Retreat

A Novel

De: Krysten Ritter

Narrado por: Krysten Ritter

A beautiful con artist insinuates herself into a wealthy socialite’s life . . . with deadly consequences, in this serpentine thriller about identity and obsession, from—and narrated by—actress, director and bestselling author Krysten Ritter.

Liz Dawson weaves through a crowd with the ease of a tropical breeze, moving seamlessly through elite circles, sparking instant connections and making every new acquaintance feel like an intimate friend. She’s clever, smooth, and confident—qualities that make her a brilliant serial con artist.

Isabelle Beresford is strikingly beautiful, obscenely wealthy, and the new owner of Casa Esmerelda, a fabulous villa on the Mexican coast—attributes that make her the perfect mark. When she offers Liz a job handling the installation of a piece of art in her otherwise vacant home, Liz can’t resist the allure of a beach retreat. She longs for a reset, a chance to finally shed the grip of her addiction to the conning game.

But when Liz, with her lush dark hair and intense green eyes, is mistaken for Isabelle herself, Liz can’t help effortlessly slipping into the socialite’s identity. The transition is so easeful, it almost feels like fate. But just who is Isabelle Beresford really, and why does she seem to have abandoned this stunning life of hers?

As Liz insinuates herself deeper into the dazzling—and deceptive—world of the Punta Mita resort community, she draws closer to the dangers surrounding the real Isabelle. Dangers that may have already ensnared Liz, too. This might not be the con of her life—but the con that ends it.

©2025 Krysten Ritter (P)2025 HarperCollins Publishers

This story was fantastic!

Very clever storyline. Well fleshed out characters. Well-written settings, all of it was intriguing and kept me engaged the whole time. I’m only not giving it five stars because I don’t feel like it’s a life-changing novel. It’s an entertainment novel, but it’s a five star entertainment novel.

Couldn’t put it down!

I used my credit on this one and I’m so glad that I did! It was twisty and fun! Great listen!!!

Twists and turns

Great book! So good and so horrifying - keeps you guessing. Loved the setting and atmosphere

Must read

Must read that’s it! The plot twist twisted and had me at what the ???????? Krysten Ritter you did that girl!

Twisted story

I loved that you don’t know what’s coming next. Keeps you on your toes. Suspenseful

Those Twists

I enjoyed this book completely!! I was completely captivated. Drawn into it, cheering for liz and then that end left me wondering... what or who?

So good

I listen to a lot of this genre and she did such a great job. I often don’t finish the books, but wanted to know the ending of this one…very well done

Wow

This was a fun, wild listen!!! I had to get used to the narration but I’m glad I stuck around!

Retreat! A fantastic thriller from Krysten Ritter

As a longtime admirer of @krystenritter work, I was immediately intrigued when I came across her latest novel, Retreat, during a recent visit to the bookstore. I picked up a copy and opted to experience it through the audiobook during my daily workouts and routines—and I finished it in under a week.

Ritter proves she’s not only a talented actress, but also a skilled author. Retreat is a suspenseful, sharply written novel filled with unexpected twists, rich character development, and vivid, atmospheric descriptions. Her storytelling keeps you hooked from beginning to end.

The audiobook experience is especially compelling, as Ritter herself narrates the story. Her voice brings an extra layer of depth to the lead role, making it easy to envision her in a screen adaptation—something that would be well-deserved, should it ever come to fruition.

Whether you prefer a physical copy or enjoy audiobooks, Retreat is well worth your time. It’s a gripping, well-executed thriller that showcases Ritter’s multifaceted talent.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Got better and better with every chapter

Couldn’t stop listening to this book. So much deception. I loved it. Just when you thought it was over another layer was introduced.