3.5 stars. Although I liked this one better than the last one I read by this author, I do not think I'll be picking up her backlist anytime soon. I liked the premise of this one (who's messing with a group of authors on a writing retreat), and I did like trying to figure out the different mysteries that were being presented. But......the ending was just too far-fetched and ridiculous for me to buy into.....on so many levels. It was a hugely disappointing ending for a promising read.

If it's free, it's for me, might not be the future motto of the five writers who were invited to a week's retreat to hone their craft. Who doesn't jump at the chance to experience free food, free drinks and the chance to meet up with fellow writers. It sounds perfect, until it isn't.

The setting is Black Hills Manor (perhaps not the best name but hey it's free!) As the writers arrive and mix in, things start happening. First, the hot tub goes on the fritz, and then things start to go missing (like someone's manuscript). It's taken as a joke initially but then things start to go bump in the night and the writers caution their beware button. Of course, there is a storm, (isn't there always?) and it seems the intrepid five are stuck and maybe doomed. The tale of a murder taking place in the manor fray some already frazzled nerves, and then some bodies turn up and the attendees find that they are the only ones inhabiting the Black Hills Resort.

Who seems to want them at best upset and at worst dead? Is one of the crew a murderer? Why would he or she be seeking a comeuppance for the five?

This book was good, but certainly contains nothing that hasn't been done before. I did enjoy it and it was certainly a fine listen to, a way to pass a cloudy drizzling day.
Thank you to Kierstan Modglin, with narration by Carly Robins, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for the ability to listen to this book out today January 17, 2023.

Kiersten has never let me down with one of her books. I've loved every single one that I've read, and this one was no exception! Another amazingly twisted thriller.

I was truly stumped during this book. I had so many different theories swirling around in my head because there were a lot of different directions the book could have gone. I'm usually able to at least take a guess, but this one had me at a loss. I flew through the book because I just couldn't wait to see what was going to happen and who was behind everything.

There were several twists that I didn't see coming. The suspense built perfectly throughout the story. There were quite a few instances throughout the story where I was really creeped out and scared lol. The reveal of who was behind it all was such a shock! I couldn't believe it.

I think what I loved most though, is that the ending of this one didn't leave me with chills like her other books have. The ending to this one made me tear up.

I can't wait to see what Kiersten writes next!

I loved the audio version narrated by Carly Robins. I've listened to other books narrated by her and have loved them all. She is quickly becoming one of my favorite narrators. She does an amazing job of giving each character a distinct voice and really making the character's emotions shine through her performance.

This book was amazing! I could not stop until I was done. So many twists and turns. Told in two timelines: present day and before.

There were some totally gag descriptors so I would recommend not eating while reading. I had to stop and that is not usual for me.

I won’t spoil anything but I loved the end so much. I do have one unanswered question but that’s not a big deal.

I listened to the audiobook version and I loved the narrator. She really had me on the edge of my seat.

Another fun romp from Kiersten Modglin! I enjoy a good “locked room” mystery/thriller. We’ve got five authors on a writer’s retreat at an isolated cabin in the woods. What could possibly go wrong?! Phones (and people) start going missing. In the meantime, we have a parallel storyline with a character who may or may not be connected to the group. What’s going on?! As ever, things get a bit crazy at the end but it was all well handled and I was along for the ride to the last word. .
Great narration by Carly Robins as well!
*Thanks to the author, Dreamscape, and NetGalley for this advance copy of the audiobook.

Five authors brought together to a secluded cabin without quite knowing why there were selected. Things start to go downhill, suspicions are raised, and everything is made clear by end of the book. Fast paced fun thriller. A great book to fill some down time with. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a great job. Her inflection and tone were on point for the story and kept my interest. The story itself had some plot holes and implausible aspects but it was still a fun read.

Thank you to netgalley and publisher for an advanced copy of the audiobook. My review is my honest opinion.

Usually I am not a huge Kiersten Modglin fan. I typically like more character development in my books, but I was pleasantly surprised by this book. This was my favorite one of Modglin's books, and it flew by! I was a little hesitant to believe the villain's motives to go to the measures that they did, but I didn't question it too much because it was a super fun & quick read.

I loved the premise for this book. The tension was great, the dual story lines… I enjoyed it all. My only real complaint is that I don’t really buy into the villain’s motive.

A Quiet Retreat for a few world class writers seems like the perfect escape but what they don’t know are the secrets within. This was a great quick listen that kept me second guessing the whole way through. The narrator did an incredible job transitioning from one character to the next, building the suspense to make you feel as if you were right there in the house. My experience with the overall read was that it definitely kept me engaged although I can’t say if that was the narration or the book itself. While I enjoyed the twists and anticipation the author created, I found the storyline to be a little rough around the edges. Lacking in further detail on the other characters in the house and the main character, Blakely’s, background. The ending also felt rushed when there could have been more grit to the story itself. Overall I would recommend the listen for a quick phsycological thriller fix as the narrator will keep you engaged even if you aren’t entertained with the story itself!

