The Wanderer: The Retreat

The Wanderer #2

by Anthony Killeen

The Retreat is the off-the-wall, surreal, psychological fever-dream sequel where all the rules are tested, warped, and bent to breaking point. Where the real and unreal become entangled in a spiralling dance.

The plan in Last Days in Nepal (Book 1) was to travel over the border, to India’s holiest & most chaotic city. To celebrate and write about the coloured powder festival of Holi... And then head to a silent meditation retreat.

But something’s gone wrong. Awry. Amiss.

Now we wake up on the strict ten day silent meditation retreat with no memory of what’s happened. A complete gap in the timeline. A black void where there should be colour. Surrounded by people who won't give anything away.

The mystery begins…

Strap in for a double-helixed helter-skelter slide into the swirling mist-filled night.

311 pages, Paperback

Published February 28, 2026

About the author

Anthony Killeen is an indie travel writer, poet, and stand-up comedian who writes surreal travel novels, blending real life travel misadventures with imagination.

When not fully nomadic, he is mostly based in Nepal or New Zealand. His first books, The Wanderer, a four book series, charts his creative journey and travels across Asia.

He designs the covers for his books and loves giving readings to audiences. The books are available on his website: thewandererbooks.com.

Reviews

[Ayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I inhaled this book in two and a half days. It's SO GOOD! Honestly, this one is even better than the first. The descriptions are so vivid, playful, and fun. And intriguing!! And the way it flows. Even though it's playing with reality and the imaginary, it all comes together in a neat little package while leaving plenty of questions to keep the reader hooked.

The writer is very confident in his voice and he understands the basic rules well enough to break them and turn 'em all topsy turvy.

[Mike Cunliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mysterious, imagninative, playful, profound, hilarious at times. How to survive a ten day silent retreat in the middle of a jungle with a wild imagination and mysteries around every corner... Brilliant at keeping my attention (usually hard to achieve with my ADHD brain) and an absolute joy to read!