Retreat Summary: A Twisted Psychological Thriller by Krysten Ritter Books to Thrive: Best Summaries

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Book Summary Contents

Introduction to Retreat Summary: A Thrilling Psychological Tale of Deception and Identity

What happens when a con artist becomes the con? In “Retreat” by Krysten Ritter, grifter Liz steals a wealthy socialite’s identity after finding her corpse—but soon realizes she’s trapped in a killer’s elaborate trap.

This Retreat summary reveals the novel’s jaw-dropping twists, themes of deception, and haunting finale.

TL;DR:

A scammer assumes a dead heiress’s life in Mexico, unaware the real killer engineered her as the perfect patsy.

10 Questions Retreat by Krysten Ritter Answers

Why does Liz steal identities?
Trauma from abandonment and poverty drives her cons.
How does Isabelle manipulate Liz?
She engineers Liz’s “discovery” of her “corpse” to frame her.
What’s the significance of the ruby ring?
Symbolizes Liz’s stolen wealth—and looming consequences.
Why does Liz trust Tilly?
Tilly mirrors Liz’s loneliness, creating false kinship.
What’s the hall of mirrors fight’s meaning?
Represents identity dissolution—who’s really the villain?
How does class impact the story?
Wealth enables corruption but also makes elites easy marks.
Is Braden innocent?
Yes—Liz’s paranoia leads to his tragic death.
What’s the shell company reveal?
Isabelle planted it to implicate Liz in Oliver’s crimes.
Why does Liz say she’ll “kill again”?
The game has hardened her; survival trumps morality.
Does Isabelle survive?
Ambiguous—the fire’s “Isabelle” may be another patsy.

Author Background: Krysten Ritter

Retreat Summary — Author’s image source: people.com

Krysten Ritter is an accomplished individual known for her multifaceted career as an actress, director, and author.

She is the internationally bestselling author of the novel “Bonfire,” which garnered critical acclaim, including a starred review from Publishers Weekly. Esteemed author Gillian Flynn described “Bonfire” as “a beautiful, haunting debut”.

Ritter is widely recognized for her starring role in Marvel’s “Jessica Jones,” showcasing her talent in bringing complex characters to life.

Multi-hyphenate talent: Actress (Jessica Jones), director, novelist.
Writing style: Gritty, psychological, with unreliable narrators.
Themes: Female antiheroes, trauma, societal masks.

**Who Should Read Retreat?**

✔ Gone Girl fans – Unreliable narrators & brutal twists.
✔ True crime lovers – Con artistry, murder, mind games.
✔ Anyone intrigued by identity – How far would you go to reinvent yourself?

Retreat Summary & Plot Summary

Non-Spoiler Overview:

The story opens by introducing Liz, a seasoned con artist who relies on her ability to meticulously observe and mimic others to create new identities and orchestrate elaborate frauds. Her life is a constant cycle of adapting, exploiting, and escaping.

Feeling tired of the relentless game, Liz views an opportunity in Punta Mita, Mexico, presented by the wealthy Isabelle Beresford, as a chance for a much-needed “retreat.”

However, what begins as a straightforward art installation job quickly spirals into a complex and deadly game of mistaken identity, murder, and survival, forcing Liz to confront not only external threats but also the fracturing of her own sense of self.

Part 1: The Chicago Grift (Setup)

Liz scams philanthropist Mrs. Reed with a fake art deal, stealing a ruby ring.
When a fixer closes in, she flees to Mexico for an “art installation job” from Isabelle Beresford.

Part 2: The Deadly Mistake (Punta Mita)

Liz finds two bodies: Oliver Beresford (Isabelle’s husband) and his mistress Madeleine.
- Fatal error: She misidentifies Madeleine as Isabelle.
She steals Isabelle’s life, but:
- Oliver’s brother Braden arrives, sparking a risky romance.
- A fixer from Chicago hunts her.
- Eccentric “Tilly” (actually Isabelle) befriends her, dropping cryptic hints.

Part 3: The Ultimate Betrayal

Liz kills Braden, believing he murdered Oliver.
A shell company under her real name surfaces—Isabelle framed her.
Tilly reveals herself as Isabelle, a killer who:
- Murdered Oliver and Madeleine.
- Planned for Liz to take the fall.
Their hall-of-mirrors fight blurs victim and villain.

Epilogue:

Liz escapes, but news reports claim “Isabelle” died in a fire.
Final line: “I’ll kill again if I have to.”

