Death in the Sauna

by Dennis Altman

On the eve of a major international AIDS Conference in London, the Conference chair is found dead in suspicious circumstances. Tracking down how he died reveals layers of deception, rivalry and danger for those close to him.
'Imagine Agatha Christie parachuting into the heady world of gay saunas and HIV research, and you're getting close to this delicious, camp and tightly-plotted murder mystery.' - BENJAMIN LAW - writer and broadcaster 'Dennis Altman is a giant in academia and the gay rights movement, and with Death in the Sauna , he brings his insight and deft hand to a crime story that starts with a bang, so to speak, and leads us from the intrigues of a gay sauna into a tangled web of deception, rivalry and danger set against the backdrop of an international AIDS Conference. There could be no better author to take us into this story of secret lives, sexuality, politics and competing agendas. A searing and enjoyable read.' - TARA MOSS - bestselling author of The War Widow, The Ghosts of Paris and The Fictional Woman 'Altman's novel has a unique setting, a tight plot, and is hugely entertaining. He keeps you guessing right to the end, and you'll learn a lot along the way.' - ROBERT GOTT - author of the William Power series of crime-caper novels

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Queer, LGBT

216 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2023

About the author

Dennis Altman is a Professorial Fellow in Human Security at La Trobe University, Melbourne, and was Visiting Professor of Australian Studies at Harvard.

He has written eleven books exploring sexuality and politics, and their inter-relationship in Australia, the United States, and now globally. These include The Homosexualization of America, AIDS and the New Puritanism, Rehearsals for Change, The Comfort of Men (a novel), and his memoir Defying Gravity. His book Global Sex (Chicago University Press) has been translated into five languages. Most recently he published Gore Vidal’s America (Polity), 51st State? (Scribe)and The End of the Homosexual? (UQP).

In 2008, Altman was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.

Reviews

[Joshua Roach · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot held my interest, but there was an odd flow to the book. It felt rushed in some places and dragged a bit in others. Has at least two grammatical errors that made my left eye twitch.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!
It’s so short that I read it in 24 hours after picking it up from a “free library box”. It was un-put-downable!

The characters are a bit confusing at first but once I remembered them I found them so interesting. And so easy to relate to.

I especially loved Noel, who’d loved Pomfrey, and was glad to read his “ending”. And I also loved Sylvie, and Caitlin…

I didn’t guess “whodunnit” until it was revealed at the end…!

[lyny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the lead up to an international HIV conference in London, this has a lot of good characters and nice detail and colour about the various settings. It is well written and an interesting crime in the Agatha Christie multiple suspects mode. The writing is much better and successful as a crime read than other crime mysteries I have read that were also written by ex academics set in their field of interest (Dennis Altman was a very active figure in the conferences and initiatives he draws on.). The main problem for me is that after the initial crime and setting up of the potential murderers, there isn’t much new development or new revelations. Instead a lot of the story is taken up with four of the side characters meeting and gradually tracking down who did it. Enjoyable but a bit dull as it went on.

[Alistair · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve said it before: the novel one reads after a stunning reading experience is bound to lose in comparison, and this applies to ‘Death in the sauna’. For an alleged mystery, there is no tension, no excitement as to “who did it”. The author uses his pre-eminent knowledge of the early years of the AIDS epidemic to fashion a murder mystery. But it just doesn’t work; and, once again I aim my trigger at the editor. This is the second novel of recent reading that appears to have had no editorial input. There are howlers of grammar that haven’t been picked up, and one character “sighs” three times within two pages. The eminent Altman needs to stick to what he knows best.
Sigh.

[Yani · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF@ 17% (November 21, 2025)

I read a large amount of gay fiction back in the 90's around the time I was coming out. It always has a specific feel to me. And part of that is that it's all generally a little bit terrible.

This book feels like one of those. In fact, I had to actually check that it wasn't written in the 90's (allegedy in the early 2020's), because it's both set in the 90's and also... it's a little bit terrible.

I'm too old at this point to be dealing with a bunch of 90's closet cases and entirely too much talk of AIDS research and charities.

I really shouldn't be bored senseless by a book with this title.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this novel, a first fiction from Dennis Altman was both a lesson in HIV/AIDS and a great mystery novel. I found the characters all very interesting, and the story kept me hooked.

What surprised me most, it gave me details on the disease mentioned, which kept me more interested then the story. I think toward the end the story does wrap up too quickly, but that doesn't detract too much from a great story.

This is a fantastic debut novel and I can't wait to see what Dennis gives us next.

