I was so excited to be able to read book 2 in the Det Elin Warner series, after really enjoying book 1. The Retreat follows a similar sort of thread as Elin finds herself stuck on a remote destination as the bodies mount up and it’s all up to Elin to uncover the truth.

This one takes you pretty much straight into the action as the story unfolds. I really like the character development of Elin, as she’s left trying to process the fallout from book 1. She’s flawed and vulnerable, but determined to get the job done. Steed is great as her supporting character and partner investigating the deaths.

I did lose my way a bit with this one, but overall I enjoyed it. I’m also interested in how Elin’s story develops.

In Sarah’s first book we meet Elin snowed in at a hotel in the Alps, this time round we find Elin on a sunny island retreat.

The island has a dark past upon which Will (Elin’s boyfriend) has built a new retreat in the hopes to eradicate the islands history. We meet Hana, Jo and Maya who have come to the island as part of a social media freebie, and a chance to forgive and forget past mistakes. Soon though it becomes clear that all is not going to be forgiven when bodies start to appear.

We follow Elin as she tries to piece the puzzle together and link the past with the present guests.

If you are a fan of Death in Paradise then I think you will be a fan of this book, it has Sunday evening murder viewing vibes.

I wonder where Elin will end up in Sarah’s next book, I am sure where ever it is it will just emphasis the fact I would never go on holiday with her.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Every time I thought I had a handle on who could be killing people on the remote island retreat there was a different twist sending me in a different direction.

Sarah Pearse is a fantastic thrill writer, I can’t wait for more

If you didn't read The Sanatorium last year, then I don't know where you've been hiding. And although it was a hugely popular book, especially when those yellow spredges came out, it was still quite a divisive thriller.

I personally found it a mixed bag of brilliant and average, but I hoped this second book would out the kinks of a debut book, so I was still really excited to give it a read. Sadly, nothing improved for me with The Retreat.

The start of the book begins with two deaths happening quite early on, but they both happen abruptly without enough time spent on character or setting for them to have any impact. I was excited to feel the atmosphere of this mysterious island. But because the history of it isn't explored until later on, you miss out on any tension when things begin happening.

Although it is set solely on the island, it doesn't feel like a locked-room thriller as the island feels quite spacey, and a lot of the events happen outside so it doesn't quite have the same atmosphere that you would expect from a locked-room thriller.

None of the deaths take centre stage, as we instead focus on the characters falling out over it. But they are an unconvincing group of friends. Actually, most of the females are related, but there's no love between them at all so it's very difficult to engage with any single character.

And while I found Elin's insecurities believable in the first book, they made her so difficult to warm to in this book, where I was desperate to get to know her more. Instead, the most we get to know about her is how unsupportive her boyfriend is. I didn't find his backstory believable at all and I ended up hating both him for holding Elin back and Elin for putting up with him.

By the end, all I felt about this book was that if everyone told their boring truths at the start, we wouldn't have had to go through any of it. There are so many unnecessary omissions that make the truth take longer to come out and it made the story really drag on for me.

"But what about the twist at the end of The Sanatorium?", I hear you ask. Well, don't expect any answers regarding that, either. It's obviously leading up to a big third instalment, but I'm not sure you'll see me there.

It is not a badly written book and I know a lot of readers will love this one, but it just wasn't for me.

There are a lot of good things about this book, but unfortunately it isn't one of the better ones I have read. The story centres on a group of family members going on holiday to "the retreat" apparently to get away from it all. It's clear that the various family members have issues with each other and generally don't seem to enjoy each others' company.

Hana has been persuaded to go by her sister Jo, who she finds domineering and manipulative. She discovers at the last minute that their other sister, Bea, won't be going. But Bea's partner Caleb is there, as is Jo's partner Seth and the sisters' cousin Maya. Real problems begin when dead bodies start showing up.

I like the fact that Sarah Pearse has used something that will be familiar to probably everyone reading the book - the problem of dealing with people in your family that have flaws or cause you problems. But I think it's a shame that the characters aren't as well developed as they could have been.

