This was my first book by Ragnar Jónasson, which I was excited to read, having heard so much about him.
It is a crime novel in the Icelandic noir genre and right from the start the setting was atmospheric, a mostly empty sanatorium, previously used to isolate and treat patients with TB, which became home to a small research team.
The main character, Helgi, offers a unique approach to a criminal investigation, writing his final dissertation on a solved murder case from 1983, within the research team. This leads to the reawakening of this crime investigation as he interviews the witnesses, finding himself causing quite a stir.
The story is told from dual timelines, 1983 and current day, with Helgi’s research revealing the backstory for the reader, from a very limited cast of suspects.
Whilst the intriguing mystery interested me, I felt it was very much a slow burn and I found the characterisation didn’t draw emotional empathy from me,
I did enjoy the way the author tackled under publicised issues away from the main case and there was a conclusion that made me stop in my tracks.

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for providing an e-arc for review.
This book was set up for success... the Scandinavian setting, the mostly empty sanatorium with a spooky background, a bunch of characters that were all morally grey in their own ways. Twists that you felt, but didn't see coming. The dual time line in this was really effective in this too. I liked that the chapters were clearly labeled with character names and year. Honestly, struggling to criticise this book at all... kind of annoying really. There were a couple of short "lulls" in the story that dropped the rating for me to a 4 star but would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a mystery that edges into thriller territory.

I did like this even if the pacing was a little weird at times. The premise was interesting and i thought the cast of characters was done well. The action was good and i liked how it was used in the story. The main plot with the death years before was interesting and i liked how it connected to the present day story. The tone was light outside of a few sections and it'll be interesting to see them dealt with in later books. I would read more by this author as i liked this a lot.

Ragnar Jonasson's *Death at the Sanatorium* presents an intriguing premise: a locked-room mystery set in an isolated Icelandic sanatorium. While it successfully creates an atmospheric setting and evokes a sense of chilling isolation, the novel ultimately falls short of its potential.

The story unfolds across two timelines: 1983, when a nurse is found murdered at the sanatorium, and the present day, as a young criminologist reopens the cold case. This dual narrative structure initially promises intrigue, but the execution feels somewhat disjointed. The pacing is slow, and the gradual unveiling of clues lacks the urgency necessary to truly engage the reader.

Although Jonasson excels at establishing a strong sense of place, the characters themselves feel underdeveloped. Their motivations remain unclear, and the absence of emotional depth prevents readers from forming a strong connection with them. This detachment undermines the impact of the central mystery, making it difficult to become invested in the outcome.

When the resolution arrives, it feels somewhat underwhelming. The solution to the puzzle lacks the satisfying "aha!" moment that one expects from a well-crafted mystery. Additionally, some plot threads are left unresolved, leaving the reader with a sense of incompleteness.

*Death at the Sanatorium* is not a bad book, but it is not particularly memorable either. While it showcases Jonasson's talent for atmosphere and setting, it lacks the compelling characters and tightly woven plot necessary to elevate it beyond mediocrity. Readers seeking a truly gripping and satisfying mystery may find themselves wanting more..

I found this a great read. Really gripping. I love a good whodunnit and mystery and this didn’t fail. Would definitely recommend

This was a really clever and gripping thriller, the plot threads and twists came together beautifully. Really interested to see what lies in store next for Helgi the main character. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

1983 and a series of deaths occur at a former TB sanitorium in the northern Icelandic town of Akeyuri. A suspect is found then another dies, supposedly by suicide, and the case is closed. Forty years later and a young criminologist, Helgi, decides to make the case the subject of his dissertation. As Helgi probes into the case he realises that it is not as simple as it seems and the surviving suspects all still have secrets to hide.
Jonasson is an excellent writer of Icelandic Noir and his stories are mainly standalones but with some recurring characters. This is a very short, quick to read novel but it's succinctness is perfect in that the plot fizzes along with lots of back-story and modern day themes thrown in.

Long ago Akureyri Sanatorium in the North of Iceland was for treating patients with TB. In 1983 it was reduced to a research hub with just a few people working there. The head nurse was murdered & shortly after the director died from a fall from a balcony. His death was presumed a suicide. Two decades later Helgi Reykdal, once a policeman now studying criminology chose to look into this case for his dissertation. Can he solve the ancient mystery?

I enjoy books set in arctic settings & Ragnar is a master at creating a setting that makes the reader feel they are there. The story is told in different timelines & by different characters. I didn't find any of the characters particularly likeable, but I was keen to find out the conclusion.

Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

NetGalley Review

Death at the Sanatorium by Ragnar Jónasson
Michael Joseph, 22nd August 2024

Standing high up in the Icelandic mountains, the sanatorium was previously used to treat patients with TB, many of whom died. Although
currently only has one wing is open, which is being used as a research institute with a skeleton staff, a ghostly atmosphere can be felt, perhaps from the many people who dies there.

This book explores two separate time periods: the present day, and 30 years in the past, when the unsolved murder of a nurse occurred at the sanatorium. Grad student Helgi Reykdal is working on a criminology dissertation and as he looks into old cases, he's drawn into a web of secrets and lies.

Short chapters with strong flow drive this fast-paced plot forward, whilst still allowing for the development of the characters. The excellent writing is pleasing with intense suspense interspersed with quieter scenes. With a surprising yet satisfying conclusion that ties and weaves the plot threads together, this is a dramatic read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Ragnar Jónasson and Michael Joseph for providing an eARC via NetGalley; this is my unbiased review.

#DeathAtTheSanatorium #NetGalley #MichaelJoseph #RagnarJonasson #ARC #BookReview

Set to release in August 2024, Death at the Sanatorium continues Ragnar Jónasson’s legacy as a master of Nordic noir, combining eerie atmospheres and tightly plotted mysteries. The novel follows a cold case investigation centered on a murder that took place at a remote sanatorium in northern Iceland in 1983. The story spans across multiple timelines, including the original investigation led by Detective Hulda Hermannsdóttir, and a 2012 follow-up by Helgi Reykdal, a young criminologist with a fascination for classic detective stories.

The heart of the mystery revolves around the murder of a nurse, Yrsa, and the suspicious death of the chief physician soon after. Jónasson skillfully weaves these events into a compelling locked-room mystery, reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s work, but with his own signature Icelandic noir twist. The novel’s pacing is gripping, with a blend of cold case intrigue and psychological tension that keeps the reader on edge.

The novel has been praised for its complex characters, atmospheric setting, and intelligent plotting. Fans of Jónasson will enjoy the return of Hulda Hermannsdóttir, while new readers will appreciate his deft handling of suspense and his homage to the classic mystery genre.

Overall, Death at the Sanatorium promises to be a standout in Jónasson’s already impressive body of work, appealing to fans of both traditional whodunits and contemporary thrillers

Now and again a book comes along to test my rule, about how books are translated with the urgency they deserve. This took five years to get into English markets, which on reflection is a poor deal for us readers of Icelandic noir, considering the readability on offer here. When the genre was hotter, a few years ago, this should have been more of a priority. Anyway, I might have not mentioned this were it not for the fact the story is split into three different spots on the timeline, each indicated as you'd expect. One of those spots is mentioned only the once for a mighty long time, leaving the other two of key interest. One is the early 1980s, when a part-mothballed sanatorium is scene to a nasty murder, and the other is in 2012, when a chap is investigating this as a cold case for a criminology course.

While he's questioning some of the survivors, word definitely gets to us via a clever way of foreshadowing things that the investigation could well have been bodged, and we slowly see how and why. Our lead from 1983 is Tinna, a young nurse, perhaps with delusions of grandeur, who finds the corpse, and from then on does everything wrong – she lets slip details the police are keeping secret from the public, she points the police to an innocent man, she flirts with the cop – and even when the crimes continue, and we know she is innocent, she certainly continues her manipulations, as if to get it off her shoulders, but leaving someone going round scot-free...

What this does not do that is so common to the genre (think Yrsa Sigurdardottir, etc) is to have two or three completely disparate stories, and wrangle things until we see how they are actually linked. This is clearly the one tale, then and now. But it is also about things that matter to Icelanders that don't matter to the rest of us yet still fill the colours in here – the whole history of a tuberculosis sanatorium, and the difference between Akureyri and Reykjavik. A lot points to the small-town nature of the former, which is where we come to some of the issues here – yes, the place might well be built in a way that rumours can spread, and stick, but Tinna just finds herself far too able to swing things, and get her way of thinking accepted.

But this bluntness seen in how she succeeds in "dressing up the truth", whether intentionally or accidentally forming other people's opinions for themselves, is matched elsewhere. Our student is in a sorry relationship, and this is both boringly blunt about it and at the same time written about in a way that ignores the advice to 'show, don't tell'. Somebody rails about sexism later on – that's unsubtle, too. Yes, that heavy-handedness is part of what gives this the readability I mentioned – along with many short chapters, often with a large white gap in between – but it makes me doubt this just too much. Tinna's machinations are too implausible, the whole investigation of old too unbelievably flawed, for any of this to really succeed. Surely you read crime books for the clever characters? With them missing so often here this is a minor piece – readable, yes, but very forgettable.

