The Writing Retreat

October 31, 2022
Aspiring novelist Alex
—the narrator of Bartz’s audacious psychological thriller debut—idolizes button-pushing feminist horror writer Roza Vallo, so she’s elated when Roza selects her to attend an exclusive, all-female writing retreat at Blackbriar, Roza’s remote Adirondacks estate. Upon arriving, Alex and the other four invitees learn they must each conceive of and complete an entirely new book in the next 28 days. Roza will eject anyone who doesn’t make their daily word count, but her editor will publish the best finished manuscript and pay its author a $1 million advance. With Roza’s encouragement, Alex begins a fictionalized account of the bizarre, unsolved deaths of Blackbriar’s builder and his occultist wife. The story flows as though channeled, but when unsettling events start happening and one of the participants disappears during a blizzard, Alex wonders if perhaps she should focus less on potential fame and more on survival. Boldly drawn characters complement Bartz’s gleefully twisted plot. Excerpts from Alex’s work-in-progress pepper her increasingly paranoid narration, underscoring her shifting mindset. Sara Gran fans, take note. Agent: Alexandra Machinist, ICM Partners.

Starred review from February 15, 2023
Thirty-year-old Alex dreams of being a writer. Stuck in a job she hates, Alex jumps at the chance to take part in a writing retreat held at the reclusive Blackbriar estate, home to horror author and feminist icon Roza Vallo. Even the appearance of her former best friend, Wren, doesn't take away from Alex's excitement. However, once the retreat begins, Roza throws the attendees quite a curve--they must each complete a novel from scratch, and the writer who produces the best work will get a million-dollar publishing deal. Alex and the other attendees immediately immerse themselves in the challenge, while attempting to ignore the odd happenings that begin to take place at Blackbriar. But when one of the writers disappears, Alex and the others realize there is something nefarious going on. Bartz's debut is stomach-clenchingly thrilling from beginning to end. Blackbriar and its vivid inhabitants are brought to life by Bartz with consummate skill. Alex is beautifully flawed; readers will connect with her in multiple ways. The plot is psychologically jarring and fast paced, with several surprises that will excite even the most well read mystery aficionado. Highly recommended for fans of authors like Ruth Ware and Riley Sager whose psychological suspense fiction typically features intelligent female leads.

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Starred review from January 1, 2023
Five writers, four weeks, and a $1 million book deal for the lucky winner. Unless they disappear first.... Having just turned 30, Alex has to face up to some hard truths: She hates her job; she's been miserable since breaking up with her best friend; and she's mired in writer's block, which makes it pretty hard to be discovered and published. Then, a call from the blue: A writer friend has finagled her a space at an elite writers retreat at the estate of the mysterious, glamorous novelist Roza Vallo. From the very first night at Blackbriar, though, it's clear that this is no warm and fuzzy workshop, and Roza is no gentle mentor. Each writer must craft a proposal for a full-length novel, then crank out 3,000 words a day to be critiqued. Despite the trappings of luxury--food and wine and an unparalleled library--there's no ignoring the fact that the writers are trapped; there's no Wi-Fi or cell service to be found. For Alex, the sense of disquiet grows as her research deepens; with Roza's urging, she has decided to write a novel about the original inhabitants of the house, a wealthy tycoon and his waitress-turned-medium wife who were both found dead after the wife apparently channeled a demoness named Lamia. When one of the other writers disappears, Alex can't help but wonder whether occult history is repeating itself. Or is there a much more sinister (and human) plot behind this writing retreat? Despite Alex's somewhat whiny nature, the book's pacing--a slow roll of dread and horror, especially in the first half--is exceptional. Bartz hits all the gothic highlights, but, far from feeling stale, they work. A perfect winter night's haunting.

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