The Writing Retreat- Blog Tour

 

Author: Julia Bartz

Publisher: Magpie Books/ OneWorld

Publishing Date: 2nd March 2023

Many thanks to the Random Things Tour and the publishing team for my copy of the book and a spot on the tour

Blurb 

Five attendees are selected for a month-long writing retreat at the remote estate of Roza Vallo, the controversial high priestess of feminist horror. Alex, a struggling writer, is thrilled.

Upon arrival, they discover they must complete an entire novel from scratch, and the best one will receive a seven-figure publishing deal. Alex’s long-extinguished dream now seems within reach.

But then the women begin to die.

Trapped, terrified yet still desperately writing, it is clear there is more than a publishing deal at stake at Blackbriar Estate. Alex must confront her own demons – and finish her novel – to save herself.

My Thoughts

Well this book takes you on a journey for sure!

We get to meet Alex, Poppy, Taylor, Keira, Wren and Roza. We learn a bit about each of them. 

Alex and Wren are old friends who haven't spoken in ages so surprised that they are both there. Originally Alex wasn't one the list and due to to another participant dropping out Alex was offered the position. We dont get to learn for  a while what happened in this friendships, but in order to survive the retreat they have to call truce and work together. 

Roza from the start gives you an unsettling feeling, at first you just think she has this wild side but when she starts to push the women in some dangerous way/ situations you soon get a sense that there is more to her but not in a good way.

There are some scenarios that are far fetched and over the top but the add to the thriller of the book if you can overcome this. We also get excerpts from Alex Novel scattered throughout the book which gives us an insight as to what she writing. 

The final chapter steps forward a few months after events have taken place. And I liked this as it added another layer of mystery to the ongoings and timeline. We also get to know know more about Blackbriar which creates a subplot to the story. 

This is a very fast paced suspense read with lots of tension.