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The Wilderness Retreat
As Bella drops her son off at university, she’s devastated. It’s been the two of them ever since Asher was born. The only thing helping her through is an upcoming week-long wilderness retreat in Sweden, a surprise gift from her sister and Asher. The lodge is modern and luxurious – but the surrounding forest is foreboding. Named Dead Man’s Forest after the legend of a local bandit left to die inside a wooden coffin, there are rumours that, on quiet nights, you can still hear the scratching of his fingernails against the lid. When someone begins leaving unsettling notes, and a figure from her past comes back to haunt her, Bella’s unease grows. This certainly isn't the restful retreat she signed up for. And when another guest suddenly disappears, Bella fears she might not make it home alive…
352 pages, Paperback
First published February 22, 2023
59 people are currently reading
761 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Moore
2 books11 followersJennifer Moore is a novelist, freelance writer and children's author (writing as Jenny Moore) from Devon. Her short fiction has been widely published on both sides of the Atlantic and she was the first ever UK writer to win the Commonwealth Short Story Competition.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 289 reviews
February 13, 2023
This was a disappointing read as it had too many characters and it jumped around a lot so I found it confusing. I plodded through it and was glad to finish it. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
March 4, 2023
I’m quite indecisive on how to review this book.
I loved the set up, the location and mood were wonderful and engrossing, but something felt like lacking and fell short at the end (last 10% of the book).
I feel like the culprit was guessable, which on its own is ok…. But the reveal didn’t seem strong enough and the lack of knowledge from anyone else and the relationship dynamics felt so weird, like not fully well understood and developed.
And what was that bit about the dating app!? Just one sentence like that about something so interesting… is it a hook for the next book!? I’m confused.
Anyhow, I did enjoy reading the book and it was overall an ok experience taking everything into account. But it might be that you can sell me anything cold country wilderness and I’ll buy it :D
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
I loved the set up, the location and mood were wonderful and engrossing, but something felt like lacking and fell short at the end (last 10% of the book).
I feel like the culprit was guessable, which on its own is ok…. But the reveal didn’t seem strong enough and the lack of knowledge from anyone else and the relationship dynamics felt so weird, like not fully well understood and developed.
And what was that bit about the dating app!? Just one sentence like that about something so interesting… is it a hook for the next book!? I’m confused.
Anyhow, I did enjoy reading the book and it was overall an ok experience taking everything into account. But it might be that you can sell me anything cold country wilderness and I’ll buy it :D
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
February 18, 2023
I really enjoyed this mystery thriller set in a Swedish wilderness retreat by Jennifer Moore.
The blurb was very intriguing and I immediately decided it was one for me. It starts off with Bella dropping off her son, Asher at university ready to start his life without her and then heading off to the retreat paid for and booked by her son and sister. However the idyllic setting and her week long refreshing break are not quite as they should be, despite the luxury rooms and amazing views and surroundings. she meets the other guests and a special guest who brings back some disturbing reminders of her life 19 years ago.
Some very interesting and different characters led me to think this was a bit Agatha Christie-esque especially with the location but at other times, it was very different.
A real page turner that was hard to put down and very addictive with a twisty and unexpected finish
I was struggling to decide whether to rate this as a 5 or a 4 and decided to stick with a 4 as one or two bits were a little repetitive. I wasn't sure if I lost my place once, as seemed to have read the same info, but apparently not and I felt the dream sequences were a little too much.
A big thanks to HQ, HQ Digital for the ARC and the opportunity to read and review this book. I'd love to read more by Jennifer Moore.
The blurb was very intriguing and I immediately decided it was one for me. It starts off with Bella dropping off her son, Asher at university ready to start his life without her and then heading off to the retreat paid for and booked by her son and sister. However the idyllic setting and her week long refreshing break are not quite as they should be, despite the luxury rooms and amazing views and surroundings. she meets the other guests and a special guest who brings back some disturbing reminders of her life 19 years ago.
Some very interesting and different characters led me to think this was a bit Agatha Christie-esque especially with the location but at other times, it was very different.
A real page turner that was hard to put down and very addictive with a twisty and unexpected finish
I was struggling to decide whether to rate this as a 5 or a 4 and decided to stick with a 4 as one or two bits were a little repetitive. I wasn't sure if I lost my place once, as seemed to have read the same info, but apparently not and I felt the dream sequences were a little too much.
A big thanks to HQ, HQ Digital for the ARC and the opportunity to read and review this book. I'd love to read more by Jennifer Moore.
February 13, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up.
As Bella drops her son off at university, she's devastated. It's been the two of them ever since Asher was born. The only thing helping her through is the upcoming week-long wilderness retreat in Sweden. It will be chance to reconnect and recharge. At the retreat, Bella basks in the beauty of the modern lodge, with its luxury rooms and picture-perfect views, the glistening lake and lush forest. For the full detox effect, everyone must surrender their phones. The holiday seems idyllic until the person who ruined Bella's life years ago arrives.
This book reminded me a little of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. Bella is a single parent, and a composer of film scores. She goes to a retreat while her son is away at university. But someone is planning something sinister. There are sick guests and mysterious notes. The Swedish Forest was a little bit creepy. There was the perfect mixture of characters who could be annoying, suspicious and intriguing. The book had a strong start, but then it took a dip around the middle, but thankfully picked back up again. There were far too many dream sequences for my liking. Bella also made a few bad choices. There's quite a bit of repetition throughout. I did enjoy this book, just not as much as I hoped I would.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HQ #HQDigital and the author #JenniferMoore for my ARC of #TheWildernessRetreat in exchange for an honest review.
As Bella drops her son off at university, she's devastated. It's been the two of them ever since Asher was born. The only thing helping her through is the upcoming week-long wilderness retreat in Sweden. It will be chance to reconnect and recharge. At the retreat, Bella basks in the beauty of the modern lodge, with its luxury rooms and picture-perfect views, the glistening lake and lush forest. For the full detox effect, everyone must surrender their phones. The holiday seems idyllic until the person who ruined Bella's life years ago arrives.
This book reminded me a little of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. Bella is a single parent, and a composer of film scores. She goes to a retreat while her son is away at university. But someone is planning something sinister. There are sick guests and mysterious notes. The Swedish Forest was a little bit creepy. There was the perfect mixture of characters who could be annoying, suspicious and intriguing. The book had a strong start, but then it took a dip around the middle, but thankfully picked back up again. There were far too many dream sequences for my liking. Bella also made a few bad choices. There's quite a bit of repetition throughout. I did enjoy this book, just not as much as I hoped I would.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HQ #HQDigital and the author #JenniferMoore for my ARC of #TheWildernessRetreat in exchange for an honest review.