Retreat Summary By Chapter (Detailed)

Prologue

The narrator reveals her ability to adapt and reflect others’ desires, comparing herself to a mirror. She emphasizes the ease of blending in and “getting away with murder.”

Chapter 1

Liz attends a Melanoma Foundation gala in Chicago, where she cons Mrs. Reed by feigning grief and steals her ruby ring. Liz establishes herself as a “consultant,” targeting wealthy individuals for fraud.

Chapter 2

Liz infiltrates the Thacker family’s mansion, secures $50,000 from Mrs. Reed for a fake art deal, and steals cash and credit cards from Mr. Thacker. She receives an invitation to Punta Mita, Mexico, from Isabelle Beresford.

Chapter 3

Liz, using the alias “Elizabeth Dawson,” flies first-class to Punta Mita. She’s hired by Isabelle Beresford to hang a painting in their mansion, Casa Esmerelda. Liz views this as an opportunity for a luxurious escape.

Chapter 4

At Casa Esmerelda, Liz settles in, enjoying the mansion’s amenities and spending Isabelle’s money. She receives an alert about the police report filed by the Thackers for missing valuables, making her nervous.

Chapter 5

Liz prepares for a beach club party where she meets Julia, Aimee, and Palmer Kelly. At the event, Palmer is skeptical about Liz’s background. Liz flirts with Jay Logenbach and learns about Neil Kelly’s shady business ties.

Chapter 6

Liz spends the night with Jay and takes photos of his ID and credit cards. At Casa Esmerelda, she meets Tilly Endicott, who knows the real Isabelle and shares Isabelle’s bitterness toward her marriage to Oliver Beresford.

Chapter 7

Liz experiences nightmares and worries that the real Isabelle might still be alive. She disposes of Oliver and Isabelle’s bodies, assuming Isabelle’s identity, and plans her next steps in Punta Mita.

Part II

Chapter 8

Liz fully assumes Isabelle’s identity, using her credit cards and befriending the locals. She becomes entangled in Punta Mita’s social circles while maintaining her deception.

Chapter 9

Liz learns Oliver’s VP, David Morrow, is concerned about Oliver’s disappearance. She fabricates a story about Oliver’s absence and investigates Oliver’s hidden office, revealing clues about his shady dealings.

Chapter 10

Liz uses Oliver’s laptop to send an email to Morrow and buys herself more time. She uncovers evidence of Oliver’s business dealings with Neil Kelly and realizes Oliver’s mysterious activities may have led to his death.

Chapter 11

Liz plants doubts about Neil Kelly’s financial situation in her social circle, prompting a party to “prove” his success. She continues to investigate Oliver’s connections with Neil Kelly and uncovers more unsettling facts.

Chapter 12

At Neil Kelly’s party, Liz uses Palmer’s drunkenness to access Neil’s phone, discovering WhatsApp messages revealing Oliver’s affair and shady investment. Neil confronts Liz, but Tilly diffuses the tension.

Chapter 13

Liz grows closer to Tilly, who reveals more about Isabelle’s past, including her desire to escape her marriage to Oliver. Liz discovers Oliver’s secret office, and Braden Beresford arrives, complicating the situation further.

Chapter 14

Braden helps Liz access Oliver’s bank accounts, revealing suspicious financial activity. Liz fears that Braden might be involved in Oliver’s disappearance and worries about the mysterious “Reed fixer.”

Chapter 15

Liz shares an intimate moment with Braden, but soon realizes Isabelle might have faked her own death. She uncovers a connection between Isabelle and Susan Warner, triggering memories of a past trauma involving her college roommate.

Chapter 16

The Reed fixer is found dead, and Tilly confronts Liz, hinting she knows about her secret activities. Liz tries to escape but is trapped by Tilly’s manipulations.

Chapter 17

Tilly grows increasingly erratic, pushing Liz to run away with her. At a gala, Liz tries to keep her composure while grappling with Braden’s affection and the ongoing investigation into Oliver’s death.

Chapter 18

The police identify Oliver’s skull and Madeleine Richards’ body, revealing Liz’s mistake in assuming Madeleine was Isabelle. The discovery of Oliver’s new will raises suspicion about Braden’s involvement in the murders.

Chapter 19

Liz confronts Braden, realizing he has manipulated her and may be responsible for the murders. In a desperate act, she kills Braden with a copper sculpture from Oliver’s office.

Chapter 20

Liz discovers that Oliver’s shell corporation is registered under her own legal name. As she tries to escape, she realizes that the real Isabelle orchestrated the entire situation, and she is now the fall girl.

