A Quiet Retreat by Kiersten Modglin (Audiobook)
Dreamscape Media, LLC
Audible Release: January 17, 2023
Listening Length: 5 hours 50 minutes
Narrators: Carly Robins
Genre: Thriller
KKECReads Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
KKECReads Rating for Performance: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
KKECReads Rating for Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received a copy of this audiobook for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.
Kiersten Modglin is an Amazon Top 10 bestselling author of psychological thrillers and a member of International Thriller Writers, Novelists, Inc., and the Alliance of Independent Authors. Kiersten is a KDP Select All-Star and a recipient of ThrillerFix’s Best Psychological Thriller Award, Suspense Magazine’s Best Book of 2021 Award, a 2022 Silver Falchion for Best Suspense, and a 2022 Silver Falchion for Best Overall Book of 2021. She grew up in rural western Kentucky and later relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, where she now lives with her husband, daughter, and their two Boston terriers: Cedric and Georgie. Kiersten’s work has been translated into multiple languages, and readers across the world refer to her as ‘The Queen of Twists.’ A Netflix addict, Shonda Rhimes superfan, psychology fanatic, and indoor enthusiast, Kiersten enjoys rainy days spent with her nose in a book.
That’s how it all begins—with a simple invitation.
For five authors, it’s meant to be the start of a restful week, filled with free food, drinks, and likeminded company.
But shortly after their arrival, things take an unsettling turn.
Broken property, missing items, and strange noises are just some of the odd occurrences that have each member questioning their companions. As suspicions mount, the authors are pitted against each other.
Whom can they trust in a house full of strangers?
With tensions rising, the writers find themselves in the middle of their own mystery. Death, terror, and despair are common elements in their books, but at Black Hills Manor, the murders being plotted are their own.
“A house is only as good as the people inside of it.”
Five authors receive an invitation that seems too good to be true but impossible to pass up. An inclusive week at a beautiful home in the woods, where they will have everything they need to work on their novels. Peace, serenity, companionship of like-minded fellows, and nothing else to focus on. Things are going well until this dream retreat quickly becomes a nightmare.
I read this book as an arc and enjoyed it then, but as an audiobook, it was such a different experience. Carly Robins was the perfect choice to bring this book to life.
I was even further endeared to the characters hearing their words and experiencing their interactions. The story felt even more dramatic, intense, and even more fast-paced.
The audio version of this story was much scarier, and I think I enjoyed listening to this book more than reading it. And for me, that never happens!
Obviously, you cannot go wrong with a KMod title, and her audiobooks are often such beautiful works of art- but differently than the written book.
I love how the narrator brought the story to life, how she gave each character a defined personality, and how the story was told. Even though I knew what had happened, I was on the edge of my seat, absolutely riveted.
I think the dual timelines worked even better in the audio formatting, getting to hear each character tell their story. Carly was absolutely fantastic.
My only note is Carly mispronounced KMod’s last name both times she said it. Which I get I also have a last name that people cannot say. But that grabbed my attention. I think because, for a while, I was also saying Modglin wrong, so now I’m hyper-aware of the proper pronunciation. Not a big deal; it happens.
If anyone is looking for a first-time KMod audiobook, this is absolutely Katy Approved! I loved the length; I was able to listen to the entire book at work, which was nice.