January 5, 2023
I try really hard to find something good in every book I read but this had me struggling.
This had to be the most repetitive, irritating, non thriller I've read for a long time.
It needed an editor to take a knife to it to cut out all the superfluous reiterations of the same "facts" that the protagonist, Bella, presented us with- she has a son who she is almost creepily attached to, she'd been given a commission off the back of a film score, her holiday was provided by her sister, she found the retreat creepy and she wanted her phone back.
Bella was on a high state of alert from the off - she seemed to be terrified of her fellow guests but it was never made clear why. She endlessly opined about how miserable and scared she was and she drank to excess despite swearing off it every night.
In short, the woman drove me nuts. The plot was almost non-existant and even I could see the reveals coming a mile off. I got to 75% of the way through before there was any real action.
I wouldn't recommend this I'm afraid. It wasn't my cup of tea at all.
This had to be the most repetitive, irritating, non thriller I've read for a long time.
It needed an editor to take a knife to it to cut out all the superfluous reiterations of the same "facts" that the protagonist, Bella, presented us with- she has a son who she is almost creepily attached to, she'd been given a commission off the back of a film score, her holiday was provided by her sister, she found the retreat creepy and she wanted her phone back.
Bella was on a high state of alert from the off - she seemed to be terrified of her fellow guests but it was never made clear why. She endlessly opined about how miserable and scared she was and she drank to excess despite swearing off it every night.
In short, the woman drove me nuts. The plot was almost non-existant and even I could see the reveals coming a mile off. I got to 75% of the way through before there was any real action.
I wouldn't recommend this I'm afraid. It wasn't my cup of tea at all.
February 26, 2023
Not quite what I expected. In a nutshell, it's a slow moving story of a witless and paranoid woman overly obsessed with her son who has left for university. I found it difficult to connect with any character in this book. Whilst the writing style was good the storyline was a little thin for me and the plot was transparent very early on in the book. Thank you for NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
April 28, 2023
3.5-4
This was a pretty long book. In a way I was thinking it was too long, but some parts were too short; so I guess what I would really want is less of some areas and more of other areas that seemed more interesting.
Come on B, who else had the knowledge, authority and supply to do all those things ? But B, was pretty naive and innocent despite the fact that she really doesn’t remember the night she thought her son was conceived.
This seemed like a nightmare for her and everyone seemed quick to judge. I wanted her to be braver sooner. I wanted to see her character develop and toughen up quite a bit more. But, this was a pretty decent suspense with way too much creep going on and ppl not testing their drinks. How many times you gonna let someone drug you, B?!
Oh, and Oscar-
That dude; good grief! It was funny at first but then he started to make me feel sick and then kind of miffed off. It’s like OKAY NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR SERIAL KILLER BOOK 5432244x a day! Ugh. And he had these same lines he’d say to everyone. I could feel it grinding on the MC’s nerves as it was on mine as well.
This was a pretty long book. In a way I was thinking it was too long, but some parts were too short; so I guess what I would really want is less of some areas and more of other areas that seemed more interesting.
Come on B, who else had the knowledge, authority and supply to do all those things ? But B, was pretty naive and innocent despite the fact that she really doesn’t remember the night she thought her son was conceived.
This seemed like a nightmare for her and everyone seemed quick to judge. I wanted her to be braver sooner. I wanted to see her character develop and toughen up quite a bit more. But, this was a pretty decent suspense with way too much creep going on and ppl not testing their drinks. How many times you gonna let someone drug you, B?!
Oh, and Oscar-
That dude; good grief! It was funny at first but then he started to make me feel sick and then kind of miffed off. It’s like OKAY NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR SERIAL KILLER BOOK 5432244x a day! Ugh. And he had these same lines he’d say to everyone. I could feel it grinding on the MC’s nerves as it was on mine as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2023
Oh my goodness, I raced through this the moment I received a Netgalley email saying it was available to 'read now' for 24 hours only.
It was the front cover and synopsis that attracted me, and yes, it has all been done before by other authors, in a ski chalet, in the savanna, on islands, in Scotland, celebrating weddings etc and the concept of a retreat where clients are bumped off is hardly original, but even so my interest was piqued and that was that!
I read 80% of the book in one go, fell asleep for a few hours and then finished the remainder. A sign of how easy it was to fly through the pages and how difficult it was to unhook oneself from the plot and the characters.
If I am being picky, it is plain as day who the narrator in italics is, it is terribly easy to make many of the connections but what I didn't expect was the absence of bodies piling up! This is tense and edgy; Bella, our main character is made to feel like she is going mad, and there's no police presence or involvement (until the very end). Yes, the residents on the Wilderness Retreat in Sweden are cut off from the rest of civilisation thanks to fallen down trees blocking the roads, and the guests have all had to surrender their phones as part of the programme too, so that sense of isolation common to this type of read is established from the off.
Maybe some will yawn at the inevitability, but I genuinely enjoyed meeting the characters, from Kirsta to Lena, T to Hamar, and my favourite Oscar Wildman, aspiring thriller writer. Some of his lines made me laugh (and snort) out loud!
Stuart and Marie run the resort, an amazing lodge set amidst Dead Man's Forest. A lake, trees, trees and more trees, plus a bird hide feature to create the sense of remoteness and being trapped, and even the chef and domestic help, Saga and Rosel, fall under suspicion. Add to the mix an adulterer famous musician Ludwell Storm and his wife Julia, and you have the classic recipe for secrets and death, as the present collides with the past.
Why 4 stars and not 5? For the predictability and also at times Bella really annoyed me with her references to missing her just-gone-to-university son Asher, and her naivete. Although it all balances out with some enjoyable revelations.
Overall, definitely a book I would recommend to others and I want to read Jennifer Moore's debut novel The Woman Before now too.
Thanks for a super start to 2023 Netgalley!
It was the front cover and synopsis that attracted me, and yes, it has all been done before by other authors, in a ski chalet, in the savanna, on islands, in Scotland, celebrating weddings etc and the concept of a retreat where clients are bumped off is hardly original, but even so my interest was piqued and that was that!
I read 80% of the book in one go, fell asleep for a few hours and then finished the remainder. A sign of how easy it was to fly through the pages and how difficult it was to unhook oneself from the plot and the characters.
If I am being picky, it is plain as day who the narrator in italics is, it is terribly easy to make many of the connections but what I didn't expect was the absence of bodies piling up! This is tense and edgy; Bella, our main character is made to feel like she is going mad, and there's no police presence or involvement (until the very end). Yes, the residents on the Wilderness Retreat in Sweden are cut off from the rest of civilisation thanks to fallen down trees blocking the roads, and the guests have all had to surrender their phones as part of the programme too, so that sense of isolation common to this type of read is established from the off.
