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Room 55: A clever Scandi-Noir thriller set in Sweden's notorious psychiatric clinic
In the heart of Dalarna's shadowy forests, the mind can be the most dangerous place of all.
Sweden's most notorious clinic for forensic psychiatry Säter is hidden deep among the pines — a place where the country's most violent offenders are sent when prison isn't an option. For young psychologist Anna Varga, a position at the prestigious institution is the opportunity of a a fresh start, a career breakthrough, an escape from her past in Stockholm.
But behind the clinic's cold walls, something is terribly wrong.
Patients whisper about Room 55. Anonymous notes appear with chilling warnings. And when a man is found dead under suspicious circumstances, Anna's dream job spirals into a waking nightmare. Is someone watching her? Manipulating her? And what buried truths is the clinic so desperate to keep hidden?
A twisty, heart-pounding Scandi-noir thriller perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn's "Sharp Objects", Karin Fossum and Lars Kepler.
Sweden's most notorious clinic for forensic psychiatry Säter is hidden deep among the pines — a place where the country's most violent offenders are sent when prison isn't an option. For young psychologist Anna Varga, a position at the prestigious institution is the opportunity of a a fresh start, a career breakthrough, an escape from her past in Stockholm.
But behind the clinic's cold walls, something is terribly wrong.
Patients whisper about Room 55. Anonymous notes appear with chilling warnings. And when a man is found dead under suspicious circumstances, Anna's dream job spirals into a waking nightmare. Is someone watching her? Manipulating her? And what buried truths is the clinic so desperate to keep hidden?
A twisty, heart-pounding Scandi-noir thriller perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn's "Sharp Objects", Karin Fossum and Lars Kepler.
329 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 5, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 11, 2025
I received a free copy of, Room 55, by Helena Kubicek Boye, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Anna Varga lives in Sweden and is starting a new job at Sater, but is she ready for what is going to happen? Sater is isolated and is known for room 55, where strange things happen including a death. This dark book, did not help my anxiety at all.
August 5, 2025
Room 55 by Helena Kubicek Boye is the first in the Säter Clinic thriller series which center around a psychiatric prison in Sweden.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Sager Egmont, and the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
First, the formatting of the ebook I received was atrocious. No chapter titles, therefore no table of contents. Everything runs together, from one setting/character to the next, and even paragraphs are questionable. I'm assuming this will be better when the actual book comes out, but it's frustrating. I think part of the problem is NetGalley's use of .lcl files. Anyway, I'll try to review the book, and not the format. Okay then, I'm done ranting.
This was an atmospheric tale, and any psychiatric facility set in a deep forest is going to be creepy. However, it didn't come across as dark as it might. It somehow lacked the chill factor. I was a little disappointed with this.
The characters were good though. I loved Anna, with her determination to make things right, to go wherever the mystery took her, and not worry about her job. I had an idea about Room 55 from the start, and was proven correct. However, the story about Cecilia and her twin boys was a surprise. There were also a lot of characters, and although a couple were identified near the beginning as being "bad", there were a lot of others that were questionable, so it kept me guessing.
The author is a psychologist, and it is evident throughout the story, but often her portrayal of the mystery lacked something.
Overall, the story was good, but not great. I'll probably read the next one when it comes out though.
Anyway, until next time....
For a more thorough review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, my own synopsis of the book, and its author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/.
June 16, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Room 55 was a tense and atmospheric mystery-thriller by Helena Kubicek Boye. This was the first book I’ve read by Boye. Room 55 centered around a young psychologist as she unraveled the sinister mysteries of a psychiatric clinic—starting with one eerie, whisper‑haunted room.
Boye delivered a slow-burn suspense style, with a creeping tension that escalated through small, unnerving details. I loved how this chilling story played with the unsettling terrain of the human mind, identity, and the blurring lines between reality and delusion. The mysterious room 55 was a symbolic space that represented the mind’s “locked doors,” where suppressed memories, secrets, or psychological fractures were hidden. The characters in Room 55 were deliberately layered and unreliable. These traits reinforced the central question: what is real and who can be trusted? I loved how the protagonist’s descent into doubt and fear was mirrored by the obscure motives of those around her. This characterization created a compelling psychological thriller that thrived on ambiguity and tension.
Helena Kubicek Boye fabricated a chilling and atmospheric mystery that blurred the line between sanity and suspicion. I was fascinated by the eerie tone and haunting reveal. Room 55 is most suited for readers that love intelligent atmospheric psychological mysteries with a clinical setting, emotionally complex characters, and a chilling awareness of suspense rooted in sanity and institutional confidentiality.
Thank you Net Galley and Saga Egmont for an advance e-copy in exchange for my honest review.
Room 55 was a tense and atmospheric mystery-thriller by Helena Kubicek Boye. This was the first book I’ve read by Boye. Room 55 centered around a young psychologist as she unraveled the sinister mysteries of a psychiatric clinic—starting with one eerie, whisper‑haunted room.
