A review by bookerage
The Retreat by Elisabeth de Mariaffi

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

This is an engaging mystery novel, with a setting in an isolated cabin in the mountains. The main character, Maeve, is trapped with 6 strangers at the Retreat during a snow storm.  It makes for a cozy, atmospheric mystery, but unfortunately I found that the first half of the story dragged on for too long.  We got some background from Maeve, but repetitive and not well fleshed out and the other characters were just underdeveloped. The second half draw me in. Overall. I enjoyed reading this book.