Maybe some will yawn at the inevitability, but I genuinely enjoyed meeting the characters, from Kirsta to Lena, T to Hamar, and my favourite Oscar Wildman, aspiring thriller writer. Some of his lines made me laugh (and snort) out loud!
Stuart and Marie run the resort, an amazing lodge set amidst Dead Man's Forest. A lake, trees, trees and more trees, plus a bird hide feature to create the sense of remoteness and being trapped, and even the chef and domestic help, Saga and Rosel, fall under suspicion. Add to the mix an adulterer famous musician Ludwell Storm and his wife Julia, and you have the classic recipe for secrets and death, as the present collides with the past.
Why 4 stars and not 5? For the predictability and also at times Bella really annoyed me with her references to missing her just-gone-to-university son Asher, and her naivete. Although it all balances out with some enjoyable revelations.
Overall, definitely a book I would recommend to others and I want to read Jennifer Moore's debut novel The Woman Before now too.
Thanks for a super start to 2023 Netgalley!
February 22, 2023
At first glance this is a typical tale set to a winning formula. There are a group of, seemingly random, strangers away on a retreat in a remote and slightly spooky location. They are then cut off by a storm and have all handed their mobile phones in, for the spirit of the retreat so have no way of communicating with the outside world. This is when secrets from the cast’s past start to be hinted at and slowly revealed, are there interconnections after all and are hey random? Our main character is a ingle mother who is away to distract herself from the fact that her son has flown the nest and has gone off to uni, certain happenings then start to leave her feeling under threat. The writer even alludes to this slightly twee formula style for which I give extra points for the tongue in cheek nod to it. The characterisations are brilliant, engaging, mysterious and very entertaining. The twists and plot line are ingenious and I didn’t guess the ending, so definitely more than a reprieve for any pseudo predictability factors. A recommend from me.
May 3, 2025
It's been a while since I've read a thriller and this was just fine. It was decent enough but if you read a lot of thrillers I think you will guess the twist pretty early on, at least I did. That didn't detract from the enjoyment of it and wanting to make sure I was right though!
The writing itself was a very slow burn and a bit repetitive, frequent random mentions of the main characters sons deodorant etc, and to be honest the ending wrapped up quite abruptly and very conveniently.
The main thing I loved was the setting of the lodge in the wilderness of Sweden, and regardless of what happened in the book I'd love the chance to go on a wilderness retreat!!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank you to Netgalley, HQ Digital and the author.
The writing itself was a very slow burn and a bit repetitive, frequent random mentions of the main characters sons deodorant etc, and to be honest the ending wrapped up quite abruptly and very conveniently.
The main thing I loved was the setting of the lodge in the wilderness of Sweden, and regardless of what happened in the book I'd love the chance to go on a wilderness retreat!!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank you to Netgalley, HQ Digital and the author.
April 2, 2023
I was very excited to read this thriller, but was pretty disappointed. For me it lacked everything I enjoy in a thriller.
[AD: Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review]
SYNOPSIS:
"As Bella drops her son off at university, she’s devastated. It’s been the two of them ever since Asher was born. The only thing helping her through is the upcoming week-long wilderness retreat in Sweden. It’ll be her chance to reconnect and recharge.
At the retreat, Bella basks in the beauty of the modern lodge, with its luxury rooms and picture-perfect views, the glistening lake and lush forest. For the full detox effect, everyone must surrender their phones.
The holiday seems idyllic until the person who ruined Bella’s life years ago arrives, threatening everything she’s worked hard for and will do anything to protect. Suddenly, a terrified Bella is trapped in the wild, knowing someone wants her dead…"
MY THOUGHTS:
- I love a page turner and for me this was not one, it felt very slow and confused.
- It wasn't fast-paced and the protagonist was irritating.
- With so many characters, that didn't feel hugely well defined, I found keeping track of who's who tricky.
- Overall it just wasn't my kinda thriller, it felt drawn out, confused, repetitive and unremarkable at times.
[AD: Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review]
SYNOPSIS:
"As Bella drops her son off at university, she’s devastated. It’s been the two of them ever since Asher was born. The only thing helping her through is the upcoming week-long wilderness retreat in Sweden. It’ll be her chance to reconnect and recharge.
At the retreat, Bella basks in the beauty of the modern lodge, with its luxury rooms and picture-perfect views, the glistening lake and lush forest. For the full detox effect, everyone must surrender their phones.
The holiday seems idyllic until the person who ruined Bella’s life years ago arrives, threatening everything she’s worked hard for and will do anything to protect. Suddenly, a terrified Bella is trapped in the wild, knowing someone wants her dead…"
MY THOUGHTS:
- I love a page turner and for me this was not one, it felt very slow and confused.
- It wasn't fast-paced and the protagonist was irritating.
- With so many characters, that didn't feel hugely well defined, I found keeping track of who's who tricky.
- Overall it just wasn't my kinda thriller, it felt drawn out, confused, repetitive and unremarkable at times.
November 1, 2023
Good concept, but found Bella a bit of a drip (how many times can her university aged son be called her 'baby boy'?) and was quite relieved when it was over. But good writing and suspense.
February 22, 2023
Well this was certainly different! Creepy - but different.
Bella is a single mum and it has only ever been her and her son, Asher, but now he's heading off to university and she is devastated. Asher and his aunt, her sister, have put their heads together and organised a week at a wilderness retreat in Sweden and it is the only thing keeping her going as she drops him off at uni. The Lodge is large and luxurious, but it is set in a forest know as Dead Man's Forest, with a creepy legend attached. As someone begins leaving notes under her door and strange happenings occur, Bella get more and more uneasy - it's certainly not turning out to be the relaxing week she was anticipating. But who is out to get her - and why?
First of all, let me say that there is absolutely nothing on earth that would make me stay in or near a place called Dead Man's Forest - not on your life! Having said that, I found myself living there by proxy and although I didn't like it, I couldn't put the book down either! There are a few twists and turns along the way, but the ending rather shocked me - didn't see that coming! As long as you aren't planning a trip to a wilderness retreat, Sweden or a forest, you will love this one, otherwise please keep it until you return home! Once you begin reading, there is no setting it aside - trust me on that. I'm happy to recommend this one and give it 4.5*
Bella is a single mum and it has only ever been her and her son, Asher, but now he's heading off to university and she is devastated. Asher and his aunt, her sister, have put their heads together and organised a week at a wilderness retreat in Sweden and it is the only thing keeping her going as she drops him off at uni. The Lodge is large and luxurious, but it is set in a forest know as Dead Man's Forest, with a creepy legend attached. As someone begins leaving notes under her door and strange happenings occur, Bella get more and more uneasy - it's certainly not turning out to be the relaxing week she was anticipating. But who is out to get her - and why?
