The Sanatorium (2021) and The Retreat (2022) were the first two installments of Sarah Pearse's trilogy; The Wilds is the third and last installment.
Once again, the investigator Elin Warner is on vacation and enjoying a cordial relationship with his brother Isaac while exploring the untamed landscape of Portugal's national park. As Elin and his brother are getting back in touch, he adds that a few years ago, someone they used to know vanished from that exact spot. As a result, they decide to work together to find out what happened to Kier, a young woman. They venture far into the forest and find a quiet, modest camp that is home to several hidden secrets.
This book is split over two timeframes, each centered on a distinct person: the "past" timeline: Kier, her twin brother, and her current lover are driving through Denver, England's forests before going to a wedding. "present" timeline: this is the plot of investigator Elin Warner.

Up until Kier leaves her partner and runs away to Portugal, the reader is kept informed about the dynamics of their relationship and all the secrets that both reveal to one another and keep to themselves while they are in Denver. After a year or so, she vanishes.
Chapter after chapter, we travel back and forth, through time, to discover what really happened to Kier in Portugal. And with everyone who was associated with her.

This novel moves quite slowly at first. It is the most narratively focused on characters among the three volumes. This book differs significantly from the first two in that it is a disappearance mystery rather than a murder mystery. This distinction may not be obvious, but it is one. The Wilds reads very differently from Pearse's earlier novels, in my opinion. Although it doesn't feel quite as convoluted as the previous volumes, this one does feel more grounded. The plot and subjects covered here are quite realistic, in addition to the characters being completely credible. Both timelines have a lot of references to toxic masculinity, ghosting, psychological abuse, and domestic violence.
As always, I find the writing to be incredibly evocative and spooky. tactile, even.


The third and last book written by the author is called The Wilds, is the third and, as the author herself informs us at the end of the book, the last installment in the series. Before reading this one, I would suggest that readers read The Sanatorium and The Retreat. Especially The Sanatorium, as the author includes a few minor spoilers from book #1 in this passage. This third book also contains a "plot twist" involving a character who appears in the first two volumes.
While I wouldn't say reading the earlier volumes is a "must," being familiar with all of the characters will make things easier and more enjoyable.

In terms of the scene, atmosphere, and subjects covered, I think this is my favorite of the three. As, I still appreciate The Sanatorium greater just because of the mystery.
Overall, this book has been a lot of fun for me. I'll never forget the characters or the mood from this book, and I heartily suggest it to anybody who enjoy slow-burning, character-driven mysteries as well as anyone who has read a Sarah Pearse book in the past.

I received a complimentary eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I am very grateful.

The Wilds by Sarah Pearse, the third and final instalment in the Detective Elin Warner series, is a blend of mystery and psychological thriller. This novel can be approached as a standalone, which is how I read it. Here are my thoughts on the conclusion to the series. My rating is 3.5 stars.

Plot Summary and Structure

The story follows Elin Warner and her brother as they venture into a remote national park in Portugal, seemingly to reconnect with each other. However, their journey quickly becomes more complex when they learn that Elin’s brother has chosen this location with a hidden agenda. A woman named Kier has gone missing in the same national park, and Elin and her brother find themselves drawn into the mystery surrounding her disappearance.

The narrative is divided into two timelines. The "present" timeline features Detective Elin Warner, while the "past" timeline delves into the lives of Kier, her twin brother, and her boyfriend in the woods in England, just before attending her brother's wedding. This dual-timeline approach adds depth to the story, creating almost a mirroring of past and present that intertwines with the central mystery.

Setting and Atmosphere

One of the most compelling aspects of The Wilds is its isolated setting. This is one of my favourite settings in thriller books and this made me love it a lot. The book excelled at creating a vivid sense of place, and the remote national park in Portugal is no exception. The descriptions are so clear that you can almost feel the isolation and hear the whispers of the forest and mountains. The cover also complements the book's atmospheric writing, drawing us into the eerie and captivating setting.

Plot themes

The relationship between Elin and her brother is central to the story. Their dynamic provides a framework, explaining their motivations and allowing them to work together in unraveling the mystery. This sibling relationship is mirrored in the past timeline with Kier and her twin brother, adding an extra level of depth. This parallel exploration of sibling bonds really engaged me as a reader, highlighting themes of loyalty, trust, and the power of familial connection.

