Welcome to The Ice Retreat, a wellness resort located 3,200 metres above sea level on the summit of Mount Turin in the Swiss Alps with breathtaking views over the Lauterbrunnen valley. Here, a three-day healing and cleanse session will cure all forms of pain through an ‘ice rebirth’, apparently, at a cost of £15,000.

Hollie Jenson, an investigative reporter for the popular Netflix documentary series Bad Medicine, is hellbent on exposing Ariel Rose, the enigmatic founder of The Ice Retreat, as a manipulative charlatan with a messianic complex. Debunking the fake science behind wellness trends, therapies and alternative medicine is Hollie’s crusade. But her obsession with the CEO of The Ice Retreat blurs the lines between impartial investigation and personal vendetta.

However, over a period of four months, four seemingly ordinary individuals have taken their own lives following treatment at The Ice Retreat. When, 19-year-old Martyn Eves vanishes without a trace, leaving his mother desperate for answers, she turns to Hollie to find her son. After an accusatory post on X about The Ice Retreat’s questionable practices, Hollie is offered an exclusive interview with Ariel Rose, who claims to have cured herself of an injury during her Olympic skiing career using ice therapy.

Since opening two years prior, the resort has been shrouded in secrecy. When Hollie and cameraman Rez arrive at the isolated location the 5m high, 500m long wall of steel stretching across the entire width of the valley floor isn’t exactly inviting. The arrival of two men in camo gear on snowmobiles to escort them feels decidedly as if they’re being taken to the lair of a Bond villain.

Naturally, the weather is unpredictable. A storm is looming and they’ve arrived on the heels of the winter equinox. They’re greeted by Tinx, Ariel Rose’s assistant, who informs them that it’s off-season and staffing is minimal. In fact, it’s just her, Ariel and Luca, the chef – the perfect set-up for a closed circle murder mystery.

Over the following days, Hollie attempts to expose Ariel Rose, but even Rez seems captivated by her charm. It’s easy to see why. She’s a 24-four-year-old, two-time Olympic skiing gold medalist with long, ash-white hair framing her Nordic face and pale blue eyes. Online she has a following of 2.5 million ‘ice warriors’. Saviour or cult leader? Hollie is convinced it’s the latter.

And where is Martyn? Has he been brainwashed and locked up somewhere? Or have the dangerous ice treatments led to his death and Ariel Rose is hiding it from the world?

Yet Hollie’s own credibility is questionable. She abandoned a promising career in biochemistry to become an investigative journalist. Her tumultuous personal life, including a divorce from a Nobel Prize winner and a growing alcohol problem, raises doubts about her objectivity. Grace, her boss, is convinced she’s obsessively chasing ghosts instead of focusing on the facts. Although she appears tough, Hollie may be susceptible to Ariel Rose’s psychological manipulation. Rez and Tinx gaslight Hollie, making her question her own sanity. “The altitude can be a problem; it messes with your head,” Tinx claims.

Ruth Kelly uses a dual timeline, intertwining Hollie’s investigation with two narratives set approximately three months prior, offering a glimpse into Martyn’s story. The first timeline details Martyn’s arrival at The Ice Retreat, while the second provides an account of the experiences of another patient, Florence. Martyn immediately recognises Florence Lewis Jones, the survivor of the tragic Glenridge fire. At 19, she narrowly escaped the fire that claimed her family’s lives and is now undergoing treatment for severe burns and memory loss. As the weeks pass, Martyn and Florence’s bond deepens. After each ice treatment, a part of Florence’s past is unlocked, shedding light on the mysterious circumstances surrounding her family’s death.

It’s up to us to piece together the puzzle of Hollie’s discoveries at the retreat and the experiences of Martyn and Florence. Kelly keeps us guessing, masterfully building suspense which culminates in a shocking revelation and concludes with some thrilling action sequences. The author’s own extensive travel experience informs her writing. Similar to her previous novels, The Villa and The Escape, The Ice Retreat relies strongly on its sense of place. The building itself, with its secret tunnels and hidden rooms, adds to the eerie atmosphere in addition to the hostile surroundings, unpredictable weather and isolated location. Hollie is frequently overwhelmed by a chilling sensation, as if a cold hand is tracing down her spine. She also experiences claustrophobic feelings, a sense of being trapped and watched.

The Ice Retreat is a perfect escapist read for the holiday season, whether you’re wrapped up warm in the northern hemisphere, or, like me, soaking up some sun on the beach in the south.

The Ice Retreat reminded me of another destination mystery, One by One, by Ruth Ware.

Pan Macmillan
Print/Kindle
£5.50

CFL Rating: 4 Stars