Thrillers & Suspense
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The Retreat: A Novel
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Sanatorium,a Reese's Book Club pick, here, Detective Elin Warner uncovers the truth behind the suspicious deaths on a stunning island getaway
They couldn't wait to stay here.
An idyllic wellness retreat has opened on an island off the English coast, 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 young woman is found dead below the yoga pavilion in what seems to be a tragic fall. But Detective Elin Warner soon learns 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 there's nothing accidental about these deaths. But why would someone target the guests at this luxury resort? Elin must find the killer-before the island's history starts to repeat itself.
Most came to recharge and refresh. But someone's here for revenge.
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Sanatorium,a Reese's Book Club pick, here, Detective Elin Warner uncovers the truth behind the suspicious deaths on a stunning island getaway
They couldn't wait to stay here.
An idyllic wellness retreat has opened on an island off the English coast, 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 young woman is found dead below the yoga pavilion in what seems to be a tragic fall. But Detective Elin Warner soon learns 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 there's nothing accidental about these deaths. But why would someone target the guests at this luxury resort? Elin must find the killer-before the island's history starts to repeat itself.
Most came to recharge and refresh. But someone's here for revenge.
Editorial Reviews
Praise for The Retreat:
"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."
-Sunday Times (London)
"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."
-Cosmopolitan (London)
"[A] thrilling murder mystery."
-PopSugar
"A riveting, twisty page-turner . . . Readers of Pearse's earlier book or Ruth Ware's suspense novels will be hard-pressed to put down this atmospheric, sometimes creepy novel."
-Library Journal (starred review)
"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, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Maid
"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, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dream Town
"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...
"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."
-Sunday Times (London)
"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."
-Cosmopolitan (London)
"[A] thrilling murder mystery."
-PopSugar
"A riveting, twisty page-turner . . . Readers of Pearse's earlier book or Ruth Ware's suspense novels will be hard-pressed to put down this atmospheric, sometimes creepy novel."
-Library Journal (starred review)
"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, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Maid
"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, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dream Town
"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...
Readers Top Reviews
chloechloeJonatha
I read The Sanatorium (the author’s debut) last summer all in one day because I couldn’t put it down. If I’d had my way this book would have been the same. Masterful twists and turns, and a really gripping story! Love that it’s set in Devon, as someone who lived in Cornwall for five years. Just really excellent. Can’t wait for the next one, I’m definitely a Sarah Pearse fan! Would recommend for people who like: MJ Arlidge Tess Gerritsen Ian Rankin James Patterson and of course, Agatha Christie
The Cookster @ R
Rating: 3.0/5 I was not a fan of Sarah Pearse's first novel, "The Sanatorium" ... in fact, it is probably fair to say that I was quite brutal in my criticism of it. Nonetheless, I do like to give an author a second chance to appeal to me, so I decided to to give this one a go. Thankfully, "The Retreat" is a marked improvement on "The Sanatorium". I still wouldn't rate it as amongst the best in class, but this time around, Sarah Pearse has managed to deliver a perfectly decent and entertaining read. Like its predecessor, this also features the lead character of DS Elin Warner, but there is definitely no need to read the first book in the series in order to understand and enjoy book two ... in fact, I would recommend in the strongest possible terms that you do not even consider wasting your time reading the first book in the series - it really was pretty poor! Although "The Retreat" features a Detective Sergeant as the main protagonist this is certainly not a police procedural. It is actually a "locked room" style mystery set on a remote island off the Devon coast, where an eco-wellness retreat has been set up in recent times. There is nothing particularly original about the setting, nor the fact that it features the almost obligatory restricted cast of characters with secretive histories. The lack of originality in these elements doesn't matter at all - similar scenarios have provided the backdrop for many an enjoyable mystery that I have read over the years - the important thing being how it is executed by the writer. To try to put it into some kind of relatable context for you, this novel bears a lot of striking similarities with (at least) three other mysteries I have read over the past year or so: "Her Last Holiday" by Cally Taylor, "The Long Weekend" by Gilly Macmillan and "The Sanctuary" by Charlotte Duckworth. I would describe Sarah Pearse's "The Retreat" as better than "The Long Weekend", less impressive than "Her Last Holiday" and pretty much on a par with "The Sanctuary". But the thing that I am most pleased and relieved about is that it is such an improvement on "The Sanatorium".