First of all, let me say that there is absolutely nothing on earth that would make me stay in or near a place called Dead Man's Forest - not on your life! Having said that, I found myself living there by proxy and although I didn't like it, I couldn't put the book down either! There are a few twists and turns along the way, but the ending rather shocked me - didn't see that coming! As long as you aren't planning a trip to a wilderness retreat, Sweden or a forest, you will love this one, otherwise please keep it until you return home! Once you begin reading, there is no setting it aside - trust me on that. I'm happy to recommend this one and give it 4.5*
January 2, 2023
A thriller set in the Swedish forest, this book kept me on the edge of my seat with every page. A single mother goes on a wellness retreat, and what happens next can’t be predicted.
I found the setting to be just eerie enough, the characters well developed, and the plot suspenseful. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I was left surprised with the next twist. I simply could not put this book down, and I constantly wanted to know what happened next.
Thank you to NetGalleyUK and HQ for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
I found the setting to be just eerie enough, the characters well developed, and the plot suspenseful. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I was left surprised with the next twist. I simply could not put this book down, and I constantly wanted to know what happened next.
Thank you to NetGalleyUK and HQ for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 22, 2023
This book is an unforgettable carousel of emotions. To all this, you can add unforgettable twists and turns. The interesting plot does not let you forget about yourself. The perfect psychological thriller. The further I got into this story, the more I was convinced I was going crazy. What has the author done to me?
I don't regret the late night. I'm still in shock, and I didn't expect such an ending.
The main character is flying to a week-long relaxation camp in Sweden. Her 18-year-old son is just starting college. She can't contact him because she had to give up her phone for a week. I understand the suffering of a mother who has no news from her child. There is a group of people at this camp. Each of them are hiding something. Our heroine Bella is in shock. Someone slipped a note into her room saying "I KNOW WHAT YOU DID". On top of all this, she hears strange noises. I was terrified. I was worried about Bella. Is she in danger?
An interestingly constructed thriller. There is something to be afraid of. Taking "The wilderness retreat" in my hand, I couldn't stop reading. I definitely need to know other works by Jennifer Moore.
Finally, I'll leave you with a question: will the mother ever see her son again?
Plus, nothing is what it seems.
I don't regret the late night. I'm still in shock, and I didn't expect such an ending.
The main character is flying to a week-long relaxation camp in Sweden. Her 18-year-old son is just starting college. She can't contact him because she had to give up her phone for a week. I understand the suffering of a mother who has no news from her child. There is a group of people at this camp. Each of them are hiding something. Our heroine Bella is in shock. Someone slipped a note into her room saying "I KNOW WHAT YOU DID". On top of all this, she hears strange noises. I was terrified. I was worried about Bella. Is she in danger?
An interestingly constructed thriller. There is something to be afraid of. Taking "The wilderness retreat" in my hand, I couldn't stop reading. I definitely need to know other works by Jennifer Moore.
Finally, I'll leave you with a question: will the mother ever see her son again?
Plus, nothing is what it seems.
August 11, 2023
Wow, I honestly thought I losing my mind along with Bella as I was reading this.
It's claustrophobic, clever and I would never have guessed the majority of it.
It's so well done, and the setting is sheer perfection. It's so wild and isolated and I wasn't really sure what to make of the whole retreat.
I enjoyed getting to know everyone on the retreat and seeing how some secrets were uncovered.
But I also feared for Bella, as it is clear something was really nor quite right. And that sense of creepiness just kept occurring more and more.
I was gripped from the start to the end and found this to be a fabulous book.
Thank you to HQ Digital for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
It's claustrophobic, clever and I would never have guessed the majority of it.
It's so well done, and the setting is sheer perfection. It's so wild and isolated and I wasn't really sure what to make of the whole retreat.
I enjoyed getting to know everyone on the retreat and seeing how some secrets were uncovered.
But I also feared for Bella, as it is clear something was really nor quite right. And that sense of creepiness just kept occurring more and more.
I was gripped from the start to the end and found this to be a fabulous book.
Thank you to HQ Digital for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
February 18, 2023
Bella’s son Asher is off to university and she’s left behind while he sets off to start a new chapter in his life. The only thing Bella has to look forward to is a week at a wilderness retreat in Sweden. Enter random strangers, a remote location and a storm that cuts them off from civilisation. It’s a recipe for disaster.
I loved the setting, and the moody, creepy tone that the author instilled during the time at the retreat, but I’ll be honest, it took me far longer to read this book than I would’ve liked. Although the synopsis sounds great, the execution wasn’t brilliant. I struggled to warm to Bella, I think that’s because she came across as infatuated with her son rather than as simply maternal. It’s was as though she could barely breathe without his presence, and that didn’t sit well with me. Some of the other characters actions were also questionable, making them fairly unrealistic, and unfortunately, the ending didn’t wow me.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC copy in return for my review.
I loved the setting, and the moody, creepy tone that the author instilled during the time at the retreat, but I’ll be honest, it took me far longer to read this book than I would’ve liked. Although the synopsis sounds great, the execution wasn’t brilliant. I struggled to warm to Bella, I think that’s because she came across as infatuated with her son rather than as simply maternal. It’s was as though she could barely breathe without his presence, and that didn’t sit well with me. Some of the other characters actions were also questionable, making them fairly unrealistic, and unfortunately, the ending didn’t wow me.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC copy in return for my review.
February 19, 2023
The premise of this book was really interesting I liked the setting and had high hopes. Unfortunately it was a real slow burn we were in Bellas paranoid head for about 75% of the book and so this just didn't help the story move forward. Once we got to the big reveal it wasn't very suprising and would of liked more from it given the slow build to it.
The charecters weren't likeable and I was glad when I got to the end.
Thanks to Netgalley for the Arc.
The charecters weren't likeable and I was glad when I got to the end.
Thanks to Netgalley for the Arc.
February 16, 2023
Sadly this wasn’t for me…I had high hopes going in but these were soon dashed. I found it rather dull and far fetched. I couldn’t stand the main character, I thought she was irritating and somewhat stupid. Most of the other characters were plain annoying as well. There was no storyline until there was too much storyline (last 10%) when it just got really silly. Everything was predictable and basic and I felt like I was watching that part in a horror movie where the killer is chasing the victim through the woods and you just know she’s going to fall down.