AN OLD SANATORIUM. ONE TERRIFYING MURDER. FIVE SUSPECTS. AND A CASE THAT NEVER CLOSED. WELCOME TO THE SANATORIUM.

A former TB hospital, the sanatorium stands mostly abandoned with only one wing still in use for a research project - the workplace of a caretaker, two doctors, two nurses and a young research assistant. When one of the nurses is found brutally murdered, they realise that death has never left this place and neither has its secrets. The case remains unsolved for two decades until a young criminologist Helgi Reykdal starts asking questions…

If you’re looking for a good murder mystery with multiple timelines and point of views, this will be the perfect read for you. Starting with a shocking scene, Jónasson excels at building suspense in his books. Combine that with the complex mystery which is slowly unravelled by the young criminologist Helgi, and it’s a thoroughly enjoyable read. Jónasson ensures that his stories have an atmospheric quality to them and the location of the mostly abandoned sanatorium set against the harsh Icelandic landscape serves to add to the chilling and eerie nature of the murder scene. You can see the influence of Agatha Christie on Jónasson’s writing (he translated her books into Icelandic) so if you’re a fan of Christie, you should definitely check this out.

Be prepared for a twist on the classic whodunnit with plenty of misdirection and red herrings to keep the reader on their toes. The very final sentence of this book was absolutely shocking- perfection!

Death at the Sanatorium is out now. Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the arc. 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The author of two popular series starring smalltown Siglufjordur sleuth Ari Thor and DI Hulda Hermannsdóttir of the Reykjavik police, Ragnar Jónasson most recently teamed with Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir to write bestselling 2022 mystery Reykjavik, but now he returns to his roots (Jónasson translated several Agatha Christie novels into Icelandic from when he was a teenager) with a classically styled murder mystery.

In 2012, thirtysomething Helgi Reykdal is torn. A criminology postgrad at a UK university, Helgi’s returned to Iceland, where he interned with the Reykjavik police for a summer, a job is waiting for him if he wants it, and where his live-in girlfriend Bergthóra wants the fractious pair to stay. For his dissertation, he gets sucked into the unsolved 1983 murder of a nurse at an isolated former tuberculosis sanatorium. When another nurse is killed in 2012, Helgi embarks on a twisting investigation into the two crimes.

Jónasson beautifully builds suspense as he oscillates across two time periods; a clever mystery from a masterful storyteller.

[This review of DEATH AT THE SANATORIUM was published as part of my September crime fiction roundup for the New Zealand Listener]

An old sanatorium for TB becomes the place of 2 murders. The case is one that has to be solved even with very few suspects for the investigating officer. Helgi Reykdal comes across the case 20 years later. Will his asking questions bring about more than he realised.
A case from 2 timelines will bring a complex mystery that will have you engaged to the very end.
Thank you NetGalley and (Penguin Random House) for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Helgi is a criminologist, and as he continues his studies he begins to work on his dissertation about the unsolved murders that took place at Akureyri Sanatorium (an old tuberculosis hospital) decades earlier. With just one wing left open for research purposes, there were six employees still working at the Sanatorium (two doctors, two nurses, a research assistant and a caretaker) when one of the nurses was found brutally murdered. Despite having a clear suspect, the case was never completely solved and Helgi decides that this is a good opportunity to take another look at the case.

With an explosive start, and plenty of changes of direction, this story really highlights the idea that a situation can be easily misinterpreted if you don’t know all of the details. It’s a theme that comes into play several times throughout the book and is something that is really pivotal in a police procedural where a person’s character and reputation are at stake based on an incorrect suspicion of their guilt.

This book is right up there with Ragnar Jonasson’s best, and for me personally is equal to my favourite of his books - The Girl Who Died. The thing that both of these books have in common is that on top of the more typical mystery or crime storylines, there are additional ‘spooky’ elements. In this case, an abandoned Sanatorium is a really atmospheric setting for a murder mystery. The idea of being watched in your own home also brings a very disturbing feel to it and this results in the perfect mix of creepy mystery, and a more traditional Nordic Noir Police Procedural.

