Safe by S.K. Barnett is a tense and exciting psychological thriller that drew me in from the very first page and didn’t let go until the final, exhilarating page had been turned. I knew very little about this book going in and I’m so glad I didn’t, as this is a story you need to experience for yourself. It’s dark, twisted and not always an easy read, but is one of those tales that I know will stay with me for a long time to come.

Twelve years ago, six year old Jenny Kristal was snatched in broad daylight as she walked to a friend’s house, only a short distance from where she lived. But now, after escaping from her kidnappers, Jenny is back. But as she settles back into a life she barely remembers, questions begin to mount. Where has Jenny been all these years? How did she find her way back home? Why has she suddenly resurfaced now? And the most important question of all…

Is she safe?

This is not an easy review to write, as it’s difficult to say too much without giving something away. But suffice to say this is a book that took me by surprise more than once as the story unfolded and the truth of what had happened to Jenny finally began to be revealed. The tension is palpable as the suspense ratchets up to breaking point, the cleverly woven plot making my pulse race and keeping me on my toes throughout.

There is no doubt that S.K. Barnett knows how to write a superb psychological thriller. I was blown away by the strength of his writing, and found the story so compelling that once started I could not put this tense and suspense filled thriller down.

A must read!

This is a slow burn read. Which is not a bad thing but when you mix it with the fact that I really did not care for the characters; it makes reading this book a bit difficult. So, what kept me reading this book you ask? It was the storyline. I was intrigued to learn the mystery surrounding Jenny.

What exactly happened to Jenny years ago and why are things not adding up now? What are her parents and brother hiding? I was very intrigued to figure out what this mystery was. Although, it was apparent that part of it was not a surprise. It was early on that readers discovered Jenny's truth. However, this I learned was a cover up to throw the reader off the course to the big reveal towards the end of the story. Which I did not see coming. Overall, this was a fairly good book that is worth giving a look at.

I have seen this book raved about all over Instagram leading up to pub day. I'm not one to gravitate towards a book where a child has been kidnapped, but this one is different because she comes back. So I requested this through NetGalley and thankfully they, along with Dutton Books approved.
Jenny disappeared when she was 6 years old. She was walking down the street to her friends house to play when she was taken. Her mom and dad did everything they could to find her, but nothing came of it. Fast forward a decade, and Jenny is back. Right off the bat I had my suspicions on who she was, who she really was. I wanted her to be Jenny so bad. I wanted a happy ending, but you know when a child disappears and comes back towards the beginning of the book, this story is more about than the child.
I was on my edge the entire time with this one never really knowing what to believe. Twist after twist is thrown your way while trying to figure out what is happening. When we get glimpses into what Jenny's childhood was like being raised by "Father" and "Mother," you're like it's her! However when Jenny talks to an old friend, we find out she was no angel child before she went missing. So why is she so different now?
There are many disturbing parts in this book, but what takes the cake is at the very end. Just throw in that twist right there, one that you could have never predicted. If you did, my hats off to you! What the heck?!! I'm still thinking about it, which makes this a very good, but disturbing read.
This one is available now. Thank you NetGalley and Dutton for sending this one my way.

this book was amazing!!!! We start of by following who we think is Jenny for the first couple of chapters. it’s a heart wrenching story until we find out Jenny isn’t who she says she is. We then get to know the really Jenny and the story starts to unfold. It’s a hard hitting book with some real life issues. The twists just kept coming, I never knew what would happen next. Really liked the style of writing reminded me a lot of Claire Douglas and how she writes and if you enjoy her books you will enjoy this too. Would DEFINITELY recommend!

I was definitely sucked in to this thriller. 4.5.