February 5, 2023
Mysterious notes? Feeling drugged? Hearing scratching? Those alone are enough to send someone over the edge
This psychological thriller, starts out as what should be a relaxing break for the guests, but it is anything but.
This really sets a good pace at the start and the setting of the retreat sounds creepy. A good mix of characters too.
There were a few too many - that would not of happened moments for me, along with well they could of easily sorted that with x,y,z. The characters didn't feel realistic with some of their actions. Too many plot holes and a weak ending unfortunately.
This psychological thriller, starts out as what should be a relaxing break for the guests, but it is anything but.
This really sets a good pace at the start and the setting of the retreat sounds creepy. A good mix of characters too.
There were a few too many - that would not of happened moments for me, along with well they could of easily sorted that with x,y,z. The characters didn't feel realistic with some of their actions. Too many plot holes and a weak ending unfortunately.
March 22, 2023
Whilst I enjoyed this book, it was a little bit of a too slow pace for me.
I did like the setting, the author describes it well and it came across as quite eerie, the majority of the characters were interesting, especially Bella and her past/perception of what had happened
I did like the setting, the author describes it well and it came across as quite eerie, the majority of the characters were interesting, especially Bella and her past/perception of what had happened
January 10, 2023
I was fortunate to get an advance copy of this book via NetGalley - thanks!
I chose it because of the title and blurb; the setting was atmospheric - you are in the wilderness, with a group of strangers, and your hosts takeaway your mobile phones!!! 😱
However the content was not what I was expecting; less thriller and more a recount of Bella's life and way too much reference to her son, Asher.
I chose it because of the title and blurb; the setting was atmospheric - you are in the wilderness, with a group of strangers, and your hosts takeaway your mobile phones!!! 😱
However the content was not what I was expecting; less thriller and more a recount of Bella's life and way too much reference to her son, Asher.
February 28, 2023
A very fast paced psychological thriller. I really enjoyed this roller coaster journey! Not top class literature perhaps, but definitely top class story! There is no let up of pace and intrigue throughout the whole novel. Ominous narrative and some chilling moments made this SCARY!
Thank you to the Publisher, Netgalley and the author for this opportunity to read the novel!
Thank you to the Publisher, Netgalley and the author for this opportunity to read the novel!
January 3, 2023
Disclosure: I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for a review. This hasn't affected the review's contents.
This novel takes us to a remote part of Sweden where Bella, our main protagonist, finds herself taking a vacation away from civilization to get away from the stressors in her life, the main one being her son recently departing the nest for university, with several other guests with interesting backgrounds. Things quickly take a turn, however, when she quickly realizes that things aren't quite as idyllic as they first seem on the surface and someone in the lodge may know a little too much about some skeletons in her closet...
This book really held my attention and had me finishing it in only a couple of reading sessions. The way that the story grips you from the start and takes you on Bella's journey, both from her past and in her present, is compelling and I really couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next! This was a real page turner!
I particularly liked the author's ability to imbue unique personalities into all of the characters within the cabin in a relatively short space of literary real estate. The reader is really able to get a feel for all of the characters quite quickly and their unique mannerisms, quirks and outward motivations for being there. The author even nails the somewhat uniquely British "passive-aggressive politeness" vibes from Bella when dealing with certain characters or situations, which is both delightfully nuanced and also quite funny when seeing it play out!
Furthermore, while certainly not a comedy by any stretch, the author manages to intertwine humor, both subtle and overt, into some of her characters well and at appropriate times which allowed me to further enjoy how "real" the setting and characters felt.
I also enjoyed the atmosphere and environment that was described in the book. You really did feel a foreboding sense of something ominous lurking on the peripheries of this isolated retreat and the forest, which added to the tension and suspense at every step.
With that said, there were certainly aspects of the book that I felt could have been improved upon. I felt that the way Bella pined for her son throughout the story to be overbearing at times. It was honestly beginning to get almost uncomfortable. I understand the fears and apprehensions a mother has when their child leaves the nest, but I felt the way in which she was describing these feelings, and the frequency of such, to be bordering on inappropriate. I feel this narrative could have been more subtle. It felt more like she was pining for a lost lover as opposed to her offspring at times by how it was written. Bella's seemingly heavily dependent relationship with her son certainly didn't give off the vibes of a relationship that was healthy. I could understand more if he was younger, but we’re talking about a young man at university. Bella’s narrative about her son quickly entered cringe-worthy territory, for me, the more it went on.
Subtlety, or lack thereof, was a little bit of a common theme within this novel. Throughout the course of her stay at the retreat, several incidents occurred and were written in such a way that it was accessible for the reader to draw their own conclusions regarding what may have happened or who or what might be responsible, heightening the mystery. Unfortunately, where some things could have been left as they were described, the writer felt the need to explicitly spell out, sometimes multiple times, certain elements and clues as to what happened through use of characters’ inner monologues. These clues often could have easily been inferred by the reader and I personally would have rather not had those aspects spoon fed to me; it was almost as though the author didn’t trust her reader to pick up on the clues at times, which were well-written enough that they didn’t really need explicitly highlighting in the manner in which it was done on some occasions.
It’s somewhat ironic then, given Bella’s often highly descriptive internal monologues that we were privy to which confirms she held some of our suspicions as to what was going down, that she maintained a certain degree of naïvety when it came to some other characters, their actions and what they were offering her. It wasn’t the worst example of main character naïvety in a book I’ve read, but there were certainly times when I felt that enough could be inferred by a particular point that it would be hard for me to imagine her putting herself in certain scenarios that largely occurred due to her being overly trusting, even when her own internal voice being used as a vehicle to share clues with the reader would very much be incongruent with doing so.
Having said all of those things, this certainly was not a bad book and I do not want to give the impression that this wasn’t an enjoyable read. It was, and it’s a book I’d certainly recommend. The story had all of the right components of a gripping, page-turning thriller from start to finish; there were just aspects that kept it in the “good” and not “great” category for me. That said, having not read this author prior to this book, I can certainly say it will not be the last time I choose one of her novels to dive in to!
This novel takes us to a remote part of Sweden where Bella, our main protagonist, finds herself taking a vacation away from civilization to get away from the stressors in her life, the main one being her son recently departing the nest for university, with several other guests with interesting backgrounds. Things quickly take a turn, however, when she quickly realizes that things aren't quite as idyllic as they first seem on the surface and someone in the lodge may know a little too much about some skeletons in her closet...
This book really held my attention and had me finishing it in only a couple of reading sessions. The way that the story grips you from the start and takes you on Bella's journey, both from her past and in her present, is compelling and I really couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next! This was a real page turner!
