Book Review: The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz

 

From the publisher:

Alex has all but given up on her dreams of becoming a published author when she receives a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: attend an exclusive, month-long writing retreat at the estate of feminist horror writer Roza Vallo. Even the knowledge that Wren, her former best friend and current rival, is attending doesn’t dampen her excitement.

But when the attendees arrive, Roza drops a bombshell—they must all complete an entire novel from scratch during the next month, and the author of the best one will receive a life-changing seven-figure publishing deal. Determined to win this seemingly impossible contest, Alex buckles down and tries to ignore the strange happenings at the estate, including Roza’s erratic behavior, Wren’s cruel mind games, and the alleged haunting of the mansion itself. But when one of the writers vanishes during a snowstorm, Alex realizes that something very sinister is afoot. With the clock running out, she must discover the truth—or suffer the same fate.

The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz was released February 21st, 2023 by Atriia/Emily Bestler Books.

My Thoughts: 

I don't read many thriller type books. What drew me to this one was the book and writer theme. It did deliver. Things start out a little weird and gradually get stranger and stranger. It's told from Alex's point of view. It becomes clear as the book goes on that she doesn't know who she can trust. She would like to trust Poppy and even perhaps Wren, but it's easy to think the worst of Wren considering what a bad friend breakup they had. The longer the book goes on, the more twisted things become.

The pace of the book is well done. As it goes on, the pace picks up with some atmospheric lulls. I liked the way the last chapter is handled with the after the retreat results.

 Alex is writing her book loosely based on the history of the house they are staying at. This brings a gothic element to the novel. Excerpts are interspersed throughout. I thought it worked well and helped with the atmosphere.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It's a little over the top in places, but still an excellent read. I liked the twists. Roza is manipulative in the name of pushing them to be better writers supposedly, but it does come out a little wild and hard to suspend disbelief at points. Overall though, I enjoyed the book and found myself reading the bulk of it in one afternoon. I would recommend it to people who enjoy literary themed thrillers.