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A review by kiramke
The Retreat by Sarah Pearse
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
I really hope no one is using my reviews of mysteries as recommendations. Are you? Stop it. I am wildly subjective and willing to ignore big flaws if the positives are what I need in the moment.
So. I didn't love the first book, but I think this one is better. I had a headache and a storm was coming, and I just wanted to listen to a story about some sad sacks stuck on an island, and that is what I got.
That said, I spent the last ~20% waiting for one more twist to reveal that the murderer was who I'd determined it must be, not for the story but for the characters. There was some disappointment. I just have to repeat the lesson I learned from Pike and Stine in middle school... just because he's not the killer, does not mean he's a good boyfriend. May we all learn that lesson.
So. I didn't love the first book, but I think this one is better. I had a headache and a storm was coming, and I just wanted to listen to a story about some sad sacks stuck on an island, and that is what I got.
That said, I spent the last ~20% waiting for one more twist to reveal that the murderer was who I'd determined it must be, not for the story but for the characters. There was some disappointment. I just have to repeat the lesson I learned from Pike and Stine in middle school... just because he's not the killer, does not mean he's a good boyfriend. May we all learn that lesson.
Content Warnings
Minor: Toxic relationship