Lisa Unger is a go to author for me, so I was happy to pick this one up. This is a locked room thriller with three couples staying in an isolated luxury cabin for vacation, and someone doesn't want them to leave alive. Everyone there has secrets. The personal chef lets them know this cabin has a disturbing history. Their host was kind of invasively hospitable. It's an unnerving scenario. Then a horrible storm arrives forcing even more isolation.

This was a creepy, scary book. I wasn't crazy about the characters though - there wasn't a lot of depth to them. The plot was good for a thriller and it moved well. I'm giving it 4 stars.

Thanks to Legend Press through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on February 28, 2023.

Locked room thriller’s seem to be the latest trope at the moment. This one doesn’t disappoint. There are plenty of thrills to keep you entertained, thinking you have guessed but then finding you have it completely wrong. The book begins in 2017 it's Christmas. A family celebrating, Hannah and Bruce with their 9 month old daughter, Gigi along with Hannah’s brother, Mako with his wife Liza. When they have all finished eating Leo the father says they all have another present. The gift is a DNA test kit for each of them. But who has sent the gift? No one will say.

Who will do the DNA test? Who will throw it away?.

Mako has booked a holiday for Hannah’s birthday in a luxurious cabin with a personal chef, masseuse and a hot tub, I wouldn’t mind someone sending me on one of those trips. The cabin is however in a remote area. It’s an adults only trip so Gigi will be looked after by Bruce’s mum. The trip is for Hannah and Bruce, Mako and Lisa and Cricket and Joshua. Cricket is best friends with Hannah they have known each other from a very young age, she had also dated Mako before he met Liz.

Being a new mum Hannah is nervous about leaving Gigi which is normal, even Bruce doesn’t want to leave Gigi, he has also been behaving a little odd. But with technology as it is now Hannah has an app on her phone where she can see Gigi.

The couples arrive t the cabin which is big and gorgeous there is a guest house behind the cabin if anyone else was going to join, but the six are fine in the cabin. The owner of the cabin is Bracken along with some others in the area. But for some reason he is a bit off, surely he would be welcoming of guests! So what is going on with him?

When the chef and his assistant are preparing dinner he begins to give them some background on the cabin, apparently a family had been murdered and some visitors say they have seen the ghost of the mum looking for her children.

The story is told through different timelines, through Hannah, Cricket and Mako, but also some other characters, Trina, Henry, piper and Catrina. But where do they fit in within the story. Just as they are all relaxing Bracken tells them there is a storm coming in but they are assured that if the power goes out there is a back up generator so nothing to worry about. Because the roads can get washed out he tells them to stay inside the cabin if that happens, and if they need him they have his phone number.

I mean what could go wrong? Hannah wonder’s about her brother as he begins flirting with Cricket, why does Hannah’s husband hate her brother Mako? Hannah also can’t work out why Cricket’s new partner Joshua looks so familiar to her. But when the storm comes in and knocks the power out prepare yourself. Because this relaxing weekend break is about to end!

The characters all have flaws and secrets, some made in the past some now. Running alongside this story is the story of Henry, a young man who was orphaned as a teenager and raised in a group home. Henry is a mystery, and officially he doesn’t exist.

This is another terrific read by Lisa Unger, a book I would highly recommend. It will have you guessing at those twists and turns. When what should have been a good relaxing weekend turns into a nightmare.

This was a fast easy read which kept me guessing all of the way through. There were a few red herrings and I certainly did not predict the ending. This book has quite dark themes and explores whether blood is thicker than water and the age old debate of whether nature or nurture is more important in how a person turns out. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others to give it a try.

2.5 stars.
I get that thrillers have to find new and inventive plots but this one just didn't work. I wasn't sympathetic to the characters at all. Nothing about the plot kept me riveted to the book. It took way too long to get to the reveal and by then the characters were dull. Not a thriller I would recommend.

