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The Retreat

The new top ten Sunday Times bestseller from the author of The Sanatorium

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The Retreat

By: Sarah Pearse
Narrated by: Gemma Whelan
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

Will you brave The Retreat? The bestselling thriller from the author of The Sanatorium.

They couldn't wait to stay here.

An idyllic wellness retreat has opened on an island off the coast of Devon, promising rest and relaxation - but the island itself, known locally as Reaper's Rock, has a dark past. Once the playground of a serial killer, it's rumored to be cursed.

But now they can't leave.

A woman is found dead below the yoga pavilion in what seems to be a tragic fall. But DS Elin Warner soon learns that the victim wasn't a guest - she wasn't meant to be on the island at all.

And they would do anything to escape . . .

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.

Because history seems to be repeating itself - and the guests might not make it home alive . . .

'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

'A world-class thriller writer. Superb. ' Steve Cavanagh, Sunday Times bestselling author of Thirteen

'The Retreat recalls the one-by-one nerve-shredding of Agatha Christie at her darkest. A fresh, daring, irresistible thriller.' A. J. Finn, No.1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window

'A eerie, atmospheric thriller that will have you looking over your shoulder as you read. A wonderfully chilling story of grief, revenge, and family secrets. An absorbing escape!' Ashley Audrain, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Push

'Full of foreboding and high-stakes tension, Sarah Pearse's latest is a page-turner. The past doesn't stay buried for long, at sea or on land, and what comes to the surface is both shocking and chilling.' Nita Prose, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Maid

'The Retreat was so atmospheric and hold-your-breath tense with cleverly executed twists and a finale that gave me the chills. Brilliant!' Claire Douglas, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Couple at No.9

© Sarah Pearse 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

 Crime Fiction Detective Fiction Genre Fiction Gothic Holidays Horror International Mystery & Crime Mystery Thriller Women's Fiction Crime Suspense
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Critic reviews

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.
'With The Retreat Sarah Pearse confirms her spot as a world-class thriller writer. I only stopped turning the pages so I could re-read a particularly fine piece of description or characterisation. Superb.'
'I can't help but cheer for an author who ramps up the creepiness at every turn.'
'Pearse skilfully builds a sense of foreboding throughout this creepy thriller packed with satisfying twists.'
'A well-written fusion of psychological thriller and whodunnit ... Pearse smartly reworks Christie's setting, making her island at once a gothic throwback, with caves and talk of a curse, and a very 21st-century escape, with green values and holistic therapy. And she's very good on the relationships within the group as tension builds.'
Sarah Pearse has expertly crafted another eerie, atmospheric thriller that will have you looking over your shoulder as you read. A wonderfully chilling story of grief, revenge, and family secrets. An absorbing escape!
The Retreat recalls the one-by-one-by-one nerve-shredding of Agatha Christie at her darkest. A fresh, daring, irresistible thriller.'
'This thriller novel is so dark and tense, it's the perfect read for anyone lounging in the sun this summer, grateful that your holiday isn't so chaotic'
'Full of foreboding and high-stakes tension, Sarah Pearse's latest is a page-turner. The past doesn't stay buried for long, at sea or on land, and what comes to the surface is both shocking and chilling.'
'Another brilliant thriller from the bestselling author of The Sanatorium.'
All stars
Most relevant
Loved the story and detailed descriptions. The person telling the story was perfect for the atmosphere.

Couldn’t put down

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I vaguely recall liking The Sanatorium - liking it enough to pre-order The Retreat and jumped on board for a jolly adventure.
Unfortunately the last audiobook I listened to was "Buried for Good" By: Alex Coombs where they also go to a private island which has a cliff walk and so it was a bit repetitive/confusing to start off with.

I started and restarted the book trying to get involved but it just never happened for me - unlike "Buried For Good" which although it was not really my thing and had a female Jack Reacher tough action girl in it and hooked me in immediately.

I tried to get a grip on the characters, but they just failed to come alive for me,

Then there was something that happened in the past haunting the family members at the island and one of them decided not to come but sent their husband and then there was a lot of urgent kayaking and we learned someone was dead ... not kayak related just in case you were afraid this was a spoiler.

I sort of drifted off, then I heard about the female investigator and her past trauma or am I confusing it with the family's past trauma ... no I think they were all haunted by their respective pasts.

I started again the next day and still could not get a picture or understanding of the family or really the investigator.

I could just about she the rock formation which gave "Reaper's Island" its name.

........ I drifted off again, something about a cave ... a serial killer ... no idea!

Good thing this was not on as a syllabus book as I would have desperately failed any exam on it.

So I am giving up, I know so little more than I did when I started trying to read/listen to this days ago.

Narrator was OK except she had a real problem with a couple of words but mainly "Balustrade" which she made a real meal of and pronounced "Buulllustrayyyyed". There was a lot of mention of balustrades - she even got me wondering was her's the correct one until I switched to another audiobook the equally unrecommended "The Shadow House By: Anna Downes" and they mentioned a balustrade with the correct pronunciation.

So sadly two thrillers which failed to thrill in a row.

Recommend Hot water by Christopher Fowler, The Heat wave by Kate riorden, Deep Water by Emma Bamford, The French Girl by Lexie Elliot, Shiver by Allie Reynolds or most or THE TITLES BY Ruth Ware, Louse Candlish, Tammy Cohen, Anthony Horrowitz, Tana French or Phoebe Morgan to name but a few of the really excellent and truly thrilling thrillers and thriller talents that are out there.

Tried to like this... but oh! ... a bit dull...

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Thoroughly enjoyed this series and very much looking forward to the next one! Highly recommend

Brilliant storyline and writing

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Yawn! Nothing to hold your attention, really struggled with this, poor story line, the author can’t possibly have had Devon in her mind when writing it! Don’t waste a credit.

So dull!

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I actually listened to this twice, as soon as I finished it I started again. Once I knew who did it, I wanted to listen again as I felt I hadn’t really grasp the relationships and who was who. I felt like the story was referring to a previous story, I don’t know if this is part of a series? It was just ok for me, not one of the most gripping stories I’ve listened to.

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