X-Book

The Retreat

Detective Elin Warner Series (Book 2)

Click Buy to Log in and see personalised pricing.

Send as a gift Get in the xigxag app
How does xigxag pricing work?

Listen to a sample

What to expect

Brought to you by Penguin.

Will you brave The Retreat? The bestselling thriller from the author of The Sanatorium.

They couldn't wait to stay here.

An idyllic wellness retreat has opened on an island off the coast of Devon, promising rest and relaxation - but the island itself, known locally as Reaper's Rock, has a dark past. Once the playground of a serial killer, it's rumored to be cursed.

But now they can't leave.

A woman is found dead below the yoga pavilion in what seems to be a tragic fall. But DS Elin Warner soon learns that the victim wasn't a guest - she wasn't meant to be on the island at all.

And they would do anything to escape . . .

The longer Elin stays, the more secrets she uncovers. And when someone else drowns in a diving incident, Elin begins to suspect that the old stories about the island are true.

Because history seems to be repeating itself - and the guests might not make it home alive . . .

'Pearse goes from strength to strength in The Retreat. The suspense inexorably builds to a stunning climax. An added treat is the return of Elin Warner, who is a fascinating character one can only root for.' David Baldacci, No.1 Sunday Times bestselling author of Mercy

'A world-class thriller writer. Superb. ' Steve Cavanagh, Sunday Times bestselling author of Thirteen

'The Retreat recalls the one-by-one nerve-shredding of Agatha Christie at her darkest. A fresh, daring, irresistible thriller.' A. J. Finn, No.1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window

'A eerie, atmospheric thriller that will have you looking over your shoulder as you read. A wonderfully chilling story of grief, revenge, and family secrets. An absorbing escape!' Ashley Audrain, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Push

'Full of foreboding and high-stakes tension, Sarah Pearse's latest is a page-turner. The past doesn't stay buried for long, at sea or on land, and what comes to the surface is both shocking and chilling.' Nita Prose, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Maid

'The Retreat was so atmospheric and hold-your-breath tense with cleverly executed twists and a finale that gave me the chills. Brilliant!' Claire Douglas, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Couple at No.9

© Sarah Pearse 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

Critics Review

Pearse goes from strength to strength in The Retreat. The suspense inexorably builds to a stunning climax. An added treat is the return of Elin Warner, who is a fascinating character one can only root for.
David Baldacci, No.1 Sunday Times bestselling author of Mercy
'With The Retreat Sarah Pearse confirms her spot as a world-class thriller writer. I only stopped turning the pages so I could re-read a particularly fine piece of description or characterisation. Superb.'
Steve Cavanagh, Sunday Times bestselling author of Thirteen
'I can't help but cheer for an author who ramps up the creepiness at every turn.'
Observer
'Pearse skilfully builds a sense of foreboding throughout this creepy thriller packed with satisfying twists.'
Sunday Express
'A well-written fusion of psychological thriller and whodunnit ... Pearse smartly reworks Christie's setting, making her island at once a gothic throwback, with caves and talk of a curse, and a very 21st-century escape, with green values and holistic therapy. And she's very good on the relationships within the group as tension builds.'
The Sunday Times
Sarah Pearse has expertly crafted another eerie, atmospheric thriller that will have you looking over your shoulder as you read. A wonderfully chilling story of grief, revenge, and family secrets. An absorbing escape!
Ashley Audrain, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Push
The Retreat recalls the one-by-one-by-one nerve-shredding of Agatha Christie at her darkest. A fresh, daring, irresistible thriller.'
A. J. Finn, No.1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window
'This thriller novel is so dark and tense, it's the perfect read for anyone lounging in the sun this summer, grateful that your holiday isn't so chaotic'
Cosmopolitan
'Full of foreboding and high-stakes tension, Sarah Pearse's latest is a page-turner. The past doesn't stay buried for long, at sea or on land, and what comes to the surface is both shocking and chilling.'
Nita Prose, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Maid
'Another brilliant thriller from the bestselling author of The Sanatorium.'
Hello!

User Reviews

Book 5.0
Narration 5.0
Author Sarah Pearse
Narrator Gemma Whelan
Series Detective Elin Warner Series, Elin Warner Series
Duration 10 hours and 6 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9781473592834
Format Audiobook
Publisher Transworld
Genre Crime and mystery: police procedural, Crime and mystery: women sleuths, Narrative theme: Sense of place, Psychological thriller
Availability AU, GB, IE
Rating
5.0 (1 review)
Narration
5.0 (1 review)

More from the same

Author

Narrator

About xigxag

xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK’s only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.

There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at £8.99. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from £3.99. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.

Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.

Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.