It took me way too long to get through this one. The multiple POV was almost maddening. Too many people to keep track of, and some of them were so unlikeable that I wanted to skip whole chapters. It even jumps around through another time period with one of the charcters.
I feel like the story was just trying so hard to be clever and keep the audience guessing, which I guess it sort of worked because I found myself saying out loud on more than a few occasions, "Where the hell is this going, and do I even care any more?"
I mean, you get a group of people together, whom the majority of have never met before, and throw them in a very secluded cabin, how could it not be entertaining?
This was my first read by this author and I have to say I'm really disappointed, but I'll probably give them another try since I've heard good things about other works of theirs. This one just wasn't for me.

The book had a trigger of mine so it was hard for me to read. If it’s not a trigger for you than it would be a great book but I couldn’t get past it.

Isolated cabin. Remote location. A group of friends and lovers with their secrets. Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six has all the makings of a creepy and engaging locked-room thriller but, unfortunately, it just wasn't for me.

Using multiple timelines and POVs, this novel sees a group of 30-somethings gather at an exclusive, luxury cabin in a remote woodland area. Unfortunately, I couldn't get on board with any of these characters and didn't really care what happened to any of them.

There's a couple of random POVs thrown in for good measure, but with no connection made for much of the novel, this only alienated me further from the narrative.

I was more invested in the present day chapters, but with so much focus on the past through random characters in the second half, I found myself zoning out.

This book should have been more intense and creepy and atmospheric, what with a threatening storm and the perfect setting. It just didn't make use of them, IMO, and the stakes weren't very high.

I also thought there were too many characters and POVs, and the book was just too long. And without spoiling anything, what we think is the primary story is not, and the actual story doesn't have much meat to it.

I realise I am being very critical - perhaps I am reading too many thrillers at the moment and need a break?

And we all like different things. If you enjoy lots of drama, unlikeable characters, and don't rely on atmosphere to engage with a thriller, you might like this. Do check out other reviews on it if you're interested.

Three couples head off on a weekend getaway to an isolated luxury holiday retreat, throw in ghost stories, one too many red herrings, a black out, a storm and a hot tub and taadaaaa you have a 3🌟 thriller

😱Quite a busy storyline with many POVs, maybe a few too many ingredients and a far fetched unbelievable outcome... But it still kept me on the edge of my seat and I was eager to work out how the storylines would connect up at the end.

It's a very easy read, an idea "read in one sitting" holiday read... But I don't think it stands out enough in it's genre to get more that 3 stars for me.

This was an interesting thriller read. The author touches on what makes family and what would you do for family. DNA doesn't determine everything and it is people's actions that make them family.

It challenges the saying "you don't choose your family". I absolutely agree that you can choose who you include as your family.

The reason why this didn't get a higher rating is because I can't believe why the "villain" had to do the things she did. I can think of so many other ways she could have reached her goal.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced reader copy.

"Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six" by Lisa Unger is a fast-paced, gripping thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. The story follows the lives of three women - two friends and one stranger - who have all decided to rent a secluded cabin in the woods for a weekend getaway.

The tension starts building from the first chapter, with each of the women carrying their own secrets and hidden agendas. As they settle into the cabin, strange and unexplainable events start to occur, leaving them feeling uneasy and scared. And when a fourth unexpected guest arrives, their peaceful weekend turns into a nightmare.

Unger expertly weaves together the stories of the three women, slowly revealing their pasts and the reasons they find themselves in the cabin. The characters are well-developed and realistic, each with their own flaws and motivations. The tension builds steadily as the women's secrets are gradually uncovered, and the suspense reaches a fever pitch as they find themselves in danger.

The setting of the cabin in the woods adds to the sense of isolation and dread, making the reader feel as though they are right there with the characters. Unger's writing is atmospheric and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the woods and the cabin, and creating a palpable sense of tension and unease.

Well this was entertaining, far fetched but great. Usually I hate books with so many characters but this one I had to keep guessing on who was who and how they fit in, what were the secrets, how would the story close.
This book kept me up late in the night.

I do love a book by Lisa Unger and she never disappoints.

I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is totally my own.

