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The Retreat

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The Retreat

By: Sarah Pearse
Narrated by: Gemma Whelan
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

Will you brave The Retreat this summer? The new 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 . . .

©2022 Sarah Pearse (P)2022 Penguin Audio Crime Thrillers Detective Fiction Mystery Suspense Thriller Thriller & Suspense Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Crime

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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." (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)
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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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Fab second book in the series, an easy binge, that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Now onto The Wilds!

Consistently great

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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.

Ok

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I really loved the sanitarium and eagerly waited for this book! It was very disappointing 😏

Disappointing

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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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Another brilliant book from Sarah Pearse. I think I may have liked this one even better than The Sanatorium and that's saying something. brilliant writing, suspense all over the place and a great narrator. Excellent!

Another Winner!

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Loved the story and detailed descriptions. The person telling the story was perfect for the atmosphere.

Couldn’t put down

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Been waiting for the release date! Devoured yesterday - brilliant story and a surprise that it features a previous character - hope for more adventures.

Fabulous

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I would have liked to spend less time with the anxiety and tingeling sensations of the main character, also the cliffhanger of the first book was completely unnecessairy.

Why is the main character such a wimp

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Thought this was a great book, lots of suspense, only reason for the 4 and not 5 star was I thought most of the action was too close to the end of the book and not enough in the middle. I also didn't feel like many of the answers from the first book were addressed and really wanted the main character to get a back bone in this book and stick up for herself better. But hoping for a 3rd book.

Great book

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