Reviews with content warning for Medical trauma - The Sanatorium

I only finished this book because I spent an Audible credit on it, and I did so by listening to it on 2x speed. Elin was an insufferable main character. The plot twists do not follow logically--I understand not wanting to be predictable, but the author made it way too complex for it to be enjoyable. And the resolution of the subplot about Elin's past was so disappointing.

Content Warnings

emileereadsbooks's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

Thank you PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook.

I should have DNFed this book. Several people I trust told me that it wasn't great, and still I kept reading. Red flag after red flag popped up and still I wouldn't give up. So here are the reasons you should actually listen to me and not read this book.

1. The characters are extremely unlikable. Even the characters that are supposed to be likable will make you question them. I get in a closed room mystery you can't trust anyone, but this takes it to a new level.

2. It is unbelievable. And not in "a this book is transportive" kind of way. No. The main character is a detective but

a) She gets clues more obvious than those in a Nancy Drew novel and still she misses the glaring realities in front of her

b) She is entirely too trusting and wishy washy for someone who investigates for a living

c) She has too many unresolved personal and mental issues for her to have had a successful career in law enforcement. Those would have come to the surface before now.

3. The secondary mystery is cliche, and resolves entirely too quickly and cleanly and then is dropped like it didn't matter.

4. It is long. There were too many extraneous things happening and I was like when will this end?!

5. The conclusion is way too cleanly resolved and doesn't fully even make sense.

6. The epilogue is stupid. Like I messaged multiple people, went down an internet rabbit hole trying to understand it stupid.

Content Warnings

klutzykara's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

pagesandpurls's review

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

kalmed22's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Mystery set in the mountains--yes, please! Unfortunately, this one feel a bit flat for me due to the unlikable characters. The plot was decent in the end, but it was a slog to get through this. Giving credit for the great setting and ending.

Content Warnings

kukushka's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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