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BOOK INFO
Title: The Last Session
Author: Julia Bartz
Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books
Publish Date: April 1, 2025
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Series: na
My Rating: 3/5
BOOK BLURB
When a catatonic woman shows up at the psychiatric unit, social worker Thea swears she knows her from somewhere. She’s shocked to discover the patient holds a link to a traumatic time in her past. Upon regaining lucidity, the patient claims she can’t remember the horrific recent events that caused her brain to shut down. Thea’s at a loss—especially when the patient is ripped away from her as suddenly as she appeared.
Determined to find her, Thea follows a trail of clues to a remote center in Southwestern New Mexico, where a charismatic couple holds a controversial monthly retreat to uncover attendees’ romantic and sexual issues. Forced to participate in increasingly intimate exercises, Thea finds herself inching closer not only to her missing patient, but also to tantalizing answers about her harrowing past. However, time is running out, and if she stays for the last session, she too might lose her mind…or worse.
MY REVIEW
Thea, a social worker at a psychiatric unit, recognizes a patient and wants to help her. When the patient abruptly leaves the facility, Thea tries to find her, and ends up in a remote wellness retreat.
The Last Session is told through Thea’s point of view. Thea is naive and makes some poor decisions throughout the book. The plot is entertaining, but does involve suspending disbelief.
This is a slow burning and bizarre mystery. Good for readers who enjoy fiction involving cults and wellness retreats gone wrong.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Books by Julia Bartz:
- The Writing Retreat
- The Last Session