The Retreat - by Mark Edwards (Paperback)

About the Book

A missing child. A desperate mother. And a house full of secrets. Two years ago, Julia lost her family in a tragic accident. Her husband drowned trying to save their daughter, Lily, in the river near their rural home. But the little girl's body was never found--and Julia believes Lily is somehow still alive. Alone and broke, Julia opens her house as a writers' retreat. One of the first guests is Lucas, a horror novelist, who becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to Lily. But within days of his arrival, the peace of the retreat is shattered by a series of eerie events. When Lucas's investigation leads him and Julia into the woods, they discover a dark secret--a secret that someone will do anything to protect. What really happened that day by the river? Why was Lily never found? And who, or what, is haunting the retreat?

Book Synopsis

An Amazon Charts bestseller.

A missing child. A desperate mother. And a house full of secrets.

Two years ago, Julia lost her family in a tragic accident. Her husband drowned trying to save their daughter, Lily, in the river near their rural home. But the little girl's body was never found--and Julia believes Lily is somehow still alive.

Alone and broke, Julia opens her house as a writers' retreat. One of the first guests is Lucas, a horror novelist, who becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to Lily. But within days of his arrival, the peace of the retreat is shattered by a series of eerie events.

When Lucas's investigation leads him and Julia into the woods, they discover a dark secret--a secret that someone will do anything to protect...

What really happened that day by the river? Why was Lily never found? And who, or what, is haunting the retreat?

From the bestselling author of Follow You Home and The Magpies comes his most terrifying novel yet.

Review Quotes

"The supernatural hauntings will leave you questioning reality. Beware, this book messes with your head." --The Sun

"Utterly compelling. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough." --C. L. Taylor, author of The Fear

"One of those books that I needed to start again the minute I finished it...Thoroughly spooky, intriguing and compelling." --Liz Nugent, author of Lying In Wait

"Mark Edwards is a natural born storyteller with the darkest of imaginations...One of the creepiest books of the year." --Fiona Cummins, author of Rattle

"Vintage Mark Edwards; authentically everyday people trapped in uniquely frightening events." --Paul Finch, author of Strangers

"What a ride! Full of twists I completely failed to see coming." --Simon Lelic, author of The House

"Edwards's best one yet. Twisty, turny, addictive reading." --Cass Green, author of In a Cottage In a Wood

"A deliciously creepy read that will have you hooked!" --Sibel Hodge, author of Look Behind You

"Twisting and terrifying, the kind of haunting, pacy, spine-chiller that Mark Edwards is the absolute master of." --Chris Whitaker, author of Tall Oaks