Thank you to Kiersten Modglin and NetGalley for this audio-ARC in exchange for my honest feedback and review.

5 writers are invited to the mountains of Colorado for a writing retreat. A chance to get away and write. When odd things begin happening the writers all realize just how alone and far from any help they are.

The queen of twists is back again. Kiersten Modglin never ceases to shock me! A Quiet Retreat is no exception. This fast paced thriller full of twists kept me wanting more and boy did it deliver. Without giving it away I did not see that end coming! I loved A Quiet Retreat!! This narrator is incredible as well. I love her voice and the way she sucks me in and keeps my attention.

I liked this book, i thought it kept me wondering how they would tie in the two storylines. I also liked how there were little hints throughout that kept the reader guessing and interested. Overall, a fun and easy read.

5 mystery writers all from different sub genres are invited to a writer’s retreat out at a cabin in the woods. It’s an ideal setting and good company but then things start going missing. It turns out the property has a dark past and so do some of the guests. I enjoyed this one. It had great twists and a conclusion that was mostly satisfying. .

Thank you Netgalley for the advance audiobook copy of A Quiet Retreat by Kiersten Modglin in exchange for an honest review. This was a really good book that had me thinking it was one thing and then spun around and was something else. I enjoyed the plot twist and the ending, a good ending really makes a difference.

Five authors are invited to the Black Hills Manor for a quiet, writing retreat. The house is secluded with great views, a perfect place to spend a week writing. However, a quiet, uneventful writing retreat doesn’t seem to be in the cards. Things get increasingly unsettling at Black Hills Manor. Property is broken, items are going missing, and strange noises are heard throughout the house. Who is behind all of this? Will the authors make it out of the retreat alive?

Kiersten Modglin once again does not disappoint. She truly has a talent for writing suspenseful thrillers. This is one of my favorites of hers so far. The twists and turns kept me listening and turning up the speed to hear what would happen next. The narration was really good too. 4.5/5 stars! I highly recommend it to anyone that loves thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for my honest review. Let me start by saying Kiersten Modglin has never written a bad book because wow! There were so many twists in this book that I was unprepared for. Shortly into it I thought I had figured it out and it turned out that I was way wrong. She is one author that I will always read her books, usually without even bothering to read the description. If you haven't read any books by her I suggest starting asap!

Please see my review on Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5076988556?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

I found the premise of this book intriguing—I love books about books, authors, and writing—and I adore psychological thrillers full of twists. This was a quick read, perfect on audiobook for a road trip as it kept me thoroughly engaged and ended before I reached my destination. It struck me as a mash-up of two other recent books I’ve read: “The Writing Retreat” by Julia Bartz and “Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six” by Lisa Unger. Like both of those thrillers, the setting is an isolated house, perhaps haunted by its past, and the perfect setting for a gathering that does not quite go as planned. This story includes two timelines, and while I was really into the contemporary tale of the writers gathered for their retreat, the earlier story of rich girl Lessa and her obnoxious parents was hard to listen to. The storylines do come together and how they are intertwined is intriguing, but I had a hard time with the unpalatable characters and their awkward relationships. In the end, this is a great exploration of what could happen to a group of strangers in an isolated environment. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook.

This was okay. I got lost a few times trying to keep the timeline straight but that's on me, not the author or the narrator.
The narrator was perfect and the setting was fantastic. I wasn't attached to any of the characters but that happens sometimes with shorter books.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I usually love Kierstens books. This one however was just ok. The last 10-20% kind of made it just eh.
Not one of my favorites of hers that’s for sure.
Narrator did a good job on the book.

Another twisty, turny thriller by KMod! This is a dual timeline story - these types of stories often turn me off, however in these two stories each are compelling and they come together beautifully in the end. One story is the tale of the haves and the have nots… and a bit of dipping one’s toes across those lines. The other story is the tale of a group of writers of various genres coming together for a free writing retreat. It’s a chance to learn and grow from each other with hopes of coming out of a writing slump. Thanks to NetGalley for the read - it was a compelling read!

Thank you @netgalley, @dreamscape_media and @kierstenmodglinauthor for the audio read 💙
✨✨✨
📕 A Quiet Retreat
✍🏿 Kiersten Modglin
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

✨✨✨
Yet another amazing thriller read!! This book snagged me in from beginning to end. The characters are likeable, and the plot is fun. 5 mystery writers all from different sub genres are invited to a writer’s retreat out at a cabin in the woods. It’s an ideal setting and good company but then things start going missing. The dark past of the property and the writers all feel well connected. Highly recommend for a quick, haunting twisted read 💙