Sarah Pearse
Biography
Sarah Pearse is a British author renowned for her atmospheric and suspenseful psychological thrillers. Before becoming a full-time novelist, she worked in PR. Her debut novel, "The Sanatorium" (2021), quickly became a New York Times bestseller and a Reese's Book Club pick, catapulting her to international recognition. The inspiration for the isolated, chilling setting of her first novel stemmed from childhood holidays spent in the Swiss Alps. Pearse holds a Masters in Creative Writing and a degree in English Literature. She now resides in South Devon, England, with her husband and two daughters, where she continues to craft chilling narratives that explore human psychology against dramatic backdrops.
Selected Thoughts
«I often get asked if I outline my novels, and the answer is yes, absolutely! I am a plotter and need to know where the story is going before I start writing.»
«I love that feeling when you pick up a book and you are just completely sucked into its world.»
«I love the idea of an 'isolated setting' that acts almost as another character, and certainly in both books ["The Sanatorium" and "The Retreat"] the location plays a huge part.»
Writing Style
Sarah Pearse's writing style is characterized by its pervasive sense of dread, intricate plotting, and vivid, often claustrophobic, atmospheric descriptions. She excels at building suspense gradually, immersing readers in isolated, unsettling environments that become characters in themselves. Pearse frequently employs psychological elements, exploring themes of past trauma, hidden secrets, and the fragile nature of trust. Her narratives often feature a strong sense of place, with settings like remote hotels or islands playing crucial roles in heightening the tension and mystery. She crafts unreliable situations and keeps readers guessing with unexpected twists and turns.