The Retreat by Sarah Pearse

The Retreat by Sarah Pearse

Publisher - Random House UK

Publication date - 21 July 2022

Thanks to @netgalley for the advanced copy.

I absolutely loved ‘The Sanitorium’ and ‘The Retreat’ was one of my most anticipated releases this year. It did not disappoint! ‘The Retreat’ was atmospheric, compelling and utterly absorbing. A tightly plotted ‘locked room’ mystery that keeps you guessing right until the end of the book. It was a treat to return to Elin’s world and I loved getting to know more about her life - both personal and professional. Sarah’s writing has become more confident and evolved from her debut and although I read this book about six weeks ago I have not been able to spot thinking about it. A sign a series is getting under my skin. I'm already looking forward to the next book!

Erin’s architect partner, Will, has just finished work on a huge eco wellness retreat off the coast and coincidentally his sister, Farah, is one of the managers working there. When a young woman’s body is found at the yoga pavilion, Erin and her partner DC Steed are dispatched to investigate. They find a group of family and friends at the centre of the investigation but also the crimes of the past are influencing those involved.

As a reader, I appreciate when series evolve but in this case, I quite enjoyed the fact that we were in another luxury hotel and that it and Erin were cut off from help! Although they are similar premises I loved this one just as much, if not maybe more. This is down to how Erin’s character has developed and matured but also that I felt that Sarah’s voice as an author had ripened and the plotting was taut, while the writing had the same energy as before but it was more refined and polished!

I honestly can't wait for the third book as this one left you with sooo many questions about the person interested in Erin!