I felt like the way the reader is introduced to the relationship between Jo and Hana was rushed. It felt like we get what is happening on the surface but not really an understanding of why Jo behaves as she does, or whether their relationship has always been this way or if something in particular has affected it.

The basic characters are good ones, but could be much more fleshed out. We barely get to know Jo for instance, apart from through how others perceive her. We never get to see how she is actually feeling or what her thoughts are about anything. This left me feeling that although I had some idea of the characters' motivations I didn't really know them.

The book has some genuinely great twists and shocks in it. But again the dialogue between Elin, the main cop investigating the deaths at the retreat, and her sidekick come across as very predictable and stilted at times, with Elin having to spell out that, yes, she DOES think there's a link between these killings and ones that took place several years previously even though the book has done all it can to make this quite obvious.

I don't want to be too hard on the novel as it did keep me reading and I read it very quickly. The plot isn't actually bad, and it has some good twists. I just think that it could have been much better..

This book is well written and gives off a great atmosphere. However the plot and characters didn't quite work for me and felt a bit contrived and weak. This book wasn't for me. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this book.

A family of siblings gathers together to visit a swanky, upmarket eco-wellness retreat, Lumen. It’s very exclusive as it’s on Carey Island just off the South Devon coast. 3 sisters, Hana, Jo, Bea and a cousin, Maya and all their boyfriends have all been organised into coming by Jo. But, Bea has cancelled. However this is no happy family get together for Hana is grieving over the recent death of her partner, Liam, in a tragic accident.
And Lumen, although its publicity presents it as an idyllic haven, is a development that not everyone wanted. The Island, commonly known as Reaper’s Rock, has a dark history. The nickname comes from the rock that is said to resemble the Grim Reaper in that it resembles a hooded figure with an outcrop that juts out like a scythe. During a plague, the sufferers were quarantined on the island and left to die, and it is said that their souls are still on the island condemned to wander forever. There’s also an abandoned school that was burned down and had a very sinister reputation. Afterwards the local council used it as an Outward Bound centre in the late 1990’s until a group of teenagers were murdered by the island’s caretaker, Larson Creacher in 2003. I wouldn’t have though that it was a good location for a good vibes wellness centre…
There are those who would like to see the island left alone, to be forgotten, and there had been a campaign to have it declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest. But the creator of Lumen won and maybe not by fair means.
DS Elin Warner, still recovering from a previous case and an enforced break, is called in when a woman’s body is discovered at Lumen. It’s a woman who wasn’t even supposed to be on the island at all. Elin is keen to be back investigating a case and soon she and her new partner, DC Steed are looking at another murder. However, Elin’s partner, Will, who designed Lumen, seems resentful of her focus now being on her job as it was earlier in her career.
But Elin and Steed begin finding evidence of the island’s dark and disturbing past in a cave. In it they find photos of the 2003 teenage victims....is the curse of the island coming to life again?
But there’s a storm coming, a violent, raging storm that will bring events at Lumen to a head and many secrets will be brought out into the open at last including the Creacher case. For someone out there it’s unfinished business…..
My first thought about ‘The Retreat’ was that it might be too similar Sarah Pearse’s earlier book, ‘The Sanatorium’. Both featured an isolated location and people who were trapped there. Classic locked room mysteries. But ‘The Retreat’ is different from its predecessor and in it the author explores Elin and her motivations more fully. However, it had a similar claustrophobic atmosphere and this really enhanced both books.
But I did think that there were too many characters, and it was confusing at times. The pace was also a little slow in places especially when there was a lot of dialogue between the characters. There was also a couple of subplots that didn’t appear to advance the plot at all.
However, the book picked up dramatically with the coming of the storm as the book raced towards a terrific finale and one man’s desire for revenge. These scenes were really convincing and well written. And I didn’t see the twist at the end as my attention had been cunningly misdirected.
‘The Retreat’ would make a terrific holiday read but maybe not if your destination is an upmarket, island hideaway….
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC.

Sarah Pearse has quickly become one of my all time favourite artists after reading The Sanatorium so I knew she wouldn’t let me down with this one! An easy, easy 5 star read for me, she just nails it every single time!!