I particularly liked the author's ability to imbue unique personalities into all of the characters within the cabin in a relatively short space of literary real estate. The reader is really able to get a feel for all of the characters quite quickly and their unique mannerisms, quirks and outward motivations for being there. The author even nails the somewhat uniquely British "passive-aggressive politeness" vibes from Bella when dealing with certain characters or situations, which is both delightfully nuanced and also quite funny when seeing it play out!
Furthermore, while certainly not a comedy by any stretch, the author manages to intertwine humor, both subtle and overt, into some of her characters well and at appropriate times which allowed me to further enjoy how "real" the setting and characters felt.
I also enjoyed the atmosphere and environment that was described in the book. You really did feel a foreboding sense of something ominous lurking on the peripheries of this isolated retreat and the forest, which added to the tension and suspense at every step.
With that said, there were certainly aspects of the book that I felt could have been improved upon. I felt that the way Bella pined for her son throughout the story to be overbearing at times. It was honestly beginning to get almost uncomfortable. I understand the fears and apprehensions a mother has when their child leaves the nest, but I felt the way in which she was describing these feelings, and the frequency of such, to be bordering on inappropriate. I feel this narrative could have been more subtle. It felt more like she was pining for a lost lover as opposed to her offspring at times by how it was written. Bella's seemingly heavily dependent relationship with her son certainly didn't give off the vibes of a relationship that was healthy. I could understand more if he was younger, but we’re talking about a young man at university. Bella’s narrative about her son quickly entered cringe-worthy territory, for me, the more it went on.
Subtlety, or lack thereof, was a little bit of a common theme within this novel. Throughout the course of her stay at the retreat, several incidents occurred and were written in such a way that it was accessible for the reader to draw their own conclusions regarding what may have happened or who or what might be responsible, heightening the mystery. Unfortunately, where some things could have been left as they were described, the writer felt the need to explicitly spell out, sometimes multiple times, certain elements and clues as to what happened through use of characters’ inner monologues. These clues often could have easily been inferred by the reader and I personally would have rather not had those aspects spoon fed to me; it was almost as though the author didn’t trust her reader to pick up on the clues at times, which were well-written enough that they didn’t really need explicitly highlighting in the manner in which it was done on some occasions.
It’s somewhat ironic then, given Bella’s often highly descriptive internal monologues that we were privy to which confirms she held some of our suspicions as to what was going down, that she maintained a certain degree of naïvety when it came to some other characters, their actions and what they were offering her. It wasn’t the worst example of main character naïvety in a book I’ve read, but there were certainly times when I felt that enough could be inferred by a particular point that it would be hard for me to imagine her putting herself in certain scenarios that largely occurred due to her being overly trusting, even when her own internal voice being used as a vehicle to share clues with the reader would very much be incongruent with doing so.
Having said all of those things, this certainly was not a bad book and I do not want to give the impression that this wasn’t an enjoyable read. It was, and it’s a book I’d certainly recommend. The story had all of the right components of a gripping, page-turning thriller from start to finish; there were just aspects that kept it in the “good” and not “great” category for me. That said, having not read this author prior to this book, I can certainly say it will not be the last time I choose one of her novels to dive in to!
May 4, 2023
The premise for this book had me intrigued. Single mum escapes to the Swedish wilderness for some much needed "R and R". The setting was atmospheric and the tone was the definitive of creepy. It was a little reminiscent of Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None" as everyone finds themselves secluded in this retreat, surrendering their phones and having to succumb to a full digital detox. Sounds legit...but I'd still like to keep a hold of my phone. You never know when you might actually need it!
We meet Bella who is bidding a tearful farewell to her son Asher as he embarks on a new journey of university life. Bella is a composer of film scores and recently made something of a name for herself for a very creepy thriller. This retreat is a birthday gift from her sister Rachel as a way of relaxing and recharging after always putting herself last whilst raising her son alone. As she waves Asher goodbye, her next stop is the airport where she will catch her flight to Sweden and begin her wilderness retreat.
However, the getaway in this idyllic setting soon proves not to be the refreshing break she had hope it would be, despite the luxury rooms and stunning views and surrounds. Then a storm cuts them all off from the outside world and suddenly all hell breaks loose.
I don't want to give too much away so all I shall say is that when secrets from the past that refused to stay buried start to be revealed, questions begin to surface about an incident from nineteen years previous.
There are sick guests, mysterious characters, sinister references, creepy nuances...a reminder to never go on one of these wilderness retreats myself! Have none of these people read a psychological thriller before? Seen a scary movie? Enough to not put yourself in such a situation.
At any rate, the pace was fairly slow throughout and Bella was damn annoying. So much I felt was repetitive that it took away from the impact of the tale which had the promise of being such an atmospheric one at that. In the end, the story was kind of drawn out and with so many different characters it did get a little tricky keeping track of who was who.
Overall, an OK thriller but nothing memorable.
I would like to thank #JenniferMoore, #Netgalley and #HQStories for an ARC of #TheWildernessRetreat in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
We meet Bella who is bidding a tearful farewell to her son Asher as he embarks on a new journey of university life. Bella is a composer of film scores and recently made something of a name for herself for a very creepy thriller. This retreat is a birthday gift from her sister Rachel as a way of relaxing and recharging after always putting herself last whilst raising her son alone. As she waves Asher goodbye, her next stop is the airport where she will catch her flight to Sweden and begin her wilderness retreat.
However, the getaway in this idyllic setting soon proves not to be the refreshing break she had hope it would be, despite the luxury rooms and stunning views and surrounds. Then a storm cuts them all off from the outside world and suddenly all hell breaks loose.
I don't want to give too much away so all I shall say is that when secrets from the past that refused to stay buried start to be revealed, questions begin to surface about an incident from nineteen years previous.
There are sick guests, mysterious characters, sinister references, creepy nuances...a reminder to never go on one of these wilderness retreats myself! Have none of these people read a psychological thriller before? Seen a scary movie? Enough to not put yourself in such a situation.
At any rate, the pace was fairly slow throughout and Bella was damn annoying. So much I felt was repetitive that it took away from the impact of the tale which had the promise of being such an atmospheric one at that. In the end, the story was kind of drawn out and with so many different characters it did get a little tricky keeping track of who was who.
Overall, an OK thriller but nothing memorable.
I would like to thank #JenniferMoore, #Netgalley and #HQStories for an ARC of #TheWildernessRetreat in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
February 9, 2023
"The Wilderness Retreat" was a great read. An interesting combination of suspenseful, interspersed with optimisic. By that, I mean that regardless of how bad things got Bella kept hoping things would get better.
