michellesantiago's review against another edition
2.0
This will most likely be my last read by Sarah Pearse. I read The Sanatorium last year and I thought it was okay--I didn't hate it like everyone seemed to. The Sanatorium was mid for me, but I wanted to give Sarah Pearse another chance. When The Retreat was available in my library's Libby, I picked it up.
Well, The Retreat was boring and uninspired. The characters were cardboard and the plot and mystery so incredibly trite and tired. I basically just finished the book just to finish it and it took me a whole week and now I think I'm in a reading slump.
I should've just DNF'd it, but sometimes I'd be reading a mediocre book and feel like I already dedicated effort and time I might as well just push through then I'll at least be able to list it as a "read" book. That's what happened here.
I did like the setting of the story though--a mysterious, isolated island where unsolved murders had occurred. I'm a sucker for that kind of premise. I thought the author did a good job with the setting. Unfortunately, everything else sucked so the atmospheric setting got lost in all that boring muck.
Well, The Retreat was boring and uninspired. The characters were cardboard and the plot and mystery so incredibly trite and tired. I basically just finished the book just to finish it and it took me a whole week and now I think I'm in a reading slump.
I should've just DNF'd it, but sometimes I'd be reading a mediocre book and feel like I already dedicated effort and time I might as well just push through then I'll at least be able to list it as a "read" book. That's what happened here.
I did like the setting of the story though--a mysterious, isolated island where unsolved murders had occurred. I'm a sucker for that kind of premise. I thought the author did a good job with the setting. Unfortunately, everything else sucked so the atmospheric setting got lost in all that boring muck.
lorireads2much's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
3.0
hannahrose_reads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
smidge03's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bookworm_42's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
3.25
bookwormandtheatremouse's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
moosalamoo_rnnr's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-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
3.75
This wasn’t a bad book. That said, sometimes I have a really hard time with how nicely the coincidences work out in thrillers and this was for sure one. The final twist (like, post epilogue) was good, though.
probablyromance's review against another edition
5.0
Pacing issues were worked out and it was a page turner after 40%. These past two books have helped fill the void that the millennium series left- solid detective work with dark undertones. Elin has progressed past her trauma from book one. Now she’s solving cases and confronting the crazy head on. I can’t wait for book three and see what her confrontation with Isaac yields!
emilia_lodge's review against another edition
4.5
Ate this up so quickly, on holiday though. Murder mystery but good padding out of characters too, good twists, action packed at end, bought the other one in series because of it.