I loved the setting, I loved the combination of all the different strands of the story (historical and modern day, the old murder investigation and Helgi’s research into the way the Police handled the original case), I loved the misdirection and I loved the references to Golden-Age Crime Fiction. This was particularly interesting if you go on to read about the author’s own experience of translating Agatha Christie novels into Icelandic at the end of the book. 100% one of my favourite books of the year!

This is the first title I have read by this author, it will definitely not be my last. I enjoyed it from the beginning to the end. Various timelines made this into an engrossing read. Anyone who loves a classic whodunnit, then this is for you. Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this title!

Internationally well-known Nordic crime writer Ragnar Jonasson’s latest noir thriller - Death at the Sanatorium has all the hallmarks of a master storyteller. Helgi is a criminologist recently returned to Iceland after studying in England. Still a student as he has yet to finish his dissertation about the unsolved murders that had taken place at Akureyri Sanatorium decades ago.

The Akureyri Sanatorium. was a hospital dedicated to treating tuberculosis. Though shut since Iceland beat TB, a wing was kept open to conduct research. There were six employees namely two doctors, two nurses, a research assistant and a caretaker. The Sanatorium however felt eerie as if haunted by ghosts of the past. In 1983, Yrsa, one of the nurses is found brutally murdered. The case was never solved. Helgi is intrigued and decides to use it for his dissertation.

The thriller opens in Jonasson’s signature style setting the reader up for a thrilling read. The very ordinary opening is laden with expectation. Right from the get-go this promised to be a thrilling read and I was not disappointed. Told in third person POV the novel moves seamlessly between different time levels. Helgi is the main protagonist. The setting is well chosen, realistic, supporting the dark tale. the characters are well thought out, interesting and diverse.

I couldn’t call the plot fast. However, it is a typical Jonasson thriller that holds you in its grip till the end. The pace is his. He builds it and draws the scenes drawing the reader in. I could not tur the pages of my Kindle quick enough. His restrained writing in itself makes ones heart beat quicker. I learnt a considerable amount about Iceland. I loved the way he had seamlessly built it into the narrative making it an enjoyable experience. As always when reading one of his thrillers I’m intrigued enough to want to visit. There's no doubt that the Icelandic scenery only adds to the novel’s eeriness.

Helgi happens to be a fan of the golden age mysteries. Being a fan of them myself it was nostalgic reading about them. In fact, Jonasson’s writing style has the stamp of those geniuses. Life is complicated and Jonasson weaves it into his tale with sensitivity and understanding. I was impressed by Helgi’s persona, an interesting blend of sensitivity, perceptiveness, and something else I could not put my finger on. Is this the Nordic enigma?

The novel comes with bonuses such as Helgi’s reading list. Guess one will have to read the novel to discover it. There's a big hint in this review. Lol.

True Helgi solves the crime, yet it is a cryptic ending. One can’t help but feel a promise of more to come. There’s certainly plenty of room left for the beginnings of a series by the Icelandic virtuoso of noir thrillers.

I’ve enjoyed Ragnar’s writing ever since his Ari Thor Dark Iceland series and I loved his trilogy featuring a woman detective on the verge of retiring, Hulda Hermannsdottir, so it was good to see Hulda make an appearance in this book.

Death at The Sanatorium has a dual timeline story arc. In 1983 Tinna, a nurse at a former TB sanatorium which is now a general hospital ward, finds Yrsa, an older hospital nurse, lying dead with a part of her body mutilated. Detective Hulda Hermannsdottir and her boss, Sverrir, are sent to investigate Yrsa’s death. There are several suspects but no obvious motive. The detectives question the Clinic’s Director, two junior nurses, a young doctor, and the caretaker, Broddi. Broddi is arrested mostly because of Tinna’s deliberate pointing to him for reasons of her own, but is then released.

When, just a few days after the murder, the Clinical Director is also found dead as a result of falling from a balcony, Sverrir, rules his death as suicide and the Police assumption is that the physician killed himself as an act of remorse for his killing of Yrsa. Despite Hulda’s misgivings, Sverrir closes the case and marks it as a murder/suicide.

In 2012 almost 30 years later, Helgi Reykdal, a graduate in criminology from an English university, has returned to Iceland. Helgi is a strange character. At 30 years old or thereabouts, he still hasn’t got enough gumption to make up his mind about what he wants to do. He dreams of travelling and of going back to England to work. But he’s in a relationship, a divisive and unhealthy relationship with his girlfriend who is very clear about what she wants him to do.

There’s a job in Reykjavik CID with his name on it if he will only accept it. Magnus, the officer in charge was impressed with Helgi when he interned with the CID last year and has offered him a fast- track position.