It is suspenseful and it certainly had me wondering what was going on. Bella's paranoia feels justified and realistic. It feels like between the stress and anxiety, the unexplainable events, the alcohol and fear, someone can start feeling and acting like Bella (with a bit of variation).
The pacing was right for me and this was reflected by the fact that I kept reaching for the book and would not want to put it down. Some might say that it has a slow burn, but the suspense and mystery balanced that perfectly for the intense, final quarter.
Also, the epilogue ties things quite nicely and neatly... some might say, rather conveniently. But I disagree with that last bit. The ending is foreshadowed well by certain parts of the book and was satisfying.
It was interesting to read a book in present tense. There are a few slips: in chapter 6, when Bella is searching for food "minimalist for Bella's liking at that exact moment in time" should be "this moment".
I love the inner commentary provided by Bella in social situations. It was demonstration of "telling, rather than showing", but there was plenty of showing. The combination was right and it helped immersing me in the situation.
It was creepy and gripping and the setting was great for it. I was living the awkward and intense moments. When Bella decided to take control of her life and took something back to her room, I didn't know what I felt or how I should be feeling
Bella missing Asher was extremely reminiscent of how my own mother describes missing me. The smelling of clothes that triggers memories is very realistic.
Probably my favourite line from the book other than a dark joke at the end: "The universe has a way of putting us exactly where we need to be".
It is suspenseful and it certainly had me wondering what was going on. Bella's paranoia feels justified and realistic. It feels like between the stress and anxiety, the unexplainable events, the alcohol and fear, someone can start feeling and acting like Bella (with a bit of variation).
The pacing was right for me and this was reflected by the fact that I kept reaching for the book and would not want to put it down. Some might say that it has a slow burn, but the suspense and mystery balanced that perfectly for the intense, final quarter.
Also, the epilogue ties things quite nicely and neatly... some might say, rather conveniently. But I disagree with that last bit. The ending is foreshadowed well by certain parts of the book and was satisfying.
It was interesting to read a book in present tense. There are a few slips: in chapter 6, when Bella is searching for food "minimalist for Bella's liking at that exact moment in time" should be "this moment".
I love the inner commentary provided by Bella in social situations. It was demonstration of "telling, rather than showing", but there was plenty of showing. The combination was right and it helped immersing me in the situation.
It was creepy and gripping and the setting was great for it. I was living the awkward and intense moments. When Bella decided to take control of her life and took something back to her room, I didn't know what I felt or how I should be feeling
Bella missing Asher was extremely reminiscent of how my own mother describes missing me. The smelling of clothes that triggers memories is very realistic.
Probably my favourite line from the book other than a dark joke at the end: "The universe has a way of putting us exactly where we need to be".
October 22, 2025
Our book club’s theme this month was psychological thrillers, so I decided to wander into The Wilderness Retreat—lured in by a free audiobook from my local library app (because who doesn’t love a free psychological crisis?).
At first, it had all the right ingredients: an eerie setting, mysterious guests, and enough suspense to keep me checking over my shoulder while doing the dishes. But somewhere around the halfway mark, my enthusiasm got lost in the woods. I’ll admit, I almost tapped out with three hours (or maybe two and a half) left, but sheer curiosity—and possibly stubbornness—kept me trudging on.
I had my suspicions about who the killer was (turns out I was right, so gold star for me), but the ending still managed to surprise me in that “Oh, okay, didn’t see it wrapping up like that” kind of way. Sadly, some of the other characters didn’t make it to the end—both literally and developmentally. I found myself wishing we’d spent less time inside the main character’s spiralling mind and more time getting to know the other characters.
Speaking of the main character’s mind… whew. If I had a dollar for every time her anxiety narrated another “what if” scenario, I could probably buy my own wilderness retreat and hide from her internal monologue. Yes, it’s meant to build tension—but after a while, it felt less like suspense and more like a psychological loop on repeat.
That said, it did keep me listening till the very end, which is the mark of at least a semi-successful thriller. Overall? I enjoyed it in a “grumbling but still turning the page” kind of way. I wouldn’t be rushing to recommend it to the rest of my book club, but if you like your thrillers with a side of overthinking and forest paranoia, it might just be your next listen.
⭐ 2.5 out of 5 from my lens
At first, it had all the right ingredients: an eerie setting, mysterious guests, and enough suspense to keep me checking over my shoulder while doing the dishes. But somewhere around the halfway mark, my enthusiasm got lost in the woods. I’ll admit, I almost tapped out with three hours (or maybe two and a half) left, but sheer curiosity—and possibly stubbornness—kept me trudging on.
I had my suspicions about who the killer was (turns out I was right, so gold star for me), but the ending still managed to surprise me in that “Oh, okay, didn’t see it wrapping up like that” kind of way. Sadly, some of the other characters didn’t make it to the end—both literally and developmentally. I found myself wishing we’d spent less time inside the main character’s spiralling mind and more time getting to know the other characters.
Speaking of the main character’s mind… whew. If I had a dollar for every time her anxiety narrated another “what if” scenario, I could probably buy my own wilderness retreat and hide from her internal monologue. Yes, it’s meant to build tension—but after a while, it felt less like suspense and more like a psychological loop on repeat.
That said, it did keep me listening till the very end, which is the mark of at least a semi-successful thriller. Overall? I enjoyed it in a “grumbling but still turning the page” kind of way. I wouldn’t be rushing to recommend it to the rest of my book club, but if you like your thrillers with a side of overthinking and forest paranoia, it might just be your next listen.
⭐ 2.5 out of 5 from my lens
February 10, 2023
I finished The Wilderness Retreat late last night. There was no way I could go to sleep until I had.
When we first meet Bella, she is dropping her only child, Asher, at university before jumping on a plane to Sweden for a week of relaxation, courtesy of her older sister. The Retreat is located in a beautiful place, but I’m not sure I would want to be somewhere so remote, especially on my own with a group of strangers so I could understand Bella’s reluctance. I found Bella quite relatable as a mother. I have two adult children and I know I would hate not being able to even text them/or them me if needed. They are still your babies no matter how old they get!
I knew something bad was going to happen at this retreat, but I was not prepared for the story that unfolded. It’s quite disturbing to say the least. The tension and suspense kept me glued to my kindle. I felt so scared for Bella as the story progressed. I could feel her fear, her frustration, her desperation, her panic. I would have been desperate to get out of there too! I suspected everyone at one point or another of causing her agony. I even thought Bella herself was having some kind of breakdown.
When it clicked my jaw dropped!
Brilliant! I loved it!