Boye delivered a slow-burn suspense style, with a creeping tension that escalated through small, unnerving details. I loved how this chilling story played with the unsettling terrain of the human mind, identity, and the blurring lines between reality and delusion. The mysterious room 55 was a symbolic space that represented the mind’s “locked doors,” where suppressed memories, secrets, or psychological fractures were hidden. The characters in Room 55 were deliberately layered and unreliable. These traits reinforced the central question: what is real and who can be trusted? I loved how the protagonist’s descent into doubt and fear was mirrored by the obscure motives of those around her. This characterization created a compelling psychological thriller that thrived on ambiguity and tension.
Helena Kubicek Boye fabricated a chilling and atmospheric mystery that blurred the line between sanity and suspicion. I was fascinated by the eerie tone and haunting reveal. Room 55 is most suited for readers that love intelligent atmospheric psychological mysteries with a clinical setting, emotionally complex characters, and a chilling awareness of suspense rooted in sanity and institutional confidentiality.
Thank you Net Galley and Saga Egmont for an advance e-copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 19, 2025
3.5 stars, rounded up. I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I also received a free copy of the audiobook, which I would highly recommend - I don’t often listen to audiobooks but this one was engagingly read and held my attention well. It made the story seem more fast paced and easy to follow, and handled the frequent POV shifts with ease.
The story was very atmospheric and complex with an interesting ending, perhaps more of a mystery novel than a thriller, with lots of moving parts and surprise elements. Worth a read!
The story was very atmospheric and complex with an interesting ending, perhaps more of a mystery novel than a thriller, with lots of moving parts and surprise elements. Worth a read!
July 21, 2025
What an intriguing story. I love a good mental hospital setting for a story. If you like books centered around mental hospitals and a good mystery, you'll love this book!
June 16, 2025
I had high hopes for this book, but I believe something was lost in translation – pun intended. It sounded like a dark, haunting story about a psychiatric clinic, Säter, deep in the woods of Sweden. Anna is a new psychologist there, eager to start her career working with some of the worst offenders and hoping to see some good come of her treatment. She hears rumors about secret rooms and starts receiving mysterious notes at her apartment. Her friend and fellow worker at the clinic, Lina, tells her to ignore it all and just focus on her work, but Anna can’t help feeling there’s something seriously wrong with Säter.
Sounds creepy, right? It was not. I’m not sure how there can be so many macabre elements in a story that just comes across as flat. The narrative is not just from Anna’s point of view, but from several other characters, many of whom we have no introduction to; they just start thinking to themselves or talking to another person, and the reader has no idea who this character is until several paragraphs later.
And we pretty much know who the perpetrators are from very early on, we just don’t know what they’re hiding. There’s no real suspense to the story, even with the murder that occurs. When the killer is revealed, it’s just confusing, and there doesn’t seem to be any clear reason for it. I really think it must be something with the translation, it just didn’t capture any type of chilling atmosphere.
I know this isn’t the finished format, but the biggest problem was that there were no breaks in between different sections of the narrative when it switched to another character’s point of view. At all, in the entire story. I’m talking in the middle of a paragraph, it would suddenly switch to another character’s point of view, and leave you wondering what the heck is happening. It was easily the most confusing layout I’ve ever read.
Honestly, this book could use some serious editorial revisions. It could be such an eerie and disturbing story, but it’s just disappointing.
Sounds creepy, right? It was not. I’m not sure how there can be so many macabre elements in a story that just comes across as flat. The narrative is not just from Anna’s point of view, but from several other characters, many of whom we have no introduction to; they just start thinking to themselves or talking to another person, and the reader has no idea who this character is until several paragraphs later.
And we pretty much know who the perpetrators are from very early on, we just don’t know what they’re hiding. There’s no real suspense to the story, even with the murder that occurs. When the killer is revealed, it’s just confusing, and there doesn’t seem to be any clear reason for it. I really think it must be something with the translation, it just didn’t capture any type of chilling atmosphere.
I know this isn’t the finished format, but the biggest problem was that there were no breaks in between different sections of the narrative when it switched to another character’s point of view. At all, in the entire story. I’m talking in the middle of a paragraph, it would suddenly switch to another character’s point of view, and leave you wondering what the heck is happening. It was easily the most confusing layout I’ve ever read.
Honestly, this book could use some serious editorial revisions. It could be such an eerie and disturbing story, but it’s just disappointing.
December 1, 2025
Room 55
By
Helena kubicek boye
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉Room 55 is an unforgettable entry into the world of Scandi-Noir, blending psychological tension, eerie atmosphere, and relentless suspense with remarkable finesse. Set inside Säter, Sweden’s most notorious forensic psychiatric clinic, the story immediately establishes a chilling tone. The isolation of the clinic — hidden deep in the forests of Dalarna — becomes a character in itself, amplifying every fear, every secret, and every unanswered question.
