What if you could shed your own skin and step into a life shimmering with the promise of perfection, the kind most of us only can fantasize about? Who wouldn’t be tempted to seize that opportunity? This is the captivating premise behind Krysten Ritter’s atmospheric thriller, Retreat. We are immediately drawn into the world of Liz Dawson, a skilled con artist, whose charm effortlessly unlocks the doors to elite circles. Her latest prospect arrives in the form of a seemingly straightforward job offered by the wealthy and enigmatic Isabelle Beresford: overseeing the installation of a valuable artwork at her breathtaking Mexican villa, Casa Esmerelda. However, the anticipated “retreat” swiftly morphs into a web of complexity and danger when Liz is unexpectedly mistaken for Isabelle. Are you already intrigued? Therefore, let me tell you more about Retreat by Krysten Ritter through this review.
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A Con Artist’s Calculated Risk Turns Deadly: The Premise of Retreat
For Liz, this sudden opportunity feels like the ideal escape – a luxurious interlude in Punta Mita, offering her a fresh start before the repercussions of her last scam catch up with her. She envisions a relaxing stay with ample opportunities to leverage her skills for personal gain. However, this imagined respite takes a sinister turn when she decides to play along with the mistaken identity of Isabelle, who had her own compelling reasons for avoiding Punta Mita. It soon becomes chillingly clear that someone harbors dangerous intentions toward Isabelle, and now Liz finds herself squarely in the crosshairs.
Ritter expertly crafts a compelling narrative, meticulously revealing the intricate layers of both Liz and Isabelle’s lives. The opulent backdrop of Punta Mita serves as a stark contrast to the pervasive tension and calculated deception that fuels the story. As Liz delves deeper into Isabelle’s persona, the reader is held captive by a series of unexpected twists, prompting questions not only about Liz’s motivations but also the unsettling circumstances surrounding Isabelle’s disappearance. The author masterfully employs misdirection and subtle clues, cultivating a palpable sense of unease that makes it impossible to discern genuine intentions from carefully constructed facades. These psychological complexities explore the seductive allure of a different life and the precarious moral compromises Liz makes while navigating through this dangerous charade.
Why Retreat is a Deeply Engaging Thrill for Genre Enthusiasts
Retreat transcends the typical con artist narrative; it delves into the profound psychological complexities of longing, the yearning for escape, and the perilous consequences of assuming another’s identity. Ritter’s prose is sharp and deeply engaging, and she crafts a protagonist in Liz who, despite her morally ambiguous profession, surprisingly elicits a degree of empathy. The pacing is expertly controlled, steadily building toward a thrilling and genuinely unexpected conclusion – one that completely caught me off guard. Readers who enjoy character-driven psychological thrillers set against a captivating backdrop will be utterly absorbed in the intricate and suspenseful world of Retreat by Krysten Ritter shared in my review.
Thanks to HarperCollins for this #gifted book for this review.