BeccaThe Cookster
Another fabulous novel by Sarah Pearse, fast becoming a favourite author, I'm really very impressed with how established her writing feels by only her second thriller. <i> Elin Warner is still having a hard time, and isn't quite ready for the intense and consuming nature of her role as a police officer, when she is thrust back into the role with a bang. A body has been discovered on a tiny island near her home and she's been asked to check it out. What follows is murder and mayhem, with guests at the island retreat seemingly dropping like flies and a haunted back story to the island, that just muddys the waters. </i> Sarah Pearse has a wonderful knack of creating this larger than life character out of her location. We saw it in THE SANATORIUM and we are seeing it again with THE RETREAT. The setting is a character in itself and very much makes the book what it is. So much description and mystery surround this historical island, that we don't need much more than that to have ourselves a story. Elin is great, we root for her the whole time. She seems vulnerable and empathetic, and you can't help but really get behind her. Of course, the rumpled detective with a haggard past is a staple of a good mystery novel, but it's done really well here and I like how it feels quite fresh - she's a woman, she's relatively young, she'd in a stable (albeit slightly disjointed) relationship and she knows she isn't quite ready to be back at work after her 'sabbatical'. Overall a fantastic book and one I would recommend to everyone who enjoys a good thriller, and if you enjoyed Sarah's first novel then this will be right up your street.
Lauren PetersonBe
Sarah Pearse’s second Detective Elin Warner installment, The Retreat, is an atmospheric mystery filled with suspense, secrets and murder. It’s a great blend of mystery, thriller and detective genres and while I personally enjoyed Pearse’s first book The Sanatorium, The Retreat is even better. Fans and critics alike will encounter a much stronger Detective Warner (thank goodness), a tighter plot and an even more suspenseful locked-room mystery than the first installment. My main hope going into reading The Retreat was for a stronger version of Detective Warner. A lot of people gave her a bad wrap the first go-around for being naive, incompetent and riddled with self doubt. I don’t deny that she was portrayed that way—and yes, it was frustrating—but I actually think Pearse purposefully did it. The detective was coming out of a total mental breakdown and seriously traumatized from a case that went all bad. Her actions in the Sanatorium fit those of someone recovering from such trauma. With that being said, I was definitely hoping for Elin to be overcoming her ghosts in the Retreat. While she certainly still had some of those moments of doubt, readers will find a much stronger, healed version in the Retreat. She is braver, makes bolder decisions and sticks to her guns when it counts throughout her time on the Island. The lush, rocky, island eco-wellness retreat setting is perfect for this locked-room mystery plot. There’s a creepy history to the island that gives an ominous, paranormal vibe to the read when paired with the present-day murders that appear eerily similar to those that happened on the island in the past. The multi-narrator perspective and short, cliffhanger chapters make it a fast, hard to put down read as you wait to see how everything between past and present and all of the characters ties together. Pearse even threw in a twisty little shocker for us at the end. There are still some unanswered questions by the end, but I’m here for them because it means we may have more Detective Warner installments heading our way. I’m definitely invested now and excited to see what Pearse has in store for us with this series moving forward.
