Reviews with content warning for Stalking - The Sanatorium

Overall, a really good mystery/thriller! There was just a few things that bugged me enough to drop it from 5 stars to 4.
My biggest worry when starting this book was how Pearse was going to use the setting of the Sanatorium. Sanatoriums/Asylums are big staples in suspense and horror, so there are a lot of different ways for the setting to become tropey/unoriginal/uninteresting. I though that turning the sanatorium into a hotel added an interesting twist while adding a nice element of social horror as well - trying to (sometimes literally) whitewash the past. Similarly, I thought that most of the characters were really complex and compelling. There were a few things that confused me, but I'm assuming that's due to the cultural barrier going on here. The plot was paced well and engaging, and I think that Pearse added a lot of rich detail to her characters and world building. A also appreciated the little nods to actual sanatorium design as well as the rather colorful and often brutal histories of asylums around the world. For a debut book, I think it's really good!
I did have a few issues pertaining to the psychology of the suspects and perpetraitors. Some of their actions and ways they acted and reacted didn't make sense from a psychological perspective. They were common mistakes, but they still bugged me. Similarly, I had a few issues with details of the crime. I simply cannot find what type of respirator/mask the perpetraitor used anywhere on the internet. The closest thing I can find is a WWII era gas mask/respirator, but the tubing still connects to an outiside box, not the mask itself. I'm really curious as to if Pearse made that device up or if it's actually based on a real respirator that I can't seem to find. There were a lot of horrifying looking devices used back then that would have worked for a signature, so I find it a bit odd that she (seemlingly) chose to make something up instead. It's a small detail, but it still pulled me out of the story a bit.
Overall, a pretty good book! I'd defintely reccommend it to my friends and I'll probably read it's upcoming sequel.

Content Warnings

gconley's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.25

Content Warnings

jelliclecax's review

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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tabby2920's review

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.0

This is another suspenseful mystery that thinks outside the box. The blurb makes you think you're reading something else and then you find yourself being warped into another story. A lot of people complained about being too long but I like descriptive mysteries because it was just so atmospheric and made me feel I was really there. There are a lot of twists and red herrings that will make readers second guess what is going on and who is really the culprit. With every turned page (or for every next chapter of the audiobook) I found myself more invested and involved into finding out what was going on which I always find to be a positive aspect in a mystery. It does have an unlikable character but I always love reading unlikeable characters when it's in a very well-written book. What I found interesting about the book was the ending. The issue-oriented conclusion of the book really threw me a curve ball and I never thought something would work that way but it did. Only complaint? The epilogue. I'm unsure if the author is setting up for a sequel or just wanted to set the readers for another twist but it just felt a little confusing in the book.

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