
CM C. (
CocoCee) reviewed on 11/1/2007...
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
For those not familiar with Little's horror novels, a family of five visit a desert resort for some R & R. First, things feel/seem out of place, then strange history come to light. Horrible and grotesque events happen after that, then a huge bloody finale. For Bentley Little fans, this is reminiscent of The Association, but with a twist/unexpected ending.

Holly R. (
hollyrod) - MI reviewed on 6/7/2007...
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
I was disappointed with this book. I have enjoyed most of Bentley Little's books, but this one was just a little too "out there" - even for Bentley! Some of the scenes were disturbing to the point of being sick and just plain disgusting. It started out with typical Little suspense and horror and went downhill from there. Not a Bentley Little book I would recommend.

D. B. (
Mahala) reviewed on 9/4/2006...
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is a good book. The end has a twist that I did not expect. There are definitely NO hollywood endings in a Bentley Little book. His books are easy to read, but are engaging and entertaining. I recommend this book. But do note that his content is "adult" at times, so this book is NOT for pre-teens or teens who aren't allowed to read books with violence, language, sexual content or occult-religious content.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
In this very slow drawn out book, Little introduces us to his main characters, the Lowell Thurman family, mom, dad and three boys. Deciding they could afford the winter rates at the high end Reata Resort of Arizona, they pack the family off for a week of fun in the sun. Strange encounters and less then family atmosphere makes the Thurman's and other guest's question what is truly going on here.
The hotel has a strange mind mend on those staying there, they forget, they hallucinate, they become highly sexual, they become barbaric. But leave it to a 13 year old boy to find the answer and save the day.
By the end of this really horrible book I was repulsed. For a thriller it was even further out there than most. Too many barbaric scenes that had no point; and in turn made this book a joke. No need to read this author again.

Toodie L. (
toodie) reviewed on 2/5/2007...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book was so good, from the very beganning it was hard to put down. It just keeps drawing you into the book. The more you read the more you want to know what will happen next. I highly recommend this book
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
One of the scariest books I have ever read! A family gets a great off-season rate at an exlusive resort in the desert. Odd things start happening almost as soon as they get there. Then fellow guests start disappearing. They are alone as whatever is there starts taking over.

Lisa C. (
elcee) reviewed on 1/4/2007...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
takes place in a resort. not your typical place for a resort, after you read this you will want to find out all you can about places you stay.

Barbara S. (
barbsis) - Netcong, NJ reviewed on 7/18/2009...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is the one and only Bentley Little book I will ever read. What crap and a waste of money!
I found this book to be a disturbing parody of a horror novel. For inexplicable reasons, the characters all seemed to have Tourette's Syndrome. Out of the blue just blurting out weird sexual idioms and irrelevant comments. The story was very choppily written - just jumping all over the place with no real purpose to this style of writing. I did like the main characters (a family of 5) who where inexplicably surprised at this seemingly innocuous resort that turned into a baffling haunted resort.
The conclusion somewhat explained what was going on but the story was more ridiculous (and stupid) than scary. The author threw sexual elements into the mix that had no baring on the storyline at all. Just reinforced the whole Tourette's thing.
Very interesting ang genuinely scary. A great read for any horror fan with a nice little twist.
What a sick, twisted, little book. I loved every word of it. Bentley Little reminds me of early Clive Barker, who also loves to go to the extreme.
I like the plot and the character development. Toward the end you are really cheering for the good guys to win. Imagine having someone or something get into your head and finding all your insecurities and then using them against you? That is what this book does to the main characters.
I am giving this book 4 stars, if I did not have bad dreams the night I finished it I would I would have given it 5. This book is not for the faint of heart.

Barbara S. (
5927) reviewed on 10/10/2008...
Good scary book, Bentley style. It is worth a read and I liked it.
Interesting book, okay read, drags on somewhat, disappointing ending. This was my first Bentley Little book, it was an easy read and I probably will read one more of his books before I decide whether I like him or not, but I don't think he will become one of my favorite authors.
Rob H. reviewed on 6/8/2007...
Starts out with a normal family going on vacation at a beautiful remote resort and ends up in horror. Held my interest throughout.
bentley little is the absolute best!

Chuck P. (
1998SVT) reviewed on 3/12/2007...
The Reata is an exclusive spa isolated in the Arizona desert...a perfect getaway from the city for the people like Lowell Thurmond and his family, booked for a relaxing five day retreat. But what unfolds is anything but tranquil. You might say a vaction from/in Hell. Another great story by Bentley Little.

