The Writing Retreat, Julia Bartz
The Writing Retreat, Julia Bartz
19 Rating(s)
List: $26.99 | Sale: $18.89
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The Writing Retreat

Bestseller

Author: Julia Bartz

Narrator: Gail Shalan

Unabridged: 11 hr 30 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 02/21/2023


Synopsis

In this instant New York Times bestselling and “utterly addictive thriller” (Ana Reyes, New York Times bestselling author), a young author is invited to an exclusive writer’s retreat that soon descends into a pulse-pounding 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 “audacious psychological thriller debut” (Publishers Weekly), The Writing Retreat expertly explores the dark side of female relationships, fame, and the desire to have our stories told.

About Julia Bartz

Julia Bartz is the New York Times bestselling author of The Last Session and The Writing Retreat, a practicing therapist, and a creative coach. She lives in Brooklyn. Connect with her on social media @JuliaBartz.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Jayme on February 21, 2023

* OUTLIER OPINION* !! This has many 5 star reviews but it wasn’t for me! I love books about books, and I love books about the writing process-even more. That is what I was expecting, but that isn’t what I got! Alex has always wanted to be a published author, so when she receives a once in a time opp......more

Goodreads review by Nilufer on July 13, 2023

Oh boy! This is crazy! This is one of the wildest and bleakest bloody rides! You are drawn into this action packed, twisty madness from the first chapter and till the end you keep fidgeting at the edge of your seats, stomaches tight, hearts raising, eyes glued! This is fantastic debut! It seems lik......more

Goodreads review by Holly on November 18, 2022

Strange book, weird dialogue, characters that act like annoying, immature teenagers. Obviously, I'm an outlier here. I liked the description of the isolated setting for the writing retreat with the head guru, Roza as the beloved mentor. She reminded me a bit of Masha from Nine Perfect Strangers by Mor......more

Goodreads review by Meredith (Trying to catch up!) on September 13, 2022

Dark and Edgy 3.75 stars The Writing Retreat is a psychological thriller about a famous author who invites five up and coming female novelists to her home in the Adirondacks for a month-long writing retreat. The competition is fierce, but there is a whole lot more at stake than just winning. This bo......more

Goodreads review by Nina (ninjasbooks) on March 18, 2023

DNF at around 70 %. When I abandoned it, there had just been a twist and I thought; How can there be 3 hours of listening left? I didn’t much like the twist, and if the ending was brilliant then so be it. Life is too short to use time on a book that gives you nothing.......more


Quotes

"Gail Shalan narrates this psychological suspense featuring five aspiring authors who are participating in a writing retreat held at an isolated mansion in the Adirondacks. The five attendees are all women under 30, though they seem younger. The leader of the retreat is Roza Vallo, a renowned feminist horror writer much admired by the young writers. Shalan gives Roza, who is Hungarian by birth, a voice that sometimes sounds warm and sometimes sinister. The story is told by Alex, who hopes the month-long retreat will overcome her writer's block. It does just that but in a way that is terrifying. The plot includes secret passages, underground dungeons, mind-altering drugs, odd sexual undertones, and murder. Shalan makes each writer distinctive and interesting."