The Sanatorium
The Sanatorium
By Sarah Pearse
What the creepy, unnerving hell did I just read?!
Published: Bantam Press available in ebook (Hardback 18 Feb. 2021)
Book review, no spoilers I swear!!!
What a book! That's all I'm going to say, for now anyway. Welcome back bookish folks, today I am sharing my thoughts on The Sanatorium which I was luckily enough to read an ARC of from netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review, I'd like to say thank you again for sending me an arc. All views are my own and unbiased so before I tell more, how about I tell you what it is about? Give you an idea.
Blurb:
EVERYONE'S IN DANGER. ANYONE COULD BE NEXT.
An imposing, isolated hotel, high up in the Swiss Alps, is the last place Elin Warner wants to be. But she's taken time off from her job as a detective, so when she receives an invitation out of the blue to celebrate her estranged brother's recent engagement, she has no choice but to accept.
Arriving in the midst of a threatening storm, Elin immediately feels on edge. Though it's beautiful, something about the hotel, recently converted from an abandoned sanatorium, makes her nervous - as does her brother, Isaac.
And when they wake the following morning to discover his fiancée Laure has vanished without a trace, Elin's unease grows. With the storm cutting off access to and from the hotel, the longer Laure stays missing, the more the remaining guests start to panic.
But no-one has realized yet that another woman has gone missing. And she's the only one who could have warned them just how much danger they're all in . . .
Thoughts:
This is one incredible debut! Like I don't often read thriller mysteries as I tend to lean towards romance but there was something about The Sanatorium that attracted me to it, I had this feeling that I knew it was just going to be a great book and boy was I right!
I'm going to struggle telling you how much I loved this book and why I personally think its a good read without giving spoilers, well that and the fact I don't think my words can possibly do it justice. So I thought maybe I should just share my thoughts throughout reading it. Call it a mini book blogger inner thoughts trailer??
*Begins reading*
Ooooo this is a bit tense, wait what's that?.... Jesus what's happening! No you can't end a chapter there?!
Ok so this seems eerie, nah I wouldn't be staying there.... nah no thanks, pack your bags love and turn around before its too late.
Run! Run!!!!!!! Ah shit its too much, my heart is beating so bloody fast!
Well he's creepy and she's intense, what's there problem, whats the secret? What happened in the past?!
Shit just got real, why aren't you locking yourself in your room! I'd be shitting myself if I was you love.
Wait they did what? Where's the missing person? Why is everyone so god damn mysterious?
What just happened? They did what to them? ..... Oh my god no the book needs to be closed, no more reading this in the middle of the night. *Loud bang from outside me room*
Meg: Sorry! I just fell out of bed!
Me: You shat me up!
Right its nice and early, no one is going to hurt me, right where was I? Oh yes, shit this is getting really good now. Meg! Meg!
Meg: Yes?
Me: It's just got really freaky now.
Meg: Oooo yea what's happened?
Me: *Spends the next 30 minutes filling her in*
Meg: Damn, I'd be gone, take me chances with the elements.
I'm almost finished, how's it gonna end? How can it end?
Omg it was ************* that's twisted as owt pal!
Ah everything is back to how it was, wait who's this geezer? Wait what's happening? The end, no this can't end? What happened? Who was that person! Nah there needs to be more! I need to know!!!
*Finished book and stares into the last empty page, wondering what to do next.*
As you can see, it was a roller coaster of emotions and I had no idea what was going to happen next, plenty of twists and turns. The only way I can describe The Sanatorium is like if Agatha Christie and Stephen King wrote a book together. It's so good and creepy and I want to see it adapted into like a 3/6 part drama on tv. I completed my A-Level media, I can do the script!
But no in all seriousness. The way in which Pearse writes is in a very atmospheric way and only reveals what she wants you to see. The story played out in front of me like I was watching a film, only better because it was in my head. Pearse has written a bloody brilliant book and I can't wait to see what she comes up with, she's a force to be reckoned with and The Sanatorium is already in my top reads of 2021. Now excuse me while I go and read it again now I know how it ends, see if I can pick up on any hints.
So if you enjoy Lucy Foley, Agatha Christie or any chilling thrillers then do check this book out!
Rating: 5* out of 5*
After all tomorrow is another day spent reading.
Till next time,
Phoebe x
The Sanatorium is available to buy in kindle and for pre-order in Hardback on Amazon but also be sure to support your local book store if you are able.