👉At the center of the story is Anna Varga, a young psychologist eager to make a fresh start. Her new job should represent success, healing, and professional growth, yet as soon as she steps through Säter’s doors, an unsettling undercurrent begins to reveal itself. Patients whisper warnings, staff members dodge uncomfortable inquiries, and the frightening legend of the forbidden Room 55 lurks just beyond reach. When a patient dies under suspicious circumstances, Anna’s role transforms from observer to unwilling participant in a dangerous mystery.
👉Helena Kubicek Boye excels at writing psychological suspense that never feels forced. The tension isn’t explosive — it’s creeping, calculated, and cold, the kind that keeps the reader perpetually on edge. The language, pacing, and emotional tone mirror the landscape around Säter: minimalistic, bleak, and quietly brutal. Boye allows the reader to slip into Anna’s mentality so convincingly that uncertainty becomes part of the experience. You question everyone and everything right alongside her.
👉What elevates Room 55 beyond a standard thriller is the emotional depth and authenticity beneath the suspense. The novel explores trauma, memory, professional ethics, and the fragility of the human psyche with intelligence and empathy. The fact that the story is inspired by real events lends a sense of realism that makes every chapter hit harder. Nothing feels exaggerated for dramatic effect — the horror comes from how plausible the situation really is.
Happy reading 😁😁
#bookreview
By
Helena kubicek boye
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉Room 55 is an unforgettable entry into the world of Scandi-Noir, blending psychological tension, eerie atmosphere, and relentless suspense with remarkable finesse. Set inside Säter, Sweden’s most notorious forensic psychiatric clinic, the story immediately establishes a chilling tone. The isolation of the clinic — hidden deep in the forests of Dalarna — becomes a character in itself, amplifying every fear, every secret, and every unanswered question.
👉At the center of the story is Anna Varga, a young psychologist eager to make a fresh start. Her new job should represent success, healing, and professional growth, yet as soon as she steps through Säter’s doors, an unsettling undercurrent begins to reveal itself. Patients whisper warnings, staff members dodge uncomfortable inquiries, and the frightening legend of the forbidden Room 55 lurks just beyond reach. When a patient dies under suspicious circumstances, Anna’s role transforms from observer to unwilling participant in a dangerous mystery.
👉Helena Kubicek Boye excels at writing psychological suspense that never feels forced. The tension isn’t explosive — it’s creeping, calculated, and cold, the kind that keeps the reader perpetually on edge. The language, pacing, and emotional tone mirror the landscape around Säter: minimalistic, bleak, and quietly brutal. Boye allows the reader to slip into Anna’s mentality so convincingly that uncertainty becomes part of the experience. You question everyone and everything right alongside her.
👉What elevates Room 55 beyond a standard thriller is the emotional depth and authenticity beneath the suspense. The novel explores trauma, memory, professional ethics, and the fragility of the human psyche with intelligence and empathy. The fact that the story is inspired by real events lends a sense of realism that makes every chapter hit harder. Nothing feels exaggerated for dramatic effect — the horror comes from how plausible the situation really is.
Happy reading 😁😁
#bookreview
January 8, 2026
I did not like this book, unfortunately. It was pretty perdictable and I really dislike characters that make, what I think, are dumb decisions. Basically she gets a warning about the 'others', not to trust them, and to watch out for Room 55. Then she turns around and tells someome about the warning that she just met? WTF. She applied for this job because she has a friend that works there that mentioned it, but instead of at the very least telling her friend about the warning, she tells a brand new person she just met that could very well be part of these 'others'. Also, I don't know anything about psych or social work in Sweden, but if this is what their psychologists are like, I don't think it's very good. She cried about everything and way over-sympathized with her patients. I don't think a psychologist would be very effective like that? Also, She has a patient that she knows is having issues and so she forces another meeting with him when he didn't want to and then drops a bombshell on him and then immediately leaves him alone after? Again, not sure that is good therapy.
I also really disliked the way the women were written and their reaction to all the men. Like she trusted these men more than her friend? Men she has just met? And when she finds out her friend is having an affair with one of them she thinks "well, I'll never have an affair with a coworker" like it's her friend's fault and nothing to do with the man? Not great. Then when a man betrays her (the reporter) she still keeps going back to him for help and just trusts him again because he says so?
I mean, it's possible that this all has to do with how it was translated in english, like the writing may be smoother and more likable in the original language, but since I can only go by the english translated version, I'd have to say this one is not recommended.
I also really disliked the way the women were written and their reaction to all the men. Like she trusted these men more than her friend? Men she has just met? And when she finds out her friend is having an affair with one of them she thinks "well, I'll never have an affair with a coworker" like it's her friend's fault and nothing to do with the man? Not great. Then when a man betrays her (the reporter) she still keeps going back to him for help and just trusts him again because he says so?
