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The Sanatorium - Sarah Pearse



5/5 ⭐

I have a fascination with the macabre, as many of us do. And I think that is part of why this one called to me. A former sanatorium turned chic hotel on a swiss mountain takes center stage where this drama was to take place.

And boy what a drama it was. With quickly deteriorating weather conditions, Sarah Pearse takes us on a dark and twisted journey into the tragic past of the hotel. And her main character Elin who is struggling after a horrific ordeal at work.

She gives trauma center stage as she presents the different ways her characters deal with it head-on and in the aftermath.

It was refreshing to see it treated not as just an after-effect of an event but as something happening at the moment and how it can have such an impact on a person for years to come.

The dynamics Pearse creates between her characters never felt forced or shallow. The differences between Elin and Isaac's sibling issues versus Cecile and Lucas's makes for an interesting comparison. The tragic event in their past that leads them to where they are now is different but no less troubling.

As for the ending of this climatic story, it definitely wasn't the one I was expecting. But it was wrapped up all nice and neat in a bow which I did like. All in all a solid thriller.

8/21/21

*This review was previously posted on my Google Site.

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