. Until a young criminologist named Helgi Reykdal attempts to finally lay the ghosts of the hospital's past to rest . . .

'A knowing, unnerving mystery' The Times
'Superbly told and packed with subtle nods to crime writers of the past, this is exquisite, delicate storytelling' Daily Mail

©2024 Ragnar Jónasson (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Crime Thrillers International Mystery & Crime Mystery Private Investigators Suspense Thriller & Suspense Crime Haunted Exciting

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Critic reviews

Ragnar Jónasson is no ordinary writer [. . .] Death at the Sanatorium is a knowing, unnerving mystery [. . ..] fans of Jónasson will be delighted
One of the finest crime writers in the world today, Jónasson demonstrates his exceptional talent in this magnificently twisty mystery [. . .] Superbly told and packed with subtle nods to crime writers of the past, this is exquisite, delicate storytelling
This is Jónasson on top form
Superbly told and packed with subtle nods to crime writers of the past, this is exquisite, delicate storytelling
A meticulously plotted whodunit worthy of Agatha Christie
Death At The Sanatorium deftly straddles multiple timelines in pursuit of the killer of a nurse at a remote Icelandic sanatorium. Ragnar Jònasson brings alive his native Iceland, reaching into the past to construct a meticulously plotted puzzle. A devilish combination of locked room mystery and cold case investigation
The best new books out in August
If you haven't read Ragnar Jónasson, pick his books up. They're so good . . . His new book has a whole Agatha Christie vibe . . . a terrific book
This is Jónasson on top form
Few books of the Golden Age actually dealt in cold cases but Jónasson pulls it off with clever sleight of hand and delivers an entertaining modern perspective on a classic tradition
All stars
Most relevant
I liked the plot and the chief investigater.i really enjoyed the characters and how the story resolved it's self

Excellent murder mystery

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Not really much of a story but an entertaining listen nonetheless. Characters are a bit 2 dimensional and some story arcs are left in limbo.

Entertaining look at Icelandic culture

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Story and narration kept me listening to the end. Enjoyable "read" that is more cosy than scandi noir but with an interesting and dark turn in the life of the detective.

Fun, Christie-esque tale

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I enjoyed this book so much with one small caveat which is such a small but fundamental (for me) irritation. The ending is so abrupt and there are loose ends (which I kind of don’t mind as that’s like life), but the recording goes straight on to an author note about Agatha Christie without saying the story is now ended and here’s an author note. I was so confused was this still Heigi, who was also obsesed with Agatha Christie and I was going to find out more?

If you can leave the ending aside, the book is excellent and does indeed emulate an Agatha Christie. Characters quickly but smoothly depicted and a lovely plot coming together. I love his work and I hope he writes more soon

Brilliant little police procedural but….

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I liked the narrative pace, the enthusiasm for detective novels and the ability to get into the minds of each of the protagonists. Excellent

It was very absorbing and so well written

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