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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.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
February 21, 2023 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9781797151762
- File size: 331275 KB
- Duration: 11:30:09
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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October 31, 2022
Aspiring novelist Alex
—the narrator of Bartz’s audacious psychological thriller debut—idolizes button-pushing feminist horror writer Roza Vallo, so she’s elated when Roza selects her to attend an exclusive, all-female writing retreat at Blackbriar, Roza’s remote Adirondacks estate. Upon arriving, Alex and the other four invitees learn they must each conceive of and complete an entirely new book in the next 28 days. Roza will eject anyone who doesn’t make their daily word count, but her editor will publish the best finished manuscript and pay its author a $1 million advance. With Roza’s encouragement, Alex begins a fictionalized account of the bizarre, unsolved deaths of Blackbriar’s builder and his occultist wife. The story flows as though channeled, but when unsettling events start happening and one of the participants disappears during a blizzard, Alex wonders if perhaps she should focus less on potential fame and more on survival. Boldly drawn characters complement Bartz’s gleefully twisted plot. Excerpts from Alex’s work-in-progress pepper her increasingly paranoid narration, underscoring her shifting mindset. Sara Gran fans, take note. Agent: Alexandra Machinist, ICM Partners. -
June 10, 2024
Alex, an aspiring novelist who has suffered from writer's block for the past year, is given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: to spend a month at the home of mega-famous horror author Roza Vallo and participate in a writing retreat. But this isn't an ordinary retreat; instead, Alex will compete with four other women writers to see who can produce the best manuscript, which will then be published with all of Roza's support. Things quickly go from unsettling to dangerous, and soon Alex and the other writers are just hoping to make it out alive. While Bartz's fast-paced debut provides plenty of thrills, listeners may tire of the trope-heavy plot, complete with a snowstorm stranding the participants, friends-turned-enemies forced together, and a dream sequence that isn't revealed until the next chapter. Additionally, sex scenes seem out of place, and the paranormal elements distract more than they add. Narrator Gail Shalan provides a strong performance, sustaining a suspenseful pace and providing a satisfying range of emotions. Even so, her narration could have benefitted from more distinct characterizations to better differentiate the characters. VERDICT Despite the abundance of well-worn tropes, this solid thriller should appeal to fans of Ruth Ware and J.P. Delaney.--Donna Bachowski
Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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