Safe: A Novel

I liked the twists and turns and surprise ending. There is so much that goes on in a person’s life that we really don’t know or can even comprehend. “Safe” offers up an emotional and almost unbelievable journey into the life of a young person who has “adapted” herself to any situations in order to stay alive. A great read!

Safe is definitely a page-turner novel and like some of the other recent reviewers, I read this book over two evenings and part of one afternoon. After all, not too much is “safe” to do today, today being July Fourth. Good for popcorn munching along with reading. My main contention is why the author used a psuedonym following the major movie made of a prior book. It was reminiscent of “Room”, made into a major movie. Did Donahue write this novel? The web site “Stop, You’re Killing Me” has no listing for S.K. Barnett. Or was it another author, who wrote an historical, serious novel that became a major movie?! Let the readers have a reveal of the author. Will the actual writer step forth and be unmasked?! Keeping social distancing in mind.

This book is full of twists and turns and keeps the reader on their toes. Just when you think you have it figured out, nope! Such a great read!!

Not SAFE about taking a Crack at the Catholic church. Other than that, it filled some time for me.

Really enjoyed this book

I'm one that doesn't read often...but THIS book brought back my love for reading in such a way that I find myself buying books constantly now. It's a MUST read.

This book just popped up as a suggestion from Amazon & it was SO good!! One of my new favorites! Thanks Amazon! ;)

What are the things that make you feel safe? 2020 has been a year of fear and uncertainty for many, and the idea of safety seems to be one worth exploring. COVID-19 has become an all-encompassing subject, one that promotes much debate, unpredictability, and even fear. I'll admit that my own anxiety levels have increased this week as the number of cases has rapidly risen in my own state. Safety has become a paramount priority for me and my family. The ability to transition to working from home again after a month of being back at work certainly plays into my sense of security. However small it may seem, wearing my mask when I venture out into public also makes me feel safe. Beyond COVID-19, I find safety in the routine things like cooking dinner, playing with my dog, and falling into the story of a really good book. It seems no coincidence that this week's read is appropriately titled Safe by S.K Barnett. I was gifted a copy of the book from the publisher and was eager to dig into this intriguing thriller.It has been nearly twelve years since little Jenny Kristal disappeared. The six-year-old was walking from her family home to a sleepover at a friend's house when she was snatched from the streets, never to be seen again. Her parents immediately began the search for their daughter while struggling to hold things together for the sake of their son, Jenny's younger brother Ben. But twelve years is a long time. Even the most optimistic person would have a hard time believing Jenny would ever return home. Parents Laurie and Jake are starting to run out of hope. At a certain point, it may be best to simply move on.Things change when a woman claiming to be Jenny is found by the police. She seems to fit the description of the missing child. She has the same blonde hair, same age, same dimples when she smiles, and she can even recall details from her life before the abduction. The woman tells a story of escaping from her abusive captors and making her way back home to safety. Laurie and Jake are quick to accept that their daughter has returned. Ben is a bit more skeptical. Years of being apart have been hard, but the return of Jenny means the family is finally all back together. Jenny is finally safe. Or is she?In Safe author S.K. Barnett brings a different take on a classic missing person mystery. Rather than focusing on the time of looking for the kidnapped child, Barnett picks up the story when the family is reunited. The novel digs deep into what comes after the happily ever after, revealing that the resolution of the years-long case is hardly the end of the story. The joyful reunion between parent and child soon gives way to drama, paranoia, and fear. Barnett deftly writes compelling character development while still filling the book with the twists and turns that make it a truly page-turning thriller. The revelations about each character intertwine with the driving plot, propelling the novel forward at a rapid pace. Flashbacks are interspersed with the present-day story, providing ample context about the events that lead up to the story without giving away any of the shocks that follow. As COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on the world, I'm happy to fall into the comfort of a good book like Safe by S.K. Barnett.

An absolutely stunning psychological thriller by the bestselling author of a well-known film who's decided to use a pseudonym to write in a different genre. The characterisation, plot, complexity, twists, and writing style were perfect. The author has clearly done his research on psychology or has a psychology background. And though I guessed what was about to happen two chapters prior that was only because the author had cleverly led me there, so that I felt like I was conducting my own investigation and working things out for myself, and was then proven correct shortly afterwards. This made what became an entertaining read feel plausible, and thus the story realistic. I loved how every loose thread was perfectly tied together in the end. I cannot wait to read more from this author.

It was a great read, many twists and turns

A child (Jenny) disappears only to return 12 years later but is she really Jenny or a con artistAll is revealed a third of the way through the story but something isn’t right within the family and the returning child starts to dig into the disappearance 12 years previously. She gets help from a retired cold case detective and a friend who is an expert hacker. Slowly what really happened is revealed interspersed with Jenny’s flash backs of the previous 12 yearsIt’s a good read, sympathy is evoked for the returning child but it is difficult to understand how, given her circumstances, she has become so streetwise and knowledgeable. It’s a little unrealistic. Personally I didn’t like part 2/ the epilogue I think the story would have a greater impact ending at the end of part 1

The book had been recommended as one to read so I thought I'd give it a whirl. The comment by Lee Child made it that more appealing. However, unlike the written critique I did guess what was going on and I was proved right. Nevertheless, it is well written and most unusual in its style, which was exciting. A good story.

I receive the Bookbub lists of books that are on special offer each day and look specifically for British detective fiction. So when this book appeared on the list, it wasn't what I was looking for at all. But the premise sounded quite interesting and I thought I'd try it. I'm so pleased that I did! It's one of the best books I've read this year and it kept me guessing almost to the last page. Well written with good characters and believable dialogue, I look forward to reading more by this author.