DS Elin Warner goes to the island Retreat when a body is found, accidental death or murder and what else is going on? Thrilling novel set on an island that has known tragedy before and now more people are dying.

Great characters and storyline so read and enjoy.

I enjoyed the Sanatorium and this was similar featuring Detective Elin Walker. I think it helps if you’ve read the Sanatorium so you know about Elin and her boyfriend and the history with her job. It’s not essential though.
The Retreat is set on an island near where Elin lives and based at a development designed by her boyfriend. A body is found at the bottom of the cliff and rumours abound as to whether it is linked to previous murders years back.
Lots of good characters and a good storyline

DS Elin Warner is back, I loved The Sanatorium and Sarah Pearse has done it again with this twisty thriller set off the coast of Devon on a spooky island where you can't trust anyone. As with the first novel all the characters have something to hide and are all suspects or victims! Great fun and keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout.

Absolutely love this author. I really enjoyed Sanitorium her first novel. Retreat does not disappoint at all. I probably preferred it to the first. Loved the setting and managed to read in one sitting - which is quite rare for me. Looking forward to reading more by this author 😊

On the heels of the trauma detailed in The Sanitorium, Detective Elin Warner is back and unwittingly thrust into another mystery that is strangely close to home.

The Retreat takes us to another wildly atmospheric setting, a luxury getaway resort set atop a hauntingly beautiful crag with a dappled past. Parallel to Elin's own quest to examine an unfortunate incident (which quickly reveals itself to be a murder), we learn about a family away on a weekend getaway (sisters Hana, Jo and Bea, along with their cousin Maya and their respective partners).

But something is amiss within the family dynamics and we soon learn that theirs and Elin's paths will cross as the story becomes increasingly complex and intertwined as you turn the page.

In a very satisfying way, Pearse ties a lot of the story up neatly, succinctly but believably, leaving room for growth in Elin's story. Thriller series fundis who love a female lead will definitely get their fix here, but don't expect literary fiction. Pearse is here for the intrigue, suspense and atmosphere. Manage your expectations accordingly.

A great holiday read, if you're looking.

Thank you to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for an ARC.

“This is a warning for all our guests at the wellness retreat.

A woman's body has been found at the bottom of the cliff beneath the yoga pavilion.

We believe her death was a tragic accident, though DS Elin Warner has arrived on the island to investigate.

A storm has been forecast, but do not panic. Stick together and please ignore any rumours you might have heard about the island and its history.

As soon as the weather clears, we will arrange boats to take you back to the mainland.

In the meantime, we hope you enjoy your stay.”

This was a really enjoyable thriller. I haven’t read The Sanatorium yet so was introduced to DS Elin Warner for the first time here. However that didn’t stop me building a picture of what her character is all about. The author cleverly pulls all the parts of the story together in a satisfying conclusion.

Publication day in the UK is 21 July.

The Retreat is the second novel, starring Detective Elin Warner by Sarah Pearse. And is delightfully spooky. I started reading this novel on the beach yesterday, the hottest day of the year so far and I'm happy to report yesterday it gave me chills! I actually raved through it in one afternoon.
Elin is living in a coastal town and recovering from the traumatic events of the previous novel (The Sanatorium, Det. Elin Warner #1). However, there is no need to read the previous novel in order to follow this tale as Pearse provides a short but concise background (thankfully, without giving away any spoilers).
There are several similar elements in each tale:
a luxurious, yet unusual location
a dark history for the location
limited access to 'civilization'
a disparate group of people
secrets that just need to be shared
and a nasty storm brewing
In short, my ideal novel!
This time around, the luxurious location, is an island, just a few kilometres away from where Elin and Will are living. It has a dark and unpleasant history but has recently been revented. And now Jo, Hana, Maya, Seth and Caleb are set to spend a few days on the island and considering their long list of issues and grievances, it appears there holiday may not be as smooth sailing as expected. Then a murder occurs and Elin had to investigate.... and finds herself trapped on the island with a killer... on is it killers?
Elin remains surprisingly naive for such an experienced detective but she is growing in confidence and learning to trust her colleagues, in particular Steed. Also, she is starting to confronting her personal issues which improves her working and personal relationships.
I look forward to the next installment.

