I’ve always wanted to attend a writing retreat. I imagine spending mornings learning with a group and the retreat leader, afternoons writing and evenings discussing books. The food would be delicious and the individual bedrooms would be comfortable. We’d find time for walking in the fresh air, alone or in groups as we prefer. By the end of the retreat, my confidence would be restored as I would be both relaxed and inspired.
That was until I read The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz.
In this story, five women are selected through a competitive process to attend a month-long writing retreat at the remote home of Roza Vallo, the controversial, best-selling author of feminist horror. Once they arrive, the details emerge: each writer must complete, from scratch, an entire novel. In return, Roza promises the best one will receive a seven-figure publishing deal.
One of the writers, Alex, is struggling to write her novel and sees this retreat as a chance to be tutored by one of the best. Little does she know how her life will be changed, as one-by-one the women die.
This is a totally unhinged story and I was compelled to keep reading. Set in a remote location, no mobile phone coverage, an enormous creepy house, all characters under enormous stress, and an unbalanced main character – the novel has all the characteristics of a horror thriller. The question for Alex is can she finish her novel and save her life at the same time?
The question for me is do I still long to take part in a writing retreat? Maybe, but I might need written references from past attendees first. 😀
Five stars from me.
Read more about The Writing Retreat on Goodreads.