Mystery and Suspense

From the beginning, the book is filled with mystery and suspense. Numerous unanswered questions and potential theories kept me engaged. However, the initial tension occasionally gets repetitive, with frequent instances of hearing noises and glimpsing shadows and people. While this builds suspense, the eventual payoffs for many of these eerie moments didn't always meet my expectations.

Plot Twists

The pacing accelerates significantly around the 70% mark, where many questions begin to be answered. Some twists serve as straightforward misdirection, while others are genuinely surprising. These unexpected ones add excitement and kept me guessing until the very end.

Character Development

Each character in The Wilds plays a crucial role in the plot, with varying degrees of development. By the conclusion, readers have a clear understanding of the main characters, their motivations, and their significance to the story. Pearse did a good job of ensuring that even the less developed characters contribute meaningfully to the plot.

Conclusion

The Wilds is a fitting conclusion to the Detective Elin Warner series, offered a gripping mystery set in an isolated location. The dual timelines and mirrored sibling relationships added depth to the narrative, while the suspense and plot twists kept me engaged. Although some elements of the initial suspense felt repetitive, the book's ultimate revelations and character development made for a satisfying read. Fans of the series will find much more to appreciate from characters they already know and love, and newcomers like me can enjoy it as a standalone mystery that showcases Sarah Pearse's talent for crafting atmospheric and compelling stories. I now want to go and read The Sanatorium and The Retreat.

This is the 3rd instalment of the Elin Warner series. It’s also the final part of Elin’s story.

The first was the Sanitarium which I absolutely devoured, the second was the Retreat which although good wasn’t as riveting IMO. This 3rd instalment however is outstanding. It is so well written. It started out a little slow but picked up a great pace at just the right time.

Elin is on a trip with her brother Isaac & they are trying to rebuild their relationship. Isaac reveals they are in an area where his friends sister disappeared a few years ago and he wants to investigate. Elin reluctantly agrees. I don’t want to spoil it by giving away any further details but it’s a story so well written that the characters come alive in your minds eye.

I loved it.

I was really pleased to find out that there was a third book as I felt like the second book left some unanswered questions. It can be read as a standalone but I recommend reading the first two books as there are references to the previous two books.

This book stood out for me as it had a unique and intriguing plot. The book switched between Detective Elin Warner and Kier’s point of view and I was intrigued to finding out what was going to happen next and how their stories came together. What makes it great are mysterious characters, complex relationships, eery setting and hidden meanings.

The Wilds is part 3 of this series and is the last. I haven’t read any of the previous books so you can definitely read this as a standalone.
Detective Elin Warner has headed to Portugal with her brother, Isaac, they’ve decided to get away together and try to get to know each other again and put to bed past incidents. The national park is going to get them as near to off grid as they’d like to be so there are no distractions until Isaac reveals that this is the last place his friends sister was known to be before she went missing. So much for a getting back to know each other break s they hurtle straight into a mystery that starts to reveal itself from the first day they are there.
This book was a slow burner until halfway when the pace picked up and something to get your teeth into appeared. The dual timeline worked well and the setting made it more empty and eerie adding to the tension. The characters were all likeable apart from the usual ones and the storyline was different with lots of mini plots playing around the outside of the main plot.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK, Sphere for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

An interesting plot featuring (at 1st glance) a disappearance rather than a murder. The Portuguese setting was fascinating . I felt that the plot dragged on at times, especially after the halfway point. The main character, Elin, was not very memorable me and had strange thought patterns, especially for a police officer!. Quite disappointed with this book.

I loved the way that Kier and Elin's stories were woven together and the dark sinister descriptions of the park in Portugal almost made me shiver at times. Well written flawed characters and relationships. Slightly sad to hear that this is the last Elin Warner book.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

The Wilds delivers a suspenseful story set against the backdrop of an isolated, remote hiking trail deep within Portugal. The characters intrigued me, and I was kicking myself that I jumped in at book 3, as I feel I missed out on their personal histories. But it worked fine as a standalone, although I will 100% be going back and reading the first two (The Sanatorium and The Retreat).