I mean, it's possible that this all has to do with how it was translated in english, like the writing may be smoother and more likable in the original language, but since I can only go by the english translated version, I'd have to say this one is not recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2025
This story was actually quite good, despite the handful of bad reviews. Considering this is an ARC review, I want to preface this by saying, yes. The formatting was troublesome. When I first started reading, I had a hard time getting into the story because every few paragraphs, even sometimes mid paragraph, the perspective would change. And it was all one looooooooooooooong chapter. Then, right about 39% in, I see a header, “CHAPTER 52” right in the middle of the page. Then I got it. Whoever formatted this ARC neglected to separate all the chapters. And there are A LOT. Each chapter is actually only a couple of pages, sometimes even only a paragraph. But with no chapter headings, there’s no way to tell. It just seems like random perspective changes and really pulls you out of the story. Once I realized what was going on, it was much easier to get into the story. At that point, I couldn’t put it down. I went through the rest of it in a single sitting. This was an odd one—in a great way! I really liked the characters even the super creepy ones. And the story itself was so interesting. Despite the formatting issues, I couldn’t stop turning the pages because I had to know who the bad guy was. And if you think you know who it is, just wait because there’s more! I genuinely hope the publisher fixes the formatting issues with this book before publication. Otherwise they are doing a huge disservice to the author and themselves.
Huge thanks to Saga Egmont and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!
Huge thanks to Saga Egmont and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!
December 16, 2025
Helena Kubicek Boye's Room 55 is a gripping Scandi noir thriller that expertly crafts atmosphere and psychological tension, set against the eerie backdrop of Sweden's notorious Säter forensic psychiatric clinic, where psychologist Anna Varga takes on a role that she believes will define her career.
As Anna grows into her new position, a creeping sense of unease begins to unfold with an inexorable momentum. Patients drop hints about forbidden knowledge, mysterious messages materialize without warning, and the weight of secrets intensifies. When a suspicious death transpires, the story converges, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between professional obligation and the instinct for self-preservation. The building tension is insidious yet pervasive, forcing the reader to scrutinize every character and quiet moment.
What makes Room 55 particularly gripping is its thought-provoking exploration of the human mind's fragility, as Boye masterfully immerses the reader in Anna's perspective, allowing feelings of paranoia, fear, and doubt to unfold naturally, with the clinic itself becoming a palpable, oppressive presence that heightens the psychological tension and underscores the disturbing notion that the most sinister threats can be those that are least visible.
With its dark, twisted plot and eerie realism, Room 55 is a gripping debut in a new thriller series that will appeal to fans of slow-burn suspense, complex characters, and Scandinavian noir, leaving readers spellbound until the very end and lingering long after the final page is turned.
As Anna grows into her new position, a creeping sense of unease begins to unfold with an inexorable momentum. Patients drop hints about forbidden knowledge, mysterious messages materialize without warning, and the weight of secrets intensifies. When a suspicious death transpires, the story converges, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between professional obligation and the instinct for self-preservation. The building tension is insidious yet pervasive, forcing the reader to scrutinize every character and quiet moment.
What makes Room 55 particularly gripping is its thought-provoking exploration of the human mind's fragility, as Boye masterfully immerses the reader in Anna's perspective, allowing feelings of paranoia, fear, and doubt to unfold naturally, with the clinic itself becoming a palpable, oppressive presence that heightens the psychological tension and underscores the disturbing notion that the most sinister threats can be those that are least visible.
With its dark, twisted plot and eerie realism, Room 55 is a gripping debut in a new thriller series that will appeal to fans of slow-burn suspense, complex characters, and Scandinavian noir, leaving readers spellbound until the very end and lingering long after the final page is turned.
August 5, 2025
Young psychology graduate, Anna Varga, applies for a position at the Säter, a notorious clinic for forensic psychiatry which underwent a recent scandal. Still, it is prestigious & would be a great career step, so even when Anna arrives at the clinic to start her new post & learns that her predecessor disappeared, she carries on.
Anna is asked to work with a new patient, a man who committed a well-planned murder but claims to have no memory of doing so. Her work with him is intriguing but behind the clinic walls, something is terribly wrong. Where is the whispered about "Room 55", & who is sending Anna the anonymous notes?
Reading this book is a lot like catching sight of something out of the corner of your eye, but when you turn your head to look - nothing is there. There's the promise of a chilling thriller but it's buried under trivial detail, for example, if you removed the character of Milo from the book absolutely nothing would change in the storyline except for deleting several sex scenes. I have no problem with sex scenes if they add something to the narrative - these didn't.
TLDR: Somewhere in here is a decent thriller but it's hidden behind unimportant characters & unnecessary & out of nowhere sex scenes.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Saga Egmont, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
TWs:
Anna is asked to work with a new patient, a man who committed a well-planned murder but claims to have no memory of doing so. Her work with him is intriguing but behind the clinic walls, something is terribly wrong. Where is the whispered about "Room 55", & who is sending Anna the anonymous notes?