While Helgi swithers about what to do, he works on his dissertation on the two deaths in the Sanatorium. His aim is to study the methodology of the case and to get direct recollections from those who were at or connected to the investigation or the Sanatorium itself at that time. It’s not a huge cast of characters and feels like a tight subject for a dissertation. There aren’t too many to interview; Tinna along with her colleague nurse Elísabet, Dr. Thorri Thorsteinsson, and Broddi the caretaker. Together with research into the Sanatorium’s archives, he should have what he needs to finish his dissertation.

Helgi is a lover of crime fiction, especially classic crime from Ngaio Marsh and Agatha Christie to Ellery Queen and he has a treasured collection of such books which comfort him in difficult times. They also serve as the basis for his understanding of how to go about questioning those involved for his dissertation.

Despite Helgi’s best endeavours, it doesn’t turn out to be as simple as that. Neither Tinna nor Sverrir will talk to him. It’s left to the others to share their own versions of what happened and their theories about the case. There seems to be a general concern that Helgi is planning to re-open the case and have it put under review – a possibility that does not recede when Helgi formally takes up his job with CID.

The investigations take a turn when there is another murder and so Helgi is now leading a murder inquiry. Ragnar Jónasson’s plotting and especially his dropping of clues is beautifully laid down. He does a fabulous job of leading the reader down the wrong path in search of a red herring or three. But the answers are there, if you choose to look for them, albeit shrouded until the author is ready for the whole picture to be unveiled.

Verdict : There’s suspense, mystery and murder in this homage to classical crime stories, ab;y translated by Victoria Cribbm with clever sleight of hand manoeuvring, but nothing quite prepared me for the remarkable ending. Applause for that in particular. Highly readable, very entertaining and a great all round read.

Death at the Sanatorium by Ragnar Jónasson is my first ever translated Icelandic read. As you may have guessed from the title, it’s crime fiction – the genre Ragnar Jónasson is known for.

Sanatoriums do make for great crime fiction / murder mystery settings due to their general air of death and abandonment - they are the perfect isolated, creepy setting.

In Death at the Sanatorium, we have a cast of characters and timelines, but the two main ones are Helgi (set in 2012), a man doing a crime PHD but having a crisis when it comes to his life and career. In an unhappy marriage, he feels he is being pulled into a job in Iceland he doesn’t want (although it’s pretty good one to be fair).

Then in 1983, we have Tinna. A nurse at the sanatorium who actually discovers the death of the title, that of her colleague, Yrsa. She was obviously murdered but the case was never solved, so for his PHD, Helgi is looking into what happened. He discovers one or two things that the police at the time overlooked and the case goes from being cold to very hot indeed…

I really enjoyed all the references to the golden age of crime fiction. Helgi’s father owned a bookshop and passed many books (and a love of reading) onto him. Helgi mentions how reading classic crime fiction has a soothing, calming effect on him and I can totally relate to that. Agatha Christie is definitely one of my go-to comfort read authors.

What distracted me slightly when reading Death at the Sanatorium was that the cadence and rhythm of the read felt a little off. That could be due to the fact it’s translated, or just my personal preference when reading!

Otherwise, I enjoyed the zipping pace and tight story. We were left on a bit of a cliffhanger so can only assume another book following the adventures of Helgi is coming…

I feel I must end this review by sharing my favourite Icelandic reading fact. Jolabokaflod is an amazing tradition where every Christmas Eve, people in Iceland gift each other books so they can spend the day/evening reading together. Love this!

Helgi is an expert procrastinator (I can get on board with that). He’s meant to be writing his dissertation and accepting a job with the police to appease his highly strung girlfriend. His dissertation research he can do, but the writing and job acceptance are not as appealing. But as he gets deeper into his research, events in the present take over and his hand is forced.

I don’t want to dwell too much on what happens in the book to avoid any spoilers. But this is a complex murder mystery that had me trying to guess who and why, which I’ll ad I would never have got! I liked the way Jónasson switched time lines and perspectives to tell the story. It added to the intrigue. I tried to play detective alongside Helgi but I’m not the best so just went along for the ride and what may seem (at first) like a sedate ride definitely had a lot of bumps and turns as I went along (aka not so sedate!!)

It had the feel of a classic whodunnit, nodding to the greats of the golden age of crime fiction through Helgi’s reading material. Being my first experience of Jónasson’s writing, I thoroughly enjoyed Death At The Sanatorium. But oh my that ending, that just left me stunned, I reread it twice just to make sure I’d read it right 😧😧😧