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

The death of an eminent HIV researcher on the eve of a major international AIDS Conference he’s the organizer of, is a shock to many. Some don’t believe the narrative of his death as was described to them, and it’s clear that all those close to him have varying theories from his death being tragic and untimely to him being murdered. In the quest to discover what really happened we’re quickly thrown into a world of danger and deception, of secret lives and rivalry. It’s a mystery until the very end…

[Tara Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dennis Altman is a giant in academia and the gay rights movement, and with Death in the Sauna, he brings his insight and deft hand to a crime story that starts with a bang, so to speak, and leads us from the intrigues of a gay sauna into a tangled web of deception, rivalry and danger set against the backdrop of an international AIDS Conference. There could be no better author to take us into this story of secret lives, sexuality, politics and competing agendas. A searing and enjoyable read.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just prior to a big AIDS conference in London, the chair Pomfrey Lister is found dead in a sauna. This is Altman's first novel after 17 non-fiction books, but sadly I didn't find it well written. I did get into it eventually and wanted to find out who the murderer was, but there was no sudden twist at the end (not like an Agathie Christie at all) which would have made a big difference. A good plot idea but it didn't really work for me.

[Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first novel by this highly regarded academic and gay activist and have to say it left me. little wanting.
Story predictable. Characters predictable. Outcome predictable.
Publishing costs in Australia have gone through the roof $35 for this 'short' book is, in my view outrageous!!!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m glad I hadn’t decided to look at the reviews before I read this because I really liked it! I loved the slightly stayed writing style, which fit the characters well. I also enjoyed the academic
/ HIV /90s gay scene vibe. Might be a unique genre but it worked for me!

[Brendon Fehre · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an easy read in the same genre as 'The Thursday Murder Club', but more interesting. Rolls along at a cracking pace but some of the dialogue seems a bit to Australian for something that is set in England - a quick easy read if you have the time to get lost in a book. 3 stars.

[MDR · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book much more than I had expected. I like the way it evoked the Golden Age of crime writing without containing lots of self-conscious homages or re-imaginings of classic characters or events. It also deals with serious problems without letting them get in the way of the plot.

[Alex Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our latest reading circle selection was Death in the Sauna, and it was truly unlike anything I’ve encountered before, a sharp, campy murder mystery with a distinctive setting and an abundance of intrigue

[David Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came across Death in the Sauna through our book club, and it was unlike anything I’d read before. Equal parts witty, daring, and suspenseful, it combines the structure of a classic whodunit with the vibrancy of contemporary themes. It made for lively discussion.

[Michael Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Introduced in our book club, this novel was a fascinating surprise. The murder mystery is tightly plotted, but what elevates it is the unique setting, a world of saunas, conferences, and politics rarely explored in crime fiction.

[Yvonne Wells · Rating 3 out of 5]

good story poorly told

The story was fine but the writing style was bald and I engaging. A disappointing read from a fine academic

[Benjamin Farr · Rating 2 out of 5]

2½ stars

A murder-mystery set on the eve of a major AIDS conference.

[Geoff · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just awful. Almost note character development at all. It was impossible to connect with anyone. The timeline seemed to jump around. In the end, I wished that everyone died.

[Nora Redmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one came highly recommended by Carmen Johnson, and then I came across it again in our book club discussions.

[Tony Leighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book promises a sharp, clever mystery that unfolds against the intense world of HIV research and international politics. It’s already on my must-read list!

[Claire Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carmen Johnson introduced me to this, and when it surfaced again during our latest book club pick, I knew I couldn't resist giving it a proper go.

[Brandon Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across Death in the Sauna in our book club, and it was unlike anything I’ve read before. A sharp, campy murder mystery with a unique setting and plenty of intrigue.

[Dominic Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carmen recommended this book, and it turned out to be such a clever choice. A murder mystery with brains, heart, and style.

[Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carmen brought this story to my attention, and it didn’t disappoint. Insightful, bold, and very fun.

[Robert Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carmen introduced me to Death in the Sauna, and it turned out to be an absolute gem. Altman takes the familiar whodunit form and infuses it with fresh perspective, humor, and heart.

[James Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book club read was truly refreshing. Suspenseful yet playful, it offered both an engaging mystery and a glimpse into worlds rarely depicted in mainstream fiction.

[Joseph Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m currently reading this gem, and I’m completely hooked. Every chapter pulls me deeper into the story.

[Lena Bookhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across this book on our book club, and I must say Death in the Sauna is full of twists and secrets. It’s witty, bold, and keeps me turning the pages.

[Miles Pagewood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carmen introduced me to this book, and it’s high on my TBR. A clever mix of mystery, secrets, and sharp storytelling awaits.