Sitting majestically in the sparkling, blue Ionian Sea, off the coast of Greece, the island of Corfu annually entices tourists from a plethora of nationalities and backgrounds to it’s spectacular and iconic beauty. Think beaches to die for, rugged mountains and numerous resorts and types of accommodation, catering for everybody from the rich and famous to those on a tight budget.

In short, Corfu is a definitive paradise and the stunning setting for superb Irish author’s, Cathy Kelly, latest sublime novel, The Island Retreat.

Therapist, Rose Talisman, has retreated from the spotlight since a very public and spectacular fall from grace five years ago. Rose had been the revered doyen of daytime television in America when she was the all-knowing therapist on “The Talisman Effect”. On this high-rating TV show, Rose would get folks in who desperately needed her help (and the more desperate and ‘out there’ guests on the show were the better, as far as ratings went). What dramatic event was the catalyst for Rose leaving the show? What went so terribly wrong for Rose and her glitzy television career? Because now, there are “No more family mediations done at high speed with people who really needed four years of intensive therapy instead of one hour-long show trying to speedily knit together broken families… Rose Talisman has left that crazy life behind”.

And where is Rose now and what does her life look like? Despite her awful public humiliation, Rose is now living the dream (let’s face it, a lot of our dreams) in Corfu. Further, Rose (along with her sister Adriana and brother-in-law, Christos) has just opened Villa Artemis, “hewn into the cliff face above the village of Xanthe and gazing down over the Ionian Sea…Rose loves her new home in Corfu. There are no late-night police sirens, no Los Angeles city smog, no randomers accosting her in the street….”.

Life on this beautiful island has done wonders for Rose (she’s been on the island for four years, renovating the villa) and she climbs it’s stoic mountains and swims in the heavenly sea to the benefit of her health and well-being. 

Now Rose is running her first retreat at Villa Artemis. A week-long retreat where Rose will offer therapy to her guests. And we soon discover that these six guests will really give Rose a run for her money. 

There is Dianne Wilkins, a petite grandmother in her sixties from Melbourne. Dianne is extremely angry. In fact, she is full of rage and she is extremely intimidating for Rose and the other guests. Why is Dianne so angry? What has happened in her life (either to her or by her) that has her so hot under the collar?

Dianne is at the retreat after an intervention by her children. Her children insist she attend to deal with her anger, because as her daughter, Lauren, says to her, “You’ve fought with all your neighbours….Now the police are involved because of your road rage. You need help”. Dianne has no intentions of changing however and will “pretend to join in” at Villa Artemis because “She doesn’t want to change”.

Thirty-four year old India, from England, has her own Pandora’s Box of issues to unload at the retreat. She is addicted to falling in love with men and imagining a wonderful fairytale wedding and life with them after only knowing them a short time. India used to watch Rose on TV when India was a teenager. India has been living on money from her mother’s modelling career and feels it’s time she earnt money of her own. Perhaps Rose can help her with all these issues?

Young Keera, from America, has packed a lot into her short life. With her manager mom, Dr Bobbi, calling the shots, Keera has had a career in the spotlight since she was nine – singing mainly. This career has enabled Keera to be on a fractious path to abuse alcohol and drugs. Keera has had her own train-wreck in life and desperately needs Rose’s help. Can Rose help her? Dr Bobbi just wants the best for Keera doesn’t she?

The elderly Bernard (an abrasive and terribly wealthy business tycoon) and his younger wife, Grazia, are from England and have their own figurative luggage of secrets to share. Or will they? The perpetually grumpy and tiresome Bernard will do his utmost to not let anyone into his inner world. What are his and Grazia’s secrets and issues? Will Grazia be brave enough to share? What have the happy (or are they?) couple been keeping from the world?

Scientist Dan, from England, declares to the retreat participants and Rose that “I’m not really sure why I’m here”. It turns out, however, that Dan has a truckload of reasons to be at the retreat. He is “on a break” from his girlfriend, Julia, who has “tried to kill herself”. He explains to all how wonderful and exquisite Julia is and that they need eachother. What is the seismic rift in their relationship that has not been good for Dan? Is Julia a savior for Dan or a villain? What does Rose make of it all?

Will Rose’s retreat succeed or fail? Will the guests get the help they need or walk away empty? How shocking exactly are the secret problems (and others not-so-secret) that the participants have been hiding from the world?

Rose has her own secrets that she has been keeping from others. Even her beloved previous boyfriend, Theo, a fellow therapist, was not privy to Rose’s past. Why couldn’t she tell him, or anyone for that matter, about her past?

When Rose gets an anonymous email threatening to expose her past, things threaten to spiral out of control in Rose’s carefully curated world.

The murky, cyclonic undertones in each of the guests and Rose’s inner worlds are in sharp contrast to the serene and calming environs of Corfu. When one of the guests goes AWOL, can they be found in time? 

Cathy has written a vividly wise, intelligent and empathetic novel that delves into some heavy topics (including domestic abuse, coercive control, mental and emotional abuse and substance abuse) whilst also soothing the soul and taking one to a place, Corfu, of great beauty and peace.

Don’t we all need some time in a place as gorgeous and stunning as Corfu? A place to heal the body, mind and spirit? In the meantime, reading about such an idyllic locale is surely the next best thing. The world is undeniably a beautiful place (still, despite the ugliness of some human hearts, wars and conflicts) and no-one could argue with that after time spent literally on, or in the imagination by reading about it, Corfu.

Bravo Cathy! You have written another winner and showed again why your books are magic. Your insight into the human psyche and condition is fantastic. I have greatly enjoyed all of your books that I have read. The words captivating, enriching and divine come to mind to describe this and all your books.

This was a five star read for me. I loved every page.