Reviews tagging 'Death'

The Retreat by Sarah Pearse

10 reviews

renee_rain's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No

4.0

This book is a sequel to The Sanotorium. Though I have read it, I didn't realize it was a continuation until after I finished this book. I guess Elim was not memorable for me.

This is a solid mystery/thriller. That being said, there is a lot of information to keep track of. There are three periods of time that occur on the island: a school with traumatic history, an Outward Bound center with a series of murders, and the present at a retreat center. The Leger family has past events that become relevant to the plot. There is a continuation of threats to Elim.

I thoroughly enjoyed the chaos of the book. I had no trouble keeping up with the characters, their relations, and backstories. The explanations of why people did what they did felt believable to me.

Except Jo. I know she was having an affair with Hana's boyfriend, but how can someone callously leave him at an accident like that? What if he could have been saved? Could it have been explained that they had become friends? Though this does provide Maya some clarity.

I plan to read the next book in the series though I really do need closure on some things.

What is going on with the Hayler case? What actually happened to Elim's brother, Sam? Who is threatening Elim? What will happen with Elim's relationship with Will? I wouldn't be sad if it ended. She appears to have a stronger connection with his sister.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Stalking, and Murder

Minor: Death of parent and Death

alisonannk's review against another edition

adventurous 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

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Infidelity, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Moderate: Gun violence, Mental illness, and Confinement

bekah1210's review against another edition

mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Murder

Moderate: Death of parent, Child abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Violence, Gun violence, and Confinement

Minor: Kidnapping, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Suicide, Toxic friendship, and Stalking

chapterobsessed's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Murder

typedtruths's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Murder, and Death

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol

Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Drug use, Abandonment, Kidnapping, and Death of parent

➸ Trigger warnings for parental abandonment recounted, infidelity mentioned, panic attacks (on-page), alcohol consumption, depiction of dead bodies, grief and loss depiction, death of a brother from drowning mentioned, murder and attempted murder, death of a boyfriend recounted, death from a fall, physical assault, kidnapping, incarceration mentioned, and housefire recounted in which the protagonist's cousin sustained severe burns which caused a stroke and permanent brain damage.

ashleyvharris's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

Not super compelling. Didn’t hold my interest. Forgettable characters. Literally cannot remember their names as I write this. Connection between the guests and the island’s past seemed flimsy at best. Setting felt a bit out of place. Felt a bit like The Chestnut Man but not as suspenseful.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, Murder, Toxic relationship, Violence, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, and Toxic friendship

kirstym25's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Death, and Violence

_terah_hansen_'s review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Grief, Murder, and Toxic relationship

kearstenkeepsreading's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Thank you Penguin Group and NetGalley for providing an e-arc for an honest review.

Detective Elin Walker is back and facing her fears. She is called to Reaper’s Rock, a local infamous island, to investigate the circumstances of the body of a young woman found near the hotel. The more she and her partner, Steed, uncover the more secrets begin to surface. Secrets about the mysterious island and its haunting past, about the guests being targeted and about her own past. 

I was immediately immersed in the story and the location. The beauty of the beach and the chilling forest that covers the island. Elin’s story continues in a beautiful way with her stepping back into the job she loved and fighting to find herself and save those around her. I recommend reading the first book, The Sanatorium, to better understand Elin and her past and how it affects her actions in this book. Elin is a character that is flawed but relatable and you cannot help but root for her. I am excited to see where her story goes and how she will develop as a character. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Murder

librariangeorgia's review against another edition

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I loved THE SANATORIUM so this one was an automatic must read. And wow, what a book it was! 

 

It follows 2 narratives - Detective Elin Warner and the group of friends staying at the retreat. I liked the mix of POVs, it really helped to tell the story. Especially as they weren’t all together at the same time so you got to see what was happening at various areas of the island. 

 

I literally couldn’t put it down, it was so gripping. Every chapter was full of drama, ending on cliffhangers making you want to continue reading. The descriptions of the island were so chilling, it felt like you were there. 

 

I did not see that ending coming - what a plot twist! 

 

If you enjoyed THE SANATORIUM, you’ll like this one.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, and Murder

Moderate: Grief, Stalking, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Vomit