Reading this book is a lot like catching sight of something out of the corner of your eye, but when you turn your head to look - nothing is there. There's the promise of a chilling thriller but it's buried under trivial detail, for example, if you removed the character of Milo from the book absolutely nothing would change in the storyline except for deleting several sex scenes. I have no problem with sex scenes if they add something to the narrative - these didn't.
TLDR: Somewhere in here is a decent thriller but it's hidden behind unimportant characters & unnecessary & out of nowhere sex scenes.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Saga Egmont, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
TWs:
July 12, 2025
I haven't read a proper creepy thriller in ages, so I had high expectations for this. However, it didn't quite hit the spot.
It's a story about a psychiatric clinic in Sweden where Anna, a newly qualified psychologist, is excited to begin her career there. Working alongside one of her best friends treating some of the most dangerous offenders. It isn't long until she starts receiving mysterious messages mentioning a Room 55. Her friend and colleague advised her to ignore it, but she couldn't help and wonder if there was something else going on at the clinic.
I expected a much sinister and chilling atmosphere, but honestly, it just felt flat despite the topics of the story.
At first, I thought we would only get Anna's narrative, but we got several other characters' POV. Which usually is great, but in this instance, there was no real introduction to the characters or their roles in the story. So it was a little confusing.
It's also clear quite early on who the bad guys are, but we're just not sure what it is exactly they may be hiding, so this didn't help with the suspense factor.
This really could have been a proper chilling story, maybe if it had 100+ more pages. Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC.
It's a story about a psychiatric clinic in Sweden where Anna, a newly qualified psychologist, is excited to begin her career there. Working alongside one of her best friends treating some of the most dangerous offenders. It isn't long until she starts receiving mysterious messages mentioning a Room 55. Her friend and colleague advised her to ignore it, but she couldn't help and wonder if there was something else going on at the clinic.
I expected a much sinister and chilling atmosphere, but honestly, it just felt flat despite the topics of the story.
At first, I thought we would only get Anna's narrative, but we got several other characters' POV. Which usually is great, but in this instance, there was no real introduction to the characters or their roles in the story. So it was a little confusing.
It's also clear quite early on who the bad guys are, but we're just not sure what it is exactly they may be hiding, so this didn't help with the suspense factor.
This really could have been a proper chilling story, maybe if it had 100+ more pages. Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC.
November 21, 2025
Room 55 is the kind of thriller that makes you suspicious of your own walls. Like, why does the room feel like it’s listening too? 👀
Helena Kubicek Boye throws us right into Sweden’s shadowy forests, where Anna Varga walks into her “dream job,” and the rest of us scream, “Girl, no.” Because if a clinic is hidden THAT deep in the woods, just know the vibes aren’t good.
Anna arrives all excited and professional, but Säter? Oh, Säter has other plans. Patients are whispering spooky things, mysterious notes pop up like jump-scares, and then someone dies under very sus circumstances. Suddenly the job upgrade feels more like a horror movie internship. And yes, I was hooked instantly.
The tension builds like a slow, icy drip, very Scandi, very aesthetic, very “I might not survive this chapter.” Every page feels like the forest closing in, and Anna’s paranoia becomes your paranoia. Honestly, I love that for us.
Then come the twists. The kind that make you stop, blink, and wonder if you accidentally skipped a page (you didn’t). And And And Room 55 is inspired by REAL EVENTS, yes!!
If you love dark atmospheres, messy minds, and secrets hiding in creepy hallways, Room 55 will feed your thriller soul perfectly. Cold, twisty, dramatic, chef’s kiss.
Helena Kubicek Boye throws us right into Sweden’s shadowy forests, where Anna Varga walks into her “dream job,” and the rest of us scream, “Girl, no.” Because if a clinic is hidden THAT deep in the woods, just know the vibes aren’t good.
Anna arrives all excited and professional, but Säter? Oh, Säter has other plans. Patients are whispering spooky things, mysterious notes pop up like jump-scares, and then someone dies under very sus circumstances. Suddenly the job upgrade feels more like a horror movie internship. And yes, I was hooked instantly.
The tension builds like a slow, icy drip, very Scandi, very aesthetic, very “I might not survive this chapter.” Every page feels like the forest closing in, and Anna’s paranoia becomes your paranoia. Honestly, I love that for us.
Then come the twists. The kind that make you stop, blink, and wonder if you accidentally skipped a page (you didn’t). And And And Room 55 is inspired by REAL EVENTS, yes!!
If you love dark atmospheres, messy minds, and secrets hiding in creepy hallways, Room 55 will feed your thriller soul perfectly. Cold, twisty, dramatic, chef’s kiss.
July 12, 2025
Title: Room 55
Author: Helena Kubicek Boye
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Publication Date: August 5, 2025
The summary of this book sounded intriguing, so thought I'd give it a shot! I was just a little confused because NetGalley has the Publication Date as August 5th, 2025; however, there's also a 2018 copyright date. The book has been translated to English, so maybe that's why there's a 2025 date?
I have to say the book started off with a bang!! Soooo much action! Exactly the way I like for a book to start. Sucks me in and keeps me wanting more!