lynguy1Lauren Pet
Sarah Pearse infuses The Retreat, the second book in the Detective Sergeant Elin Warner series, with death, action, investigation, and suspense in an atmospheric mystery in her latest book. A wellness retreat has opened on Cary Island off the coast of England. When a woman’s body is found on the rocks below the yoga pavilion, Elin and her partner, Detective Constable Steed, are called to investigate. While it appears to be a tragic fall, the victim wasn’t a guest. When a second person dies the next day, Elin and Steed suspect something more is occurring. However, why would visitors be targeted? Is anyone else in danger? Elin is a flawed character and readers will better understand her if they have read book one in the series. She has been having panic attacks, experiences anxiety, and has trouble sleeping, but wants to get back to the job she loved with the Major Crimes Investigation Team. She experiences significant character growth during the course of the novel. Her pursuit of justice and her determination to solve the mysteries allow readers to easily connect and urge her on to success. Steed’s character is less well-developed, but is supportive and efficient. There’s a large cast of characters at the resort that have a variety of depths in their supporting or opposing roles. Deaths, an island with a history of murder, violence, superstition, and child abuse, and a strong storm make this a disturbing and suspenseful story. The world-building was well-done and the premise was excellent. While the beginning pace was somewhat slow and the middle was okay, the ending was heart-pounding, nail-biting, and exhilarating. The point of view changed several times. While this gave the reader information that the investigating officers didn’t have, it slowed the pace. I would have preferred the point of view to be more exclusively that of Erin. However, it allows the reader to see how each of the characters connects to the situation and deepens the conflict. The plot twists kept this reader on her toes and the epilogue revealed something that I had guessed. Will it be a thread in the next book? In addition, other threads could be included in future books. The author weaves themes of death, friendship, jealousy, revenge, grief, and relationships of all types into an excellent plot. Overall, this engaging novel was never dull and had periods of intense suspense and action. If you enjoy locked room (island) mysteries, then I recommend that you check out this one. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. PENGUIN GROUP Viking – Pamela Dorman Books and Sarah Pearse provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for July 19, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magaz...
Short Excerpt Teaser
1
As Elin Warner runs, the air feels sticky like gum, catching in her eyes, hair.
Only six a.m., but the heat is already bouncing off the pavement, solid walls of it, with no breeze to sweep it away.
The route she's taking is part of the South West Coast Path-houses on either side, lavish Victorian and Italianate villas that stud the wooded hillside. Gleaming pinpoints of sunlight are bouncing off the windows as her reflection shifts alongside her in the glass-cropped blond hair mushrooming up and out with each step before settling back around her face.
The exteriors of the houses seem flimsy in the heat, their edges blurred. The verges outside are parched yellow-grass not just suspended in growth, but withering and dying, bare patches opening up like sores.
Summers have been hot before, but none like this: weeks of sunshine; spiking, record-breaking temperatures. Newspapers printing endless images of cracking motorways, fried eggs clichŽ-cooking on the bonnets of cars. Forecasters had predicted a reprieve several weeks ago, but it never came. Just more sun. Nerves are fraying, people ready to snap.
Elin's just about holding on, but her internal landscape is at odds with the external. With each day of blistering heat that passes comes the exact opposite inside her: the cold grip of fear creeping back.
It keeps her up at night, the same thoughts on repeat. With it, the control strategies: the running, relentless exercise. The past few weeks, an escalation-earlier runs, longer runs, secret runs. Self-flagellation.
All because her brother, Isaac, had mentioned her father had been in touch.
A few yards on, the houses on the left give way to a green. The coast path runs behind it, hugging the lip of the cliff.
Leaving the pavement, she darts into the opening for the path.
Her stomach lurches.
No fence, only a few feet of land between her and a hundred-foot plunge to the rocks below, but she loves it: it's coast path proper-no houses between her and the sea. The view opens out: Brixham on her right, Exmouth to her left. All she can see is blue-the sea a darker, inkier shade than the chalky pastel of the morning sky.
With each step, she feels the heat from the ground rising up through the soles of her sneakers. She wonders for a moment what would happen if she kept moving: whether she'd eventually implode-an engine overheating-or whether she'd simply carry on.
It's tempting: to keep going until the thoughts stop, and she doesn't have to try to hold on anymore-because that's what it feels like sometimes: as though she's having to grip too hard to normality. One small slip, and she'll fall.
At the top of the hill Elin slows, her thighs screaming, thick with lactic acid. Hitting pause on her Fitbit, she notices a gray car cresting the hill. It's moving fast, engine throaty, scattering the seagulls picking at a flattened carcass on the road.
