Book review: Debut thriller The Writing Retreat' sadly fails to deliver

Book review: Debut thriller The Writing Retreat' sadly fails to deliverDebut novelist Julia Bartz seemed to have bitten off a bit more than she could chew with her first novel The Writing Retreat'.

by Carmen Coetsee

04-08-2023 14:31

in Books

Debut novel The Writing Retreat' by Julia Bartz. Image via Twitter @hotgirlfiction.

Julia Bartz has recently released her debut novel, a dark noir titled The Writing Retreat. Even though people had high hopes for this new thriller, it sadly missed the mark. Even though there were great elements in the novel, the good did not outweigh the bad.

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Avid bookworms might recognize Julia Bartz's surname. She is actually the sister of New York Times bestselling author Andrea Bartz, who penned the gothic thriller We Were Never Here. Passion for writing clearly runs in the family!

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THE WRITING RETREAT': READERS HAD HIGH HOPES Thriller recommendation for you! Expect a twisty and addictive read with #TheWritingRetreat @juliabartz

Full thoughts here: https://t.co/gqybLtNReS

Thank you @maryhawkinss_ @OneworldNews for sending

Out now!#BookTwitter #booktwt pic.twitter.com/XUK1cewP21

Jenn (bookmarkonthewall) (@bookmarkthewall) March 15, 2023

The synopsis of The Writing Retreat had me immediately intrigued. I had high hopes going into this novel. Stories about writing and authors are always fascinating to me and I rarely read a gothic noir novel that I do not enjoy. But even though this novel had a deliciously dark setting, readers were left with many questions after the novel wrapped up.

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Bartz's writing is very much a Marmite item; some will love it and some will hate it. Her writing gives a lot of information, leaving very little for the reader to discover about the characters and their backstories on their own. But with elements like the novel's plot, the reader is left in the dark because of the odd pacing and story development.

But despite a rocky start, Bartz's writing shows promise and with more time and practice, we can expect great things from her in the future.

THE WRITING RETREAT' SYNOPSIS #thewritingretreat by @juliabartz publishing March 2nd by @OneworldNews

Thank you @margotbookpr for sending! Review to follow pic.twitter.com/FhWHthfLGO

- 87 (@Littlemissbook6) February 23, 2023

A book deal to die for.

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

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 disappear.

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.

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MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR Author Julia Bartz with her debut novel, The Writing Retreat'. Image via Twitter @andibartz. Julia Bartz is the New York Times bestselling author of The Writing Retreat, a practicing therapist, and a creative coach.

Her fiction writing has appeared in The South Dakota Review, InDigest Magazine, and many other publications. For more information, connect with her on social media @JuliaBartz.

The Writing Retreat is published by Oneworld Publications and is available for purchase from Exclusive Books stores for R320.

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LINK:	https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/books/book-review-debut-thrill...
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