Review: The Retreat Mark Edwards

Print Length: 335 pages

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer (May 10, 2018)

From Goodreads.com: A missing child. A desperate mother. And a house full of secrets.

Two years ago, Julia lost her family in a tragic accident. Her husband drowned trying to save their daughter, Lily, in the river near their rural home. But the little girl’s body was never found—and Julia believes Lily is somehow still alive.

Alone and broke, Julia opens her house as a writers’ retreat. One of the first guests is Lucas, a horror novelist, who becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to Lily. But within days of his arrival, the peace of the retreat is shattered by a series of eerie events.

When Lucas’s investigation leads him and Julia into the woods, they discover a dark secret—a secret that someone will do anything to protect…

What really happened that day by the river? Why was Lily never found? And who, or what, is haunting the retreat?

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My Rating: 4 stars out of 5

This was the first time I have read anything by this author, but it most certainly will not be the last! I very much enjoyed all aspects of this story, from the way the author sets the stage, to the way I could not figure out how it was going to end. This story kept me guessing from nearly the beginning. Was Lily dead? Was she the ghost haunting the retreat? Did Lily accidentally drown or was there something more sinister at work? This story kept me up hours past when I should have been asleep mainly because I could NOT put it down! I had to unravel the secrets not only of the retreat and the people staying there, but also within the town itself. 

The characters were complex and interesting, and I feel the author managed to convey Julia's grief and despair over not knowing what happened to her daughter in a way that managed to be realistic without becoming overbearing. 

Filled with local legends, and scary stories, this author manages to perfectly tell a story with hints of the paranormal - while ending with a perfectly reasonable explanation of events. I believe this story will appeal to those who enjoy gripping novels that will keep you guessing. 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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                                   The Retreat is available from Amazon.com