Something registers as she takes in the shape, the color. It's Steed's car, she's sure of it, the DC brought in to help her on her reassignment. It speeds past, a blur of dust-dulled alloy and flying gravel. Elin catches Steed's profile: slightly crooked nose, strong chin, fair spikes of hair gelled into submission. Something about his expression pulls the last bit of breath from her. Elin immediately recognizes it: the quiet intensity of someone flooded with adrenaline.
He's working. On a job.
The car stops at the bottom of the hill. Steed flings open the door, jogs in the direction of the beach.
Pulling her phone from her shorts, Elin glances at the screen. The Control Room hasn't rung. A job, just down the road, and they called Steed instead.
Familiar worries resurface, the same ones that have consumed her ever since HR and Anna, her boss, decided that she wasn't ready for full duties after her career break.
Steed's a speck in the distance, moving toward the beach. Elin shifts from foot to...
As Elin Warner runs, the air feels sticky like gum, catching in her eyes, hair.
Only six a.m., but the heat is already bouncing off the pavement, solid walls of it, with no breeze to sweep it away.
The route she's taking is part of the South West Coast Path-houses on either side, lavish Victorian and Italianate villas that stud the wooded hillside. Gleaming pinpoints of sunlight are bouncing off the windows as her reflection shifts alongside her in the glass-cropped blond hair mushrooming up and out with each step before settling back around her face.
The exteriors of the houses seem flimsy in the heat, their edges blurred. The verges outside are parched yellow-grass not just suspended in growth, but withering and dying, bare patches opening up like sores.
Summers have been hot before, but none like this: weeks of sunshine; spiking, record-breaking temperatures. Newspapers printing endless images of cracking motorways, fried eggs clichŽ-cooking on the bonnets of cars. Forecasters had predicted a reprieve several weeks ago, but it never came. Just more sun. Nerves are fraying, people ready to snap.
Elin's just about holding on, but her internal landscape is at odds with the external. With each day of blistering heat that passes comes the exact opposite inside her: the cold grip of fear creeping back.
It keeps her up at night, the same thoughts on repeat. With it, the control strategies: the running, relentless exercise. The past few weeks, an escalation-earlier runs, longer runs, secret runs. Self-flagellation.
All because her brother, Isaac, had mentioned her father had been in touch.
A few yards on, the houses on the left give way to a green. The coast path runs behind it, hugging the lip of the cliff.
Leaving the pavement, she darts into the opening for the path.
Her stomach lurches.
No fence, only a few feet of land between her and a hundred-foot plunge to the rocks below, but she loves it: it's coast path proper-no houses between her and the sea. The view opens out: Brixham on her right, Exmouth to her left. All she can see is blue-the sea a darker, inkier shade than the chalky pastel of the morning sky.
With each step, she feels the heat from the ground rising up through the soles of her sneakers. She wonders for a moment what would happen if she kept moving: whether she'd eventually implode-an engine overheating-or whether she'd simply carry on.
It's tempting: to keep going until the thoughts stop, and she doesn't have to try to hold on anymore-because that's what it feels like sometimes: as though she's having to grip too hard to normality. One small slip, and she'll fall.
At the top of the hill Elin slows, her thighs screaming, thick with lactic acid. Hitting pause on her Fitbit, she notices a gray car cresting the hill. It's moving fast, engine throaty, scattering the seagulls picking at a flattened carcass on the road.
Something registers as she takes in the shape, the color. It's Steed's car, she's sure of it, the DC brought in to help her on her reassignment. It speeds past, a blur of dust-dulled alloy and flying gravel. Elin catches Steed's profile: slightly crooked nose, strong chin, fair spikes of hair gelled into submission. Something about his expression pulls the last bit of breath from her. Elin immediately recognizes it: the quiet intensity of someone flooded with adrenaline.
He's working. On a job.
The car stops at the bottom of the hill. Steed flings open the door, jogs in the direction of the beach.
Pulling her phone from her shorts, Elin glances at the screen. The Control Room hasn't rung. A job, just down the road, and they called Steed instead.
Familiar worries resurface, the same ones that have consumed her ever since HR and Anna, her boss, decided that she wasn't ready for full duties after her career break.
Steed's a speck in the distance, moving toward the beach. Elin shifts from foot to...
