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.
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"I didn’t know what to expect but I definitely wasn’t disappointed! And I mean it in the best way. As a big horror/ thriller fan, I was very impressed by this book!"
— Sidd (5/5)
Bookclub Book
"The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz is a book club book that I am reading with friends. As her debut novel, I am happy to give it a shot and hope to figure out the mystery before the reveal at the end!"
— Alishia (5/5)
A Thrilling, Twisty, and Unputdownable Literary Adventure!
"Julia Bartz’s The Writing Retreat is an electrifying blend of psychological suspense, gothic atmosphere, and literary ambition that kept me utterly enthralled from the very first page. This book is everything I love in a thriller—darkly intriguing, wildly unpredictable, and brimming with tension. The premise itself is irresistible: A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a struggling writer to attend an exclusive retreat hosted by the legendary (and delightfully terrifying) author Roza Vallo. A snowed-in, eerie mansion. A fierce competition where creativity is both a gift and a weapon. And, of course, the growing realization that something is very, very wrong. Bartz crafts an immersive world where the pressure to succeed collides with buried secrets, toxic friendships, and a sinister undercurrent that escalates into full-blown psychological warfare. The protagonist, Alex, is complex and deeply relatable, grappling with self-doubt and ambition while navigating the increasingly dangerous stakes of the retreat. And Roza? She’s a deliciously enigmatic figure—charismatic yet ominous, a mentor who might also be a mastermind. The twists in The Writing Retreat are nothing short of jaw-dropping. Just when I thought I had figured it out, Bartz threw in another layer of deception, another shocking revelation. The pacing is pitch-perfect, balancing slow-burning suspense with moments of sheer, pulse-pounding terror. And the themes? Absolutely gripping—exploring creativity, power, desire, and the fine line between inspiration and obsession. By the time I reached the final page, I was breathless, exhilarated, and desperate to talk about it with someone. If you love books like The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz or The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse, this one is an absolute must-read. In short: The Writing Retreat is a mesmerizing, thrilling, and deeply satisfying novel that lingers long after the last sentence. Five stars all the way! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟"
— Lianne (5/5)
So fun!
"Something a bit different. I really liked this one."
— Elle (5/5)
Ok, but not great
"I love a good mystery/thriller/suspense novel, but this just didn’t really do it for me! Interesting concept, but, even for fiction, it felt really far fetched."
— Melissa (2/5)
A story for all writers to read!
"This book is truly wild and unexpected! It is also sapphic, yay for more rep in the genre!!"
— Alexandra (5/5)
Unhinged in the Best Way
"Spooky and fascinating. Some truly unhinged characters, which I thoroughly enjoyed."
— ELatimer (5/5)
Gothic thriller!
"A superb premise! A retreat for writers held by a famous author in her renovated old mansion. What’s not to love? When Alex receives the golden ticket – an invitation to horror writer Roza Vallo’s month-long escape to her remote estate – she hopes it will put an end to her year-long writer’s block. Unfortunately, there are a few unexpected glitches thrown into the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Alex’s ex-best friend turned nemesis, Wren, is also invited. One of the five guests will be the recipient of a million-dollar publishing contract. To remain at the retreat, the daily word count of 3000 must be adhered to. _x000D_ _x000D_ Talk about pressure. I loved the concept which, being a writer myself, came across as horrific on its own. Make the word count or leave, your hopes for publication down the drain. Added to that is the eerie atmosphere – no internet or cell reception, a snowstorm trapping eight women in a purported haunted house, hallucinogenic drugs, and enough secrets to write several best sellers. A locked-room thriller trapping the body and mind within its evil. _x000D_ _x000D_ Although it took me a while to get into the book, once the plot turns started they didn’t let up. Like bullets from a machine gun, the twists kept coming. I found myself going from lukewarm at the start to reading furiously once I got past the middle. I wasn’t able to connect with Alex, though, and found her to be too wishy-washy, still struggling to find her identity at age thirty, and not particularly a likeable person. The interweaving of the novel she was writing within the novel itself didn’t appeal to me, as the secondary story of the mansion’s past seemed irrelevant to me apart from adding to the gothic feel. There may have been a better way to create that dark, foreboding atmosphere. _x000D_ _x000D_ All in all, this was an enjoyable read. Fans of thriller and suspense novels will love Roza’s gothic mansion and its history, palpable in the walls. Keep the lights on and don’t read alone!"
— Ivanka F. (4/5)
Addicting
"I absolutely loved the plot and genuinely had difficulty putting this book down. As an avid reader, I'm someone who can typicall predict what's going to happen next - that wasn't the case with this story - my heart raced the entire time in the best way possible. Buy it now and thank me later! Julia Bartz please drop a new book soon!"
— Megan (5/5)
Angela
"This was my first book by this author and I was not disappointed. It had me hooked right from the start! A real page turner that keeps you guessing! I couldn’t put it down. If you like mystery thrillers - check it out!"
— Angela (5/5)
Q&A
Published date: Jan 21, 2025
Language: English
No. of Pages: 432
Publisher: Pocket Books
ISBN: 9781668077344
Dimensions:
4.125" W x
1.1" L x
7.5" H
"NIGHT FILM meets THE SECRET HISTORY in Julia Bartz’s bold, brilliant, and genuinely scary debut. THE WRITING RETREAT masterfully delivers everything thriller readers crave: palpable atmosphere, sinister characters, full-body chills, jaw-dropping twists, and stay-up-all-night suspense. I am obsessed with this book. I never wanted it to end."
Julia Bartz is the New York Times bestselling author of The Last Session and The Writing Retreat, a practicing therapist, and a creative coach. Her fiction writing has appeared in the South Dakota Review, InDigest Magazine, and more. She lives in Brooklyn. Connect with her on social media @JuliaBartz.
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