The Retreat: A gripping psychological thriller

by D.K. Warren

She survived captivity once. Now someone's recreating her nightmare—and baiting her to live it again.

Forensic psychologist Dr. Ava Locke still checks locks at 3 AM. Still wakes from nightmares of her hellish abduction. When the FBI calls about a missing woman at an isolated mountain retreat for trauma survivors, every instinct screams RUN.

But when duty calls Ava answers.

At Pinewood Haven, nothing adds up. Professor Elliot Ward can't remember how he arrived. A staff counselor vanishes from a locked room. And someone is leaving mysterious notes with private details of Ava's captivity.

Snowed in and unable to leave, the danger escalates.

More survivors are targeted. Their past trauma twisted into something darker. And whoever is orchestrating this nightmare has been planning it for years.

Having spent years learning to overcome her past, will Ava survive facing it again and stop a predator with a twisted desire to make her the next victim who never escapes?

86 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 21, 2025

Reviews

[BAMF_Book_Nerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Retreat by D.K. Warren was my first read by this author. I found this to be an exceptional psychological thriller. I would highly recommend adding it to your TBR.

[Shellyann Paape · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone went to a lot of trouble to get Dr Ava Locke back into their presence.

People are coming & going with no memories of the event. Their past traumas being rebought to the surface. Can they survive this? Or will any of them not make it out alive?

[Mandy Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Ava Locke receives a 3:00 AM call to a remote treatment facility that pulls her into a nightmare far more complex than a standard medical emergency. Tasked with locating a missing person at "The Retreat," Ava finds the environment blurring the lines between her professional duties and her own traumatic history. As she struggles to maintain her composure, the atmosphere becomes increasingly suffocating, leaving the reader to wonder if the facility itself is driving her toward a breakdown or if someone is systematically targeting those who have already suffered. This story explores the thin line between professional duty and personal trauma, where the question isn't just whether Ava can solve the mystery, but whether she can escape without becoming a patient herself.
​Having previously enjoyed The First Victim, I found this prequel to be an excellent way to deepen my understanding of Dr. Locke. This short story is a masterful psychological thriller that offers essential insight into Ava’s character while maintaining a high level of suspense and realism. The writing is sharp, the pacing is relentless, and the cast of characters perfectly balances the line between likable and shady. It is an outstanding, quick read that culminates in a stunning conclusion that I truly did not see coming.

[Susan Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little hesitant to start this novel, but I’m so glad I gave it a chance. Ava, the FMC, is a forensic psychologist brought in to help investigate a missing woman someone who shares a similar survivor’s past. That connection adds a powerful emotional layer to the story.

Ava is a strong, compelling character who navigates her trauma with resilience and determination. I really appreciated how her past shaped her actions without overwhelming the plot. The story flows smoothly and kept me engaged from start to finish.

Although this is a psychological thriller, it doesn’t rely on torture. Instead, it focuses on the aftermath and emotional repercussions, which made it feel more grounded and impactful.

I’m definitely looking forward to reading more about Ava and the cases she takes on. Highly recommend!

[Tina Lincoln · Rating 5 out of 5]

Treatment can help
When Dr. Ava Locke is called to go to a treatment facility at 3 am, she gets a whole lot more than she bargained for by answering that call! After going through her own psychological issues, taking care of patients, and dealing with this location, things are driving her mad! Or is she...
Someone is going through a lot to get people there who have been through their own trauma. The one question is, can she get out of their with her mental capabilities in tact, or will she be a patient again...
This was a great short story, that had my interest, and was hard to put it down until I finished it.
Wait until you read the ending!!
Thank you, D.K. Warren, for a great story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Retreat: A gripping psychological thriller), my second read from author D.K. Warren. When I finished The First Victim (Dr. Ava Locke Series Book 1 I was surprised to find that I'd missed this book published in November of 2025. I enjoyed going back in time from The First Victim and its outstanding suspense story-line and learn a little more about the main character. I was given a complementary Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily reading & reviewing it. I look forward to reading more from this author as they're published. I hear Book 2 is already in the works. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Myra McCulloch · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit repetitive at times however the idea was good.

Psychological experiments set up to develop and break trauma victims brings together the characters in this book.

Ava Locke is called in by the FBI when a woman goes missing from a trauma retreat. What follows is manipulation and Ava's own demons threaten to overtake her. Will she uncover the perpetrators before it is too late?

Thank you for the opportunity to read your book

[karin whitehead · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this short story/prequel as an ARC. This is my review. Ava Locke is called by her superior to go to The Retreat to find a missing person. When she arrives she is feeling like the scene is a repeat of her own trauma years ago. Fast paced, well written, characters likeable/shady. Quick read with a feeling of reality!

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

the pulled me right in .. very little repetition though it was necessary in the situation.

I would be interested in ... let's say " more " marked this author to follow

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable, but interesting nonetheless.