Ehe retired, whose original title is The Retreatis a novel by thriller psychological author Mark Edwards. It was published in 2019 by Amazon Crossing. It is among the best-selling books of its kind in Amazon, place where you can get the book. In fact, it is easy to see it as the best-selling book within the thriller psychological of the platform.
Whether you have read the book or not, we recommend you take a tour of this review, since it Despite the success of Mark Edwards' novel and books, there isn't as much information about him and his work on the web.especially in Spanish. So we also introduce you to the author in case you haven't heard of him!
A few lines about the author
Mark Edwards currently lives in the West Midlands (England), with his wife, three children and three cats., as the author's website. Despite having a very interesting portal about the author, little can be found beyond him and his books. He publishes them through Amazon and it is difficult to access more information in Spanish about him and his work, so we recommend taking a tour of the author's official page. Besides, he also encourages his readers to contact him through social networks, which, on the other hand, facilitates access to the writer.
He usually writes creepy stories based on everyday events. Likewise, the success with which he develops his work is undeniable. His books have been translated into many different languages, although in Spanish it is only possible to find Retirement y Until the end of your days (Follow You Home). She has managed to sell four million copies, having published her first work in 2013. Her latest book on the market is No place to run.
Retirement
What the series is about?
Lucas is a successful writer who is at a low point due to a personal and professional crisis. He has lost confidence in himself and thinks that his horror novel Tender meat, a publishing triumph, was due to a stroke of luck; otherwise, why can't he offer the world a new book? That is why he needs to focus on what his new novel could be if he manages to work without distractions, away from everything and everyone. He goes to Beddmawr, Wales, a small town that was where he grew up before his parents moved to London.
In Wales, he settles into a writer's retreat that is perfect for his new horror story.. There he meets Julia, a young widow who runs the retreat, a lonely and large house that Lucas hopes will be his home for the next few weeks. From the first moment, Lucas feels attracted to her., for that halo of sadness that runs through the woman. Little by little and without wanting to, he will investigate Julia's past, the traumatic disappearance of her daughter Lily and the secrets that she hides in that Welsh town where her parents ended up in a kind of escape.
But Lucas will gradually move away from his main purpose: to finish his novel. On the contrary, he will put all the means to to know the truth about this town, its inhabitants, its legends, and most importantly, the disappearance of Lily.
Genre, style and theme
It is a psychological thriller novel whose main theme is redemption.. From here other thematic analyzes can be drawn; but the protagonists of the novel manage to achieve peace of mind after having lived through traumatic experiences. The step or path of their lives is resolved in a different way than they thought.
As the book is written, the simplicity of how the lives of the characters, their conflicts and the actions they carry out are appreciated. There are no great descriptions, the ones we found are basic to understand where we are and what the characters are like; It especially affects the house that acts as a retreat. The plot flows easily. The dialogues are direct and simple. The author's style speeds up the reading and leaves the reader immersed in the action of the story.
Narrator
The narrator is a first person, is the main character, Lucas, who tells his story and that of the characters that affect his life and change his course. He uses the past tense.
List of some characters
- Lucas Radcliffe: protagonist, well-known writer of horror novels. Years ago he suffered a personal loss.
- Julia Marshall: She is the owner of the house that is a retreat for writers. She's a widow, Michael, her husband, died a couple of years ago. She does not accept the death of her daughter Lily.
- Lily: Julia's daughter.
- Max, Karen and Suzi: writers who share coexistence in Julia's retreat.
- Olly Jones: Beddmawr's neighbor and taxi driver.
- Zara Sullivan: private detective hired by Lucas.
- Ursula Clarke: the last of the guests of the retreat. He has a certain sensitivity and does sessions as a medium.
- Megan: Lily's best friend.
Space and time
The story takes place in Beddmawr, a gloomy place far removed from reality.. Shady because it has the typical landscape character of northern Europe, with that harsh and discouraging climate. And far from reality because its inhabitants are imbued with local legends. It is a small and lonely place where its inhabitants form a community; however, in reality there is much ignorance among the families and their past is surrounded by secrets and superstitions that still affect the present time.
On the other hand, lThe novel is set in the present moment.. Some transcendental events for the story happened in 2014 and shortly after the action resumes with the protagonist, Lucas.
The best and worst of the book
Best: the simplicity with which the author transports you to his daughter and how he immerses you in a series of events in a place with a disturbing atmosphere. In addition, he captures the interest of the reader who likes to enjoy this type of genre and does it with amazing ease.
Worst: Those who expect a more elaborate or literary style will not find it. But we must not forget that there is no claim in the novel to find a contemporary narrative, only a good thriller.
One aspect to highlight
The surprise that the reader can find when done with Retirement. A good, coherent plot that knows how to keep up until the end. It exceeds expectations and also has an unprecedented ending.