Unfortunately, the first chapter was the most exciting chapter. The rest of the book was very dry and boring. I feel like it was a "bait and switch" moment. The storyline was also told from MANY different points of view. So many, in fact, that I had a difficult time keeping all of the different characters straight.
The premise of this book had so much potential. Unfortunately, it just didn't live up to my expectations. It could have been so much better if the author focused more on the inmates receiving psychiatric care.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.
Author: Helena Kubicek Boye
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Publication Date: August 5, 2025
The summary of this book sounded intriguing, so thought I'd give it a shot! I was just a little confused because NetGalley has the Publication Date as August 5th, 2025; however, there's also a 2018 copyright date. The book has been translated to English, so maybe that's why there's a 2025 date?
I have to say the book started off with a bang!! Soooo much action! Exactly the way I like for a book to start. Sucks me in and keeps me wanting more!
Unfortunately, the first chapter was the most exciting chapter. The rest of the book was very dry and boring. I feel like it was a "bait and switch" moment. The storyline was also told from MANY different points of view. So many, in fact, that I had a difficult time keeping all of the different characters straight.
The premise of this book had so much potential. Unfortunately, it just didn't live up to my expectations. It could have been so much better if the author focused more on the inmates receiving psychiatric care.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.
July 23, 2025
I actually enjoyed this book. It took a few times to read some chapters and I had to be in the mood to read it, but when I sat down and took the time to soak it in, it was pretty okay, The characters were decent. I did find there to be a lot of characters and I admit, I really didn't get attached to the characters or feel too much for them, and I know that does matter, but at the same time, they did add to the plot of the story and drive the direction of the novel. I did like how not all of them were good. They each had a goal and a personality, whether they were a nice person, a user, flirty and dirty, or just "off".
Plot was pretty good. The book follows the main character Anna who just gotten a new job, I believe out of college as a psychologist at this psychiatric hospital, I think rural...it pays good and such, but the place is just off from the beginning, especially finding out why the person she replaced disappeared or just "left". Then there was her receiving messages about this room 55.
The ending wasn't disappointing and I am glad that I stuck with it. I'll round this up to 4 stars from a 3.5-3.75.
Plot was pretty good. The book follows the main character Anna who just gotten a new job, I believe out of college as a psychologist at this psychiatric hospital, I think rural...it pays good and such, but the place is just off from the beginning, especially finding out why the person she replaced disappeared or just "left". Then there was her receiving messages about this room 55.
The ending wasn't disappointing and I am glad that I stuck with it. I'll round this up to 4 stars from a 3.5-3.75.
August 14, 2025
I was anxious to read this because I have enjoyed most of the Scnadi books I've read. This one fulfilled the atmospheric requirement.
I loved the descriptions of Dalarna as an isolated, yet beautiful little town, where everyone knows everyone (but also their business!). You just know that the setting of a psychiatric hospital is going to be a great place for a mystery, and that's the case with Sater, where violent criminals, categorized as having committed crimes while mentally incapacitated, are sent. The new psychologist they've brought on board, Anna, is supposed to give them better PR with her methods of using CBT, seen as a more modern way of treating psychiatric patients. But when she receives letters warning her about a certain Room 55, she starts her own investigation, much to the dismay of the hospital administration.
There were parallel stories with her friend Lina, and a retired detective, and it might have been the translation, but some of the transitions were hard to follow. This book had a great concept but I felt it needed to be a little bit more cohesive.
Thank you to the author and Saga Egmont for an advance copy of this book.
I loved the descriptions of Dalarna as an isolated, yet beautiful little town, where everyone knows everyone (but also their business!). You just know that the setting of a psychiatric hospital is going to be a great place for a mystery, and that's the case with Sater, where violent criminals, categorized as having committed crimes while mentally incapacitated, are sent. The new psychologist they've brought on board, Anna, is supposed to give them better PR with her methods of using CBT, seen as a more modern way of treating psychiatric patients. But when she receives letters warning her about a certain Room 55, she starts her own investigation, much to the dismay of the hospital administration.
There were parallel stories with her friend Lina, and a retired detective, and it might have been the translation, but some of the transitions were hard to follow. This book had a great concept but I felt it needed to be a little bit more cohesive.
Thank you to the author and Saga Egmont for an advance copy of this book.
August 13, 2025
Room 55 felt like reading a novelized film adaptation - flat, lifeless, and more outline than actual story. Anna Varga takes a position at Sweden's notorious Säter psychiatric clinic, where her predecessor has vanished under suspicious circumstances and she starts receiving mysterious notes and warnings about the infamous Room 55, but as intriguing as that sounds, the execution never lives up to the premise. The ultra-short chapters (some barely a page) constantly switch between a dozen different points of view, making it impossible to build any momentum or investment, and the individuals Anna interacts with - colleagues, administrators, and patients are basically one-dimensional stock characters - no one is really fleshed out, and we know them mainly by their worst qualities. Despite all the setup about Room 55's dark secrets, the payoff feels disappointingly thin, and I was expecting something atmospheric and eerie, but this felt slapdash and oddly unengaging for a story set in a creepy psychiatric facility.
