The Writing Retreat

Praise for The Writing Retreat ‘The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz is a wild ride from page one. I’ve been on a good few writing retreats myself and thought I’d seen it all - I was wrong. Blending themes of friendship, ambition, creativity and courage, this thrill-packed story brims with secrets, intrigue and murder. Bartz wrangles tension of the highest order, and executes a fiercely original story with vigour and style. A five-star read that’s intelligent, accomplished and exciting. I dare you to put it down.’ Janice Hallett, author of The Appeal and The Twyford Code ‘Julia Bartz’s shrewd, suspenseful debut takes the typical writer’s anxieties and obsessions and transforms them into a pulse-pounding, impossible to put down thriller. The Writing Retreat is bonkers in the best way, and it left me with a brutal case of author envy.’ Layne Fargo, author of They Never Learn ‘A wild ride into the pressures of publishing that is equal parts nightmare and erotic fantasy as five would-be writers are pulled deeper into the secrets of Blackbriar and its inhabitants. In The Writing Retreat, Julia Bartz captures the hunger to have our stories told and the desperate measures some will take to cut through the noise.’ Jennifer Fawcett, author of Beneath the Stairs ‘The Writing Retreat is a sexy, thrilling, compulsive mediation on art and competition amongst women who ought to be sisters, only something malignant gets in the way. I couldn’t put it down.’ Sarah Langan, author of Good Neighbours ‘Night Film meets The Secret History in Julia Bartz’s bold, brilliant, and genuinely scary debut. The Writing Retreat masterfully delivers everything thriller readers crave: palpable atmosphere, sinister characters, full-body chills, jaw-dropping twists, and stay-up-all-night suspense. I am obsessed with this book. I never wanted it to end.’ Megan Collins, author of The Family Plot ‘Darkly satirical and action-packed, The Writing Retreat brings a breath of fresh air to the locked room mystery. With the backdrop of a fierce writing competition in a secluded snowed-in mansion, Bartz takes us on a deep dive into complex female relationships, envy and desire. The writing is flawless and the plot adeptly woven. An absolutely splendid debut!’ Wendy Walker, author of Don’t Look for Me ‘Will keep you up all night with its intriguing premise and gasp-worthy twists. A suspenseful story of ambition and envy, friendship and survival, this novel asks how high a price will one pay to achieve their dreams… the very definition of a page turner, and a remarkable debut from a gifted writer.’ Kirthana Ramisetti, author of Dava Shastri’s Last Day ‘Propulsive and spine-chilling, The Writing Retreat kept me on the edge of my seat from the very first page. Julia Bartz is an electric, intelligent storyteller, brilliantly blending nail-biting suspense and razor-sharp psychological insight. A Magpie Book First published in Great Britain, Australia and the Republic of Ireland by Magpie, an imprint of Oneworld Publications, 2023 This ebook edition published 2023 Copyright © Julia Bartz Inc, 2023 The moral right of Julia Bartz to be identified as the Author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 All rights reserved Copyright under Berne Convention A CIP record for this title is available from the British Library ISBN 978-0-86154-443-1 (hardback) ISBN 978-0-86154-643-5 (export paperback) ISBN 978-0-86154-444-8 (ebook) This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organisations, places and events are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. Oneworld Publications 10 Bloomsbury Street London WC1B 3SR England Stay up to date with the latest books, special offers, and exclusive content from Oneworld with our newsletter Sign up on our website oneworld-publications.com For Andi, my blood and soul sister,who’s always up for a scary movie. PART ONE The City Chapter 1 Fuck her. These were the words that got me down the subway steps. I was going to Ursula’s book party, and if Wren was there, too, well, she could just go fuck herself. But my fingers were shaking in the moment before I gripped the subway pole. So much for bravado. And I had to admit: this wild, frenetic energy coursing through me wasn’t rage, exactly. It was more like abject terror. Friday night commuters filled the sweaty subway car. I stood over two seated girls who were maybe in high school, their mascara-laden eyes darting, hands pulling nervously at hair. One leaned in and said something into the other’s ear. She nodded sagely, and they regarded each other with smirks. The interaction jabbed like a penknife in the ribs. Their shared world. Their undeniable certainty that they were a team. It reminded me of early days with Wren, holding hands as we rode out to Bushwick, wearing cheap pleather leggings, swigging from a shared plastic bottle of vodka and soda. Stop. I curled my fist in my pocket, digging my fingernails into my palm. I couldn’t show up like this, with soft, pathetic yearning in my eyes. Wren and I were no longer best friends. Or friends at all. And that was fine. I was thirty years old. It didn’t make sense that I was still so broken up about a goddamn friendship. The doors slid open. I followed a small stream of people out, throwing a final glance back at the teen girls. One stared directly at me, her gaze both curious and hostile. Pete was waiting for me in the hotel lobby, a mishmash of