The Retreat by Sarah Pearse: A Book Review
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Pearse does not disappoint in her sequel to The Sanatorium, The Retreat. Once again focusing on Detective Elin Warner in the mist of her uncertain future, Pearse captivates the reader with the intense suspense she inflicts among her stories. While two may be a coincidence, I am feeling like this intense suspense and shifting limited 3rd person view is quickly becoming Pearse’s signature style.
While the second novel in a series of two, The Retreat does work as a stand alone. This I think is nice, especially when more books come into the series. While it might be nice reading them in chronological order, it isn’t exactly necessary, so if a reader can’t find the book before, they can read the next without missing anything and go back to the one they missed.
That being said, I do have a couple issues.
- I am not sure how I feel about Elin needing to take a break to focus on herself. To me, it seems Elin needs the fast-paced adrenaline to get herself to think. She learns and grows more in-the-moment/ on-the-job than sitting around at home – and honestly, I respect that. I feel like Elin thinking like this is a completely normal human thing that works for people. I also feel that she needs the adrenaline to help keep the gears of her mind shifting. Some people strive in chaos. Elin strives in chaos.
- I am not a fan of Will and Elin. Honestly, I can’t help but feel I didn’t like Will in the first one – but The Retreat solidified my dislike of him. He is such an awful person to Elin and then acts like it’s her fault… seriously I want to punch him in the face. He is a punchable person. The two of them together irks me to no end. Of course, that being said, Elin and Steed need to get together. The chemistry between the two was awesome and I would have loved to see more – or see more in future books. Plus, I feel like the two characters compliment each other and give the other character a chance to be vulnerable – something that seems to be rare for them.
For the whole book, though – Pearse was straight on. I was screaming at the end and I’m still screaming. Pearse really needs to get out the third book.
I want to know:
Is the final killer going to appear in the next book? Pearse did not wrap up those strings nice and pretty like she did the other ones.
Is the next book going to take place during Elin’s trip with her brother? If she really wants this whole self-discovery journey, I would really be looking forward to a book where Elin is on the trip with Isaac only to find out that there is a murderer loose and the person seems to be hunting them… the tweeter perhaps?
The only think I know is what I’ve said before and will keep saying until it’s done.
Pearse, we need Book 3 now.
Who would most enjoy the work and who should stay clear (if necessary):
Like a good mystery that you have no idea what the clues are leading to or the ending is such a twist you want to squeal in delight? Pearse is for you.
Like a good thriller that isn’t necessarily full of blood, but still suspenseful enough to send chills down your spine? Pearse is for you.
Scare easily especially when things involve a supernatural predatory vibe? Pearse is for you – just don’t expect to sleep at night.
Other books like the one reviewed:
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse
Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series (first book being One for the Money)
Agatha Christie
| Plot: | 10 / 10 |
| Characters: | 10 / 10 |
| Writing: | 10 / 10 |
| Editor: | 10 / 10 |
| Total | 40 / 40 |
Title: The Retreat
Author: Sarah Pearse
Edition: 1st North American
Published: 2022
Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books/Viking/Penguin Random House
ISBN: 9780593489420
If you want to get it: Amazon; Barnes&Noble
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