OK talk about a complex and twisty read! I’ve previously read this author and didn’t particularly gel with the books (more a me thing than the books themselves!) but this was such a clever concept with interesting characters. If you don’t enjoy books with a lot of characters, you probably won’t enjoy this one… but fortunately I do! The Retreat and the author definitely kept me guessing.

Dark, gripping and full of red herrings to keep you on your toes. Definitely recommend!

What an amazing thriller this had so many twists and turns I felt like I was on a rollercoaster and I love a good plot twist fantastic keeps you guessing roo the very end

Mark Edwards once again ticks all the boxes for the perfect creepy thriller! Just the right amount of chills to keep you awake at night - whether you're anxiously reading, or just not able to sleep because you're too nervous to switch off the lights!
Well-paced and edgy, The Retreat is a fabulous read!

Mark Edwards' THE RETURN is a gritty psychological thriller in a beautifully scenic Welsh setting, which strongly riffs on folklore and the intensity with which local legends and Superstitions can persist for centuries.

It was also a nice lesson to me, that even after decades of "turning over stones" (clues) in Mysteries to guess the Villains and their Motives--hey, I am NOT always right. It was refreshing to be surprised. I also appreciated the author's attention to the small-town background.

I hoped for more! This book had such a great premise but in the end, I felt let down. Its a slow read but i did finish it. I rate this book a 2.2

Love reading books by Mark Edwards as the suspense is real and even when there are a multitude of characters it’s never confusing.
Having lost her husband and daughter two years ago Julia has never accepted that her daughter drowned in the river beside her husband and is convinced that Lily is still alive.
To earn an income Julia opens up her house as a writers retreat and 4 writers of varying experience are her first guests. Lucas is intrigued by Julia’s story and embarks on a secret investigation to try and help her discover the truth.
In the Welsh country within a tight knit community and tales of folklore combined with strange going’s on in the retreat itself his task is never going to be easy.
A great storyline with a depth of fine characters and a twist that will send you reeling.
Highly recommend this suspenseful novel.

I truly enjoyed the pacing of the story and the well written characters. This book took me by surprise. It kept me interested throughout the story and I needed to see what was going to happen. I would recommend this story to all thriller and who-done it lovers.

Found it too creepy!! I know that was what the author intended, but I just couldn’t read it. Shame as I really enjoy his books. It’s had good reviews but it didn’t work for me as bedtime reading!!!!!

Absolutely enjoyed from start to finish, u didn't want the book to end. Highly recommended, if you like books that keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat.

This book was amazing! Grabbed my attention from the very beginning, and kept me guessing til the very end. I will definitely be reading more of Mark Edwards novels!

This is not the first novel I've read by Mark Edwards, but it has confirmed the notion that I will be avidly following this author in the future. I was completely immersed in "The Retreat" and found it to be quite the page-turner.

That is not to say that it wasn't over-the-top at times, but strangely, in this case, it did not in any way detract from my enjoyment of the novel. I guess it was the perfect storm of plot/characters/setting. There was a pervasive sense of malice lingering throughout the narrative.

Vivid descriptions of the North Wales locale portrayed a setting that was absolutely dripping with atmosphere. The story was unsettling, mysterious, sinister, and downright creepy in places, though the character of Lucas was level-headed and refused to believe that the bizarre events surrounding him had any basis in superstition.

Interspersed throughout the novel were chapters from young Lily's point of view in the days leading up to her disappearance.

The ending chapters explained the mystery in a satisfactory way though it also had its creepy factor - a crucial plot device in a thriller. The book speaks to the immense power of superstition and irrational beliefs that are passed down from generation to generation.

This is a novel that would be a great read on a dark and stormy night. The stuff that nightmares are made of.... Readers will enjoy this great amalgam of suspense, paranormal, horror, and mystery. Highly recommended!

This a very dark and atmospheric story. With thoroughly believable characters that were easy to connect with, this is a very well plotted thriller that I struggled to put down.

While the central mystery of Mark Edwards' The Retreat was enough to keep me flicking through the pages, the outsider, male-centric focus on a mother's very real pain hampered my enjoyment of the book. Because, although Julia and the dark tale of her deceased husband and missing-presumed-dead daughter, made my hair stand up on its end, the narrative focus and the ensuing, completely needless romantic plotline often made me want to throw the book against the wall. Hint: if a woman is telling you such a tale and is so very obviously in the midst of grief, be a doll and don't use the opportunity to seduce her.

Thanks to netgalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review

Julia holds a retreat for aspiring writers at her home, she is a widow whose husband drowned and their daughter went missing at the same time but something doesn’t add up

Julia is utterly convinced that Lily is still alive despite the fact that another little girl went missing years ago and was never found

There are some real dodgy characters in this book all of which play a part for the dramastic finale at the end of the book

Even though this book is a really good read I didn’t think it matched up to the standard of some of the other Mark Edwards’ books but it’s still absolutely worth a go

The Retreat is a chilling and suspenseful novel that kept me gripped throughout.

Lucas is a writer who books into a retreat in the Welsh countryside, by coincidence in his home town. He soon discovers the creepy atmosphere of the house mixed up with the local beliefs about curses and witchcraft.

The plot unveils gradually as more and more is learnt about the characters and their back stories culminating in an ending that keeps the reader guessing.

Many thanks to Amazon UK Publishing and the author for a free copy of this book! I have never read Mark Edwards before and he did not disappoint., The storyline was intriguing and kept me engrossed, and the twist toward the end I didn't see coming! It really kept me guessing. It was a little dark, especially at the end, but I enjoyed the book overall. I have already recommended it to someone!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Mark Edwards for the opportunity to read this thriller - definitely will keep you glued to the pages! 4.5 stars for a book that was hard to put down - very typical of Edwards' books. If you're not familiar with this author, what are you waiting for?

Julia lost her husband in a tragic drowning accident and her young daughter, Lily, was presumed dead although Julia doesn't believe it. Two years later, Julia opens up a writer's retreat in their home to help pay bills. Lucas is a horror writer, trying to write his next book after his first was a hit. He also is trying to recover from a tragic loss. Along with the other writers at the retreat, strange things start happening. Lucas becomes obsessed with investigating what's happening and whether they are related to Lily's disappearance.

I kept changing my mind on how this book was going to turn out and I was still surprised at the ending! Great read!

Good, enjoyable read as ever ... would recommend
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Fantastic read! Fast paced and Edwards has managed to capture that spooky feel you had as a child being read Grimm's Fairytales. Will stay with me for some time, clever and twisted!

#TheRetreat #NetGalley

A blend of sorrow and mystery. The author is able to keep the intrigue until the last page. A very good book.