Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger Narrator: Vivienne Leheny
Published by Harlequin Audio on November 8, 2022
Genres: Suspense, Thriller
Length: 12 hours, 20 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Three couples rent a luxury cabin in the woods for a weekend getaway to die for in this chilling locked-room thriller by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Unger.
What could be more restful, more restorative, than a weekend getaway with family and friends? An isolated luxury cabin in the woods, complete with spectacular views, a hot tub and a personal chef. Hannah’s loving and generous tech-mogul brother found the listing online. The reviews are stellar. It’s his birthday gift to Hannah and includes their spouses and another couple. The six friends need this trip with good food, good company and lots of R & R, far from the chatter and pressures of modern life.
But the dreamy weekend is about to turn into a nightmare. A deadly storm is brewing. The rental host seems just a little too present. The personal chef reveals that their beautiful house has a spine-tingling history. And the friends have their own complicated past, with secrets that run blood deep. How well does Hannah know her brother, her own husband? Can she trust her best friend? And who is the new boyfriend, crashing their party? Meanwhile, someone is determined to ruin the weekend, looking to exact a payback for deeds long buried. Who is the stranger among them?
Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six is a suspenseful journey into family, couples and their secrets. Some of these people are not really very likeable, even though they have money and power. Some people are just lost and trying to find their way and afraid they are not succeeding. The characters have plenty of flaws.
The characters where we get their point of view are primarily Hannah, Henry and a bit of Liza. We do get some of an unknown villain too. The villain becomes clear as we learn more. Henry was a conundrum for me. I wasn’t sure how he fit into things.
There’s some points about society that are really sad. Women get abused / assaulted and aren’t believed. Also, those in the family of the abusers/ assaulters are sometimes enabling them because they continue to support and care for them, even protect them, partly because they are their providers or family.
The setting is a remote luxury cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It should be a dream vacation, relaxing with family and friends. But the weather is threatening. Everyone has secrets which are boiling up and out into view.
I enjoyed learning more about the characters. I worried about their safety, which kept me on the edge. I thought the ending was satisfying and I appreciated the story didn’t end when they left the cabin. We got to see how the secrets and events impacted their lives going forward.
Narration:
I’m familiar with this narrator and enjoyed her performance. Her male and female voices feel comfortable. She projected the emotion of the suspenseful situations well. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 22-COYER
I’m going to have a nightmare just reading the review!! Sounds like it would make a great movie.
Most of the worst happens off page in history and is just mentioned in the current story.
An isolated cabin would make for a thrilling setting and I think unlikable characters mixed in would make it interesting.
It’s a suspenseful and scary ride since it’s really hard to trust anybody.
I can’t wait to read this one. So glad to see you enjoyed it.
Thank you Nadene. It’s suspenseful.
I love that kind of remote setting in suspense reads. it’s always a lot of fun.
yes and it’s in the state where I live.
This is an author that I have wanted to read for a long time but haven’t for some reason. This sounds like one that I would definitely enjoy.
It’s my first read of this author and I enjoyed it. But wow some flawed and unlikable characters.
I secluded cabin is perfect for this type of book. Wonderful review!
Thank you Wendy. I really liked it.
I thought about requesting this one, but in the end didn’t. I’ll see if there’s a library audio. Sounds like a mystery I’d enjoy! Fab review, Anne!
I enjoyed it and it’s set in the state where I live.
I want to read this one, it sounds really suspenseful. /
It definitely is suspenseful Greg. I worried about who would live and die. There were some really unlikeable characters, too.
Huh! This sounds right up my alley!
It’s surprisingly likeable even with all those unlikable characters. It’s a good story although I understood a couple things quickly I wasn’t sure how things would go.