A review by julittleton
The Retreat by Sarah Pearse

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I realised this gem was still in my TBR pile when I received the ARC for the final book in the trilogy out this summer - The Wilds. I'm saving that one for my holiday in a couple of weeks, but this one has been on my wishlist since its release. I love the depth of characterisation Sarah Pearse brings to the Elin Warner series - her characters are layered and carefully woven into each other's history. Warner remains a complicated protagonist - torn between her career, her health and her relationships. In particular, I liked her connection to Farrah. The eerie history of the island really helps ramp up the tension throughout  - along with a hefty body count. Enjoyed this & very much looking forward to the conclusion.