Maps play a large part of theme, and I loved that element. Kier paints maps, but her landmarks aren't buildings or streets, instead she draws places on her maps that hold special memories for her. It got me thinking about what would be on my map, and I loved diving down that rabbit hole.

The atmosphere in this book is menacing and the secluded setting only added to that. There was a revelation that had me jumping off my seat, and I think if I had read the earlier books, that would have been even more electrifying.

Highly recommended if you enjoy atmospheric and suspenseful mysteries. I also think fans of Lucy Foley, Ruth Ware and Tana French would really enjoy this book.

I've been eagerly awaiting this book. I believe it's the final book where we follow Elin (I could be wrong). But if it is the last one then I find myself satisfied with the end.

My only real critism was that I felt it lagged a bit in the middle. But the twists! Oh my goodness. They surprised me!

The setting and descriptions of the location were brilliant and really set the scene for me. I loved the relationship between Elin and her brother, the rebuilding of it and Elin's rebuilding of herself too after splitting with her ex and struggling with so many things.

Kier and Penn were interesting as characters. I couldn't quite warm to either of them but enjoyed the outcome.

Another brilliant thriller from Sarah Pearse. It's a slow burn but builds the tension and I was eager to find out what was going on.

The 3rd and final book in the Elin Warner detective series. And it did not dissapoint, this may be my favourite out of them all.

In the previous books we've learnt that Elins relationship with her brother Isaac has been strained for years. They decide to take a trip to get to know each other again, and put past traumas behind them.

The setting, a remote national park in Portugal. Which also happens to be the same park that Isaac's friends sister Kier is believed to have disappeared in.

The national park was the perfect setting for a thriller, wild and untamed, it played a huge part in the story, it felt like a character in itself, you truly felt the isolation despite expanse of the park.

I loved the dual povs, flitting between Elin (present day) and Kier (a few years earlier) you completely get caught up in the mystery and the build up to finding out what happened to Kier. The characters at the camp were so interesting, again, you were constantly kept guessing and I had no idea what was truth or lies.

The writing was excellent, so tense and suspenseful, I was constantly second guessing "who dunnit" and the twists constantly kept me guessing.

What an amazing end to the series!

I enjoyed the first two books so I knew I wanted to read this one and I wasn’t disappointed. It did start off slow but I felt the same with the other two and in the end I really enjoyed it.

I am a fan of Elins character and I loved how this book made me feel.

I thoroughly enjoyed the previous books in this series and so was really looking forward to this book.

It started off a bit slow and didn't really kick off until over half way through. When the tension really ramped up, it got really interesting! I quite liked the reveal and the ending as it wasn't quite where I thought it would go which made it more interesting.

Overall, I enjoyed it but it's definitely my least favourite in the series.

Having enjoyed Sarah Pearse’s previous two books, I was especially excited to get immersed in The Wilds.

A propulsive and compelling read, The Wilds continues Elin’s character arc and answers some questions we have from the previous stories. eaders can look forward to a fast pace, sibling dynamics, a missing person, spooky undercurrents, and a plot that will keep you guessing... all wrapped up in a fantastic fall atmosphere. As always, Pearse kept me hooked with her chapter structure, strong characterisation, and story. Like the previous books in the series, this does require a certain suspension of disbelief (and not looking too closely at certain elements of the police parts), and the subject matter might be triggering for some. I recommend this for thriller enthusiasts, but please check out the content warnings before diving in.

Overall, I’m glad I read this. It makes me want to revisit the previous books with new context!

The Author’s Note at the end of the book is worth a read too, it touches on something that I noticed in The Retreat and the Pearse explains how that influenced the direction that she took this story.

I was privileged to have my request to read this book accepted through NetGalley. Thank you so much, Little Brown UK! What an excellent read for the first week of #CampNetGalley 🏕

Sarah Pearse's latest thriller is a welcome addition to any summer reading list. As a fan of her previous work, I was excited to dive into this new installment, but unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to my expectations.

While Pearse excels at crafting an intricate plot, writing engagingly, and delivering suspenseful moments, I found myself waiting for something to kick in. It wasn't until around 60% through the book that the pace picked up and the tension began to build.

Despite this, I think this novel is a strong conclusion to the series featuring detective Elin Warner. I just wish Pearse had added a few more twists and turns to keep me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. As it stands, this is still a good book, but one that could have been elevated with a bit more pace and suspense.