**Many thanks to the author and publisher for my review copy via NetGalley**
https://chataboutbooks.blog/2023/02/1...
When we first meet Bella, she is dropping her only child, Asher, at university before jumping on a plane to Sweden for a week of relaxation, courtesy of her older sister. The Retreat is located in a beautiful place, but I’m not sure I would want to be somewhere so remote, especially on my own with a group of strangers so I could understand Bella’s reluctance. I found Bella quite relatable as a mother. I have two adult children and I know I would hate not being able to even text them/or them me if needed. They are still your babies no matter how old they get!
I knew something bad was going to happen at this retreat, but I was not prepared for the story that unfolded. It’s quite disturbing to say the least. The tension and suspense kept me glued to my kindle. I felt so scared for Bella as the story progressed. I could feel her fear, her frustration, her desperation, her panic. I would have been desperate to get out of there too! I suspected everyone at one point or another of causing her agony. I even thought Bella herself was having some kind of breakdown.
When it clicked my jaw dropped!
Brilliant! I loved it!
**Many thanks to the author and publisher for my review copy via NetGalley**
https://chataboutbooks.blog/2023/02/1...
February 18, 2023
Thanks to HQ Publishers and NetGalley for my copy of The Wilderness Retreat, which is released on 22nd February.
The story centres around Bella, a single mum whose son has just left for University. To help her cope with empty nest syndrome, her sister books her on a luxury wilderness retreat in Sweden for a week. There are some quirky personalities on the retreat, as you would expect. As part of the retreat, everyone has to give up their phones. A storm blocks access to the only road, so everyone is stuck at the lodge for the week. Bella feels like things aren’t right and after receiving a mysterious note under her door, she suspects everyone.
I didn’t like any of the characters very much, they all felt so two dimensional and flat. I had hoped that there would have been a bit more depth to the other characters on the retreat but them and their interactions felt a bit pointless. Bella was irritating, for a woman approaching forty she seemed to overreact to everything and was a total drama queen. Her constant, obsessive, thoughts about her son were very grating and seemed silly to me. It’s natural for a parent to worry but she was far too over the top.
For me, most of the book dragged along. I was expecting a fast paced, creepy thriller but sadly this didn’t deliver at all. All the ‘action’ is crammed into the last fifteen percent or so and is really underwhelming. I think the fact I didn’t really care for any of the characters made the book drag even more as I wasn’t bothered about what happened to them. I wasn’t gripped by the story at all and it felt like a chore to read.
The setting had a lot of potential, a remote lodge in Sweden. I didn’t think much was made of this apart from the odd mention of elk. The book could have been set in any forest so it was a little disappointing.
The plot was predictable and a bit silly. There were quite a few parts I sussed out long before they were revealed, so any tension or surprise was lost for me.
I had hoped to enjoy this book as I like thrillers but unfortunately this book wasn’t for me at all.
The story centres around Bella, a single mum whose son has just left for University. To help her cope with empty nest syndrome, her sister books her on a luxury wilderness retreat in Sweden for a week. There are some quirky personalities on the retreat, as you would expect. As part of the retreat, everyone has to give up their phones. A storm blocks access to the only road, so everyone is stuck at the lodge for the week. Bella feels like things aren’t right and after receiving a mysterious note under her door, she suspects everyone.
I didn’t like any of the characters very much, they all felt so two dimensional and flat. I had hoped that there would have been a bit more depth to the other characters on the retreat but them and their interactions felt a bit pointless. Bella was irritating, for a woman approaching forty she seemed to overreact to everything and was a total drama queen. Her constant, obsessive, thoughts about her son were very grating and seemed silly to me. It’s natural for a parent to worry but she was far too over the top.
For me, most of the book dragged along. I was expecting a fast paced, creepy thriller but sadly this didn’t deliver at all. All the ‘action’ is crammed into the last fifteen percent or so and is really underwhelming. I think the fact I didn’t really care for any of the characters made the book drag even more as I wasn’t bothered about what happened to them. I wasn’t gripped by the story at all and it felt like a chore to read.
The setting had a lot of potential, a remote lodge in Sweden. I didn’t think much was made of this apart from the odd mention of elk. The book could have been set in any forest so it was a little disappointing.
The plot was predictable and a bit silly. There were quite a few parts I sussed out long before they were revealed, so any tension or surprise was lost for me.
I had hoped to enjoy this book as I like thrillers but unfortunately this book wasn’t for me at all.
January 17, 2024
Gripping and unnerving psychological thriller set in a luxurious woodland retreat in Sweden.
Film score composer and single mum Bella will be heading straight to the airport after dropping her son Asher off to start university. The secluded week long luxury trip is a surprise from her son and her older sister Rachel, and is perfectly timed to distract Bella from the empty nest facing her at home.
Already distracted by concern for her son, Bella finds her nerves jangling from slightly off interactions with guests, and even more so when she learns that the special guest who will be spending the week with them is a significant figure from her past.
Bella tries to allay her fears by telling herself they probably won't even recognise her. She just needs to keep quiet and give vague answers if they do speak to her. But this is easier said than done when she feels like she's coming down with a bug.
Forced to make a speedy exit, in her confused state Bella is sure she finds a disturbing message in her room. But when she seeks help, all traces have vanished.
Combined with the clash of such varied personalities, and a strange sense of humour, Bella becomes increasingly apprehensive, no longer completely trusting herself to know whether she is dreaming, and unable to stop herself from throwing wild accusations, losing credibility, becoming increasingly isolated and with no way of contacting friends and family.
A pacy, page-turning, twist packed read.
Film score composer and single mum Bella will be heading straight to the airport after dropping her son Asher off to start university. The secluded week long luxury trip is a surprise from her son and her older sister Rachel, and is perfectly timed to distract Bella from the empty nest facing her at home.
Already distracted by concern for her son, Bella finds her nerves jangling from slightly off interactions with guests, and even more so when she learns that the special guest who will be spending the week with them is a significant figure from her past.
Bella tries to allay her fears by telling herself they probably won't even recognise her. She just needs to keep quiet and give vague answers if they do speak to her. But this is easier said than done when she feels like she's coming down with a bug.
Forced to make a speedy exit, in her confused state Bella is sure she finds a disturbing message in her room. But when she seeks help, all traces have vanished.
Combined with the clash of such varied personalities, and a strange sense of humour, Bella becomes increasingly apprehensive, no longer completely trusting herself to know whether she is dreaming, and unable to stop herself from throwing wild accusations, losing credibility, becoming increasingly isolated and with no way of contacting friends and family.
A pacy, page-turning, twist packed read.
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