The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse offers a gripping, atmospheric thriller set in a snowed-in Swiss hotel. Readers praise its compelling setting and intense suspense, though some criticize the pacing and character development. Overall, it’s a chilling read for mystery enthusiasts seeking a dark, immersive escape.

A perfect read for fans of dark, atmospheric thrillers, The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse captivates those who enjoy tense and twisty mysteries similar to The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides and The Guest List by Lucy Foley. Ideal for readers drawn to isolated settings and complex characters.

In The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse, UK police detective Elin Warner visits a luxury hotel in the Swiss Alps to celebrate her brother Isaac's engagement, only to be drawn into investigating a series of murders during a snowstorm that traps the guests. The novel tackles issues such as mental illness, childhood trauma, and sexual assault.

Suspenseful / Mysterious / Unnerving / Dark / Challenging

- The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse was a New York Times bestseller shortly after its release in 2021 and was selected by Reese's Book Club as a recommended read.
- The book's setting is inspired by the atmospheric backdrop of the Swiss Alps, particularly drawing from Sarah Pearse's own experiences and fascination with converted historical buildings.
- Sarah Pearse was informed by her penchant for atmospheric and disturbing architecture, drawing inspiration for the sanatorium from buildings she encountered while living in Switzerland.

Sarah Pearse

Adult

Novel

Detective Elin Warner

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Sanatorium and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Sanatorium Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Chapter 14

The Sanatorium Prologue-Chapter 14 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 15-33

The Sanatorium Chapters 15-33 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 34-53

The Sanatorium Chapters 34-53 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 54-76

The Sanatorium Chapters 54-76 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 77-90

The Sanatorium Chapters 77-90 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 91-Epilogue

The Sanatorium Chapter 91-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Sanatorium Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Sanatorium Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Sanatorium Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Sanatorium Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Sanatorium Essay Topics

The Sanatorium

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Sanatorium?

Reading Age

Book Details