The Retreat is the second thriller to feature Sarah Pearse’s detective, Elin Warner. We first met her in The Sanatorium, where a relaxing break ended in murder. It’s a similar situation here – but this time Elin is officially the detective on the case, rather than a bystander who solves it.

Cary Island is a small, remote island off the Devon coast that has a myth-ridden past and now houses a luxury retreat, LUMEN. A retreat that just so happens to have been designed by Elin’s architect boyfriend, Will and is managed by his sister, Farrah. So when a person is murdered on the island and Elin is asked to investigate, things are more than a little personal.

Among the cast of characters on the island are Jo and her family. Jo has organised a trip to the retreat for herself, her boyfriend Seth, her sisters Hana and Bea, Bea’s boyfriend Caleb and her cousin, Maya. They are a family with a lot of secrets and simmering tensions that come to a head…

The island’s history is a top-billed character here, from its infamous Reaper’s Rock coastline to its literal trail of blood, the idea of the island having a potential life of its own is woven so well into the story. I really enjoyed this element – it absolutely upped the creepy factor.

With a focus on family and all the twisted dynamics that come into play, The Retreat is a great thriller that throws in enough reveals at the right moments to keep you hooked. There were a lot of coincidences and the cast of characters ended up being linked in more ways than one, but let yourself go along for the ride and you’ll have a good time!

I demolished this book and while I did really enjoy the twists and turns of the plot, I did find it predictable and when I'd guessed 'whodunit' I spent the rest of the time waiting for a twist that didn't come.
In saying that, I would recommend it to others....just don't be too disappointed in the ending that feels like an abrupt end.

This is the 2nd book in the Detective Elin Warner series, the first one being The Sanitorium that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The Retreat took me a few chapters to get into as there were several characters to get used to and also different timelines. Once I started to recognise these I found it a much more coherent story. With the different characters there are back stories that the author has also given, these didn't make much sense until I started to realise who was who and what their relationships are.

If you read the previous book you may remember that Elin has struggled and she still doubts if she is up to the job. When she gets sent to an island off the Devon coast to look into a suspicious death she really has to get her act together. The island has a mysterious past that has been fueled by hearsay, local legend and also murders in the past. Hoping to change the local and public image of the island by turning it into a luxury retreat.

This is a story that takes a while to get settled, but once I got to grips with things I found it really hard to put down. It has a tense air to it given its isolated location, the tales and also the overall general feel of the place. While some are there literally to unwind in the spas, pool and yoga lounges others can take advantage of the watersports. This is a rugged island that the owners have tried to tame for the benefit of its paying guests. This again is something that doesn't altogether well with some.

This does get more complex as the story progresses, but it is easier to follow. There is more to this than a mysterious death and I do like the atmospherics that the author has brought into the book using the island itself almost as its own character. The island gives it a "locked room" feel and you can feel the danger looming.

As well as the crime and police procedural side of this story, there are also some personal stories, those of the main characters for this story and for the returning ones. AS this is the second book in the series the author is still fleshing out Elin and I am looking forward to getting to know her as the series progresses.

This is one for those who like tense crime, thriller, procedural murder and mystery novels. After the first few chapters it becomes very addictive and it is one that could be read as a stand-alone, but to be honest, this is only the 2nd book so why not read them in order. This is a book I would happily recommend.

A family and partners retreat weekend at the Cary Islands turns into a classic missing and murder story. With the three sisters comes a thriller with mysterious secrets. Things turn for the worst when their fourth sister ends up dead and a "who-dunnit?" mystery unfolds. Detective Elin Warner is back and ready to solve the case.

I found this story very easy to read. We get a really wide group of different characters with a small storyline for each. I did like where it was going and found the thriller aspects adequate for this type of book. The beginning was a really slow start but picked up at the halfway mark. I would have liked to see a bit more of Bea's character.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House UK for this ARC.

This was..... mediocre!
I think I have come to the conclusion that Sarah Pearse is not for me :(
I wanted to love this book so badly (and also The Sanatorium) but sadly both the books didn't work out.