July 7, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC!
Room 55 is a psychological thriller that follows Anna as she embarks on a new chapter as a psychologist in a renowned psychiatric ward. She soon discovers that the position became available due to the mysterious disappearance of her predecessor, and it doesn't take long for Anna to realize that everything is not as it appears.
While Room 55 begins a bit slowly and contains some scenes that feel unnecessary, the story ultimately ties together nicely at the end. I hope this aspect is specific to the ARC, but I found there were numerous characters to track, and the lack of chapter labels led to shifts in character perspectives mid-paragraph, which was somewhat confusing. Additionally, none of the characters seemed to possess enough depth to be truly relatable, yet overall, the story was enjoyable to a degree!
Room 55 is a psychological thriller that follows Anna as she embarks on a new chapter as a psychologist in a renowned psychiatric ward. She soon discovers that the position became available due to the mysterious disappearance of her predecessor, and it doesn't take long for Anna to realize that everything is not as it appears.
While Room 55 begins a bit slowly and contains some scenes that feel unnecessary, the story ultimately ties together nicely at the end. I hope this aspect is specific to the ARC, but I found there were numerous characters to track, and the lack of chapter labels led to shifts in character perspectives mid-paragraph, which was somewhat confusing. Additionally, none of the characters seemed to possess enough depth to be truly relatable, yet overall, the story was enjoyable to a degree!
June 20, 2025
Set in a creepy Swedish psychiatric clinic in the middle of the forest, Room 55 by Helena Kubicek Boye had all the right ingredients for a chilling thriller. Weird notes. Whispers about a forbidden room. A dead patient. And a young psychologist trying to outrun her past.
This was right up my alley—psych wards, institutional secrets, and just enough paranoia to keep me flipping pages. While the story had a strong start, the tension fizzled out a bit toward the end. It felt like the twists came too fast or too conveniently. Still, the eerie setting and clinical authenticity made this a solid read if you are into medical and psychological thrillers.
Not perfect, but if you like your fiction dark, cold, and wrapped in mystery, this might be one for your TBR.
This was right up my alley—psych wards, institutional secrets, and just enough paranoia to keep me flipping pages. While the story had a strong start, the tension fizzled out a bit toward the end. It felt like the twists came too fast or too conveniently. Still, the eerie setting and clinical authenticity made this a solid read if you are into medical and psychological thrillers.
Not perfect, but if you like your fiction dark, cold, and wrapped in mystery, this might be one for your TBR.
August 16, 2025
I received a complementary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the author and the publisher.
This book has short chapters which makes it a quick read. Each chapter is a different characters point of view or telling of the situation they are in. Anna is beyond thrilled to get her first job working at the famous Säter clinic in Sweden. She just graduated with her psychology degree and wants to hit the ground running. There are so many strange things going on at the notorious clinic that she can just turn a blind eye like she's being advised. I was expecting a more haunting thriller, parts were a little flat but all in all I enjoyed this book. I give this one a 3.5 and round it up to a 4 star.
This book has short chapters which makes it a quick read. Each chapter is a different characters point of view or telling of the situation they are in. Anna is beyond thrilled to get her first job working at the famous Säter clinic in Sweden. She just graduated with her psychology degree and wants to hit the ground running. There are so many strange things going on at the notorious clinic that she can just turn a blind eye like she's being advised. I was expecting a more haunting thriller, parts were a little flat but all in all I enjoyed this book. I give this one a 3.5 and round it up to a 4 star.
July 13, 2025
The premise of this book was so enticing, I couldn’t wait to get started! Unfortunately it fell flat for me. It had such promise and unfortunately just didn’t come to fruition.
Most of the chapters were 1-2 pages, and I love short chapters, but I feel that these didn’t allow for the story to develop the way it needed to. The story goes through the perspective of way too many characters and it was hard to keep everything straight. I didn’t build any sort of connection to any of the characters and that just made the story drag on.
The ending was very unsurprising and did not feel very developed as a plot line. It felt very rushed and not fully thought out.
Most of the chapters were 1-2 pages, and I love short chapters, but I feel that these didn’t allow for the story to develop the way it needed to. The story goes through the perspective of way too many characters and it was hard to keep everything straight. I didn’t build any sort of connection to any of the characters and that just made the story drag on.
The ending was very unsurprising and did not feel very developed as a plot line. It felt very rushed and not fully thought out.
October 12, 2025
I really wanted to like Room 55, as the premise sounded really good. I love a good institution thriller. Unfortunately, this failed to hit the mark for me.
I liked Anna, but I found the rest of the characters harder to like, as a lot of them behaved very peculiarly.
The storyline was clever, though the execution fell a bit flat. I also thought a lot of scenes ended very abruptly.