This book is definitely a wild, crazy ride!!!!!!!! You don't predict this story unraveling like it does to all come together towards the end. That is the magic of Lisa Unger's weird but unique oh so good writing style

EXCERPT: Hannah drifted into the dining area to get a closer look at the sculpture. As she drew closer, she felt goose bumps come up on her flesh.
Yes, it was a skull, but not an animal. It was unmistakably human. She found herself transfixed by the dark eyeholes, moved in closer.
What surrounded it was not bleached wood but more bones. She was no expert but she could make out ribs, pieces of vertebrae, hip bones, collarbones, shards and fragments, sharp and ragged. Hannah released a little gasp, then backed up and found herself knocking into Chef Jeff.
'Interesting piece, isn't it?' he said.
Hannah felt at a loss for words. 'Is that real? Are those - human bones?'
He smiled coolly, holding a big pair of grilling tongs. His apron was smeared with something dark. It looked like - blood. His gaze was steely. Hannah felt her stomach churn a bit.
'Yes,' he confirmed. 'Those are human bones. This piece is created by a local artist, a friend of the host's. Are you familiar with the concept of memento mori?'
Hannah shook her head, wishing she could just return to the group but not wanting to be rude.
'From the Latin,' he went on. 'Remember that you must die'

ABOUT 'SECLUDED CABIN SLEEPS SIX': Three couples rent a luxury cabin in the woods for a weekend getaway to die for in this chilling locked-room thriller by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Unger.

What could be more restful, more restorative, than a weekend getaway with family and friends? An isolated luxury cabin in the woods, complete with spectacular views, a hot tub and a personal chef. Hannah’s loving and generous tech-mogul brother found the listing online. The reviews are stellar. It’s his birthday gift to Hannah and includes their spouses and another couple. The six friends need this trip with good food, good company and lots of R & R, far from the chatter and pressures of modern life.

But the dreamy weekend is about to turn into a nightmare. A deadly storm is brewing. The rental host seems just a little too present. The personal chef reveals that their beautiful house has a spine-tingling history. And the friends have their own complicated past, with secrets that run blood deep. How well does Hannah know her brother, her own husband? Can she trust her best friend? And who is the new boyfriend, crashing their party? Meanwhile, someone is determined to ruin the weekend, looking to exact a payback for deeds long buried. Who is the stranger among them?

MY THOUGHTS: I had no idea where Lisa Unger was taking me, but was I worried? No.

The characters are all flawed. There are layers of mistakes made both in the present and the past, bad judgments, failures, lies, deception and secrets.

Mako (Mickey), Tech Entrepreneur, and wife Liza, yoga instructor and lifestyle influencer, have an enviable lifestyle. But there are rumours about Mako, about both his business practices and what he gets up to in private. Liza is a very different person to Mako, almost diametrically opposite. She's clean living and concerned about the environment. She's also well aware of what Mako is really like, but loves him in spite of his deficiencies and deceptions.

Mako's sister Hannah is married to Bruce, a nice solid guy who also works in the tech industry, currently for Mako. They have a baby daughter, Gigi, who they are leaving for the first time. Hannah adores her brother and always has. Although younger than Mako, it is she that has always been on the lookout for him, the one who has, on numerous occasions, pulled his ass out of the fire; not the other way around.

Cricket has been Hannah's best friend, through school and beyond. She's Mako's ex, and they still have a very close relationship. Hannah, Mako and Cricket have been through a lot together, have a lot of history, a lot of shared secrets. This weekend Cricket is accompanied by her new boyfriend, Joshua who, she excitedly reveals to Hannah, may just be 'the one.'

The approaching storm isn't the only trouble on the horizon for this group. People are acting oddly, the chef and his wait staff are creepy, and Hannah is sure that they are being watched.

Running parallel to the main thread is the story of Henry, a young man of dubious origin, orphaned in his teenage years and brought up in a group home. I loved Henry's character. Henry is the centre of a great mystery. Officially, he doesn't exist.

