I read Julia Bartz’s first novel, “the Writing Retreat” when it came out and liked it, but didn’t love it. I went into this one not sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. The plot is mildly complicated, but revolves around a social worker at a psychiatric hospital who meets a patient who’s recovering from what appears to be a catatonic state. Thea, our main character feels connected to this woman and this connection leads her to explore a cult-like group in New Mexico. I liked the first chapter in this, which sets up a terrifying scenario & you’re not sure who is experiencing this or if it’s even real. The pace of this was quick - not much filler here. Julia Bartz is also clearly an experienced therapist as well as writer because she uses extremely traumatic subject matter (sexual abuse, religious abuse) not in an exploitative or distasteful way, but rather as a way to get to know characters living with trauma and mental illness. The mystery of this was great as well. Once I started, I had trouble putting it down.

Have you ever read a book that feels right place/right time? The Last Session is that book for me.
Bartz explores themes of religious abuse as well as sexual harassment and bullying and how those things shape sexuality.
She digs deep into how trauma can, and often is, a defining factor in sexual identity.
I personally felt validation while reading this, and it made me take a closer look at how religious abuse has defined me into adulthood.

All that being said, this is also a fantastic mystery. Lots of intrigue that will leave you wondering if there is a deeper connection between Thea and Catherine or if Thea's obsession is clouding her judgment.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A woman with a traumatic past gets roped into a weekend retreat in order to solve a mystery.

What she uncovers is more than what she was expecting.

This was really fun: you have this wild “cult” like retreat, Thea’s not so great amateur sleuthing, and plenty of plot twists.

I’ll definitely continue to pick up books by this author.

Thank you to the publisher for the eARC

I was so excited to be approved for this ARC after reading The Writing Retreat and loving it so very much. This book was very enthralling and I was captured by the plight of the main characters. Definitely will be easily recommending this to others.

Okay Julia Bartz is a force of nature in the mystery thriller genre. While I loved the Writing Retreat, I didn’t love The Last Session AS much which surprised me because I love cults. I think it was the sci fi elements that were throwing me, but I do think they were relevant to the plot. Overall, an excellent second novel! Well done