Overall, I liked some of the story. The mystery of the missing women was intriguing and had a satisfying ending.
2.5 stars from me.
Thanks to Netgalley, Saga Egmont, and Helena Kubicek Boye for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I liked Anna, but I found the rest of the characters harder to like, as a lot of them behaved very peculiarly.
The storyline was clever, though the execution fell a bit flat. I also thought a lot of scenes ended very abruptly.
Overall, I liked some of the story. The mystery of the missing women was intriguing and had a satisfying ending.
2.5 stars from me.
Thanks to Netgalley, Saga Egmont, and Helena Kubicek Boye for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 18, 2026
Room 55 Review
Rating: 2⭐️
This book had a lot of potential. Maybe it’s because I listened to the translated version potentially impacting the story/nuances, but it fell flat.
One of the male characters really grossed me out and gave me the heebie jeebies. All that was on his mind was s*x.
All the characters lacked dimension. It was like talking to a wall with Anna the FMC being more bearable than the rest. The mystery Ann was unravelling was somewhat interesting but this book needed more.
If you like books that contain:
👩⚕️ Psychiatric mysteries
📝 Secrets
👩⚕️ You’re next
📝 And more
This book is for you.
Rating: 2⭐️
This book had a lot of potential. Maybe it’s because I listened to the translated version potentially impacting the story/nuances, but it fell flat.
One of the male characters really grossed me out and gave me the heebie jeebies. All that was on his mind was s*x.
All the characters lacked dimension. It was like talking to a wall with Anna the FMC being more bearable than the rest. The mystery Ann was unravelling was somewhat interesting but this book needed more.
If you like books that contain:
👩⚕️ Psychiatric mysteries
📝 Secrets
👩⚕️ You’re next
📝 And more
This book is for you.
June 16, 2025
Gave up at 36%
This was a NetGalley ARC and while I understand there will be some formatting and grammar issues that will be rectified before publishing, there was just too much to be able to read it.
The flow was all over the place. In the middle of a paragraph it suddenly switched to an entirely different character or situation. There was no character development by 36% and I was still confused as to who was who 🤷♀️
It was very frustrating, perhaps a loss in translation somewhere. Big disappointment as I was really excited to read this book given its premise.
1⭐️
This was a NetGalley ARC and while I understand there will be some formatting and grammar issues that will be rectified before publishing, there was just too much to be able to read it.
The flow was all over the place. In the middle of a paragraph it suddenly switched to an entirely different character or situation. There was no character development by 36% and I was still confused as to who was who 🤷♀️
It was very frustrating, perhaps a loss in translation somewhere. Big disappointment as I was really excited to read this book given its premise.
1⭐️
June 14, 2025
Rounding up to three ⭐
I immediately wanted to read this on seeing it was set in an asylum. It's one of my go to's.
It didn't live up to my expectations though. Did I just miss subtle clues, because I didn't get any chilling vibes at all. In fact it was a bit dull at times.
For me, it very much read as if something had got lost in translation.
However, the story had enough plots to keep it going, and questions that needed answering.
Just an OK from me unfortunately
I immediately wanted to read this on seeing it was set in an asylum. It's one of my go to's.
It didn't live up to my expectations though. Did I just miss subtle clues, because I didn't get any chilling vibes at all. In fact it was a bit dull at times.
For me, it very much read as if something had got lost in translation.
However, the story had enough plots to keep it going, and questions that needed answering.
Just an OK from me unfortunately
June 19, 2025
I really wanted to enjoy this one, but I found the read to be a bit confusing and the layout and transitions were not smooth. While I did finish this book, I didn't find the characters relatable, I just couldn't form that connection. There was nothing "chilling" within this book nor was there anything thrilling. I think the idea is great. There is real potential. Just needs some re-formatting.
Thank you NetGalley for the eArc in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for the eArc in exchange for my honest review.
September 21, 2025
I had high hopes for this, particularly based on the setting, but it didn’t hit the mark. There were too many character points of view which made the story hard to follow. I enjoyed the use of short chapters to create suspense and there were a few twists, but the overall reveal felt obvious. The ending felt very rushed and abrupt. This was a disappointing read for me…
January 7, 2026
Room 55 by Helena Kubicek Boye – 3 stars. A mysterious, intriguing read set in an eerie psychiatric hospital that houses the most violent offenders. Tense and engaging, even if it felt a little slow to me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 18, 2025
I read 15% and had to DNF. I forced myself to the 15% mark, hoping that it would get better.
The storyline jumps around so much that it feels like I’m reading incomplete paragraphs/chapters. It felt incomplete. I’m sorry but I could not finish it
The storyline jumps around so much that it feels like I’m reading incomplete paragraphs/chapters. It felt incomplete. I’m sorry but I could not finish it
August 13, 2025
Tremendously slow paced, devoid of action and light on plot, it almost felt like a chore to get through, and when I finally did, there was little pay-off. The writing was fine, but the plotting left much to be desired. Largely forgettable.
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