Welcome to Himlafall Clinic, where we use revolutionary therapy techniques to heal you from heartbreak. Whether you are going through a devastating breakup, or can’t seem to stop picking the wrong partners, we are here to help you change your life, once and for all…

That is quite the claim indeed! 

Isobel Anderssen is an investigative journalist who is trying to make a name for herself. She has some inside information about possible nefarious activities taking place at a prestigious clinic, where wealthy female clients can go to recover physically and mentally from personal breakups. Some, however, are never heard from again.

"[Sten] writes in a fast-paced style and has produced a clever storyline with well-developed characters.... [I]t’s difficult to figure out the truth until you get to the final pages."

Isobel applies for a short-term residence at Himlafall Clinic so she can snoop around and expose its founder, Dr. Martina Hastings. She learned about the problems at the clinic through Sandra, one of their office workers. Sandra is supposed to be there upon her arrival, but it turns out she is sick and won’t be in for a few days. This seems like a perfectly reasonable explanation for her absence. But is there more to the story?

Other oddities occur. When Isobel mentions a former patient’s name, her remarks are met with strange looks, as if someone is trying to cover up something. When it’s time for group therapy, she’s told that she can’t attend because she’s suffering from a physical condition that would prohibit her from fully participating, even though she has no such limitations. The longer Isobel stays at the clinic, the more things seem to be off-kilter. 

So what is really going on at Himlafall Clinic?

THE BREAK-UP RETREAT is the latest from Camilla Sten, whose previous novels are THE LOST VILLAGE, THE RESTING PLACE and THE BACHELORETTE PARTY. She writes in a fast-paced style and has produced a clever storyline with well-developed characters. As the story unfolds, she keeps readers anticipating what might happen next by throwing in plenty of clues, some of which are red herrings. As a result, it’s difficult to figure out the truth until you reach the final pages.

Sten has penned a creepy, unpredictable thriller that is well worth reading and will have you looking forward to her next book, which I am confident will be another winner.