Rick M. (
giebeman) reviewed on 2/9/2007...
Not quite the place I want to spend my next vacation. Could be that you are interested in one-way tickets?
The Reata is an exclusive spa isolated in the Arizona desert-a perfect getaway from the city for people like Lowell Thurman and his family, booked for a relaxing five-day retreat. But what unfolds is anything but tranquil: unnerving encounters with strange employees, wild parties in empty rooms, something unspeakable in the pool. Then,one by one,guests begin disappearing. The Thurmans are afraid because out in the middle of nowhere, with no escape and no one to hear them scream, they're left with only one terrifying choice: unlock the dark secrets of the Reata themselves before the real carnage begins.
FROM BACK COVER:
The Reata is an exclusive spa isolated in the Arizona desert - a perfect getaway from the city for people like Lowell Thurman & his family, booked for a relaxing five day retreat. But what unfolds is anything but tranquil: unnerving encounters with strange employees, wild parties in empty rooms, something unspeakable in the pool. Then, one by one, guests start didappearing. The Thurmans are afraid because out in the middle of nowhere, with no escape and no one to hear them scream, they're left with only one terrifying choice: unlock the dark secrets of the Reata themselves before the real carnage begins.

Christie S. (
Tchr36) reviewed on 10/17/2006...
It's another twisted tale from Bentley Little! It will make you think twice the next time you go to a fancy resort!
The Reata is an exclusive spa isolated in the Arizona desert--a perfect getaway from the city for people like Lowell Thurman and his family, booked for a relaxing five-day retreat. What unfolds is anything but tranquil: Strange employees, parties in empty rooms, something in the pool. Then the guests start disappearing. They are stuck in the middle of nowhere, with no escape.
Makes you think about that great price you get at that nice hotel :)

Matt A. (
msa5293) reviewed on 9/19/2006...
Does this guy ever miss?

PATRICIA W. (
trish1) reviewed on 8/26/2006...
VERY GOOD BOOK!
Excellent horror story set in an exclusive spa isolated in the Arizona desert.
Bently Little is in a class all by himself! You don't want to visit or stay at his "Resort". Spooky!
Awesome book! kind along the lines of Stephen King's "cell" or at least that was my impression of it..
Welcome. Relax. Enjoy your stay. And lock yourself in after dark....

Felicia B. (
felly) reviewed on 4/25/2006...
Another suspenseful tale by the always-reliable Bentley Little. If you think you're a horror fan but have never heard of him, do yourself a favor and try him out.

Katrina B. (
kat1969) reviewed on 3/19/2006...
great!

Anna D. (
Cavalier) reviewed on 3/16/2006...
A lot like The Shining

B. P. (
syren) reviewed on 1/8/2006...
Fabulous book will get you hooked! If you like "The Shining" you'll love this!

Cherita G. (
morebooks) reviewed on 11/9/2005...
Chilling tale of suspense. Little is up there with King and Koontz.

Gloria T. (
gloworm29) reviewed on 10/23/2005...
From the cover: The Reata is an exclusive spa isolated in the Arizona desert - a perfect getaway from the city for people like Lowell Thurman and his family, booked for a relaxing five-day retreat. But what unfolds is anything but tranquil: unnerving encounters with strange employees, wild parties in empty rooms, something unspeakable in the pool. Then, one by one, guests begin disappearing. The Thurmans are afraid because out in the middle of nowhere, with no escape and no one to hear them scream, they're left with only one terrifying choice: unlock the dark secrets of the Reata themselves before the real carnage begins.
Great book Bentley Little is an excellent author I have read several of books and have not been disappointed yet

Jessica W. (
myescape) reviewed on 10/5/2005...
The Reata is an exclusive spa isolated in the Arizona desert-a perfect getawaw from the city for people like Lowell Thurman and his family, booked for a relaxing 5 day retreat. But what unfolds is anything but tranquil; Unnerving encounters with strange employees, wild parties in empty rooms,something unspeakable in the pool. Then, one by one, guests begin disappearing. The Thurmans are afraid because out in the middle of nowhere, with no escape and no one to hear them scream, they're left with only one terrifying choice; unlock the dark secrets of the Reata themselves before the real carnage begins.

Jennifer C. (
JustJen) reviewed on 6/17/2005...
Excellent book! Good suspense.
Pam W. reviewed on 2/1/2005...
The Reata is an excusive spa isolated in the Arizona desert-a perfect getaway from the city for people like Lowell Thurman and his family, booked for a relaxing five-day retreat. But what unfolds is anything but tranquil:unnerving encounters with strange employees, wild parties in empty rooms, something unspeakable in the pool. Then, one by one,guests begin disappearing. The Thurmans are afraid because out in the middle of nowhere, with no escape and no one to hear them scream, they\'re left with only one terrifying choice: unlock the dark secrets of the Reata themselves before the real carnage begins.