What’s your take on The Retreat? Early Goodreads readers do not seem impressed. Please leave a comment! As Elin investigates, she gets to know the victim’s traumatized family better. They had all come to the retreat in an effort at family bonding, though some were more enthusiastic about it than others. Hana, our other main viewpoint character, is definitely on the less enthused end: If Sarah Pearse’s sensational debut The Sanatorium summoned the dangerous spirits of Gothic storytellers past, her new novel The Retreat recalls the one-by-one-by-one nerve-shredding of Agatha Christie at her darkest. Pearse is one of those rare contemporary writers—alongside Ruth Ware, Lucy Foley, and Alice Feeney—both reviving and refreshing the traditions of mystery fiction. A fresh, daring, irresistible thriller.”

Farrah learns that some diving equipment is also missing and an equipment bag was seen floating in the water. Tom comes to tell them he saw a man running across the bridge to the islet (where the isolated villa is). Elin heads out there. Be careful who you root for, as no character is safe in Sarah Pearse’s new novel The Retreat. In the spirit of a true thriller, the tension is taut and the suspense is real as the pace builds to a heart-stopping finale. A triumphant second novel, which is no mean feat.” Deliciously paced with rich worldbuilding, The Retreat teems with questionable motives, unspoken frustrations, and hair-raising cliffhangers. Pearse’s latest thriller is a reminder that beneath the glimmering exterior of the places and people we love, vengeance often lurks. I absolutely could not put this book down!” Maya accuses Jo of lying. Jo says she knows Maya was spreading rumors about Seth. Hana is convinced that Jo is hiding something and asks her about the “I’m sorry” note that fell out of her bag when they arrived.Pearse not only creates believably fallible characters, she also vividly portrays the frigid landscape of Le Sommet buffeted by blizzards, and a chilling epilogue cries out for a sequel. Crime-fiction readers will want to keep an eye on Pearse.” He brought her to the island and they had a couple of drinks. He said after that she told him she got an upsetting text and said she had to call someone.

At dinner Will and Farrah say that people should stop being obsessed with the island’s past while Elin says you can’t erase it. Will is upset that Elin says that Farrah might have lied in her testimony. But then he agrees that she DID lie, to protect Will. What?? Elin speaks to the assembled Lumen guests but can’t give them information and leaves them angry and worried. Hana says she’s all alone now and Maya comforts her. Obviously Maya killed either Bea or Jo or both and it has something to do with the fire.Will’s sister Farrah tells Elin that an ex has been hassling her. She has something else important to tell Elin but says she will do it later. We have the toxic Leger family. So much time was spent discussing this mysterious fire that I suspected Maya was up to something. Pearse goes from strength to strength in The Retreat. The suspense inexorably builds to a stunning climax. An added treat is the return of Elin Warner, who is a fascinating character one can only root for. David Baldacci, No.1 Sunday Times bestselling author of Mercy Will you brave The Retreat this summer? The new bestselling thriller from the author of The Sanatorium. The longer Elin stays, the more secrets she uncovers. And when someone else drowns in a diving incident, Elin begins to suspect that the old stories about the island are true.