In the case of Sarah Pearse’s The Retreat, I may be glad I didn’t read the previous book in the series, The Sanatorium. A fellow librarian said she loved the earlier book, and couldn’t get into this one. I didn’t have that problem because I hadn’t read the earlier book featuring police Detective Elin Warner.
The murders at Reaper’s Rock are still remembered on England’s Carey Island. But, twenty years later, Lumen’s is a luxury resort, and the Leger family and their boyfriends are eager to take advantage of the activities. Jo, a “travel influencer” on social media, set up the visit. However, none of the guests planned on a body on the beach.
Detective Sergeant Elin Warner is in charge of the two-person police team sent to the island, although she isn’t confident she’s ready to run an investigation again. A recent case triggered panic attacks and anxiety, and she’s been sent down to the Torhun Police.
At first glance, it appears the young woman’s death, a fall over a banister, was an accident. But, she wasn’t supposed to be on the island, and something about her death tweaks Elin’s suspicion. When two more people die, Elin begins to wonder if the stories of a curse on the island might be true. As murders pile up, Elin and Police Constable Steed dig into the past history of murder and violence, looking for connections to the current deaths and the small group of friends.
The Sanatorium was a Reese’s Book Club pick and a bestseller. Now, Pearse follows up with a riveting page-turner with twists on every page. Even the final chapter takes a surprising turn. Readers of Pearse’s earlier book or Ruth Ware’s suspense novels will be hard-pressed to put down this atmospheric, sometimes creepy, novel.
Sarah Pearse’s website is https://sarahpearse.co.uk/
The Retreat by Sarah Pearse. Pamela Dorman Books, 2022. ISBN 9780593489420 (hardcover), 368p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I read a galley for a journal.
Good review, thanks. It definitely sounds more interesting to me that the first one. Not a Ruth Ware fan, however.
Jeff, I recently read one of Ruth Ware’s short stories, and it was the best in the entire book.
I started this one just this morning on my early walk. If I hadn’t stopped to chat with so many neighbors, I would be further along. Ha! I did read the first book, The Sanatorium and I liked that one too. I finished Ruth Ware’s new book, The It Girl, last night and also liked that one. Interesting that The Retreat is set on an island as I also just read Carol Goodman’s new book, The Disinvited, also set on an island. I find that happens sometimes – themes just sort of occur without my planning anything. Oh, and I’m better the Ruth Ware short story you just read might be in the new Marple book that’s coming out? Well, my take on The Retreat so far is that I’m intrigued.
Yes, the Ruth Ware story is in the new Marple book, Kay. It was my favorite in the book. There have been so many of those suspense novels set on islands. And, I have a review later this year that mentions all the recent books featuring hotels.
Tried The Sanatorium a couple of months ago and did not make it fifty pages. I was so very bored. Will be trying this via the library in large print.
The Sanatorium just didn’t appeal to me, Kevin, so I didn’t even try it. I’ll be interested to see what you think.