Part III

Chapter 21

The narrative shifts to Isabelle’s (Susan’s) perspective, revealing her plans to escape Oliver by using Liz as her double. Isabelle sees Liz as a perfect pawn for her scheme.

Chapter 22

Isabelle further manipulates Liz, disguising herself as Tilly and observing Liz’s every move. Isabelle sets the stage for Liz to unknowingly play her part in the plan.

Chapter 23

Isabelle admits to killing Oliver and Madeleine, choosing to keep Liz alive out of fascination. She orchestrates Liz’s interactions with other residents to solidify her fake identity.

Chapter 24

Isabelle prepares to kill Liz after their final confrontation. The truth about Isabelle’s past and her deadly manipulations come to light. A violent struggle ensues as Liz fights for survival.

Epilogue

In the aftermath, Liz (or Susan) reflects on her actions in an airport bathroom. News reports confirm the deaths at Casa Esmerelda, and the narrator contemplates her actions, identity, and the bleak reality of her existence.

Characters: Roles & Arcs

Character	Role	Description
Liz / Elizabeth Dawson / Elizabeth Hastings	Protagonist and Narrator	A con artist skilled at reinventing herself to survive, constantly seeking escape from her traumatic past through deceit.
Isabelle Beresford / Susan Tilda Warner / Tilly Endicott	Antagonist	A master manipulator who assumes multiple identities, orchestrating a deadly game and using Liz as a pawn to escape her past.
Oliver Beresford	Isabelle’s husband	A wealthy venture capitalist with a shady business and unfaithful actions, whose death triggers the story’s central conflict.
Braden Beresford	Romantic interest and perceived protector	Oliver’s estranged younger brother, who complicates Liz’s cons and becomes her romantic entanglement.
Mrs. Reed (Abigail Reed)	Liz’s initial “mark”	A wealthy art collector whom Liz cons at a charity event, leading to her connection with Isabelle and the unfolding plot.
Julia	Socialite in Punta Mita	A trusting, naive mother who befriends Liz (as Isabelle) and helps her integrate into the local social circle.
Palmer Kelly	Critical friend of Julia and Aimee	A suspicious friend who later reveals important information about her husband’s shady dealings with Oliver.
Aimee	Socialite in Punta Mita	A quieter, observant member of Julia’s group, aiding Liz’s acceptance in the local social circle.
Martina	Housekeeper at Casa Esmerelda	Hired by Liz to maintain her disguise, Martina becomes an unknowing witness to police activity at the villa.
Lupe	Cook at Casa Esmerelda	Part of the staff supporting Liz’s fabricated life and maintaining her illusion of wealth and status.
David Morrow	VP at Beresford Capital	Concerned about Oliver’s disappearance, Morrow pushes Liz into creating a digital trail for him, linking her deeper to the plot.
Neil Kelly	Involved in shady business with Oliver	Aggressive and demanding, Kelly is a suspect in Oliver’s death due to his involvement in dangerous investments.
Madeleine Richards	Oliver’s mistress	Killed by Isabelle, her body is mistaken for Isabelle’s by Liz, leading her to assume Isabelle’s identity.
The Reeds’ Fixer (Unnamed)	Agent hired by the Reed family	A threat to Liz’s new identity, he is ultimately killed by Isabelle, complicating the plot further.
Bekka	Liz’s college roommate	Liz briefly stole Bekka’s identity, and Bekka’s betrayal foreshadows the ultimate betrayal Liz faces with Isabelle/Susan.
Susan Warner	Isabelle’s childhood friend	Drowned during a childhood swimming incident, sparking the beginning of Isabelle’s pattern of identity theft and manipulation.

Key Themes & Analysis

1. Identity as Performance

Liz & Isabelle/Susan are human chameleons, swapping identities like costumes.
Mirror motifs reflect fractured selves—who’s real when everyone’s faking?

2. The Con Artist’s Paradox

Liz scams the wealthy but meets her match in Isabelle, a predator who turns her into the mark.
Irony: Her “retreat” to Mexico becomes a psychological prison.

3. Trauma Drives Deception

Liz’s cons stem from childhood abandonment and shame.
Isabelle’s cruelty roots in foster care trauma and a drowned friend.

4. Wealth as a Gilded Cage

The elite (Beresfords, Reeds) are bored, corrupt, and easily manipulated.
But: Their money attracts lethal schemes (cartel deals, murder).

Final Verdict

Retreat is a razor-sharp thriller where every alliance is a lie and reflections lie. Ritter crafts a cat-and-mouse game that leaves readers questioning reality.

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