The Writing Retreat: A Novel by Julia Bartz

The Writing Retreat: A Novel by Julia Bartz

Title:  The Writing Retreat: A Novel

Author: Julia Bartz
Publisher:  Emily Bestler Books / Atria 
Genre:  General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers, Women's Fiction
Format:  Kindle
No. of Pages:  319
Date of US Publication:  21 February, 2023
My Rating:  4 Stars

My Thoughts 

By the time I was at 23%, I could see it, plain as day, this debut novelist is one to watch and keep reading. 

Okay, this is one fantastical plot that while you’re reading you’re wondering how it’s going to work because it shouldn’t but it does and it’s wildly fun, atmospheric (read this one at home during a snowstorm, not while on a writing retreat in a snowstorm), and engaging. It kept my interest piqued and kept me pressing on my kindle screen for the next page all throughout. 

The Writing Retreat is a definite recommendation! 

Thank you to Emily Bestler Books / Atria and NetGalley for the DRC!

Description

“Darkly satirical and action-packed....An absolutely splendid debut!” —Wendy Walker, nationally bestselling author of Don’t Look for Me

The Plot meets Please Join Us in this psychological suspense debut about a young author at an exclusive writer’s retreat that descends into a nightmare.

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.

A claustrophobic and propulsive thriller exploring the dark side of female relationships and fame, The Writing Retreat is the unputdownable debut novel from a compelling new talent.