Reviews

The Retreat by Sarah Pearse

dahliarose56's review

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

gharman's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.75

ravyenreads's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

This one was wild once it got going! I loved The Sanatorium, and had super high hopes for this one. About 75% in is when it really started to pick up for me. The first half was a little slow and there wasn't as much "uncovering" as the first. 

I enjoyed that the whole team was able to be there at the beginning and that Elin had a partner in this one. It helped focus on her growth around the death of her brother Sam and as a detective. 

The mystery and case itself was awesome. I was invested and constantly trying to put the pieces together. Especially towards the end when all the little e things started to fit together. I can't wait to dive into The Wilds and see what kind of case pops up on her vavcation with Isaac🔍

draditik's review against another edition

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4.0

It made me reread The Senatorium and like it better. A thriller and yet more relatable with the humaness of its characters.

ohhellokelli's review against another edition

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It couldn't hold my interest at all.

bugsbunny_234's review against another edition

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4.0

I read Sarah’s debut novel; The Sanatorium, last year and although I really enjoyed it there were a few things that held it back from getting the 5 stars from me - mainly the ‘what happened to the bodies’ question that I kept going back to. While I was reading it though I got accepted to read her second book on Netgalley and I have finally got around to reading it.

The drama and tension in this is extreme, you feel like you are on the island with Elin and need to watch your back as well, I think we all know how it feels when you think someone’s watching you and this is what this book delivers tenfold. It did take me a few chapters to get into the pace of the book but once you do there’s no stopping and you’ll want to pick this up every day.

I have to admit, I didn’t have a clue who the killer was in this at any point, my theories switched between people quote a few times but I never struck gold, I also didn’t see the finale coming either!

Like with the Sanatorium, Pearse finishes this book with a question and some unfinished business that leaves you wanting more… Elgin’s story isn’t over yet and I’m now eager to get reading her next instalment! If you’d struck this off after reading The Sanatorium then I would recommend giving this a chance as it definitely got me going!!!!

maria_nss's review against another edition

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medium-paced

2.5

honeydog's review against another edition

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3.25

interesting.......  the twists in this are reeeelqtively easy to guess but i suppose it was compelling enough 🤔

ms21cg's review against another edition

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3.0

Too many characters - really confusing to understand who was who. Didn’t warm to a lot of the characters. But it did keep me guessing.

nissadane's review against another edition

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1.0

читається дуже швидко, бо максимально просто написано. вайб є, тому і взялась за другу частину

детективна і сюжетна лінія написані безглуздо. мотивація "антагоністів" нелогічна і абсурдна. вона настільки погано прописана, що складається враження, наче авторці тупо стало лінь щось вигадувати і вона така "най буде так". але вже краще, аніж в першій частині. там взагалі був якийсь маразм

але більше мене вибісили стосунки головної героїні з її хлопцем. чувак її газлайтить, давить, применшує її значення і ще має наглість нити, що вона НА РОБОТІ ставить в пріоритет РОБОТУ, а не його забаганки. і це нам все подається як ідилія
ай мін... просто ні