The title of this book refers to the description in the rental advertisement for the secluded weekend getaway being planned by tech mogul Mako for his sister Hannah’s birthday. The isolated cabin in the woods will provide the location for this celebration that includes family members and friends, setting the stage for Lisa Unger’s latest thriller, SECLUDED CABIN SLEEPS SIX.

"SECLUDED CABIN SLEEPS SIX is a far more introspective novel than Unger’s previous efforts... The result is a satisfying read that digs deeply into the secrets that affect how family members deal with one another."

This is a slow burn of a story rather than a direct hit over the head. Each chapter, told from a different member of the party, will reveal more deeply buried secrets. Some are a bit closer to the surface than others and represent resentments held by these characters, which helps to drive the plot and any suspicions that might arise between them as the novel moves forward.

I appreciate the quote that Unger selected to open the book: “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” – Leo Tolstoy, ANNA KARENINA. This plants the seed for readers to look closely at the various relationships here as they might foretell what is to come.

The cabin is an expansive “wellness retreat” with a fully modern look and many windows covering its multiple levels. While Hannah is grateful for the lengths to which Mako has gone, she accepts the invitation with some amount of trepidation. She also would like to talk to him privately about something important that’s on her mind.

The cabin comes with a private chef assigned to the group during their stay. He freely shares some supernatural tales involving the cabin and the surrounding woods, which makes the guests uneasy and takes the novel in a different direction. One of the stories he recounts involves the alleged murder of a family at the cabin. You will never be able to get comfortable as Unger has many secrets and surprises to unveil along the way that are intended to keep you on edge, never expecting where the next revelation might take the narrative.

SECLUDED CABIN SLEEPS SIX is a far more introspective novel than Unger’s previous efforts, with less thrills and jump scares. The result is a satisfying read that digs deeply into the secrets that affect how family members deal with one another. Trust that Unger and her masterful plotting will reward you in the end as these secrets bubble up to the surface, and no one will be safe from them.