Unger takes these two threads and weaves them together in a way I certainly wasn't expecting, but one that I found very satisfying.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

#SecludedCabinSleepsSix #NetGalley

I: @launger @legend_times

T: @lisaunger @Legend_Times

#contemporaryfiction #domesticdrama #familydrama #mystery #thriller #suspense

THE AUTHOR: Lisa Unger is a New York Times and internationally bestselling author. With books published in thirty languages and millions of copies sold worldwide, she is widely regarded as a master of suspense. She lives on the west coast of Florida with her family.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Legend Press for providing a digital ARC of Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com

This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage

This book started out strong. The concept was super interesting. I liked to read about the dynamics between each couple but also between each individual. The number of characters could get confusing and hard to keep track of.

I’ve just finished this book today, and I am desperate to talk about it.
It gave me complete chills, and hooked me from the very beginning. I loved the idea of the Origin, and felt like this added a completely fresh idea into the ‘secluded cabin’ storyline. The characters were well developed, and I liked that they had their own backstories as well. So good.

Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six is definitely a different kind of locked-room thriller. Three couples head to a remote cabin in the woods of Georgia for a weekend of fun and relaxation, however, all of them have their own secrets that come to light. The story bounces between the multiple character povs throughout too.

I found the start to be a bit uneventful and a little slow. Once it started to pick up, it was obvious that it needed to happen to really set the story up. Once it heated up, Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six is a page-turner. I found I needed to know what was going to happen next, who Henry was, and the dark secrets many of the friends were keeping.

I truly didn't see the ending coming but had suspicions about one of them from the start. The book also tackles some tough subjects like rape, but also dives into the world of genealogy and finding your family, whether biological or not.

Overall, a really solid 4-star read for me.
Thank you Legend Press and NetGalley for the eARC!

A quite sinister tale of family gone wrong, and the lengths some will go to keep secrets covered and others to bring them into the light.
Characters well,thought out, and the strange owner of the secluded cabins truly creepy.
Riveting read

Oh my lanta. Morally gray characters? Not so much. More like terrible characters that I will never understand. The premise was interesting, wildly outrageous, and not entirely implausible. There are a ton of characters and POV in this story, winding together to the dead end of a conclusion. I felt like there were some parts that weren’t fleshed out enough or wrapped up nicely. There was a little bit of redemption at the end with some characters taking responsibility; but still I hated most of the characters 😬

Hannah and Bruce are leaving their baby for the first time to go on a getaway with her brother and her best friend, along with their significant others. To a secluded cabin. That sleeps six. That’s not ominous at all! And then a big old storm comes through and they lose power, and they feel like they are being watched. It someone else on the property or are they imagining things after being told ghost stories?

This book really started out strong. Secrets and a dual timeline. But around halfway I started to get bored. And the ending wasn’t really a great surprise.

Hannah and Bruce are parents to baby Gigi who they adore. Hannah’s brother, Mako, is head of s successful company called Red World Gaming. As Bruce is also a tech mogul, he sometimes works with Mako on certain jobs. Both men are very busy. Mako is married to Liza, a sweet and petite woman.

When the family meets up for Christmas at Hannah and Mako’s parents house, Mako announces that he has rented a remote cabin which sleep six people and wants the four of them plus Hannah’s friend, Cricket and her boyfriend to stay for a long weekend as his guest to celebrate Hannah's birthday.

Although Hannah is hesitant about leaving Gigi with her in-laws for a few days, she relents and agrees to go. The cabin is fairly remote but is huge and nicely appointed. The man who owns the cabin ensures that it is filled with everything they need and they are pleased. However, there is a storm approaching and they hope it will not give them too much of a problem.

As the first evening commences and the guests are enjoying eating good food and drinking well, the storm indeed hits in earnest and things get crazy.

There are two storylines here which takes quite awhile to try and see where they will interconnect. This is the type of plot that I find tedious. There are too many scenes in the book which means it is overly long - another pet peeve of mine. There are some scary happenings here and quite a lot of angst. Quite frankly, too dark for me. However, I can see where some people will love this book and others will not. So, read the reviews and decide for yourself.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.