An enjoyable book. I did feel it predictable apart from Keir's brother. Also, the author has tried to put too much angst into each character. Apart from these negatives I did enjoy it. Worth a read.

I really felt like I went on a beautiful but scary journey with The Wilds, as it aroused so many emotions. Definitely a most read for the summer.

Deceive Elin Warner is back for another gripping thriller out in The Wilds.
Elin takes a well deserved break with her brother to a remote Portuguese national park, but what is meant to be a relaxing holiday turns into a missing person's investigation, when her brother says his friends sister went missing at the park.
Elin is left with very little to go apart from a very cryptic but beautiful map. The only people to speak to are the fellow strangers at a near by camp who are not welcoming and seem to be holding secrets.

I really liked the character of Elin Warner and would be interested to read more book centered around her. This was a twisty and pacy thriller that had some shocking reveals and some exquisite atmosphere & characterisation.

This thriller grips you from page one. Full of twists and turns and it shows that people are not always as they portray themselves.

Set in Portugal and Devon a story of siblings finding themselves again after heartbreak has torn them apart. Just small clues lead Erin to the conclusion that she can not trust anyone, no matter who they are. Wilderness camp that holds a secret that is surprising.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this pre publication.

Oh boy!! What a subject matter!!
Deep in a Portuguese park, while on a holiday to heal the estranged relationship with her brother Isaac, Elin a detective, falls into a mystery that her brother has dropped on her whilst there. His friend Penn, has lost contact with his travelling sister Kier, at this exact spot. She’s been missing a considerable time after splitting up with her boyfriend and running from her hometown that holds bad memories for her. She has travelled a lot but has always kept in touch in some way. There is a group of vans parked together but the occupants are closed and unwelcoming. They could know more about Kier than they’re letting on.
It was tense, atmospheric, and really gripping!! I was really invested early on and tried hard to work out from the clues what may have happened! Fantastic ending too!!! Love, love, loved it!!!
Many thanks to Little Brown Book Club for the opportunity to read this arc copy via. Netgalley. My opinion is my own.
#Netgalley, #LittleBrownBookClub_Uk, #SarahPearceAuthor.

This is the third book in the Detective Elin Warner books, and in my opinion it is the best yet. It can be read as a stand alone novel, but I personally like to see the characters grow and Elin certainly has. The story is told from two points of view and two timelines. Kier, Devon, July 2018 and Elin, Parque Nacional, Portugal, October 2021.

Kier and her twin brother Penn have not had it easy growing up with an abusive father, and other things, but they have always had each other, Kier is in Devon for Penn’s wedding she is staying in her Airstream with her partner Zeph, who was once a top chef until he blew it. He has a very fiery temper, as well as a controlling personality, or is it Kier?

Elin is in Portugal with her brother Isaac she is recuperating after events from her last case, and is bonding with her brother. Her relationship with Will is over and she realises she needs this time to find herself. However, Isaac didn’t just pick this place to getaway to but he has promised a friend Penn, he would try and find his sister Kier, who had come to Portugal and vanished. They are staying in an Airstream in the Parque. Not far from where they are staying there is a campsite which looks like the people have been there a while. They are not the friendliest of people either.

This is a very atmospheric read, you can smell the trees, and imagine the waterfall as Elin and Isaac look for answers as to what has happened to Kier. They suspect the camp have done something, but can’t prove anything. As they enquire in the town they are led to an art gallery as Kier was an artist. She had left a painted map behind something she has always painted for her brother showing all the good places. Elin takes a photo of it and it gives them a bit of an idea where she has been in the Parque. Elin feels she has seen Kier before but can’t remember where or when.

As Kier’s story goes, she feels like she is being watched all the time in the lead up to Penn’s wedding. Her and Zeph split up after an argument, but she is debating whether to go back to him. But first she has something to do. Where is Kier?

This is a well plotted, gripping thriller that will grab you from the start, with great characters, a twist that I never saw coming, its short sharp chapters will keep you turning those pages fast. At one stage my brain was screaming at Elin and Isaac to get out of somewhere as I was so worried they were going to get caught. My fingernails are gone as the tension built I was biting away at them.

I look forward to see what the author writes next.

Thank you to #netgalley and the publishers for an eARC of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.