Retreat by Krysten Ritter

This was the Teachers and Friends Book Club selection for April, chosen by Our Daily Bakes owner Roberta.

There was not a lot of meat and potatoes to this book.  In fact, the first 2/3 or so were totally unnecessary. The last part could have been a short story and been just as effective.  That last part is what we debated, and debated hard, about!

Liz is a professional con artist.  She infiltrates high society events and befriends the wealthy then steals their jewelry, credit cards, fine clothing, etc. After an art gallery event, she is hired by a wealthy wife named Isabelle to oversee the final decorating of a villa in Mexico.  Isabelle and her husband Oliver are on a retreat the far east. 

Liz resembles Isabelle so much, the hoity-toity residents mistake her for her employer, and she decides to run with the con (this was a lot of fluff that wasn't needed). But she learns Oliver and Isabelle's marriage is on the rocks, and when Oliver's estranged brother shows up looking for him, things go awry very quickly. 

As this is a murder mystery, I don't want to spoil too much. If you can get through all the added details in the beginning, the end is worth reading. 

All opinions expressed on this blog are solely those of Mrs. W. and do not reflect those of WHPS or WHHS.