The Last Retreat: A pulse-pounding and totally addictive thriller that you won't want to miss

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Hodder & Stoughton, Aug 6, 2026 - Fiction - 320 pages

'Grips from page one, and doesn't let go till the last... Wow. What an enthralling book' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Top-notch political thriller... constantly keeps the reader guessing' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

After surviving a raid in Ukraine, war photographer Tash Carter is in desperate need of recuperation. She accepts a job teaching photography at Belford Abbey, a luxurious estate where the super-rich come to switch off and rejuvenate.

One of Belford's most esteemed clients is billionaire Eliot Drake, owner of Panopticon, a data-mining company which could be any government's biggest asset, or their greatest weapon.

When Tash is approached by an MI6 agent asking her to uncover information, she quickly learns that Eliot Drake is not just powerful - he is dangerous.

Tash has seen enemies on the battlefield, but soon she'll find that the biggest threat lies within Belford's walls...

Don't miss this explosive and utterly gripping thriller from Marina Palmer, perfect for fans of Tess Gerritsen and Elly Griffiths.

Everyone is hooked by Marina Palmer's writing:

'Fast-paced and clever, with a pleasing blend of political intrigue and romantic suspense as well as a whodunnit, this is perfect entertainment for a winter's evening' Guardian

'Elena is a delicious villainess, and the compelling dynamic between plutocrat and protégée makes this an addictive read' The Sunday Times

'Part thriller, part romance, part social commentary, this is a wildly entertaining novel' Literary Review

'Best book I've read this year' Simon Conway, author of The Stranger

'The Russian Doll gripped me with layer upon dangerous layer' Alison Bruce, author of The Moment Before Impact

'I couldn't put it down and finished it in a day . . . Superb!' Mara Timon, author of City of Spies

 

Contents

The Abbey
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 4
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 19
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 36
Chapter 39
The Wild Hunt
Chapter 25

Chapter 30
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 44
Epilogue Plan
Copyright

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About the author (2026)

Marina Palmer is the pseudonym of bestselling British author Imogen Robertson, used for her contemporary thriller writing. Imogen was born and brought up in Darlington and studied Russian and German before moving to London. Before becoming a full-time writer, she directed for TV, film, and radio. She is the author many novels, including the Crowther and Westerman series and The Paris Winter, and has co-written novels with former Labour Deputy Leader Tom Watson (The House), screenwriter Darby Kealey (Liberation as Imogen Kealey) and the legendary Wilbur Smith (King of Kings). Imogen has been shortlisted for the CWA Historical Dagger three times and for the CWA Dagger in the Library Award once. She lives in London with her husband, cheesemonger and writer, Ned Palmer.

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